TI-CHA

The remarkable gift presented by October 5, 2013 is the 19th World Teachers Day.
Undoutedly, it's a great day to teachers and all of us who have passed through them.

On a wider scale, I wish to appreciate teachers who have been teaching me at different stages of my life. I do acknowledge ua efforts that have significantly acquainted me with valuable knowledge to rise (and satisfy) my thirst for the finest things on Earth.

Similarly, feel appreciated for educating young energetic intellectuals, whom our country Kenya direly needs.

Happy World Teachers Day.

TI-CHA

The remarkable gift presented by October 5, 2013 is the 19th World Teachers Day.
Undoutedly, it's a great day to teachers and all of us who have passed through them.

On a wider scale, I wish to appreciate teachers who have been teaching me at different stages of my life. I do acknowledge ua efforts that have significantly acquainted me with valuable knowledge to rise (and satisfy) my thirst for the finest things on Earth.

Similarly, feel appreciated for educating young energetic intellectuals, whom our country Kenya direly needs.

Happy World Teachers Day.

TI-CHA

The remarkable gift presented by October 5, 2013 is the 19th World Teachers Day.
Undoutedly, it's a great day to teachers and all of us who have passed through them.

On a wider scale, I wish to appreciate teachers who have been teaching me at different stages of my life. I do acknowledge ua efforts that have significantly acquainted me with valuable knowledge to rise (and satisfy) my thirst for the finest things on Earth.

Similarly, feel appreciated for educating young energetic intellectuals, whom our country Kenya direly needs.

Happy World Teachers Day.

MUTUTHO BOUNCES BACK

John Michael Njenga Mutotho has a reason to smile following hisappointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta to chair the NationalAuthority Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA).

His anti-alcohol campaigns, which made him the subject of hate among many beer lovers and bar owners, started way back in December 1974 when he first tasted the intoxicant. Word has it that Mututho's hard feelings for alcohol developed after ii claimed the life of his elder brother in '07, one Peter Njoroge.

Let's keep an eye as Mututho seeks to prove his mattle.

KIDERO'S DEAFENING SLAP

"You should know people," so said Justice Baraza. I thought this quote would be of great importance to Rachel Shebesh alias 'Manzi wa Nairobi'.

Yawa Shebesh, that's not how to approach Mr. Kidero. How dare you try extinguish fire using fire. It's not possible. Or could you have been mistaken by Kidero's apparent gentleness? Maybe.

Where as violence is considered the last resort to any conflict, in my opinion, one is justified 2 instill some sense of discipline in someone with behaviours that portray lack of this essential human value.

An elite of Kidero's cadre cannot just slap a woman of Shebesh's standing like any other hunter in the village. Shebesh must have gone overboard as she has always done in the past. The difference, however, is that this time her character got the best remedy. A blow to Rachael's prestige and standing......

Kidero must have redeemed his image in some quotas. Most CORD fanatics had in the recent past associated Dr. Kidero with the failing Jubilee gvt. But as things stand nw, Kidero has taken the say 'KUSEMA NA KUTENDA' in yet another level upwards. Indeed time for action is finally with us. But do I say..

By the way, it's high time I got a copy of the Nairobian. This magazine has waht i've always wanted to read. Ubaya sasa ushuru ya asilimia kumi na sita, yaani the 16% V.A.T that has seen its rise 2
40bob. But the brighter side of the story is that Dr.Kidero has found a new way of dealing with parliamentarians such as Shebesh who have taken their legislative functions for granted.

The Shebesh I know isn't a City Council worker. As a matter of fact, such menial jobs do not exist in her vocabulary.

Wakenya, jamaneni... When will you stop being used!!

GUILTY

A student has been sentenced to one yr in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing a DVD machine valued at 4,200 shilings in Kisumu.

In his plea agreement before Senior Resident Magistrate Jared Sala, Stephen Omondi admitted that on July 26, 2013, he broke into Dorothy Achieng's house in Kisumu's Obunga Estate and fled with the device.

The court heard that Omondi stole the LG DVD machine and installed it in his brother's house where he used it to watch movies and other videos.

The prosecution had initially sought a medical Age Assessment carried out on the suspect after he claimed to be a minor aged 17yrs old.
However, the report presented in court revealed that the accused was more than 18yrs of age.

Justice Sala ruled that the accused was competent to stand trial
before sending him to 1 yr in prison.

Appreciating Friendship

Henry (L) and Kevin Kimtai (R)

Time has indeed swung by so fast I looked up and behold August had arrived well and indeed. I fell particularly good about this month for the reason I had a feeling deep down that something good was going to happen. I have been getting goosebumps just thinking about it. So yes where have you been? So many friends  and acquaintances have asked, I have seen friends' texts and messages, tweets and inboxes asking for my blog posts... I do apologize for the delay but here we are..

So many decisions have been made, so many changes in my life all I can say is that I am a better person and I give thanks to God. I have learnt so many things that need to be shared with friends. I was just about to write on a totally different topic but then I stumbled upon something today that I thought was absolutely profound to share.
particularly good about this month for the reason I have a feeling deep down something good is going to happen, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. So yes where have you been? so many have asked, i have seen friend's texts and messages, tweets and in-boxes asking for the blog post... I do apologize for the delay but here we are..

How many times have we seen in our lives, a pattern a cycle of sorts. We go through the same things the in the classroom of life, you do not move to the next class simply because you are persistent and have failed so many times, you only move when you have learnt.
It's amazing that we often miss the point, we often fail to take notice of those who really care for us, those who are anchors of our lives and leave the best to go for the rest, that we fail to realize that we ourselves are a priority not an option! I tell you what once we look into the mirror and like the person on the other side and realize that they deserve the best, our perspective on life will change.

The people in our lives are diamonds. Let's cherish them because they are there for a reason, but no matter the situation the person or the event, please do not miss the point. Live, learn, love...there is power in you not to make a difference but to be the difference..
same hurts and all and then we seemingly recover, only for it to recur. We get our heart broken again, we relapse into that addiction, we go back to that friend we know is bad for us, we go back to that relationship we know is hurting us yet we remain convinced that it will work out. We continue with a habit we know is wrong. Think about it then realize that maybe all this time we have been missing the point. Someone once told me that

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The Kenyan Shepherd

The Kenyan Shepherd

It is a dream until you stop dreaming, wake up and get to action. So in the past few days, I decided to stop dreaming. I woke up and got to action. It is almost surreal. When I first shared my plans with a couple of friends, I thought they would actually laugh in my face!No, they all seem to think that I have pretty solid business plans. Their confidence gave me courage to proceed.

