Uganda cranes beat Ethiopia in Group B

By James Waindi in Dar es Salaam

Reigning champions Uganda came from behind to edge Ethiopia 2-1 in a mouth-watering encounter and kick-off their title campaign to a bright start here last afternoon.

Ethiopia dominated the entire match and would blame themselves for not beating the champions and now have a daunting task against Kenya who also lost to Malawi 3-2 later yesterday.

Shemele Godo scored the opener for Ethiopia in the 24th minute after he controlled Tesfaye Aleba's powerful volley before scoring with his second touch as the Ugandan defense waited for the linesman to lift his flag, thinking

Oil prices drop as marketers yield to public pressure

By Macharia Kamau

Motorists are finally getting a reprieve after oil marketers yielded to public pressure, and are now bringing down fuel prices. However, they warned that the reduction may not be sustainable, due to the inefficient oil distribution.

Late last week, KenolKobil reduced pump prices of its retail outlets in Nairobi's central business district by more than Sh4 to Sh97.80 for petrol, from Sh101.90. Diesel is now retailing for Sh88.80 down from Sh95. A further reduction is expected following arrival of the first consignment by State-run oil marketer National Oil Corporation (NOCK) last week. The Ministry of Energy is

Upstarts dim bright stars at Kass Marathon

The fourth Kass Marathon men's and women's 42 kilometre race produced surprise winners yesterday in Magdaline Mugunzi and Isaac Kosgei, who bagged Sh1.6 million each in Eldoret.

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Igad talks fail to unlock south Sudan referendum stalemate

The game of brinkmanship ahead of southern Sudan's January referendum continued on Wednesday after a regional leaders meeting failed to clinch a definitive deal on the terms under which the vote will take place.

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N. Korea warns South on war games

Seoul, Friday

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Killing fields of Kilifi where ‘witches’ bear brunt of village fury

Villagers in Kilifi County are on a killing spree, targeting suspected witches and meting out the ultimate form of justice — death.

The killings, first witnessed two years ago but somehow ebbed, are now on a resurgence in the area.

Three elderly people — two of them a couple — have been killed in the past one week alone in their houses.

The County covers Bahari, Malindi and Magarini constituencies.

At least 10 people suspected to be witches were brutally killed in Kilifi County in the past three months, a police crime analysis report indicates.  

The latest such

Killing fields of Kilifi where ‘witches’ bear brunt of village fury

Villagers in Kilifi County are on a killing spree, targeting suspected witches and meting out the ultimate form of justice — death.

The killings, first witnessed two years ago but somehow ebbed, are now on a resurgence in the area.

Three elderly people — two of them a couple — have been killed in the past one week alone in their houses.

The County covers Bahari, Malindi and Magarini constituencies.

At least 10 people suspected to be witches were brutally killed in Kilifi County in the past three months, a police crime analysis report indicates.  

The latest such

BA starts 2010/11 on a high, with record H1 performance

By Adelaide Changole

British Airways is riding the winds of fortune, which has been blowing their way this year. The company, which has reported record losses the last two years, has announced its best half-year results since 2007/08, and the best second quarter operating profit ever.

"We finally feel like we are getting out of the doldrums," the airline's Country Manager, George Mawadri said on Thursday during a press briefing.

The company's pre-tax profits for the half year ended September 30 rose to £158 million (Sh19 billion), rising from a £292m (Sh37b) loss last year. The firm's controversial structural changes are paying off, reducing non-fuel costs by 1.5 per cent, and increasing revenue by £345 million (Sh43.8b).

The airline is

Co-op complete basketball semi-final line-up

Twelve teams qualified for the 2010 best-of-three series play-offs semi-finals.

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Farmers to get debt waiver next year

By Boniface Gikandi

Coffee farmers will have to wait until next year to benefit from debt waiver in a government plan.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Budget Committee Elias Mbau said the earliest the debts can be waived is March next year.

