UHURU PRIORITISE COMPLETION OF EX-ISTING PROJECTS IN 2020/21 FINACIAL YEARPresident Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the executive to focus on completing existing development projects for the fi nancial year 2020/ 2021 which kicked off on July 1

90 PATIENTS DISCHARGED, TOTAL RE-COVERIES 2504The total number of tests conducted since the disease was fi rst reported in the country now stands at 193,455.

Page 9Page 2

The United States is ‘looking at’ banning TikTok and other Chinese social media apps, Pompeo says

SWEET COMPLIMENTS FOR GIRLS THAT WILL MELT HER HEART

P. 11. All compliments that you send to the woman can help you to win it.

P. 14. TikTok — which is owned by Beijing-based startup By-teDance — has been repeatedly criticized by US politicians

Kirinyaga Woman Representa-tive Purity Ngirici on Tuesday lost her position as the chair of The Kenya Women Parliamen-tary Association (KEWOPA) after its member voted by accla-

mation to remove her.KEWOPA is a membership as-

sociation for all women parlia-mentarians drawn from across all political parties both elected and nominated in the Senate and

National Assembly.65 out of 97 KEWOPA MPs

voted to eject Ngirici as chair-person and replace her with Kiambu Woman Representative

STORY ON PAGE 6

STORY ON PAGE 3Education CS Prof. George Magoha. Photo | Courtesy

Kirinyaga woman rep

Purity Ngirichi

MT. KENYA TIMESThe

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 No. 00127 www.mtkenyatimes.co.ke

Where Investors Get Returns

themtkenyatimesmountkenyatimes

NGIRICHI OUSTED AS KEWOPA CHAIR

NO KCPE, KCSE in 2020

THE RAISING OF A LEADER PART 2P. 8. An angel from heaven ap-peared to him and strengthened him

2 | NATIONAL Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

Development >> These programmes, the Head of State said must be strictly implemented within set timelines and budgets

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the executive to focus on completing existing development projects for the financial year 2020/ 2021 which kicked off on July 1.

In a virtual meeting held at State House Nairobi on Tuesday with senior ranks of the Executive including Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, the President said there shall be no new projects to be initiated in this financial year, because there are a lot of pending projects across the country.

In his address, the president said that his administration will focus on the implementation and completion of the ongoing priority projects and programs as set out in his Administration’s Transformative Agenda for the Nation.

These programmes, the Head of State said must be strictly implemented within set timelines and budgets, further reiterating his

earlier directive that no new projects will be initiated except with his express authority.

As a measure of accountability, the President announced that completion rate of projects and programmes will be adopted as a key performance indicator for all Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.

The Head of State called for Collective Responsibility in the implementation of Government Projects and Programmes through the involvement of entire Ministerial Establishments (Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries), so as to ensure timely delivery of quality outcomes.

The President said Collective Responsibility should be demonstrated by enhanced presence and visibility of Government on the ground through inspection of projects and robust public engagements.

According to the State House Spokeswoman, the Head of State acknowledged the current difficult economic environment occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and reminded Government Departments to settle pending bills as a key priority and to ensure that pending bills is the first charge on each

Ministry’s Budget.In support of local industries,

the President said the Government must walk the talk of Buy Kenya Build Kenya agenda and once again, directed all Ministries, State Departments and State Agencies to give preferential procurement to Kenyan Made Goods and Services.

The President thanked the National Development Implementation and Communication Cabinet Committee (NDICCC) and the National Development Implementation Technical Committee (NDITC) for the progress made in the attainment of the National Development Goals saying the two entities had proved

their effectiveness in overseeing the implementation of the Government’s development programmes.

In conclusion, the Head of State warned the Senior Ranks of the Executive against corruption and malfeasance saying there’s no room for the vices in his Administration.

UHURU PRIORITISE COMPLETION OF EXISTING PROJECTS IN 2020/21 FINACIAL YEAR

By: Rose Karanjarose@mtkenyatimes.co.ke

President Uhuru Kenyatta.

People attending worship at Holy Family Basilica Church in Nairobi while exercising social distance. PHOTO| COURTESY

PLACES OF WORSHIP TO RE-OPEN FROM TUESDAY NEXT WEEK

The Inter-Faith Council appointed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi and his Health counterpart Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday announced that places of worship to re-open on Tuesday July 14.

Addressing the press at Ufungamano House, the council Chair Archbishop Anthony Muheria said they had already prepared an interim report and presented their recommendations to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Archbishop said the reopening will be done in four phases depending on the trend of disease and compliance beginning in the next 7 days from July 14,

2020 under strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines.

He urged places of worship to put in place sufficient stations of washing hands with soap or sanitizers and to ensure all congregants wear masks throughout the services.

Archbishop Muheria reiterated President Kenyatta’s earlier conditions that congregants should not exceed 100 at a time adding that those below 13 years and those above 58 years should stay home.

Social distancing of 1.5 metres must also be strictly observed, unnecessary contact to be avoided and places of worship must be disinfected regularly.

He urged Kenyans to exercise individual responsibility and reopen in an orderly way, further that the

council will review and advice accordingly in the next three weeks.

Other guidelines issued by the

council today include rethinking of collections that involves passing of items around for contributions,

regular cleaning of place of worship, sanitizing shared items and use of thermal guns.

By: Ann Mwihaki @mountkenyatimes

3 | NATIONALWednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

Education >> * There will be no KCPE and KCSE for the year 2020. The earlier they can sit the exams is late 2021

....

National examinations for Prima-ry and secondary schools in Kenya have been postponed to next year as basic education resumption has been pushed to January 2021.

As directed by President Uhuru

Kenyatta during his 9th national address to Kenyans on Covid-19 not address Kenyans not later than Tuesday, July 7th, Education CS George Magoha led a team from his ministry and other education stake-holders as he addressed the public at the KICD headquarters in Nairobi.

“There will be no KCPE and KCSE for the year 2020. The earlier they can sit the exams is late 2021,” Magoha said.

Pupils and students in Primary and Secondary schools respectively will lose an academic year this was informed by the steady increase in spread of the infectious Covid-19 pandemic that have been bedeviling the entire globe since late last year.

“All learners in grade 1-4 Stan-dard 5 to 7 and Form 1 to three to re-main in the current classes in 2021,” added the CS

In Kenya the first case of Co-cid-19 was reported in March this year. This led to government put-ting measures to contain the dis-ease among them the closure of all learning institutions. The govern-ment had considered re-opening all learning institutions in September for Class 8 and Form 4 who were supposed to take their end year ex-aminations late this year or early next year but the pandemic curve has not flattened informing the gov-ernment’s decision to shelf the ear-lier plan.

The decision was informed by advice from the Ministry of Health that “the spike of the infection is expected to occur around the same time September” if such a scenario arises with students in school the

effect may be dire and more harm-ful than losing a single academic year. No parent, teacher or respon-sible government would experiment re-opening of primary and second-ary schools.

January schools resumption is however not guaranteed as the prevailing Coronavirus spread condition at the time of schools re-opening will determine whether to re-open or not. CS Magoha said they had agreed with the Minis-try of Health only to re-open basic education institutions when daily COVID-19 cases reduce consis-tently for 14 days as prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO).

Institutions of higher learning which includes; Technical and Vocational Education and Train-ing (TVET) institutions, Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) colleges and universities will have phased re-opening staring September this year but under strict guidelines.

