Page 7 “Ceremony was going on well until we started celebrating the bride,” one witness says of incident in which six people died when they fell into an underground tank after its slab collapsed as they danced in jubilation Wedding tragedy survivors speak out Kenya and Indonesia in trade pacts Page 15 Nairobi exported goods worth Sh1.14 billion to Indonesia last year while its imports stood at Sh27.1 billion, indicating need for the two countries to improve their balance of trade, which is skewed against Kenya Ke nya’s Newspaper NO1. FREE Tuesday, August 22, 2023 NO. www.pd.co.ke // www.epaper.pd.co.ke 07881 President William Ruto with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at State House, Nairobi, yesterday when they held talks and jointly addressed the media. They agreed on priority areas to strengthen commercial ties between the two nations. PCS New rules on how to grade KCSE candidates News Beat PG 6 Gor Mahia: Yes, we are the team to beat! Page 31 New season of Kenyan Premier League kicks off in six days and defending champions K’Ogalo are not being modest about their ambition Ruto paybill rule hurts State firms Directive now challenged: Even as key agencies feel squeeze of order requiring them to use one pay platform, judge certifies case urgent PAGE 5
NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 His Minority counterpart Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) said the joint technical committees will engage from Tuesday to Thursday before the all team meets on Friday to review what will have been agreed on. Wandayi explained the absence of Kalonzo Musyoka – who is the leader of the Azimio delegation – and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot at yesterday’s meeting, saying they had travelled outside the country. “We have tasked our technical teams to meet from Tuesday to Thursday before our joint teams gather here on Friday to review the progress made so far. We believe that the Senate will expedite the anchoring of the talks in law just like the National Assembly has done,” said Wandayi. The Kalonzo-Ichung’wah-led team has also tasked the technical teams to frame the agenda items for consideration by the committee and review the talks framework agreement to incorporate the negotiating teams’ resolutions. During yesterday’s meeting, other than Ichung’wah, Kenya Kwanza’s team had Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Hassan Omar and Bungoma Woman Rep Catherine Wambilianga. Apart from Wandayi, former Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, were present in the Azimio side. by Rawlings Otieno @PeopleDailyKe The National Dialogue Committee yesterday told off politicians critical of the talks between the government and the opposition, saying members will not be distracted by critics. The team’s co-chair, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, said the negative comments by some politicians would not derail the talks. The technical committee on the national dialogue committee has until Friday to agree on the issues to be discussed before the negotiations between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza side and Raila Odinga’s Azimio, begin. Ichung’wah said some negative statements from both allies of President Ruto and Raila do not reflect the position of the dialogue team. He added that official communication on various issues will come directly from the leadership of the team. “Undeterred by the skepticism of critics, the committee remains steadfast in its pursuit of upholding the nation’s peace, tranquility, and stability. We are dedicated to addressing the pertinent issues raised, fostering open dialogue, and seeking viable solutions within the framework of the nation’s fundamental principles,” said Ichung’wah. He added: “What is being said out there will not determine our discourse. We will ignore all the noise.” Ichung’wah said the dialogue team had recognized that the nation’s welfare transcend individual interests, adding that the committee was united in its resolve to en- :H·OOSURYHWDONV VNHSWLFVZURQJ VD\V,FKXQJ·ZDK Some politicians including DP Rigathi Gachagua have criticised dialogue between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio gage constructively. The Leader of Majority’s assurance comes amid hostile comments by some politicians who have been rubbishing the talks. Ruto’s allies, led by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, have publicly urged him to ignore the talks and instead focus on delivering on his mandate. “I called Senator Aaron Cheruiyot four times but he did not answer my call. Later he told me that he was in the dialogue meeting. That dialogue you are bragging about will end. Important dialogue is about fertilizer, talks about farming,” Gachagua said recently. Parliamentary Service Commission member, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, castigated the talks, saying Raila should retire from active politics. “Raila is supposed to be treated like Donald Trump (former US President who is facing charges of trying to overturn his loss in the 2020 election). If it were upon me, I would tell the President to abandon the talks. I would like to tell the President to take responsibility and stop being intimidated,” said Muthama. Ichung’wah, who is the leader of Kenya Kwanza delegation in the talks, said leaders speaking outside the talks framework were only airing their opinions. Addressing the press at the Bomas of Kenya after the team met yesterday, Ichung’wah said the National Assembly had already passed the motion to have the talks anchored in law. He said that the motion had been forwarded to the Senate which will be handling the matter on Tuesday next week. “We have been given 60 days to give a report to Parliament over our deliberations with the days starting to count once the Senate discusses the motion to have the talks anchored in law since the National Assembly has already dispensed with the matter and we are good to go,” said Ichung’wah. PROCESS Last week, the National Assembly unanimously passed a motion to have the talks anchored in law. The motion has been forwarded to the Senate which will be handling the matter on Tuesday next week. The KalonzoIchung’wah-led team has tasked technical teams to frame the agenda items for consideration by the committee. /HDGHUVFKDOOHQJHGWRZDONWKHWDONLQZDUDJDLQVWFRUUXSWLRQPHQDFH by Mercy Mwai @wangumarci Members of Parliament have said the war against corruption requires political goodwill to succeed. The lawmakers told leaders holding key positions in government to take tangible actions that will demonstrate that they are serious on eliminating the vice. Debating the report of the Kenya Delegation to the Parliamentary Dialogue on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the Annual General Meeting of Global Parliamentarians Against Corruption held in Doha, Qatar in March, the MPs underscored the urgency of the leaders to unite Kenyans against corruption. They called for introduction of anti-graft education school to instill moral values from an early age. “If we confront corruption head-on and with greater seriousness, I am confident that the entire country will rally behind us,” said the Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi. Kanduyi MP John Makali raised concerns about the prevailing legal framework, particularly the efficiency of the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission (EACC) in fighting corruption. He called for a broader focus on ethics and values, saying these principles should be instilled in institutions of learning. Elgeyo Marakwet Women Rep Caroline Ng’elechei said the corrupt often resort to legal maneuvers to defeat justice. Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed said some people only use the anti-corruption rhetoric to advance their political agenda. BUSINESS HUB Page 16 Acquisitions to increase in Kenya as start-ups fold up OPINION Page 10 Rural areas must remain focus of devolution POINTERS WEATHER TODAY Nairobi 28° Mombasa 30° Kisumu 32° Nyeri 26° Kitui 32° Wajir 35° Kimani Ichung’wah Opiyo Wandayi Cecily Mbarire Amina Mnyazi Hassan Omar Eugene Wamalwa by Mathew Ndung’u @PeopleDailyKe A dispute over the compensation of plot owners in Mutomo, Gatundu South, Kiambu, is set to be resolved after the government agreed to fix the stalemate that has been derailing expansion of Mama Ngina University. Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe said the government will include compensation money in the September supplementary budget. In the deal, each of the 190 property owners will receive a minimum of Sh10 million for their quarter-acre plots which have been acquired by the government for the expansion of Mama Ngina University (pictured). All the land owners will receive a total of Sh2.2 billion, with the highest plot going for Sh35 million. Their chairman Harun Gacheru said the move was huge relief to the plot owners. “It’s been tough living on land that we could not develop as we could be relocated anytime. The assurance by the MP that our dues will be included in the September supplementary budget has revived our hopes and we are ready to leave our parcels for expansion of this university,” said Gacheru. Solomon Muiruri and Mary Nyakio said they secured loans to facilitate their relocation only for the government to delay the compensation plan. 3ORWRZQHUVLQ YDUVLW\ODQG GLVSXWHWREH SDLG6KE
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY NEWS BEAT by Reuben Mwambingu @reubenmwambingu After spending 17 years and 11 months in long distance truck driving crisscrossing the Northern corridor, Stephen Matei Musunza, 53, never thought for once that he will one day be forced to go back to a driving school to refresh his skill. However early this month Musunza, a father of two, enrolled for driver retesting and coughed up over Sh11,000 for the classes in which he is learning the basics of driving. The trucker says the decision to go back to driving school, his experience notwithstanding, was inevitable following the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) requirement that all Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and commercial vehicle drivers must undergo re-testing. “I came here at the NTSA offices with my license to get approval of some documents but they said as per the requirement I must undergo retesting… but because I had applied for a job and I was promised some lucrative deal somewhere I had no option but to go back to school on August 10,” Musunza explained. “Now I have been taken back to basics of theory and model town board. I must say such things can be so annoying for a person of my level. I have been behind the steering wheel for all those 17 years. I have driven long and loaded trucks all the way to Kigali, Kinshasa, Juba and other cities of East Africa where driving rules vary from country to country but today I am sharing sessions with basic learners.” While in Kenya the law dictates that motorists keep left, Musunza says he has mastered the laws of other countries like Rwanda and Uganda. Transport paralysed NTSA had announced the retesting of all drivers upon the expiry of their licenses. The retesting, which started on June 1, would also entail a mandatory medical fitness test by a qualified medical practitioner. The move was met with vehement resistance by drivers who declared a countrywide strike to oppose the exercise, prompting Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to suspend the exercise until September 1 when it is expected to resume. The strike would have seen transport paralysed in the country. Many drivers have expressed displeasure after NTSA said they would require retesting %DFNWRGULYLQJVFKRRO DIWHU\HDUVRQWKHURDG NTSA DRIVER RETESTING NTSA had announced the retesting of all drivers upon the expiry of their licenses. Out of 1,847 drivers across the country who underwent a retest between June 9 and June 30, only 576 passed the test while 1,170 failed. The exercise targeted drivers with class endorsements B3, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, CE and CD. by George Kebaso @Morarak Doctors in the country yesterday revived their call for the government to honour its promise on addressing a range of issues they have been raising for months now. The health professionals said that lack of proper response on their plight risks undermining the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC). The UHC programme began in 2018 as a pilot in four of Kenya’s 47 county governments; Nyeri, Isiolo, Machakos and Kisumu. It is set to be rolled out countrywide in the near future. Now, however, doctors are not happy with the way their Collective Bargaining Agreement with the national and county governments is being handled. “We urgently call upon responsible authorities to honour their commitment, prioritise the welfare of our doctors, and take immediate steps to implement the CBA, ensuring that our healthcare systems can effectively serve those in need,” Kenya Medical Dentists Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General, Dr Davji Atellah said. He raised issues with the way doctors are being dismissed and rendered indignifying contracts with no medical cover in the counties, especially in Nakuru, Embu, Busia and Kakamega. “It is disheartening that those who work tirelessly to safeguard our citizens’ health are themselves left vulnerable and unsupported,” he said, and advised that to protect the future of the healthcare system, it is imperative that government officials acknowledge their enormous worth. Immense complexities The doctors want fair treatment for healthcare workers, and further called on the government to make investments in their welfare. “All these immense complexities involved in achieving UHC will only be achieved by the deliberate investment in healthcare employment of the health workers,” Dr Atellah said. The medics demanded that the government invest in healthcare in order to bridge the ever-widening gap between promises and actual delivery of the service. “Our call is not to abandon the UHC vision but to recognise and tackle the formidable challenges that hinder its realisation,” he said. *RYHUQPHQWQHJOHFWRI GRFWRU·VSOLJKWDIIHFWLQJ KHDOWKFDUH.3'8VD\V Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union members address the media in Nairobi, yesterday. PD/GERALD ITHANA 2018 The UHC programme began in 2018 as a pilot in four of Kenya’s 47 county governments; Nyeri, Isiolo, Machakos and Kisumu. In a statement, Murkomen said the suspension was aimed at allowing for the formation of a multi-agency team to look into concerns raised by drivers. Out of 1,847 drivers across the country who underwent a retest between June 9 and June 30, only 576 passed the test while 1,170 failed. The exercise targeted drivers with class endorsements B3, D1, D2, D3, C, C1, CE and CD. The retesting followed increased accidents across the country, which have left hundreds dead. And as the clock ticks towards September 1, the discomfiture amongst players in the transport sector is mounting. Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers Association chairperson Roman Waema, is of the idea by NTSA to subject truckers to mandatory retesting was unfair and unconstitutional since there was no public participation. “This idea was brought through the back door because there was no public participation and key stakeholders in the transport sector were not involved. The Authority has brought these complicated laws through the backdoor,” explains Waema who further insists the directive to have Commercial truckers undergo mandatory retesting is not only punitive but also inconveniencing. Further confusion Initially, the chairman says the official stamps for truckers used to be from Artic Driving Academy, which would later be changed by NTSA with introduction of smart driving license. However, according to Waema, the introduction of smart driving licenses has invited further confusion as the truckers reportedly ended up losing their CE license stamps, which are the Trailer driving licence. “This is dangerous, because the majority of the truckers here now don’t have the trailer stamp which is the only proof to show that they are licensed Trailer (Heavy Commercial Vehicle) drivers. NTSA told us to apply but nothing has so far been done. “This is outright corruption because they have deliberately deleted our stamps from their digital system so that they force us to go back to class for retesting. We are saying we are not ready to go back and if they will not listen to us, we are ready to paralyse transport in the country,” explained Waema who blames the Authority for micromanaging processing of licenses for truckers. Stephen Matei Musunza, a long distance driver at Miritini area in Mombasa. PD/ NDEGWA GATHUNGU by Dennis Lumiti @PeopleDailyKe Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale says a member of the Luhya Community will succeed President William Ruto come 2032. Dr Khalwale said they would rally the community to support Ruto’s re-election in 2027 and thereafter produce his successor after the two terms. He said they would lobby for development of the Western region so as to easily convince the residents to re-elect the President. “We have made it categorical to President Ruto that he should fulfil his pre-election pledges that he made to the people of Kakamega and other parts of the Mulembe Nation after which we shall support his bid for second term come 2027,” he said. He termed Ruto as an honest person who would not renege on his commitment to see a Luhya at State House. 0XGDYDGL·VGDXJKWHUZHGVODZ\HU .KDOZDOHFDOOVIRU5XWRVXSSRUW by Antony Nganga @PeopleDailyKe MaryAnne Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s only daughter and one of Kenya’s most eligible bachelorettes is off the market. In a quiet ceremony loud in significance, one Nyaga Karanja tiptoed to quiet Mululu village in Vihiga county and staked his claim in a traditional wedding. The love birds matched in emerald green outfits; MaryAnne stunning in her body hugging lace dress while Nyaga stepping up in all black with a green drape to match MaryAnne’s dress, and carried a black cane to cap it all. The groom showed up with his brothers and friends who included Davidson Wakairu, the son to Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe. A bevy of beauties, draped in traditional kikuyu wrap-ons were also in the convoy, belting out traditional wedding songs. MaryAnne holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and a bachelors in Psychology while Nyaga is a lawyer. MaryAnne came to prominence when Mudavadi was launching his presidential campaign at the ANC national delegate conference where she said, “My father has been tried and tested.”
by Zadock Angira @PeopleDailyKe Security and investigative agencies have adopted a collaborative approach for investigations and prosecution of corruption, terrorism, terrorism financing and money laundering cases among other crimes. The initiatives seek to leverage resources and expertise while improving the ability to detect, prevents, and effectively investigates such crimes. “The various agencies are equipped differently, with their own unique capacities, and this will enhance the optimal use of shared information. The joint investigations ensure timely information sharing,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin said. In conducting investigations, the lead agency is expected to ensure that all concerned agencies are involved in the investigations and are provided access to relevant information. Last week, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) agreed to report suspicious transactions by their clients to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) in a major boost to the fight against money laundering in the country. The move ends a stalemate that had tested one of the conditions Kenya was required to fulfil to continue accessing a Sh334 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Signed consent The FRC Director-General Saitoti Maika on August 17 told Parliament they had signed consent with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to withdraw a case which has blocked the implementation of a new law that compels lawyers and their staff to disclose suspicious financial deals involving their clients. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge has also backed the proposed changes to the law arguing that Kenya stands the risk of being placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list” if it does not substantially address deficiencies including legal reforms by October 2023. “The need for multi-agency, multistakeholder and multi-sectoral approach has been necessitated by the organized and complex nature of some of these crimes. They require thorough investigations while gathering sufficient evidence likely to secure upon prosecution,” a senior government official said. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has also issued clear directives regarding investigations into money laundering, terrorism and terrorism financing cases. On August 11, for example, the acting DPP Dorcas Oduor issued directives aimed at addressing the deficiencies on Kenya’s anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism efforts. Oduor directed prosecutors handling cases that generate proceeds of crime to ensure that criminal investigation files are reviewed to establish whether any proceeds of crime were generated from the commission of the offence and initiate parallel financial investigations in such cases. Kenya underwent a mutual evaluation process last year by the Eastern Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) and in September 2022, ESAAMLG submitted a report on deficiencies and ways of strengthening the country’s anti-money laundering and the countering of terrorism financing framework. As a result, Kenya was placed on a one-year observation period to rectify the identified deficiencies by October this year. To address the deficiencies, the FRC as the coordinator of the National Taskforce on Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering of Terrorism Financing, identified the ODPP as one of the key institutions in addressing some of the deficiencies identified. According to the DPP, the proceeds generating offences to be given priority have been identified as fraud and forgery offences; drug related offences; corruption and economic crime offences; environmental and wildlife cases; and cyber-crime related offences. fl NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 7UDGHUDFFXVHV'33RI IDLOXUHWRSURVHFXWHLQ JUDEEHGSURSHUW\FDVH by Nancy Gitonga @PeopleDailyKe A 75-year-old trader has accused the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of failure to prosecute a couple that has allegedly grabbed his multibillion shilling property in Lavington, Nairobi county. Munir Ahmed Chowdhary, a UK-based trader, expressed shock at why businessman Mahesh Kumar Bhatti and his wife Anita Bhatti did not take plea before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina before whom they appeared yesterday. The couple had been arraigned before Milimani Law Courts at around 9am but no charges were preferred against them. The couple was hurriedly whisked away from the courtroom, leaving the complainant’s lawyer Moses Mabeya and his property agent stranded and in utter shock. “We are at a loss as to what is happening. We had been informed by the Investigating officer that the suspects we be charged today at the Milimani Law Courts,” said Mabeya while addressing court journalists. “Add true to the investigating officers’ word, the suspects were produced before court but they were not charged and mysteriously walked away from the seat of justice”. Bashir expressed shock over the turn of events since they had been assured by DPP and DCI that the trespassers into the property which is subject to a High Court will be charged. In a video recorded by the hospitalised proprietor of the suit property and presented to the DCI and the DPP, Munir confirmed he has the title to the property and, therefore, was the legal owner. “I am the registered owner of land number 209/7771 measuring 0.3132 hectares,” Munir states. He goes on to state he acquired the property in 1977 together with his late partner Assi and developed it for two years completing in 1979 then leased it out to a client namely TM-AM construction company. Munir also says that in 1987 he sold part of the land to the said firm. He says he has been receiving rent todate and that the couple is an intruder to his property. “Justice must take its caused, the property is mine and my late partner Assi whose shares have been on to his surviving wife and the grabbers must face the full force of law,” Munir states from UK. Trying out the ring dance Ahadi Kenya Trust Chief Executive Officer Stanley Kamau shares a light moment with elderly women as the try popular children’s ring dance at Igare Market in Bobasi Constituency, Kisii County during the donation of assorted items to vulnerable people on Sunday. More than 200 vulnerable elderly women and men benefited from blanket, ankara and maize flour donations by Ahadi in partnership with Ushirika Wema Initiative. Dr Kamau called for protection of elderly women against witchcraft stigmatization. PD/ROBERT OCHORO $EGXOVZDPDGEDQVYHKLFOH PRYHPHQWWRHDVHWUDIILF by Reuben Mwambingu @PeopleDailyKe The county government of Mombasa restricted movement of heavy vehicles on a number of roads during peak hours with the view of easing traffic congestion during construction of the new Mombasa-Malindi road. In a public notice that took effect yesterday, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s administration restricted movement of heavy commercial vehicles above 10 tons on five roads during peak hours between 6.00 am to 9.30 am in the morning and 3.30pm and 8.00pm in the evening. The roads include the Nyali Bridge, Fidel Odinga Road, Links road, New Malindi road, and Old Malindi Road. “Take notice of the restrictions of heavy commercial vehicles movement above 10 tons during peaks hours on the roads listed below to help manage traffic flow as construction of the Mombasa-Malindi highway progresses,” the notice by the department of Transport, Infrastructure and Public works reads in part. 1HZDSSURDFKE\DJHQFLHVLQWHUURUZDU Initiatives seek to leverage resources and expertise while improving the ability to detect and prevent crimes WAR ON TERROR In conducting investigations, the lead agency is expected to ensure that all concerned agencies are involved ODPP has also issued clear directives regarding investigations into money laundering, terrorism and financing Oliver Musembi @PeopleDailyKe Interior’s Kithure Kindiki still tops the list of best performing Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) in a new poll that also puts Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir at the top of county chiefs. Among the CSs, ICT’s Eliud Owalo is rated second while Kipchumba Murkomen of Roads comes third. In the list of best performing governors, Nassir is followed by Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay). Among the PSs, Raymond Omollo also of Interior ministry is top performer with his Education counterpart Belio Kipsang second. Susan Mang’eni of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise is third. .LQGLNLVWLOOEHVW SHUIRUPLQJ&6 CBK Governor Kamau Thugge. PD DCI boss Mohammed Amin.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY NEWS BEAT ffi Departments and Agencies were ordered to use only one PayBill number, 222222, to collect revenue paid for government services. More intriguing is the revelation that for every transaction made by any Kenyan, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) deducts Sh50, out of which Sh30 goes directly to the company managing the pay bill, leading to the question of how that firm was prequalified. The president made the move because the government could not account for some of the PayBill numbers used by various government agencies hence the move to shut them down. Speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) when he unveiled the State’s new digital services, President Ruto noted that Kenyans will only use the PayBill number, 222222, to pay for government services. “All government money will be paid through 222222 directly to the Treasury and then the Treasury will make sure that whole eco-system works. If there is money going to a particular ministry, the Treasury will ensure that the cash goes to the respective ministry and agencies,” said Ruto at the time. Discontinued And in a follow up statement issued on August 8, 2023, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok directed all government departments that were yet to comply with the directive to do so immediately. “Following the directive, 1,448 Paybills have been discontinued so far. Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are yet to comply with the directive are urged to do so without further delay,” said Prof. Bitok. While issuing the directive, President Ruto had said the government has gone digital and all agencies should comply. The President had explained that it was for the purpose of efficiency to use one playbill so that no data is lost or grey areas. He had indicated that once payments are made through the channel, the Treasury will then remit the cash to respective ministries. But since its operationalisation, other than impacting negatively on the delivery of services and leaving more confusion within the government agencies, questions are emerging over the independence of agencies such as NHIF and NSSF and the legality of the directive. Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri says the directive is not only illegal but also poses a security risk to government accounts. “The whole process is highly irregular as it is aimed at usurping the mandate of some parastatals like NHIF and NSSF which are run and operated by respective boards. Since the Acts of Parliament that created them allows them to collect such monies, they must be left to do so independently for purposes of accountability,” Theuri told the People Daily. Theuri warned that keeping all the revenue collected in one centralised account poses a major security risk in the event the system is compromised like hacking. Institutions such as Kenyatta National Hospital, NHIF and NSSF, among others are now finding it rough operating under the new system that was meant to seal loopholes through which some unscrupulous individuals pilfered public funds, but has ended up denying them the very money they are supposed to use. by PD reporter @PeopleDailyKe Several government agencies are threatened with near-paralysis in their operations as the effects of the centralised revenue payment system begin to bite. This is even as questions emerge over the legality of the new system that was announced by President William Ruto on June 30, with lawyers accusing the President of attempting to subvert the independence of parastatals. With the new system having taken off on August 9, state agencies that were spending revenue collected through Appropriationin-Aid (AIA) to fund their various activities have found the going tough as all the monies collected are remitted to a central account, leaving them starved. Though the President had promised that government agencies would receive back the AIA from the Consolidated Fund at the Central Bank of Kenya within 48 hours of collections, this has not happened because of red tape. In civil service lingua, AIA is the dayto-day revenue received by government departments and retained to meet daily operations expenditure, instead of being paid into the Consolidated Fund. For example, a hospital that has been depending on fees paid by patients for registration, consultation, X-rays, laboratory tests and other services for their day-to-day operations have been left frustrated as all the money is directly remitted to the Consolidated Fund. Therefore, several government agencies that have been relying on the AIA to fund their daily operations as they wait for the major part of their budget funding from the Fund have had to scale down some of their operations. Those hit hard include agencies that charge fees for service delivery such as public hospitals, the National Police Service, Immigration, Media Council of Kenya, National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya Pipeline Company, Communications Authority of Kenya, Airports Authority, Kenya Forest Service and National Social Security Fund (NSSF), among others. Only Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has been exempted from using the centralised system and has maintained its own collection system. One of the parastatals, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) yesterday sent out an alert urging Kenyans visiting its parks to make payments through e-Citizen. “KWS wishes to inform our esteemed customers and the public that they can now pay for services on the eCitizen platform. This follows the directive that all government services be boarded on the eCitizen platform to ensure efficient service delivery and transparency,” a statement from KWS’ corporate communications read. No framework Though proponents of the government digital payments unit argue that it is meant to increase revenue collection, minimize the cost of collection and enhance service delivery, heads of departments and CEOs claim the new system has bogged down service delivery as they have been unable to access the money remitted to the Consolidated Fund. Officers who spoke to People Daily on condition of anonymity say the government has not formulated a framework on how the proposed single digital payment platform would be managed. They also argue that it would be quite tedious or near impossible for the government to account for the revenue raised by different state bodies since the pay bill is single. Sources said that National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo yesterday convened a crisis meeting with departmental heads at the Treasury to deliberate on the matter that is now threatening the operations of government services. President Ruto’s June 30 directive meant that at least 1,448 PayBill numbers that had been in use for the collection of payments for government services were to be shut down to pave the way for a centralised payment system. As such, all Ministries, 6LQJOHSD\SRLQW GLUHFWLYHKXUWV 6WDWHDJHQFLHV Parastatals starved of cash to fund various activities as monies collected are remitted to a central account The government is on a mission to digitise its services through the Gava Mkononi app and whose fees are paid via a single pay point. PD/FILE IN BRIEF Order: President Ruto on June 30 ordered that at least 1,448 PayBill numbers that had been in use for the collection of payments for government services be shut down to pave the way for a centralised payment system. Compliance: On August 8, 2023, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok said1,448 Paybills have been discontinued so far. &RXUWFHUWLILHVSD\PHQWSODWIRUPSHWLWLRQXUJHQW by Nancy Gitonga @PeopleDailyKe A judge has certified as urgent a suit challenging President William Ruto’s directive to have all government services paid for through one digital payment platform. Justice Hedwig Ong’undi (pictured) of the Milimani High Court certified the case by two petitioners; Bernard Odero Okello and Fredrick Ogola terming the order unconstitutional. She has directed the petitioners to serve the Attorney General, Treasury and ICT ministry. The Attorney General’s office, Treasury and ministry of ICT ought to respond by August 29. The matter will then be mentioned on September 4 for compliance. In their application, Okello and Ogola claim that President Ruto’s unilateral and arbitrary direction on the closure of all government digital payments to allow on-boarding of all government services both at the national and county level into one digital payment platform is contrary to the Public Finance Management Act. Ogola claims there is no framework for managing the proposed single digital payment platform and there has not been any public participation in formulating the single digital payment platform. “The centralisation of all National and County government payment into a single one is contrary to the spirit of devolution as it does not promote distinctiveness of national and county level governments,” he claims in court documents. Ogola states that besides the illegalities in the matter, it is concerned that the President is the supplier of the platform where these payments will be taking place hence its for personal benefits just like other platforms such as Hustler Fund. Ogola wants the court to declare that the directive to on-board government services to a single Digital Payment Platform of Paybill Number 222222 on eCitizen.go.ke as conveyed in Gazette Vol. CXXIV-No. 287 Gazette Notice No. 16008 and published on December 30, 2022 in the absence of public participation is in violation of Articles 201(a) as read together with Articles 10(1), 2(a) and therefore unlawful and unconstitutional.
