Ancelotti Is Not To Brazil President Lula’s Taste As National Coach

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July 7, 2023

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticised the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the new Brazil football coach, claiming he would be better off sorting out the Italian national team’s problems.

Italian Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League a record four times as a coach, will take charge prior to the Copa America in the United States next June after honouring the final year of his contract with Real Madrid.

“I admire Ancelotti, but he has never been Italy’s national coach,” Lula told TV station SBT on Thursday.

“Why does he not resolve Italy’s problem, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup?” added the 77-year-old.

In the interim, Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz will be in charge of Brazil for their opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“I am a fan of Diniz,” said Lula. “He has the personality, the creativity and it is he who commands the dressing room.”

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has opted for 64-year-old Ancelotti believing one of the most successful coaches in European football history will deliver them their sixth World Cup trophy but first since 2002.

The desire is even greater after bitter rivals Argentina won in Qatar last December.

Brazil were knocked out in the quarterfinals and coach Tite stepped down.

“It is very easy to coach a club in Europe with 11 international players in the team,” said Lula.

“What is difficult is to come here and to coach Corinthians (who are in danger of relegation from the top league).

“I would like to see if Ancelotti did a good job with Corinthians.”

Lula is pessimistic that no matter who the coach is they will have a tough time in the World Cup qualifiers with the present generation of Brazil players.

“The problem is not Diniz, the problem is we do not possess today the level of players we had in previous eras,” said Lula.

Ancelotti will be the fourth non-Brazilian to coach Brazil. The last was Argentine Filpo Nunez who was in charge for one game in 1965.

UN To Support Thousands Who Fled Into South Sudan

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John Mutiso

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July 7, 2023

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Peter Van der Auweraert, has released $8m (£6.3m) from the humanitarian fund to provide life-saving assistance to the 150,000 people in the country who have fled the conflict in Sudan.

The number of arrivals is projected to increase as the crisis continues, the UN’s humanitarian affairs office (Ocha) has said.

Onward transportation of South Sudanese returnees and Sudanese refugees from transit sites remains a significant challenge due to the combination of poor road infrastructure and insecurity in some areas. There are also the additional logistical challenges posed by the onset of the rainy season, Ocha added.

“Many people who fled the conflict in Sudan are arriving across the border with nothing. Many reported that they were subjected to violence and exploitation, such as extortion and looting, as they fled to South Sudan. They need urgent support to reach safety and rebuild their lives,” Mr Van der Auweraert said.

The fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now in its third month, has displaced nearly three million people, according to estimates by humanitarian agencies.

The largest number of refugees have gone to Chad and Egypt.

Ethiopia Church Apologises To Followers In Tigray Over War

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John Mutiso

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July 7, 2023

The highest decision-making body of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church – the Holy Synod – has issued an apology to the people of Tigray in connection with the devastating war that unfolded in the Tigray region.

In a statement released on Thursday, the synod expressed regret for not ensuring the safety of church leaders and followers during the conflict.

Criticism has been directed towards the church from bishops, priests and worshippers in Tigray for not condemning the war, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives.

Earlier this year, Tigray bishops had even announced their intention to establish an independent church outside the synod and appoint their own bishops.

Since the conclusion of the war in late 2022, the Holy Synod has been actively seeking reconciliation with the Orthodox leaders in Tigray.

A statement from the synod read that it had “officially apologised for the failure to promptly deliver humanitarian assistance in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod after the war ended and peace was restored”.

A member of the Tigray executive committee of bishops told the BBC that “forgiveness is a fundamental principle and process within the church. While we cannot view this as a significant step forward, it does mark a positive beginning”.

He criticised the apology as a tactical move that fell short of acknowledging the magnitude of the injustices committed.

The bishop clarified that the church recognises His Holiness Abune Matthias as their patriarch and has no intentions of appointing any other patriarch.

CS Owalo Officially Launches Airtel 5G Wireless Cellular Technology

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Vanessa Kariuki

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July 7, 2023

The fifth generation (5G) wireless cellular technology by Airtel Networks Kenya Limited has been officially launched by Hon. Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.

Speaking at the ceremony, CS Eliud Owalo remarked that the launch was a monumental accomplishment that will ultimately help the nation’s economy and the telecoms industry flourish through direct contribution and indirect contribution by facilitating others.

He continued by saying that the investment will positively affect edge computing and machine learning, robots and artificial intelligence, education, health, transportation, and smart industries and industrial automation.

