12 Monday, March 23, 2020 www.pd.co.ke // www.epaper.peopledaily.co.ke NO.07029 .HQ\D·V )5(( 1HZVSDSHU Stay home, Kenyans told Partial lockdown:Eight more new cases confirmed as Health minister Kagwe announces tougher measures, including mandatory quarantine, suspension of international News Beat PG 2 flights, ban on religious gatherings, restricting funerals and Rogue governor closure of bars to tame coronavirus spread PG 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 13 who has put hundreds at risk to be charged

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi 61%"5&
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Kagwe (right) /6.#&34 AFFECTED SECTORS with the National Emergency Response 365 cases Committee being traced for addresses the press screening in Kenya. at Harambee House, Nairobi, yesterday. At least 322,625 PD/JOHN OCHIENG people have been diagnosed with virus worldwide, 96,006 Eight more cases Mandatory quarantine Churches, mosques have recovered while 1 confirmed making 15. 2 at own cost. 3 closed. 13,746 have died.

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Health officers trace Kilifi Deputy Governor people suspected to Gideon Saburi is said to have come into contact Have travelled to Germany mid %OHDNIXWXUH with the Kilifi DG February Fri, Mar 6: Jetted back via by Reuben Mwambingu Amsterdam. IRUIORZHU @reubenmwambingu Sat, Mar 7: Met a group of Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Rabai MCAs at Royal Hotel in VHFWRUVWDII Saburi, who has tested positive for Mazeras in Rabai. coronavirus, will face court charges by Kirera Mwiti Sat, Mar 7: Had breakfast when he is discharged from hospi- with the MCAs before proceeding @PeopleDailyKe tal for refusing to isolate himself af- for a burial of the late former ter coming back from a foreign trip. Deputy Governor Kenneth Kamto’s Flower farms in Naivasha have Without naming him, Health bodyguard. warned that they could be unable Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to afford salaries for their workers in said that a “senior government of- Wed, Mar 18: Accompanied the coming month as the crisis in the ficial from Kilifi” who refused to go his driver at Karama Mbuzi in sector deepened due to coronavirus into self-quarantine for the man- Majengo, Mombasa where they had a sumptuous meal of Ugali pandemic. datory 14 days would be arraigned and mishkaki. This came as the government in court to face charges of willfully promised flower farmers support in exposing people to the disease. Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi at a past event. PD/FILE Thurs, Mar 19: He was the wake of the viral disease that has “We have observed there are spotted in a night club in Bamburi killed thousands globally. those who aren’t observing self county after refusing to do so, on ar- Day function in Rabai. where he mingled with a number Already, over 2,000 workers have quarantine protocols. National rival from abroad. And we will contin- He organised a breakfast meeting of revellers. been sent on a two-week paid leave Emergency Response Council ue doing so to protect other Kenyans with the MCAs before proceeding for by respective farms due to the col- (NERC) has decided that those from the contagious virus,” the CS the burial of former Deputy Governor Fri, Mar 20: Again alongside his driver they took refreshments lapse of the Dutch auction, which who violate self-quarantine pro- said during a media briefing. Kenneth Kamto’s bodyguard within at Cafesserie-Mombasa within takes over 50 per cent of exports from tocol will be quarantined for the the same Rabai constituency. Rabai Kilifi County’s communications Nyali centre where he also the country. full 14 days and thereafter arrested department declined to comment MP William Kamoti accompanied him. The deputy governor would later mingled with a number of In the last one week, some flower and charged in accordance with the on the matter and said the Ministry revellers for several hours before return to the Royal Hotel in Mazeras farms have resorted to destroying Public Health Act. This will apply of Health in Nairobi would commu- he left for his house in Bamburi. flowers worth millions of shillings to a senior government official who nicate. and continue with meetings with the every day as the product cannot reach MCAs. It was on this day that CS refused to observe this protocol and Governor Amason Kingi has con- Mutahi Kagwe announced that the EU market. was forcibly quarantined. Upon firmed that he also came into direct the government is tracking a According to Naivasha Sub-county the completion of the period given contact with the patient and he has Close contact suspected patient in Kilifi who commissioner Mathioya Mbogo, the by medical authorities he will be as a result gone into quarantine since He attended the women’s day func- happened to be the DG. flower sector is very critical to the charged,” the minister said during March 19, 2020 as protocol demands. tion at Rabai where Governor Kingi country’s economy and the national a press briefing outside Harambee He said the emergency response and other Kilifi leaders were also pres- It was on this same day Friday that government would release support House (the Office of the President), team