Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Kibaki arrives in Addis Ababa for AU summit

President Mwai Kibaki arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend the 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

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Sakata Ball back

By ERICK OCHIENG'

The second edition of the Safaricom Sakata Ball football tournament has been launched with Sh3.5 million at stake, up from Sh1.5 last year.

For the first time girls have also been incorporated into the tournament in which Grand national final winners will big Sh500, 000 for boys and Sh250, 000 for girls.

Runners up will get Sh300, 000 and Sh150, 000 for boys and girls categories.

From Left:Former Harambee Stars players Joe Kadenge, Josphat Murila and Allan Thigo pose for a photograph with Safaricom's Cleo Mbeo (in Green jacket), yesterday. [PHOTO: COURTESY/STANDARD

Regional champions will be awarded Sh100, 000(boys) and Sh50, 000(girls).

Bukembe FC, from Western Kenya, are hoping to successfully defend the boy's category they won last year after edging out

Fabrice finds his footing at the Coast

By CAROLINE NYANGA

STANDARD WRITER

Dressed in a stylish blue top and trousers to match, he picks up the microphone and belts out one of his favourite songs, Dunia, with amazing ease.

At one corner a group of elderly men are busy nodding their heads to the beats of his music.

He may not be a household in the country, but Fabrice Mwendangai is an entertainer to reckon with in Mombasa.

Fabrice, 29, recently added another feather to his cap when he released and launched his much-awaited album Dunia, which is making waves in Mombasa and across East Africa.

Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Weak law slowing warehouse receipting

By Sudi Wandabusi

The rolling out of warehouse receipting for agricultural produce by the National Cereals and Produce Board has sent a wave of excitement among maize farmers across the country.

Many agree that if well implemented, it is set to revolutionise the agricultural sector, save farmers from the conniving middlemen and help the country in improving food security.

A warehouse receipt is a document providing proof of ownership of commodities that are stored in a warehouse, depository, or vault for safekeeping. A warehouse receipt may either be non-negotiable, which only serves as mere proof of commodity ownership, or it may be in negotiable form, making it eligible to be used as collateral for loans.

A warehouse receipt also guarantees the existence and availability of a commodity of a particular quantity, type and quality in a

Israel’s pursuit of settlements suicidal

Israel allows its settlers to go on and on claiming more of the West Bank. Is there nothing that can be done?

The might of America, combined with the influence of the European Union and the Arab world, have not been able to halt the territorial growth of Israel.

Most American Jews, according to polls, don't like what is happening, but are seemingly helpless before the shrewd lobbying of long-time pressure groups which have built up over decades a disproportionate influence over Congress.

They make sure that the large US aid programme to Israel continues. In effect, it liberates funds for Israel to build roads and defences for the settlers pushing deep into Palestinian territory.

Yet

WOMEN FOR CHANGE

By ERNEST NDUNDA

FOOTBALL WRITER

Women who have been in football administration have been urged to go for elective posts during the forthcoming election to restore integrity of the sport in the country.

Asha Pili, the Chairperson of the National Women Football Initiative said most of the women were less tainted in football scandals and stood high chances of winning public confidence.

"Kenyan football has been undergoing problems on and off the field but women are ready to restore it if elected to senior positions," said Pili.

In an interview at our Mombasa offices, Pili accompanied by organising Secretary Elizabeth

AU summit to decide Odinga’s next role in Cote d’Voire

The Africa Union is hoping to make a breakthrough on the Cote d'Ivoire crisis during its upcoming AU summit at the end of this month.

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Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Big screen in limbo as State takes back seat

By NICHOLAS ANYUOR

The film industry in Kenya has not been receiving adequate support from the Government. This has stagnated growth in the industry despite the fact that the country has many spectacular sceneries.

The Government's lack of interest has led to fewer movies being shot here. But the good news is that the movies have won several awards: These include The Constant Gardener directed by Fernando Meirelles, the Academy Award winning Nowhere in Africa, Karen Blixen's Out of Africa, and To Walk With the Lions directed by Charles Schultz in 1999. In 2006, we again saw The White Maasai, a German movie about a Swiss woman, who fell in love with a Sumburu warrior, becoming the best foreign language movie. Also in the list is the Fall of Idi Amin,

Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Parties\' disputes tribunal hands full at inception

By Stephen Makabila

SENIOR WRITER

After waiting for more than two years, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal is finally in place.A section of disgruntled politicians have complained of harassment, outright rejection or dismissal from their political parties.

There have also been unresolved internal wrangles in major political parties. Last week, the three members of the tribunal were sworn-in by Chief Justice Evan Gicheru after they were appointed on December 17, last year.

Section 5 (2) of the Political Parties Act (No. 10 of 2007), of the Constitution, gives the CJ powers to appoint members of the tribunal and determine rules

Cabinet yet to agree on ICC pullout - Kalonzo

Vice President Klaonzo Musyoka on Sunday revealed his that recent blitz across the continent to mobilise support for Kenya's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court had been directly sanctioned by President Kibaki, though the Cabinet is yet to meet and ventilate on the matter.