Universities however, can start re-opening as soon as they meet the set guidelines by the Ministry of Health. This therefore means every university reopening will be deter-mined by the speed at which their management will use to meet the set strict guidelines.

There shall be inspection in all learning institutions before issuance of a clean bill of health for them to start operations.

“Members of the senate and facul-ty must agree on how they are going to do a phased reopening,” he said.

Among the education key stake holders who were present and add-ed their voice was; Kenya Union of

Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akel-lo Missori, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary Gen-eral Wilson Sossion and National parents’ association chairman Nich-olas Maiyo

On his part KUPPET Secretary General Mr. Missori said risking opening the school before the flat-tening of the curve may overwhelm the health systems owning to the na-

ture of our learning institutions.The overcrowding of children

and unguarded interactions may be disastrous, they disease may spread like burning fire.

We have been involved in every step of the entire process, and we are in concurrent with the Educa-tion Cabinet Secretary’s decision, we own and support it fully as the representatives of teachers -KNUT. Our plea to parents is that they should ensure the safety of their children in the meantime.

“The flattening of the curve is what will guide us. Safety of learn-ers and teachers at the place of work is very critical and important. We urge all parents to ensure the safety of the children until such a time that schools will be reopened,” Sossion said.

The representative of parents Mr. Maiyo added his weight in urging all students and pupils will repeat their current classes. He said the dent on the current academic year is irreparable and such the affected children should restart again in their academic calendar in January next year.

National parents’ association chairman Nicholas Maiyo said Ken-ya should do away with the 2020 school calendar and reopen in 2021.

Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary schools to reopen in January; No KCPE, KCSE in 2020

Summary• Pupils and students in Primary and Secondary schools respectively will lose an academic year this was informed by the steady increase in spread of the in-fectious Covid-19 pandemic that have been bedeviling the entire globe since late last year. • January schools resumption is however not guaranteed as the prevailing Coronavirus spread condi-tion at the time of schools re-opening will determine whether to re-open or not. CS Magoha said they had agreed with the Ministry of Health only to re-open basic education institutions when daily COVID-19 cases reduce consistently for 14 days.• Institutions of higher learning which includes; Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Teach-er Training Colleges (TTCs) colleges and universities will have phased re-opening staring September this year but under strict guidelines.

Left-Right Education CS Prof. George Magoha, Eduactuion PS Belio Kipsang

KCPE Pupils sitting forExaminations

By: Dansondan@mtkenyatimes.co.ke

4 | NEWS Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

MUDAVADI LOSSES BID TO EXPEL MALALA FROM ANC PARTY

The ANC Party led by Musalia Mudavadi has lost their bid to expel Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala after the move was nullified by the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu.

Nderitu ruled that the ANC party failed to follow the due process when it purported to expel Malala who was accused of gross misconduct and disloyalty to the party.

“This office acknowledges receipt of your letter dated 26th June 2020 communicating the ANC National Governing Council’s resolution to expel Hon Cleophas Malalah Wakhungu. Subsequent to the review of the submission on the expulsion of the said party member against the applicable laws including the ANC Party Constitution, the office is unable to execute your request due to the process gaps noted as follows.

“The disciplinary proceedings were not concluded within the stipulated timelines under Article

49 of the ANC Party Constitution,” Nderitu said.

“The National Governing Council did not approve the disciplinary committee as reconstituted by the NEC in line with Article 46 (1) (d)(ii) of the ANC party Constitutio,”

she added.The ANC through a special

meeting of National Governing Council last month kicked out Malala out of the political outfit for alleged insubordination of the party and its leadership.

Senator Malala and ANC party leadership have been on belligerence following his stand especially on the Building Bridges Initiative which has seen differ with Mudavadi in public.

Last year during Kibra’s by

election, Malala abandoned his party and supported rival ODM candidate who eventually won.

ANC insist it had followed the due process including inviting the Senator to appear before the disciplinary committee of the party which he declined.

The disciplinary committee had recommended expulsion of Malala from the party, and the National Governing Council unanimously adopted the resolutions.

“The special meeting of the National Governing Council hereby adopts and ratifies the resolution for internal disciplinary of the party and NEC expelling Hon Cleophas Malala from the party membership,” read part of the party’s resolution.

The senator chaired the Senate Committee on Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s impeachment.

The party’s governing council meeting also resolved to adopt a new party Constitution and extended the term of office for all party officials.

Politics >> The National Governing Council did not approve the disciplinary committee as reconstituted by the NEC

By: H.M. Okumu @MountKenyatimes

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala

5 | ADWednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has developed two maize varieties that will help curb the spread of Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease and ARMY worm which have adversely affected maize production in the country.

The new varieties which are said to be resistant to the disease and the pest are expected in the market by April next year.

Dr. Eliud Kireger, the KALRO Director-General noted that the viral disease and pest had adversely affected maize production in the country, adding that the menace will be a thing of the past once the new maize varieties hit the market.

“KALRO has developed the two maize varieties that are resistant to MLN disease and fall army worms to help solve the perennial problem that has for long-faced maize farmers,” he said.

Dr Kireger who spoke at KALRO

farm in Naivasha on Monday, said they had handed over the new varieties to private companies for breeding before availing them to farmers.

According to the DG the move will help address food insecurity in the country in line with the Government targets to achieve 100% national food and nutrition security under the big 4 agenda.

Dr. Kireger noted the biggest challenge that has been facing tomato farmers was the Tuta absoluta pest which he attributed to climate change saying that KALRO had developed good agriculture practices to manage the pest.

In a bid to address the country’s nutritional needs, the DG said the research institution was keen to introduce neglected indigenous fruits to farmers, adding that KALRO under the World Bank (WB) project has embarked on large-scale production of seedlings of indigenous fruits.

According to him the institution has already released 781,000

seedlings of tomatoes and neglected indigenous fruits seedlings to farmers across the country and more were underway.

Last week the organization introduced the Kenya Agricultural Observation Platform (KAOP)

app which will forecast seven-day weather for individual farms.

Boniface Akuku, KALRO’s ICT director, said that the new digital technology will provide farmers with real-time information on rainfall and pest patterns as opposed

to past years when they relied on chance and luck in their farming.

According to him, KAOP has the capability of forecasting the weather for a 9-km radius, and it it is 95 percent accurate.

