Raila strategist answers Uhuru loyalist

Ngunjiri Wambugu:Protests to Moses Kuria

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My attention has been drawn to an article written in Wednesday's (3rd October) Star newspaper by Moses Kuria, TNA’s & Uhuru Kenyatta’s Director for Political Affairs. 

In his piece Kuria argues that ‘Raila’s Two-Horse Mantra is a Trap’. He then goes into the details of why he thinks such a depiction ethnicizes the TNA / ODM divide, and suggests that when the Prime Minister brings TNA up to the same political level as ODM he is essentially calling for is a contest between the Odinga & Kenyatta dynasties on a tribal basis. How des he think that? He then says that this should not be allowed because it could lead to a repeat of the ’41 versus 1’ chorus of 2007 that led to the post election violence that has engulfed his party boss in a case at the ICC; again I cannot see the relation.

But more specifically I cannot understand why Kuria would be worried about 2013 being a contest between the Odinga and Kenyatta dynasties. Kenyans recognize that we have Odinga and Kenyatta political dynasties in Kenya, and that Raila and Uhuru represent the two faces of these dynasties. It is also clear the two represent different ideologies. What I think Kuria is saying is that he does not want Kenyans to participate in a contest between the Odinga and Kenyatta political ideologies. Why is that? Is Kuria worried that when Kenyans have to judge between two such individuals, their fathers, and the politics they practice, Uhuru will lose? I do not know.

Kuria then proceeds to chide the Prime Minister for disrespecting other presidential candidates by limiting the contest to the top two contenders. Ignoring the polls that show TNA and ODM at the top of the contest, he goes ahead and reels off names of the candidates he believes the Prime Minister is belittling without acknowledging that TNA has just literally forced President Kibaki’s own party to wind up! Moses also subtly refuses to acknowledge that TNA has been intimidating these same presidential candidates to step down in their favor!

But what I want to challenge directly is Moses Kuria’s very ingenious attempts to cloud what makes TNA the direct opposite of ODM. He starts by ironically refusing to accept that TNA is one of Kenya’s top two contenders, and the reason for this is the predicament this scenario has put TNA in. I can explain his predicament because fortunately, if Kenya’s politics was to be simplified into a football ‘kitendawili’ & all things remained constant, March 4^th 2013 will be the finals of a premier league match between the Orange and Red team. Moses & I wear the same number in the respective teams, with me in Orange. I therefore know exactly what he is trying to do.

Moses Kuria & TNA are disturbed by this analogy because one of the two 'horses' has clearly defined what it stands for. ODM, or Team-Orange, has consistently stated they are the political left, pro-reform team of Kenya’s politics; the team that has been at the front lines in the fight for political reform, and that is committed to full implementation of the constitution. This puts TNA in the unenviable position of trying to explain that when the Prime Minister says that the general election is a two-horse race, and then elevates TNA to the same level as ODM but on the opposite side; he is not actually saying that the other horse is the status quo, anti-reform, reactionary wing of Kenya’s politics. TNA does not want this discussion, lest they be found to be that horse, then the difference between ODM & TNA would become as clear as day, from night.

The bad news for Moses Kuria and TNA is that they must accept that in the forthcoming election; TNA is to ODM, what Mitt Romney's American Republican Party is to Barack Obama's Democratic Party. In fact when Ferdinard Waititu, TNA's leading aspirant for the Nairobi Governor seat made disparaging remarks about the Maasai recently, I remembered Romney, the Republican Party's Presidential Aspirant, saying how he does not really care about the 47% Americans who are poor. Am sure am not the only Kenyan who can imagine a scenario where someone else in TNA makes such statements  

Gor Mahia jump to second place after edging stubborn Rangers

By Fred Maingi

Rangers FC woes spiraled from bad to worse on Wednesday  night after they lost their 12^th match to Gor Mahia who hit them 2-1 in a hotly contested League match staged at the Nyayo National Stadium.The match was graced by among others Prime Minister Hon.Raila Odinga.

 Despite the win, Rangers put up a  brave fight especially in the second half where they reduced Gor to near amateurs. Former Gor Mahia duo of Baldwin Ngwa and overlapping defender Julius ‘Awilo”Owino gave Gor K’ogalo hectic moments forcing Goalkeeper Jerim Onyango to pull off several acrobatic saves.