ffl NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 by Irene Githinji @PeopleDailyKe The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is developing a new grading structure for the 8-4-4 system for Form Four candidates. Chief executive David Njengere said the proposed structure is in line with recommendations made by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), which stated the 8-4-4 education structure provided for exams that were primarily summative for certification and placement. Kenya has remained with one grading system for long and despite slight changes, PWPER saw the problem endured over time and called for a re-look into the grading system. The working party said the grading system for KCSE considers seven subjects English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, two Science subjects and two other subjects, which disadvantages some learners whose best performing subject is not considered if not within the cluster. English and Kiswahili measure the literacy level of a learner, while Mathematics and any Science subject evaluate the numeracy aspects of the learner. “We have remained with the grading system for long, we have tried to massage it here and there and I am glad PWPER has seen that problem and recommended we look at our grading system,” said the official. Grading system He made the remarks on the sidelines of the ongoing 39th Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) conference which was presided over by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. PWPER proposed that computation of KCSE examination mean score by KNEC be based on Mathematics, English or Kiswahili and five other best-performed subjects. He said countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and other Anglophone 7ZRNLOOHGKRXVHVEXUQWLQ.LVXPX.HULFKRERUGHUURZ Two people have been killed and a house torched in Jimo East Location, Nyakach sub-county, following clashes between two communities living on the border of Kisumu and Kericho counties. Nine other people are recuperating at Nyakach Sub-County Hospital after sustaining spear and arrow injuries in the Saturday night incident. Several families spent the night in the cold, while others camped at Ndori primary school after the tension escalated. According to Samwel Alolo, one of the affected residents, tension started building up on Thursday after a group of youths raided Kasaye village in Jimo East Location of Nyakach and drove off with herds of goats, claiming that one of their cattle had been stolen. Alolo said efforts to trace the stolen goats, which were driven into the Soin Sigowet area in Kericho county, were met with retaliatory attacks, resulting in the deaths. He said a group of youths armed with arrows descended on the village, leaving behind a trail of destruction and making off with herds of goats, chicken and ducks. Alolo accused the Anti-StockTheft Unit police stationed at the border of laxity, saying they have failed to rein in the thugs. A contingent of police officers drawn from different units has been deployed in the area to quell tension and restore peace. Acting Kisumu County Commissioner Hussein Alassow Hussein directed the security officers on both sides of the border to enhance patrols and flush out those involved in the attacks. “We are making every effort to ensure that all the goats and cows that have been stolen are recovered. We also want you to produce the one cow stolen from the other side so that we can return it,” he said. Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o condemned the killings, calling out security agencies for failing to contain the tension in the area. – KNA countries do not grade as done in Kenya, a situation that should be changed. “We are going to look at PWPER recommendations and come up with a proposal on how grading can be effected because remember although we are doing away with 8-4-4 system, we still have five groups,” explained the CEO. Adding: “If every year we are registering over 900,000 candidates, then we are talking about close to 5 million candidates so we must find a way of ensuring we mitigate the effects of grading that have a negative effect on the outcomes. We are looking at that and we will be calling a stakeholders meeting and see how we revise that grading system.” According to PWPER report, a norm-referenced and criterion-referenced summative evaluation is administered at the end of primary and secondary school cycles, respectively. School-based assessments are administered during the learning process but do not form part of the final score except for some secondary school subjects, which require practical and project work. Njengere made the remarks even as he stated there is no cause for alarm over national exams due in about two months, urging parents to desist from being lured to buy fake papers. Njengere also said the country has to find a way of creating systems strong enough to ward off any attempts of malpractices. At the same time, Njengere assured teachers have been professional and objective as they administer exams, noting that trust is a major value in assessment and Kenyans should recognize that teachers are with the children throughout the year. He said KNEC has conducted School Based Assessment from 2019 under Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and data shows teachers’ professionalism. Good job This came as Mudavadi urged African countries to prioritize education reforms saying they will provide equal opportunities for all learners. He lauded the role examiners and assessors play saying that as professionals, they determine true abilities of every learner in the education system. “Governments rely on products you have molded to make investments, policies, job placements, reviews, and reforms. When one looks at logistics that assessors normally manage to get millions of young men and women, a lot of applause and salutations… your logistical assignment is usually bigger because you are reaching out to even more but has not really ended up to petitions, which means you do something right,” said Mudavadi. Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang challenged the delegates to explore whether education assessment in Africa is giving desired outcomes saying it is critical in defining how countries deal with their own issues. .QHFPXOOVQHZ.&6(JUDGLQJ VWUXFWXUHWRERRVWILQDOVFRUH Chief executive says current system does not favour some learners whose best subject is not considered if not within the cluster Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (seated centre) with education stakeholders after he officially opened the 39th annual conference for the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa in Nairobi, yesterday. PD/ ROBIN KISAVI &RXQW\VWHSV XSFDPSDLJQ WRILJKWEUHDVW FDQFHULQPHQ Nakuru county government has initiated a breast cancer awareness campaign aimed at getting more men tested for early diagnosis and treatment. Health executive Jacqueline Osoro (pictured ) said although breast cancer is mainly associated with women, who are also more at risk because of hormonal fluctuations, men are also increasingly becoming vulnerable to the disease. Speaking when she hosted a delegation from GTB Scan Lab Nakuru Limited yesterday, she said although breast cancer in men is rare, men should be made aware of common symptoms like lumps, discharge, and skin discoloration around the breast area. She said the county government is committed to not only creating awareness on the disease but also improving support and cancer screening for residents across the devolved unit. “Breast Cancer Awareness Month wchih will be marked next month will also serve as an opportunity to encourage men to undergo prostate screening, as prostate cancer also poses a great threat to them,” Osoro stated. According to the World Health Organisation, detecting cancers early remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. – KNA SUMMARY Panel beating: Kenya has remained with one grading system for long with slight changes. Taskforce proposal: The PWPER proposed that computation of KCSE examination mean score by Knec be based on Mathematics, English or Kiswahili and five other bestperformed subjects. Salesman charged with theft of wines A salesman was yesterday charged at a Nairobi court with stealing assorted wines valued at Sh2.1 million. George Mwaura Kahoro jointly with others not before the court is accused of committing the offence on diverse dates between April 10 and July 8, 2023 at Kioru Wines and Spirits Limited in Ngara in Nairobi county. The wine was the property of Nelson Kiogora. The court heard that during the time of the alleged offence, Mwaura was the employee of the complainant. He appeared before the Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina and denied the charges. The prosecution did not oppose his release on bond. He was released on a Sh200,000 bond or alternative cash bail of Sh100,000. The matter will be mentioned on August 28, 2023 for pre trial. – Gidraf Mwangi
who was the wedding event’s master of ceremony recounted how a moment of joy unexpectedly turned into pain and grief. “It was by God’s grace that I came out alive. I struggled and managed to get out of the reservoir with the help of those who had come to our rescue,” said Mwaura, who sustained injuries on his hands and legs. Originally wearing a suit with a theme colour of the wedding, the MC explained that he managed to get out of the tank after ropes were thrown in by the rescuers, which he used to climb out. Drenched and dirty, Mwaura had to look for alternative clothing to continue with day activities of coordinating the wedding. Simon Njoroge who had travelled from Mataara village in Gatundu North to aid in the process of picking the bride regretted that the incident inflicted fear leaving them with numerous questions why the incident occurred on a celebratory day. “We were waiting for the women who customarily celebrate the bride to finish their affair only to hear screams and later got to know that those accompanying us had drowned. We are saddened but the wedding had to continue,” said Njoroge. Joshua Kinyua, the man in charge of capturing the events on camera, lost his equipment and phone inside the tank. Kinyua, however, thanked God that despite the loss of his expensive camera, he managed to come out of the ordeal unscathed. Undergoing treatment According to rescuers, two people died on the spot while the others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment in various hospitals. A team of fire fighters from the Ruiru fire station rushed to rescue the group that had been trapped in the underground water tank. Those who were rescued were rushed to various hospitals in Ruiru among them Plains View Hospital, Ruiru Level 4 and Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital. County police commander Perminus Kioi revealed that investigations have commenced to ascertain how the incident happened and assured that anyone found to have caused the incident either by poor construction works or otherwise will face prosecution. Kiambu Woman Rep Ann Wamuratha who later attended the wedding reception termed the incident as tragic and unfortunate, but told organizers and the couple not to harbour any feelings of guilt. “It is sad that we have lost lives but we thank God because it could have been worse. As for the wedding couple, they should move on and build their marriage and should not entertain any iota of guilt since they are not to blame for the tragedy,” the MP said. Wamuratha also called on builders in the county to strictly follow the stipulated guidelines to avert further tragedies emanating from poor construction works. She also promised to mobilise the county leadership to assist the bereaved families in burial arrangements and also clearing hospital bills for the injured. “I am also appealing to owners of buildings to do due diligence and inspect their premises to avoid a repeat of the Fort Jesus catastrophe,” said Wamuratha. The incident that nearly paralysed the wedding ceremony sent shock waves and disbelief among residents. Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY NEWS BEAT ff War veteran to be buried on Friday Woman in court over coffin theft AIC clergy, elders call for better pay Mau Mau War Veteran Brigadier John Kiboko (pictured) is set to be laid to rest on Friday, August, 25 2023. Announcing the burial plans, Nyandarua governor Dr Kiarie Badilisha said the preparations of the ceremony are in top gear to ensure the late Kiboko is given a beffiting send off at his Ngorika home in Nyandarua County. The governor said his administration in conjunction with the national government will offset the Sh8.2 million hospital bill left behind by the late Kiboko. Kiboko died on Friday last week at the Nairobi Hospital while undergoing treatment where he had been admitted since May this year. The burial organising committee led by Ngorika Ward MCA Thuo Gachino has called upon leaders from the county to offer their support to the family to enable them bury their kin. –Calvin Osiemo A woman was yesterday charged at a Nairobi court with stealing two coffins worth Sh90,000. Maureen Khikani is accused of committing the offence on diverse dates between May 7 and May 12 last year at St Augustine Funeral Services located at Kenyatta Market within Nairobi county. The court heard that Khikani was the complainant’s saleslady when she stole two coffins’ valued at Sh90,000 and 26 pieces of coffin holders valued at Sh117,000. The goods were the property of St Augustine Funeral Services. She was released on bond of Sh250,000 or alternative cash bail of Sh100,000 with one contact person. The matter will be mentioned next week. – Gidraph Mwangi African Inland Church (AIC) Nyandarua Region Bishop Stanley Mutuku has called for better remuneration of pastors and church elders to motivate them in their work. He said many clergy contemplate quitting the calling due to many challenges, among them financial, which they face in the course of their work. He said the work of the church elders was even hard since they have no payment regime. He pleaded with the faithful to be motivating the pastors and elders by setting aside days of gifting them as a sign of appreciation. He said the work of church ministers was made more difficulty by people who judge the pastors. He said it was almost becoming normal for pastors to think of giving up due to the many challenges. – David Macharia by Mathew Ndung’u and Oliver Musembi @PeopleDailyKe Survivors of the wedding ceremony that turned tragic at Fort Jesus village in Ruiru, Kiambu County yesterday recounted how they escaped death narrowly in the incident that left six dead. The six were among eleven others who had gone to pick the bride when they drowned in an underground water tank that collapsed on Saturday last week. Witnesses said more than 20 people who were dancing inside the rental homestead and celebrating the bride’s big day fell in water storage tank. Among the dead were five women and a child who slid inside the reservoir after the slab caved in the 11am incident that left relatives and villagers in grief and shock. Rebbeca Macharia, one of those rescued from the well, yesterday recalled being dragged into the well by someone holding her for support after the concrete slab caved in. “I am a close friend of the woman who had invited us to go and pick the bride. We started the journey in the morning, and all was well until we started celebrating the bride. The unfortunate thing happened when we were singing and dancing. Even before the bride got out of the house, the underground tank we were singing over sank and we all found ourselves inside,” Macharia from Kiahiti village in Gatundu North told People Daily. Water reservoir While inside, Macharia revealed that she got to know that she was landing on a child whom she took by her hands before fighting to get out of the deep-water reservoir. “I held the child with my own hands, and I fought my way out. I was able to save the child and myself,” added Macharia. Another survivor, Leah Wangeci, told journalists that after the underground tank caved in, those who fell in did everything they could to save themselves from drowning. “I managed to grab a piece of wire, but as others tried to grab anything in sight, I was dragged down as people struggled to pull themselves out. Other people held me on the legs as well and this got me back to the water but I later managed to get out,” noted Wangeci. Despite the tragedy, the wedding ceremony between Charles Mworia and Susan Wanjira continued at Wonders Touch Ministries International church and later a reception held at Ruiru Boys High School grounds. Survivors and witnesses narrated how the bride who was ready and set for the big day escaped death by a whisker as she had to go back to the house when the celebrants sank in the 15-foot-deep tank. Caught unprepared, those who fell began fighting for their lives causing a stampede inside even as well-wishers began rescue efforts including draining the half-filled tank. One of the survivors Duncan Mwaura Kiambu County police commander Perminus Kioi inspects the underground tank at Fort Jesus in Ruiru that claimed six lives during a wedding-day ceremony on Saturday. PD/MATHEW NDUNG’U 6XUYLYRUVUHFRXQWQHDUGHDWK LQFLGHQWEHIRUH5XLUXZHGGLQJ More than 20 people were dancing on top of a water storage tank when the top slab caved in killing 6 RUIRU TRAGEDY Witnesses say more than 20 people who were dancing inside the rental homestead and celebrating the bride’s big day fell in water storage tank after the slab gave way. Five women and a child died while the 11 survivors were rushed to hospital for treatment. Witnesses narrated how the bride who was ready and set for the big day escaped death by a whisker as she had to go back to the house when the celebrants sank in the 15ft deep tank.