According to Airtel, its 5G network enables users to experience quick access for tasks like wireless home internet, live streaming, content uploads and downloads, and multiplayer online gaming.

The company has also launched unlimited 5G home broadband plans for SME customers.

Airtel has been rushing to introduce new initiatives as it aspires to establish itself as a leader in the technological revolution.

Man Jailed 20 years For Stealing Ksh 780

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 7, 2023

Makindu Magistrates Law Court sentenced a man to 20 years in jail for stealing Ksh780, clothes, and a pair of shoes.

Senior Principal Magistrate Ireri found Boniface Maingi guilty of robbery with violence in an incident that happened on January 18, 2020, at Emali Township in Makueni County.

According to the trial Magistrate, the prosecution led by state prosecutor Catherine Ngari proved the case through testimonies from four witnesses whose evidence corroborated.

The prosecution relied on police reports, eyewitnesses and circumstantial evidence to place Maingi at the scene of crime.

The Court relied on Section 296 (2) of the Penal Code that defines robbery with violence as an incident where the offender is armed with any dangerous or offensive weapon or instrument or is in company with one or more other person or persons, or if, at or immediately before or after the time of the robbery, he wounds, beats, or uses any other personal violence to any person, he shall be liable to imprisonment for life.

Robbery becomes a more serious offense under this provision of the Penal Code if the perpetrator is armed with a weapon, is in the company of others, or uses violence against the victim. The maximum sentence for armed robbery is life in prison.

Nine Suspects Arraigned In Court Over Spread Of Poisonous Sugar

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Cyrus Kimanga

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July 7, 2023

Nine key suspects in the supply of poisonous sugar in Kenya, were today arraigned in court in a consolidated charge sheet where they were charged with putting the lives of millions of Kenyans at risk by consuming the contaminated sugar.

The Nine; Bernard Njinu Njiraini, Joseph Kiago Kaguru, Derrick Njeru Kago, Peter Njoroge Mwangi, Crispus Waithaka Macharia, Mohamed Hassan Ali, Abdi Hirsi Yusuf, Pollyanne Njeri Kamau, and Gilbert Zully Benzi are said to have conspired to steal condemned brown sugar.

According to the charge sheet, on diverse dates between December 2022 and May 2023, the accused persons conspired to steal condemned brown sugar valued at Ksh 20 million intended to be used as a raw material for Industrial Ethanol manufacturing.

Bernard Njinu Njiraini, the managing director Kenya Bureau of Standards was separately charged with misuse of office for allowing conversion of condemned brown sugar into retail sugar.

Joseph Kiago Kaguru the deputy commissioner of Kenya revenue authority was also separately charged with misuse of office to arbitrarily single source a company trading as Vinepack Limited to convert condemned brown sugar into ethanol without competitive bidding as directed by the Attorney General.

All the accused persons have denied the charges and are out on cash bail.

The case will proceed on July 28, 2023, for pretrial.

Raila Launches Mass Signature Drive To Oust President Ruto’s Regime

By

John Mutiso

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July 7, 2023

Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Party, has pledged to gather more than 10 million signatures to launch what he calls a revolution against President William Ruto’s government.

Odinga was speaking at the Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, where he had convened a protest rally to unveil what he had previously described as a nationwide civil disobedience programme aimed at driving the Kenya Kwanza regime out of power.

Despite a police warning that the city centre would be a no-go zone for the demonstrators, the opposition leader only gave a brief speech at Kamukunji before calling on his supporters to march to Central Park in Nairobi.

“Tunaanza hiyo harakati ya kuchukua mamlaka moja kwa moja. Kwanza lazima ijulikane sisi ni wanagpi na ndio maana tunaaza harakati ya kuweka sahihi ili kuonyesha tumechukua hiyo mamlaka chini yetu.”

“Mimi mwenyewe, Raila Amolo Odinga nitaanza hapa hadharani kuweka sahihi na nyinyi nyote mtapata hiyo makaratasi mtaweka masahihi zenu ili kabla ya misho ya wiki ijayo tuwe na zaidi ya sahihi zaidi ya milioni kumi,” he said.

According to the Azimio leader, the mass signature collection will signal their withdrawal of sovereignty from the current government and will be part of an effort to remove President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua from office.

Heavy security, including anti-riot police, has been strategically deployed throughout the city to ensure that the Azimio protesters do not enter the city.

Police officers have been forced to use tear gas canisters to disperse crowds attempting to crowd into major roads.

Meanwhile, similar rallies to the Saba Saba Day have taken place across the country, including Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Machakos, and Nyahururu.

