Barcelona Bank On Gundogan, Lewandowski Experience

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August 7, 2023

Barcelona claimed their 27th LaLiga title and first for four years last season led by coach Xavi Hernandez, relying on a mixture of young talent and seasoned veterans like striker Robert Lewandowski who was the league’s top scorer.

They recruited experienced midfielder Ikay Gundogan, who captained Manchester City to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble last season, ending a successful seven-year stint in England during which he won 12 major trophies.

Gundogan will help mentor a young Barca squad as they try to retain the LaLiga crown and get back to winning ways in the Champions League after years of European disappointments.

They exited at the group stage of Europe’s top club competition for the second year in a row last season and were knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United.

Barcelona have won the Champions League five times, most recently in 2015, and face a tough task to get back to the top table of European football after being forced to sell club legend Lionel Messi due to financial problems.

Their outstanding domestic campaign was somewhat overshadowed by turmoil off the pitch including deepening financial issues and a refereeing scandal that could drag on for years.

Spanish prosecutors in March filed a complaint over alleged payments Barcelona made from 2001 to 2018 totalling 7.3 million euros to firms owned by former refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

A Barcelona court has agreed to take on the case and Uefa has provisionally cleared the club to compete in this season’s Champions League despite ongoing investigations.

They will not be able to play at their beloved Camp Nou for the next few seasons as they have agreed a financing deal worth 1.45 billion euros to renovate the iconic but outdated stadium.

The 100 000-seater Camp Nou was the club’s biggest source of income and they will be forced to be creative to stay competitive within the restrictions of LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

Gundogan’s arrival, Lewandowski’s consistency, reliable goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and young players like Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Luuk De Jong and Jules Kounde give Xavi a plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

But he suffered a big blow last week with news of the imminent departure of French winger Ousmane Dembele who is joining Paris St Germain.

Barcelona begin their LaLiga defence on Sunday in the Spanish capital against Getafe and although the fans are still celebrating last season’s romp to the title, there is plenty for them to be concerned about.

Kane Strikes Four As Tottenham Sweeps Shakhtar Donetsk

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

Harry Kane scored four goals as Tottenham Hotspur beat Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the Premier League.

Kane’s future at Spurs remains the subject of intense scrutiny with a year left on his contract and Bayern Munich stepping up their interest in him.

And the 30-year-old put on a typically clinical display to remind Spurs what they will be missing should he leave.

Kane’s England team-mate Harry Maguire, however, endured another mixed day.

The Manchester United defender, 30, was booed by Red Devils fans after his errant pass led to Athletic Bilbao’s opener in Dublin – but he later made amends by setting up Facundo Pellistri’s stoppage-time equaliser.

Maguire’s treatment was far from the rapturous welcome handed out in north London to Kane, who was also given the captain’s armband against the Ukrainian champions by manager Ange Postecoglou.

The match was new boss Postecoglou’s first game in charge in front of his own supporters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs’ two previous friendlies having taken place during a tour of Asia.

And it will have left the Australian keener than ever to retain the services of Kane, who produced a virtuoso performance in what Spurs fans will hope was not a farewell with a flourish.

The striker has featured in all three Spurs friendlies this summer and played more than 80 minutes on Sunday, coming off just after his fourth goal and prompting loud ‘we want you to stay’ chants from supporters.

Summer Signings Pay Off As Arsenal Crush Mancity In Community Shield Shootout

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

Arsenal gave their hopes of beating Manchester City to the Premier League title a psychological boost as they defeated Pep Guardiola’s side on penalties to win the Community Shield.

After a largely forgettable 70 minutes in the season curtain-raiser, Cole Palmer looked to have won it for City when the substitute curled home a stunning strike.

But Leandro Trossard equalised in the 101st minute when his shot deflected into the back of the net.

That took the game to spot-kicks, where substitute Kevin de Bruyne struck the crossbar before Rodri saw his effort saved and then Fabio Vieira converted to secure the silverware for Arsenal.

Arsenal led the Premier League for 248 days last season but their challenge fell apart in the closing stages as City overtook them to claim the title as part of a Treble, along with the Champions League and FA Cup.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted in the build-up to this game that the end of last season still hurt, and was clearly desperate to get one over City, who beat his side home and away last season.

Arsenal’s big summer signings Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber were all handed their competitive debuts at Wembley, but it looked like it was going to be a familiar story as Havertz failed to convert two big opportunities in the first half, before Palmer’s stunner put City ahead.

Arsenal gave their hopes of beating Manchester City to the Premier League title a psychological boost as they defeated Pep Guardiola’s side on penalties to win the Community Shield.

After a largely forgettable 70 minutes in the season curtain-raiser, Cole Palmer looked to have won it for City when the substitute curled home a stunning strike.

But Leandro Trossard equalised in the 101st minute when his shot deflected into the back of the net.

That took the game to spot-kicks, where substitute Kevin de Bruyne struck the crossbar before Rodri saw his effort saved and then Fabio Vieira converted to secure the silverware for Arsenal.