  Gor took the lead on 33^rd minute through diminutive Victor Abondo who slammed home Moses Odhiambo’s short corner past Rangers custodian Victor Omondi.

  Leading 1-0,Gor resumed the second half hoping to take over from where they left but found the going tough.Julius Owino leveled the score  for Rangers in the 47^th minute with a delicate lob that beat Gor Keeper Jerim Onyango.

 After soaking  a lot of pressure  and hectic moments,Gor settled down briefly after making several changes.A counter attack on 54^th minute saw Gor lift up their head up with the match winner after Rama Salim  drew out Rangers Keeper(Victor Omondi) with a clever volley after receiving a nice pass from Dan Sserunkuma.

  Like a  cobra ready to swing to action,Rangers however continued to press for the equalizer  with Julius Owino and Eric Muranda going close to scoring in the 76^th and 87^th with Gor fans holding their breath.

 Following the victory,Gor have now climbed from third to second spot in the 16 team’s League  with 49 points.Defending champions Tusker FC continues  to call the shots at the top  with 51 points  while AFC Leopards  are placed third with 48 points.

  Rangers are languishing  at the bottom of the standings with 20 points from 26 matches.They have won three,drew 11 and have so far lost 12 matches.

New Oil may be found in Kenya

Add -- U.S. President Barrack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney attend the first presidential debate at Denver University, Denver, Colorado, the United States, Oct. 3, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun) 

Canadian oil and gas firm Simba Energy said on Wednesday that it expects to strike oil reserves of over 1 billion barrels in Kenya's north eastern region of Wajir.

The Canadian company said data from passive seismic research that has been completed has indicated large potential for Block 2A, the company's block that measures 7,000 square km. "An independent seismic evaluator estimated that we are likely to get 2 billion barrels from one of our most promising wells. But my own estimation is that we are assured of a half of this amount, " said James Dick, the Chief Technical Officer of Simba Energy in a briefing in Nairobi. He said the block owned by the company is surrounded by "significant oil and gas" reserves based on seismic data gathered by the company and other prospecting companies in the area that include Africa Oil, Marathon Oil and Taipan.
Simba Energy which is a listed Canadian company has already signed a production sharing contract with the Kenyan government. The company said it expects to start drilling in the next eight months, starting with the well located in south of the Wajir County that has shown greatest potential. The new finding if confirmed will make Kenya a key new player in the continent's oil business in the next five years when production is likely to start. Earlier this year, Tullow Oil reported commercially viable oil reserves in Turkana, an arid area north west of Kenya. The reserves there are estimated to be 3 billion barrels.  The company has also started drilling another well not far from the confirmed Ngamia 1 well and has reported it also holds high prospects for striking reserves.

There are currently more than 10 companies prospecting for oil and gas in Kenya's offshore and onshore blocks, part of the rush to explore virgin lands of east Africa for oil and gas.  Already, oil finds have been confirmed in Kenya and a gas find in Tanzania. Oil and gas imports are ironically the biggest drain to East Africa Community members' foreign exchange reserves, accounting for the highest value of imports. The oil and gas finds including the planned oil refinery from Lamu Port in Kenya to South Sudan and Uganda promise to turn around the economies of the region in the next 10 years.

Simba Energy said part of the new oil and gas find in the region is because of the advancement in the drilling technology including use of 3-Dimensional seismic equipment which gives better geological data than the previous system. According to Dick, the time it takes to drill the same length of a well has also dropped by three times compared to the 20 years ago because of improved technology. "The rising price of oil has also meant that there is motivation to invest in improved drilling technology," he said. Simba Energy Inc. is a Pan African oil & gas exploration company focused on onshore opportunities across Africa. It owns 60 percent interest in onshore Blocks 1 and 2 in Guinea, and has Block 3 in Mali. Simba also has applications pending for onshore blocks in Liberia and Ghana.  (Xinhua)

Eastleigh Businessmen call for flushing out of Al-Shabaab from Kenya

Eastleigh Business District Association Vice-Chair Hussein Mohamed (r) address the press

By Raymond Ojwang

The Somali Business Community in Nairobi have  asked security agents to use all means at their disposal to flush out Al-Shabaab militants in the country who are out to cause terror.

The community vouched  on Wednesday,October 03 to co-operate with the police and other agents in efforts to contain terror threats in the country.

