El-classico fever hits Spain

By

-

October 24, 2020

The season’s first “El Clasico” will be played Saturday between fierce Spanish rivals, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Barcelona will host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou Stadium but fans will not be allowed in the stands because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Real Madrid arrived Friday in Barcelona without Belgian star Eden Hazard.

Hazard, 29, suffered a muscle injury in late September and is still sidelined.

The former Chelsea player joined Real Madrid in 2019 to be the last season’s Spanish champion.

Real Madrid’s right back Daniel Carvajal will also miss the match because of a medial collateral ligament injury.

Carvajal is expected to return in December.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will be without the services of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the showdown.

The 28-year-old German international sustained a knee injury and may return in late October.

French center back Samuel Umtiti will not play for Barcelona as Dutch manager Ronald Koeman did not include him on the 23-man squad.

But Koeman added left back Jordi Alba to the El Clasico squad.

Alba had a muscle injury earlier this month but is ready to play.

The El Clasico will kick off Saturday at 7PM EAT

Collective push planned to boost East Africa tourism

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 24, 2020

Countries part of East African Community bloc to be marketed as 1 destination to lift virus-hit industry

Tourism companies in the East African Community (EAC) bloc are to market the region as a single tourism destination as part of a recovery plan for the virus-hit industry, officials said on Wednesday.

This will involve developing special tour packages for the region covering airfare, popular attractions, and accommodation at reasonable rates, according to Fred Odek, the outgoing chairperson of the East Africa Tourism Platform (EATP), a grouping of private tourism firms in the region.

The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization founded in 1967 that currently has six partner states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Odek said the plan is aimed at addressing the challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis and taking the tourism industry back to the pre-pandemic level.

Tourism in the region was badly hit, with the sector poised to face 92% slowdown in cash flows as the pandemic brought international travel to a grinding halt, according to a recent report by the East Africa Business Council.

Tourism contributes an average of 8.1% to the EAC bloc’s GDP, 17.2% to export earnings, and accounted for 7.1% of employment in the region, the report said.

Four of the bloc’s members – Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – have earned the World Travel and Tourism Council’s health and safety approval and have been designated as safe travel destinations

Sudan joins other Arab league Nations to recognize Israel as relations are agreed

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 24, 2020

Sudan is to normalize relations with Israel – the latest in a series of Arab League countries to do so.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump has removed Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, unblocking economic aid and investment.

Announcing the normalization, Mr Trump said “at least five more” Arab states wanted a peace deal with Israel.

The Sudan deal comes weeks after similar moves by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.

The two Gulf states became the first in the Middle East to recognise Israel in 26 years. The UAE’s foreign ministry said it welcomed Sudan’s decision, calling it “an important step to boost security and prosperity in the region.”

Sudan and Israel said in a three-way statement with the US that delegations would meet “in the coming weeks”.

“The leaders agreed to the normalization of relations between Sudan and Israel and to end the state of belligerence between their nations,” it said.

Until last month only two Arab nations – Egypt and Jordan – had officially recognised Israel. The two countries, which border Israel, signed peace agreements in 1979 and 1994 respectively, following US mediation.

Mauritania, an African Arab League member, recognized Israel in 1999 but severed ties 10 years later.

The growing number of Arab countries formalizing relations with Israel has been condemned by the Palestinians, who see it as a betrayal of their cause.

Historically, Arab countries conditioned peace talks with Israel on its withdrawal from territories occupied in the 1967 war and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that he rejected the new agreement, saying no-one had the right to speak on behalf of Palestinians. Hamas, which controls Gaza, said it was a “political sin”.

announcement

Shortly after Mr Trump formally moved to remove Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, reporters in Washington were taken to the Oval Office where the president was on the phone to the Sudanese and Israeli leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement was a “dramatic breakthrough for peace” and the start of a “new era”.

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanked Mr Trump for removing his country from the US terrorism list and said the Sudanese government was working “towards international relations that best serve our people”. Sudanese state TV said the “state of aggression” would end.

While on the phone to the two world leaders, Mr Trump said: “Do you think ‘Sleepy Joe’ could have made this deal? Somehow I don’t think so.”

“Sleepy Joe” is his pejorative nickname for his opponent in the upcoming US presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden.