fi NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 by Alvin Mwangi @PeopleDailyKe The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has called for amendment of the Pension Act so that it’s retired members can be paid by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and not the Director of Pensions. The union says retired teachers are normally taken back and forth for years as they seek to get their retirement benefits with some even dying before accessing the funds. Knut National Treasurer Muuo Ndiku said retired teachers are subjected to endless visits to the Director of Pensions offices, with claims that their files had “disappeared” used as a bait for bribes by pension officials. “Our elderly members and teachers in general are the most incorruptible people and it is unfortunate that when their files disappear, they are compelled to pay bribes in order for them to resurface,” he said. Ndiku spoke in Limuru yesterday during the Kiambu West Knut branch Annual General Meeting (AGM). Balanced diet The union official also decried what he said was huge salary disparities among public officials in the country. “Teachers should be paid more than politicians because they are the ones who lay the foundation for the country’s human capital. But it is unfortunate because their meagre income is hardly enough to afford them even a balanced diet yet they teach the learners about the importance of having a balanced meal,” he said. At the same time, Ndiku said the union was demanding the immediate and unconditional absorption of teachers employed as interns by TSC. “Teachers who have worked for six months should be employed on perma- .QXWZDQWVHPSOR\HUWR WDNHRYHUWXWRUVSHQVLRQV Official says teachers go through a lot of troubles before being paid their dues after retirement nent and pensionable basis without being subjected to further interviews. It should dawn on TSC that its obligation is to employ teachers and forward the budget to the government,” he said amid cheers from the teachers. Knut Kiambu West Executive Secretary Michael Muna said teachers were in a dilemma on how to deal with rampant indiscipline cases in schools due to the outlawing of corporal punishment. Muna regretted that some parents do not co-operate on how to discipline their children noting that on many occasions, the Knut branch officials have had to deal with cases of teachers being reported at police stations by parents for administering corporal punishment on their children. “We would like to urge members to be extra careful lest they fall prey to parents who use pupils’ punishment as a cash cow and use such cases to extort money from teachers,” he said. Alcoholism He also revealed that cases of emotional stress and mental health challenges leading to depression among the teaching fraternity were on the rise. He attributed the situation to economic hardships. The branch secretary at the same time decried an increase in cases of alcoholism among teachers which, he said, had resulted in ineffectiveness in delivery of services, desertion of duty and divorce. “Alcoholism is a disease like any other and we would want to have it covered in our members medical scheme to enable those affected to get professional help with ease,” he said. by Alvin Mwangi @PeopleDailyKe The government has revived its campaign against bars operating in residential areas. Deputy county commissioners in Nairobi have been directed to compile a list of entertainment joints that are breaking the law. Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza directed the DCCs to submit the lists in his office by Friday. He said the directive followed complaints that there are noisy nightclubs still operating in residential areas. “The government clearly stated that no club should operate in residential areas or near 300 metres of learning institutions. While this has been implemented in some areas, there is clearly inadequate action being taken in some areas,” Mwanza said. The DCCs were directed to work with multi-agency teams to ensure regulations on operating bars and restaurants in residential areas is enforced. “Ensure continuous surveillance to ensure that the clubs do not re-engage in their illegal operations. All officers abetting this illegality will be held personally responsible for the failure to stop the illegal activities,” the regional commissioner warned. Remedial measures But the Bar Hotels Liquor Traders Association of Kenya called for an amicable resolution of the issue. BAHLITA secretary general Boniface Gachoka said the county commissioner’s directive caught them by surprise. “This apology is genuine one but this dispute we would like it to be taken as a dispute between neighbours,” he said. He said that the association had instituted remedial measures to curb a repeat of the infringement on the laws governing noise pollution in residential areas. Gachoka asked for a grace period of six months for bar and nightclub owners in residential areas to soundproof their premises which he said is a very expensive undertaking. He cautioned against shutting down of bars, saying it would impact negatively on the livelihoods of over 14,700 employees and suppliers. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is set to conduct a mapping exercise for all liquor outlets across the city. Sakaja has been on the forefront in the crackdown on bars polluting noise in residential areas. &LW\EDUVEUDFHIRUIUHVKURXQGRIFUDFNGRZQ Kenya National Union of Teachers national treasurer Muuo Ndiku addresses the media in Limuru after the Kiambu West branch AGM. PD/CLEMENT KAMAU 22000 The number of retired teachers who have been waiting for their pensions for more than 20 years. In May, Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u said he had released Sh16 billion to pay the retirees. Lurambi MP Titus Khamala has lamented the poor state of vehicles used for patrols by the police in the constituency. Khamala yesterday said vehicles in some police stations were grounded due to minor mechanical problems while other stations have none. “Lurambi is a unique constituency because it comprises of both Kakamega town and the rural areas that require constant security patrols. But the police lack vehicles and this is seriously affecting their operations,” he added. Speaking when he handed over the new Shikoti Police Station build using NG-CDF, Khamala (pictured) pointed out that while the police were working hard to maintain security, they face a lot of challenges. He said some of the vehicles that were grounded at the Kakamega regional, county and divisional headquarters should he repaired and utilized by the stations that do not have any. “I have inspected some of the vehicles grounded in police stations and established that some just had minor mechanical issues that can be rectified. This is wastage,” he added. –Dennis Lumiti A 12-year-old girl is admitted to Ndhiwa SubCounty Hospital in Homa Bay County after she was defiled. She was attacked in a sugarcane plantation by a man who reportedly waylaid the minor on her way home in Wiodielo village in Olasi Sub-location on Sunday evening. The suspect is yet to be identified. The girl was rescued by a community health volunteer (CHV) who was passing by the plantation. The volunteer reported that she was walking home in the evening when she heard a girl crying in distress. “Curious to establish who it was, I moved toward the direction where the sound was coming from,” she said. She later called her colleagues who took the girl to hospital for medical attention. North Kanyikela Location Chief Elijah Abuto said the suspect had not been identified, adding that a manhunt had been launched. “We suspect he heard the community health volunteer approaching and disappeared,”Abuto said. Kanyikela MCA Sylvance Wanjala urged the police to expedite investigation and arrest the suspect. Wanjala also appealed to the Judiciary to ensure convicts are subjected to punitive measures as a way of curbing cases of defilement reportedly on the rise in the area. –Noven Owiti Police have no vehicles for patrols, says Lurambi MP 12-year-old girl defiled in Homa Bay, suspect at large An unknown wild animal has been attacking domestic animals in Mun’getha area of Inoi Ward, Kirinyaga County, causing panic among residents. The latest attack happened at the home of 60-year-old Judy Wanjiku Kabugi who lost four sheep. The sheep were locked in a well sheltered enclosure but the wild animal managed to break in. Wanjiku asked the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to compensate her for the loss, saying the sheep were her source of livelihood. Stephen Muriithi urged KWS to take immediate action, adding it was not the first time that wild animals were killing their livestock and even people. “Early this year a woman from Kangaita village was attacked by a wild animal and she died after two days. We are worried for our children as schools are about to reopen. You cannot walk at night here unless you want to sacrifice yourself to animals,” said Muriithi. –Paul Kamau Panic in village as strange animal preys on livestock 8000 The number of interns that the government intends to hire in the financial year 2023/2024. The interns will be paid a stipend at a rate determined by the government.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY 9 NOW ON SUNDAYS 1:30PM & 6:30PM
PEOPLE SPEAK PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 The landmark 10th Devolution Conference ended last weekend with a raft of resolutions based on lessons learned from 10 years of development under the devolved system of governance. While it may yet be too early to describe devolution as a resounding success in Kenya’s political, economic and social landscape, there is no doubt that considerable progress has been made. Resolutions made at this conference indicate that some gaps exist in the two-tier system of government envisaged in devolution that need to be filled to maximise on its potential. Devolution is yet to succeed in its main development objective of transforming rural areas. A key resolution recognises the main shortcoming hampering the full attainment of devolution’s constitutional requirement on the distribution of power and resources from the centre: Lack of harmony, efficiency and adequate coordination between the two levels of government and their synchronisation with vital partners in other national and international organisations. Governors resolved that the national and county governments should better synergise their efforts with development partners and the private sector. This resolution aligns with devolution’s main goal of talking development to the rural areas. Adopting such a coordinated approach would help achieve development targets in a coordinated approach of partnerships and implementation of programs that avoids multiplicity of efforts. While both levels of government ponder on how best to tackle this challenge and steer devolution as a driver of development, they must reflect on their main affliction – corruption and mismanagement. The Constitution put in place measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of county affairs when devolution took effect 10 years. The constitutional and legal framework spelt out the role of each level of government including the rules governing fiscal arrangement and public service delivery, and mechanism for conflict resolution. Devolution envisioned that the political framework governing the electoral process at the sub-national (county) levels facilitates the direct participation of the users of services in the elections of political leaders. The governors’ resolution that both levels of government review the legislative framework to enhance the autonomy of County Assemblies to strengthen their oversight role is welcome. Locally elected officials are compelled to pay keen attention to the demands of the electorate at the local level. The outcomes of devolution are also influenced by the electoral system. However, it has become apparent that some of those entrusted by the people to control resources devolved from the centre on their behalf for their benefit at the grassroots, are not equal to the task. Instead, they have found ways to manipulate the system and siphon these resources, diverting them to individual interests. It is clear that county governments have inherited the notorious attributes of its big brother. Millions of shillings intended to uplift millions of citizens out of poverty, especially in urban slums and rural areas, have ended up in individual accounts and properties. Devolution was meant to curb rural-urban migration, but it is still far from realising this objective because of the lopsided ratio of money allocated to paying a bloated workforce compared to meagre resources voted for development. The national and county governments must enhance and sustain performance management as a tool for strengthening service delivery. Finally, ways must be explored to entrench the decision of revenue between the national and county governments on the projected budget for the year, as opposed to using the last audited accounts. —The writer comments on constitutional and national affairs— [email protected] )&/3:'03% 5IFXIPMFTFDSFUPGBTVDDFTTGVM MJGFJTUPàOEPVUXIBUJTPOFTEFTUJOZUP EP BOEUIFOEPJU Red flags in plans to raise cash transfers Plans to raise the threshold for reporting large cash transactions by 50 per cent to $15,000 (Sh2.1 million) is a two-edged sword which will open a can of worms over the integrity of financial transactions. Loosening the grip to scrutiny within the financial system, after President William Ruto’s Cabinet approved amendments to the law, gives customers the power not to disclose sources of revenue below Sh2.1 million. What this means is that the new mandatory figure to be reported to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) increases from Sh1.41 million to Sh2.1 million. In taking a stand against the proposed move, Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) is saying that increasing the reporting threshold for large cash transactions will stymie the “know your customer” principle, which emphasises understanding the backgrounds and intentions of clients. They are cautioning against raising the threshold, leveraging the “know your customer” spirit which implies that banks have been diligent in scrutinising transactions and identifying potential red flags related to money laundering, fraud, and terrorism financing. KBA’s opposition aligns with worries about potential risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing. By maintaining a lower reporting threshold, banks can continue to closely monitor transactions, ensure compliance with regulations, and uphold the principles of financial transparency. This could lead to a rise in informal or blackmarket transactions, which can have negative implications for tax collection and overall economic stability, saying it is bad for Kenya especially due to the country’s geopolitical location in the Horn of Africa. Due to its closeness to Somalia, which is an Al-Shabaab stronghold, an increase in the threshold only serves to increase the threat of terrorist financing. While the deal may unintentionally encourage legitimate businesses to conduct larger transactions in cash to avoid detection, it could also lead to a rise in informal or black-market transactions, which can have negative implications for tax collection and overall economic stability. Rural areas must remain focus of devolution 5)06()50'5)&%": " -# &350 - &/ : %FWPMVUJPOJT ZFUUPTVDDFFEJOJUT NBJOEFWFMPQNFOU PCKFDUJWF K ENT diseases can be caused by many factors, including tonsillitis, colds and flu, infections, injuries, and tumours. The only way to prevent this is for patients to seek medical attention. &/ 5 463(&0/%3%"7*% / +030(& We condemn in the strongest terms possible the killing of two residents of Nyakach. These people did not deserve to die over conflicts that could be resolved through dialogue. ,*46.6(07&3/03 130'"/:"/( /:0/(0 I echo [the] sentiments of Hon. Ichungwa Majority Leader National Assembly that CS Ababu continues to mismanage into oblivion our beloved sports. How can ministry officials fly first class with their girlfriends to Olympics Budapest. /"/%*4&/"5034".40/ $)&3"3(&* K A PUBLICATION OF MEDIAMAX NETWORK LIMITED KEN NGARUIYA: Group Chief Executive Officer MBUGUA NG’ANG’A: Managing Editor People Daily is published by MEDIAMAX NETWORK LIMITED at DSM Place, Kijabe Street, P.O. Box 24943, 00100 - Nairobi Tel: 0730144100; 0709824000; 0204944100 E-mail: [email protected] © Copyright 2023
SEND YOUR OPED TO: [email protected] Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY PEOPLE SPEAK I believe someone has looked at our country with an evil eye. We should say our prayers, recite incantations and wear our amulets because things are getting out of hand. “You can tell your goons to follow me and kill me, I don’t care. I have nothing to live for,” the painful words of Kabarak University graduate Mercy Tarus, in a video clip that went viral on social media platforms of her giving the Uasin Gishu county officials a piece of her mind concerning the Finland education saga. Her bravery and unabashed honesty attracted various opinions from netizens. Unfortunately, it was a painful swell of emotion that the Kenyan youth are all too well familiar with. Unemployment is the bane of our country currently, and while an economist would argue that a bit of unemployment in every country is always necessary to control inflation by reducing the amount of money in the economy, we cannot afford to do this at the expense of the Kenyan youth. Because, if all our youth kill themselves due to depression, for whose benefit will we be improving our economy? The young people of Uasin Gishu were promised higher education in Finland by their County Government. Elated, their parents struggled through thick and thin to raise a collective of about Sh257 million that was credited to the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund. Let us not forget that the people who raised these monies are hustlers, the same people the Kenya Kwanza government promised to protect. The money disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving the hopeful students and their parents bereft of hope and trust in their leaders. It is simply inhumane, for the County Government of Uasin Gishu to misappropriate and ‘lose’, as a five-year-old child loses change given to them by a parent, the money entrusted to them by their electees who simply wanted a better life. It is ironic that Deputy Governor Jonathan Barorot was quoted, saying that the county acted as an entrustee with the funds to circumvent the requirement for students to produce bank statements as proof of financing and therefore the programme, was not a scholarship. And now the trustees have failed, they have broken their promises. All the citizens of Uasin Gishu County are asking for is a refund of all the money they had entrusted the county with. Yet, it has proven a herculean task, the parents now resorting to continuous demonstrations in front of county offices to declare their woes to anyone who might care enough to listen and help them get their money back. Not so long ago, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu said at a conference that an unprecedented number of investors are rushing into her country since her neighbour is burning. Some viewed it as mockery, I see it as a wake-up call. It is not hard to guess what country she was talking about. With the insane greed leading to corruption that our leaders have been practicing, and with monies disappearing mysteriously, the country will continue to burn, unless we do something. Not so long ago, Kenya was a beacon of hope amongst her East African neighbours. With her rapidly growing economy, high-standard infrastructure, and fertile investment grounds. But no more. I believe someone looked at us with an evil eye, the green beams of envy caressing our land, leaving behind the mess we now behold. Because how else would we describe what we are witnessing as a country? — The writer is an economist Rethinking export strategy key for economic success On Finland saga, leaders have broken their pledges The pursuit of export-led economic growth has been clearly articulated in the Government’s manifesto; Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The Kenya Association of Manufacturers has also prioritised exportled growth as a pivotal pillar within its strategic framework for industrialisation to realise the country’s ambitious plan to increase manufacturing sector contribution to Gross Domestic Product from the current 7.8 per cent to 20 per cent by 2030. Historically, the transformative growth of industrialised nations has been propelled by exports. Global economic powerhouses like China, Canada, Germany, and India have harnessed remarkable export strategies to fuel their economic engines that have become the benchmark for other aspiring nations. Their strategy has mainly been to generate funds, derived from diverse sources such as budget allocations, domestic and international borrowings, and export-generated revenue, which are channeled through financial institutions to support exporters. This multifaceted approach aids local exporters in overcoming international trade challenges, spurs economic progress whilst protecting local investments. Regionally, Egypt and Morocco are emerging as key success stories in creating and executing an effective export-led strategy. Their governments have made strategic investments in transportation infrastructure and port development, while also offering tax incentives and access to export credit insurance to support their exporters. For Kenya to effectively implement its export promotion strategy, it must align its national approach to fiscal strategies to the structures under the regional Common External Tariffs such as East African Community – Common External Tariffs (EAC-CET), Comeca and AFCFTA. For instance, the EAC - CET structure outlines four band levels of value addition which are raw materials, intermediate products, finished and sensitive goods. Based on this structure, any fiscal measures are reviewed against the four band structures to create a level operating environment for industries across the EAC region. Any imposition of additional domestic taxes midstream along the value chain outside this structure distorts the EA protocol and disadvantages Kenyan companies with increased cost of production. This negatively impacts their competitiveness in both domestic and export markets. Furthermore, the resulting rise in product costs could inadvertently amplify the appeal of imported goods, potentially flooding our local markets with external products. Whilst distortive, domestic taxes upstream in the value chain is not the preferable way to protect upcoming nascent industries, it is also particularly important that these industries are nurtured from inception. Industrialised countries like India have used targeted incentives to these industry players such as budgetary allocations toward export promotion, periods of tax holiday, higher investment allowances, lower power tariffs, tax incentives on their input costs, provision of cheaper land and development of infrastructure around the facilities that could bolster their global competitiveness. These measures also open doors to regional exports, facilitated by initiatives like the Comesa and African Continental Free Trade Area. On the positive side, we need to acknowledge efforts Kenya is undertaking towards export promotion through certain value chains. For example, in the tea sector, there is enhanced effort to increase the share of value addition done locally on our raw tea before it is exported. In conclusion, the pursuit of export-led growth is not only laudable but also necessary. However, how it is achieved requires prudent considerations. We must be careful not to introduce policies that could inadvertently undermine the competitiveness of vital industries and compromise the success of export initiatives. —The writer is the Chairperson of Kenya Association of Manufacturers 8"*3*.68"8&36 *GBMMPVSZPVUILJMMUIFNTFMWFTGPSXIPTF CFOFàUXJMMXFCFJNQSPWJOHPVSFDPOPNZ 3"+"/4)") 8FOFFEUPBDLOPXMFEHFFGGPSUT,FOZBJT VOEFSUBLJOHUPXBSETFYQPSUQSPNPUJPO 58&&54505)&&%*503 / / / @PeopleDailyKe / / / People Daily K 7HOHVFRSHVSRWV TXHVWLRQPDUNLQ GHHSVSDFH Two of our galaxy’s most famous stars were recently photobombed by what appears to be a celestial question mark. The symbol was spotted in a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) of the forming stars Herbig-Haro 46/47, which are well-known and have been frequently observed by astronomers. These two stars can provide clues about how our own sun may have formed. They are relatively close to Earth, about 1,400 light-years, and relatively young, only a few thousand years old. In fact, they’re still in gestation and have not technically been “born” yet, which is marked when the stars start shining from their own nuclear fusion. The image is the first of the twin protostars from the NIRCam instrument on JWST. It was captured using infrared light, which penetrates space dust more easily than visual light, and it is the highest resolution image of the objects ever seen at these wavelengths. The telescope’s astonishing sensitivity allowed the glowing red question mark to be captured in the lower center of the image. The object is far outside our galactic neighborhood, possibly billions of light-years away, says Christopher Britt, an education and outreach scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute who helped plan these observations. His best guess is that the question mark is actually two galaxies merging. —Agencies ODDLY ENOUGH TRUTHIS: Listen to God before you speak for God. Ruto must save himself from Ndii @HManyora: David Ndii’s PATA POTEA economics is not helping Ruto. Ndii is idealistic, egoistic & bullish. Ndii said the Shilling will go down to around 120 to a dollar, but as we get to the payment day the dollar is dangerously moving to 150. Dear Ruto, save yourself from Ndii. Ababu doesn’t deserve criticism @Muthonikate1: Leaders who invest in the development of young people can help them reach their full potential, improving their performance on the field and helping them to achieve greater success .Cs @AbabuNamwamba is that leader and he does not deserve the criticism. Cartels are everywhere, among us @geoffreykitur: Cartels are just people like every one else with lust for money. The big cartels are our leaders. Followed by those who were leaders but are on retirement or lost elections. Then businessmen with strong connections with the leaders. Cartels are everywhere. Sijataja mtu. Mama Pima in your neighbourhood @Belive_Kinuthia: Kenyans can now purchase cooking oils at a cheaper price. Mama Pima dispensers will be available at your local area of residence. To our hustlers who sells Bhajia, viazi and our mothers who can’t afford Sh200 for a litre of cooking oil, this government thinks about you.
NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 &RXQW\5XVVLDQ ILUPWRSDUWQHU LQZDURQFDQFHU by Mbugua Ng’ang’a @MbuguaNganga Kisumu county has opened talks with a Russian company to allow it to build and operate a cancer treatment centre at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). A delegation from the county, led by Deputy Governor Mathews Owili has been holding talks with representatives of the Medical Institute Berezin Sergey (MIBS) before signing a Memorandum of Understanding within the next three months. “The journey started last year,” Dr Gregory Ganda, the County Executive for medical services, public health and sanitation told People Daily in an exclusive interview in St Petersburg after several county officials visited the MIBS hospitals and other facilities to assess their capability as part of their due diligence checks. “The idea is to stop Kenyans from seeking treatment abroad,” said Owili, noting that cancer cases were high in Kisumu. According to the Health and Demographic Survey, 2022, Kisumu county had one of the highest levels of respondents who told the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) that they had been examined for either breast or cervical cancer. Of the women interviewed for the survey, 12 per cent of those aged between 15 and 49 said they had undergone a breast cancer examination. This was marginally lower than neighbouring Homa Bay county (14 per cent) but significantly higher than Siaya county (four per cent). Another 23 per cent said they had been examined for cervical cancer, again, slightly lower than Homa Bay at 24 per cent but higher than Siaya at 17 per cent. “Each county requires at least one cancer treatment centre,” Dr Gonda said. However, setting up one is not only costly but also requires long term investment, which most counties cannot afford due to the high capital outlay required. This informed Kisumu’s decision to partner with MIBS, one of the leading providers of cancer treatment services in Russia. Training of staff The MoU will include training of local staff on how to conduct screening and operate the equipment with a view to improving their ability to handle cancer cases in the long term. Kisumu refers 2,000 patients to the general hospital in Nakuru, the referral hospital in Eldoret and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) cancer treatment centre annually. “Most of these patients are poor,” said Dr Ganda, underlining why Kisumu has taken the initiative to build and operate a cancer treatment to offer affordable services to patients from the county. “We are trying to make partnerships that work,” said George Okong’o, the CEC for Finance, Economic Planning and ICT. “To do this, we have to have a firm foundation in legislation because this is a long-term project.” MIBS, according to Pritt Emrith, its CEO in charge of international partnerships, is IN BRIEF Kisumu refers 2,000 patients to the general hospital in Nakuru, the referral hospital in Eldoret and the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital cancer treatment centre every year. This informed Kisumu decision to partner with MIBS, one of the leading providers of cancer treatment services in Russia. Kenya is MIBS first stop in Africa and besides Jaramogi, the company is also in talks for a similar partnership with a private hospital in Nairobi. Medical Institute Berezin Sergey in talks with top Kisumu officials to build cancer centre at JOTRH by Ronald Mwadzombo @PeopleDailyKe Rabai MP Kenga Mupe has promise to invest heavily in the education sector to change the lives of residents. Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at Kaliang’ombe primary school, he said he will work closely with the national and county governments to improve education standards and urged residents to forge a united front. “Education has always been close to my heart because I understand the power that it has in changing an individual’s life and this is why I found it fit to work with different stakeholders including the county government to make sure the level of education in Rabai sub-county is uplifted,” he said. He said his office seeks to uplift the lives of poor families by ensuring their children get an equal opportunity in acquiring education. “These children are our future pillars. It’s our mandate to give them the right education platform. We will produce doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and something else that will have a far-reaching impact in the community while turning the status of their families around,” said Mupe. Poor communication Already, more than 10,000 secondary school and vocational training institutions in Rabai sub-county have benefited from the NG-CDF scholarship funds amounting to Sh35 million since the MP took office. Rabai Sub-County Director of Education Miriam Ngome said communicationn breakdown between board members and headteachers is the main cause of poor performance in many schools. Kaliang’ombe primary school head teacher Joseph Kazungu urged parents to take care of their children during the holiday season. 5DEDL03YRZVWRLPSURYH HGXFDWLRQVWDQGDUGVWKURXJK IDLUDOORFDWLRQRIEXUVDU\NLWW\ Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and politicians in Garissa have asked the government to protect teachers in North Eastern region against threats posed by al Shabaab to improve learning in the region. Led by the Governor Nathif Jama (pictured) and Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohammed, they said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure that schools have enough teachers and are well protected to carry out their duties. Jama however, expressed regret that the locals in the region have refused to enroll for teacher training courses even after his administration pledged to give scholarships to students to pursue the courses. “We have Garissa Teachers’ Training College here, we cannot keep blaming teachers from other regions for refusing to go to schools in places such as Hulugho or other interior areas in the county because our young people have refused to enroll for teaching courses,” Jama said. “How many local students are enrolled in teacher training colleges now? We have tried to speak to them and even introduced affirmative action and sponsorships for teacher training courses here but no one takes up the offer. If our own do not want to teach our children, why are we blaming others for refusing to teach here?” the Governor posed. Dekow urged the teachers to use their platforms and speak to their students and people in the communities on the importance of peaceful coexistence. He said that he would support the teachers through infrastructure development and provision of bursaries for students in need and other policy issues through Parliament. Escort buses Knut Assistant National Treasurer Kullo Mohamed Sheikh, who was representing the Secretary General for the Garissa Branch Annual General Meeting said that teachers cannot deliver well if they do not feel safe in their place of work. “There has been a problem with the security of our teachers in the North Eastern region. I ask the government to protect our teachers. If the government wants to support education here, it should up the security measures so that our teachers feel secure,” Mohamed said. “The buses ferrying teachers during opening and closing of schools should also be escorted by police,” he added. -KNA 3URWHFWWXWRUVZRUNLQJLQ1(.QXWXUJHV the only privately owned company in Russia that offers proton therapy in the treatment of cancer. This is one of the cutting edge technologies in the market and only three hospitals in Russia offer similar treatment, the other two being government owned. “Construction is about to start for a treatment and diagnostic centre and full services should be available in three years,” Emrith said. Kenya is MIBS first stop in Africa and besides Jaramogi, the company is also in talks for a similar partnership with a private hospital in Nairobi. “You need good diagnostics for good treatment,” Emrith said, explaining why Kenyan personnel who will work in the centres will be trained in Russia. Asked why the county was going into the public-private partnership, Deputy Governor Owili said: “Cancer treatment is expensive and budgets are not sufficient in devolved units.” If executed as planned, the buildings will be completed in one year while the equipment will be installed in the second year, meaning that the proposed centre will start operations in the third year. Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili. PD/FILE MIBS International partnerships CEO Pritt Emrith. PD/FILE Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu. If everything goes according to plan, a cancer centre will be built in this health facility. PD/FILE
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY 13
fl NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 )LQODQGVFKRODUVKLSGHEDFOH EOLJKWV0DQGDJRSROLWLFDOULVH by Wycliffe Kipsang @PeopleDailyKe He has been viewed as among possible successors to pick the political mantle from President William Ruto in Rift Valley but the botched Uasin Gishu Finland scholarship is threatening Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago’s political ambitions. The former governor is on the spot after the Uasin Gishu County Assembly ad-hoc committee, which investigated the scholarship scam, found out that three senior officers during Mandago’s administration were responsible for the mess as they made themselves signatories of the fund to enrich themselves. The officials withdrew millions of shillings on diverse dates and ostensibly used the money for personal gain. Mandago was last week arrested by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and subsequently arraigned in a Nakuru Court over the loss of more than Sh800 million meant for hundreds of students who are still stranded at home. People Daily established that the arrest caught Mandago off-guard as he was already set to make a presentation at the eighth Devolution Conference on the day when by President Ruto was chief guest. Mandago’s tribulations has put him on a collision with President Ruto who has been viewed as having a frosty relationship with. The Senator has maintained his innocence over the botched scholarship which has seen the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) roll out investigations into the matter. Mission meant well Mandago has defended himself from the accusations arguing that he meant well for the children from Uasin Gishu wishing to further their studies abroad when he came up with the programme. “I could not have started this programme with bad intentions. I started it because I believed it was going to transform lives,” said Mandago during a forum with the affected students and parents last week. According to Mandago, when he handed over the programme to Governor Jonathan MANDAGO TROUBLES Mandago’s tribulations has put him on a collision with President Ruto who has been viewed as having a frosty relationship Mandago and two of his coaccused were released on a bond of Sh2 million with a surety of the same amount 3650 8FXJMMOPU QSPUFDUBOZ HPWFSONFOU PGàDJBM JOWPMWFE JOHSBGU &WFSZCPEZ XJMMDBSSZ UIFJSPXO DSPTT Bii’s administration, there was more than Sh104 million in bank accounts under the overseas education trust. Bii has however denied this position, maintaining that the account only had Sh1.8 million, with a deficit of Sh84 million when he took over. During the conference, a tough President Ruto who seemed to have been referring to Mandago lashed out at leaders he said were responsible for the lost funds meant for students who were to go Finland. “We will not protect any government official involved in graft. Everybody will carry their own cross. I know many children are at home despite their parents selling property to finance their education. We will do all within our means to address their plight,” said President Ruto. On Thursday, Mandago and two of his co-accused were released on a bond of Sh2 million with a surety of the same amount or a cash bail of Sh500,000. Appearing before a Nakuru court, Senior Principal Magistrate Alloyce Ndege ruled that the three return later for plea-taking. The Senator is among three others in the spotlight over the Finland and Canada Overseas Education Programme, which has been mired in scandal. The three include ex-officials Joseph Maritim (first respondent), Meshack Rono (second respondent), and Joshua Lelei (third respondent). Arrest warrant out Maritim, who was a no-show at the hearing because he is currently out of the country, still has an arrest warrant against him. They are accused of conspiring to steal Sh1.1 billion from a Kenya Commercial Bank account in Eldoret registered under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund, which was intended for overseas university fees for scholarship students. After appearing before the DCI on Wednesday, the Senator was grilled before being transferred to the Central Police Station in Nakuru East on Wednesday evening, where he spent the night. On Friday, Mandago found himself in unfamiliar territory after he was heckled by an irate crowd in Eldoret. The Senator was among leaders who had made a stopover at the famous Silver Line roundabout to greet wananchi but the residents hurled unprintable words at him forcing him to speed off as the situation threatened to get out of hand. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has since commenced investigation into alleged embezzlement of more than Sh837 million by officials of the Uasin Gishu County Government. The funds were collected from parents for the facilitation of Tertiary Education in Finland and Canada during the Financial Year 2021/2022. The Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund Account was opened in May 2021 and by December 2022 a total of Sh957,167,143 had been credited to the account by parents. People Daily established that a total of Sh257,326,740 was debited from the Uasin Gishu Overseas Account to beneficiaries indicated as agents and or intermediaries for onward transmission to Universities in Finland and Canada. Senator’s rising star in Rift Valley politics suffers a jolt after rave mentions during hearing in Eldoret From left, Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago,Joshua Lelei, and Meshack Rono in a Nakuru court yesterday to answer charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, the three were released on a Sh 2 million bond. PD/ RAPHAEL MUNGE by Wycliffe Kipsang @PeopleDailyKe Uasin Gishu county government has rolled out stringent measures including introduction of new uniforms with identification tags in an attempt to weed out a group of former county workers accused of harassing traders and extorting money from them while claiming to work for the devolved unit. Bii said all the county askaris will have to operate in new uniforms for identification purposes to stop further harassment of traders. The governor who inspected the ongoing infrastructure projects being undertaken by his administration will not tolerate any county workers engaging in forms of lawlessness. “I will deal personally with any of the enforcement officers who will be found guilty of frustrating the traders and taking bribes from them. All lawabiding traders deserve to work in a conducive environment,” said Bii accompanied by county officials. There have been complaints from the traders who claimed that they have been going through harassment from the county askaris who also take bribes from them besides confiscating their wares. A recent report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) put on the spot officers in Governor Bii’s administration during a recent clash with street families and hawkers. According to KNCHR, there was excessive use of force, torture and inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment of traders and street persons by the inspectorate officials. The violations, according to the commission, also happened during the search for persons accused of looting Eldomatt Supermarket and other shops within the CBD on November 17, 2022. “KNCHR found out that there was substantive information to the effect that the county inspectorate enforcement officers applied excessive force while handling hawkers and street children during the cleanup exercise,” the report read in part. The commission also obtained medical documents and statements from at least 11 victims and witnesses showing that they were admitted at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret with various injuries as a result of assault, torture and excessive use force of by the county enforcement officers. The Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Dr Benard Mogesa who handed the report to Uasin-Gishu County Assembly also noted in the report, during a clean-up operation conducted from November 11, 2022 to November 23, 2022. 8DVLQ*LVKX LQELGWRFXUE URJXHDVNDULV H[WRUWLQJFDVK 800 Millions of shillings that Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago is accused of stilling in the charge sheet by police in a Nakuru Court 1.1b Money that Mandago and oethrs in the county government of Uasin Gishu aresaid to have collecetd under the Uasin Gishu Education Trust Fund 1.8m Cash that new Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii alleges to have found in the coffers of the botched education fund when he took over office woth a deficit of Sh84 million Some of the over 10,000 victims of First Choice Recruitment and Consultancy during a proceeding at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly. PD/WYCLIFFE KIPSANG
BUSINESS HUB FOR MORE NEWS VISIT: www.pd.co.ke / www.epaper. pd.co.ke ffi Tuesday, August 22, 2023 The two also witnessed the signing of MoU on co-operation in energy, which will facilitate investment in geothermal energy, transmission and distribution of the power generated as well as an agreement in mining and geology, which will involve joint studies, knowledge sharing, and capacity building between the two countries. Also signed was a letter of intent to strengthen collaboration on the promotion of investment flows between Kenya and Indonesia. “Our respective ministers will continue to engage in bilateral discussions to conclude additional frameworks of cooperation in agriculture, and education, among others,” Ruto affirmed. To anchor business-to-business relations which is the lifeblood of a thriving inter-State co-operation, six additional MoUs were signed between the trade facilitation institutions in the oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, edible oils, agriculture, including livestock exports and apparel production sectors. These value addition ventures are expected to catapult the value of trade relations and leverage on the comparative advantage of Kenya and Indonesia. The two Heads of State discussed the importance of entering a bilateral investment treaty that will provide a stable and predictable investment environment, which is a precondition for accelerated Private Sector Investment. Trade arrangements They tasked joint teams to finalise the elaboration of this instrument within the next 90 days. To further bolster trade relations, Kenya and Indonesia committed to negotiating a preferential trade agreement, which will be cognizant of obligations to East Africa Community members and other trade arrangements within the continent. Kenya also lifted visa restrictions for holders of Indonesian diplomatic and service passports. 6RXWK$IULFDLQIRUPDOWUDGHUVWROHDUQIURP=HWHFK by Mathew Ndung’u @PeopleDailyKe Over 100 informal traders and micro-enterprises from South Africa have begun a five-day innovation and technology training at Zetech University organised by the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (WRSETA) of South Africa. According to the parastatal, other than business skills training, the programme entails mentorship and coaching. After an immersion into Kenya’s informal trade market, the traders are expected to contribute to the broader economic sustainability of South Africa by growing small businesses to create much-needed jobs and strengthen rural and township economies. Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, South Africa’s High Commissioner to Kenya said the informal traders play a pivotal role in both Kenya and South Africa’s economies alongside regional economic integration. “Informal cross-border trade contributes to regional integration from below because they move and distribute goods across borders. They contribute to development, poverty alleviation and attain food security,” he said. Under the South African Informal, Traders Development programme, the high commissioner noted that bilateral relations between South Africa and Kenya will be enhanced. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary in charge of Higher Education and Research who graced the launch urged universities to work closely with corporates and government to have a robust academic industry linkages locally and globally. “I would like to acknowledge the steadfast and robust relations between our two countries,” she said. VISA RESTRICTIONS President Ruto said Kenya is open for business and a significant step in this direction must be relaxation and progressive abolition of visa restrictions for entry between the two nations. President Widodo and Ruto shared ideas about scaling up collaboration to seize on emerging opportunities. by Irene Githinji @gitshee Kenya and Indonesia have set out priority areas of co-operation after signing four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen commercial collaboration and the promotion of investment between the two countries. President William Ruto who hosted his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at State House Nairobi yesterday said the meeting is a sign of commitment to advance and cement the close historical ties enjoyed by the two countries. “President Widodo and I have had fruitful bilateral engagement during which we discussed various issues, set out priority areas of co-operation and witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding and a Letter of Intent to strengthen commercial collaboration and the promotion of investment between our two countries,” he said. Balance of trade President Widodo and Ruto shared ideas about scaling up collaboration to seize on emerging opportunities towards improving the balance of trade between the two states. The value of Kenya’s imports from Indonesia slumped by an estimated 38.8 per cent to Sh27.13 billion in 2022, from the previous year’s Sh44.4 billion. However, Kenya’s export to Indonesia increased to Sh1.14 billion in 2022, according to the latest economic survey 2023. “We will seize our energies and create the necessary environment for increased trade between our countries,” he stated. Investment and trade between the two countries was valued at more than $600 million last year. “We have agreed to enhance and expand the partnership between Kenya and Indonesia with focus on four key issues namely food security, mining, renewable energy and health,” said Ruto. .HQ\D,QGRQHVLDLQNIRXU 0R8VRQWUDGHFRRSHUDWLRQ Countries agree to build partnership with focus on food security, mining, renewable energy, health 'LDVSRUDLQIORZVGHI\ LQIODWLRQWRKLWUHFRUG 6KELOOLRQODVWPRQWK by Noel Wandera @NoelWanderah Kenyans in the diaspora defied the high cost of living to send home $378.1 million (Sh54.6 million) in July 2023, the highest monthly remittances to be recorded in recent times. According to the latest Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) weekly bulletin for the period to August 18, the monthly remittances increased by $23.2 million (Sh3.3 billion) from the previous month’s $345.9 million (Sh49.9 billion). Cumulatively, the inflows for the 12 months to July 2023 increased by 2 per cent to $4.076 billion (Sh588.4 billion) from $ 3.995 billion (Sh576.7 billion) recorded in the same period in 2022. The inflows are the money used by Kenyans working abroad to support their families and friends back home. In addition, they are an important source of foreign exchange (Forex), which helps to finance imports, pay debts and build reserves in addition to supporting the current account by reducing the trade deficit. “The strong remittance inflows continue to support the current account and the stability of the exchange rate. The US remains the largest source of remittances into Kenya, accounting for 55 per cent in July 2023,” CBK said. The move favours the Kenyans in the diaspora who can leverage the purchasing power of the dollar against the weaker shilling, including other major international currencies, to benefit from pushing the money back home through remittances. As of August 17, the regulator said usable forex reserves remained adequate at $7.29 billion equivalent to Sh1.1 trillion or 3.98 months of import cover and meeting the CBK’s statutory requirement to maintain at least 4 months of import cover. Reduce volatility The regulator maintains Forex reserves to balance Kenya’s payments, help influence the rate and support confidence in the market. They are essentially CBK’s backup funds used to stabilise the shilling to reduce volatility. During the week in review, CBK said the shilling remained relatively stable against major international and regional currencies, exchanging at Sh144.04 per US dollar on August 17, compared to Sh143.44 per US dollar the previous week. The good news, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is that the global economy continues to gradually recover from the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it is not yet out of the woods. President William Ruto and Joko Widodo witness exchange of documents between Mining CS Salim Mvurya (right) and his Indonesian counterpart at State House. PCS