The Maragwa MP said the Sh4.4 billion that the Government has committed towards the waiver will only be released after the debate on the supplementary budget.

"The earliest this will happen can only be in March after we have resumed from the Christmas recess. This is because the funds can only be released upon the debate and

What does Ruto exit portend for ODM?

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

What awaits the country's dominant political party ODM in the event of a walkout by suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and his bloc of supporters?

The party, rated the most popular in Kenya today, according to the latest opinion poll results released by the Synovate Pan-Africa last Saturday, convened a retreat the previous week where MPs agreed to revamp it and kick out the so-called party rebels led by Ruto.

Though the poll showed ODM Party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the most preferred presidential candidate at 48 per cent, Ruto is fourth (10 per cent) behind Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (14 per cent) and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (12 per cent).

The rating puts Ruto the second most popular candidate in ODM after Raila, given his fellow deputy party leader who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi could not be rated.

A section of ODM leaders predict a major political blow, with some going further to indicate it may consume any dream of the party having an easy ride to power come 2012.

"My honest

Are we mourning the felling of the Iroko tree?

By Omulo Okoth

In one fell swoop, Africa's most prominent son who towers over the continent's football administration like an Iroko tree was felled.

The three-year suspension of Fifa Executive Committee Member Amos Adamu and four others has blighted the beautiful game again.

You guessed right. Africa was the biggest casualty, with four officials slapped with bans ranging from one to three years and fines equivalent to between Sh600,000 and Sh1m. Also suspended was Reynald Temarii of Tahiti in the Oceania.

Adamu, a Nigerian, was Africa's most powerful international official outside CAF Presidency. Indeed, CAF President Issa Hayatou of Cameroon had placed him way above the rest in his succession strategy. Adamu was a veritable favourite.

That

Guinea should not go Kenyan way after polls

More than seven people have been killed in violence after Guinea held its first free vote.

In a fatal script that borrows heavily from Kenya's post-election chaos, security forces have been accused of using excessive force while quelling violence in Conakry.

Rival ethnic groups clashed after opposition leader Alpha Conde was named winner of the November 7 election.

His main rival Cellou Dalein Diallo has challenged the election result in the Supreme Court. Diallo's supporters mainly from the Peul community, have hit the streets protesting 'a stolen election'.

They have clashed with the security forces and Conde's supporters mainly from

What does Ruto exit portend for ODM?

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

What awaits the country's dominant political party ODM in the event of a walkout by suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and his bloc of supporters?

The party, rated the most popular in Kenya today, according to the latest opinion poll results released by the Synovate Pan-Africa last Saturday, convened a retreat the previous week where MPs agreed to revamp it and kick out the so-called party rebels led by Ruto.

Though the poll showed ODM Party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the most preferred presidential candidate at 48 per cent, Ruto is fourth (10 per cent) behind Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (14 per cent) and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (12 per cent).

The rating puts Ruto the second most popular candidate in ODM after Raila, given his fellow deputy party leader who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi could not be rated.

A section of ODM leaders predict a major political blow, with some going further to indicate it may consume any dream of the party having an easy ride to power come 2012.

"My honest

What does Ruto exit portend for ODM?

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

What awaits the country's dominant political party ODM in the event of a walkout by suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and his bloc of supporters?

The party, rated the most popular in Kenya today, according to the latest opinion poll results released by the Synovate Pan-Africa last Saturday, convened a retreat the previous week where MPs agreed to revamp it and kick out the so-called party rebels led by Ruto.

Though the poll showed ODM Party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the most preferred presidential candidate at 48 per cent, Ruto is fourth (10 per cent) behind Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (14 per cent) and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (12 per cent).

The rating puts Ruto the second most popular candidate in ODM after Raila, given his fellow deputy party leader who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi could not be rated.

A section of ODM leaders predict a major political blow, with some going further to indicate it may consume any dream of the party having an easy ride to power come 2012.

"My honest

What does Ruto exit portend for ODM?