visited his home and collected ent. He is said to have attended three Kagwe warned that the government measures. Nairobi, yesterday. specimen but the tests turned out other burials and two weddings where will not hesitate to forcibly quaran- “We have had several meetings negative. he is reported to have interacted with tine anyone who fails to abide by with the farmers and assured them of Protect Kenyans “Despite turning negative, corona- close to a 1,000 people, according to a instructions outlined by the gov- government support as they support And now health authorities in virus protocol dictate that I continue source privy to his movement after the ernment in regards to Covid-19 hundreds of families directly and in- Kilifi are tracing people suspected with self quarantine till the expiry of Germany trip. containment measures. directly,” he said. to have come into contact with Sa- 14 days. I will fully comply,” said the In one of the burials he attended he But according to sources, at- He noted that Naivasha was home buri who came back from Germany Governor in a statement. was photographed in close contact tempts to quarantine the official to tens of flower farms warning that and allegedly refused to go into self- He added that the coronavirus with Lands Chief Administrative Sec- had failed as he resisted vehemently. sending workers home would lead quarantine. emergency response teams have retary Gideon Mung’aro as they shared He was reportedly approached by to social disorder and rise in crime in The deputy governor is said to already been deployed across the the high table. health officials where his samples and around the town. have interacted with several staff county and are tracing each and ev- On Wednesday afternoon of were taken and advised to quaran- The proprietor Maridadi flower members of the County Assembly ery contact. March 18, Saburi is said to have tine but he dramatically declined. farm Jack Kneppers said they would in his office and further went on The deputy governor is said to accompanied his driver to a place On watching the CS’s live address, be making a major decision this week. to attend a local burial where he is have arrived in the country on March called Karama Mbuzi in Majengo he reportedly left his home in Bam- “Early in the week we sent 150 feared to have come in contact with 6 from Germany via Amsterdam and area of Mombasa where they had a buri and spent the night at a friend’s workers home as we monitor the several other people. he is said to have met Governor Kingi meal of Ugali and mshikaki. house in Mtwapa. situation and nothing has changed Health officials from the Kilifi and senior county officials as well as The following day on March 19, he However, Governor Kingi report- was spotted in a nightclub in Bam- meaning we could send more home,” County emergency response team interacting with hundreds of resi- edly dispatched county askaris to buri area where he mingled freely said the farmer, who has employed had picked him up from his resi- dents in social gatherings including track him down and he was forci- with a number of revellers. bly arrested before he was taken to 750 workers. dence and took him to an isolation burials and wedding ceremonies in On Friday, March 20, again along- Coast Provincial General Hospital in According to the Kenya Export, centre. Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi. side his driver, they took refresh- Mombasa where he is said to have Floriculture, Horticulture and Allied On Friday, the minister said a On March 7, a day after arriving ments at Cafesserie Mombasa within been hospitalised in isolation. Workers Union secretary general suspected Covid-19 case had been back, Saburi met a group of Rabai David Omulama, over 15 farms had Nyali centre where he also mingled His driver, who had accompanied forcibly quarantined in Mombasa. Members of County Assembly at with a number of revellers for several him in all his movements since he already sent part of their workers “Today, we have been forced to Royal Hotel in Mazeras for prepara- home. hours before he left for his house in jetted back is also quarantined after quarantine an individual in Kilifi tions of the International Women’s Bamburi. he displayed Covid-19 symptoms.   WEATHER TODAY 803-%1"(&
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the capital city) resigned for Igathe’s the umpteenth time from Vivo Energy. resignations In doing so, the charismatic honcho rejoined Equity Bank make him as its Chief Commercial Of- ficer, a role he previously held Kenya’s most at the firm before he resigned to rejoin Vivo Energy in Au- restless boss gust 2019 as the Executive Vice President in charge of sales across the oil market- Many Kenyans have aptly ing company’s operations in labeled him as Kenya’s most Africa. restless chief executive of- Mark you, all the above ficer for his unrivalled repu- happened less than a year tation of being constantly on after his appointment in the move. A man whose next 2018. The serial “resigner”’ resignation is always a breath had first served Vivo until away. he left in 2017 to join Sonko But it came to pass once as deputy governor before more recently when Polycarp his, your guess is as good as Igathe, the former Nairobi mine…. prompt resignation in Deputy Governor (IEBC says January 2018. he technically is the deputy of