For God to bless the work of my hands and to walk in his will even as I approach this venture is crucial for me. So I keep looking out for signs, keep listening to hear His voice. I'm so glad I have a shepherd that is fail proof.

There is not day I'm not thankful! So as I cautiously proceed with my ambitions and great stuff for business, prayers will be appreciated. I can't wait for this to come to fruition. I might actually make my first million by age 35. Now that will be something. Yet, I have so many more things that depend on the success of the project that I have in mind- orphanages to be funded, schools to be built and even TV programs to be written and directed. I'm not contented with just the success of one. One who is successful must help elevate his/her community.

Success must be shared otherwise it will turn into loneliness.

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Kenya Needs a Parliamentary System of Governance

A parliamentary system of governance is one whereby the Executive derives its legitimacy from the Legislature. In a few parliamentary republics such as South Africa and Botswana, the head of government is also head of state, but is elected by and is answerable to the legislature. 

Unlike these nations, Kenya has embraced the presidential system of governance since it got its independence in 1963. This system, however, has been compromised by electoral malpractices and irregularities in the history of our nationhood. The 2007 general elections which was marred with grand-scale electoral malpractices marked the climax of this trend of impunity that almost brought the country to its knees.
To date, party politics have been characterized by money factor which has always had a corrosive influence on national politics. The so-called tyranny of numbers as witnessed on the March 4th general elections best suits this category. Such elements have a direct implication on the outcome of the elections. unfortunately, the implications are all negative in the spirit of democracy.

As a country which has since independence fought for democracy, Kenya needs to change it's system of governance to pave way for the parliamentary system. Time has come for the electorate to practice mature politics and elect competent leaders in the National Assembly who will effectively carry out their legislative functions- including the President's election. The current National Assembly is simply a representation of mediocre persons who cannot distinguish matters of national interests from their own. It's against this backdrop that the electorate need to eke countries like the USA and bring on board persons of impeccable personality who will play a crucial role in the governance of this country.

Unless we are conservatists, which in my opinion we aren't, we need to champion the proposed amendment that will ultimately lead to a referendum lest we fall off the slippery slope.

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I’ll run for top seat in 2017, says Raila

Adapted from the Daily Nation

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday broke his silence over the 2017 elections and declared he would take a fourth stab at the presidency.

The Cord leader assured supporters he would be on the ballot paper, contrary to perceptions by critics he is already out of active politics.

Mr Odinga, who spoke at the family cemetery of freedom fighter Ojijo Oteko at Kanjira in Rachuonyo North, was urged by residents to stay in politics.

Earlier during a fund-raiser at Adhiro Secondary School, which was renamed Ojijo Oteko Memorial High School, Siaya Senator James Orengo maintained that Mr Odinga was not going to abandon active politics.

“Why are they preoccupied with Raila’s age now when they are aware of the ages the late Kenyatta and retired presidents Moi and Kibaki were when they took office?” he said.

For the second day in a row, Mr Orengo and MPs Gladys Wanga, John Mbadi, Silvance Osele and George Oner maintained that Cord won the March 4 polls.

The lawmakers reiterated that they had lost faith in the polls team and urged all commissioners to pack up and leave before it is too late.

“Let the current IEBC commissioners pack up and go home because we will do everything to see them leave. If we managed to send the late Samwel Kivuitu and his team home, who are the current commissioners?” said Mr Orengo. The leaders once again predicted the collapse of the Jubilee government within two years.

Mr Odinga urged Kenyans not to allow the current government to frustrate devolution, saying it is their only hope.

He urged the government to put infrastructure in place before rolling out the primary schools laptop project.

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100 DAYS

I believe the worst thing about Jubilee government is that the expectations on it are very low. They were elected as a result of ethnic supremacy battles, hot air politics of the young vs the old, money factor, Railaphobia, Luophobia and the biggest reason-ICC.
The last time there was a regime change(NARC,2002) there was great expectation on what was to happen. But such expectations lead to disappointments. By late 2003, discontentment was very high.

This is the good thing about Jubilee. Kenyans voted for them not because of what they could do but for smaller olitical reasons like those enumerated above. Thus there won't be disappointment. Expect a reelection unless Kenya deteriorates to a true failed state

NOKIA ASHA 501

While maintaining its plum as a leading global mobile manufacturer,
Nokia this month unveiled the first of a new family of Asha smartphones with the introduction of Nokia Asha 501. The device is the
first one of its kind to run on the new Asha platform, which is designed to make the Nokia experience faster and more responsive.

The Nokia Asha 501 makes high-end design and quality accessible to more people. The device comes in six striking colours that compliment itsdesign: bright green, bright yellow, cyan, white, black and red. Red is the signature colour of the Nokia Asha 501.

The device has taken the design elements from Nokia Lumia 920 and built
over to get a premium experience in budget friendly hands. Moreover, you get a pair of red earphones along with the Asha 501 unlike the default black-coloured earphones that come with most phones.

A big pulling point of the new Asha 501 is its refurnished features. It's 1200 mAh battery promises 17 hours of talk-time and 48 hours of standby. Asha 501 has a durable, removable casing and a scratch-resistant glass display. The glass display features a 3-inch capacitative duol touchsceen with a 320 by 240 pixel avGA resolution.The compact Asha 501 has a single back button and a 3.2 Mega Pixels rear end camera.

Nokia Asha 501 comes in single or EasySwap dual SIM models with WiFi and bluetooth weighing only 98g. This offers ultimate portability, perfect for users upgrading from feature phones.

Unlike the previous versions of Asha series, Asha 501 enable users to access everything they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and Fastlane. Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature such as Phone Settings. The new Fastlane, which is the default home screen, stores and presents recently accessed contacts, social networks and Apps. It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving users a glimpse of their past, present and future activity. It helps users in multi-tasking thereby providing easy access to favorite features.

Applications available in the Nokia Asha 501 include Nokia Xpress browser, Twitter, Foursquare, Line and Nokia Here maps which feature places of interest and public transport. The pre-loaded Nokia Xpress browser compresses internet data by up to 90%. This makes mobile browsing faster and more affordable. In addition, the user has a choice of forty free EA games downloadable from Nokia Store.

On the memory front, the device comes bundled with a 4GB memory card in a slot that supports up to 32GB storage capacity.

The new Asha 501 gives users the best possible mobile experiences at an affordable price. It's expected to be available in the country by June at a retail price of Ksh. 8,000.

OCCUPYING PARLIAMENT

Civil society groups unleashed squealling pigs at the entrance of parliament buildings in protest of MPs' demands for hefty pay. Their noisy but peaceful protest begun at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park as they marched through the parliament buildings.

At parliament buildings, the protesters offloaded fat, well-fed pigs and poured blood in what they said was to end the MPs' demands. In response, police officers dispersed them with teargas canisters and sprayed them with water canons.