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

What awaits the country's dominant political party ODM in the event of a walkout by suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and his bloc of supporters?

The party, rated the most popular in Kenya today, according to the latest opinion poll results released by the Synovate Pan-Africa last Saturday, convened a retreat the previous week where MPs agreed to revamp it and kick out the so-called party rebels led by Ruto.

Though the poll showed ODM Party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the most preferred presidential candidate at 48 per cent, Ruto is fourth (10 per cent) behind Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (14 per cent) and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (12 per cent).

The rating puts Ruto the second most popular candidate in ODM after Raila, given his fellow deputy party leader who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi could not be rated.

A section of ODM leaders predict a major political blow, with some going further to indicate it may consume any dream of the party having an easy ride to power come 2012.

"My honest

What does Ruto exit portend for ODM?

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

What awaits the country's dominant political party ODM in the event of a walkout by suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and his bloc of supporters?

The party, rated the most popular in Kenya today, according to the latest opinion poll results released by the Synovate Pan-Africa last Saturday, convened a retreat the previous week where MPs agreed to revamp it and kick out the so-called party rebels led by Ruto.

Though the poll showed ODM Party leader Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the most preferred presidential candidate at 48 per cent, Ruto is fourth (10 per cent) behind Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (14 per cent) and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka (12 per cent).

The rating puts Ruto the second most popular candidate in ODM after Raila, given his fellow deputy party leader who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi could not be rated.

A section of ODM leaders predict a major political blow, with some going further to indicate it may consume any dream of the party having an easy ride to power come 2012.

"My honest

WB calls for reforms in government inspectorate bodies

By FREDRICK OBURA

The Government should streamline inspectorate bodies to root out corruption as well as avoid slipping further down in its rating as an investment destination, the World Bank has said.

The Bank said reforms in different inspectorate departments were necessary and would provide sufficient operation guidelines to help the government realise more revenues from legitimate businesses.

"We are not satisfied with the operation of various inspectorate bodies, many are chaotic and only targets to legitimate businesses for extortion purposes," said Fred Zake the Co-ordinator Kenya Investment Climate Advisory Services at the Bank.

He noted that continued harassment in

Kenya's prowess in golf tourism goes global

By PHILLIP MWAKIO

IN LONDON

After a successful stint at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, the country's top tourism marketer, Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), will head a pack of eight firms to showcase Kenya's prowess in golf tourism at Valencia in Spain.

KTB Director of Exihibitions, Joe Sanna said that Kenya would be featuring in the annual event dubbed the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) from November 15-18.

"We are working jointly with the Kenya Golf Marketing Alliance (KGMA) and are this year sending one of the largest groups from Kenya," Sanna said.

Apart from KTB, Sanna said

Resistance builds up over pending evictions

By Juma Kwayera

A scorched earth strategy that The Treasury has adopted after the Government approved Sh3 billion funding for the resettlement of the Mau Forest evictees is a potential powder keg that threatens to throw the five-phased implementation programme further into disarray.

The third phase, expected to start in January, has kicked up a storm in Government, with key beneficiaries of the illegal excisions, including sitting Cabinet ministers, said to be digging in to defend their parcels of land.

The bruising battle over conservation of the country's largest water tower, which covers roughly over half a million hectares, was brought to the floor of Parliament again on Wednesday during heated debate on the fate of illegal settlers evicted from the forest last year.

The controversy in the House was echoed outside it with members of the Interim Co-ordination Secretariat of Mau resettlement saying they had come up against obstacles, the major one being a shoestring budget. After a lull lasting about one year, the matter is once again becoming a thorny political issue as the third phase of evictions gets

Resistance builds up over pending evictions

By Juma Kwayera

A scorched earth strategy that The Treasury has adopted after the Government approved Sh3 billion funding for the resettlement of the Mau Forest evictees is a potential powder keg that threatens to throw the five-phased implementation programme further into disarray.