by Herald Aloo @heraldaloo Kenya ranks among the top three markets with the highest rate of start-up closures in Africa on the back of operating challenges, stiff competition, and funding hitches. The three markets - together with South Africa and Nigeria - control over 85 per cent of total start-ups in the whole continent, according to Disrupt Africa 2023 data. The firm which tracks fintech startup ecosystem in Africa, says South Africa led as some 36 start-ups, representing 31.3 per cent, closed their doors in the past two years. In Nigeria, which has the highest number of start-ups in Africa, 24 or 20.9 per cent went under while in Kenya, some 25 (21.7 per cent) closed down. Payment and remittance companies had the highest failure rate, followed by invest-tech startups, lending and financing firms, and business administration category. Overall, 115 startups, 20 per cent of the 576 startups active in 2021, ceased operating by July 2023 though this is a reduction when compared to a failure rate of 22.2 per cent in 2021. Many pitfalls “The closure rate appears to be slowly falling, but remains high, something which is to be expected in a popular yet cluttered space that has so much potential but so many pitfalls,” says Disrupt Africa in the report named Finnovating for Africa: Reimagining the African financial services landscape. In Kenya for instance, the likes of Kune Foods, Notify Logistics, WeFarm, BRCK, Sendy and Sky-Garden have shut down either fully or partially since 2022, highlighting the deterioration of the venture sector. Start-ups heavily rely on external funding but the unpredictable nature of the business environment, worsened by the current biting economic hardship and taxes, has wiped out chances of making a significant breakthrough in the riskier frontier markets like Kenya. Kenya is the third in Africa’s fintech investment, with Disrupt Africa indicating the country attracted $174.245 million $FTXLVLWLRQVWRLQFUHDVHLQ .HQ\DDVVWDUWXSVIROGXS Disrupt Africa report says that with firms closing, M&A activities are likely to hot up in the country 'HPDQGIRURXWERXQG YLVDXSDVJOREDOWUDYHO QHDUVSUH&RYLGOHYHOV MARKET:Visa applications are experiencing a significant surge, signalling a promising return to pre-pandemic levels of global travel. The surge, according to a new industry data by VFS Global – visa outsourcing and technology services firm, reflects the pent-up wanderlust of travelers who have been confined by restrictions for an extended period. It revealed that visa application volumes from Kenya processed until July 2023 more than doubled the 2021 volumes, and had reached an impressive 80 per cent of last year’s volumes. International borders This, according to the firm, is being driven by travel demand following the reopening of international borders and easing travel restrictions in destinations like China – one of the last markets to re-open since the pandemic erupted in the Asian country in late 2019. “Due to the high pent-up travel demand, we expect the increase in international travel from last year to continue this year as well,” noted Hariprasad Viswanathan, Head, sub Saharan Africa, VFS Global during the report’s release last week. “The industry is witnessing peak ‘revenge’ travel with tourism, family visits, and educational as well as business trips being the common reasons for outbound travel from Kenya.” This flow in visa applications serves as a promising indicator of the travel industry’s recovery, offering hope for economies heavily reliant on tourism, with Canada, Australia and China emerging as the top locations for outbound travel in terms of visa application volumes along with Schengen locations like Italy and The Netherlands. In 2022, international departures from Kenya grew by 43 per cent. While challenges still exist, the report noted that the resurgence of visa applications underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the universal yearning for connection and adventure. “VFS Global’s survey is backed by recent remarks projections by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) which expects the international arrivals to match the pre-pandemic levels, meaning as more travellers apply for visas to leave the country, a growing number of reverse tourists are doing the same in seeking local entry. Acting Chief executive John Chirchir expressed confidence that international tourist visits could surpass the 2019 numbers – when the sector reported its best performance in as many years, with 2.05 million arrivals and contributed $1.76 billion in revenues. Looking at last year and this year’s tourism performance we are happy as a destination that will be closing the year at par with the 2019 period. We are looking at closing the year at over 2 million international arrivals and improving the uptake of domestic tourism by over 6 million bed nights,” said Chirchir in an interview last week. – Steve Umidha (Sh24.57 billion) in funding in the past two years to July 2023. Logistics startup Sendy, which had raised over Sh2 billion in funding, started the process of asset liquidation this month after restructuring attempts to resuscitate it flopped since last October. “We are in the middle of an acquisition. We will issue a formal joint statement in two weeks,” Sendy CEO Alloys Meshack confirmed the situation early this month. Disrupt Africa suggests that with firms closing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities are likely to hot up in the near future, which will serve as positive news for investors and entrepreneurs hit by funding drought. The strengthening of the dollar against the local currency and the rise in interest rates have delivered a devastating impact on local firms that have been competing for tech talent with giant multinationals. “It suggests there is a desire to “buy in” innovative services on the continent, and also signals consolidation is finally happening within the wider financial services space, as many of these deals are ‘startupon-startup’,” says Disrupt Africa. A total of 26 fintech start-up acquisitions were recorded in the past two years, up from the previous seven. South Africa has generally led the way, accounting for 10 of the M&A while Nigeria had nine similar deals. Kenya, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Rwanda, Zambia and Tunisia have all experienced one start-up acquisition in the last two years. For Kenya, the fate of Sendy, with its pending acquisition, is sending a signal that the ecosystem needs to navigate challenges carefully and maintain agility as competition heightens. The company, which has been in operation for nearly a decade, has been battling sustainability challenges after several lay-offs and business decisions that forced it to abandon some of its products. Cost-saving measures It laid off 10 per cent of its workforce last year, according to a statement it shared. Subsequently, Sendy’s workforce has been further streamlined through additional cost-saving measures, including discontinuing a product line and withdrawing from a market. In 2022, the startup secured “bail-out funds” from MOL PLUS, the venture capital arm of Japanese transport company Mitsui OSK. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) but it seemed this was not enough to keep its doors open. It had targeted about $100 million. by Bernard Sigei @PeopleDailyKe Glovo, a food delivery app has partnered with pizza restaurant chain, Domino’s Pizza to offer consumers access to affordable and quality meals from their comfort zones. The partnership aims to strengthen Domino’s customer base in Kenya while providing customers with a seamless and satisfying dining experience. The partnership will see Glovo customers enjoy a steady supply of Domino’s products, benefiting from a 25-minute free delivery guarantee for orders above Sh800. Caroline Mutuku, Country Manager for Glovo Kenya pointed out that they were excited about the partnership which will see customers get their food delivered in time. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide customers with a diverse range of choices and unmatched convenience,” she said in a statement. Peter Jones, managing director of Eat’N’Go Kenya, the franchisee of Domino’s Pizza, lauded Domino’s for its aim to offer excellent customer experience even as the partnership between the two will enable them to offer timely home delivery service that allows them to expand their customer base. *ORYR'RPLQR·V3L]]DWHDP XSWREULQJIDVWIRRGWRKRPHV 'DYLV 6KLUWOLIILQNLUULJDWLRQGHDO by Bernard Sigei @NoelWanderah Leading water and energy equipment supplier Davis & Shirtliff has forged a partnership with Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) to enable rural, lowincome populations in Kenya to access modern, clean energy solutions. This collaboration seeks to enhance food security and extend the availability of safe water supply to households in Arid and Semi-Arid regions through the implementation of solar water pumping. The partnership focuses on providing solarpowered irrigation equipment to agro-pastoralists in five counties: Wajir, Turkana, Garissa, Marsabit, and Isiolo. The innovative approach involves offering these communities solar-powered irrigation solutions through a pre-paid financing model known as pay-as-you-go (PayGo), allowing farmers to acquire the equipment in small, affordable instalments. George Mbugua (pictured, signing left), Group CEO of Davis & Shirtliff said the partnership eliminates initial financial barriers to accessing clean energy, enabling agricultural and pastoral households to use solar electricity to water their crops and livestock. He also noted that this initiative is designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable agro-pastoralist communities and bolster food security. FUNDING HITCHES Kenya ranks among the top three markets with the highest rate of startup closures in Africa on the back of operating challenges, stiff competition, and funding hitches, according to Disrupt Africa 2023 data. Disrupt Africa which tracks fintech start-up ecosystem in Africa, says South Africa led as some 36 start-ups, representing 31.3 per cent, closed their doors in the past two years while in Kenya, some 25 (21.7 per cent) closed down. In Nigeria, with the highest number of start-ups in Africa, 24 or 20.9 per cent went under, according to the report. ffl BUSINESS HUB PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY BUSINESS HUB ff by Nicholas Waitathu @PeopleDailyKe Operations at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) that resumed last week were again deferred due to low supply of clean coffee. A communication to coffee dealers by the NCE secretariat notes that Sale 31 scheduled for yesterday was pushed to Tuesday, August 29. Coffee brokers presented samples on Aug 17, 2023, to facilitate their participating in subsequent auctions. However, according to the NCE management, the volumes are low to occasion an active auction. “The buyers bidding for the coffee did not manage to offer the reserved prices the brokers had set. This may require the brokers to have side dialogue with the buyers and agree on the appropriate prices and thus communicate the same to the auction manager,” an official well versed with the NCE on goings confirmed. The coffee auction has not been in operation for the last six weeks over confusion on license issuance by the national government, counties and other agencies. Below resrve price On August 15, 2023, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua officiated the opening of the coffee auction at Wakulima House. During the auction, 3804 bags of clean coffee were offered for trade and all did not attain the reserve price brokers had set. Marketing of coffee entered a new regulatory regime with Capital Markets Authority (CMA) being the agency charged with the responsibility of licensing coffee brokers. From July 1, 2023, selling coffee at NCE must be licensed by CMA under the Capital Markets (Coffee Exchange) Regulations 2020. Despite claims to frustrate the government coffee reform agenda, Gachagua said last week: “We are working on measures to cushion the farmers from such retrogressive games.” BUDGET MAKING Okoa Uchumi has urged authorities to reform the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 to ensure that all clauses comply with the Constitution and are practical enough to support a robust, transparent, and accountable budget-making process and implementation. 4PNFMPDBMBOE JOUFSOBUJPOBMEFBMFST UPGSVTUSBUFUIF (PWFSONFOUDPGGFF SFGPSNBHFOEB by Noel Wandera @PeopleDailyKe The National Treasury kicked off the Financial Year 2023/24 budget-making process last week amid disquiet over the replacement of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) Director General Haron Sirima who is set to retire. While most positions, including at the Central Bank, have been filled, for Sirima — who is due to leave office any time from now, having attained the retirement age — has seen a delay in the recruitment of his successor by the Public Service Commission (PSC). This despite the position’s influence in guiding the country’s fiscal policy. The expected transition comes amid tight budgetary constraints and the impending public debt refinance, issues expected to feature prominently during the Budget making process. Concerns over debt Members of civil society groups, under the aegis of Okoa Uchumi, have called out the PSC and the National Treasury for the silence, even as experts in the financial sector red-flagged the issue as a cause of concern, saying it needs to be resolved soon given ongoing changes on Kenya’s debt management regime. “Given the urgency in addressing debt issues in Kenya, we are calling for the immediate recruitment of a successor to Dr Sirma. The National Treasury should break the silence on this very important matter,” said a member of Okoa Uchumi who was speaking on the sidelines of the day-long debt and development conference at Safari Park Hotel yesterday. He however declined to be named. An analyst termed the delay “a political rather than objective decision”, arguing that there was no substantive reason for the delay unless the government intends to front a particular individual. He said that without a substantive top leadership in the office, this casts doubt on Kenya’s seriouness in addressing debt issues. In a press statement, Okoa Uchumi asked the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee of the National Assembly to enhance its oversight responsibilities on public debt by authorising a comprehensive audit of the public debt register. Recurrent expenditure The lobby urged the government to cut recurrent expenditure while safeguarding service delivery even as it advocated for responsible debt acquisition. “Continued payment of obligations on undisbursed loans is not prudent and does not meet value for money considerations,” Okoa said. Kenya is due to refinance its debut Eurobond of Sh256 billion issued in 2014 during the 2023/24 financial year. Treasury is expected to tap concessional external loans to pay the outstanding amounts on the debut Eurobonds. This includes the Sh254.16 billion due in 2024, Sh114.37 billion in 2027 and Sh127.08 billion in 2028. &RIIHHDXFWLRQVXVSHQGHGRQORZYROXPHV Williamson Tea Kenya (WTK) stock was the biggest loser on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) with a 4.2 per cent per cent share price depreciation at yesterday’s trading. The stock traded at Sh233.50 per share, down from Sh234.75 registered at close of trading on Friday. The firm had a gross turnover of Sh1.47 million, after moving a volume of 6,300 shares from 14 deals that exchanged hands at between Sh230 and Sh245. The firm has a market capitalisation of Sh4.09 billion. In the last three months, WTK traded a total volume of 173,800 shares in 296 deals valued at Sh41.9 million, with an average of 2,759 traded shares per session. In its full year financialsup to March 31, 2022, WTK recorded sales worth Sh4,019.82 million from. - Noel Wandera K :LOOLDPVRQVWRFNGRZQSF 6WDWHRQVSRW RYHU6LULPD UHSODFHPHQW Budget-making is a complex and multistaged process that involves many stakeholders MARKET WATCH NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE 4&$503 78"1 13&7*064 505"- HIGH LOW AGRICULTURAL PRICES SHARES NSE ALL SHARE INDEX: DOWN 0.49 points to close at 100.86 NSE 20-SHARE INDEX: DOWN 1.28 points to close at 1531.20 NSE 25-SHARE INDEX: DOWN 24.81 points to close at 2595.95 14.50 10.00 Eaagads Ltd Ord L25 mo 14.00 450.00 240.00 Kakuri Plc 0rd.5.00 40350 239.00 81.00 Kopchorua Tea Kenya Plc Ord Ord 5.00 226.75 232.75 300 510.00 320.00 The Limuru Tea Co. Plc Ord 20.00 430.00 31.40 17.90 Sasini Plc Ord 1.00 26.00 275.00 120.00 Williamson Tea Kenya Plc Ord 5.00 233.50 243.75 6,300 AUTOMOBILES & ACCESSORIES 49.75 24.30 Car & General (K) Ltd Ord 5.00 40.00 BANKING 13.00 9.02 ABSA Bank Kenya Plc Ord 0.50 11.85 1190 96,500 36.95 26.50 BK Group Plc Ord 0.80 33.00 33.00 1,000 57.00 43.75 Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Ltd Ord 4.00 4720 4795 1,500 53.50 35.00 Equity Group Holdings Plc Ord 0.50 39.05 4960 1,781,000 5.20 2.80 HE Group Plc Ord 5.00 5.00 21.50 15.80 I&M Group Plc Ord 1.00 18.30 18.45 4,500 44.00 26.55 KCB Group Plc 002 1.00 27.00 27.50 370,400 41.00 23.30 NCBA Group Plc Ord 5.00 38.60 38.70 45,700 132.00 90.00 Stanbic Holdings Plc ord.5.00 116.00 117.00 12,000 172.50 121.00 Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd Ord 5.00 159.00 150.25 6,000 14.00 10.30 The Co-operative Bank of Kenya Ltd Ord 1.00 11.55 11.45 174,900 COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES 0.45 0.45 Deacons (East Africa) Plc Ord 2.50 0.45 1.88 0.59 Eveready East Africa Ltd Ord.1.00 1.24 125 6,300 5.40 2.70 Express Kenya Plc Ord 5.00 3.96 4.66 4.66 Homeboyz Entertainment Plc 0.50 4.66 3.83 3.83 Kenya Airways Ltd Ord 1.00 3.83 4.30 2.00 Longhorn Publishers Plc Ord 1.00 2.65 2.70 1,000 5.12 2.50 Nairobi Business Ventures Plc Ord. 0.50 3.00 3,05 5,000 23.00 14.00 Nation Media Group Plc Ord. 2.50 20.00 20.00 12,900 4.38 1.80 Sameer Africa Plc Ord 5.00 2.13 2.18 500 14.75 8.14 Standard Group Plc Ord 5.00 934 18.00 10.85 TPS Eastern Africa Ltd Ord 1.00 11.65 11.50 2,400 0.29 0.16 Uchumi Supermarket Plc Ord 5.00 0.19 0.19 35,900 4.23 2.60 WPP Scangroup Plc Ord 1.00 2.74 2.79 6,500 CONSTRUCTIONS ALLIED 5.55 5.55 ARM Cement Plc Ord 1.00 5.55 3950 22.40 Bamburi Cement Plc Ord 5.00 24.60 24.90 41,800 46.00 31.75 Crown Paints Kenya Plc Ord 5.00 3975 3970 200 1.32 0.72 E.A.Cables Ltd OH 0.50 0.94 0.91 11,000 8.80 5.38 E.A.Portland Cement Co. Ltd Ord 5.00 7.00 7.00 100 ENERGY A PETROLEUM 3.88 2.00 KenGen Co. Plc Ord. 2.50 238 232 93,700 2.11 1.30 Kenya Power & Lighting Co Plc Ord 2.50 1.46 1.46 454,600 4,20 4.10 Kenya Power & Lighting Plc 4% Pref 20.00 4.11 6.00 6.00 Kenya Power & Lighting Plc 7% Pref 20.00 6.00 26.40 17.30 TotolEnergies Marketing Kenya Plc Ord 5.00 18.90 18.25 5,700 18.00 6.30 Umeme Ltd Ord 0.50 14.00 14.20 12,500 INSURANCE 7.50 4.01 Britam Holdings Plc Ord 0.10 4.80 4.96 293,500 2.30 1.60 CIC Insurance Group Ltd 002.1.00 1.96 1.99 78,300 273.00 142.00 Jubilee Holdings Ltd Ord 5.00 170.00 2.30 1.50 Kenya Re Insurance Corporation Ltd Ord 2.50 1.86 1.81 21,300 7.48 3.60 Liberty Kenya Holdings Ltd 002. 1.00 3.80 3.86 200 15.00 7.20 Sanlam Kenya Plc Ord 5.00 800 890 25,300 INVESTMENT 12.80 7.60 Centum Investment Co Plc Ord 0.50 878 8.80 61,300 0.41 0.27 Home Af nka Ltd 002 1.00.8 0.31 0.31 75,500 1500.00 1,500.00 Kurwitu Ventures Ltd Ord 100.00 1,500.00 5.60 1.91 Olympia Capital Holdings Ltd Ord 5.00 3.25 1.35 0.50 Trans-Century Plc Ord 0.50 0.53 0.53 30,400 INVESTMENT SERVICES 8.50 5.50 Nairobi Securities Exchange Plc Ord 4,00 6.16 6.12 50,400 MANUFACTURING & ALLIED 85.00 65.00 B.O.C Kenya Plc Ord 5.00 73.00 73.00 1,000 490.00 400.00 British American Tobacco Kenya Plc Ord 10.00 420.00 420.50 400 17.00 10.30 Carbacid investments Plc Ord 1.00 16.00 16.50 6,000 190.00 110.00 East African Breweries Plc Ord 2.00 125.00 125.25 117,600 1.54 0.90 Flame Tree Group Holdings Ltd Ord 0.825 1.30 1.29 200 15.00 10.40 Kenya Orchards Ltd Ord 5.00 16.45 0.27 0.27 Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd Ord 2.00 027 35.00 15.00 Unga Group Ltd Ord 500 1725 18.00 200 TELECOMMUNICATION 34.00 12.70 Safaricom Plc Ord 0.05 15.95 16.00 975.600 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST 7.30 5.00 ILAM FAHARI I-REIT Ord.20.00 6.10 6.08 400 20.00 20.00 LAPTRUST IMARA I-REIT Ord.20.00 20.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 2560.00 1880.00 ABSA New Gold ETF 25001 2525.00 CBK KEY RATES CURRENCY MEAN BUY SELL US DOLLAR 144.3176 144.2176 144.4176 SW KRONER 13.1408 13.1291 13.1526 STG POUND 183.7294 183.5771 183.8818 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 106.3074 106.2299 106.3850 SAUDI RIYAL 38.4832 38.4519 38.5145 SA RAND 7.5976 7.5900 7.6053 S FRANC 163.6440 163.4935 163.7945 NOR KRONER 13.5690 13.5544 13.5836 KES / USHS 25.9151 25.8625 25.9677 KES / TSHS 17.3576 17.3109 17.4043 KES / RWF 8.1938 8.1196 8.2679 KES / BIF 19.6304 19.4522 19.8087 JPY (100) 99.2795 99.2073 99.3517 IND RUPEE 1.7367 1.7353 1.7380 HONGKONG DOLLAR 18.4210 18.4083 18.4338 EURO 156.8309 156.6976 156.9641 DAN KRONER 21.0793 21.0638 21.0949 CHINESE YUAN 19.7520 19.7369 19.7670 CAN $ 106.5468 106.4573 106.6364 AUSTRALIAN $ 92.4210 92.3426 92.4995 AE DIRHAM 39.2926 39.2600 39.3251 Central Bank Rate 10.50% 09/08/2023 Inter-Bank Rate 11.90% 18/08/2023 CBK Discount Window 14.50% 10/08/2023 91-Day T-Bill 13.475% 21/08/2023 REPO 9.72% 24/07/2023 Inflation Rate 7.28% July,2023 Lending Rate 13.31% June,2023 Savings Rate 3.48% June,2023 Deposit Rate 7.82% June,2023 KBRR 8.9% 27/07/2016 KEY CBK INDICATIVE EXCHANGE RATES 21/8/2023
Harare,Monday Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is slated to pursue a second five-year term next week.**According to the constitution, this term should mark his final one. However, a portion of his supporters has already begun advocating for a constitutional change that would permit him to seek a third term—an idea to which he appears somewhat open. In July, during a gathering of a Christian sect that supports him, Mnangagwa made a statement implying that continuous rule could be achieved through prayers at church. This remark reinforced the perception that the transformation he promised when he took over from longstanding authoritarian leader Robert Mugabe six years ago has not materialized. - BBC 6SHFXODWLRQJURZVDERXWD¶0QDQJDJZDWKLUGWHUP· 5XVVLD&KLQDORRNWRSXVK DJHQGDVDW%5,&6VXPPLW meetings in Africa’s wealthiest city to give Xi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who will represent Putin in South Africa, a sizeable audience. One specific policy point with more direct implications will be discussed and possibly decided on - the proposed expansion of the BRICS bloc, which was formed in 2009 by the emerging market countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China, and added South Africa the following year. Ramaphosa speaks in a televised address before the Brics summit which begins today in Johannesburg 6RPDOLDEDQV7LN7RN7HOHJUDPWRFXUE¶WHUURULVW·SURSDJDQGD Mogadishu, Monday The Somali government on Sunday ordered a ban on TikTok, Telegram and an online betting site, claiming that these platforms were being used by “terrorists” for propaganda purposes. The decision comes ahead of the second phase of the military offensive against the radical Islamist Shebab, who have been waging a bloody insurrection against the central government in Mogadishu for more than 15 years. In its statement, the Ministry of Communication and Technology said it had ordered internet providers to cut off access to the three platforms by 24 August, failing which legal action would be taken, the nature of which was not specified. According to the ministry, TikTok, Telegram and the 1XBET site are used by “terrorists” and “groups spreading immorality” to “disseminate violent images and videos and mislead public opinion”. According to the ministry, banning them will “speed up the war (...) against the terrorists who have spilled the blood of the people of Somalia”. Since August 2022, the Somali army has been engaged in an offensive against the Shebab, a group affiliated to al-Qaeda, alongside local clan militias and with the support of African Union troops and American air strikes. Shebab fighters were driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, but they remain firmly entrenched in vast rural areas, from where they continue to carry out attacks against security and civilian targets. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has pledged to rid the country of Islamist militias. - BBC Jo’burg, Monday Russia and China will look to gain more political and economic ground in the developing world at a summit in South Africa this week, when an expected joint dose of anti-West grumbling from them may take on a sharper edge with a formal move to bring Saudi Arabia closer. Leaders from the BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will hold three days of meetings in Johannesburg’s financial district of Sandton, with Chinese premier Xi Jinping’s attendance underlining the diplomatic capital his country has invested in the bloc over the last decade-and-a-bit as an avenue for its ambitions. Russian President Vladimir Putin will appear on a video link after his travel to South Africa was complicated by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him over the war in Ukraine. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be at the summit alongside Xi. The main summit on Wednesday - and sideline meetings Tuesday and Thursday - are expected to produce general calls for more cooperation among countries in the Global South amid their rising discontent over perceived Western dominance of global institutions. That’s a sentiment that Russia and China are more than happy to lean into. Leaders or representatives of dozens more developing countries are set to attend the sideline Saudi Arabia is one of more than 20 countries to have formally applied to join BRICS in another possible expansion, South African officials say. Any move toward the inclusion of the world’s secondbiggest oil producer in an economic bloc with Russia and China would clearly draw attention from the United States and its allies in an extra-frosty geopolitical climate, and amid a recent move by Beijing to exert some influence in the Persian Gulf. “If Saudi Arabia were to enter BRICS, it will bring extraordinary importance to this grouping,” said Talmiz Ahmad, India´s former ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Even an agreement on the principle of expanding BRICS, which already consists of a large chunk of the developing world’s biggest economies, is a moral victory for the Russian and Chinese vision for the bloc as a counterbalance to the G-7, analysts say. - Agencies LEADERS MEETING Leaders from the BRICS economic bloc of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will hold three days of meetings in Johannesburg’s financial district of Sandton Russian President Vladimir Putin will appear on a video link after his travel to South Africa was complicated by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him over the war in Ukraine Several deadly attacks have struck Niger since the 26 July coup that toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum, but analysts warn against hasty interpretation of the scant data available. As soon as they came to power, the soldiers who overthrew President Bazoum cited a “deteriorating security situation” to justify their coup. This perception is shared by some Nigeriens but seems to be contradicted by the statistics. In the first six months of 2023, attacks on civilians were 49% lower than in the first six months of 2022, and the number of deaths 16% lower, according to the NGO Acled, which records the victims of conflicts around the world. Western observers and partners, notably France, a privileged ally of the ousted regime which still has 1,500 troops in Niger, have highlighted these encouraging results. - AFP Gabon’s main opposition parties, who have lined up behind a single candidate to challenge Ali Bongo Ondimba in next week’s presidential vote, on Sunday urged a boycott of legislative contests the same day, after a last-minute change to voting rules. Former education minister Albert Ondo Ossa secured the backing of the Alternance 2023 opposition grouping on Friday, hoping to unseat Bongo, whose family has ruled the oil-rich West African state for 55 years. Last month, however, Gabon’s electoral commission announced that any vote for a local deputy would automatically be a vote for that deputy’s presidential candidate. The move was denounced by critics as favouring the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), since Ondo Ossa is not backed by any single party. - Xinhua At least six children have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo after a fire broke out at a camp for people displaced by flooding. The camp in the town of Kalehe has been home to about 420 families from Bushushu, a village on Lake Kivu near the eastern border with Rwanda. The village was hammered by fierce rain and landslides that killed at least 400 people in May. The blaze erupted on Saturday afternoon and killed several children – “two small boys and four small girls, aged one to five years old”, said Thomas Bakenga, administrator for the Kalehe region. He said four adults had been hospitalised for burns. “The fire started in a hut in the middle of the site where a child was cooking while the parents weren’t there,” he said. - AFP In Niger, a jihadist attack threats difficult to measure Gabon opposition cries foul over rule change to vote Six children killed in fire at DRC camp for slide victims WORLD NEWS FOR MORE NEWS VISIT: www.pd.co.ke / www.epaper. pd.co.ke fi Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet African heads of state on the sidelines of the Brics summit “to advance China-Africa cooperation in the new era”, China’s ambassador to South Africa said. REUTERS
PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Innovator gifts Murang’a residents containerised hydro-solar power plant Take Off Green "HFOEB by Wangari Njuguna @PeopleDailyKE T he move by the government to increase power tariffs has seen Kenyans dig deeper into their pockets to foot the electricity bills. And both domestic and industrial consumers are feeling the pinch. Various interventions, such as tapping into wind power and solar power for cheaper electricity have not been fully impactful to bring down the cost of electricity. However, a section of Kangema and Mathioya residents in Murang’a County are enjoying power supply at a relatively cheaper cost courtesy of an innovation from one of their own. About 3,000 end users have uninterrupted power supply from local power station located along Mathioya River. The station was innovated by Joseph Magiro about six years ago, then producing only 47 kilowatts, but has been upgraded to produce 500 kilowatts with the help of Hydrobox, a Belgium based company in collaboration with National Environment Trust fund (NETFUND). As opposed to other power stations where there are big structures and huge turbines, the station is the size of a shipping container fitted with hybrid equipment to generate power. Thomas Poelmans, the chief executive officer Hydrobox said the station uses the run-of-river principle to generate power. In this principle, running water from the river is guided down on a channel to the power generating turbines. Peolemans say the hydro station does not necessarily require huge volumes of water as long as the flow is constant. Energy saving This he said is one of the most effective ways to produce power and it is also environmentally friendly. “The station is hybrid as it can generate power from water and also tap solar energy from solar panels, which is converted to electricity for distribution to consumers,” he said. The station is also fitted with an auto switch to cut off power supply when it’s not needed and this helps save on the energy. The CEO said the station can serve up to 15,000 people, but the local factories and schools are taking the larger share of the power. “Our rates are 20 per cent lower compared to the prices by Kenya power and this has been a huge relief to the residents” he remarked. He said there are plans to establish three other projects in the area to reach out to more residents in the rural areas. The station has a life span of 30 years, but can go up to 80 years with occasional maintenance, which makes it more reliable and sustainable. Peolemans acknowledged the efforts by the government to increase power connectivity in the country, which stands at 70 per cent, but points out that there are rural areas, which are yet to be covered. He said they are targeting to reach out to at least one million people by the year 2027. “In partnership with Magiro power, we will go to those areas and establish the hydro box stations to provide affordable power to the people,” he added. “Such projects will ensure the disadvantages in society also get connected to electric power,” he remarked. Peter Madenns Belgium Ambassador in Kenya says such innovations through human ingenuity and technology are profound in addressing climate change. Madenns says tapping into renewable energy will help combat the phenomenon for a greener future, urging more people to come up with such innovations. Green technology “The project has a huge impact on rural life as the residents will benefit from low cost electricity and its more sustainable to go a long way” he added. Samon Toniok Chief Executive Officer Netfund said this is an example of how a simple innovation can be developed into a bigger project. “If we have more innovations inclined towards green technology we will be able to address the issue of climate change while people enjoy the benefits of the projects,” said Toniok. On his part, Magiro said his idea to come up with the power station was influenced by a bicycle dynamo and mobilised resources and tapped water from the local river where initially he produced seven kilowatts. Initially, he intended to help his family get electricity since they could not afford to raise money for connection to the national grid. Using a bicycle dynamo, he was able to generate seven watts for lighting up his home, but he later improved the project to serve more people. He said he would continue to partner with more organisations to increase production of power and supply to more end users at affordable rates. Michaal Gakungu the Chief Executive Officer Kiriti Tea Factory in Mathioya said the factory has been using 99 per cent of the power for tea production from the hydro box station. Gakungu said the power is relatively cheaper and has helped reduce the cost of production thus increasing their profit. “This is a major milestone, especially for those of us running factories as the power is very stable and reliable” he said. by Malemba Mkongo @ PeopleDailyKE A new report by World Animal Protection has revealed the grim 1life of Wild Cats in South Africa, confirming long-lived allegations of cruelty on the animals. Aside from the inhumanity against the wild animals, the report links the inhumane lion farming industry to international criminal syndicates which are responsible for trafficking of wildlife animals. According to the report, South Africa has more lions in captivity than in the wild, with 8,000 lions being in 366 farms. The lions are kept captive for exploitation such as entertainment attractions for tourists, either as canned trophy hunting where captive-bred wild animals in small enclosures with no chance of escape are hunted and killed as a sport. The captive animals are also held for interactive encounters with tourists like cub petting and “walk with lions” experiences and voluntourism. Lion farming and trophy hunting is legal in South Africa but there are parameters to this venture. The report reveals a breach of these laws during and after the hunting. According to South African laws, captive lions should be released 96 hours before the hunting and the hunting area should be on an area of not less than 1000 hectares. However, investigations by the organization shows the lions are released an hour before the activity and hunting happens within one hectare (2.5 acres) of land. The report further indicates that the animals are illegally sedated by corrupt veterinarians before they are released for the hunting activity. And if that is not enough, the hunters then kill them before they fully gain their consciousness. World Animal Protection’s Global Head of Wildlife Research, Dr Neil D’Cruze says the skins, paws and skull are then prized by the hunter while bones are sold to bone buyers who are majorly Asian. “The bones are sold to Asians who visits the facilities in Johannesburg frequently. Four big cats are slaughtered and processed by each labourer every day during the busy season,” D’Cruze says. These bones are then trafficked to Asia and even though there is no direct link to international criminal links, the report indicates it is very likely the buyers use Laos-based criminal networks to traffic the illegal animal products to its market destination. Bones are used in making traditional Asian medicine; parts such as claws and teeth are made into jewelry and their skins are sold as luxury goods. Hundreds of captives bred live lions are also exported annually, predominantly to China, Thailand, Pakistan, Vietnam and Bangladesh, mostly to zoos, for commercial purposes, and breeding in captivity. Joseph Magiro, with the support of a private firm and the government is providing an innovative way to supply renewable energy to rural areas that are not connected to the grid Lobby pushes for an end to trophy hunting 10 - &."/ 5IF TUBUJPOJT IZCSJEBTJUDBO HFOFSBUFQPXFS GSPNXBUFS BOEBMTPUBQ TPMBSFOFSHZ GSPNTPMBS QBOFMT XIJDI JTDPOWFSUFEUP FMFDUSJDJUZGPS EJTUSJCVUJPOUP DPOTVNFST The hydrobox mini power station established along Mathioya Tiber in Mathioya Murang’a. PD/WANGARI NJUGUNA Joseph Magiro A technician operating the switchboard in the Hydrobox station. PD/WANGARI NJUGUNA
by Cash Mandi @PeopleDailyKe T he journey to motherhood is not an easy one — pregnancy and childbirth can be challenging and social support is crucial in the well-being of both mother and baby. Think about the days of our great, great grandparents, when medical facilities were hard to access. During childbirth, several ‘experienced’ women walked with pregnant women throughout their pregnancies and helped them give birth. They taught the young mothers how to feed their newborns, cooked them healthy meals, advised and even bathed them, until they healed. They learnt from their mothers and their mother’s mothers, and it went down generations. It took a village as everyone wanted to ensure the child came out happy and healthy. That is the work of doulas. The name may not have existed then, but the work they did then and through the centuries, is the same work that a ‘trained’ doula does today. The word doula is Greek meaning ‘woman who serves’. Today, a doula is described as a trained non-medical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. They could reassure, massage and encourage during labour, be a birth companion or coach. It seems like new fad, but all ancient societies had their version of women who supported others. Historically, women in African communities assumed roles such as coaxing babies, support during labour, breast feeding and spiritual healing. Never alone She is, however, not to be mistaken with a midwife who is a medical professional with training and certifi cation in prenatal care and childbirth. A midwife would provide medical care and be the one to manage one’s pregnancy and deliver your baby. Doulas do not offer medical support. A wife and mother of two teen girls, Esther Kimani who holds Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Kenyatta University and postgraduate diploma in counselling psychology, never in her wildest dreams would she have thought she would end up in her current career. After having a diffi cult pregnancy and birth experience, Esther felt lost and had limited support. Her experience with the birth of her fi rstborn started a yearning within her to be there for other women, to walk with them so that they did not feel alone. This started her journey to becoming a doula. Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY You ,W·VDOODERXW-JGF&4UZMF Doulas: Making pregnancy and delivery stressfree experience A trained doula and lactation specialist, Esther is a maternal and infant care specialist with several qualifi cations such as Certifi ed Doula (CD, DONA), Lamaze Trainer and Certifi ed Childbirth Educator (LCCE), Certifi ed Nutrition Advisor, Certifi ed Lactation Specialist and counsellor (CLSC), Certifi ed Infant Massage Instructor (IAIM) and Certifi ed Infant and Young Child Nutrition Advisor. “I have been supporting parents for the last 14 years and have so far met over 9,000 babies as my little clients. I support and walk with parents, so that they can fully have confi dence and enjoy the parenting journey right from pregnancy, birth and beyond,” she begins. Doula support during pregnancy, birth, and during the postpartum period has been shown to be an effective best practice that can enhance the birthing experience, reduce complications, and improve outcomes for women and infants. Doulas are not very many in Kenya and would be less than 100 locally. After birth, some mothers may have trouble expressing milk or even nursing their babies and this is another area that Esther comes in. A lactation specialist is a certifi ed professional who specialises in breastfeeding issues and supports nursing mothers to navigate the different challenges in their lactation journey. Esther helps encourage women to eat healthy and drink plenty so as to get enough milk to feed the baby exclusively for six months. “The best way to ensure you build your After a difficult birth experience, Esther Kimani felt the need to be there for women on their motherhood journey. She is now a certified doula, Lamaze trainer and lactation specialist LOVE & LAST 8*5)8"*5)&3"05*&/0 Waithera@ntarasiplay How much love is too much? Can too much love ever be a bad thing? At the beginning of your relationship, it can be exciting to be in love. You may be tempted to shower your partner with love and affection. Although there is nothing like too much love, you can overwhelm your partner with so much love and affection that they may crave some space. Perhaps you smother them with love because you want some attention yourself? Is it possible that you want the affection, and you are doing it, in the hope that your actions will be reciprocated? Sometime we smother our partners because we feel the need to demonstrate our love or because we want to help or protect them. If you are feeling insecure about the relationship, you may also express an overload of love in an attempt to get reassurance about the relationship. Avoid using love to control your partner. Don’t expect them to behave in a certain way just because of love. Allow your partner time and space to grow. You need to spend some time together, and some time apart, to pursue your individual interests. Remember some absence can actually make your partner miss you. You don’t always have to be available for your partner, especially if it involves always sacrifi cing something that is important to you. Avoid constantly calling or texting your partner. Catching up once a day is alright. Being on phone with them every couple of hours is unsustainable. The focus should not only be on love and lust, you should also invest in being friends and confi dants. Remember, you don’t have to be in each other’s space. Be secure and confi dent in yourself enough to know that your partner loves you enough to stick it out with you. supply is to feed baby on the breast on demand and as often as possible even at night, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fl uids. Most mothers will meet their babies’ needs if they do this,” she explains. Most health care facilities will ensure that there is initiation of breastfeeding within the fi rst hour of life and that baby is not separated from mother. There is a lot of health education offered to lay down the benefi ts of breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby. “Kenya has a high breastfeeding rate with around 61 per cent babies exclusively breastfed for the fi rst six months of life,” Esther shares. Breastfeeding support With a lot of mothers needing to go back to work and unable to afford breast milk pumps, Esther says, “Even with the absence of pumps, with proper support and education, mothers can successfully hand-express breast milk and store in a clean air tight container and then keep in a cool cupboard to be given to the baby later. Even without a fridge, use of a clay pot with cold water and a sand and charcoal box can keep the milk cool and fresh to be given to baby when the mother is away.” Most times, Esther builds capacity with community health workers so that they can offer support to the mothers in their homes since this will ensure continuous support to the nursing mothers. Esther is on a campaign to ensure that lactating working mothers are provided with time, a clean comfortable place for them to express milk, and a fridge to store it. By law, organisations are meant to have these in their offi ce spaces, but unfortunately, there are still very few companies and organisations that have set up lactation rooms. “To help push and implement this, government can provide a way to monitor, provide oversight and ensure that the laws and regulations laid out in The 2017 Kenya Health Act are well laid out, but nobody follows up yet, County government is always going round checking on licenses, but never bothers to see if these rooms are available and fi ne them. We still have a long way to go as a country,” she admits. “Most talk organisations complain about budgetary constraints, lack of space or not understanding how the process of establishing a lactation policy would be like. It is simple. Cost would depend on the number of employees that would be using the room. You need a comfortable chair, table to hold pumping equipment, refrigerator for storage of expressed milk, sink with running water, dispenser for drinking water, a privacy curtain if multiple users share the same space,” Esther says in ending. &45)&3 *TVQQPSU BOEXBML XJUIQBSFOUT TPUIBUUIFZ DBOGVMMZIBWF DPOàEFODF BOEFOKPZ UIFQBSFOUJOH KPVSOFZSJHIU GSPNQSFHOBODZ CJSUIBOE CFZPOE
LUSTING ON LOVE MOVIE REVIEW SONG #Z4VNBZB)VTTFJO REVIEW #Z+BDLTPO0OZBOHP for you? This particular project was deeply spiritual, so it took a lot mentally and emotionally to dig deep over the years. It was also expensive to put it together. So, I hope it’s all worth it in the end. How many songs did you cook for the album before settling on the final track list? I started working on this album before I released Unleashed, just so that some songs couldn’t make it onto that album. My last two albums had 15 and 16 tracks respectively, but this time I wanted to keep it short and sweet based on the depth of content to not be overwhelming. I had 20 something songs to choose from. How has the reception been like? It has been amazing so far. It’s great to feel the excitement of being back and the appreciation of the fans who really understand the music and I t’s been four years in between albums. What did that time in between look like and feel for you? It’s been a mix of quiet time and reflections, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, pursuing other interests in fashion and film, and long sleepless nights writing and recording. How would you describe your new album Love Art Lust? Grown, concise in thought and world-class delivery. Based on the record Spirit, it feels like you really went through some trials and awakening, like you’re so aware of yourself. How do you practice mental health and attain that level of self consciousness? When we are faced with our mortality we begin to appreciate that we are merely a speck in comparison to the size of the universe. Therefore, all is vanity. In that sense, we start to focus on the things that really matter —living and loving to the fullest. Therapy also helps if you can access it. The musicality is just the chef’s kiss. How much does it take to put together an album Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY 21 Spice Flavour ZPVSEBZ 5MINSWITH '&/"(*56 !0OZBOHP@+BDL Fena Gitu is one of Kenya’s most accomplished and decorated musicians. She recently released her latest and most layered body of work dubbed Love Art Lust. She talks with Jackson Onyango about the 13-track sonic masterpiece, her catalogue and relationships '&/" *UIBTCFFO BNB[JOHTPGBS *UTHSFBUUPGFFM UIFFYDJUFNFOUPG CFJOHCBDLBOE UIFBQQSFDJBUJPO PGUIFGBOT XIPSFBMMZ VOEFSTUBOEUIF NVTJD where we’re coming from. We will keep working hard to make sure it’s heard all around the world. Would you say you are an albums-artiste or a singles-artiste? I’m an artiste. Whether it’s an album or a single, it all depends on the season that I am in. Regular has some connection to the complexity of relationships. How is your relationship status now and how do you view that aspect of your life? Well, I’m single right now and focusing on being better for myself before I can get into anything serious. I’m enjoying the ups and downs of dating and just having fun getting to know new people and rekindling some old flames. Just how do you prepare for shows, especially the big ones like your album launch show a few weeks ago? It takes months of preparation. A lot of practice days at Nakipo Studios with my impeccable band, a lot of team meetings to plan and strategise, and a lot of alone time to meditate and clarify the bigger picture vision. What makes you happy these days? Friday nights at home. Take us through your evolution as a Buruburu girl to where you are now. Buruburu was the home of the cool kids and it’s great to see them grow and lead the industry. We hope to see many more come up out of the hood; 58 for life! I also hope to get to work on projects back home soon. Lastly, what is the one thing you want fans to take home from ¡? That life becomes so much simpler when you move in love and compassion. Fewer things bother you and you open room for good to come into your life. Also, that Kenyan music is about to take over, so get with the programme before that train leaves the station. Nengua –by Liboi Big Yasa THE FATHER The Father is a movie that hits right in the heart. It tells the story of a man grappling with dementia and is shown in such a real and raw way that you can’t help, but be pulled in. What makes this movie so unique is how it shows us the world through the eyes of the old man, magnificently played by Anthony Hopkins. One moment you are in his familiar living room, and the next everything is different. As the viewer, you feel as lost and confused as he does, which is quite a feat to achieve in a film. Olivia Colman, who plays the daughter, is just as remarkable. Her performance is so genuine that you can almost feel her heartache, as she tries to care for her father who sometimes doesn’t recognise her. It’s a subtle yet powerful performance that leaves a lasting impression. The genius behind this film is Florian Zeller, who successfully translates his stage play to the big screen. His direction is precise and thoughtful, making the movie an emotional journey that tugs at your heartstrings. The Father is a hard film to watch, as it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of dementia. But that’s exactly why it’s so important. It helps us understand a topic that’s often overlooked in movies. It is moving, thought provoking, and unforgettable. It’s a testament to the power of cinema and a reminder of the human condition’s fragility. It isn’t just a movie; it’s an experience. SCORE: 9/10 On the back of her Sondeka Awards nomination for Best Live Band, contemporary and alternative Kenyan singer Liboi is back with a therapeutic and dance-ready single dubbed Nengua. It encourages listeners to enjoy little moments such as dancing amidst the hardships and adversity curve balls love and life can throw at us. As per Liboi standards, her song writing is ever challenging and proverbial. She musters words that are light, but carry weight in meaning as she prompts listeners, young, old and all ilks to forget their woes and embrace life’s pleasures in the form of dance. She acknowledges life has its challenges, myopic and gigantic in degree, but chooses dance as a form of self-love and care. Vocally, Liboi is a penchant. Her honeyed voice can’t get any better. Musically, the record is bright with beautiful strings that feel Coastal and relaxing. She continues to marvel as a producer, artiste, performer and this record is a great way to introduce her forthcoming Extended Play which she shares will focus a lot on unity, inner power and diversity. SCORE: 8/10 Fena Gitu
Clique & Clicks Get 4QPUUFE 22 PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 FRUITS OF DEVOLUTION by Mwangi Alberto Kiambu county received a prize for having a chic and well-organised display exhibit that included a variety of devolution-related topics at the just concluded eighth Devolution Conference in Eldoret. The booth’s centrepiece was a model of the future Thika Industrial Smart City, which Governor Kimani Wamatangi is promoting under the Lands, Housing, and Physical Planning docket that’s headed by County Executive Committee Member Salome Muthoni. It consists of manufacturing, an Economic Processing Zone, affordable housing, an international-standard stadium, technology, and transportation infrastructure, including the dualling of a section of the Thika-Garissa Road. President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru were among other guests who visited the booth. PD/MWANGI ALBERTO by Gerald Ithana Tatua3 Foundation in partnership with Mediamax Network recently held a donation drive in Laikipia East Constituency, Laikipia County. Dubbed “Be Your Brother’s Keeper”, the exercise aimed at extending a helping hand to the families and schools affected by the prolonged drought in the area. Likii Mixed Secondary has a population of 430 students of which 230 out of the total number are girls who benefited from sanitary pads donated. Vulnerable families from the informal settlement of Majengo and Likii received assorted food items while the elderly benefited from blankets. Present were Tatua Foundation CEO Joan Mwaura, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Nanyuki Ward MCA and Laikipia County’s Assembly Deputy Speaker Anthony Theuri and Likii Mixed Secondary School Principal Margaret Kangai. PD/GERALD ITHANA Residents of Likii and Majengo slums head home after receiving foodstuff. Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi (left) with radio presenter Maina Kageni. Tatua Foundation rep Lpisi Akinyi hands over sanitary pads to Likii Mixed Day Secondary Principal Margaret Kangai. Milele FM’s Chris Da Bass hands over a food hamper to Susan Wangari. A show of humanity Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and Tatua3 Foundation CEO Joan Mwaura (right) gifts Esther Wairimu a blanket. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (second left) presents an award to Kiambu county officials for the well organised and attractive booth at this year’s Devolution Conference in Eldoret. With him is CoG chairperson Anne Waiguru and Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa. Kiambu County brand models Vanessa Lepiren, Fauzia Khaeli and Faith Bwamula. Beneficiaries Mary Nyokabi and John Muriithi. President William Ruto, Council of Governors chair Anne Waiguru and Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii at the Kiambu County booth during the just ended Devolution Conference in Eldoret. Kiambu County Executive Committee Members at the proposed Thika Industrial Smart City model.
Top challenges stiffling start-ups bid to upscale Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY TOP SHELF FACTS Ten Start-ups are the source of new ideas, products and services into markets globally. They are also at the forefront of innovation, helping to drive growth by creating jobs and generating wealth. In Kenya currently, the sector is struggling with at least six tech start-ups folding in quick succession. Here are some of the challenges and factors hurting Kenya’s vision to be Africa’s Silicon Savannah. Access to business funding A study published in the Journal of Business and Management Sciences reckons that Kenyan start-ups face several shortcomings including poor coordination, a weak start-up culture, the ‘me too businesses’, insuffi cient policies and guidelines on incubation, and commercial and lack of robust monitoring and evaluation. An Intellecap.com survey suggests that there are critical gaps in serving different SME segments, especially those within the ‘missing middle’ category, considered too small for private equity and debt. Punitive tax regime Punitive taxes have been cited as a hindrance to the growth of Kenyan start-ups, making entities collapse, to the extent that the government has proposed a special tax regime called Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as it aligns plans to spur innovation. The Finance Act 2023 also proposes the deferment of taxes on employeeallocated shares, recommending that they apply after the expiry of fi ve years from the time of share award or when an employee sells them or leaves the company. Unnecessary regulations Before starting a business, entrepreneurs are confronted by many necessary business licenses and permits, which cost money and consume time to acquire. This makes many entrepreneurs shy away from starting businesses. In addition, the lack of specifi cally tailored regulations to govern the fi ntech sector leaves regulators at each point responding to issues that arise individually, leaving a gap for potential confl icts in regulating fi ntech and revealing a situation where the regulatory environment would keep lagging behind technology. Minimum innovation This is one of the challenges facing entrepreneurs and businesses in Kenya. Businesses that fail to come up with new products, services and ways of doing business tend to grow and expand at a slower rate compared to innovative ones. This enables businesses to create new products and services, improve their processes and increase their competitiveness. Without innovation, businesses may struggle to keep up with changing market demands and may eventually become obsolete. Funding drought in sector Some fi rms have attributed their failure to a funding drought that had hit Kenyan startups, due to developed economies raising the cost of lending. There is a need for the National Government to provide matching funds to venture capital, standardise and decentralise innovation and incubation centres country-wide, create a central database for start-ups and implement sensitisation and awareness-building programmes on intellectual property rights among start-ups. Competition and unavailability of markets Start-ups in Kenya face stiff competition from established businesses as well as other start-ups. making it diffi cult for them to gain a foothold in the market and attract customers. The unavailability of markets to sell their products and services has impacted startups by making it diffi cult for them to generate revenue and grow their business. Tough market conditions Diffi cult market conditions and funding hitches wiped out at least six major tech start-ups in Kenya last year, due in part, because of high operating costs. The inability to break even and tough market conditions are making it diffi cult for some to scale. These include Notify Logistics, which was running a rent-a-shelf model which shut due to high operation costs and WeFarm, which ran a shop in the form of a mobile application that went under due to tough market conditions. Rising operational costs This is having a signifi cant impact on the growth and survival of start-ups. Data by the Registrar of Societies indicate that an estimated 2,540 entities closed in 2021, which was 1,255 more than in 2020. This affected startups like Kune Food, which folded in 2021, barely two years into operation despite raising Sh120 million, the same fate that befell Notify Logistics. High operation costs can make it diffi cult for start-ups to break even and continue to grow, because of a lack of funds for expansion, hindering their ability to compete in the Lacklustre venture capitalists Fear of recession and interest hikes by Venture Capitalists (VC), especially from the developed world has affected the growth of startups in Kenya. Kune, a food-tech venture shut down for failure to raise Sh30 million in investor funds at the height of rising operation costs. Worse, the fi rm was unable to raise fi nances from investors to boost its operations, signifying a lacklustre tendency by VCs to push forth investments because of fears of recession and interest hikes. Bullish US dollar The strengthening dollar has had devastating effects on earnings by local companies in Kenya as it makes it expensive for some fi rms to make hard currency payouts. This is despite the fact that Kenyan start-ups have so far recorded the highest growth in funding. Data from market intelligence fi rms shows that Kenyan start-ups raised $1.1 billion (Sh158 billion), more than double the funding East Africa’s biggest economy got in 2021, with clean tech, e-commerce, fi ntech and food and agriculture projects accounting for the bulk of the activity. Compiled by: Noel Wandera 1