Day minister Amos Kimunya preferred to die, then resigned Some epic Some words said in fit of was sold to a Libyan firm for anger or arrogance have way a sum that a Cabinet minister of coming to bite or haunt described as “not even cover- someone. ing the cost of furniture”. Amos Kimunya. You re- The parliament went ahead member him? The then to censure Kimunya over graft reasons Finance minister. In 2008, claims in the hotel sale. during a public rally in his “One thing I am not pre- Kipipiri home turf, said he pared to do, and I will not do, would rather die than resign I will not resign. I’d rather die in a controversy over a city than resign,” he told the rally. hotel sale. But as characteristic of people quit The tiff was over claims the Kenyan politicians, Kimunya minister had sold Grand (now did not keep his dare, as he Laico) Regency hotel below unceremoniously resigned on the market price. The hotel July 8, 2008. Minister steps down over their jobs… crabs and watermelons Working for Japan civil sive melons and crabs to vot- At some point in your employment life service requires high level ers and offering a supporter’s of honesty, integrity and up- family condolence money. His you’ll leave that job you cherish—or holding societal values. All resignation was swiftly ac- loathe—and move on to bigger and better the above reads like Greek to cepted by Prime Minister Kenyan civil servants, but a “I bear responsibility for one. Maybe it’s for a pay rise, time for a violation of the above come his appointment and I deeply change, or perhaps…. a scandal. with debilitating consequenc- apologise to the people of es in the land of Samurai. Japan for this result,” Abe In October last year, a Jap- told reporters. “I don’t want anese Trade Minister Isshu my problems to slow down Sugawara resigned following parliament deliberations,” accusations that he violated Sugawara told reporters on election campaign laws by Friday, explaining his resig- giving gifts including expen- nation. Man quits job after work-from-home request denied

As Covid-19 continues We just come to the office for up or phone call or email to wreak havoc around the the sake of formality,” Pep- about what happened,” world, thousands of employ- pers says. Peppers says. “I really hope ers have asked employees After watching news of they take it seriously for my to allow them to work from Covid-19, Peppers became co-workers and friends. It’s Judge who resigned by accident! home as as one strategy to worried and says he asked to scary.” forestall the spread of the work from home. But he says He says the whole situation A judge is always expected to be prudent and error free, but killer virus. Many employees his request was denied via and news of Covid-19 spread- this incidence that happened last year in US shows they too, are love the idea of working from text-message. “I decided right ing stressed him out that all human! A newly elected judge accidentally resigned after he the comfort of a warm bed, there and then that I’m go- week, and he did not get much shared plans online to run for the state supreme court, appar- who wouldn’t, anyway! ing to quit,” he says. “I asked sleep the morning when he ently unaware that the Texas constitution considers such an an- But not all employers are myself, ‘is my life worth more decided to quit. Peppers says nouncement an automatic resignation! of the idea. A Middle Tennes- than my job or my pay check?’ he’s now working to As the Harris County Civil Court judge, Bill McLeod, later see American man quit his job And the absurdity of that update his learned, Article 16, Section 65, of the state’s constitution says after he his company refused question popped into my head. re- that a judge’s announcement of candidacy for another office his request to let him work Of course, it is.” sume “shall constitute an automatic resignation of the office then from home! Peppers says on Friday and is held.” Bryan Peppers, better morning he sent an email to look- “I messed up,” McLeod said in an interview with The Wash- known as Maverick, says the supervisor and came to ing for ington Post. He said he hadn’t combed through the Texas consti- he’s worked for his company the office to give everything remote, tution before announcing he’d run for the Supreme Court. “The for about 10 months. “I’m a back, but says he still has not contract mistake was it was an archaic 180-page document that I did not programmer. I can do what I heard from the office. work. know contained this particular provision. I guess I did not scour need to behind a monitor, and “It stings to think that I everything that could possibly disrupt a run.” it doesn’t matter where I’m at. haven’t even gotten a follow-  NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 CORONA CRISIS 7RXJKHUUXOHVDV&RURQDFDVHVULVHWR Health Cabinet Secretary Kagwe suspends religious gatherings and international flights and shuts bars

by Zadock Angira, Antony Mwangi and Hillary Mageka @PeopleDailyKe