In response, Mr Netanyahu said: “Well, Mr President, one thing I can tell you is, um, uh, we appreciate the help for peace from anyone in America.”

The move is seen as a foreign policy victory for Mr Trump ahead of the 3 November eletion.

Mr Trump’s pro-Israel policies are seen by his advisers as appealing to Christian evangelical voters, a key part of his voter base.

The US president also said “at least five more” Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, are considering normalising relations with Israel.

His aide, Judd Deere, said the Sudan deal was “another major step toward building peace in the Middle East with another nation joining the Abraham Accords”, the term used for the deals signed with the UAE and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, Israel said it would not oppose US sales of high-grade military hardware to the UAE. The US had agreed to consider allowing the UAE to buy F-35 fighter jets after normalising ties with Israel.

Israel had said it needed to maintain a military advantage over other states in the Middle East. However, earlier this week it said the US had agreed to upgrade Israeli military capabilities.

How did we get here?

Sudan had been a foe of Israel since the latter’s founding in 1948.

Famously, it was the site of a declaration against normalisation with Israel in 1967, when the Arab League, meeting in the capital, Khartoum, swore “no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it”.

It fought in wars against Israel in 1948 and 1967, provided a haven for Palestinian guerrilla groups and is suspected of sending Iranian arms to Palestinian militants in Gaza several years ago – prompting alleged Israeli air strikes against it.

The political dynamics changed with the overthrow last year of Sudan’s long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir and his replacement by a transitional civilian-military council.

Sudan’s generals, who wield the real power, have supported establishing relations with Israel as a way to help get US sanctions on Sudan lifted and open the door to badly needed economic aid.

However, the reaction to the deal in Sudan has been mixed.

Some feel Sudan’s leaders gave in to Mr Trump’s proposal under duress, and out of desperation to be removed from the US’s State Sponsors of Terrorism list,

This week, Donald Trump said Sudan would be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism once the US received $335m (£259m) in compensation for attacks on US embassies in Africa.

The attacks in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 were carried out by al-Qaeda while its leader, Osama bin Laden, was living in Sudan.

Sudan has since placed the money in a special escrow holding account for the victims of these attacks.

Western by pass project is now 40 per cent complete

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 24, 2020

According to a Kenya National Highways Authority(KeNHA) brief, the project is on schedule despite the Covid 19 restrictions.
It is expected to be completed by 2022, and is a mega infrastructure legacy project.

According to the project scope and description, it will take 39 month to complete the works. Its a joint Engineering Procurement and Construct venture between the China Exim Bank and the Government of Kenya.

The bypass transverses two sub-counties namely, Kabete and Kiambaa both in Kiambu County. The project scope gives the contractor little room to undertake new works, curtailing the demands of the local community. A spot check by Uzalendo news established that CRBC has relocated more than 90 per cent of the power lines.

However, land acquisition challenges have affected the relocation of mega power lines. The Western Bypass passes several towns such as Gitaru, Wangige, Ndenderu and Ruaka It consists of the construction of dual carriageway with a length of 15.3 kilometres and approximately 17.31 kilometres service roads. Construction of seven (7) Grade Separated interchanges at Gitaru, Lower Kabete, Wangige, Kihara, Ndenderu, Rumenye and Ruaka Construction of Ten (10) overpasses and five (5) underpasses
Construction of box culverts and Storm Water drainage structures at designated areas.

Construction of four (4) footbridges and footpaths, Installation of street lighting, Construction of retaining walls, slope protection, noise barriers and common utility service ducts among other features The Contractor is fully mobilized having established the Main Site Office at Lower Kabete, with a current work force of 1495 project employees comprising of 96% (1439) local personnel and 4% (56) expatriates respectively.

Physical progress at the end of October 2020 was estimated to be about 40 per cent. By the end of October 2020 Kenya power Company Limited had relocated 90 per cent of the power lines in section I, 50 per cent in section II and 20 per cent in section III.

As per the approved construction designs, additional land is required to enable relocation of existing KPLC power lines. The unavailability of land for relocating power mains is the main reason why relocation works were incomplete by end September 2020. Encroachment

The construction of the road has experienced considerable delays in some sections due to encroachments. These includes Wangige town due to roadside trading activities and Ruaka because of encroaching properties. It is expected that in the future, efforts will be made for all the other adjacent road infrastructure to be in tandem with the Nairobi Western Bypass road project standards.