However, despite the teargas canisters being fired at them, the protesters did not relent. They engaged the security officers in running battles along the Harambee avenue as severals roads remained 'no go zones'. The police formed a ring around parliament buildings, some on horsebacks, others with dogs and others in plain clothes.
Thirty pigs, however, could be seen hovering outside parliament.

For more stories: www.henrymidega.blogspot.com

THE LEOPARDS

It is said that in football, everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team. I bet this has been the experience of AFC Leopards since the beginning of Tusker Primier League season.

The Leopards have had the worst starts in the league. Sometime back, they dreamnt fire, winning all matches and dwarfing all teams that came their way. Last weekend's win against Ulinzi stars aside, things will never be the same again as their current form has made it hard to convince any fan that upcoming matches are going to be any better.

Coach Eymael is currently inducing a new kind of play at AFC Leopards. The antics involve quick passes and movement of the ball, quick reflections and decision making. Leopards, however, have one of the worst concentration records in the league. You look at how they fell to Gor the other day and wonder what really transpired. Having failed to utilise the numerous chances in the entire game, Leopards crumbled like the Berlin wall.

As I reflect over last week's 1-0 Leopard's win against Ulinzi stars, I would say that victory is portrayed in continuous performance, not a one-time show of prowess.

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Spurs Held Up in a Draw at Stamford Bridge

It was what it was. Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur was an exercise in the best and worst traits of the English Premier League.

The two London rivals gave close to their all in attempting to strengthen their claim for the first four league positions.

The hosts, Chelsea, looked seemed the strongest side from the opening whistle. After 10 minutes, the Blues led their London rivals thanks to Oscar's header at the far post from Juan Mata's corner kick.

Upfront, Spur's Emmanuel Adebayor shone brightly with his all round work ethic and marvellous attack that restored level terms in the 26th minute with a spectacular goal (of own effort) as keeper Petr Cech watched on Helplessly.

Ramires put Chelsea back in the driver's seat with a 39th minute score and it came as though the Blues woul cruise to a comfortable win. A late fightback, however, delivered an enterteining final twenty minutes of football that culminated in Sigurdsson's equaliser after collecting a back-heeled pass from Emmanuel Adebayor.

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The Digital Kenya

With the increase of the number of Members of National Assembly, inclusion of the posts of governors, senators women reps in the constitution it’s obvious the budgetary allocation to the salary of the civil servant must now increase, and within the past weeks, Kenyans have witnessed the cold war between our elected leaders and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission over the issue of salary increment as well as the delivery of cash meant for the devolution.
 With this, it baffles me where the government might start generating more cash to cater for the purchase of pupils laptops.

One thing Jubilee did not tell is how will the syllabus be co-designed to fit this new technology and do we have enough skilled manpower? For the fruits of ICT to be realized, there is need to tackle the challenge of ICT-illiterate teachers by equipping them with the requisite skills.
 This raises the question of whether funds have been allocated for such training.

Kenya is working hard to meet the MDGs more specifically, eradication of poverty, diseases and ignorance within the marginalized communities within various regions like the North Eastern, Eastern and part of Rift Valley. When will these goals be achieved? Therefore, why should the government not consider provision of the basic needs before the laptops?
 These are communities that languish in poverty.

The government MUST start by putting measures in place to ensure that there is equity in allocation of resources for all regions before embarking on the laptop agenda.
Politics notwithstanding, the promise comes with a risk of how safe our children will be in possession of the laptops and how secure are the same laptops? Or maybe they shall be kept in school. Who knows? We’d borrow a page from Rwanda.

Dear Kenyans, before we get overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation in wait for the laptops for our class one pupils come January next year, we need solutions to the above issues.
If such can be handled on time then, we all are longing for next year to see our children get solar powered laptops

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Real Events That Led to Mutula Kilonzo's Death

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Source: Daily Nation

 
According to a housekeeper who found Mutula’s body in his bedroom,
the politician arrived at the farmhouse about 2pm and appeared okay. The late Senator retreated to his bedroom after having his favourite meal of githeri and roast meat at 7pm.

A worker who did not wish to be named said his boss was in a jovial mood when he arrived home driving himself: “He parked the vehicle at the parking bay and walked into the house after greeting us.”

Sources said the late Mutula usually showed up for his breakfast between 9.30 and 10.30 whenever he is on the farm. But on Saturday he did not, prompting his long-serving cook to go and wake him up.
The aged cook said he knocked on his boss’ door several times without reply. He then turned on the door’s handle and went in: “He appeared deeply asleep with a lot of foam coming from his mouth,” he said adding that he immediately called for the farm manager.

The manager then called Mutula’s son Mutula Kilonzo Junior and a brother in law, Chris Musau, who were the first to arrive at the scene. Police officers led by Machakos Deputy OCPD Wambugu and DCIO Kavete Kuloba visited the homestead after being informed by the late minister’s family.

He was the only one in the main house, as the rest of the family was said to be in his Muthaiga home, in Nairobi. According to the police, the deceased had vomited on his bathroom sink, a pointer to the fact that he woke up at some point to vomit and went back to sleep.

A leading Nairobi based medical practitioner who did not want to be named explained that The cause of death is difficult to determine without a physical examination.
“Right now the best way to find out the cause is to wait for postmortem examination. There are many things which need to be evaluated before commenting on the cause”. said the doctor
“But I can say that the house help’s narration that the Hon Senator was
frothing in the mouth. This happens mostly in poisoning and drug over dosages because of the piled up secretions in the airway and aspiration. The prior vomiting could have led to dehydration” the doctor added.

“A Post Mortem report will be able to confirm the cause of his death” the doctor concluded. Pathologists led by Chief Government pathologist, Dr Johansen Oduor performed preliminary examination on the body before removing and taking it to Nairobi’s Lee Funeral Home.


Kindly comment with an "RIP" to salute this legend.

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Blues Extend their win at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea kept up its push for a Champions League spot by beating Swansea 2-0 on Sunday afternoon with both goals coming shortly before the halftime break.

Oscar put Chelsea ahead at Stamford Bridge in the 44th minute and Frank Lampard then doubled the lead from the penalty spot a minute later for his 201st goal for the club.
 Lampard began the game on the bench but came on because of a thigh injury for Ramires and scored his 15th goal of the season.


The hosts' opener came after John Terry intercepted a long ball forward before striding purposefully into midfield. He fed Lampard, who in turn found Oscar, and the Brazil forward drilled a shot across goal inside the far post.