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe yesterday asked Kenyans to stay at home as government announced additional mea- sures to tame the spread of coronavirus. He said eight more coronavirus cases had been confirmed, bringing the total to 15. He added that new cases involved five Kenyans, two French nationals and a Mexican. Kagwe, who asked citizens to strictly observe the self-quarantine rule, said the government is tracing 365 individuals who had come into contact with the eight. Addressing a press conference at Haram- bee House, the CS said because of major- ity of people have ignored safety protocols Inspector to self quarantine on returning from Ger- Kagwe said the disease is serious and of the Public Health Act provides for of- outlined last Friday on social distancing, General of many. urged Kenyans to comply with guidelines fences related to the spreading infectious the government had been forced to ban Police Hilary Effective last midnight, the CS an- to safeguard live. diseases. gatherings in churches and mosques. Mutyambai nounced that all bars will remain closed He warned public service vehicles op- Violators may also be charged with He also ordered closure of bars, banned speaks during until further notice. erators who defy the directives given last criminal negligence, under the Penal weddings and restricted funerals to family a press briefing However, restaurants are to remain week on social distancing that they will Code, which involves doing anything that members not exceeding 15. at Harambee open but only for purposes of facilitating have their licences revoked. shows reckless disregard for the lives or Other measures outlined by Kagwe, in- House in takeaway services. “We are taking this thing very seriously safety of other people. clude suspension of all international flights Nairobi, “This is meant to secure the social dis- but some of you are holding us back. We effective Wednesday with the exception of yesterday. PD/ tance requirement, noting the increased will revoke those licences and this is not a Notify conductor cargo flights whose crew must observe JOHN OCHIENG risk of transmission these facilities cause,” joke,” he said. The charges may, however, be enhanced strict guidelines. he said. Isiolo Governor Mohammed Kuti, who if the victims succumb to the disease. “Those coming into the country be- Kagwe added:“These directives take ef- is the chair of the Health Committee in Section 28 of the Act states: “Any per- tween now and Wednesday will undergo NEW CASES fect immediately until further notice.” the Council of Governors, said counties son who, while suffering from any infec- mandatory quarantine at a government The CS said the response council was had also established coronavirus rapid tious disease, wilfully exposes himself designated facility at their own expense,” Health Cabinet looking for about 363 people who came response units. without proper precautions against said the CS. Secretary Mutahi into contact with the eight. “All governors should communicate to spreading the disease shall be guilty of an Countries wishing to evacuate their na- Kagwe said the new “Some of them were tourists who have the electorate to avoid unnecessary move- offence and liable to a fine not exceeding tionals, he said, must make their arrange- cases involved visited the national parks, clubs and hotels ment during this period,” Kuti said thirty thousand shillings or to imprison- ments to do so within this period. five Kenyans, two where they interacted with many people. Though there is no official and specific ment for a term not exceeding three years French nationals These are the people we are looking for,” legislation, those who knowingly spread or to both.” Public Health Act and a Mexican. he said the virus through acts or omissions will The same punishment will also be “Kenyans who are currently in foreign Interior Principal Secretary Karanja held criminally liable. meted against any person in charge of the He said the gov- Kibicho directed officials of the National The Health ministry has said the sus- infected person who exposes such person. countries, and will not have come back ernment was trac- within the period are advised to observe Government Administration officers, pects may be charged with offences under Anyone selling or giving clothing or any ing 365 individuals item which have been exposed to infec- the guidelines issued in the respective who had come into including the Regional Commission- the Public Health Act and the Penal Code. tion without disinfecting them also risk countries wherever they are,” he said. contact with the ers, County Commissioners to assistant Sections 28, 29 and 30, for example, Whereas the government had allowed eight. chiefs, to ensure that all directives are similar punishment. Kenyans and foreigners with valid resi- adhered to. ,"3"/+"
,*#*$)0 To prevent the spread in vehicles, the dence permits to come in to the country, The number of “If you are found with an open church in Act also requires any person suffering the CS said some were not self-quarantin- global coronavi- your area, disciplinary action will be taken. from any infectious disease to notify the ing. rus cases surged We shall enforce this without mercy,” said
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NFSDZ Any person who fails to do so risks a fine nor Gideon Saburi who allegedly refused he said. not exceeding Sh40,000.