Several Azimio leaders have been deployed to lead grassroots protests.

Raila To Police: Allow Us To Protest Peacefully

By

John Mutiso

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July 7, 2023

Protesters led by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya continue to attempt to access Nairobi CBD as anti-government demos are underway.

Azimio party leader Raila Odinga has called on the police to allow his supporters to demonstrate peacefully.

“Hatutaki fujo,” he said.

He urged supporters to ensure peace as they march to Central Park.

“Do not destroy anybody’s property. Don’t disrupt anyone’s business. Our agenda is to air out frustrations peacefully,” he said.

As at 11:30 AM, the fresh round of anti-government demonstrations had begun in several counties.

A roundup spot check found that many businesses remained closed on Friday morning in Mombasa, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Kisii towns.

In Kisii, protesters locked all entry points to the town.

The few police officers that were deployed had a difficult time controlling the crowd. Prison officers were called in to beef up the operation.

ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya has also led the Azimio team on the collection of signatures against President William Ruto at Mumias bus park where he led protests.

Kimeli, Simiu Dominate To Book 10000m Tickets For Budapest

By

John Mutiso

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July 7, 2023

Commonwealth 5000m silver medalist Nicholas Kimeli and 10000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu have punched tickets to the 2023 World Athletics Championships after fending off stiff competition from seasoned and upcoming athletes in the trials held at Nyayo National Stadium.

While Kimeli has a wild card by virtue of being the reigning 5000m Diamond League champion, Simiu desperately needed to squeeze himself into the top two so as to assure himself of running in the global event for the second time.

It will be interesting to see if Kimeli will double in Budapest following his victory in the 25-lap event as he finished ahead of the rest, punching the air in his signature celebration.

Kimeli timed 27:29.08 with Simiu clocked 27:30.05. Bernard Kibet finished third after crossing the line in 27:33.05.

Reacting to the win, Kimeli said there was no time to celebrate cruising to victory in the trials as there was huge task of plotting how to mine gold and silver in Budapest ahead of them.

“We are okay in endurance but we have to work on our final lap. We have to work on the speed that is required in the final kick. We have good chemistry with Simiu which will play a massive role in delivering medals in Budapest,” he said.

Simiu, who led for the better part of the race echoed Kimeli’s sentiments saying teamwork has proven as the secret to winning medals.

“We are friends with Kimeli as well as neighbours. I told him to work and assist me, separate men, from boys. We know good shapes win races but teamwork delivers medals,” he said.

There was all to watch for as soon as the gun went off as the men on the track exchanged leads hoping to punch the two available tickets and board the plane to Budapest.

National champions Kibiwott Kandie, former World U20 5000m champion Benson Kiplagat, the Japan-based Bernard Kibet and a host of athletes were all in the leading pack in the initial stages of the race.

The gradual injection of the pace claimed a number of contestants among them is Olympian Weldon Korir who faded off 13 minutes into the race, lagging a few metres off the leading pack.

Three athletes had earlier felt the heat of the breathtaking pace, leaving them with no option other than to concentrate on finishing the race in a decent time.

Those at Nyayo were treated to a three-horse race in the closing stages of the race as Kimeli, Simiu and Kibet broke from the rest, bidding to take the two qualification slots.

Experience played in favour of Kimeli and Simiu as the two unleashed a mighty kick in the last bend that claimed Kibet.

Kimeli outsprinted Simiu in the last fifty metres to carry the day with Kibet having to fight another day after settling for the third slot.

Siaya: Police Officer Shoots Wife, Turns Gun on Self

By

John Mutiso

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July 7, 2023

According to reports, a police constable assigned to Bondo Police Station in Siaya County shot himself dead on Friday after a domestic dispute with his wife, whom he allegedly shot and injured before turning the gun on himself.

Bondo Sub-county Police Commander Ibrahim Kosi confirmed the incident, saying that the deceased officer, Michael Kyalo, arrived at work as usual and was given a rifle.

Instead of going to his assigned post, Kyalo went to his house, where the incident occurred.

“This morning, we had an unfortunate incident where one of my officers Michael Kyalo shot himself. He was issued with a rifle to proceed for work but before that he returned to his house where we believe he got into an argument with his wife before shooting her. He then shot himself in the head,” said Kosi.

Kyalo’s wife, who was shot in the buttocks, is being treated at Bondo Sub-County Hospital, while the deceased’s body has been moved to the same facility’s mortuary.

The incident is currently under investigation.

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