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Chelsea midfielder Victor Moses has completed a season-long loan move to Russian side Spartak Moscow. Spartak said the loan includes the option to buy.
The 29-year-old Nigeria international had spells on loan with Fenerbahce in Turkey and and Italian giants Inter Milan last season.
He has not played for Chelsea in more than two years and this is his sixth spell away from Stamford Bridge after he arrived in 2012
The former FA chief was speaking on behalf of other stakeholders after the Registrar called for the polls to be conducted according to the law
Sam Nyamweya has termed the planned Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections as ‘mischievous’ and an ‘illegality’.
Speaking on behalf of allied stakeholders, the former FKF boss echoed the Sports Registrar Rose Wasike’s latest demands made to the federation before holding the national polls on Saturday.
Wasike made clear demands especially on the conduct of the county elections in September and said FKF must follow the laid down procedures before going on to carry its national polls.
“The law of the land must be respected. We must conform with the Sports Act and we have all along been saying this [FKF elections] has been mischievous and you can now see,” Nyamweya saidon Thursday.
“Anybody participating in this elections should consider himself participating in illegality and this is a waste of time.”
Among other things that the Sports Registrar raised is the manner of the submission of names of regional elected officials.
“It should be noted that election returns for FKF county/branch elections have not been submitted to my office by the returning officer yet the returning officer and observers needed to do so within seven days from the date the elections were held,” Wasike’s letter to FKF read on Thursday.
“Further, your submission of the newly elected officials was submitted one day after the deadline for submission which ended on 11th October 2020 as it needed to be within 21 days from the date the elections were held.”
Wasike further claimed the new office bearers could have been elected without getting due clearance.
“I have also noted that the notification of the newly elected office bearers was not done in the prescribed form ‘R’ set out in the first schedule of the sports registrar regulations as required under paragraph 20(4) of the sports registrar regulations,” the letter continued.
“You, however, submitted the list of officials who were elected without copies of their clearance certificates hence meaning that they vied for positions without the requisite clearance by the above government agencies and therefore they were in violation of Paragraph 20 (2) (f) of the sports registrar regulations.”
Nyamweya did not go for clearance to challenge Nick Mwendwa in the upcoming elections whose fate may now lie uncertain over the new demands.
“In view of the above, it would have been prudent for FKF not to proceed with the planned elections to allow them to put their house in order and conform to the national laws of the country and Fifa Statutes before proceeding with the elections,” the letter concluded.
FKF has attempted to hold the mandatory elections twice but they were stayed by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) over concerns that were raised by interested parties.
US President Donald Trump was evasive on Thursday night when pressed if he took a COVID-19 test before his first debate with Democrat Joe Biden as the two men squared off again, in a way, after their scuttled second showdown was replaced by duelling televised town halls several channels apart.
Biden, appearing nearly 1,930 kilometres (1,200 miles) away, denounced the White House’s handling of the virus that has killed more than 217,000 Americans, declaring that it was at fault for closing a pandemic response office established by the Obama administration.
Trump, less than two weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19, dodged directly answering whether he took a test on the day of the September 29 debate, only saying: “Possibly I did, possibly I didn’t”. Debate rules required that each candidate, using the honour system, had tested negative prior to the Cleveland event, but Trump spoke in circles when asked when he last tested negative.
It was his positive test two days later that created Thursday’s odd spectacle, which deprived most viewers of a simultaneous look at the candidates just 19 days before election day. The moment seemed fitting for a race unlike any other, as yet another campaign ritual was changed by the pandemic that has rewritten the norms of society.
Contrasting personalities
The presidential rivals took questions in different cities on different broadcast networks: Trump on NBC from Miami, Biden on ABC from Philadelphia. Trump backed out of plans for the presidential face-off originally scheduled for the evening after debate organisers said it would be held virtually following Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
The town halls offered a different format for the two candidates to present themselves to voters, after the pair held a chaotic and combative first debate late last month.
The difference in the men’s tone was immediate and striking.
Trump was Trump. He was loud and argumentative, fighting with the host, Savannah Guthrie, refusing to outright condemn the QAnon conspiracy group, testily declaring he would denounce white supremacy, but complaining about the questioning – and eventually saying for the first time that he would honour the results of a fair election, but only after casting an extraordinary amount of doubt on the likelihood of it being fair.
“And then they talk: ’Will you accept a peaceful transfer’,” Trump said. “And the answer is, ‘Yes, I will.’ But I want it to be an honest election, and so does everybody else.”
Biden meanwhile, took a far different, softer, approach with audience questions. The former vice president, who struggled with a stutter, stuttered slightly at the start of the show and at one point squeezed his eyes shut and slowed down his response to clearly enunciate his words. At times his answers droned on.
Dressed in a blue suit and holding a white cloth mask in one hand, the Democratic nominee also brought a small card of notes on stage and referred to it while promising to roll back tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
He said doing so would save “let me see … $92 billion”.