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Pope Francis said on Sunday he His decision to make an excep- as part of a lockdown in Italy to try to noon Italian time on Wednesday to will this week deliver an extraordi- tion and give a special “Urbi et Orbi” contain the spread of the virus. pray the “Our Father” together. nary “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and blessing underscored the gravity of Catholics who receive the bless- “We want to respond to the pan- the world) blessing - normally given the situation worldwide but particu- ing, either in person or via the media, demic of the virus with the univer- only at Christmas and Easter - and larly in Italy, which has overtaken can, under certain conditions, re- sality of prayer, of compassion, of called for worldwide prayer to re- China as the country hardest hit by ceive a special indulgence. An indul- tenderness,” he said from the papal spond to the coronavirus crisis. the virus outbreak. gence is remission of punishment library. “Let’s remain united”. Francis made the surprise an- for sins. In its latest desperate effort to halt nouncement in his weekly Ange- Wednesday prayer On Saturday, Italy recorded a jump the epidemic, the Italian government lus message, which he has been The pope said that on Friday eve- in deaths from coronavirus of almost ordered that all businesses must delivering from inside the Vatican ning he would deliver the extraor- 800, taking the death toll in the coun- close until April 3, with the exception over the internet and television in- dinary blessing from an empty St. try to nearly 5,000. of those essential to maintaining the stead of before crowds in St. Peter’s Peter’s Square. The square, which is Francis also called on all Chris- country’s supply chain. Pope Francis. PD/FILE Square. part of the Vatican, has been closed tians around the world to stop at —Agencies Monday, March 23, 2020 / PEOPLE DAILY NEWS BEAT  CORONA CRISIS 6WDWHEDQV&KXUFKPRVTXH JDWKHULQJVLQQHZGLUHFWLYHV ...as reality dawns on faithful who were locked out of or ejected from their .HQ\D8JDQGD places of worship yesterday by People Daily Team ERUGHUVKXWDV @PeopleDailyKe 0XVHYHQLSODQV The government yesterday suspended church, mosque and other social gather- ings as it moved to tame further spread of WRVWRSYLUXV coronavirus. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe by Anthony Mwangi said the government would strictly enforce and Henry Andanje the directive because previous such mea- @PeopleDailyKe sures to avoid gatherings, including wed- dings and funerals, were largely ignored. The government has closed the “We’ve told people not to go into gather- Kenya-Uganda common border in ings but some of them have decided they Busia to help tame the spread of coro- must continue to do so,” he said in a press navirus, Busia County Commissioner briefing yesterday. Most churches in Nairobi also suspend- A man at a lowers to conduct prayers at homes. Joseph Kanyiri has said. The CS, while announcing the country ed their services. At the Christian Founda- deserted All Elsewhere in Nyamira, Christians went The administrator said buses that had confirmed eight more coronavirus tion Fellowship (CFF), most of their ser- Saints’ ACK about their activities undeterred. The defi- ferry passengers from Kenya to Ugan- cases, warned that Kenyans must learn mons were broadcast online. Cathedral Church ant faithful turned up in huge numbers at da and vice versa have been directed from Italy, which he said has borne the “You can’t be reckless in the name of in Nairobi, their places of worship. to cancel bookings and refund fares. brunt of the virus because of initial defi- God. The same God allowed it and He yesterday. The It was an unusual Sunday for many Transit trucks are, however, exempt ance to social distancing directives. wants us to learn and repent. Obey what services at the faithful in Nakuru county as some church- from the directive, but with only the The new directive