“We are all ready to co-operate with the government in flushing out Al-Shabaab suspects and alert the security personnel of any suspicious action of terror. This is a matter for all the citizens to offer their full support the government,” said the Eastleigh Business Community chairman Hassan Gullet.

Gullet said they are concerned with the increasing incidents of terror attacks in the country and especially targeting innocent members of the public and security agencies and urged for concerted efforts to contain them,.

Addressing a press conference in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Gullet who was in the company of other Muslim and Christian leaders cited Sunday’s attack on St Polycarp ACK church saying it was wrong and uncalled for the terrorists to target churches.

“We seriously condemn those who executed the cowardly and heineous acts at the place of worship hosting innocent children and worshipers,” he said.

He added their concern is that whenever a church is attacked, similar retaliatory action may happen at the Mosques which may cause disharmony among Kenyans.

Gullet said terror actions are normally planned and executed with a motive. He argued police have the capacity to detect the terrorists and urged for their stoppage.

“Those attacking churches know their agenda which is to cause disharmony between Christians and Muslims. We will not accept that to happen in the country and we are ready to do all we can to stop it.”

They further commended the Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia for the wonderful job they have done in Somalia where the militant group has been in control.

“As we talk now, our forces and others are in control of Kismayo. The defeated enemies of peace and tranquility could even end up in our cities to cause mayhem while camouflaging as peaceful members of the public,” said Gullet.

Head of CID in Nairobi Mr Nicholas Kamwende said they are yet to make any arrest and are starting from zero in trying to establish those behind the Sunday attack.

“We are starting from the known to unknown. For now we do not have any clue on who was responsible but our teams are on the ground,” said Kamwende.

The business community’s call came as police continued to ask for public vigilance to tame planned terror attacks in the country.

Police have warned Al-Shabaab militants have trained and deployed their female suicide bombers to be used in attacking strategic places in the country.

Police headquarters issued guidelines that should be used by landlords, hoteliers, public service vehicles and the public at large to ensure the terrorists at large are tamed.

Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said following the collapse of Kismayu port, the militants are bitter and ready to revenge using all means.

He said people who are alone and nervous, wearing loose and bulky clothing that may not fit the weather, have exposed wires possibly through sleeves – for circuit detonation may be wearing an explosive vest.

“In a National Identity Card, check the names, date of birth, place of issue, date of issue, district of origin, Division, Location and sub-location. In case of a Passport, in addition to the above details, ascertain nationality, Date of issue, place of issue and expiry date.”

He asked the concerned parties to also check the validity of the visa, the stated purpose of visit, date visa issued and the port of entry into the country and the countries previously visited. 

Kiraithe told landlords to establish whether what the tenants keep and do in the rented premises is covered by the terms of the applicable tenancy agreement. 

Police told PSV operators to ascertain what luggage/cargo they are transporting and warned that ignorance will not be an excuse or defence.   

“Remember you can be charged for aiding and abetting crime by failing to take preventive action,” he said.

The police boss urged owners of business to deploy modern technology including CCTV and scanning machines.

Kiraithe made the remarks as Kenya sent more security personnel to major entry points to the main Somalia borders after the collapse of Kismayo.

UNEP names young Kenyan as 2012 young environmental envoys

 The UN Environment Program (UNEP) on Wednesday named two young Kenya's environmental leaders as the 2012 Young Environmental Envoys for the east
African nation, as part of an initiative it organized with Bayer.

The two environmentalists, Mwanyuma Hope Mugambi (23), a student at Kenyatta University Mombasa campus, and Beverly Kendi Nkonge (16) from Riara School, Nairobi,
received the honor at a special ceremony in Nairobi. "Hope and Kendi are leading the way in raising awareness of key environmental issues in their communities, and are
worthy recipients of the Young Environmental Envoy title," Head of UNEP's Outreach Unit Theodore Oben said."We congratulate them on their excellent achievements and
hope that their field trip to Germany will provide them with fresh inspiration, knowledge and motivation to continue their environmental work," he added.