6 | NATIONAL Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

Politics >> * 65 out of 97 KEWOPA MPs voted to eject Ngirici as chairperson and replace her Gathoni wa Muchomba

Gathoni wa Muchomba.In her acceptance speech the Kiam-

bu Woman Rep said “My work as a chair of this association is to make sure that I deliver on the women agenda among them uniting women politicians.”Wamuchomba will be deputised

by Kisumu Woman Representative Roza Buyu and Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga.Ngirici, however, dismissed the

purported changes saying the asso-ciation’s constitution was not fol-lowed.“They can remove me when they

want to. They need to call a meeting. There must be a meeting of seven days. They must invite every mem-ber. There should be two-thirds, not signatures,” she said.“They cannot event take powers of

the secretariat. This is just a story. Let us follow the procedure. ” Ngi-rici added.The MPs accused her of poor lead-

ership at the association and failure

to protect interests of women in leadership.The association was founded by

Nominated Senator Beth Mugo, Ki-tui Governor Charity Ngilu and for-mer Justice Minister Martha Karua.KEWOPA has been spearheading

the push for the realisation of the two-thirds gender principle as pro-posed by the Constitutional Amend-ment Bill 2015 (No. 4).It was previously introduced as a

private members bill by former KE-WOPA Chair Cecily Mbarire in the National Assembly and Senator Ju-dith Achieng in the Senate.The group has trained over 300

women members of the county as-sembly and community leaders on the gender-responsive budgeting guidelines and political party par-ticipation under the National Dem-ocratic Institute Programme.Likoni MP Mishi Mboko serves as

the secretary-general and is depu-tised by Charity Chepkwony.Ngirici’s woes are linked to the

failed attempt to impeach Kirinya-ga governor Anne Waiguru in which she sided with MCAs behind the motion.On June 13, the MP’s husband An-

drew Ngirici was summoned by po-lice in Mwea East Sub-County and was grilled for two hours.He had threatened to organise pro-

tests if the Senate chose to put the fate of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru in the hands of an 11-mem-ber committee.Ngirichi is also seen as a close ally

of Deputy President William Ruto who does not fit in the found polit-ical line up bringing together Pres-ident Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM party leader Raila Odinga, Wiper lead-er Kalanzo Musyoka, Kanu party leader Gedion Moi and Chama cha Mashinani party leader Isaac Rutto.

Contd from Page 1

Kirinyaga woman rep Purity Ngirichi

Dr. Eliud Kireger, KALRO Director-General

Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni wa Muchomba.

.........................

NGIRICHI OUSTED AS KEWOPA CHAIRBy: Kamande Muchiri

@MountKenyatimes

KALRO DEVELOPS NEW MAIZE BREEDS RESISTANT TO DISEASE AND PEST

By: David Kinyanjui @mountkenyatimes

7 | ADWednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

8 | RELIGION - SCHOOL OF WISDOM Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

........... >> * .......Religion >> * Every leader should be local and global. The local and the global mentality should be the inheritance of every child of God

THE RAISING OF A LEADER PART 3

Mark 14:22-43 “....[27]Je-sus said to them, “All of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, ‘God will kill the shepherd, and the sheep will all be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you.” 29 Peter answered, “I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!”....” Peter was a leader who was be-ing raised by Jesus. Peter was full of passion as we see in the above scripture, but passion is not enough. If as a leader pas-sion is all you have, one day you will burn up. As leaders we need to watch and pray, de-spite our deep passion there is a part that only God can do. God doesn’t watch for us, we do it. Watching is our part, and if we only watch and not pray, we end up building our own thing’s as people and as leaders. Prayer only becomes effective when we are watching. Please note that the watching part are the things that we do as leaders.

WE WATCH AND THROUGH OUR PRAYING GOD WORKS. Every leader should be local and global. The local and the global mentality should be the inher-itance of every child of God. Every leader, and every child of God should be willing to move outwards, connecting the grace and the authori-ty we have received as lead-ers to the purpose of God. AS LEADERS WE DON’T EX-IST FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR OTHERS, so every lead-er should forsake the selfish mentality, and put others first for better provision of services. I have seen many Christian who are not able to bring impact in their lives, in their families, in their places of work and in their communities because of only failing to understand that SALVATION IS NOT ABOUT WHAT WE ARE SAVED FROM, BUT SAVED FOR. As we journey in raising lead-ers, we need to realise that people have the fullness and the gifts of God in them, and we need to learn how to re-lease the potential in them and connect it to Gods purpose. WE NEED TO REALISE THAT NOT EVERYONE IS CALLED TO LEAD, NOT EVERYONE IS CALLED TO MINISTER, SOME ARE CALLED TO LEAD WHILE OTHER ARE CALLED TO BE LED, SOME ARE CALLED TO MINISTER, AND OTHER’S ARE CALLED

TO BE MINISTERED TOO. I have come to realise and you will agree with me that as leaders we are good at build-ing organizations for people to receive grace, but how of-ten do we labour to connect Gods grace in their lives to Gods purpose for their lives ? We must labour to always con-nect our present with our future. Hebrews 11:8-12 “It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a for-eigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. 10 For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations. 11 It was faith that made Abra-ham able to become a fa-ther, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trust-ed God to keep his promise. 12Though Abraham was prac-tically dead, from this one man came as many descen-dants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore.”

Abraham never built cit-ies as most of us leaders do, but we hear of how Abra-ham built Altars for God. Genesis 12:7 “The Lord ap-peared to Abram and said to him,

“This is the country that I am go-ing to give to your descendants.” Then Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” [Scheme, altar of promise] Genesis 12:8 “After that, he moved on south to the hill coun-try east of the city of Bethel and set up his camp between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There also he built an altar and worshipped the Lord.” [ Between Bethel & Ai, Altar of worship]. Genesis 22:9 “When they came to the place which God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood.” [ Altar of faithfulness] Altars to Abraham were points in his journey where God was experienced in a spe-cial way. Obedience to God should be the highest point of worship in a leader and every believer... ( to be continued) Apostle, Dr. Henry Kimani, N cremrevivals@gmail.com

By: Apostle Dr. Henry Kimani, N Email: cremrevivals@gmail.com+254 722 888 641

9 | HEALTHWednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

Covid-19 >> * Kenya on Tuesday reported 183 new Covid-19 cases raising total to 8,250

90 PATIENTS DISCHARGED, TOTAL RECOVERIES 2504

Kenya on Tuesday reported 183 new Covid-19 cases raising total to 8,250.

According to the latest figures released by Health Cabinet Sec-retary Mutahi Kagwe, the new infections were detected from 2,061 samples tested in the last 24 hours.

The total number of tests con-

ducted since the disease was first reported in the country now stands at 193,455.

The 183 patients include 177 Kenyans and 6 foreigners and are composed of 119 males and 64 females between the ages of 4 and 79 years.

The new cases are distribut-ed as follows: Nairobi (100) , Machakos (37), Kiambu (14), Mombasa (13), Kajiado (11), Nakuru (5) and Busia (3).

In Nairobi, the cases are dis-tributed as follows, Westland (30) , Kibera (20), Dagoretti North (17) Langata (8) Kasarani (13) Ruaka (12), Embakasi East (11), Embakasi East, Embakasi South, Starehe, Makadara (5) cases each, while Kamkunji, Ruaraka and Roysambu have (2) cases each. Embakasi North has one case.

In Mombasa, the cases are from Mvita (6), Kisauni (4), Likoni (2) and Nyali one case.

In Machakos, 35 cases are from Athi River while Masin-ga and Yatta have got one case each.

In Kajiado, the cases are from Kajiado Central (5), Kajiado North (3) and Kajiado West (2).

In Kiambu, the 14 cases are distributed as follows: Lari (6), Kabete (3), Kikuyu (2) and Ruiri (1),

In Nakuru, Nakuru West (3) while Molo and Gilgil one case each.

In Busia (3) cases are from Teso South while Matayos had one case.

90 patients were discharged bringing the number of recover-ies to 2504.

On a sad note, three more pa-tients succumbed to the disease bringing the number of fatalities to 167.

CS Kagwe urged county gov-ernments to improve their capac-ity to accommodate coronavirus caseloads, warning that patients will be treated where they are.