comes even as Chris- the government is saying,” said CFF bishop church were es remained closed. driver and his conductor aboard. tians across the country yesterday felt the Harrison Ng’ang’a. suspended for the At Christ is The Answer Ministries, gates Meanwhile, Ugandan President impact of the coronavirus outbreak, as The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) first time in 100 remained closed with a poster that no one Yoweri Museveni announced the new most were locked out of their places of has also suspended all its services for the years, yesterday. was to be allowed in the premise until fur- tough measures, including the closure worship and others ejected by police of- next 30 days. This the first time that the All PD/SAMUEL KARIUKI ther notice. The Ministry advised congre- of Entebbe International Airport to all ficers. Saints Cathedral in Nairobi suspended its gants to watch the service on Facebook or commercial flights after the country Others attended church from the com- services in 100 years. alternatively on Hope TV. confirmed its first case on Saturday. fort of their houses as their pastors live In Kisii, Catholic Bishop Joseph Okem- Museveni said in the absence of an streamed services online while others were Suspended services wa cancelled weddings ceremonies and East African Community risk plan, no beamed on TV and radio. The church announced that Archbishop ordered they be postponed until further person, Ugandan national or other- However, in some parts of the coun- Jackson ole Sapit will be conducting special notice. wise will be allowed into Uganda start- try, including Nairobi, Kiambu and Kisii broadcast services on Sundays at 8am and And in Kiambu, most churches defied ing yesterday. counties, some followers defied the gov- Wednesdays 6pm. the government’s directives against public Yesterday, the Uganda Civil Aviation ernment directive and turned up in large “This will be streamed live on the official gatherings. Authority blocked 10 South Korean numbers to worship, attracting criticism Archbishop and ACK Facebook pages and nationals from entering the country. from Kenyans, especially on digital plat- other platforms. Additionally, we encour- forms. age the use of technology in the ministry,” For the defiant ones, some faithful were Archbishop Sapit said. locked out of their churches, with police in The Presbyterian Church of East Africa 5(38%/,&2).(1<$ 0XVOLPOREELHV Mombasa disrupting worship activities. (PCEA) has also suspended its Sunday ser- At the Jesus Celebration Centre (JCC) in vices and all other church activities. Bamburi, Mombasa county, worshippers PCEA secretary-general Peter Kaniah ZDQWDOOHQWU\ were forced to cut short their service fol- said the church has suspended the services 3$5/,$0(17$5<6(59,&(&200,66,21 lowing a directive by police. for the next 21 days. In line with this, the SRLQWVFORVHG “We normally conduct three services but service at Nairobi’s St Andrews Church was $''(1'80 we have been forced to do two. We are not broadcast on live TV. opposed to the precautionary measures 5)3123-65)3)25 by Harrison Kivisu But the Kenya Conference of Catholic @PeopleDailyKe but we feel it’s not right for police to disrupt Bishops said masses will continue in all us,” said Kenneth Maundu, a worshipper. 3529,6,212)352-(&70$1$*(0(176(59,&(6 their churches—but that has since been )25683(59,6,212)7+(,03/(0(17$7,212)7+( Led by Kisauni police boss Julius Kira- overtaken by CS Kagwe’s directive. A spot- Two Muslim lobby groups have 352326(',17(5*5$7('6(&85,7<0$1$*(0(17 gu, officers blocked the church entrance check at Holy Family Basilica revealed that urged the government to close all bor- 6<67(0 ,606 $1',1)5$6758&785()25 to ensure no more worshippers could go the masses were ongoing, but had been ders with neighbours to help stop the 3$5/,$0(17$5<6(59,&(&200,66,21 inside. Kiragu said a multi-agency team shortened. spread of the Covid-19. had raided over five churches that had de- In a letter