As part of their prize, two young Kenyans will travel to Germany next month to take part in an environmental field trip and will be joined on the trip by fellow young
environmental envoys from around 18 countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. The envoys' visit to Bayer headquarters and other sites in Germany in November will have
a strong focus on environment and industry. Through a series of interactive workshops, talks and site visits, the young people will experience at first-hand how the latest
technology can be applied to environmental protection. "Bayer understands that engaging youths in environmental conservation ensures continuity, consequently making
conservation efforts more sustainable. This motivates us to keep supporting this program," said Frans Labuschagne, Managing Director, Bayer East Africa.

The winners were selected from a wide pool of applicants, all of whom are involved in environmental projects in their communities. Mugambi, a 3rd year student in
Environmental Studies and Community Development, runs a recycling initiative that turns waste plastic bags into tablemats, laptop cases and other products.She has trained
members of a local women's group to manufacture the recycled goods, which they sell to fund school fees, and the purchase of sanitary products. "The aim of the project is to
reduce levels of litter in the neighborhood, and also to prevent the release of harmful fumes caused by burning plastic. I have always supported a clean environment and hope
that I can dedicate my career to achieving this," Hope said.

Nkonge along with a group of classmates, founded a company producing "fireballs," or fuel briquettes, made from sawdust and organic waste as part of an entrepreneurship
challenge for young people. Their company, named Providentia, sold the environmentally- friendly briquettes to teachers and classmates. The fuel was also used in the school
kitchen. Money raised from the sale of the fireballs was used to pay school fees for children living in a slum in Nairobi. Launched in 1998, the UNEP-Bayer Young Environment
Envoy Programme aims to improve knowledge of environmental issues among young people and support them in developing and implementing projects on sustainable
development, conservation and other aspects of the environment in their own communities. Originally conceived as a local project in Thailand, the program has since grown
to cover 17 other countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea,
Venezuela and Vietnam.  (Xinhua)

French court drops Strauss-Kahn gang rape charges

  French court on Tuesday dropped charges accusing ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of gang rape in late 2010 in Washington, the United States.

Prosecutor of Lille court, in northern France, decided to take no further investigation into alleged gang rape involving Strauss-Kahn due to insufficient evidence after a witness
withdrew her statement, media reports stated. In May, Lille court opened a probe to investigate on an incident "that could be described as gang rape" in which Strauss-Kahn
could have forced sex with a prostitute with the help of his friends. The scandal-hit former French finance minister had already been questioned over his alleged involvement
in an illegal prostitution ring which supplied women to clients in the city's luxury Carlton hotel and for abuse of corporate funds. Being on fire of a judicial investigation over
charges of sexual assault and attempted rape on a hotel maid in New York last year, Strauss-Kahn was forced to quit the IMF and to keep a distance to France's political life.
(Xinhua)

AMISOM forces urge relief agencies to provide aid to Somalis

Kenyan forces head to Kismayo

The Africa Union peacekeeping mission in Southern (AMISOM) on Tuesday called on international community and humanitarian agencies to expedite the provision of much needed aid to the needy population in the Horn of Africa nation.

AMISOM Sector 2 Commander, Brigadier Anthony Ngere said AMISOM forces were ready to facilitate any such humanitarian efforts to relieve the suffering of the Somali
people. "He also urged any Al-Shabaab fighters remaining in the city to lay down their arms," Ngere said in a statement issued in Nairobi by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF)
spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna.

Ngere said the locals are comfortable with the presence of the troops, adding that many people who had earlier moved out of town for fear of oppression by the Al-Shabaab
have started moving back to town.  "Today, the forces have cleared 16 vehicles in several road blocks set up in the city. The vehicles carried out over 100 civilians moving back
into the port city following reports that this was safe," Ngere said. The statement came after the KDF forces under the umbrella of AMISOM together with the Somalia National
Army (SNA) expanded their control beyond the Kismayo seaport, early on Tuesday, taking control over the police station, the Governors' House, the radio station up to the
new airport.

Analysts say the loss of the seaport is a major blow to the Al- Shabaab who once extorted much  of their revenue from traders and businesses utilizing the facility. "The
operation to take the seaport was met with little resistance from extremists," Ngere said after the militants abandoned the city on Saturday.Kismayo, with a population of
about 200,000 people is the third largest city of Somalia which is considered the hub of the militant group, Al-Shabaab, which formally merged with the dreaded global terror
network, the Al-Qaida, after several years of pledging loyalty and ideological similarities.