He dismissed claims that the Cabinet sat down to agree on Kenya's pullout from ICC as reported by a section of the media recently.

"Cabinet has not sat down to agree on the resolution by MPs through a motion passed in Parliament to pull the country out of ICC,'' he said.

He however said that Kenya's withdrawal from the ICC had nothing to do with the

Upperhill roads to get State funding

The Government will fund infrastructure projects in Nairobi's Upper Hill area, to enable it become the financial capital of East Africa.

A tender for the area's first-class road network design has already been awarded, the head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, revealed on Friday evening.

"Plans for a public service road and rail network rehabilitation are at an advanced stage, and as we do this, we seek more housing facilities in the area," he said.

He added that there is special attention to Upper Hill because of its strategic position in the city, the reason why many corporate bodies

Lumumba proves he can walk the talk

By Alex Ndegwa　

PLO Lumumba is the new sheriff in town. The passion and zeal with which he is pursuing corruption cases in the early stages of his tenure is remarkable.

The constitutional lawyer, re-known for his gift of garb, could easily have been mistaken for all talk without action. But anyone who had fancied Lumumba a safe bet to go easy on corruption had better do some soul searching.

Unlike the flamboyant John Harun Mwau and the Shakespearean Justice Aaron Ringera before him, Lumumba's tenure as the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) director is already causing too much discomfort.

Both Mwau and Ringera – the former heading KACC's precursor in the 90s, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority (Kaca) – share the ignominy of having been run out of office with public confidence in the anti-corruption drive at its lowest.

The new Narc government – elected on an anti-graft platform – in April 2003 enacted the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act.

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, besides repealing the anti-corruption legislation in force since 1956, established KACC.

President Kibaki in

Drought should not be a death sentence to livestock

The dry season is here again and as usual it will be most severe in northern Kenya and pastoralists will bear the brunt of its effects because it will affect their economic mainstay - livestock.

It is pathetic and unfortunate that the pastoralist are locked in an annual circle that starts with drought and death of animals followed by heavy rains during which time they restock and fatten the animals only to lose the cattle during a dry season.

One would expect that since the seasons are predictable, better planning would put in place mitigation measures to minimise losses during

Drought should not be a death sentence to livestock

The dry season is here again and as usual it will be most severe in northern Kenya and pastoralists will bear the brunt of its effects because it will affect their economic mainstay - livestock.

It is pathetic and unfortunate that the pastoralist are locked in an annual circle that starts with drought and death of animals followed by heavy rains during which time they restock and fatten the animals only to lose the cattle during a dry season.

One would expect that since the seasons are predictable, better planning would put in place mitigation measures to minimise losses during

Drought should not be a death sentence to livestock

The dry season is here again and as usual it will be most severe in northern Kenya and pastoralists will bear the brunt of its effects because it will affect their economic mainstay - livestock.

It is pathetic and unfortunate that the pastoralist are locked in an annual circle that starts with drought and death of animals followed by heavy rains during which time they restock and fatten the animals only to lose the cattle during a dry season.

One would expect that since the seasons are predictable, better planning would put in place mitigation measures to minimise losses during

Drought should not be a death sentence to livestock

The dry season is here again and as usual it will be most severe in northern Kenya and pastoralists will bear the brunt of its effects because it will affect their economic mainstay - livestock.

It is pathetic and unfortunate that the pastoralist are locked in an annual circle that starts with drought and death of animals followed by heavy rains during which time they restock and fatten the animals only to lose the cattle during a dry season.

One would expect that since the seasons are predictable, better planning would put in place mitigation measures to minimise losses during

Lumumba proves he can walk the talk

By Alex Ndegwa　

PLO Lumumba is the new sheriff in town. The passion and zeal with which he is pursuing corruption cases in the early stages of his tenure is remarkable.

The constitutional lawyer, re-known for his gift of garb, could easily have been mistaken for all talk without action. But anyone who had fancied Lumumba a safe bet to go easy on corruption had better do some soul searching.

Unlike the flamboyant John Harun Mwau and the Shakespearean Justice Aaron Ringera before him, Lumumba's tenure as the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) director is already causing too much discomfort.

Both Mwau and Ringera – the former heading KACC's precursor in the 90s, the Kenya Anti-Corruption Authority (Kaca) – share the ignominy of having been run out of office with public confidence in the anti-corruption drive at its lowest.

The new Narc government – elected on an anti-graft platform – in April 2003 enacted the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and the Public Officer Ethics Act.

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, besides repealing the anti-corruption legislation in force since 1956, established KACC.

President Kibaki in

Why we took up arms against Northern regime

The people of Southern Sudan have always wanted to be a sovereign state, free from Northern domination.

