High paper prices hurt book publishers in Kenya

By DAVID OHITO

It is back to school again, but the book industry in Kenya is reeling under the effects of skyrocketing paper prices in the world market coupled with low purchasing power for their book titles.

Citing rising raw material costs for missed earnings, shrinking profits and frequent change of syllabus texts by the Ministry of Education, publishers are sending a cry to the Government to intervene by giving tax waivers on paper and inputs used to produce school books.

Publishers warned that free primary and secondary education goal may be jeopardised by the prohibitive cost of books beyond

High paper prices hurt book publishers in Kenya

By DAVID OHITO

It is back to school again, but the book industry in Kenya is reeling under the effects of skyrocketing paper prices in the world market coupled with low purchasing power for their book titles.

Citing rising raw material costs for missed earnings, shrinking profits and frequent change of syllabus texts by the Ministry of Education, publishers are sending a cry to the Government to intervene by giving tax waivers on paper and inputs used to produce school books.

Publishers warned that free primary and secondary education goal may be jeopardised by the prohibitive cost of books beyond

Changing society through computer systems

By Fredrick Obura

During a recent continental competition, dubbed Apps4Africa, a young woman from Kenya submitted her project and was ranked second runners up.

The competition builds on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Civil Society 2.0 initiative, and aims at helping civil society use digital technology to connect to their communities and develop innovative solutions to shared problems.

Twenty-five-year-old Jamila Abass developed a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) tracking and mapping website for the competition that brought together various talents from across Africa.

The young innovator saw the need for a CDF tracking mechanism after various lobby groups called for a system through which use of CDF could be monitored.

And

Giant sacco warned against selling shares to the public

A rural savings and credit society has been stopped from selling shares to the public.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) is unhappy with the manner in which Muramati Sacco Society Ltd is selling its shares and has warned both the sacco officials and the public that the share sale has not been sanctioned.

"The public is hereby notified that the sale of the shares has not been approved by the Authority to be made to the general public and is, therefore, being made contrary to the provisions of Section 30A of the Capital Markets Act, Chapter 485A of the laws of Kenya," CMA chief executive Stella Kilonzo said in a press advertisement

Sudanese pray for peaceful vote

Hundreds of South Sudan nationals converged in Nairobi to pray for their country ahead of the referendum on January 9.

They appealed to Kenyans and other people of goodwill to help them make the milestone peaceful and fruitful.

In an exciting service punctuated with traditional songs and patriotic speeches at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi, speakers expressed confidence in the success of the referendum, saying they will not allow the country to relapse into war.

South Sudan, which emerged from a protracted civil war with the North, is holding a historic referendum to decide whether it should

Ex-players can bring sanity to game, says Shollei

Often accused of sitting on the fence while the standards of football continue to plummet, former footballers now want to take cue from other countries in Africa and take charge of the country's game.

Borrowing a leaf from Zambia, where former African Player of the Year Kalusha Bwalya is now in charge of the local federation, Sammy Shollei, who played for Kenya in the 1990s, says ex-players are the only sure bet to save Kenyan football from total collapse.

"It is only the shoe wearer who knows where it's not fitting. We have been there and know what is ailing Kenyan

Zimbabwe seeks prosecutions over WikiLeaks

HARARE, Saturday

Zimbabwe will appoint a commission to investigate the "treasonous collusion" that led to several embarrassing reports being released by WikiLeaks, the country's attorney-general said Saturday.

"With immediate effect, I am going to instruct a team of practising lawyers to look into the issues that arise from the WikiLeaks," Attorney-General Johannes Tomana told the state-owned Herald newspaper.

"The WikiLeaks appear to show a treasonous collusion between local Zimbabweans and the aggressive international world, particularly the United States."

Tomana was this week slapped with sanctions and an asset freeze by the United States, making him the latest ally of long-ruling President

We may use force to get land, says VP

Force may be used to secure land for internal refugees, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.

The VP noted that the government can use compulsory acquisition of land to resettle all IDPs, if need be.