Ngere praised the skill and courage of the troops saying that he was pleased with the pace of operations underway in the key city of Kismayo, once a lifeline of Al-Shabaab. 
"KDF/SNA continue to exercise utmost caution in order to avoid harming the civilian population," the military commander said.  The East African nation has been involved in
efforts to bring stability and peace to its Somalia, its northern neighbour, with Kenyan troops serving in the AMISOM, which along with government and allied forces, has been
liberating large parts of Somalia from the control of Al-Shabaab militants, as well as progress on its political front.

Kenyan officials say they have been encouraged by recent political developments in Somalia, particularly the selection of a new President, Prime Minister and Parliament and
adoption of a new Constitution. Ngere said AMISOM forces and allied forces who conducted an amphibious landing on the beaches north of Kismayo and have so far secured
the northern parts of the city, including the road leading to the capital Mogadishu, the Kismayo University, and the old airport.  "As the ground forces continue to move into
other parts of the city they discovered 6 bombs hidden and successfully detonated them without any injuries.  "Yesterday (Monday), the Al-Shabaab remnants carried out 7
summary executions targeting civilians who did not support that in the southern port of Kismayu," he said. He said KDF/SNA strongly believe that a peaceful Somalia is
achievebale and the security gains made this far continue to create an opportunity for a Somali-led leadership, growth and development in all sectors of Somalia.  (Xinhua)

Nine foreign based players named to join Harambee Stars

By Fred Maingi

Harambee Stars Head Coach Henri Michel has called up nine foreign based players for the FIFA day international  friendly match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.The match is  scheduled for Tuesday October 16^,at the Nyayo National Stadium.

    Led by Captain Denis Oliech playing for AJ Auxere in France, the other players are, Victor Mugube of Scotland based Celtic fc,, Arnold Origi, Macdonald Mariga, Christian Bwammy , Ayub Timbe, Patrick Oboya, Brian Mandela, and Tanzania based  Jerry Santos who  will join the other local based players for this assignment.

  Oliech who is  the team captain was the first to confirm his availability.He is expected to arrive early this Saturday Oct.6^th and depart one day after the match.

This will be coach Michels first  assignment since taking over as head coach.

   South Africa confirmed that they will parade all their professionals for the match.

Football Kenya Federation(FKF) is currently in an advanced stage in the preparations for the match, and are in discussions with neighbouring football associations in order to have neutral referees for the match , as per the FIFA rules and regulations.

The South Africans are scheduled to arrive in the country on Saturday 13^th October and hold two training sessions  before the match.

Nigeria Independence day

Goodluck Jonathan,
Nigeria President, and other goverment officials cutting the
Independence cake at the Forecourts of the Presidential Villa in
Abuja, Nigeria's capital state on Monday October 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Femi Ipaye)

G7-Affiliated parties must stop feeding the dragon of negative ethnicity

Ngunjiri Wambugu

When I started KikuyusforChange in April 2008 I was interested in learning how the kind of post election violence we saw in December 2007 and January/February 2008 came about. Let me share what I learnt.

 At around this time in 2007 Kenya was a country divided into several ethnic political conclaves. Eastern province ‘belonged’ to Kambas; Central was ‘Kikuyu’ Country; Rift Valley ‘belonged’ to Kalenjins; Western to Luhyas;  Nyanza to Luos; North Eastern to Somalis; Coast belonged to ‘Coasterians’ defined as the various indigenous communities from the Coast, outside ‘upcountry’ immigrants. This ‘ownership’ completely over-looked the fact that in each area there were large populations of other communities from the ‘owners’.

 Each region was also the political ‘property’ of specific national leaders. Nyanza was Raila Odinga’s; Rift Valley was William Ruto’s; Coast was Najib Balala’s; Eastern was Kalonzo Musyoka’s; North Eastern had several leaders, all of Somali ethnicity; Western was Musalia Mudavadi’s and Central was Mwai Kibaki’s. Each regional king-pin had also ruthlessly obliterated any political opposition from within their individual regions so that we had political ‘super-tribe’ in each region; i.e. each region’s residents had been intimidated to follow the political direction of the region’s main tribe, whatever they might think individually. It was so bad that even Uhuru Kenyatta, despite his clout as Official Opposition Leader had to heed the call of the tribe and leave ODM a few months to the elections, and support PNU, which was the party his region Central was in. Nairobi, a cosmopolitan region, was split according to one’s home region.