The Nairobi Western Bypass project implementation is limited in scope and schedule, and thus the Contractor has no mandate to attend to the enormous stakeholder requests/demands of other additional works. With this understanding; it means concerted efforts should be made and prioritized by the other respective agencies like KURA, KeRRA, County Government and other partners to pursue the upgrading of the spur roads joining onto the Nairobi Western Bypass as well as to ensure drainage channels are provided for to avoid the perennial flooding in residents properties along the project corridor.

The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has been reviewing stakeholders concerns and will remain focused to ensure the Nairobi Western Bypass Project will minimize inconveniences and maximize on gains for the residents as intended in the project contract specifications.

Bamford Hat-trick as Leeds stop Aston Villa winning way

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 24, 2020

Leeds United ended Aston Villa’s winning start and ruined their chance of going top of the Premier League thanks to a brilliant Patrick Bamford hat-trick.

Villa came into Friday’s game having won their first four games of a league campaign for the first time since 1930-31, but three expert finishes from the Leeds striker prevented the hosts making it a club record five victories on the spin to open their season.

The result lifts Leeds to third – their highest position at the end of a day in the division since September 2002.

It was reward for a relentlessly positive performance from an injury-hit visiting side that should probably have yielded more goals.

In the first-half, Bamford missed with a header and then side-footed wide after being found by Jack Harrison’s low cross at the end of swift counter-attacking move.

Leeds’ record signing Rodrigo was also guilty of spurning good opportunities, slicing one shot wide before seeing an effort blocked by Ezri Konsa.

Dean Smith’s Villa team, who had put seven goals past champions Liverpool in their previous home game, saw a Jack Grealish shot cleared off the line by Luke Ayling after the ball had fallen to the midfielder from Trezeguet’s miscued shot.

Villa’s captain also went close with a saved effort from close range after he had shown great tenacity and skill to carry the ball from within his own half.

But Bamford had the decisive say, finding the corner of the net from just a few yards out after Emiliano Martinez had palmed out Rodrigo’s low shot.

If his first was simple, his second and third were stunning – a rising effort into the top corner from 20 yards after he was found by Mateusz Klich on 67 minutes and a dug out, curling finish following Helder Costa’s low ball seven minutes later.

Leeds are now two points and a place behind Villa, who remain second, a point behind leaders Everton

Kudos to KeNHA; Read this touching story of a friend of mine:

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 24, 2020

This day I just want to say Asante to people who helped me as a young boy chasing education find my way to ” Real Kenya ” as we referred to anything past Isiolo. While many of you would take moving from point A to B for granted, for many of us growing up in Marsabit it was quite a herculean task. With horrible road and without public Transport system even if you had the money its useless. You can get stranded in Isolo for even 10 days.

When you see my folks from Marsabit laud the new road, please understand us.

You can only relate if you travelled on the back of a lorry like this and many times with cows and goats.

This was my means of Transport my entire school days all the way to A Levels including my entire Utalii College study. My Utalii buddies when you used to see me smiling and happy you also elected me your Secretary General deep inside struggle was real getting to Nbi.

I salute the bus companies that tried to offer us this service but will give up due to terrible state of the road esp the Sunkar family. They tried and tried and tried.

Today I want to thank all the people who were kind to me and allowed me to ride on their lorry more often than not without asking for a dime.

Mohammed Chute , my Bro you always helped me . Galatum Aboles Gudah.

Big Bro Bali Salim. You helped on many occasions . May Allah grant you Jannatul Firdoush.

Soke Gudah ( you helped me on many occasions when stranded days on end trying to find means to go back to school . You never ever left me when you found me on the road trying to hike a lift)

Then Shore and Galle . Two brothers who always helped me all the time. I need to reach out to them . Been a while , what a gem two brothers.

Late Kenyatta bro to Mohamed Chute who lost his life through banditry on this same road. May Allah Grant you Jannatul Firdoush.

Late Godana Elisha ( who lost his life in a truck accident on this same road before it was fixed.) May your soul RIP Bro.

Late Sarbo you never ever declined to help me

Adher Abdulahi Dahir with his fuel tanker , he will always find me a place in the front cabin and that was indeed an upgrade to business class. May Allah Grant You Janatul Firdoush.