Chelsea doubled their advantage before the interval after Juan Mata combined with Hazard before being pulled down by Leon Britton.
Lampard fired the ball low into the right corner and immediately Stamford Bridge erupted into chants of "sign him up". The midfielder's contract expires after this season, and he has not been offered a new deal.

The last season's European champions were unable to add to their total in the second half as Rafael Benitez's side moved into third place in the Premier League, one point ahead of Arsenal and three clear of rival Tottenham in the battle for a place in the top four. Swansea extended its winless run to six games.

Chelsea's next Premier League clash comes at Manchester United before the London derby with Spurs on May 8 which could prove decisive in the Champions League qualifying race.

For now they remain on course to achieve their two remaining targets this term and they will seek to confirm their place in the Europa League final in Thursday's semifinal second leg with Basel.


Other Stories
Reds held in a 1-1 Draw At Emirates


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Reds Held in a 1-1 Draw at Emirates

Van Persie was making his first appearance back at Arsenal since last year's £24 million transfer to United and he was given a hostile reception from home supporters.

After Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a second-minute lead, the Dutch forward silenced the boo-boys when he fired home from the penalty spot after being fouled by Bacary Sagna in the 44th minute.

As the second half began, Tomas Rosicky's curling effort with the outside of his boot went close to restoring Arsenal's lead but United responded, with Van Persie's low cross almost finding Wayne Rooney inside the six-yard box.

Shortly after the hour mark, and with United becoming the better team, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger introduced star man Jack Wilshere in place of Rosicky among his second-half substitutes.

But other than a curler from Santi Cazorla, which had to be saved by David De Gea, United remained the greater threat on the counter-attack and substitute Ryan Giggs saw a late effort deflected just wide as the game ended in a draw.

With the title already wrapped up, champions Manchester United were happy to settle for a draw, but the result was a setback for Arsenal, who dropped down to fourth place following Chelsea's 2-0 win over Swansea.



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Blues Extend their win at Stamford Bridge

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Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo is Dead

Shock engulfed the entire country on learning the sudden death of the newly elected Makueni Senator as messages of condolence started trickling in.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said it was sad that the country had lost a great man in legal profession and a committed leader especially in reforming Kenya.
“It is with deep sorrow that I have learnt of the untimely death of my friend and former cabinet colleague Senator Mutula Kilonzo of Makueni,” Mudavadi said.

“Senator Mutula was a consummate lawyer who was revered at the bar for his forceful legal arguments and mentoring of young legal minds. This is a person to whom convictions and logic were second nature. The country, Senate and the legal profession has lost a consummate policy maker and thinker,” he asserted.

Mutula had built an image of a man who always took strong grounds despite criticisms. He will be remembered for tirelessly convincing Members of Parliament to pass the bill seeking to establish a local tribunal when he served in the Justice Ministry. His name goes down in the history books for his important role in delivering a new Constitution.
 He will also be remembered for his unique stand when he served as Minister for Education where he proposed the 'above the knee skirts' for school girls.

The renowned lawyer was among the key leaders in the Coalition of Reforms and Democracy (CORD) party which was led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Born in Mbooni Constituency in 1948, the Senior Counsel was the first to serve as a minister in the Nairobi Metropolitan Development ministry.
Prior to his election as a senator, he served as Mbooni MP in the 10th Parliament.

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Shackles of Doom Synopsis

Shackles of doom is play that depicts a film shoot set in the land of the Kanas, who refer to themselves as the TRUE KANAS, their land is oil rich but they are ignorant of the treasure that lies beneath their soil….a delegation arrives to their land and offer a beautiful lady – Wamaitha, to be married off to Lopush who is “Kana” in exchange of land where they settle. Wamaitha is 3 weeks pregnant when they come and Kimani who is purported to be her guardian is responsible, she is married off against her will and her community with great determination and strong will construct “Mafuta Oil Refinery Company”.

During appointing of human resource, job opportunities are given with biasness and nepotism! The people of Kana demand for equal opportunities but are dismissed; only one person is considered from the marginalised community but as a watchman. On the eve of Lopush and Wamaitha’s wedding, Kimani who is the CEO of the refinery company has an order to deliver 600 barrels of oil and dictates that everybody works on the night shift including those who were on duty during daytime. Lopush is not spared either because of his wedding that is coming up at the break of dawn; he is forced to be on duty as a security officer.

 Kimani invades Lopush’s house demanding for intimacy from Wamaitha, of which she declines and they are caught up in the argument by Lopush who has absconded his duty in rebellion. Kimani hides in the children’s bedroom but unfortunately Lopush finds him, Wamaitha insists that the daughter can bare her witness that she did not fornicate. As a matter of bad fortune she finds the daughter dead, still and lifeless when she goes to wake her up. Kimani is accused of her demise. A technical hitch occurs in the Mafuta Oil Refinery Company and there is a fire breakout at about the same time, angry villagers are summoned and just when they want to deal with the accused murderer (Kimani), his wife calls and says they are trapped in an inferno and Lopush has the keys to all the exits.

The whole village rush to help but they find a tragic scene, everyone has been consumed by the inferno, Wamaitha breaks news that her dead daughter was Kimani’s child.

The film director calls for cut and signifies end of their shooting, one member of the cast however retorts that the film has no credible resolution and cannot compete favourably, she suggests that all the communities be equally represented in employment opportunities for good relations, harmony and peaceful coexistence. Cameras were rolling in the meantime and the director terms the resolution to be credible.

(Shackles of Doom staged by Butere Girls is a play written by award winning play-wright Cleophas Malalah, the Kakamega MCA for Mariakalo Ward. The play won Zonal, Divisional, District, Regional levels but banned from being staged at the National Drama Festivals set for Mombasa this month on claims that play is hate speech)

Source: Group Kenya...

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Politically Correct?

Forget the Ngilus and the Balalas and open your eyes:

Former MD of Kenya-Re, Grace Wakhungu happens to be Moody Awori’s sister. Grace’s son, Paul Wakhungu played a pivotal role in the YK’92 campaigns. Grace is married in Bungoma. Grace herself has also been a key stalwart of KANU both pre and post KANU era. Moody was a KANU stalwart and played pivotal roles in the Jubilee campaigns. What a clever and a nice way to payback by fishing Judy Wakhungu who is a daughter to Grace and younger sister to Paul.

Second there is Rachel Omamo, daughter of the late Odongo “Kaliech” Omamo. A lot of symbolism draws in this case. When Jaramogi Odinga fell out with Jomo Kenyatta, Odong Omamo was brought in to checkmate him. With the demise of Jomo, Kaliech checkmated the Odinga’s until his demise. 

Rachel’s father also played critical roles in Uhuru’s 2002 campaigns. With the demise of Kaliech, her daughter rose to become the first Lady chair of Law Society of Kenya (LSK). Former President Kibaki was later to reward her with several Ambassadorial posts, most probably because of close ties with the Kenyattas.