The two men are still scheduled to occupy the same space for a debate for a second and final time next week in Nashville. But the cancellation of Thursday’s debate still reverberated for both campaigns.
Trump and Biden battled on September 29 in Cleveland in an event defined both by the president’s constant hectoring of his opponent, which sent his support lower, and by its place on the calendar: just two days before Trump announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Trump was hospitalised for three days and while he later convalesced at the White House the debate commission moved to make their second debate remote — which the president immediately rejected.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump appeared at a rally in North Carolina, underscoring the challenge confronting him in the final weeks as multiple polls show him trailing Biden nationally and in many swing states. Trump has spent much of the week on the defence, campaigning in states he won in 2016, such as North Carolina and Iowa, where he campaigned on Wednesday.
But despite the polling, Trump predicted a “big, beautiful red wave” on election night, before referencing another one of his main challenges: a cash disadvantage to the Biden campaign, which just announced raising a record–breaking $383m in September.
The former two-weight UFC champion, 32, announced his retirement in June – for the third time in four years.
But he has been openly negotiating with UFC promoter Dana White about a return to the octagon and said in a tweet that the bout will be on 23 January.
“I accept, Jan 23rd is on!” he said. “My goal is to see this fight take place in Cowboy stadium. Proper style!”
McGregor said he wants the fight place to take place at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium stadium because of his relationship with owner Jerry Jones.
“Jerry Jones is a friend and the stadium can hold our crowd. I will be ready for Texas and Texas will be ready for my fans,” he added.
Poirier, 31, responded to McGregor’s tweet, saying: “Close to home for me on my birthday weekend! What weight?”
McGregor also suggested he would then fight boxer Manny Pacquiao.
The Irishman said last month he would come out of retirement for a boxing fight with 41-year-old Pacquiao in the Middle East.
McGregor’s last fight was a win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January, which gave him a 22-4 record in mixed martial arts.
By Henry Kimoli
The World Health Organization(WHO) has appointed two distinguished leaders to co-chair an Independent Commission on sexual abuse and exploitation during the response to the tenth Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The commission will be co-chaired by Her Excellency Aïchatou Mindaoudou, former minister of foreign affairs and of social development of Niger, who has held senior United Nations posts in Côte d’Ivoire and in Darfur. She will be joined by co-chair Julienne Lusenge of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an internationally recognized human rights activist and advocate for survivors of sexual violence in conflict.
The role of the Independent Commission will be to swiftly establish the facts, identify and support survivors, ensure that any ongoing abuse has stopped, and hold perpetrators to account. It will comprise up to seven members, including the co-chairs, with expertise in sexual exploitation and abuse, emergency response, and investigations.
The co-chairs will choose the other members of the Commission, which will be supported by a Secretariat based at WHO.
To support the Independent Commission’s work, the Director-General has decided to use an open process to hire an independent and external organization with experience in conducting similar inquiries.
The tenth epidemic of Ebola Virus Disease in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri – the world’s second largest Ebola outbreak on record – was declared over on 25 June 2020, after persisting for nearly two years in an active conflict zone, and causing 2,300 deaths.
WHO has a zero tolerance policy with regard to sexual exploitation and abuse. ” We reiterate our strong commitment to preventing and protecting against sexual exploitation and abuse in all our operations the around the world”, the statement says
By Henry Kimoli
In just six months, the world’s largest randomized control trial on COVID-19 therapeutics has generated conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of repurposed drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.
Interim results from the Solidarity Therapeutics Trial, coordinated by the World Health Organization, indicate that remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon regimens appeared to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality or the in-hospital course of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients.
The study, which spans more than 30 countries, looked at the effects of these treatments on overall mortality, initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay in hospitalized patients. Other uses of the drugs, for example in treatment of patients in the community or for prevention, would have to be examined using different trials.
The progress achieved by the Solidarity Therapeutics Trial shows that large international trials are possible, even during a pandemic, and offer the promise of quickly and reliably answering critical public health questions concerning therapeutics.
The results of the trial are under review for publication in a medical journal and have been uploaded.
The global platform of the Solidarity Trial is ready to rapidly evaluate promising new treatment options, with nearly 500 hospitals open as trial sites.
Newer antiviral drugs, immunomodulators and anti-SARS COV-2 monoclonal antibodies are now being considered for evaluation.
Sports Registrar calls for postponement of FKF polls ‘until they put house in order’. Uncertainty surrounds the Football Kenya (FKF) elections set for Saturday after the Sports Registrar Rose Wasike called for its postponement over glaring anomalies during the county and branch exercises held on September 19.
In a letter seen by Uzalendo News, that was addressed to FKF Chief Executive Officer Barry Otieno and signed by Wasike and also copied to Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed and Deputy Sports Commissioner officer, strongly indicated that the national polls might not be held.