“There will be no capacity for you to be brought to Nairobi for treatment because chances are by the time you are being brought, Nairobi itself would have been overwhelmed if it comes to that. Where we are heading is so unpredictable. We are doing our best to increase our capacity but that not to mean that we will cope,” Kagwe said.

The CS also urged those trav-elling upcountry to carry the face masks and hand sanitisers home so that they can protect relatives in the villages.

“As we visit our parents at home with supplies, let us also include masks and sanitizers and soap for handwashing, and en-sure we adhere to the laid down protocols,” he said.

“During this new phase that we have started in the fight against the disease, I want to make a special appeal to our people to exercise individual responsibility. Our cooperation and unity in this fight will enable us to overcome,” he appealed to Kenyans.

CS Kagwe also decried rising cases of mental health-related issues such as depression and suicide in the country that were escalated by the pandemic.

By: Kimanjara Njogu @MountKenyatimes

A health official screens Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe ‘s body temperature using a thermal temperature gun MOH

Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times

Modern Day YK92

When we hear Youth for KANU, popularly YK92, we speak of how they squandered the hopes and a better future for a multi-party winning against regime of the then president. The YK92 were young Kenyans who had different ambition in serving the Nyayoism with power and zeal.

These were men of ages between 25-30, university students and those who had just graduated. Paradoxically, these are the same people we see today in government offices, speaking of how they want

to make change today.Most of the said group of people

had not grown to witness or comprehend what really happened in 1982, and if they understand it, they learnt in books or through stories told by their seniors.

Why am I saying this, in 2007, we watched as the country was torn into pieces because of our political alignment. It was a fight between a banana and an orange. People got killed, displaced and to date, 13 years later, even if we tell some people to go pick their broken pieces in their farms some wouldn’t dare to go back.

Some people still live in fear of the unknown because some politicians have the tendencies of creating tension instead of peace that we can live like brothers and sister all years round.

Many young people were still learning how to write their names without mixing capital and small letters during the inter-community animosity of 2007. What they

normally hear or witness is barely through narrations of their seniors which is in most cases tilted towards the narrative the story teller would wish to perpetuate.

The negative ethnicity perpetrators always instill fear, fear that gets entrenched in our subconscious mind, fear of the other community. Subsequently Kenyans today are so suspicious of other Kenyans from other communities.

Consequently, when you are with your fellow Kenyan, and he or she switches to his or her mother tongue you get suspicious and feel like they are planning something sinister against us.

I won’t speak of our relationship which we have been made to believe that marrying from another community is something we should run away from, at least relationship were private before Facebook and Instagram came. This opened up world communities that you can interact with anyone with much reference to where the person

originates from.I am saddened that we got a

hungry society of youth whose drive is money. I can bet nobody hates money; in fact money is good. What worries me most is, YK92 is now using my generation to speak against the other. They have mastered the art of divide and rule. They are busy making a battalion of keyboard warriors paid to taint a person or an idea evil or good without giving a thought of what happens out there.

The modern day YK92 is driven by money, dreaming of money and wishing to get more, regardless of the outcome as long as their interest is served. The modern day YK92 is propagating the politics of us against them.

The youthful generations have a lot of energy and time something which should be tapped and channeled to nation building.

10 OPINION

By: Kipchumba Lagat keter9707.kl@gmail.com

Summary• These were men of ages between 25-30, uni-versity students and those who had just graduated. Paradoxically, these are the same people we see today in government offices, speaking of how they want to make change today.• The modern day YK92 is driven by mon-ey, dreaming of money and wishing to get more, regardless of the outcome as long as their interest is served. The modern day YK92 is propagating the politics of us against them.

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020

SWEET COMPLIMENTS FOR GIRLS THAT WILL MELT HER HEART

COMPLIMENT HER FASHION STYLEYou can always positively comment on her

style and say that you like how she dresses or what music she listens to.

Of course, if you want to conquer a girl totally then, you will notice on her some details,

such as sweet earrings on the ear or cool nail polish.

COMPLIMENT HER PERSEVERANCE AND HARD WORKING

Everyone is interested in something, but when you fi nd out which is her principal avocation,

in this area, you have to commend her.If it is a sport, then commend her achieve-ments in sport, and if she is good at work,

then say that this what she does and the way it does fascinates you.

COMPLIMENT HER TALENTIf she’s good in drawing, singing, dancing or

acting do not hesitate to tell her that you, is in some way, admire her and appreciate what

she does.Although maybe it works confi dently and you think that’s an excessive compliment, it is not so, because trust me – everyone likes to hear

the compliment which he deserved. Maybe her dance/voice/acting talent/drawings are

praised by many people; she will prefer to hear that from you, especially if she really

likes you.COMPLIMENT HER VOICE

This may not be a special talent or something on which she had to do, but why not to men-tion that color of her voice drives you crazy?

Of course, you will not tell her with these words, but feel free to let her know that her voice is one of your favorite sounds. Besides

that, a lot can be found about personality

on the basis of the voice, but also about the mood.

COMPLIMENT HER HAIRAs this is something which boys rarely notice, this is a great compliment because girls really

care about their hair, and boys usually only notice a drastic change, for example, if some-one with long hair signifi cantly cut her hair or

if completely change her hair color.Compliments regarding the girl hairstyle will mean a lot to her because it will show how

much attention you pay to her.COMPLIMENT HER PERSONALITY TRAIT

She saw a group of hooligans in the street who mistreat the powerless and decided to get involved and chase away them. Wow,

she’s brave and righteous – let her know that you do not miss a thing.

Maybe she is just affordable, maybe kind,

she perhaps gives the best pieces of advice; in any case, do not be afraid to point out the qualities that you like the most about her.

BENEFITS OF GIVING COMPLIMENTS TO WOMENIt is not easy to keep your lady always happy and in good mood. Fortunately, for the boy-friends and husbands of the world, there is

an easy solution. By saying a few right words to your lady love, you can make your woman smile, confi dent, secure, and most important-

ly, to keep her loving you. Use the compliments on a daily basis with your wife or girlfriend and you’ll experience a better quality of life – full of the aroma of

passion, love, care and dedication.

By: Ciru Kamau @mountkenyatimes

11RELATIONSHIP

......

When a child, we were taught on colors

And at least even if you were slow to learn how to write

With crayons you could color all you want

Aimlessly and untidy, our books were covered with marks

Beautiful marks out of our messes

Of the lessons I mastered

Is that each color got its meaning

My best was blue and purple

Blue means calm, cool

Purple symbolized royalty

I connect the two with how quiet rich hoods are

And how soft it is the music they listen to

I had no reason to love the two

Probably because I loved the calm feeling the blue color brings

And of course, I love class

Now I choose my paths to be made of blue and purple

Calmness I choose and royalty is my goal

To be rich with peace of mind... Doesn’t it sound cool?

My steps I shall calculate, and my goal I shall achieve

What is your favorite color and what does it symbolize?

~ GathoniWamwondwe ~

Each color got its meaningGathoni WamwondwePro� le:Teresia WamwondwePage: Drippings of the Pen

Life made us meetYou as dad Me as a kid

Two different pagesVery different ages

Of very different voices

But you made us A one family

Our cries you heard

Our problems you lessenedOur opinions you took inOur wounds you healed

We knew you know everythingHence lived to emulate your life

And your portion we took in

Of hardworkingResilience

Patience

A lot more we can spellPages of goodies we cannot tell

Because in both times

Good and bad You were a guardian

��� Let it not be that the fact he

sired you now you celebrate him rather celebrate as per responsibilities he

accorded you.