It is also said that during Jomo’s days the Kenyattas used to fly to Trans Nzioa to visit the Wamalwas, and this is the reason why the two scions of Jomo Kenyatta and Senator William Wamalwa, have a close affinity.

There are also the close ties between Musalia Mudavadi and Uhuru Kenyatta, the two drinking buddies of Panafric have never severed their friendship.


KANU rules for 100 days!




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Tenable?

Tenability is simply the ability to be justified in a fair way or rational way.
The constitution gives the president a maximum of 22 and a minimum of 14 cabinet members and this is quite a rationale size. However, what surrounds the ability to justify the rationality of the cabinet size?

Former president Kibaki had a cabinet of 44 members which was considered quite a chunk. Some ministries were split to create room for the coalition partners; the ODM side. This size of cabinet made government very redundant as ministers overlapped each other in duties while some simply lacked a clear operating niche. What resulted out of this kind of government were continuous squabbles, slow implementation of policies, reduced development rate and so much more towards the negative end.

With the incoming of a new president, he promised a leaner government that is focused on delivering the promises and pledges they made. Slightly over ten days after being sworn in, the president and his deputy have released their desired structure of government which is made up of 18 cabinet slots. What has been witnessed is mainly merging of most of the ministries in order to create a smooth operating platform.

An 18 member cabinet is quite small and one is left to ask whether all areas of concern will be governed smoothly. Some ministries have been changed in terms of names while others have been completely restructured, while a few have been newly formed so as to facilitate efficient delivery.

Most importantly, the president has ensured that issues that affect the country most are put under his office and the office of the deputy president which is actually a new step in ensuring that government serves the people in the best way possible.

Personally, I am pleased that the president and his deputy have considered the expenditure of running government. In his speech during the opening of the 11th parliament, he emphasized the need to cut down on expenditure by government and channel the funds towards development projects. He has indeed walked the talk by trimming the size of his management team and he is without a doubt going further to stamp the SRC’s decision to cut down the legislators’ salaries.

However, the most important aspect to consider when analyzing whether the new cabinet is tenable is the ability of the ministries to touch on all agendas laid down and whether merit will be considered. Well, the latter is yet to be known but the former is clearly visible.

The cabinet formations have been structured to ensure that all the agendas that the president laid down during his maiden speech in parliament and on his swearing in will be attended to. He has gone to the extent of forming a ministry of devolution that will allow the national government to interact at an official capacity with the county governments.

What is left is to wait and see if merit will be considered so as to inject professionalism in the government affairs. The president and his deputy will have to consider a number of things alongside merit and professionalism:  ethnic diversity, gender equality, consideration of persons with disabilities and lastly, for political survival, their political friends who have helped them secure the right to govern this country.


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Spurs Hit City

Tottenham struck three times in the space of seven second-half minutes as they overturned a 1-0 deficit to defeat Manchester City 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Trailing to Samir Nasri's early goal, Tottenham with 15 minutes remaining flicked the switch and blasted their way to a vital victory which keeps them in the hunt for Champions League football next season as they are now just one point behind Chelsea in fourth spot.

The defeat for City means if Manchester United collect three points from Aston Villa at Old Trafford tonight, they will clinch their 20th league title. 

 

After bitter North London rivals Arsenal opened up a five-point gap, it was imperative Tottenham made a positive start to the match. However, they endured the opposite as City silenced the home crowd by going a goal in front with only five minutes on the clock.

Carlos Tevez was the architect down by the corner flag. Seemingly pinned in with nowhere to go, the Argentinian played in James Milner, who cut the ball back to Nasri in the penalty area to allow the Frenchman to divert his well-controlled shot into the back of the net.
City's counter-attack play was putting the pressure on Spurs, and Andre Villas-Boas' men tried to conjure up an immediate equaliser.
 However, City were value for their lead as Tottenham could not mount a challenge on Hart, with England's No. 1 having a relatively comfortable first half.

City were in control, but Tottenham raised their game and battled in the second period. Clint Dempsey netted the equaliser in the 75th minute, sliding in from close range after being picked out from a wonderful cross with the outside of his foot from Gareth Bale, with City captain Vincent Kompany caught out.

The lacklustre Emmanuel Adebayor was replaced by Jermain Defoe, and the substitute made an immediate impact as he cut inside onto his right foot and fired his shot beyond the outstretched Joe Hart.

Bale would stamp his mark on the tie late on by completing the Spurs blitz, neatly lifting the ball over Hart in Lionel Messi style to seal the victory.


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The Too Ambitious Kenya

During the campaigns, nothing was left to chance as politicians promised heaven on earth once elected. From an improved economy to free laptops and free maternal health care, the elected government made huge promises that in reality might raise huge questions.



Recently, during the opening of the 11th parliament, the president made a maiden speech where he promised to implement the manifesto in the fullest meaning of the term. However, one is left to wonder, with the current state of affairs, how much will be achieved? Will the whole manifesto be realized?

The minority side of the legislature has sworn to put the government to task so as to ensure nothing they promised is left undelivered. This is already a tight grip on the neck of the government since the next campaigns might bring about a fatal crush if it fails to honor its word.

Within 100 days, the president has promised to roll out the free laptop program and ensure all expectant mothers access free maternal health care. Well, with the current situation, there are pupils and students around the country who lack books and uniform to enable them access education like their counterparts in the cities. More so, there are students who have no classrooms and food to keep them focused in class. With all these loopholes and shortcomings, how well will the laptops help these less fortunate class one pupils?

Around the country, we have health centers that are not operational while some lack enough staff. In addition, some are far away from citizens who are in need of their services. How well will understaffed medical officers and practitioners who in the first place are underpaid and not motivated perform free services with little or no government funding? Will they have to bill the government later as the Director of Public Health was heard saying? Such a system will automatically bring about fraud and corruption as doctors, nurses and clinical officers who are underpaid will overbill the government in order to cover for their poor pay.

Already the rainy season is coming to a close, fertilizer is yet to reach the farmers. It is rather obvious that middle men might land their hands on these bags of fertilizer and ensure they make a huge gain from the transactions. The president promised to stamp out corruption but with middle men landing the bags of fertilizers in their custody, corruption is bound to flourish at alarming rates. Not only will we see corruption flourish in agriculture sector but also in the procurement sector.

The president has promised to set aside 30% of government contracts for the youths. How efficient will government officials be to ensure that the youths actually get these contracts? It is obvious that they will gather their cronies and buddies and register them as youth organizations and societies so as to land these lucrative contracts. With the current crop of officials in government departments, I don’t see transparency being achieved.