In an incriminating letter addressed to Otieno, a large chunk of the irregularities is the federation’s failure to comply with the 2013 Sports Act including registration of branches. Apparently, most of the counties that participated in the county elections were not registered with the Registrar pointing it as much, besides FKF giving a wrong date of the conclusion of the exercise.
“Most of the counties that participated in the elections are said to have not been registered by my office by 19th September, 2020 therefore flouting section 46 (1) of the Sports Act (revised) edition which states that a body shall not operate as a sports organization unless its registered under the Act,” read the letter.
The Registrar’s letter further said FKF used illegal entities in the process following complaints from various football county sports organizations. “I have received complaints through letters and calls that FKF used unregistered entities that it has never registered.
Further, some of the officials that appeared in various counties as having vied for positions were nominated in their absence,” she said. The federation might find itself in more trouble after failing to indicate the Premier League clubs that were set to vote in the national elections tomorrow.
“Your letter failed to indicate the Premier League and Super League clubs or any other sport that will vote on 17th October. I’m therefore not able to check their legal status,” Wasike said. FKF has also been faulted by the Registrar for failing to attach integrity certificates for candidates nominated to vie for various positions, their details as well as county sports Clubs that will vote together with their names of voters.
“In view of the above, It would have been prudent for the federation not to proceed with the planned elections to allow it to put its house in order and conform to the national laws of the country and Fifa statutes before proceeding with the elections,” said the Registrar.
Deputy President William Ruto has reiterated that he does not fear proponents of the referendum push to expand the Executive through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
In his Nyamira tour, the Deputy President was firm on his campaign to put the interests of ordinary citizens forward, trashing the rush to have a referrendum.
“They are pushing for a referrendum so that they can have a post for a prime Minister. We want to change the narrative and start talking about ordinary citizens. If they tell us they want leadership, we will tell them we want to address the citizens first” Ruto claimed.
He was speaking at a fundraiser for boda boda operators organized on Sironga Grounds in West Mugirango Constituency, Nyamira County.
The meeting that was scheduled to take place last week, was interefered with by heavily armed police officers.
However, the Deputy president did not blame the youth for the spikes of violence in Muranga and Kisii counties, he urged them to steer clear from divisive politics
“Tell those who want to misuse you to engage in violence to allow their children and wives to take the lead on such matters but not you,” Dr Ruto concluded.
Kenya has so far confirmed 805 deaths from the coronavirus after eight people died in the last 24 hours – By Gerald Gekara.
In a series of updates posted on the Ministry of Health twitter, 602 people have tested positive for the virus, from a sample size of 5,618. Total cases now at 43,143.
From the cases, 585 are Kenyans and 17 are foreigners. 407 are males and 195 females. The youngest is a one-year old child while the oldest is 93.
Nairobi registered the most cases with (133), Nakuru (47), Uasin Gishu (47), Kilifi (46), Kisumu (46), Mombasa (44), Kericho (32), Kakamega (28), Turkana (25), Kisii (21), Machakos (20), Laikipia (13), Nyandarua (12), Bungoma (12), Kiambu (11), Nandi (10), while Busia (7), and Kajiado had (7) cases each.
Other areas; Baringo (6), Garissa (6), West Pokot (5), Nyamira (5), Makueni (3), while Nyeri, Embu, Siaya, Bomet, and Vihiga recorded (2) cases each.
Lamu, Wajir, Samburu, Narok, Murang’a and Meru each reported (1) patient of the virus.
80 people recovered from the disease, 51 from the Home-Based Care Program, while 29 have been discharged from various hospitals. Total recoveries now stand at 31,508.
Sadly, 8 patients have succumbed to the disease bringing the fatality to 805. Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) envisions building a globally competitive metropolis and supports the development of an interconnected, sustainable dynamic economy. – By Meshack Makau.
NMS which came into existence in March 18 supports the growth of the Nairobi Metropolitan Region into a world class African metropolis through the design and implementation of critical urban services including transport, storm water management, street lighting and disaster management, sanitation and solid waste management.
Residents in Nairobi and its environs praised the progress works by NMS boss Major General Mohammed Badi and his team.
“This is what we want. Service to the people and we are happy that generali is blessing us with these projects.” said Mark Mwangi.
NMS has so far drilled over 52 boreholes within Nairobi metropolitan area.
Mukuru Kwa Ruben has also seen transformations with NMS upgrading roads, drilling boreholes.
Sarah, a resident said the water has enabled her to prepare clean meals at a cheaper cost.
“Earlier residents would buy 20-water-litter jerrican for Ksh20 but the custom has changed and good news is, water is free. Thats why Coronavirus is not here.” he added.
The Nairobi CBD has not been left behind. Movements for pedestrians and cyclists is now easy because NMS has constructed non-motorized paths.
Moi Avenue road is currently being upgraded under the supervision of city county askaris, in conjunction with NMS officers.
Motorists plying the busy city center expressed their pleasure with NMS performance and are hopeful the once experienced potholes will be a thing of the past.
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