Mr Kalonzo said he was pained to see people who were flushed out of their homes during the 2007 post-election violence still living in makeshift camps.

Speaking at the Pipeline camp in Nakuru, he said the law gives the government the right to acquire land by force: "It is unacceptable that they are still in camps but the government is taking this issue seriously."

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Revealed: Drug networks and politics in Kenya

Drug trafficking has captured sections of the business and political elite, soaking the fabric of affluent society, according to detailed crime intelligence information seen by the Daily Nation.

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Federer, Nadal raise cash for Africa’s poor

Zurich

Roger Federer took the upper hand against Rafael Nadal on Tuesday with a two set to one win in a charity exhibition match in the Swiss city of Zurich.

After losing the first set 4-6, Federer broke back against the world number one early in the second set to take a 6-3, 6-3 lead, watched by a capacity home crowd including Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, ski-ing champions Lindsey Vonn and Didier Cuche.

The 10,500 tickets for the "Match for Africa" were sold out within a few minutes when they went on sale on September 1.

The world's top

Parliament adopts boundaries report

Parliament on Tuesday adopted the controversial report on new constituencies in an acrimonious sitting.

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Providers now look to new technology

Orange Telecom is meanwhile, marching to a different tune entirely. Even though the network is seeing more usage, network quality, according to their chief strategist, has not been affected.

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Egyptians, Heartland rule the roost at hockey Club Cup

Egypt's Sharkia claimed an unprecedented 19th victory with Nigeria's Heartland wrapping up a third diadem as the 22nd Africa Cup Club hockey championships ended on Saturday at the National Hockey Stadium, Accra.

Earlier, Kenya's Strathmore University lost to another Egyptian side, Police, in their play-offs for bronze while Yobe Desert Queens from Nigeria beat home girls Reformers 5-4 in sizzling penalty flicks to claim women's bronze.

Women's defending champions Telkom Orange from Kenya had it tough, finishing fifth after beating Sharkia 4-0 in the play-offs. Telkom are due in Nairobi at midday on Monday.

Following their bubbly 3-3 draw

UN offered Mugabe lucrative retirement package

Former UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, offered Robert Mugabe a lucrative retirement package in an overseas haven if he stood down as Zimbabwe's president, according to leaked diplomatic cables.

The extraordinary offer was allegedly made by Annan, at the millennium summit of world leaders in New York, according to a memo drawn up by American officials which was obtained by the WikiLeaks website.

The memo, written in September 2000, records a meeting between a US embassy official in Harare and a senior source in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the party opposed to Mugabe's Zanu-PF.

According to the MDC source, whose name the Observer has redacted, "Kofi Annan, in the recent meeting in New York during the millennium summit offered Mugabe a deal to step down.

Although [the MDC source] said the MDC was not privy to the details, he surmised that Annan's supposed deal probably included provision of safe haven and a financial package from Libyan president [Gaddafi]. The opposition party heard that Mugabe turned down

Mugabe says power-sharing 'can't continue'

MUTARE

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe told his party conference Friday that the country's uneasy power-sharing government "can't be allowed to continue."

"We agreed to work together... as a compromise to enable us to sort things out, establish peace, political stability, now some are dragging their feet," Mugabe told members of his ZANU-PF party.

"The GPA can't be allowed to continue," he added, referring to the Global Political Agreement with the ex-opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party of his prime minister and arch-foe Morgan Tsvangirai.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai formed a power-sharing administration six months after a chaotic presidential vote in

NSE holds steady after Hague move

The Nairobi Stock Exchange has held steady in the face of a heated debate over the naming of suspects to be charged for the 2008 post-election violence.

Despite a technical hitch on Wednesday afternoon, the market continues to rally a head of the end of year trading sessions.

"Turnover rose to Sh474 million during the session from the previous session's Sh240 million, while the number of shares traded stood at 30 million against 12 million posted on yesterday (Tuesday)," read a report from the bourse on trading.