Thank you Abdalla Sheikh your family and Dad who was DC on several occasions you guys allowed me to ride in your landrover and that was quite a special treat and I will drop off at Sagana to take a matatu that will take me to Embu via Kerugoya and Kutus. (All this as a 13 , 14, 15 year old boy ) . May Allah Grant Mzee Ali Sheikh Jaanatul Firdoush.

My fellow Kenyans when you reach Isiolo we quip sasa tumefika Kenya.

To retired President Mwai Kibaki we cant thank you enough ..you hold a special place in the heart of my people in Marsabit. Hon Raila Odinga you also played your role in getting this done and of course current President Uhuru who made sure that the project continued past Merille all the way to Moyale. We were worried with exit of Kibaki what would happen …many may say it’s no big deal but for my people the worry was a big deal since we have seen so many project abandoned midstream.

To my people , please look after your road. Dont overload your trucks and destroy this road. Only us who know the pain.

To my fellow Kenyans we seek no sympathy and most of us have moved on but it is important you get to know these things .

Mohammed Hersi
Mombasa

Cultivate a strong saving culture to avoid being misused, Uhuru tells Boda Boda riders

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 23, 2020

Uhuru Addresses members of the Bodaboda Safety Association of Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta has advised Boda Boda operators to develop a strong saving culture so as to avoid being misused by selfish individuals.

The Head of State cautioned the riders against allowing themselves to be misused by others for personal gains and challenged them to work hard knowing that it is through hardwork that they can prosper.

“If you don’t respect yourself and depend on handouts you will end up being people who are usable and disposable,” the President said.

To win the trust of investors and the masses, and to succeed in their business, the President advised the operators to embrace a culture of integrity and dignity.

“Your own personal integrity, the way you handle yourself, the way you handle the resources and assets of others will create an ability of those that you lead to trust you.

“The more they trust you, the more they will save, the more chances that they will become together with yourselves successful entrepreneurs in this country who are able to shape and transform our economy through hard work,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State spoke Friday at Pumwani Social Hall in Majengo, Nairobi County where he presided over the launch of the Boda Boda Investment Scheme.

The scheme is aimed at giving opportunity to the operators to save and invest for their future by making a daily contribution of Kshs 50. Members of the scheme will benefit from discounted rates from various service providers.

For instance, the riders will enjoy a Shs 3 and Shs 10 discount on a litre of super petrol and a kilogram of cooking gas respectively from Rubis Energy which has a network of 310 petrol stations spread across the country.

The President also spoke about the challenges facing SACCO’s in the country pointing out that lack of trust is biggest undoing for most of the self-help arrangements.

“The truth is there has been a problem, especially with SACCO’s. A person contributes every day but at the end the leader runs away with the money. And it is someone’s money which they have worked for it and they trusted you as their leader,” the President said.

To make the new outfit sustainable, the Head of State advised the leadership of the new Boda Boda Investment Scheme to adhere to the leadership principles of dignity and trustworthiness.

“To be a leader you have to sometimes make difficult decisions which are not popular. You have to consistently endeavour to build trust between yourself as a leader and those that you lead. Because if there’s no trust why should somebody put their money with you?” the President posed.

On the importance of the boda boda sector to the Kenyan economy, the President said the service is a “silent economic miracle” and termed the sector as a sleeping economic giant because of the huge amounts of money handled by the operators on a daily basis.

“With an average daily earning of 700 shillings a day, the sector’s annual earnings are estimated at 357 billion shillings. Every single day, boda boda operators collect 980 million shillings,” the President noted.

He said the boda boda sector had grown into a multibillion industry within a very short duration adding that, if well managed, it had the potential to make even more money.

To illustrate his point, the President said the 1.4 million known riders in the country collect an average of Kshs 180 million daily, which amounts to Kshs 6.8 billion in a week and Kshs 27 billion every month.

Despite the impressive collections, the Head of State regretted that boda boda operators continue to suffer economic hardships because of the disorganization in the sector.

President Kenyatta therefore lauded the formation of the investment scheme and pledged continued Government support to the sector which he applauded as a key mover of the Kenyan economy.

President Kenyatta advises boda boda operators to embrace a saving culture

By

Dan Ojumah

-

October 23, 2020

President Uhuru Kenyatta has advised boda boda operators to develop a strong saving culture so as to avoid being misused by selfish individuals.