 The respective regional king-pins were at this time negotiating the post-2007 government. Each was using their ‘super-tribe’ as the means on which to get certain positions; whether they were qualified or not. Locally voters were being rallied behind people ‘wearing the right uniform’, whatever their character or qualifications. ODM cleverly structured a campaign machinery called the ‘Pentagon’ which allowed 5 regional heads to work together as a team, despite diverse interests. Central stayed in PNU, whilst Eastern ‘was’ ODM-Kenya

 Nationally political competition became a ‘war of the super-tribes’. Somehow ODM-Kenya became relegated to the side-lines of the main presidential ‘war’ and gradually the election became 5 regions and their ‘super-tribes’, ganged up against one. Unscrupulous political strategists then mischievously turned this into political propaganda of ’41 versus 1’, which propaganda was used effectively by both PNU and ODM to tap into various fears and rally tribal loyalties to turn out the respective votes for their candidates on election day

 By the time votes started being tallied on December 29^th 2007 violence was being reported in various parts of the country as agents from ‘the other side’ were chased from polling centres so that ‘our side’ could make sure the entire vote reflected ‘what their tribe was saying’. Before long all-out violence erupted as the dragon Kenya’s political elite had fed so well all year became too big a beast for them to handle, and broke the leash they thought they had on it & it went on the rampage.

 It took 60 days, over 1,000 lost lives, over 3,000 raped women, over 600 thousand Kenyans forcefully displaced, and billions lost in property; before we could tie down the dragon of negative ethnicity. A Coalition government was formed to re-construct the national cohesion we had lost. Kenyans swore to change the constitution that led allowed such a situation to develop, which we did 2 years later to the surprise of the entire world. Kenyans then breathed a sigh of relief hoping that the worst was behind us.

 But is it?

 As the Political Director of the Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat I know that the Prime Minister and his campaign team learnt from the 2007 general election. Our strategies and campaign issues are solidly focused on the post-election Kenya; a Kenya united beyond tribe. Our presidential candidate has also been very categorical; he intends to be the 4^th President of one nation, not of a country split up into warring tribes. His message in each campaign stop has been consistent to this position.

 However I fear is that our competitors have learnt absolutely nothing from 2007. We saw the growth of regional king-pins; then G7 came up (7 regions ganged up against one); today we see parties welcoming defectors ‘back home’. Shortly I expect another ’41 versus 1’ narrative, this time with ‘1’ different from the ‘1’ of 2007.

 G7 and their associates have started feeding the dragon of negative ethnicity again. They believe that they can keep it leashed until they win the elections but unfortunately all indications are that once this dragon gets loose, no one will be able to leash it again soon.

 My call to action goes out to Civil Society, Business & Professional Community, Media, Religious leaders, International Community & all peace-loving Kenyans to ensure this dragon does not get fed by anyone, or unleashed. Stand up for Kenya again, and this time do it BEFORE the chaos begin. 

God`s Word

Mathew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me ``Lord,Lord`` shall enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Compiled by Pastor Vincent Achesa

Safaricom complies with CCK counterfeit phones switch off directive

 

Nairobi, 1^ST October 2012…    Leading integrated communications service provider, Safaricom today confirmed that it had completed the blocking of all counterfeit mobile phone handsets on its network.

Industry regulator, Communications Commission of Kenya “CCK” had issued the directive to the industry compelling all service providers to ensure that counterfeit phones were blocked from accessing Kenyan mobile networks with effect from 30^th September 2012.

The service provider indicated that the mandatory exercise which began at midnight on 30^th September 2012 impacted over 680,000 customers out of its 19.1 million subscriber base. Although the service provider said that it was too early to assess the financial implications of the blocking exercise, it confirmed that initial analysis of the customers impacted so far clearly indicated that the areas around Nairobi, Rift Valley, Central and Eastern were hardest hit by the exercise. Combined, these areas accounted for more than 60% of the targeted counterfeit phones.  

Company CEO Bob Collymore stated, “we deeply regret the inconvenience and anxiety that this exercise has caused amongst our customers. We realise that they have little to do with presence of these counterfeit devices in the country and it is unfortunate that they have had to shoulder the negative consequences of the same. In order to mitigate the inconvenience we have been contacting all affected customers and providing them with the option of purchasing affordable genuine phones or redeeming their Bonga Loyalty Scheme Points for new handsets.”