During Thursday's trade, the NSE 20 share index, however, shed 14.13 points

Ocampo names Kenya chaos suspects

The names of suspected masterminds of Kenya's post election violence have finally been revealed.

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The six include senior politicians in the Party of National Unity (PNU) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the main parties that battled it out for the presidency in the disputed 2007 elections.

International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Wednesday that the prominent leaders bore "the greatest

Mazembe stun Internacional for historic win

Abu Dhabi

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CK abandons team on eve of Cup qualifiers

Uncertainity. That is the situation which is playing out in the Kenyan camp and the hosts of the Pepsi - ICC Women's World Cup Qualifying Series Africa Region may miss out after the national women's team threatened to boycott because of non-payment of (match) allowances during the tournament which starts on Wednesday.

In a bid to save the situation, Kassim Suleiman, the CEO of Africa Cricket Association (ACA) called a section of the players to a meeting and tried to work out a payment plan because it will look bad when the hosts are missing.

The ACA is the

Omidyar give $0.8m grant for mobile apps to fight poverty

Investment firm Omidyar Network has announced a $825,000 grant to support new technological innovations in Africa.

The grant donated to Praekelt Foundation, an African technological organisation, will be used to develop innovative mobile technology solutions to improve the health and well being of poor people.

The announcement comes in the wake of an increasing number of partnerships comprising billionaires and philanthropic organisations to improve the standards of living in Africa.

One of the successful billionaire-philanthropic organisation partnerships is that of Microsoft Corporation chairman Bill Gates's Gates Foundation and UN organisations in fighting diseases and developing Africa.The grant will

A day in the life of Kenya’s youngest bank manager

It's Wednesday morning inside Chase Bank, Eastleigh branch. Ibada Ahmed seems unfazed by the chaos outside on the famous First Avenue – matatus and trucks hooting, touts and hawkers calling for customers, and the hordes of traders and buyers going about their business.

She checks her computer, logs on and keenly goes through a document before one of the phones on her desk rings. She turns on her black swivel chair, takes the call and, after issuing instructions to the person at the other end of the line, she turns back and smiles.

"What I like most about my job is that I work in Eastleigh," she says. "The infrastructure is bad, the drainage system is bad, but there is a lot of formal and informal banking."

Money and banking interest Ms Ahmed a great deal for she is the manager of this branch of Chase

Cecafa: Walia Antelopes’ run halted

Super sub Tchetche Kipre's accomplished finish midway through the second half was enough to power guest-side Cote d'Ivoire to the final of the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup with a 1-0 victory against Ethiopia at the National Stadium on Friday.

The bustling Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan striker used his speed to run clear on the left wing and beat Ethiopia keeper Jemal Bushera via the far post in the 79th minute.

It was a deserved win for the more enterprising west Africans who had created several good chances but were let down by poor finishing mainly from wayward forward Zoumana

Beijing ‘using cash to buy influence’

American embassy officials in Nairobi attribute China's increasingly dominant role in Kenya to a corruption ring run from the National Security Intelligence Service.

A cable dated February 17 links some NSIS officials to a ring which is pushing the Chinese cause in Kenya in return for monetary favours.

It gives a glimpse of the extent of discomfort China's rise in Africa is having on the US administration.

But contacted for comment on the leaked cables, US ambassador Michael Ranneberger on Thursday said: "I cannot comment on the WikiLeaks issue".

The cables claimed NSIS officials accepted cash to, among other

Opiyo Mumma lives on, ten years later

Artistes and educationists will converge on Friday at University of Nairobi's Education Theatre II simply known as ED II to celebrate the life and times of Dr John Opiyo Mumma who passed on ten years ago.

A rich repertoire of poetry, music, plays and dances in his honour are lined up for the day, says convener Wangamati Wabende.

The highly gifted lecturer found success with University of Nairobi Free Travelling Theatre.

In fact, Free Travelling Theatre will stage a production in his honour produced by Kimigichi Wabende.