‘ BRIEFLY Researchers support community climate adaptation in Baringo by Mwangi Mumero @PeopleDailyKe A new project seeking opportunities to support community climate change adaptation in Baringo County has been rolled out. The county is categorised as an arid and semi-arid region where pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods are common. Scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and their partners recently visited Irong and Paka Hill conservancies to meet local community members and discuss challenges and opportunities in livestock breeding and gender-related issues. The main economic activities in the county are livestock trading, beekeeping and establishing pastures for sale. Community leaders highlighted gender roles in livestock, some of which must be considered in the planned community breeding programme to ensure social inclusion. A mapping exercise provided insights into understanding the natural resources and social services available. Water scarcity is a key challenge in the area. In recent years, the Baringo County government and its partners have been supporting pasture regeneration and training in breeding management. Pasture production and conservation is critical in sustaining livestock production in the region. Researchers, however, noted that drought, low levels of adoption of technologies due to high costs, and poor storage of established and regenerated pastures were noted as constraints in the county. The research teams will collaborate and work closely with partners to enhance socially inclusive and equitable climate adaptation opportunities. The livestock genetics team will adapt community-based and so livestock breeding approaches to integrate technologies and management practices that improve the productivity of sheep and goats in challenging environments. Researchers also felt that for the success of the project gender involvement will be critical. For instance, in many married households in pastoral systems, livestock ownership and related tasks are gender specific. Men typically own and purchase large livestock, especially cattle. Men also typically manage vaccination and marketing activities, including the transport of livestock and livestock products like milk. Women and men often manage small livestock, for example, goats, sheep and chicken, while women care for young and lactating livestock and identify sick animals. Women also assume many livestock-related tasks when their husbands are away, such as caring for goats that remain behind at the homestead when men migrate in search of pasture. Supporting efforts to work together, learn and co-develop solutions will be paramount to support resilient households and communities, researchers noted in their preliminary report. Agri biz Smart Way to Grow Money 24 PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 by Mwangi Mumero @PeopleDailyKe W ith climate change affecting potato farming in Nyandarua County, farmers are seeking viable alternatives to boost their income, as well as create jobs for youth currently engaging in farming activities. As a result, apples are becoming a favourite among farmers because of the cool weather and ample pieces of land. “Climate change has made Nyandarua hotter and potatoes are not doing well. Erratic rainfall patterns and nematode attacks have worsened the situation. Recent drought has also affected dairy farmers hitting their milk production and their incomes,” observes Antony Mwangi Maina, a retired forester and one of the recent entrants into apple farming in the county. Apples, he says, are responsive to climate change and well adapted to local conditions. The cool temperatures and high altitudes in the county are ideal for the apple tree growth. Elderly people from the area report that former white settlers in Nyandarua grew apples for export in the 1930s up to the time of independence. Maina who hails from Bahati village in Gathanji ward in Ol Joro Orok constituency says Kenyan apples are superior to those from South Africa and Egypt. “Demand for apples in the country outstrips supply. The market is available only because farmers are now awakening to the reality of the huge market,” noted Maina who currently has planted 30 +"/& "QQMFT IBWFWFSZIJHI SFUVSOTXJUIB GSVJUTFMMJOHBU 4I5IFVQUBLF PGBQQMFGBSNJOH JO0M+PSP0SPL JTPOUIFSJTFBT GBSNFSTIBWF DPNFUPSFBMJTF UIFJSQPUFOUJBM apple trees on his land. He plans to make an orchard of 100 trees by the end of the year. In urban centres, such as Nairobi and Mombasa, apples sell at Sh30 to Sh50 depending on size and quality. Most of these apples are imports from South Africa and Egypt. Research has shown that Kenya uses at least Sh2 billion to import apples since local production remains low. Farmers are also being endeared to apple production by the huge profits. “A single tree can earn a farmer Sh10,000 and can produce 500 fruits annually with at least 250 fruits per tree per season. There are two production seasons,” observed Francis Wanyeki of Oraimutia village, whom locals consider the pioneer in the emergent apple farming. Poverty reduction Wanyeki, who sells his fruits to a supermarket in Nyahururu and cannot meet the outlet’s demand, noted that apple production can help reduce rural poverty in the county. At the farmgate, he retails the fruit at Sh20 per piece. He hopes to have attain1,300 trees forestry department for years. Extension officers believe the future is bright for apple farmers. “Apples have very high returns with a fruit selling at Sh25. The uptake of apple farming in Ol Joro Orok is on the rise as farmers have come to realise their potential,” observes Jane Mumbi Gatu, an independent agronomist working with apple farmers in the area. Gatu says it is critical for apple and other fruit farmers to organise themselves to avoid exploitation by brokers and other buyers. Farmers, Gatu says, need to invest in water supply, especially during drought as apples need lots of moisture. Irrigation should be done during the dry season for better yields. Upon harvesting, apples are sorted and graded according to size, colour, and quality. The graded apples are then packed in crates or cartons and transported to the market. Other than Nyandarua County, apples do well in highland areas of Nyeri and Meru counties. The most common apple varieties grown in Kenya, include Pink Lady, Anna, Winter Banana, Crimson Red, Golden Dorset, Royal Gala, Braeburn, and Granny Smith. Different varieties adopt well to different climatic zones in Kenya. Nyandarua farmers’ fortunes change with apple growing by the end of the year. “For successful apple farming, a farmer needs to test their soil before planting the crop, provide the soil nutrients through manure, as well as prune and train the tree to the correct shape. Occasional spraying is necessary against thrips and blight,” notes Wanyeki. Research has shown that apple trees are prone to attack by various pests and diseases, such as aphids, mites, fruit flies, and powdery mildew. “Birds, especially mousebirds, are a menace during the ripening stage. They feed on the ripe fruits — damaging them and reducing their quality,” says Maina, adding that a farmer needs to buy nets to cover their apple trees to control the birds. An apple tree takes between two and three years to start bearing fruits. Independent agronomists For the apple farming to be commercially viable, a farmer will require to have planted at least 50 trees, which is a major challenge for local farmers, because of the high cost of seedlings. “Each ‘Wambugu variety’ seedling cost Sh1,000 and they have to be sourced from Nyeri- a deterrent to local farmers,” observes Maina, who has previously worked in the They are switching from potatoes to apple farming amid soaring global and local demand and changing weather patterns, and are now smiling all the way to the bank A crate of ripe apples awaiting transportation to the market. RIGHT: Jane Gatu inspects a young apple tree.PD/MWANGI MUMERO Patrick Wanyeki shows off his healthy apples at his farm in Nyandarua county. PD/MWANGI MUMERO
several beauty schools. “It was such a great experience to get to educate aspiring students, helping each student advance their skills, and inspire them to keep that fire burning in them as well and to not give up on their dream. Visiting Kenya meant the world to me. Being where my roots are felt amazing and it felt even better to give back,” she proudly says. Inspiring others A huge part of Nimzy beauty’s mission is to continue to bridge the gap in beauty and inspiring women to be everything that God has called them to be. “We all have a reason and a purpose for why we are here and my hope and dream is for us all to discover that and never be ashamed of it,” she says. With the upcoming production of other Nimzy Beauty products, she is looking forward to closing the gap by providing trusted, top quality and affordable products to the Kenyan market. Her products not only cover a wide range of skin tones, but quality and have even better skin benefits. “It is a challenge to get quality products and at an affordable price. Too many of us use products without knowing what is in them causing damage to our skin over time. Our goal is to provide users with peace of mind with every application,” she says. “Nimzy Beauty started with my passion for beauty. To me, beauty is more than just an outward appearance, but also has a great impact on your inward confidence,” she says in ending. by Cash Mandi @PeopleDailyKe E ver since she was a little girl, Wairimu Kabibi or Nimzy as she’s fondly known always admired anything beauty. “I remember locking myself in my mum’s room for hours just to practice drawing my eyebrows. It wasn’t all that great at the time, but there was something about sitting in that mirror that ignited a fire within me. However, I never believed that what I was passionate about could ever be anything bigger than just a passion,” she begins. For decades, black skin was ignored by the beauty industry, with it being extremely difficult to find make-up that matched our melanined skin, especially in countries dominated by whites. The raw deal blacks got was to use foundation, powder and other products that were way lighter and meant for white skin, leaving ghostly white looking skin after use. The lighter skinned people were lucky as they could easily use the products made for whiter skin that could blend a little with theirs. “Luckily for you and me, times are changing and we are now at a pivotal moment. Big brands are including more shades to cover a wider range of skin tones. I’m so excited to see continuous growth and even more excited to help bridge the gap by manufacturing our very own skin products,” shares the US-based beutician. Evolving standards Nimzy was born in Kenya and moved to the USA at the age of nine in 2005. She grew up in Atlanta Georgia with her family and attended Baker Elementary, then Chapman Middle School, and later, North Cobb High School. She chose to pursue a career in dentistry at Augusta University in Georgia. While in school, she quickly discovered that her passion was being noticed by others around campus. “This gave me the drive I needed not to give up on my dream. I then decided to take a leap of faith into my beauty career and start Nimzy Beauty with little to no capital,” she explains. With the beauty industry being so vast and continuing to grow and develop over the years, Nimzy believes that that there is certainly room for growth and absolutely space for more players. “As time changes, the standards for beauty continue to evolve,” Nimzy shares. Nimzy Beauty continues to strive to include all shades of beauty and pride themselves in allowing the uniqueness of each individual to shine through by using beauty as an expression of themselves. Being a well-known make-up artist has People Plus Tell ZPVSStory Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY 25 Wairimu Kabibi teaching make-up application during her recent visit to Kenya. PD/ COURTESY Boosting people’s confidence with every make-up application Wairimu Kabibi, better known as Nimzy, a makeup artist and manufacturer of skin care products, shares her struggle to find make-up for her skin tone in a foreign land and her decision to shift career from dentistry to beauty given her the reach, skill, and ability to impact a wide range of people from all over the world. Another contributing factor has been her social media presence, which has allowed Nimzy Beauty to be in the hands and eyes of many. Her work has touched many, literally. “As a make-up artist, I’ve worked with countless celebrities and clients who have gotten a chance to wear Nimzy Beauty lashes. I chose to launch lashes as my first product for many reasons. The first was the ability that lashes have to instantly boost one’s confidence and secondly, to take a look to the next level,” she quips. Nimzy was in Kenya early this year and had the opportunity to teach at KEY HIGHLIGHTS Wairimu Kabibi or Nimzy, was born in Kenya and moved to the USA at the age of nine in 2005. She grew up in Atlanta Georgia. She is the founder, Nimzy Beauty and a make-up artist. As a make-up artist, she has worked with countless celebrities and clients With the beauty industry being so vast and continuing to grow and develop over the years, Nimzy believes that there is certainly room for growth and absolutely space for more players. A huge part of Nimzy beauty’s mission is to continue to bridge the gap in beauty and inspiring women to be everything that God has called them to be. /*.;: 8FBMMIBWFB SFBTPOBOEBQVSQPTF GPSXIZXFBSFIFSF BOENZIPQFBOE ESFBNJTGPSVTBMM UPEJTDPWFSUIBUBOE OFWFSCFBTIBNFEPGJU Wairimu Kabibi believes that make-up is more than just outward appearance. PD/COURTESY
PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 15, 2023 26 ENTERTAINMENT ARIES (MAR. 21- APRIL 20) Small business ventures can earn you extra cash. Secret affairs may be tempting. Plan some family outings. TAURUS (APR. 21- MAY 21) Legal matters that have been pending may be alleviated through compromise. Concern yourself with legal matters and formulating contracts rather than inalising your objectives. GEMINI (MAY 22-JUNE 21) Changes in your domestic situation will prove to be favorable in the long run. You will get upset over trivial matters. Visitors may drop by unexpectedly, resulting in tension with your lover. CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22) You can enjoy short trips. You can easily impress others with your generous nature. Time spent with family, children, or good friends will be regenerating and positive. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) Be careful how you deal with colleagues. You will ind your personal partner taxing today. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Travel will also be very informative. Don’t get intimately involved with a coworker. Opportunities for travel and socializing are evident. LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) You will enjoy interaction with others today. Don’t let the moods of those you live with get you down. You can expect changes in your inancial situation as well as in your status. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) Your depressed mood has been hard to shake. You must lay down ground rules so that you can complete a job. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) Disruptions may set you back, but you’re strong, and in the end the choices you make will be favorable. CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) For now just do the best you can. If you address those in a position to grant you favors you should get the support you require. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 -FEB. 19) This is a great day to spend with family. Opportunities to get together with friends will be enlightening and entertaining. Control your anger. PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Your intuition will be right on. Follow your feelings in matters pertaining to inancial investments. Travel will be favorable. Resist overspending on luxury items. HOROSCOPES LIFE’S LIKE THAT! | BY TUM Sudoku The aim is to ill the grid so that each row, column and every 3x3 shaded box contains only one of the digits 1-9. You need to reason out where to place the missing numbers by using the numbers given in the grid and a process of elimination. It is a game of logic not mathematical ability. YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION ACROSS 1. Rambo 7. Patience 8. Pines 10. Whispering 12. Excavate 14. Sign 16. Silk 17. Aberdeen 20. Bangladesh 23. Salon 24. Eligibible 25. Mecca DOWN 1. Repose 2. Blew 3. Rags 4. Tiger 5. undivided 6. Reagan 9. SHave 11. Icelandic 13. Tub 15. Grass 16. Sobbed 18. Narnia 19. Elfin 21. Dale 22. Haze ACROSS 3. Aiding (9) 8. Out (4) 9. Stubbornness (8) 10. Quantity (6) 13. Spring flower (5) 14. Experise (4-3) 15. By way of (3) 16. Tranquillised (7) 17. Sweetheart (5) 21. Late actor Orson ___ (6) 22. Murder (8) 23. Wife of Zeus (4) 24. Allot, earmark (9) DOWN 1. Pulling power? (9) 2. Orange preserve (9) 4. Large shop (5) 5. US state, capital Indianapolis (7) 6. Spin (4) 7. Small cut (4) 11. Maurice ___, French singer/actor (9) 12. Fencer (9) 14. Young goat (3) 15. Account, interpretation (7) 18. Sugary (5) 19. Sit for (4) 20. Short skirt (4) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3 4 4 5 6 8 1 8 3 7 4 9 2 7 5 1 6 9 3 4 1 5 1 7 3 8 7 5 1 2 8 7 4 5 3 9 7 2 8 6 1 8 9 6 3 5 1 4 2 7 7 1 2 4 8 6 3 5 9 3 6 9 8 2 4 7 1 5 5 4 8 1 9 7 2 3 6 1 2 7 6 3 5 9 8 4 9 7 5 2 6 8 1 4 3 2 3 1 5 4 9 6 7 8 6 8 4 7 1 3 5 9 2 5:00 France 24 5.05 Maombi 5:30 Gear Up 6:00 Good Morning Kenya 10:00 NewsCheck 1:00 KBC Lunch time News 2:00 Cynthia Nyamai 2:30 Disco Funk 3:00 Animation 5:00 Club 1 6:30 Drama 7:00 Taarifa 7:30 Maza 8:00 I Dare You To Leave 9:00 KBC Channel 1 News 10:30 The Rave 11:00 CGTN 12:30 France 24 5.00 Password Plus 6.00 Am Live 8.00 Better Living 9.00 On The Wings Of Love 10.00 Music Mix 11.00 NTV Today 1.00 NTV at 1 1.30 Music Mix 3.00 Blood Sisters 3.30 The Three Sides Of Ana - Rpt 4.00 NTV At 4 4.15 Password Plus 5.00 The Heat 6.00 It Had To Be You 7.00 NTV Jioni 8.00 Forever My Love 9.00 NTV Tonight 10.00 Movie 11.00 Music Mix 12.00 CNN 06:00 Your Motor Week 06:30 Command Your Morning 07:00 Afrimaxx 09:00 Tendereza 09:30 News Hour 10:00 Afriscreen 12:00 Amplify 12:30 The killer Bride 1:00 News Desk 1.30 Sports Legends 2:00 Afriscreen 3:30 Akili & Me 4:00 Mbiu Ya KTN 4:10 Winx Club 6:00 Prima Donnas 7:00 KTN Leo 7:30 Sports legends 8:00 Whats your story 9:00 KTN Friday Briefing 10:21 Movie 10:30 Movie 11:00 Baseline 1.00 Aljazeera 4:00 Pambazuka 05:30 PE At Home 06:00 Day Break 09:00 Cartoons Animation 10:00 Music Mix generic 15:00 Afrosinema 11:00 Sema Na Citizen 11:15 Afrosinema 12:15 Afrosinema 13:00 Sema Na Citizen 14:00 Mseto Africa 15:00 The Neighbour 15:54 Supa Sema 16:00 News Brief 16:15 PE At Home 17:30 Rubi 18:30 Machachari 19:00 Nipashe 19:30 Sultana 20:00 Vencer El Desamor 21:00 JK Live 23:05 Mis Fortuna El Marte 00:00 Afrosinema 01:00 News Night KBC KTN CITIZEN NTV 5.00 Ime Ria Ruciini 6.00 Rikiratha- Live 10.00 Kurekereria KodiLive 12.00 Ndurumeni Maturaini- Live 1.00 Mohoro Gitau-Live 1.30 Kayu Ka Ruriri- Rpt 2.00 Thiririka 3.00 Tuikaranie- Rpt 3.30 Magerio- Rpt 4.00 Ririmbuka -Live 6.00 Maisha Bure- Rpt 6.30 Magerio- Rpt 7.00 Kameme MaturainiLive 7.30 Njungwa Ya Muthee Kihenjo 8.30 Maisha Bure 9.00 Mutamburuko Wa Mohoro- Live 10.00 Thenema 11.30 Ririmbuka 12.30 DW 5.00 Inuka 6.00 New Dawn 8.00 K24 This Morning 9.55 Wisdom Moments 10.00 Inuka- Rpt 11.00 Mchipuko 1.00 K24 News Cut 1.30 Jungu La Spoti 2.00 Aap Ke Aa Jane Se- Rpt 3.00 Ubongo Kids 3.30 Akili & Me 4.00 K24 Mashinani 4.30 Mchipuko Extra 5:00 Beat Box 6.00 Tangled Hearts 7.00 K24 Saa Moja 7.30 Aap Ke Aa Jane Se 8.00 Brazil Avenue 8.30 BBC- Focus On Africa 9.00 Punchline 10.00 BBC- Dira Ya Dunia 10.30 Beat Box 11.30 Al Jazeera Timeout Sudoku solutions 7.30pm AAP KE AA JANE SE
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY CLASSIFIEDS / NOTICES 27 THE PHYSICAL AND LAND USE PLANNING ACT (NO. 13 OF 2019) CHANGE OF USE The owner of LR.No.7525/25 off Nyeri-Mweiga road within Nyeri County, intends to change it’s use from Agricultural to religious purpose (church) and ancillary services, subject to approval by County Government of Nyeri. Individuals, Institutions, Organizations etc. with objections or comments to the proposal are requested to forward the same explicitly within 14 days of publication of this notice to: COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, LANDS, HOUSING, PHYSICAL PLANNING AND URBANIZATION, NYERI COUNTY, P.O. Box 1112-10100, NYERI. Kelvin Ritho 0270 BOOKING AN ADVERT HERE IS EASY ... visit us at DSM Place, Ground, 1st & 2nd Floors, Kijabe Street, Nairobi or email: [email protected]
Part of team Kenya’s wheelchair basketball team during their training session yesterday at the Nyayo National Stadium. PD/ PHILLIP KAMAKYA fi PEOPLE SPORT FOR MORE NEWS VISIT: www.pd.co.ke / www.epaper. pd.co.ke THE ONE-STOP SPORT SHOP Tuesday, August 22, 2023 MURANG’A: Taekwondo players from Murang’a have called upon the county government to establish a centre for them that they can use for training and hosting their activities. The players said the public hall which they have been using for close to a decade was given out to the firefighting department in the county leaving them with nowhere to train. Ndung’u Ng’ang’a, the chairman of taekwondo in the county, said they have been hiring halls to use for training which is an extra cost for them. He mentioned that if they got the centre, it will be easier for them to train and perfect their skills adding that they have been forced to reduce the training sessions. “We urge the county government to consider establishing a facility for us to use for the training and other activities,” said Ng’ang’a. “This is an indoor game and we only need a hall fitted with equipment which we can use for training.” The chairman also said the lack of mats which they lay on the floor has also been a challenge pointing out that they are very expensive and the cost of hiring them is also too high. “The mats act as cushions for the players not to get hurt when they fall on the floor but we cannot afford to buy them,” he remarked. Coach Geoffrey Waweru, on his part, urged the county to set aside kitty to support the activity saying it’s a sport like any other. Waweru said, on several occasions, they have tried getting financing from the sports department to no avail. -Wangari Njuguna 5"&,80/%0 Murang’a Taekwondo players seek support for training facility and equipment NAIROBI: Swamibapa got hushed for 60 runs Sunday by Shree Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj at Nairobi West during Match day eight of the ongoing NPCA Super Division 50 Overs League 2023 even as heavyweights Kanbis ran over Sikh Union as well. Cutchi Leva won the toss opting to bat in the opening innings and in the process posted 236-10 in 41.1 overs. National team veteran Lucas Oluoch (56 runs off 30 balls) and Opening batsman Darsh Panchani (53 runs off 79 balls) emerged as top scorers for the Cutchi Leva side with Sumit Halai (47 runs off 67 balls) also joining the fray. However, in the same innings, Swami had Yash Talati (5 wickets in 45 runs) in fierce mode at the crease with some lively deliveries on the ball. On resumption, Swamibapa were restricted to 176-all out in 40.3 overs with Team Captain Rushabh Patel (50 runs off 40 balls) being the top scorer including nine boundaries to his name. Morris Ouma (29 runs off 49 balls) and Prashang Hirani (23 runs off 31 balls) also weighed in with key runs but ultimately that was not to be enough. Cutchi Leva’s attack bowling led by Yannick Manhattan (3-36), Diven Varsani (2-19) and Hiten Vekaria (2-20) helped to slow down the numbers for the away team in what was a solid display. -Barry Silah $3*$,&5 Shree Cutchi Leva overwhelms Swamipaba in thrilling encounter by Shdrack Andenga @PeopleSports11 Kenya wheelchair basketball team is pleading with the Ministry of Sports Arts and Culture to bolster them as they gear up for the Para Africa Games in Ghana slated to take place from September 3 to 13, battling it out for the Paris 2024 Olympics qualification slot. Speaking exclusively to People Sport yesterday at their training base in Nairobi, Nyayo National Stadium basketball court, team captain Caroline Wanjera was worried and so was federation chairperson Alfred Simiyu. “By now we were supposed to have started residential camp but have been waitBengi siblings dominate Machakos RX Championships at the famous People’s Park by Lucky Oluoch @LuckyOluoch Led by the visionary Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, the second edition of the Rallycross Championship unfolded over the weekend at the Machakos People’s Park in Machakos, and brought together dynamic fusion of power, strategy, and skill that etched a significant chapter in the annals of motorsport history. The competition unfolded at the park’s custom-designed track which features a blend of tarmac and gravel sections, tight corners, and heart-stopping jumps ensured that pushed drivers to their limits, demanding exceptional skill and strategic brilliance, particularly in navigating the challenging six laps. The event witnessed Eann Bengi’s triumph in the RX Clubs (above 1000cc) category, closely followed by Karamveer Roorprai and Cheche Ababu in the finals. In the under 1000cc category, Allan Bengi and Billy Tundo secured the first and second positions, respectively. The RX 2WD category showcased a riveting display of prowess, with Neel Gohil, Sameer Nanji, and Joseph Gacheche securing the first, second, and third spots. Unlike the traditional rallying, Rallycross races adopt a captivating format where multiple cars share the track simultaneously, injecting a dynamic and action-packed energy into the racing environment. During the event, Tundo went on to share the allure of RX, describing it as “a thrilling and fast-paced genre that marries elements of rally racing with circuit racing.” Further, he highlighted the unique challenges posed by the relatively short tracks saying: “The tracks are usually relatively short, typically less than 1.6 kilometers in length, and are designed to challenge drivers’ skills as they have to adapt to different surface conditions within a single lap.” He continued and mentioned that the RX consists of a series of short heats or qualifying races “usually lasting a few laps each.” The historic debut of rallycross in Kenya, a groundbreaking event organized in July 2022, remains a vivid memory, as legendary drivers, including Carl Tundo, Asad Anwar, Tim Jessop, and Eric Bengi, graced the occasion with their unparalleled experience and unyielding passion. Their presence illuminated the track, leaving an indelible mark on Kenyan motorsport and carving a monumental achievement in its history. .HQ\D·VZKHHOFKDLUEDVNHWEDOOWHDPVHHNVVXSSRUW IURPWKHJRYHUQPHQWIRU2O\PSLFGUHDPV Racers in action during the Rallycross Championship at the Machakos People’s Park over the weekend. PD/ RX CHAMPIONSHIP ing for the past two weeks for that to happen. We don’t have much time left and as you can see some of our players are not here because they reside in other Counties,” said Wanjera. Wheelchair Basketball Federation chairperson Alfred Simiyu said they had communicated earlier to their umbrella body Kenya Paralympic Committee regarding their concerns and are still waiting for the response. “We qualified both our men’s and women’s teams for the All Africa Games five months ago during the East Africa regional tournament in Tanzania,” said Simiyu. 5DOO\FURVVUHYVXS