Many wished to have him on such a day but have only to call a father.

#an elated fathers day to responsible cognizant fathers���#responsibility

Father

Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times12 POEMS

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 13AD

BUSINESSUnited States is ‘looking at’ banning TikTok

OFFSHORE ASSETS WORTH SH.139 MILLION RECOVERED BY KRA

The United States is “looking at” banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Mon-day.Pompeo suggested the possible move during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, adding that “we’re taking this very seriously.”Pompeo was asked by Ingraham whether the United States should be considering a ban on Chinese social media apps, “especially Tik-Tok.”“With respect to Chinese apps on people’s cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right too, Laura,” he said. “I don’t want to get out in front of the President [Donald Trump], but it’s something we’re looking at.”Washington’s top diplomat added that people should only download the app “if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”“TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employ-ees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US,” a TikTok spokes-

person said in a statement follow-ing Pompeo’s comments. “We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese govern-ment, nor would we do so if asked.”Pompeo’s remarks come during a time of heightened tensions be-tween the United States and China, which have spilled over into sever-al arenas including national securi-ty, trade and technology.TikTok — which is owned by Bei-jing-based startup ByteDance — has been repeatedly criticized by US politicians who accused the short-form video app of being a threat to national security because of its ties to China. They allege that the company could be compelled to “support and cooperate with intelli-gence work controlled by the Chi-nese Communist Party.”TikTok has said previously that it operates separately from ByteD-ance. It says its data centers are lo-cated entirely outside of China, and that none of that data is subject to Chinese law. US user data is stored in the United States, with a backup

in Singapore, according to TikTok. A spokesperson for the company told CNN Business in May that it thinks the national security con-cerns are “unfounded.”The app has exploded in popularity in the United States and other west-ern countries, becoming the first Chinese social media platform to gain significant traction with users outside of its home country. It was downloaded 315 million times in the first three months of this year, more quarterly downloads than any other app in history, according to analytics company Sensor Tower.The company has also run into roadblocks elsewhere. Last week, the Indian government said it would ban TikTok and other well-known Chinese apps because they pose a “threat to sovereignty and integrity.” Tensions between India and China have been escalating after a clash along the Himalayan border.

CNN Business

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has recovered approximate-ly Ksh.139 million ($1.3 million) from offshore assets discovered through international cooperation.

The recovery published in the Tax Transparency in Africa 2020 Report follows the scaling up of exchange of information (EOI) treaties sign-ing on the continent over the last five years.

Eight African countries have re-covered a combined Ksh.20.1 bil-lion ($189 million) from the treaty which has marked an increased gain in country entries since 2014.

Kenya joined the treaty termed as the Convention on Mutual Admin-istrative Assistance in Tax Matters through the signing of the Yaounde declaration in November 2019.

“At KRA, we are encouraged by the positive and aptly captured out-

comes which are as a result of the sustained application of interna-tional cooperation and exchange of information tools to tackle illicit fi-nancial flow. Countries that are des-tinations for these flows, including financial centres in Europe, Asia, America, the Caribbean and Pacific, now participate, said KRA’s Com-missioner General Githii Mburu.

The initiative is expected to support African countries domestic reve-nue mobilisation efforts by fighting off illicit financial flows through the tapping of improved global tax transparency and the exchange of tax information.

Globally, tax authorities in nearly 100 countries have marked the re-covery of $11.2 trillion in offshore assets from an estimated 84 bank accounts.

Kenya is expected to recoup more hidden funds from the initiative as it builds on the effectiveness of the exchange of information.

.

TikTok - Short Videos AppKRA offices in Nairobi’s Times Tower.

By: Kaila Njeri @MountKenyatimes

Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times14

Thika Town MP Patrick Wain-aina has accused Governor James Nyoro of being behind the move of sabotaging his projects recently de-molishing more than 10 boda boda sheds.

The MP complained that in the re-cent past people believed to be em-ployees of the county government have demolished more than 10 boda boda sheds he has put up in various parts of Kiambu through his Jungle Foundation.

The latest demolitions took place in Githurai and Mwihoko, in Ruiru constituency and Gatukuyu market in Gatundu North. Motorcycle oper-ators held demonstrations to protest the demolitions.

A top county official said that the demolitions were conducted because the MP failed to make the necessary payments and get the right approvals from the county government.

“You just don’t wake up and put up such a structure without engag-ing the relevant authorities. In this

case he ought to have made the re-quired payments to the county coun-cil to get approvals to undertake his work,” the official said.

The county chief has since dis-missed the allegations as false.

County director of communica-tions Franklin Wambugu also dis-associated the regional government from the demolitions.

“The County is not involved in the business of demolishing the sheds. It is politics,” wambugu said.

Wainaina said, “I have been ap-proached by boda boda operators in various parts of the county and even beyond to help them build sheds only for some people to pull them down and cart away the materials. I find it barbaric for anyone in their right mind to do this.”

“I have information that those be-hind this shameful deed are using vehicles with county government registration numbers. My question is why would anyone destroy some-thing that is used by our youth to fend for themselves?”

Since March this year when the first Covid-19 case was announced

in the country, Wainaina through his Jungle Foundation team has been going across Kiambu distributing materials to help combat the virus.

This has raised questions about whether the MP is interested in a bigger political seat, with specula-tion rife that he is eyeing the gov-ernorship.

Asked to clear the air over his po-litical ambitions, the MP declined to say whether he would run for gov-ernor, saying his priority now is to serve Thika residents.

He, however, said that he will not engage in confrontational politics as this would hurt development.

“It is immoral to bring politics into matters of development. Lead-ers should compete in helping our people and not demolishing what another leader has constructed,” Wainaina said, adding that he will take legal action against the perpe-trators.

Nyoro’s political adviser David Ngari ‘Gakuyo’ has often faulted Wainaina, accusing him of under-mining the governor over his (the latter’s) political ambitions.

P-SEGMENT: What’s Hot in Counties

THIKA MP ACCUSE NYORO FOR SABOTAGING HIS PROJECTS

Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina

By: Waithera Karanja @mountkenyatimes

By:Nicholas Chidi additional re-porting by WASREB

Nyeri Water and Sewerage Com-pany (NYEWASCO) has topped other counties water service provid-er for the 12th year in a a row ac-cording to the 12th issue of Impact Report by Water Services Regulato-ry Board (WASREB)

it is followed by Eldoret Wa-ter and Sanitation Company and the third best is Nakuru Water and Sewerage Company. Naivasha Wa-ter and Sewerage Company scoped the Most Improve Utility Award. The Award ceremony will however not take place due to the prevail-ing COVID 19 pandemic. On their website WASREB wrote that in consultation with the parent Minis-try they will advise on how winners

of various categories will pick their awards.

The report is meant to give feed-back to the public on how the water services sector is performing, with a view to holding to account institu-tions charged with service delivery. The report relies on data collected annually from Water Service Pro-viders (WSPs) through the Water Regulation Information System (WARIS). The 12th edition covers the period 2018/2019 and analyses the performance of 87 Water Ser-vice Providers and 47 Counties.