Arsenal led the Premier League for 248 days last season but their challenge fell apart in the closing stages as City overtook them to claim the title as part of a Treble, along with the Champions League and FA Cup.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted in the build-up to this game that the end of last season still hurt, and was clearly desperate to get one over City, who beat his side home and away last season.

Arsenal’s big summer signings Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber were all handed their competitive debuts at Wembley, but it looked like it was going to be a familiar story as Havertz failed to convert two big opportunities in the first half, before Palmer’s stunner put City ahead.

But Arteta’s side showed impressive spirit to battle to the end and got their reward when substitute Trossard struck before keeping their cool to come out on top in the shootout.

Churches Ask Raila, Ruto To Soften Their Stand On Talks

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

Church leaders from the Pentecostal Evangelist Fellowship of Africa asked President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Sunday to soften their stances on planned talks.

They also urged bargaining teams in bipartisan talks to deliberate calmly in order to avoid further pain.

According to former national presiding Bishop Mophat Kilioba, the country longs for peace rather than violence.

PEFA is a large Pentecostal denomination with over 6000 branches across the country.
Bishop Mophat was speaking at the official dedication of the Kisii town church branch in Daraja Mbili’s Nubia area.

The church leaders’ comments come a day after President William Ruto scolded Azimio Coalition leader Raila Odinga over a handshake push.

The church, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of establishing an office of opposition chief in order to reduce political divisions.

“Already as a church we had pronounced ourselves on this matter that there was need for the establishment of the seat of the official opposition leader so that we don’t end up with the vicious cycle of violent demos in our streets, “stated Kilioba.

Raila Opens New Poultry Farm In Nyamira

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

Raila Odinga has opened the Engoko Centre, a poultry farm and eatery in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County, on Sunday.

The former Prime Minister attended the centre’s official opening with his wife, Ida, and a group of leaders led by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni.

Raila described the establishment as a vital platform for empowering Nyamira residents by providing them with chickens.

“It’s a fantastic place to eat fresh chicken as well as a hub for area farmers to learn from and share information about poultry farming,” he said.

Raila also took part in a fundraiser at Kerubo Parish Church in the County.

Speaker Kingi: Azimio Dialogue Is A Waste Of Time

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has dismissed Azimio La Umoja’s coalition agenda for lowering the cost of living through bipartisan talks as a futile exercise.

Given the Opposition Coalition’s agenda, Kingi believes that dialogue between the two opposing sides will produce nothing for Kenyans.

“I don’t want to be a prophet of doom but I have been in this space long enough to oberve something. Nothing will come out of these called talks but something will come out from this plan that the president has,”said Kingi.

According to the Opposition Coalition, the team will be required to engage in dialogue on four thematic areas, including ways to reduce the rising cost of living and the audit of the 2022 presidential elections.

Others include the bipartisan reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), inclusivity in national affairs, and constitutional respect for political parties.

“Some of the issues we are already fixing them. We are fixing IEBC, the issue of the two-third gender rule. Do we need some people to see somewhere using taxpayers’ money to discuss something that MPs are seized of,” Senate Speaker Kingi Said.

The initial talks for the bipartisan talks are scheduled to begin next week, despite the fact that the two opposing sides have not agreed on a date for the dialogue.

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya had written to Ichung’wah, requesting a first joint meeting with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance on Monday, August 7, to kick off the proposed dialogue.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who is leading Azimio’s five-member team in the dialogue, called for a quick resolution to the standoff between the two opposing sides in a letter, citing Kenyans’ anxiety.

Kenya Kwanza had tabled a counter-proposal to the initial meeting for bipartisan talks with the opposition Azimio Coalition, recommending August 10 as the preferred date to begin inter-party dialogue.

South Gem MCA Stabbed At A Funeral

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

Brian Achieng, a South Gem ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA), was admitted to the Kisumu Aga Khan hospital on Saturday evening with five stab wounds.

Achieng, who was elected as an Independent candidate, was stabbed during a funeral in his ward.

During the burial, there was a scuffle in which the MCA was stabbed in the stomach, back and buttocks.

He was rushed to the hospital and taken to the operating room.

Elisha Odhiambo, a Gem MP who visited the MCA, said he was stable and that he was still receiving medical attention.

Odhiambo, on the other hand, blamed the attack on supporters of Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga. Wanga attended the funeral but later denied any involvement.

The MP claims he has escalated the situation with relevant authorities in order for swift action to be taken.

“We want the perpetrators apprehended and tried in court; such attacks must stop in Gem,” he said.

The MP is one of several ODM legislators facing disciplinary action after deciding to work with the Kenya Kwanza government.

Kilifi Residents Turn To Cassava Farming

By

Ramadhan Kambi

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August 6, 2023

Cassava farming is rapidly taking root in Kilifi County, particularly as the world grapples with the effects of climate change and global warming.

Climate change has contributed to harsh climatic conditions such as drought and floods, with a larger chunk of Kenya experiencing below-average rains.

In Kilifi County, communities have turned to drought-resistant crop varieties that can withstand harsh conditions and require very little water to grow and yield.

When properly harnessed, cassava farming may turn out to be an alternative food crop and replace maize, which is currently considered the staple food among locals.