addressed to all priests in The Supreme Council of Kenyan 7KH3DUOLDPHQWDU\6HUYLFH&RPPLVVLRQDGYHUWLVHGWKH5HTXHVW fied directives to avoid social gatherings to Nairobi, Father Wallace Ng’ang’a directed Muslims (Supkem) and Kenya Muslim IRU3URSRVDOIRU3URYLVLRQRI3URMHFW0DQDJHPHQW6HUYLFHVIRU tame the spread of the virus. priests not to extend mass beyond one National Advisory Council (KEMNAC), 6XSHUYLVLRQRIWKH,PSOHPHQWDWLRQRIWKH3URSRVHG,QWHJUDWHG “There are some churches that have hour. “Offertory will be done after the fi- 6HFXULW\ 0DQDJHPHQW 6\VWHP ,606  DQG ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH RQ in a joint media briefing, said no indi- defied the order and we are not going to nal communion prayer to avoid possible WK)HEUXDU\ vidual should enter or leave the coun- allow people to continue disobeying gov- spread of the virus during reception of Holy try until the situation is contained. ernment orders,” he said. Communion Fr Ng’ang’a said. “Until things normalise,the borders 7KH&RPPLVVLRQZRXOGOLNH WRQRWLI\DOOHOLJLEOHELGGHUVRIWKH “Where possible, encourage Christians IROORZLQJFKDQJHVWKDW should be shut for the next 14 days. to use pay bill number,” he said. Many cases are from people coming ONLINE BACKLASH In Murang’a, it was business as usual in from outside and we should not con- D  (OLJLEOH ELGGHUV PD\ DFFHVV TXHVWLRQVFODUL¿FDWLRQV Using hashtag #IgnorantKenyans, most churches, although some precaution- tinue to allow people to come in,” said UHFHLYHG IURP RWKHU SURVSHFWLYH ELGGHUV DQG WKH Kenyans on Twitter castigates faithful and ary measures had been put in place. &RPPLVVLRQ¶V UHVSRQVH IURP WKH &RPPLVVLRQ ZHEVLWH KEMNAC chair Sheikh Juma Ngao. Churches who defied directives and insisted At ACK St James Cathedral in Murang’a XQGHU WKH WLWOH ³5)3 12 3-65)3 Ngao urged Muslim leaders to shut on physical services. town, tents were erected outside the &/$5,),&$7,216´  down Mosques as directed by the gov- church to decongest the buidling. ernment to avert any possible spread. One user, _ItsShark, said: “...You can’t In Vihiga , Christians were forced to stay E  7KH FORVLQJ GDWH KDV EHHQ H[W HQGHG E\ IRXUWHHQ   “We urge all our Muslims to cooper- ignore the safety measures given and expect at home after their churches closed to obey GD\VWR:HGQHVGD\WK$SULODWDP ate and ensure they pray from home. God to protect you. Kenyans, kindly let’s be the directives given by the ministry. This is the only way to cushion our- serious.” Another one by the name mutho- Church of God in East Africa led by selves from the spread, shutting down ni_njakwe said: “ Sometimes I wonder which Bishop Byrum Makokha ordered its main ',5(&725*(1(5$/3$5/,$0(17$5<-2,176(59,&(6 mosques does not mean we are aban- God some people serve. Even the Bible says churches to remain closed asking their fol- 3$5/,$0(17$5<6(59,&(&200,66,21 doning the religion,” he said. we respect the Authority. Romans 13:2.”  NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 CORONA CRISIS

WORLD UPDATE Cases pass 300,000 1 with more than 13,000 deaths around the world; 92,000 people have recovered. Australia to close 2 pubs, clubs, cinemas, casinos, nightclubs and places of worship. Sport and physical 3 activity outside are banned in Italy’s worst hit region of A deserted Moktar Daddah Street in Nairobi’s CBD, yesterday. Lombardy. Faithful at Macedonia Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, Langas estate in Eldoret, in an open-air Most Kenyans remained indoors as directed by the government church service, yesterday, in the wake of coronovirus that has forced the government to urge to help tame spread of coronavirus. PD/JOHN OCHIENG The move comes Kenyans to observe social distancing. PD/JIMMY GITAKA 4 after Italy reported nearly 800 coronavirus deaths on Saturday. Britons are 5 warned the spread of the virus is “accelerating” and they must avoid social contact. More than a billion 6 people in India asked to observe a 14-hour-long curfew to test the country’s preparedness.