Performance analysis is based on nine Key Performance Indicators. These are Water Coverage, Water Quality, Hours of Supply, Non-Rev-enue Water, Metering, Staff Produc-tivity, Revenue Collection Efficien-cy, Personnel expenditure as a % of O+M cost and O&M cost-coverage.

The population in the service area

of the 87 utilities was 23.43 million. At an average of 3.9 members per household, this represents 6.00 mil-lion households. Out of these, the utilities were able to serve 13.83 million, representing 3.55 million households.

The average Water Coverage was 59%, which is a growth of 2 per-centage points from 2017/18 where coverage was 57%. In 2018/19 there was an additional 894,827 people, representing 229,442 house-holds. Sewered Sanitation Coverage improved from 16% to 17%. Sew-er services available remained at 32 urban centres spread across 26 counties. 21 counties have no sewer services and rely on onsite solutions. The number of sewer connections increased by 4% which was 1% de-cline from the previous period.

According to the Water Act 2016, WASREB is mandated to report to the public annually to promote transparency and accountability in

the sector.By: Nicholas Chidi @MountKenyatimes

NYEWASCO emerges the best Water Service Provider in the Country for the 12th year in a row

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 15PUNCHY SEGMENT

Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times16 AD

Lee Kinyanjui, the Nakuru County governor has taken to twitter claiming the easing of restriction by President Uhuru Kenyatta on his public address on Covid-19 pandemic will have adverse effects on counties with comparatively low infection rates. “The lifting of travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of #COVID-19 will have adverse effects on counties with comparatively low infection rates. The virus cannot travel on its own and hence increase in human movement translates to higher risk of infection,” Kinyanjui wrote.Kinyanjui warned there is increment in laxity and reversal of personal responsibility

measures that the government has recommended, which may lead to disaster if people does not change these risky

behaviours that may erode the gains made so far in fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.Kinyanjui caution residents not to misinterpret relaxation of travel ban as victory against the killer Covid-19 but to use the relaxation to do gainful economic activities and to take care not to expose themselves since Covid-19 is still alive and kicking in the country.Kinyanjui additionally assured Nakuru County residence of his vigilance in ensuring containment of the pandemic.“Nakuru County Government will continue to be vigilant by enhancing screening but most importantly, personal caution must be heightened.

Surveillance for the spread of #COVID-19 in Nakuru County indicates a sharp increase in confirmed cases over the last few weeks. As daily national cases hit new records, it is clear the worst is yet to come,” Kinyanjui added.The first time governor and experienced politician called on Nakuru residents to take personal responsibly in mitigation the spread of the disease. “This is a call to all Nakuru residents to exercise utmost caution to reduce the risk of infection. I call upon everyone to play their part to prevent the spread of the disease and let God do the rest,” the tweet concluded.

On Tuesday, 10 suspects of illegal group “confirm gang” were assembled at the Nakuru court for allegedly engaging in organized crime.

The suspects were arrested on Monday over a series of incidents including burning of houses at Flamingo Estate in Nakuru where one person succumbed to the burn injuries and stabbed a 16-year-old minor on June 19, 2020.

They denied the charges and were released on a Ksh.200,000 cash bail or bond of Ksh.300,000 with a surety of a similar amount.

Eleven other suspected members of the same group were arrested and charged on Monday with arson and engaging in an organized criminal activity.

The case will be mentioned on July 21, 2020.

Last month, some members of the group disagreed leading to internal fighting

Confirming the incidence, Nakuru

County Commandant Stanley Kilonzi, said that the gang members from Kwa Rhonda raided their colleagues in Flamingo.

“They stabbed one of their members to death while another one was seriously injured and is admitted at the Nakuru County Referral Hospital,” he said.

The police boss identified the slain man as Alphonse Ogae Ougo.

“The victim had so many stab wounds and he died on the spot, we moved his body to Nakuru County Mortuary,” he said.

“The fight was between two groups of the criminal gang and it took place at Flamingo Estate where two houses were also torched,” Kilonzi said.

Kilonzi added that the gangsters also torched two houses in the ensuing chaos.

Gang members engaged the police is a cat-and-mouse chase, hiding in the dark to avoid arrest.

Joseph Omondi, a security expert at the Mid Rift Human Rights Network, said that “confirm gang”

members have been harassing locals in the area for several months noting efforts to contain the gang had been derailed since some parents in the three estates were shielding their

children engaged in crime.

Members of the criminal group tagged ‘Confirm gang’ have been fighting retaliatory fights with

splinter groups emerging from three estates, Flamingo, Kwa Rhonda and Kivumbini, baying for each others’ blood.

By: Samuel Kimani @mountkenyatimes

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 17COUNTIES

NAKURU “CONFIRM GANG” MEMBERS CHARGED IN COURT

Lifting of travel restrictions to cause adverse effects on counties - Lee claims

By: Wanjiku Shirley @mountkenyatimes

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | The Mt. Kenya Times18 NATIONAL

ACTIVISTS ARRESTED IN SABA SABA MARCH

More than 50 activists were ar-rested on Tuesday as they marched in Nairobi to mark Saba Saba or 7th July.

The day is marked in Kenya to commemorate July 7, 1990, the day on which nationwide protests took place to demand multiparty democracy from the Moi regime.

Since then, activists stage demonstrations to champion key issues, with this year dedicated to police brutality following killings of innocent civilians as police en-forced the night curfew declared by President Uhuru Kenyatta as part of measures to contain the rise of coronavirus cases which had claimed 167 lives by Tuesday.

The activists had planned demonstrations in the Central Business District and other areas including Kayole, Komarocks, Dandora, Kariobangi, Korogo-cho, Ruaraka, Githurai, Kiamaiko, Kibera, Mathare, Kamukunji, Mukuru, makadara and Kiambiu, but police dispersed them and ar-rested others.

They waved placards scream-ing SabaSabaMarchForOurLives, Stop the Killings and Respect the

Constitution.The arrests, mainly targeting

protest organisers, were effected in Mathare, Kayole, Dandora and other informal settlements.

The leaders of the groups who included Kayole SJC’s Faith Ka-sina, Maryanne, Lena Anyuolo, Habil Omar, Kibera Social Jus-tice Centre’s Editar Ochieng were among those arrested and booked at police stations.

“I am yet to know my offense after I was arrested,” said Wilfred Olal who was coordinating the protests in Dandora, through the Community Justice Centre. He was taken to Pangani Police Sta-tion where nearly 20 others were locked up.

Other activists arrested were taken to Kayole police station and police posts in Mathare and Huru-ma. They were arrested while singing sang freedom songs as others waved the national flags.

“We are marching for our lives,” one protester said, “every live matters.”

Contingents of heavily armed police officers were deployed to the areas where the protests were

staged to disperse them.In Mathare, police lobbed tear

gas at the demonstrators when they defied orders to disperse.

They were protesting police brutality and demanding justice for the victims.

Nairobi Police Chief Philip Ndolo said the protests were ille-gal.

“It is outlawed, it is not legal, and no permit has been given. As you are aware, no public gather-ings are allowed at this time due to COVID-19 and we will not al-low anyone to hold any meeting or march of any kind,” he said.

The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) condemned the ar-rests, tweeting “Release all human rights defenders arrested for en-joying their constitutional rights.”