The third phase, expected to start in January, has kicked up a storm in Government, with key beneficiaries of the illegal excisions, including sitting Cabinet ministers, said to be digging in to defend their parcels of land.

The bruising battle over conservation of the country's largest water tower, which covers roughly over half a million hectares, was brought to the floor of Parliament again on Wednesday during heated debate on the fate of illegal settlers evicted from the forest last year.

The controversy in the House was echoed outside it with members of the Interim Co-ordination Secretariat of Mau resettlement saying they had come up against obstacles, the major one being a shoestring budget. After a lull lasting about one year, the matter is once again becoming a thorny political issue as the third phase of evictions gets

Resistance builds up over pending evictions

By Juma Kwayera

A scorched earth strategy that The Treasury has adopted after the Government approved Sh3 billion funding for the resettlement of the Mau Forest evictees is a potential powder keg that threatens to throw the five-phased implementation programme further into disarray.

The third phase, expected to start in January, has kicked up a storm in Government, with key beneficiaries of the illegal excisions, including sitting Cabinet ministers, said to be digging in to defend their parcels of land.

The bruising battle over conservation of the country's largest water tower, which covers roughly over half a million hectares, was brought to the floor of Parliament again on Wednesday during heated debate on the fate of illegal settlers evicted from the forest last year.

The controversy in the House was echoed outside it with members of the Interim Co-ordination Secretariat of Mau resettlement saying they had come up against obstacles, the major one being a shoestring budget. After a lull lasting about one year, the matter is once again becoming a thorny political issue as the third phase of evictions gets

Resistance builds up over pending evictions

By Juma Kwayera

A scorched earth strategy that The Treasury has adopted after the Government approved Sh3 billion funding for the resettlement of the Mau Forest evictees is a potential powder keg that threatens to throw the five-phased implementation programme further into disarray.

The third phase, expected to start in January, has kicked up a storm in Government, with key beneficiaries of the illegal excisions, including sitting Cabinet ministers, said to be digging in to defend their parcels of land.

The bruising battle over conservation of the country's largest water tower, which covers roughly over half a million hectares, was brought to the floor of Parliament again on Wednesday during heated debate on the fate of illegal settlers evicted from the forest last year.

The controversy in the House was echoed outside it with members of the Interim Co-ordination Secretariat of Mau resettlement saying they had come up against obstacles, the major one being a shoestring budget. After a lull lasting about one year, the matter is once again becoming a thorny political issue as the third phase of evictions gets

TWO TROPHIES SPLIT SCREEN

By ROBIN TOSKIN

Rather than have the big-eared Kenyan Premier League trophy, and medals, rest at Kinungi, just in case either Ulinzi Stars or Gor Mahia wins the title, KPL chiefs will have two cups, one at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru and another in the capital, Nairobi.

KPL principal sponsors Supersport will televise the Ulinzi Stars versus Karuturi Sports, but the giant pay TV channel will beam live intermittently proceedings at either City or Nyayo Stadium where Gor Mahia will be squaring it out with Nairobi City Stars. If Ulinzi Stars, with 56 points, beat Karuturi they will be champions irrespective

Iraq bombings kill 18

KARBALA, Iraq, Monday

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Tanzania can avoid going Kenyan way in its next poll

Going by what transpired in Tanzania's General Election, the leaders of that country need to wake up to the fact that the wave of reforms is blowing.

First and foremost, the October 31 General Election experienced the lowest turnout in the history of the country. Then the delays in tallying and releasing results cast a dark shadow over the electoral process with opposition candidates and observers raising the issue of transparency.

However, the greatest wakeup call for the Tanzanian administration and the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), came in the form of violent protests in Mwanza, Dar es Salaam

Knut officials must resist going African leaders' way

Events at this week's meeting of the giant Kenya National Union of Teachers in Nairobi were appalling as officials scuffled as they differed on whether journalists should cover their deliberations or not.