Kilifi is among the three highest producers of cassava, with about 123,000 acres under the crop within the county.

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) through its Mtwapa Institute has developed a variety of cassava suitable for the Coast region, which matures faster with good yields.

The organization, in conjunction with the department of agriculture in the County government of Kilifi, has started mentoring special groups consisting of farmers, value chain players, and the youth in what has been termed as making the venture successful.

The Ustadi Foundation is implementing a five-year European Union-funded project in Kilifi, working with 10,000 farmers, 60% of whom are women.

They mobilized the farmers and put them into farmer business groups and trained them in good agricultural practices. The organization also trained 72 cassava seed entrepreneurs because the availability of cassava seed was a problem in the County.

After the training, the foundation bought cassava seeds in the project and gave them to seed entrepreneurs so they could multiply the seeds.

There are 250 farmer business groups in Kilifi, and each group had a one-acre demo plot. They also bought cassava seed for small farmers who did not go to school to be able to learn at the cassava seed landing site.

As the farmers started reaping good returns from their venture, the Ustadi Foundation put them into ten aggregation centers spread across the county where they got further training on value addition.

The Malanga and Matsangoni groups have now produced enough cassavas to produce three brands of flour: pure cassava flour, cassava flour mixed with cowpeas good for porridge, and the triple mix of cassava flour, sorghum, and cowpeas.

The nutrition department is working to ensure they get Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certification.

Mrs Shida Sultan from the Matsangoni women group said the venture has enabled them to be self-reliant and prepare mahamri from cassava flour, porridge, and cakes. She encouraged the county government to move with speed and distribute the tajirika cassava variety to all farmers in the County.

The county government is also keen to boost cassava production and value addition by installing a Sh. 36 million cassava milling plant at Tezo area in Kilifi North Sub County. The county is shopping for an investor to run the facility once its construction is complete.

An acre plot carries about four thousand cuttings in a spacing of 1m by 1m, and each plant tuber weighs 10 kilograms.

Biwott Family Sells Off Posh Yaya Centre Mall

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

The Nicholas Biwott family has sold the Nairobi Yaya Centre shopping complex to a consortium of investors for billions of shillings.

The Kilimani complex is one of Kenya’s oldest premium shopping malls and has been linked to former Cabinet Minister Nicholas Biwott, a billionaire politician and businessman.

Biwott died in July 2017, leaving behind prime real estate in Kenya and abroad.

The wealthy Rasik Kantaria family is one of the new Yaya Centre owners, expanding their investment in the hospitality industry.

The transaction was valued in billions of shillings, according to sources familiar with the transaction and publicly available information.

In 1997, the High Court granted H.Z. Engineering and Construction Company, owned by Biwott, ownership of the Yaya Centre after a court battle.

The sale of Yaya Centre marks a significant wealth distribution to the Biwott family heirs, who also liquidated the former minister’s shareholding in oil marketing company KenolKobil to French multinational Rubis in another multi-billion-shilling transaction.

The Kantarias, headed by family patriarch Rasik Kantaria, are best known for their ownership of Prime Bank, which serves a loyal niche of medium-sized to large enterprises.

The Yaya Centre acquisition, executed quietly from 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic, deepened their foray into the hospitality business.

The Kantarias also own the Capital Centre mall along Mombasa Road, a middle-class targeted shopping complex that houses more than 60 stores and restaurants. They also own the plush West End in Nairobi.

EACC to Do Away With Corruption In New Revised Strategic Plan 2023-2028

By

Dan Ojumah

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August 6, 2023

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), hosted a stakeholders’ forum on Friday to validate its revised Strategic Plan for the years 2023–2028.

Chairperson Dr. David Oginde presided over the forum, which was sponsored by United Nations Office On Drugs And Crime (UNODC) and held at the Safaripark Hotel. He was joined by EACC Commissioners and CEO Twalib Mbarak.

Representatives from the executive, legislative, judicial, independent, private, religious, and civil society sectors were present during the validation workshop. EACC got a resounding amount of feedback on the actions Kenyans want to see performed to reduce waste and corruption in government.

Dr. David Oginde, the forum’s chairperson, who took office on May 9, 2023, said that he has so far identified four key causes of corruption in the nation: impunity, moral failure, greed fueled by a “scarcity mentality,” and spiritual bankruptcy.

“Our strategic goal is to eradicate corruption and enhance ethical conduct in Kenya. People say that corruption can not be eradicated, but EACC will attempt to do so. We will have a special focus on highly influential persons and highly exposed persons,” said Dr.Oginde.

CEO Twalib Mbarak stated that the EACC has taken into account Kenya’s distinctive social, economic, political, and cultural setting when designing its Strategic Plan 2023–2028 in order to assure the effectiveness of the new policies. On June 30, the previous Strategic Plan came to an end.

In addition to the Commission’s methods being considered to direct the work moving forward, Dr. Oginde informed the forum that he will share his main accomplishment(s), as well as key findings on what ails our homeland and what EACC is doing about it, at the conclusion of his first 100 days in office.

The Ustadi Foundation is implementing a five-year European Union-funded project in Kilifi, working with 10,000 farmers, 60% of whom are women.

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