His Excellency has good plans that smell brilliance; however, he has officers who have served in the Moi and Kibaki administrations without being prosecuted for corruption allegations and charges. How then will corruption be swept off the government corridors?

We have children without basic education facilities while some cannot access schools easily due to  distance; how will laptops aid them?

Insecurity is rife and on the rise; will these laptops survive a year in the hands of these vulnerable pupils?

The manifesto is achievable but the president has to start from basics to ensure the huge plans do not come crushing and cost him a cool second term.

The opposition is on his neck and he needs to play his cards very safe since the country is watching keenly.


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Tunnel bust-up as Arsenal face Euro fight after Everton Draw

Arsenal 0 Everton 0. No goals, a point each and the result neither club wanted. Nor will either club be particularly pleased to wake up this morning to discover the main talking point from Tuesday night's disappointing encounter was the half-time tunnel bust-up between Jack Wilshere and Everton's Kevin Mirallas.
 

 

It is believed that it was Wilshere who threw the punch, the final act of a bad-tempered first-half in which two Everton players were booked for wild challenges. One of the men cautioned was Darron Gibson and the defender was a lucky man to make it to half-time after a second reckless challenge went unpunished by the referee.

Asked afterwards if Gibson should have been dismissed, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger replied: "Yes. I don't know why [he was not], honestly."
That brought a tart response from Everton manager David Moyes, who rubbished suggestions his side had come to the Emirates with the aim of roughing up Arsenal.

Both Moyes and Wenger weren't privy to what unfolded in the tunnel but the FA might want to take a closer look at the fracas after a week in which hooliganism has once more blighted the English game.

In the meantime Arsenal must regroup ahead of Saturday's visit to Fulham. Though the draw moves them two points clear of Chelsea and Tottenham, the Gunners have now played two more matches than the Blues and one more than their bitter north London rivals. But with Spurs not playing until Sunday (against Manchester City), Arsenal could increase the pressure with a win over Fulham.

Tottenham not only have City still to play, but they must travel to Stamford Bridge on 8 May, a game that could well decide which two clubs join Manchester United and the Sky Blues in next season's Champions League. Everton are still in with a shout despite last night's draw but they have only five games remaining to make up the four-point deficit on Arsenal.

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Healthcare Under Attack

The right to health is understood as the right to have access to medical services. While this legal aspect is applicable at all times, including during armed conflicts, many of today's armed conflict have been characterised by a breach of the International Hummanitarian Law.

The wounds inflicted by armed conflicts on heathcare facilities, healthcare providers and those receiving the care are the affronts to every impulse that inspired the development of International Humanitarian Law.

The development of International Humanitarian law, in particular through the Geneva Conventions, was based on moral and humanitarian concerns that seek to limit the barbarity of war.

The law protects life and health. It alleviates human suffering in situations of armed conflict. Those protected are those who do not participate in the fighting:- civilians, medics, and aid workers, and those who nolonger fight: wounded, sick or shipwrecked troops or prisoners of war.

Several articles in the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols protect medical structures, medical personnel and those requiring medical care. In addition, the principle of medical neutrality ensures protection of medical personnel, patients, facilities, and transport from attack or interference, unhidered access to medical care and treatment; the humane treatment of all civilians, and indiscrimatory treatment of the injured and the sick.

Contemporary armed conflicts often turn civilians, health facilities and health workers into delibarate targets. The conflicts impede the delivery of healthcare services that are essential for a healthy living.

Through displacement and trauma, armed conflictsincrease the need for health services. At the same time, the services are distrupted by the conflict. Destroying health facilities, for instance, undermines the very foundation of human life.

People die in large numbers not necessarily because they are direct victims of a roadside bomb or a shooting, but because an ambulance fails to get there in time, healthcare workers are prevented from doing their work, hospitals destroyed or simply because the environment is too dangerous and hostile for effective healthcare to be delivered.

In most cases, health workers carryout their life saving work in extremely difficult situations.

A major impact of armed conflicts is the loss of health workers. These medical care providers flee to neighbouring countries as refugees or become displaced in their own countries. In countries like Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities have griviously violated the law of armed conflict by targeting and killing medical personnel.

Volunteers and first-aid providers have in the last two years been killed in Syria despite wearing uniforms clearly marked with the neutral sign of a red crystal. These deaths confirm the painful truth that healthcare is often the first victim during armed conflicts.

Violence, both real and threatened, against healthcare personnel is the most serious and least recognised humanitarian issue facing the world today. However, protections do exist for the provision of medical care in times of conflict. The Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols set out the right of the wounded and sick, combatants and civilians alike, to be protected during armed conflicts and to receive timely medical treatment. This means that deliberate assaults on healthcare personnel violate the International Humanitarian Law.

Anytime a physician is kidnapped, attacked or killed, the provision of healthcare is adversely affected. Children become vulnerable to mulnutrition and infections such as pneumonia, malaria, tetanus and meningitis. This is occassioned by the absence of working medical personnel. This therefore exposes them to great danger, including death.

In addition, influx of weapons that are used to terrorise, injure and kill civilians creates even more danger for healthcare providers who cannot protect themselves. They are not only unprotected from conflict but also specifically and explicitly targeted. An example of this illegal situation is in Mogadishu, Somalia.

In the recent years, healthcare workers in Mogadishu have been subjected to harassment, arrest, imprisonment and even death for complying with their ethical duty of providing heathcare- irrespective of the political, religious or other affiliation and allegence of the patients. Worse still, Syrian prisons contain tens of doctors, nurses and intensive care specialists who have been detained while performing their respective duties.

This is a clear violation of the 1997 Additional Protocil I, which requires that all the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, to whichever party they belong, should be respected and protected. In all circumstances, they must be treated humanely and receive the medical care and attention of their condition.

For the right to health to be protected, health services must function normally and populations allowed to access them. However, in violation of the International humanitarian Law, most of today's armed conflicts attack health facilities (hospitals, dispensaries and clinics).

Moreover, the different violations of physical and mental integrity of persons: torture, ill-treatment, sexual violence, mutilations and attacks on the social integrity of populations (ethnic purges, forced resettlement and breaking up of families) all have dramatic consequences on health. Girls and women are particularly at risk since they are less likely to be capacitated to protect themselves from violence; being that combatants use rape as a tool of violence.

Apart from the psychological effects that accompany rape, the victims are exposed to serious infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and heavy blood loss which in the absence of blood transfusion or basic surgery, can be life threatening. There is also a high prevalance of septic abortion following self or non-professional attempts to end the pregnancies.