Saba Saba got its name from the date — July 7, 1990 — when its leading lights were to hold a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, only for police officers to disperse opposition supporters violently. Many of them were later on arrest-ed and detained.

Four days before the rally, for-mer minister Kennedy Matiba,

former Nairobi Mayor Charles Rubia, Raila Odinga and other leaders associated with the oppo-sition were arrested and subse-quently detained without trial.

The movement’s aim was to restore multi party democracy in Kenya which led to repealing of Article 2(A) of the constitution.

Many of its leaders including, among others, Matiba, Rubia, Jaramogi Odinga, Gitobu iman-yara, Mohammed Ibrahim, Ma-sinde Muliro, Martin Shikuku, and James Orengo were either detained, imprisoned or put under house arrest when the Constitution was amended in December 1991 thus paving the way for the 1992 multi-party elections in which the opposition lost to Moi.

Activists march in the capital Nairobi to mark Saba Saba on July 7, 2020. photo courtesy

Summary

• The day is marked in Kenya to commemorate July 7, 1990, the day on which na-tionwide protests took place to demand multiparty democracy from the Moi regime.• The activists had planned demonstrations in the Central Business District and other areas including Kayole, Komarocks, Dandora, Kario-bangi, Korogocho, Ruaraka, Githurai, Kiamaiko, Kibera, Mathare, Kamukunji, Muku-ru, makadara and Kiambiu, but police dispersed them and arrested others.• The leaders of the groups who included Kayole SJC’s Faith Kasina, Maryanne, Lena Anyuolo, Habil Omar, Kibera Social Justice Centre’s Editar Ochieng were among those arrested and booked at police stations.• Saba Saba got its name from the date — July 7, 1990 — when its leading lights were to hold a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, only for police officers to disperse op-position supporters violently. Many of them were later on arrested and detained.

By: Shadrack Wanyama @mountkenyatimes

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 19WORLD

WHO says it was first alerted to virus by its office

The World Health Organization has updated its account of the early stages of the COVID crisis to say it was alerted by its own office in Chi-na, and not by China itself, to the first pneumonia cases in Wuhan.

The UN health body has been accused by US President Donald Trump of failing to provide the in-formation.

On April 9, WHO published an initial timeline of its communica-tions, partly in response to criticism of its early response to the outbreak.

In that chronology, WHO had said only that the Wuhan municipal health commission in the province of Hubei had on December 31 re-ported cases of pneumonia. The UN health agency did not however spec-ify who had notified it.

WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press confer-ence on April 20 the first report had come from China, without speci-fying whether the report had been

sent by Chinese authorities or an-other source but a new chronology, published this week by the Genev-abased institution, offers a more de-tailed version of events.

It indicates that it was the WHO office in China that on December 31 notified its regional point of contact of a case of viral pneumonia after having found a declaration for the media on a Wuhan health commis-sion website on the issue.

The same day, WHO’s epidemic information service picked up an-other news report transmitted by the international epidemiological sur-veillance network ProMed, based in the United States about the same group of cases of pneumonia from unknown causes in Wuhan.

After which, WHO asked the Chi-nese authorities on two occasions, on January 1 and January 2, for in-formation about these cases, which they provided on January 3.

WHO emergencies director Mi-chael Ryan told that countries have 24-48 hours to officially verify an event and provide the agency with additional information about the na-ture or cause of an event.

US President Donald Trump has announced that his country, the main financial contributor to WHO, will cut its bridges with the institu-tion, which he accuses of being too close to China and of having poorly managed the pandemic.The WHO denies any complacency toward China.

Amid global concerns that China delayed giving information regard-ing the novel coronavirus outbreak, a team of WHO will visit the coun-

try to investigate the origins of the virus and its spread to human be-ings.

The visit will take place more than six months after the WHO’s Country Office in China picked up a statement from the Wuhan Munic-ipal Health Commission on cases of viral pneumonia. WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghe-breyesus spoke in January about an agreement with China for sending a team of international experts as soon as possible to work on increasing the understanding of the outbreak.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO said that a thorough investigation needs to be done into

the origins of the virus.She said that the WHO has been working with the Chinese government for the visit. A team is going to China to investigate the origins of the virus.

What is needed now is a good in-vestigation going back before De-cember to find out where and how it jumped from animal to human. Bats have been implicated in other viral diseases, Nipah for example. It is possible it came directly. It is also possible that there was an in-termediate animal like in the case of SARS. That thorough investigation still needs to be done, she said.

Our WHO country office in Chi-na picked it up and on January 1,

WHO activated its international mechanisms which we do as part of international health regulations whenever there’s any new signal gets reported. It is conveyed to everyone so that the whole world knows about it, she said.

Dr Swaminathan said that se-quences show that the virus caus-ing Covid-19 is very similar to bat viruses. We do not know more than that in the sense where and how it originated. We know from the vi-rus sequences that it is very sim-ilar to bat viruses. A lot of studies have been done in South East Asia to show that bats have lots of coro-naviruses. There are over 500 types of coronaviruses. There are also previous studies showing that pop-ulations living in southern China and even in other countries of South East Asia have antibodies to corona-viruses, she said.

The WHO Director General had talked on January 29 of his agree-ment with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the organisation would lead a team of international experts to China as soon as possible to work with the government on increasing the understanding of the outbreak and to guide global response efforts.

The pandemic has grown to more than 10 million cases and has caused over 500,000 deaths across the world.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - WHO Director General

Pratibha Bisshtpratibhabissht@mtkenyatimes.co.keMt. Kenya Times Asian region Se-nior editor based in India

Summary• In that chronol-ogy, WHO had said only that the Wuhan municipal health commission in the province of Hubei had on December 31 reported cases of pneumonia. The UN health agency did not however specify who had notified it.• After which, WHO asked the Chinese author-ities on two occasions, on January 1 and January 2, for information about these cases, which they provided on January 3.

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 20AD

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 21AD

SPORTSNEWSPHOTOS

SCORESOPINIONS

STATISTICSSCHEDULES

BREAKING NEWS

Sports >> * “Sancho knows Rashford really, really well. The two of them are friends. And

Jadon and Grealish give Manchester United options

that’s a really fearsome looking strike line-up

Manchester United are in fine form, with an attack and mid-field thriving since the Premier League restart. But Jadon San-cho and Jack Grealish remain important transfer targets, says Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper

United have won their past three Premier League games by an aggregate score of 11-2, with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pog-ba clicking in the middle of the pitch behind attacking trio Mar-cus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.However, boss Ole Gunnar Sol-skjaer said after Saturday’s 5-2 win over Bournemouth he will continue to look to improve his squad - which could well mean investing in the likes of Borus-sia Dortmund’s Sancho and As-ton Villa’s Grealish.“We’ve got to improve the ones we’ve got here but we will never stand still,” he said. “You can’t think, ‘we’ve cracked this’. The emphasis is on improving the team all the time.”Cooper, who covers United for Sky Sports News, says as well

as improvement, injuries such as the one which kept Pogba out for long periods this season are another reason why Solsk-jaer will look to add strength in depth when the transfer window reopens.“I don’t think you can have too many good players at a club like Manchester United,” he told the Sky Sports Football Weekend Review podcast.“Jadon Sancho would be a statement signing for Manches-ter United. He’s someone that would allow them to rotate, in the same way as having an at-tacking midfielder like Jack Grealish.“Yes, Grealish may not start games for Manchester United, because your first choices might be Pogba and Fernandes, but if you look at Pogba over the past couple of seasons you’re not going to get 30-40 games out of him because he doesn’t do that for Manchester United, he has these injury problems which mean he’s not consistent-ly there.“Sancho knows Rashford really, really well. The two of them are friends. And that’s a really fear-

some looking strike line-up.“And the other thing about it is, Greenwood could well play No10 behind the trident. If you wanted to do that and give Bru-no Fernandes a rest, you could have Pogba and Nemanja Mat-ic supporting [Greenwood] and him pulling some of the strings, in the same way even Marcus Rashford could.“Grealish also has the ability to play across the frontline. We saw him playing for Aston Villa at the weekend and he dropped in at No10, he played No9 to-wards the end of the game and he can go on the left or the right.“That versatility - much like Jadon Sancho who can play across that frontline as well - just gives Manchester United all those options.”Can Man Utd afford them? Gre-alish ‘easily’, Sancho not for £100mBut how would Manchester United finance those two pur-chases when the transfer win-dow reopens? Cooper believes Grealish would be comfortably attainable for United financial-ly, but says, given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic,

they may have to find ways of structuring a deal with Borussia Dortmund to land extremely ex-pensive Sancho.“Certainly in terms of money, Jack Grealish is a deal Man-chester United can do pretty easily with the finances they have,” he said. “With Sancho, they’re going to have to get a bit more creative.“I don’t think we’re going to see a £100m transfer fee. There’s going to be some money down, there might be players involved, there might be sell-ons or buy-ons, just to protect them and give Dortmund the kind of mon-ey they deserve.“Before COVID-19 I think ev-eryone looked at it and thought that’s a £100m signing. But I don’t think anyone is writing a £100m (13.5 billion Kenya Shillings) cheque at Manchester United for one player.”Would Grealish leave home-town team Villa?If the finances of Grealish to United are straightforward, would the player - and Villa - actually be keen on the move?Sky Sports football journalist Gerard Brand believes Grealish would want to make the switch and Villa wouldn’t stand in his way.“If Villa go down, he goes,” Brand told the Sky Sports Foot-ball Weekend Review podcast. “That’s a shoo-in. If Villa sur-vive, it’s going to be up to Gre-alish. I can’t see Villa standing in his way if he does want to go - but they will drive a hard bargain.

Skysports

Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish have been linked with Manchester United

Wednesday, July 8, 2020| The Mt. Kenya Times22 SPORTS

SPORTSNEWS

PHOTOSSCORESOPINIONSSTATISTICSSCHEDULESBREAKING NEWS

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard to play when NBA season resumes

Sports >> * Dwight Howard has confirmed he will play for the Los Angeles Lakers when the

Howard to donate salary to ‘Breathe Again’ campaign: “We will begin a lot of work here in Atlanta and around the nation as far as making sure people don’t forget about us and what’s going on in our communities”

Dwight Howard has confirmed he will play for the Los Angeles Lakers when the NBA season re-sumes later this month.

Howard had reportedly been undecided about playing due to several circumstances.

The mother of his six-year-old son died in March following an epileptic seizure, while Howard has also been one of the NBA’s most outspoken players about the social responsibilities the league’s players have in the af-termath of George Floyd’s death.

Howard said in an interview

with CNN on Monday night that he will play with the Lakers when the season resumes in Or-lando on July 30.

Currently in Georgia, Howard said he will donate his salary to help “push this ‘Breathe Again’ movement.”

“I feel like we have a great op-portunity, the Lakers do, to win the title this year,” Howard said.

“Yes, I will be joining my team in Orlando, but during that time, we will begin a lot of work here in Atlanta and around the nation as far as making sure people don’t forget about us and what’s going on in our communities.”

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said last week that the team did not plan to replace Howard on the roster.

“We’ve been in communi-cation with Dwight the whole way,” Vogel said on July 1, the

deadline for teams to add veter-ans with more than three years of NBA experience.

“We don’t know what the level of participation is yet. He wants to play. We’re hopeful he’s able to join us. We’re hopeful and op-timistic that he’ll be able to join us in Orlando.”

The Lakers will be without point guard Avery Bradley, who has opted out of playing the re-mainder of the season to stay with his family and focus on community issues.

Howard issued a statement to CNN last month that read, “Bas-ketball, or entertainment period, isn’t needed at this moment, and will only be a distraction.

“Sure, it might not distract us the players, but we have re-sources at hand a majority of our community don’t have. And the smallest distraction for them can

start a trickle-down effect that may never stop.

“Especially with the way the climate is now. I would love nothing more than to win my very first NBA Championship. But the unity of My People would be an even bigger Cham-pionship, that’s just too beautiful to pass up.

“What better time than now for us to be focusing on our fam-ilies?”

Howard, 34, is averaging 7.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game for the Lakers this season. He had made two starts in 62 appearances.

The eight-time All-Star is on his fifth NBA team in the past five seasons.

Skysports

NBA season resumes later this month

Dwight Howard has made himself available for the Los Angeles Lakers when the season resumes in Orlando

The Mt. Kenya Times | Wednesday, July 8, 2020 23 SPORTS

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Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard to play when NBA season resumes...P. 19

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The British coach reveals to Goal why the latest decision by the government will affect his plans for the team in the continental competition

Gor Mahia coach Steven Polack has confessed the latest extension of curfew for sporting activities and social gatherings in Kenya will affect the club’s plans for the coming season.On Monday, Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta extended the curfew of sporting activities and social gatherings for another 30 days meaning it will now run until August 6.With Gor Mahia being crowned champions after the 2019-20 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season was ended owing to effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the club won the ticket to represent the country in the Caf Champions League for the fourth season in a row.The British coach has now told Goal the latest move by the government will affect his plans to prepare the team well ahead of the competition which is slated to kick off in September.

“The latest curfew has really affected my plans, in terms of what I wanted the team to achieve before the Caf competition starts in late September,” Polack told Goal on Tuesday.“It means the team cannot start pre-season training now until August 7 and remember, the competition will start after a few weeks then, it will be difficult for my team and players to display the game I want, the curfew has definitely affected my plans.“So when do we start preparations if the curfew goes until August 7?“When do you get time to gauge your new players if you sign any? It is a very difficult situation we find ourselves in, and we are not even sure whether the curfew will be lifted after August 7, we don’t know what the President will say again, he might extend it further and complicate matters even more.”Polack also revealed that, despite his love for football, he will travel to his home in Finland to check on his family when international flights resume.

“We still don’t know when football will resume in the country, and I love football but my family is also very important, I love football but I miss my children very much also,” Polack continued.“I will go home when the flights resume, it doesn’t matter, I have to go home and check on my family, I miss them anyway, my family was supposed to come to Kenya in the summer but because of Covid-19 they could not travel.”Asked whether he will come back in time for the league resumption, Polack said: “I am hoping so, I just want to spend some quality time with my children because they were supposed to come here in summer but because of the situation we could not control, it did not happen anyway.”Polack joined Gor Mahia at the start of the season replacing Hassan Oktay, and managed to win the curtain-raiser – KPL Cup – and the league title in his debut season.

Goal.com

Curfew will affect Gor Mahia plans – Polack