This is illustrated by the fact the first armed struggle for self-determination began even before independence in 1955, waged by the Anya-nya forces. (Anya-nya is the name for the snake poison used to lace their spears).

The January 9 referendum is the climactic scene of that struggle. And it is important for all Southern Sudanese and East Africans to understand the history of the broken agreements, shattered peace deals and outright injustices that caused the people of the South to rise up in arms to defend their liberty.

The first Sudanese civil war lasted until 1972, when the South signed a peace deal with the government of Gaafar Mohamed Numeiry in the Addis Ababa agreement.

That agreement was breached almost immediately it was signed.

The integration assimilation and disintegration of the Anya-nya forces into the military by Numeiry government was a key part of the agreement.

This was not honoured.

Right after the signing

Tissue makers count losses as KEBS bans fake brands

BY PATRICK GITHINJI

Tissues and hygiene care manufacturer Chandaria Industries has decried that substandard products affected its last year revenues.

Speaking to The Standard a day after Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) banned two tissue paper brands, King Soft and Queen Soft, the manufacturer argued that these products had eaten into its market especially in Nairobi.

"These substandard products have contributed to loss of revenue and market share in Nairobi," Darshan Chandaria a director of Chandaria Industries said.

Although, he didn't elaborate more on the loss, Chandaria said they take a big share of the market the company has built

Pulsating in Coasto

Just like in the past, Pulse and Flame Entertainment collaborated and hosted the biggest beach party at Big Tree to usher in the New Year musically, write Pius Cheruiyot and David Odongo

Anticipation runs high. The world holds its breath...Seconds to midnight, millions throughout the world are united in bidding a collective farewell to the departing year, and expressing joy and hope for the year ahead.

At the Big Tree Hotel in Mombasa, the Pulse crew and star-studded musical cast unveils performances, balloons, confetti to a colourful pyrotechnic display to hundreds pulsaters. A 10 minute fireworks display leaves mouths open, the skyline was turns into different hues with the dazzling lights and bustling energy as revellers scream their voices hoarse. Sparkling silver rays shoot out from The Big Tree Hotel lighting up the skyline with an impressive array of colours from the fireworks.

Right from the start, emcee Philipo tickles the crowd with funny jokes as

The singing sergeant

By CAROLINE NYANGA

Standard reporter

Sporting a jungle green fatigue, Vincent Ongidi's mission seems more than to watch over prisoners.

On this day, Jamarachi – as he is popularly known – and his men are armed to the teeth – only this time not with weapons but guitars, drums, shakers and other music instruments.

At the far end, a group of lanky elderly men are listening to the music and tapping their hands on the table.

This evening, Ongidi who is a senior member of the Prisons Marching Band at Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College is at work. The senior

The singing sergeant

By CAROLINE NYANGA

Standard reporter

Sporting a jungle green fatigue, Vincent Ongidi's mission seems more than to watch over prisoners.

On this day, Jamarachi – as he is popularly known – and his men are armed to the teeth – only this time not with weapons but guitars, drums, shakers and other music instruments.

At the far end, a group of lanky elderly men are listening to the music and tapping their hands on the table.

This evening, Ongidi who is a senior member of the Prisons Marching Band at Ruiru Prisons Staff Training College is at work. The senior

Eldoret’s 105 silence Huruma

Star-studded 105 FC of Eldoret lived up to their billing when they beat Huruma FC 1-0 to win the Maliza Umaskini Eldoret zone football tournament on Sunday.

New talent, Christoper Nyamau, sealed victory for his side in the 88th minute when he headed in a fine cross from Felix Odhiambo.

Nyamau produced spectacular dribbling skills to wow the huge crowds that turned up for the afternoon's riveting action at historic Huruma grounds in Eldoret.  

The two teams drew everything into a counter-attack while they adopted a defensive approach, making 105 FC, who won the 2009 Football Kenya Limited

Fears of sectarian violence in Egypt after church attack

CAIRO, Sunday

Christians prayed on Sunday at a church targeted by an apparent suicide bomber who killed 21 people as Egypt pointed the finger of blame at international "terrorism" and fears of sectarian violence mounted.

"With our soul and our blood we will redeem the Holy Cross," chanted the congregation as Copts gathered at the Al-Qiddissin church in Alexandria for Sunday mass a day after the bombing.

Blood stains from Saturday's attack were still visible on the facade of the church, where 21 people were killed early on New Year's Day and 79 wounded when an apparent suicide bomber blew himself

Stop the circus and resettle the evictees

The circus on the long-overdue resettlement of the squatters who were evicted from the Mau forest complex is sickening.

Time and again, the squatters have been promised by various Government officials, including the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, that their woes will soon come to an end since land for their resettlement has been identified.

First came the promise by suspended minister William Ruto, who said he had met President Kibaki and a plan had been set in place to resettle IDPs.

These promises have however come to naught as IDPs continue languishing in the cold in makeshift structures on