Such medical complications can only be treated in medical strucures such as hospitals, and apart from the fact that hospitals may have been incapacitated, there is also the great risk of travelling to access them for treatment. The absence of functional health structures therefore results to numerous maternal deaths and cause permanent disabilities from untreated complications.

Whilst primary healthcare can do much to prevent such eyesores through treatment, inevitably there will be a percentage who, when ill, will require hospitalisation. This is particularly the case for most armed conflicts, where patients are hopitalised due to their complex and extreme medical conditions.

Damage on hospitals, clinics and dispensaries therefore perpetuates human suffering which contravenes the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 supplemented by their additional protocols. In particular, the law provides for the protection of hospitals, medical apparatus and instruments used exclusively in caring for the sick.

Human beings and especially the female population depend on these medical elements for their well-being. Health education, care, counselling and treatment are particularly crucial for those of them who have been raped or forced into prostitution.

Another typical violation, more often committed with impunity, is the unlawful killing of patients receiving medical care. Patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have previously been dragged from their hospital beds and killed.

Such actions are generalised violence directed towards the patients to achieve a political goal: ethnic cleansing, government destabilisation, control or forced movement of populations, or demoralisation of a population sympathetic to an enemy.

The warring factions attack the wounded and sick individuals, threaten, intimidate and unlawfully use them for exacerbating conflicts. In effect,this phenomenon on health patients results in the use of patients as human shields.

The International Humanitarian Law prohibits causing great suffering or serious injuries to the wounded and the sick. As a matter of fact, parties of the conflict must protect these people from pillage and ill-treatment. This means that patients posses a significant risk as compared to other people in armed conlicts. Warring factions are therefore required by law to demostrate humanity in the fullest sense of the term. They are obliged to keep the humanist vision of a world which dignity of an enemy deserves as much respect as that of a friend or indeed as one's own dignity.

The rule applying to ambulances or other ground vehicles are also captured in the International Humanitarian Law. Like patients and medical personnel, they “may in no circumstances be attacked,” but must be, “respected and protected,” in line with articles 35 and 19 of the first Geneva Convention. However, today's armed conlicts belong to a family where the Geneva Conventions are honoured more in breach than in observance. Even when medical transports are clearlly marked with a red cross and are obviously and purely carrying casualties and medical personnel, they are often shot at and burned down. Attack on such vehicles present far-reaching secondary and knock-on effects that deny the civilian population the much needed medical care.

Besides poor infrastructure and other logistical obstacles that have obstructed the delivery of humanitarian aid, restriction on nationwide movement has even complicated trasportation of medical supplies. In blatant disregard to the law of war, conflicting parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo for example, have literally turned away ambulances marked by internationally recognised symbols at their check points.

Heavy fighting and lack of security has also cast a dark shadow on the delivery of drugs and pharumacetical equipment to hospitals. In Ivory Coast, medical structures have closed down as a result of lack of medical supplies occassioned by restriction of movements and transport.

The obstruction of medical supplies also compromises the quality of heathservices. Health personnel lose experience through non-practice of skills occassioned by lack of equipment, medicine and phaumacetical supplies. In this case, an armed conflict becomes a humanitarian catastrophe, where needs outstrip the aid that is being provided.

Article 55(1) of the 1949 Geneva Convention (IV) prescribes that the party occupying a territory has a duty of ensuring supply of relief and medical supplies. It incurs a definite obligation to maintain at a reasonable level the material conditions under which the population of the occupied territory lives. Furthermore, the belligerent party, at good will, could distribute medical supplies without undue difficulty. Yet, it persues a deliberate policy of denying supplies to those inneed. This is categorised as a war crime persuant to article 8(b) (xxv) of 1998 Rome Statute of the International Crimminal Court (ICC). This, among others, are just but a tip of the ice-berg on the challenges facing the delivery of healthcare during armed conflicts.

The expectation that countries or non-state factions involved in a conflict will adhere to the existing medical ethics, in line with the International Hummanitarian Law (IHL), has proved to be inoperable. The Geneva conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols of 1977 contain statements designed to protect healthcare. However, these conventions have been violated with impunity in most armed conflicts. Recognising the challenges involved in providing robust information, regular and systematic documentation of attacks on healthcare is lacking.

International Crimminal justice institutions have potential power, but do not operate in the time frame necessary to protect healthcare during armed conflict. Peace-keeping forces have been themselves involved in grand-scale violation and abuse of healthcare. As a matter of fact, they have been inadequately mandated with regard to how far they can act in protecting civilian healthcare.

Unless the world wakes up to this reality, many innocent lives will forever be lost.

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Man City Truimphs

It was well past 5.55pm on Sunday when finally this FA Cup semi-final burst into life and, although it was rather late in the day for Chelsea to finally stake a claim to the match, it was well worth the wait.

Before then, Roberto Mancini's team had done just about everything apart from score the goals their dominance of the match warranted. With just more than 25 minutes remaining, the score at 2-1 and the pitch draining the life out of the legs of two tired teams it eventually became a Cup tie that might go either way.

As Chelsea threw themselves at their opposition with the kind of intensity they had failed to muster for the previous hour, they might well have scored the equaliser. Some old animosities rose to the surface, not least when Sergio Aguero lunged two-footed at David Luiz. Fernando Torres exacted retribution on Aguero. Suddenly it felt like something was at stake.

Overrun in the first half it took far too long for Chelsea to spark. They eventually scored within seconds of Torres coming on as substitute when he and Demba Ba chased a long ball from Luiz and the Senegalese striker improvised brilliantly to volley past Costel Pantilimon. After that, inspired largely by Eden Hazard, they might have scored the equaliser as City fell back into their own half and invited the pressure.

It had been a very different story in the first half when it felt like Chelsea had given up the ghost and City's one regret was that they came in at half-time only a goal ahead.

In many respects this game reflected why both City and Chelsea, with their well-resourced squads and experienced managers, have been unable to challenge Manchester United consistently over the course of the season. At times both were capable of exhilarating football, particularly City, it should be said. But both also looked somewhat vulnerable when they felt the tide turn against them.

The first goal came on 35 minutes, from Samir Nasri but it should have been a lot sooner. The Frenchman exchanged passes with Aguero and when the ball came back to him it fell kindly from Cesar Azpilicueta's challenge for him to shoot past Petr Cech. At that point Kompany had been obliged to clear Hazard's high-bouncing volley off the line but little else.

City should have had another before half-time when the ball fell to Aguero and then James Milner in the area. Then two minutes into the new half the Argentine striker headed the ball beautifully back over Cech from Gareth Barry's cross.

Yaya Touré was dominant in midfield at that stage. It looked like a case of how many goals City would score.

The goal from Ba changed the mood entirely. Soon after, Hazard cut the ball back to Ba and he had his shot saved by Pantilimon, Mancini's goalkeeper of choice so far in the FA Cup.