However, the big debate for the meeting was not whether their deliberations should be open to the Press or not but rather the swelling impatience by members on the perceived delay by officials who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

Branch officials were accused of scheming to change the retirement age for Knut staff to 65, following the extension of the civil service retirement age

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission fighting for survival

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has been facing tribulations, among them shortage of funds and the resignation of two Commissioners. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita, and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu, on whether there was a deliberate attempt by the Government to impair the Commission through inadequate funding.

For : Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP)

QUESTION: Is the Government sabotaging TJRC through financial starvation?

ANSWER:Yes, powerful people in Government have hatched a plot to sabotage the TJRC because of its leadership. They are against the chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. It is a very clearly a calculated move to have the chairman bow to pressure and quit the commission.

Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP) - Yes

Hon. Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga MP) - No

Q:In your opinion, do you think the Commission should be provided with more funds to accomplish its mission?

ANSWER: Sufficient funds should be given to the Commission by the Government to enable it execute its mandate. It should not be begging for money from the Treasury and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Let there be fairness.

Q:How do you rate the

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission fighting for survival

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has been facing tribulations, among them shortage of funds and the resignation of two Commissioners. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita, and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu, on whether there was a deliberate attempt by the Government to impair the Commission through inadequate funding.

For : Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP)

QUESTION: Is the Government sabotaging TJRC through financial starvation?

ANSWER:Yes, powerful people in Government have hatched a plot to sabotage the TJRC because of its leadership. They are against the chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. It is a very clearly a calculated move to have the chairman bow to pressure and quit the commission.

Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP) - Yes

Hon. Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga MP) - No

Q:In your opinion, do you think the Commission should be provided with more funds to accomplish its mission?

ANSWER: Sufficient funds should be given to the Commission by the Government to enable it execute its mandate. It should not be begging for money from the Treasury and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Let there be fairness.

Q:How do you rate the

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission fighting for survival

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has been facing tribulations, among them shortage of funds and the resignation of two Commissioners. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita, and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu, on whether there was a deliberate attempt by the Government to impair the Commission through inadequate funding.

For : Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP)

QUESTION: Is the Government sabotaging TJRC through financial starvation?

ANSWER:Yes, powerful people in Government have hatched a plot to sabotage the TJRC because of its leadership. They are against the chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. It is a very clearly a calculated move to have the chairman bow to pressure and quit the commission.

Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP) - Yes

Hon. Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga MP) - No

Q:In your opinion, do you think the Commission should be provided with more funds to accomplish its mission?

ANSWER: Sufficient funds should be given to the Commission by the Government to enable it execute its mandate. It should not be begging for money from the Treasury and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Let there be fairness.

Q:How do you rate the

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission fighting for survival

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) has been facing tribulations, among them shortage of funds and the resignation of two Commissioners. Writer Vitalis Kimutai spoke to Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita, and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu, on whether there was a deliberate attempt by the Government to impair the Commission through inadequate funding.

For : Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP)

QUESTION: Is the Government sabotaging TJRC through financial starvation?

ANSWER:Yes, powerful people in Government have hatched a plot to sabotage the TJRC because of its leadership. They are against the chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat. It is a very clearly a calculated move to have the chairman bow to pressure and quit the commission.

Hon. Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central MP) - Yes

Hon. Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga MP) - No

Q:In your opinion, do you think the Commission should be provided with more funds to accomplish its mission?

ANSWER: Sufficient funds should be given to the Commission by the Government to enable it execute its mandate. It should not be begging for money from the Treasury and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Let there be fairness.

Q:How do you rate the

Cotu invites Kibaki, Raila to end dispute with tea firms

By Peter Mutai

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene in the dispute over the use of tea-plucking machines.

Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the introduction of the machines was against the Government policy of creating jobs.

Atwoli, who is also the Secretary General of Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union at the weekend addressed hundreds of striking workers at Chepchabas Primary School.

Two weeks ago, KPAWU called on more than 70,000 unionisable employees in Kericho, Sotik and Nandi districts to down their tools to push for the