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY PEOPLE SPORT 29 by Dennis Mabuka @PeopleSports11 Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is not giving up yet on his dream of winning a gold medal at the World Athletics Championship after finishing seventh in the 100m final in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday. The Commonwealth Games champion failed to sparkle at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest after America’s Noah Lyles took off with gold in 9.83 seconds, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo finished second in 9.88 while Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes completed the podium also in 9.88. All eyes were on Omanyala after his recent impressive performances across Europe including in the Diamond League but speaking after the heartbreak, the Kenyan sprinter, who was timed at 10.07 in the final, assured his fans to keep the trust, not to be disappointed since his dream of winning the race is still alive and on.“I am glad I made it to the final, but today my body was just different I don’t know what happened because I wasn’t running like I did yesterday during the heats, I knew today will be easy, I don’t know what happened, but we will go back to the drawing board and see what happened,” said Omanyala. Omanyala made it to the first-ever final as the fastest loser after finishing third in his semi-final heat, and asked whether the wait to know if he will make it to the final had affected him mentally, he said: “It was a tough moment for me, because of anxiety asking myself so many questions, but we thank God we made it to the finals.” “It was very hard for me, we learn and move on; we can’t reverse time, it has gone it is gone. It was a good season and we thank God for that, we have finished the final without injury so we appreciate it. On his next move after Budapest, Omanyala explained: “We have not planned anything because we couldn’t make it to enter the China Diamond League, we are just waiting to see what happens in the next month,” adding: “My dream of getting a world medal has not died, it continues. I tell Kenyans, thank you, for the support they have shown me all through, so I want to tell them not to be disappointed because I know most of them will do, but everything happens for a reason.” This was the first time ever for Omanyala to qualify for the final of the World Championships. Meanwhile, Ugandans are celebrating the 10,000m win by their national star athlete Joshua Cheptegei at the World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. On Sunday, Cheptegei clinched gold in the 10,000m race with a time of 27:51.42, becoming only the fourth athlete in history to secure a third consecutive World Championship gold medal. Although recent injuries impacted Cheptegei’s form, he dominated in the race, breaking away as he neared the bell and sealing his win. Kenya’s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo won silver, and Selemon Barega of Ethiopia took home bronze. The victory has filled Ugandans with pride, especially considering Cheptegei’s status as the world record holder for both the 5,000m and 10,000m. “I have always had the confidence in Cheptegei to deliver when there is a lot at stake. Joshua is very experienced and knows what to do when he is fully fit,” commented Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF). Omanyala believes dream still on despite Budapest setback Down but not out Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba cuts the tape to officially open the 4th edition of the CASA games at the Nakuru ASK grounds yesterday. PD/RAPHEL MUNGE by Raphael Munge @PeopleSports11 Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba yesterday inaugurated the fourth edition of the County Assemblies Sports Association (CASA) games at Nakuru ASK Grounds. During the official opening, he highlighted the government’s unwavering support for the CASA games, considering them a unifying influence in the nation. He expressed his ministry’s dedication to advancing the sports sector. Ababu emphasized that the CASA games aims to unite county legislators and residents from all 47 counties, thus fostering national cohesion through wholesome competition. “National government has forged a deliberate, intenCounty assemblies converge for CASA games in Nakuru Omanyala reacts after disappointing night which saw him finish seventh in the 100m men’s finals in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday (August 20). PHOTO/ COURTESY tional and structured working relationship with Counties to grow sports and the arts from the grassroots,” Ababu shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) page. He also cited Faith Kipyegon’s recent world recordbreaking accomplishments as an example of how sports bring Kenyans together to commemorate triumphs. Additionally, he acknowledged the pivotal role played by the County Assemblies in creating a conducive atmosphere for sports development within the country. Participants will engage in various disciplines like football, volleyball, tug of war, badminton, darts, and pool, across different venues including Nakuru Athletics Club, ASK Grounds, and Kabarak University. Team Kenya’s stellar athletes prepare for Latvia outing after Budapest show by Lucky Oluoch @LuckyOluoch Athletics Kenya (AK) has confirmed that a significant contingent of Team Kenya athletes, currently competing in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, is poised to take part in the upcoming World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia from September 30 to October 1. Leading the team will be none other than triple world record holder Faith Kipyegon. According to a statement by AK, Faith will spearhead the women’s elite squad in the road mile, alongside Nelly Chepchichir and the world 3,000m steeplechase record holder, Beatrice Chepkoech. While Kipyegon boasts world records in the 1500m, 5,000m, and the mile, Chepchirchir will join her in the 1,500m race. Meanwhile, Chepkoech is currently competing in Budapest for the women’s 3,000m steeplechase. In the men’s road mile, former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot is expected to take part, as well as Abel Kipsang and Reynold Cheruiyot. The 5km race lineup will feature Jacob Krop, Nicholas Kimeli, and Cornelius Kemboi, all of whom are also participating in the 5,000m event in Budapest. Joining them, Carolyn Nyaga, Beatrice Chebet, and Lilian Kasait will form the women’s 5km team. Heading the half marathon squad is none other than Olympic champion Peris Jepchirchir, who will be joined by Irene Khamais, a standout fourth-place finisher in the women’s 10,000m. Timothy Cheruiyot (L) and Reynold Cheruiyot (R) battle it out during a past World Athletics Trials at the Nyayo Stadium in the 1,500m men’s race in July, 2023. PD/PHILIP KAMAKYA
30 PEOPLE SPORT PEOPLE DAILY / Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Madrid, Monday @PeopleDailyKe Antoine Griezmann has hit a magic number in LALIGA. With Sunday’s match against Real Betis, the French player reached 500 appearances in the Spanish leagues, counting his outings in both LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA HYPERMOTION. That is a milestone that not many players in history have conquered and it means the Atlético de Madrid man is already a legend of the history books. Griezmann has played these 500 games for three clubs and in two divisions. With Real Sociedad, he appeared in 180 matches, 39 of them in LALIGA HYPERMOTION in the 2009/10 season, when he was one of the most outstanding players as Martín Lasarte’s side won promotion, starring alongside Xabi Prieto and Claudio Bravo. After four successful seasons with the Basque club’s first team in LALIGA EA SPORTS, during which time he netted 46 goals, the forward then headed to Atlético de Madrid. Under Diego Simeone, he has made 246 league outings over two spells, with his time at FC Barcelona briefly pausing his career with Los Rojiblancos. At the capital city club, he has managed to score 111 goals in LALIGA and become one of the fan favourites. -La Liga Griezmann reaches 500 La Liga appearances milestone RALLY PAGE 28 Bengi brothers dominate Rally Cross Championships in Machakos 2-2 ROMA Belotti 17’, 82’ Italy Serie A SALERNITANA Candreva 36’, 49’ STANDINGS ITALIA SERIE A GERMAN BUNDESLIGA ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SPANISH LA LIGA FRENCH LIGUE 1 ANtoine Griezmann poses with a customized jersey to celebrate his 500 La Liga appearances on Sunday. COURTESY- LA LIGA TEAM GP W D L F A PTS 1 Brighton 2 2 0 0 8 2 6 2 Man City 2 2 0 0 4 0 6 3 Brentford 2 1 1 0 5 2 4 4 Liverpool 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 5 Spurs 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 6 West Ham 2 1 1 0 4 2 4 7 Newcastle 2 1 0 1 5 2 3 8 Arsenal 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 9 C Palace 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 10 Aston Villa 2 1 0 1 5 5 3 11 Nottm Forest 2 1 0 1 3 3 3 12 Man Utd 2 1 0 1 1 2 3 13 Fulham 2 1 0 1 1 3 3 14 Bournemouth 2 0 1 1 2 4 1 15 Chelsea 2 0 1 1 2 4 1 16 Sheff Utd 2 0 0 2 1 3 0 17 Luton 1 0 0 1 1 4 0 18 Burnley 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 19 Wolves 2 0 0 2 1 5 0 20 Everton 2 0 0 2 0 5 0 London, Monday @PeopleDailyKe Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has defended new signing Moises Caicedo (pictured) after his difficult debut for the Blues. A British transfer record £115m arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month, Caicedo came off the bench in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham United. In his 29 minutes on the pitch, Caicedo struggled to get up to the pace of the game and capped off a challenging debut by scything through Emerson Palmieri to concede a stoppagetime penalty, which Lucas Paqueta converted for West Ham’s third goal. Pochettino refused to go into too much detail on Caicedo’s maiden outing after the game but did insist that he was happy with the Ecuador international’s performance. “He did well. Many positive things,” Pochettino said. “Last minute we conceded a goal so we can’t say nothing is wrong.” Unlike Caicedo, there was no place in the matchday squad for Romeo Lavia. The Belgian’s £58m move from Southampton was only completed on Friday and Pochettino admitted that the teenager wasn’t yet ready to step into the fold. “It’s common sense [not to start them] because both players, but more Romeo Lavia who was later than Moises Caicedo, have had a very stressful period in training over the last 10 days,” said Pochettino. “Many things happened around them and I think to be involved for Moises is good. Romeo still needs a few days to settle in the team and the club. But it is common sense.” Lavia is expected to make his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt in Friday’s visit from Premier League newcomers Luton Town. Harvey Barnes are expected to leave, but should fetch a fair price. The ‘parachute payments’ that follow relegation will boost the coffers too, so they are set to bounce straight back up, right? Wrong. If Leicester’s search for Rodgers’ replacement was farcical, the lack of a plan for their players makes for even worse reading. -BBC Mauricio Pochettino reacts to Moises Caicedo’s difficult Chelsea debut 1 Real Madrid 2 2 0 0 5 1 6 2 Valencia 2 2 0 0 3 1 6 3 Girona 2 1 1 0 4 1 4 4 Atlético 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 5 Barcelona 2 1 1 0 2 0 4 6 Real Betis 2 1 1 0 2 1 4 7 R. Vallecano 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 8 A Bilbao 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 9 Osasuna 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 10 Villarreal 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 11 Cadiz 2 1 0 1 1 2 3 12 R. Sociedad 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 13 Las Palmas 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 14 Mallorca 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 15 Celta Vigo 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 16 Getafe 2 0 1 1 0 3 1 17 Sevilla 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 18 Alaves 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 19 Granada 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 20 Almeria 2 0 0 2 1 5 0 1 Stuttgart 1 1 0 0 5 0 3 2 Bayern 1 1 0 0 4 0 3 3 Union Berlin 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 4 Wolfsburg 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 5 Leverkusen 1 1 0 0 3 2 3 6 Freiburg 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 7 Dortmund 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 8 E. Frankfurt 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 9 M’gladbach 1 0 1 0 4 4 1 10 Augsburg 1 0 1 0 4 4 1 11 RB Leipzig 1 0 0 1 2 3 0 12 Hoffenheim 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 13 Cologne 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 14 Darmstadt 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 15 Heidenheim 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 16 Mainz 1 0 0 1 1 4 0 17 W. Bremen 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 18 VfL Bochum 1 0 0 1 0 5 0 1 Fiorentina 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 2 Juventus 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3 Napoli 1 1 0 0 3 1 3 4 Atalanta 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 5 Inter 1 1 0 0 2 0 3 6 Lecce 1 1 0 0 2 1 3 7 Verona 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 8 Roma 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 9 Salernitana 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 10 AC Milan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 Bologna 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 Cagliari 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 Torino 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 Lazio 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 15 Empoli 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 16 Frosinone 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 17 Monza 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 18 Sassuolo 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 19 Genoa 1 0 0 1 1 4 0 20 Udinese 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 1 Monaco 2 2 0 0 7 2 6 2 Brest 2 2 0 0 5 3 6 3 Rennes 2 1 1 0 6 2 4 4 Montpellier 2 1 1 0 6 3 4 5 Lille 2 1 1 0 3 1 4 7 Toulouse 2 1 1 0 3 2 4 8 Reims 2 1 0 1 3 2 3 9 Strasbourg 2 1 0 1 2 4 3 10 Nice 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 11 Lorient 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 12 PSG 2 0 2 0 1 1 2 13 Lens 2 0 1 1 3 4 1 14 Le Havre 2 0 1 1 3 4 1 15 Metz 2 0 1 1 3 7 1 16 Nantes 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 17 Lyon 2 0 0 2 2 6 0 18 C. Foot 2 0 0 2 2 6 0 False start on debut MOISES CAICEDO’S CHELSEA DEBUT BY NUMBERS: 37 minutes played 8 losses of possession 2 fouls 1 shot off target 1 error leading to shot 1 penalty conceded
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / PEOPLE DAILY PEOPLE SPORT 31 by Edwin Otieno @PeopleDailyKe KCB racing team driver Karan Patel and his navigator Tauseef Khan have their eyes set on the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally slated for September 22 to 24. The duo were crowned the winners of the 4th leg of the African Rally Championship (ARC) dubbed Rallye International du Burundi over the weekend. Currently, they sit third in the African Rally Championship (ARC) leaderboard with 60 points after the weekend’s victory in Burundi. Speaking after his win, Karan Patel said: “I am very happy to clinch this victory against some of the best drivers on the continent. My navigator Tauseef was alert all through ensuring I was on top of my game up until the last stretch. We want to build on this win going forward even as we prepare for Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla Rally set for next month.” In his Ford Fiesta rally2, Patel did not let the foot loose even after securing a commanding lead into the final leg on Sunday. He consolidated his already sublime race winning five of the six stages of the day. He sealed the victory by five minutes, 57 seconds. Patel’s victory serves as a motivation boost for the KCB driver who retired during the 2023 WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha following car issues that jeopardized his quest for a podium finish. “Being the first competitive race since the WRC Safari Rally, I think we have showcased that our comeback is greater than the setback we encountered. We want to keep preparing the car ensuring that all the parts are fixed because we are going all out for the championship,” added Patel. The Moil rallying team is sitting at the summit of the ARC standings with 78 points, Jas Mangat and Joseph Kamya are currently second with 63 points. After the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally next month, the championship will head to Zambia in October. Meanwhile, the Škodadriving Swede has won almost twice as many stages as his nearest rival and led for longer than anybody else through 2023, but no-scores in Sardinia and Estonia have hit his title tilt hard. He trails Andreas Mikkelsen, who has started four rallies compared with Solberg’s five, by 18 points. Bullish Gor Mahia coach McKinstry says team will retain the FKF title ahead of kick-off Erick Kapaito dribles the ball during his unveiling as a Tusker player last week. PD/ RODGERS NDEGWA by Dennis Mabuka @PeopleDailyKe Tusker coach Robert Matano has finally revealed why he swooped for the services of striker Erik Kapaito ahead of the new 2023-24 FKF Premier League season. Despite being unveiled by Zambia’s Zanaco FC, the 27-year-old Kapaito hit a Uturn five days later to sign for the Brewers on a one-year renewable deal and was officially introduced to his new teammates last Thursday, after which he had a light training session. Matano has now described Kapaito as a goal-scoring machine who will help the team to challenge for titles in the new season. “Eric is one of the best strikers in the region and we are very delighted that he has decided to join us ahead of the new season,” Matano responded when asked about his decision to sign the former Kariobangi Sharks player, adding: “Without a doubt, he will be an invaluable player for us this season with his goal-scoring abilities being a great addition to the team.” In a previous interview, Kapaito expressed his delight at signing for Tusker and promised to score double-digit goals this season. “I am delighted to join Tusker because this is one of the biggest clubs in the country. When I had an opportunity to come back home and pick a team, it wasn’t a hard choice to pick on Tusker. This is a club that has won titles and will win more, and I am more than happy to be part of it,” said Kapaito. He added; “My target is to help the team achieve its targets and that is to win trophies. I was the MVP and top scorer the season before I left and I want to pick up from there. I want to score double-digit goals this season.” Kapaito became Tusker’s sixth signing of the pre-season window alongside Ugandan winger John Byamukama, Joseph Mwangi, and James Kibande from Nzoia Sugar, Fabien Adikiny from Murang’a Seal while goalkeeper Edwin Simiyu was promoted from the Youth Team. Tusker will kick off the new season against Mombasa-based Bandari FC on August 26. Kapaito is a goal-machine, will help Tusker’s charge, says Matano We are the team to beat KCB sponsored Karan Patel powers his rally car during the Burundi Rally at the weekend. COURTESY/ KCB Gor Mahia’s head coach Jonathan McKinstry (in black) join the team players as they celebrate with the league trophy at the end of last season. PD/ DAVID NDOLO Rally star Karan Patel eyes Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally after Burundi triumph by Dennis Mabuka @PeopleDailyKe Gor Mahia coach McKinstry has expressed confidence that he will help the Kenyan giants retain their Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title this season. Under his watch in the last campaign, K’Ogalo secured a record 20th title after reclaiming it from rivals Tusker on the final day of the season. With only six days left before the 2023-24 season gets underway, the Northern Irish tactician has remained bullish he will deliver another league title for K’Ogalo faithful at the end of the season. “We enter the final week of Football Kenya Federation Premier League preparations in a determined mood,” said the former Uganda Cranes coach, adding: “Still plenty for Gor Mahia to do, but we are on the right track as we work to retain the championship.” Gor Mahia will chase for the league title and the domestic FKF Cup after they were expelled from the Caf Champions League for failure to meet the CAF licensing rules. Though it was difficult for K’Ogalo to swallow the exit, McKinstry insist they will use the absence from the inter-club competition to double their efforts in the remaining competitions. “The exit (from Champions League) was beyond myself and my players, it is something we could not control so it is beyond us now, it happened it is now water under the bridge, my players were affected (missing out on a chance to play and showcase their skills in continental football) but we have dusted ourselves and are looking forward to the new season,” added McKinstry. Last season, Gor Mahia secured the title after amassing 70 points, one more than Tusker. They managed 20 wins, 10 draws and suffered only four defeats. K’Ogalo have already beefed up their squad with the signings of Lawrence Juma from AS Kigali in Rwanda, Kevin Juma from Nzoia Sugar, and goalkeeper Kevin Omondi from Sofapaka. Gor Mahia will kick off their title defence with a fixture against Sofapaka on August 26.
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 / / / @PeopleDailyKe / / / People Daily Download QR Code app on Google Play and scan this QR code with your smart phone for pictures, videos and more stories People Daily is published by Mediamax Network Limited at DSM Place, Kijabe Street, P.O. Box 24943, 00100 - Nairobi, Tel: 0730144100; 0709824000; 0204944100 Fax: 2228503 Nairobi and printed at our Printing Division on Mombasa Road, Tel: 04522641. Circulation: Union Towers, 1st Floor, Moi Avenue. Tel: 2519168. Advertising 2227693, 2228493. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Djokovic wins Cincinnati Open by beating Alcaraz as rivalry intensifies OHIO: Novak Djokovic avenged his Wimbledon final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz by beating the Spaniard in just under four hours to win the Cincinnati Open. The Serb survived match point in the second set before going on to win 5-7 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-4). Top seed Alcaraz beat Djokovic in five sets in last month’s Wimbledon final. “The feeling that I have on the court reminds me a little bit of when I was facing [Rafael] Nadal when we were at our prime,” Djokovic said. “I don’t think I’ve played too many matches like this in my life.” Djokovic compared the draining win to his Australian Open final victory in 2012, when he defeated Nadal in five hours and 53 minutes. “Each point is a hustle. Each point is a battle. You’ve got to basically earn every single point, every single shot, regardless of the conditions. It’s amazing to be able to experience that with him on the court.” -BBC MADRID: FC Barcelona were pushed to their limits in a 2-0 victory over Cadiz during their inaugural league match at the Montjuic Stadium in Barcelona on Sunday night. The fixture hinted at the challenges awaiting Barca this season, with their Camp Nou Stadium under reconstruction. The vast open areas in the stands and a muted ambiance were palpable, especially against a resilient Cadiz that not only defended stoutly but also created scoring opportunities. Conan Ledesma’s series of outstanding saves kept Cadiz competitive. However, he was rendered powerless when Pedri netted a goal in the 82nd minute. Ferran Torres added another during injury time, a goal that somewhat belied Barca’s initial struggles. Meanwhile, Betis and Atletico Madrid played out a goalless draw at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. Despite having the better chances, Betis’ erratic finishing prevented them from registering a shot on target. -Xinhua Barcelona scrape home while Real Betis and Atletico Madrid end goalless All eyes on Kipyegon, Kibiwot and Co as Kenyans expect medals in 1500m women and 3000m S/C men races Faith Kipyegon races to the finishing line during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Games. PD/ FILE TODAY’S BUDAPEST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE: 7:40 PM 100m hurdles - heats (women) 8:20 PM 800m -heats (men) 8:58 PM High Jump -final (men) 9:20 PM Discus Throw -final (women) 9:25 PM 400m hurdles -semi final (women) 10:00 PM 400m -semi final (men) 10:31 PM 1500m -final (women) 10:42 PM 3000m S/C -final (men) 1500m women start list: 1.Faith Kipyegon -Kenya 2.Nelly Chepchirchir -Kenya 3.Diribe Welteji -Ethiopia 4.Ciara Mageean -Ireland 5.Jessica Hull - Australia 6.Birke Haylom -Ethiopia 7.Sifan Hassan - Netherlands 8.Katie Snowden - Great Britain 9.Cory Ann McGee -USA 10.Laura Muir -Great Britain 11.Melissa Bryant -Great Britain 12.Ludovica Cavalli -Italy Kenyans in 3000m S/C final: 1.Abraham Kibiwot 2.Simon Kiprop Koech 3.Leonard Bett Kipkemboi by Vincent Voiyoh @PeopleDailyKe All eyes will be on Kenya’s athletics superstar Faith Kipyegon tonight as she steps on the track in search of yet another career milestone in a sport that she has mastered so well since her global debut in 2010 as a junior. The Olympic and World champion, now holding three world records in 1500m, 5000m and the one mile, will be seeking to win a second successive gold medal in women’s 1500m today evening, with the epic final set for 10:31pm (Kenyan time) at the National Athletics Stadium in Budapest, Hungary. The event will be a major highlight of Day 4 of the World Championships that promises to have a lot in store for Kenyans going by the program of the day. It could be a day for the East African Nation to show the world that it is still an athletic powerhouse and ready to battle with competitors for global glory. Kipyegon, 29, has reiteratedher grail of defending her world 1500m title despite also lining up to compete in women’s 5000m. After clocking 3:55.14 in the semi final, the superb Kipyegon is the favorite to take home the gold that would be Kenya’s first in this edition although she faces strong opposition from long-time rival Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands; who registered her seasonal best time of 3:55.48 in the second semi final on Sunday. Nelly Chepchirchir,20,who is making her deserved debut at the senior World Championships is expected to team up well with Kipyegon to scheme a possible double podium finish for Kenya. With the 2022 silver medalist Gudaf Tsegay missing in action, Ethiopia’s hopes will be on youngster Diribe Welteji,2019 African under-20 Champion and Birke Haylom who won a gold medal last year in women’s 1500m at the World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia. Great Britain’s Laura Muir will also bee seeking to give a good account of herself after grabbing a bronze medal in Oregon last summer. Immediately after the 1500m final, there will be another showdown in men’s 3000m steeple chase final. Kenyan trio of Simon Koech, Abraham Kibiwot and Leonard Bett will be prowling to brush off eminent tenacious opposition from defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and world record holder of the event Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia. Since 1991, Kenya had only lost the men’s steeple chase title twice at the world Championships (2005 and 2007). However, it’s seven edition winning streak and dominance was put to a halt by El Bakkali last year in Oregon, with Kenya’s and the then defending champion Conseslus Kipruto only managing a disappointing third-place finish. With that achievement, Bakkali became the first African non-Kenyan to win the competition. Interesting to note, no Ethiopian has ever won a gold medal at the World Championships in men’s 3000m steeple chase meaning that is a lot at stake this evening from the African brothers. Keeping faith on Faith