Sensing danger, Mancini brought off Carlos Tevez, pushed Touré up into the position behind Aguero and brought on Javi Garcia to shore up the centre of midfield. Ultimately it worked but not before City seemed to concede the momentum to their opponents. Touré, charging forward on 80 minutes should have passed to Pablo Zabaleta, in a better position to score.
Aguero's lunge at Luiz was a red-card offence if the referee had a proper view of it but, as ever, it is unlikely to be the subject of further action. Foy will surely say that he saw the incident, although not its full severity, which will preclude any FA action. The usual row will ensue for a few days and then football will, as ever, move on.

Even in those closing moments of the game, Benitez resisted any temptation he might have had to bring on Frank Lampard. John Terry also spent the afternoon watching from the bench. The pair have, of course, had to get accustomed to their new position over the last few months but, even so, these are times of change.

Those two are Wembley and FA Cup stalwarts; indeed Terry is the veteran of five Chelsea FA Cup triumphs dating back 13 years. But the team is changing and Benitez is organising according to the exacting demands that they have faced. Now out the FA Cup, their potential week from hell of four games in eight days between 5 May and 12 May only has three games.

There is no time to rest with Fulham awaiting at Craven Cottage on Wednesday and the chance to reclaim third place in the Premier League from Arsenal. As for City, their season holds out the possibility of a trophy against Wigan in 26 days time. They have at last hit some form and, while too late to reclaim the league, it is better late than never....

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Appointments

In a democracy, citizens are presented by political parties with programs and potential implementers of the same. The vote for a particular party led by particular individuals translates into a vote for a certain vision of the society.



In the last 50 years of our nationhood, merit has not been a criteria for appointing Cabinet Ministers and Permanent Secretaries- now Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries respectively. Instead, perceived or anticipated political dependability of a person by the government of the day has been the criterion.

Today's public institutions are a product of the past constitutional regimes which shaped and influenced appointments in public service. Merit was gradually abandoned and replaced with political correctness.

If merit is applied in the appointment of public officers- cabinet and principal secretaries inclusive, the country will- to use football metaphor- play with its "first eleven". In practice, President Uhuru Kenyatta should consider the best qualified men and women for the various departments, irrespective of their political affiliation.

As he mulls over his choices, Kenyans will want to know the selection formula for these senior state officers. he has to take into account the reconstruction function of the Kenyan Constitution which is to nurture and protect the well-being of the individual, the family, communities and the nation through a government based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law.

The inauguration of President Kenyatta therefore sets the stage for transformation of the executive and legislative arms of government.. Kenyans will be watching........


"What good is a candle without a match?"

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Henry Midega Dieto: Stage set For Messi Vs Christiano

Henry Midega Dieto: Stage set For Messi Vs Christiano

Stage set For Messi Vs Christiano

WEMBLEY could host the biggest 'El Clasico' game in history if Barcelona and Real Madrid meet in the final of this year's Champions League. The two Spanish giants avoided each other in today's semi-final draw and could now end up playing each other on 25 May.


But there is also the possibility of an all-German final after Barcelona were pitted against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were paired with Borussia Dortmund.

An all-Spanish final would, however, have more than one plot-line. The draw also paves the way for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to stage the latest instalment in their dispute of the title of the world's best player - as well as adding considerable value to the tickets.

However, there is a long way to go before the prospect of a Clasico final becomes a reality. Dortmund are the only unbeaten team left in this year's competition and beat Real Madrid in the group stages. Bayern are last year's beaten finalists.

The semi-final clash between Barcelona and Bayern adds another layer of intrigue as it pits Pep Guardiola's old team, Barca, against the side he will manage next season.

As for Real Madrid,many suggest that their manager Jose Mourinho will be happiest with the draw.
With their league hopes over, the Champions League has become Los Blancos top priority this season. Of all the three sides they could have faced, they will perhaps consider they have drawn the weakest of the sides that remain.

Dortmund have a daunting task, but are looking forward to it. "We are happy with this draw - not because we think it's an easy one, but because the Champions League is an international competition and we wanted an international game rather than a national tie against Bayern," said general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke. · 

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The Mountain Before UhuRuto

The economy has just survived an election fever and everything is slowly regaining momentum to surge forward.

It is a very blissful scenario in almost all sectors of the economy especially the financial side.

With a new government in place, there are certain decisions that have to be made in terms of appointments. A new cabinet has to be formulated and this entails appointing persons to run government affairs, envoys must be send to foreign stations to represent the nation internationally and directors for various parastatals and government agencies need to be selected. All these persons will form a team that will make policies and implement them so as to drive the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has the task of ensuring that he has a good government that meets its targets and objectives.

However, on the other hand, he has the political obligations of rewarding his close allies.

On another scale, he wants to play safe by keeping a close battalion of his confidants, not forgetting the constitutional order that requires every assembly constituted by the constitution to have no more than 2/3 of either gender.

His Excellency the president and his deputy, Hon. Ruto find themselves in a fix. They want a lean cabinet but at the same time one that is legally constituted.

On the other hand, they also want to reward their buddies but keep their confidants close to them; what option do they have?

This is a hurdle of unprecedented magnitudes because citing all those angles he does not forget the importance of having persons who will enable him secure a second term simply because of their ethics, professionalism and proper adherence to laws. Well there is no way all these attributes can be found in a single individual.

People might have one or two at most three of all the attributes being searched for by the president and yet the size they intend to manage is quite small.

Clearly, the president has no clear cut options but to play a safe juggle and ensure that he does not touch the political live wire by not considering diversity in ethnicity of the appointments.

That is what might engineer his efforts to foster cohesion and harmony within communities. He must be seen to play fair when appointing people to various offices because this is not only expected by Kenyans but demanded by the constitution.

Well, the president is the custodian of the law as far as his duties are concerned.

Clearly looking at the state of affairs in president Uhuru and deputy president Ruto’s hands, they have a difficult case.

They ought to be very careful in their moves over the next few days lest they start fumbling and facing challenges from commissions and civil society that are ready to file suits anytime of any day.

This situation calls for wise thinking, probably even a visit to religious leaders and special advisers to seek word on how to carry out affairs.

They can even go further to approach the former presidents just to be sure of the possible outcome of their engagements.

Well, with this mountain of a problem, they still seem to be adapting well to other functions like hosting foreign dignitaries and conducting meetings.

They have also done well in trying to keep up with the pace familiarizing with staff and premises.

Let us hope to see more work getting done as days move on since we are literally behind schedule in almost all our agenda and targets.

As Kenyans, let us all maintain the stability and continued smooth recovery from an election period that slowed down activities.