Mr Collymore further stated that, “For this exercise to be successful, all operators have to play their part and diligently block the counterfeit devices based on lists they receive from the other networks. We recognise that blocking handsets alone is not the long term solution and we call for more support to the CCK by related Government agencies to block entry and sale of the counterfeit devices and to step up prosecution of those who engage in their illegal importation and sale.”

He further called on the Government to reconsider the impending decision to impose VAT on mobile phones saying that the move would make genuine mobile phones unaffordable to the majority of Kenyans and instead fuel the black market trading of counterfeits.

Safaricom subscribers can also confirm the authenticity of their handsets by dialling *#06# to get the IMEI number which they in turn send by SMS to 1555.

God`s Word

Mathew 10:36
A man`s enemies will be those of his own household.

Compiled by Pastor Vincent Achesa

We are going to take the bull by its horns:Matano

By Fred Maingi

Defending Tusker Premier League (TPL) Champions Tusker FC coach Robert

Matano has warned his opponents that they will need a massive crane to
remove them from the top of the League standings.
    A confident Matano said his side will not submit easily adding
that once they beat their strongest challengers Gor Mahia , he will be
confident his side will retain the League title.
    He said’At the moment, we are not underrating any team .But I
believe  we shall be  in a bragging position when we beat Gor Mahia
in a  few  coming weeks.My players are confident of overcoming any
opposition.We have four tough remaining matches but the toughest one
is  against Gor Mahia. They have beaten us twice in the FKF Cup ,home
and away but this time, they will meet a different side’ said Matano.
  Speaking at the Nyayo National Stadium after his  side  edged Thika
United 2-1,Matano  said they will prepare well for their next home tie
 against visiting Muhoroni Youth in Nairobi.
    In today’s match, added Matano,we  left a lot of space to our
opponents in the first half but we were  able to lock them out in the
second half after we introduced Joseph Emeka  and Joseph Mbugi.The duo
changed absolutely  the game and I’m happy  the players responded to
my instructions”
   He averred that it will be a tooth and nail battle in the four
remaining matches..’At the moment, he added, we are not thinking about
our opponents but rather ourselves performance.We don’t want to be
carried away by  our achievement so far since anything can  happen.We
are not going to underrate  any side.From now henceforth,. We are
going to  take  the bull by its  horns.Watch this space”
   Tusker have now opened a  three  points gap  at the top  following
their 2-1 triumph over Thika United.They top the Log  with 51 points
from 26 outings with Leopards breathing closely in second spot with 48
points.Gor Mahia are third  with 46 followed by Ulinzi Stars  and
Thika United on 43 and 42 points respectively

We have overrelied on Barasa for too long says Sofapaka Coach

By Fred Maingi
 Sofapaka coach Stewart Hall has insisted that his major task come
next season is to shop for a reliable and sharp striker to replace
ageing John Barasa.
 He said his team’s tendency of relying on Barasa has cost them a lot
since he is always a marked man by opposing defenders.
    “The positive  thing, he added, about my team is that  we are
always dominant in our matches but scoring has been a major
problem.Our problem has been  relying too much on Barasa  who is
always a marked man.He is  well known by all defenders in the Tusker
Premier League and the only option is  to shop for another striker”.
    He said his charges played brilliant football in their Sunday
match against Oserian, by creating many chances and even dominating
the entire match but were unable to translate their chances.
  Hall who joined the club barely three weeks ago reiterated that his
side will finish strongly in the 16 team’s league but declined to say
which position his side is targeting.
    “I cant predict, he added, which position we are bound to finish
but I can assure  you we shall finish strongly.I’m happy all the
players are responding well.We are playing as a strong unit with
better ball possession compared to our opponents   but finishing
appears the  major problem facing Kenyan clubs’
     He added “In today’s match against Oserian, we had 65 per cent
ball possession. I tend to feel my players are playing with fear.In
our training session, they play with vigour and confidence but when
they come to the pitch,it’s quite a different thing which  we need to
address.”
   Sofapaka is sixth with 41 points from 26 matches while Oserian is
still second bottom with 21 points having played the same number of
matches.

    Sofapaka popularly known as “Batoto Ba Mungu” will face off with
Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA) this weekend in a Football Kenya
Federation(FKF) cup tie at the Nairobi City Stadium.