If Ngugi wa Thiong'o initiated community theatre in Kamirithu village with such a massive success, Mumma perfected the act by propagating it throughout Kenya in a scale only compared to Brazilian's revolutionary Augusto Boal.

Mumma is best remembered for bringing the whole world of theatre

IIEC quest for candidates of integrity is way to go

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) is in the news again for all the right reasons and emitting the best possible vibes.

After successfully overseeing several by-elections and a national referendum, the team is looking forward to another by-election in Kirinyaga Central Constituency on February 16.

Commission chairman Isaack Hassan has fired a warning to political parties intending to field candidates to follow the electoral code of conduct to the letter lest their charges be disqualified.

This is itself not news. Of significance is the unambiguous message being sent out: Kenyans overwhelmingly voted on August 4 for a new

\'Political responsibility\' gains a new meaning

By Lillian Aluanga

"Stepping aside". That is the latest catch phrase used by ministers and Government officials implicated in corruption while exiting office.

Often the phrase is accompanied by a list of those to blame for the official's woes, ranging from political detractors, saboteurs and even the media.

In eight years after Kanu left power, at least six ministers have "stepped aside" to allow for investigations into matters of public concern, such as the Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals.

The controversial sale of the Grand Regency (now Laico) Hotel and Government properties in foreign missions, have also claimed some ministers' jobs.

Currently, Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey and his Water counterpart Charity Ngilu are battling calls to step aside.

Those baying for Kosgey's blood want the minister to quit over his alleged role in the importation of old cars, in contravention of a rule that forbids importation of vehicles more

\'Political responsibility\' gains a new meaning

By Lillian Aluanga

"Stepping aside". That is the latest catch phrase used by ministers and Government officials implicated in corruption while exiting office.

Often the phrase is accompanied by a list of those to blame for the official's woes, ranging from political detractors, saboteurs and even the media.

In eight years after Kanu left power, at least six ministers have "stepped aside" to allow for investigations into matters of public concern, such as the Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals.

The controversial sale of the Grand Regency (now Laico) Hotel and Government properties in foreign missions, have also claimed some ministers' jobs.

Currently, Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey and his Water counterpart Charity Ngilu are battling calls to step aside.

Those baying for Kosgey's blood want the minister to quit over his alleged role in the importation of old cars, in contravention of a rule that forbids importation of vehicles more

Gunfire as Ivorian election outcome stand-off hardens

Abidjan, Saturday

Gunfire rattled Cote d'Ivoire's main city on Saturday as an already bloody election stand-off escalated with world powers urging long-term President Laurent Gbagbo to make way for his old rival.

Gbagbo remained defiant with state television reporting that a ceremony would confirm him in office at midday and broadcasting pictures of him meeting military leaders whom it said pledged allegiance to him.

His rival Alassane Ouattara has also claimed victory in the November 28 presidential vote, and declared himself president-elect Friday as the international community began to fall in behind him.

As fears mounted of unrest, exchanges of shots were heard through the night in Abidjan's Abobo and Anyama

MPs meet on Monday to resolve constituencies row

MPs will attempt to resolve the impasse of 80 new constituencies on Monday.

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Your time is up, Ocampo tells Kenya chaos suspects

Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo on Thursday repeated his promise to expose the masterminds of the post election violence in two weeks.

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\'Political responsibility\' gains a new meaning

By Lillian Aluanga

"Stepping aside". That is the latest catch phrase used by ministers and Government officials implicated in corruption while exiting office.

Often the phrase is accompanied by a list of those to blame for the official's woes, ranging from political detractors, saboteurs and even the media.

In eight years after Kanu left power, at least six ministers have "stepped aside" to allow for investigations into matters of public concern, such as the Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals.

The controversial sale of the Grand Regency (now Laico) Hotel and Government properties in foreign missions, have also claimed some ministers' jobs.

Currently, Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey and his Water counterpart Charity Ngilu are battling calls to step aside.

Those baying for Kosgey's blood want the minister to quit over his alleged role in the importation of old cars, in contravention of a rule that forbids importation of vehicles more