Uhuru Park, Nairobi’s biggest public recreation facility now seems unpopular for many. PD/ JOHN OCHIENG Jubilee Christian Church, Nairobi, held its services normally but members were spaced out as per the ministry of Health guidelines on social distancing. PD/SAMUEL KARIUKI

A handful of worshippers in prayer at the Mitume Catholic Church in Kitale, yesterday. PD/DAVID MUSUNDI

Police officers disperse faithful who had gathered for Sunday service prayers at Jesus Celebration Centre in Bamburi, Holy Family Minor Basilica administrator Simon Peter Kamomoe Mombasa, yesterday. PD/ NDEGWA GATHUNGU administers holy communion to faithful who attended mass yesterday. The Catholic church has not suspended Sunday masses. PD/ SAMUEL KARIUKI Monday, March 23, 2020/ PEOPLE DAILY NEWS BEAT  CORONA CRISIS 1HZ&7VFDQFHQWUHWRKHOSPRQLWRUYLUXV New facility at Kenyatta we have been able to witness combating and defeating the various medical ailments, rou- close to 20 counties, lifting the National Hospital to realities, that instead of send- Covid-19. tine checks, emergencies and heavy burden of treatment off be connected to three ing a radiologist to every coun- 37 Should it be a success, he teaching. the shoulders of poor families ty across the country, in the 37 Number of counties connected said, Kenya would be the first The KNH national data cen- under one of the Big Four de- countries, 37 counties counties, for instance we are to CT Scan centre at the KNH, country in Africa to have put all tre will serve as a centre of excel- livery pillars of the Universal communicating CT scans in Nairobi. its available resources in an ef- lence housing CT machines and Health Coverage. by Hillary Mageka those counties can be inter- fort to curb global scourge and other supportive equipment in- Among the state-of-the-art @PeopleDailyKe preted at this national centre supplement other pioneer ef- cluding radiologists interfaced machines fitted are automatic by two or three radiologists,” 3 forts been made by the govern- with counties in interpreting TC generator as power back-up, an To combat the spread of Co- CS Kagwe told journalists. The number of countries to be ment. and MRI images. Uninterruptible Power Supply vid-19, the government has “You can see the efficiency connected to the new centre. The CT Scan centre will pro- So far, the government has (UPS), cloud imaging devices, launched a Computed Tomog- and gains in terms of human vide imaging diagnostics of installed CT scan machines in laser and thermol printers. raphy (CT) scan centre of excel- capital, we can achieve through lence interfaced with Artificial use of technology,” he added. Intelligence Software dubbed Golden Eye used to detect the Technology assisted deadly virus. The CS said the country’s The centre will be located healthcare will be premised on at Kenyatta National Hospital technology insisting that the (KNH). launch of the facility was such The technology, the first of an example. its kind in Africa, makes Kenya In yesterday’s demonstra- the second country globally to tions, the CS, Chinese officials, embrace the machine first de- other government officials and veloped in Wuhan, China, and the media, witnessed how the successfully used to detect and CT scans can be read by at least help in monitoring progress of 10 radiologists across the world Covid-19 patients. with report and images being In Wuhan, the first epicentre interpreted real time. of Covid-19, the technology “Very quickly, we are go- aided in early detection of the ing to have major operations virus, yielding positive and being done in Kenya by local promising results. doctors with others in Wuhan Speaking during the launch China, Paris, UK and US,” said of the initiative, Health CS Mu- the CS. tahi Kagwe termed the technol- This, he added will reduce ogy a game-changer in Kenya’s trouble for Kenyans who have healthcare. been travelling abroad for treatment Healthcare providers “We will bring the doctors to Kagwe said the platform will the screens instead of taking enable patients and health- the patient to overseas, this is care providers to interact with what technology can do for us,” health experts at Kenya’s main he held. referral hospital, KNH, using On his part, KNH chairman video conferencing. board of management Nicho- The technology is connected las Gumbo said the technol- to Moi Teaching and Referral ogy will enable healthcare Hospital (MTRH), the country’s workers to share information second referral hospital. It will real time. also be connected to facilities Gumbo added that noth- in China’s Wuhan and Beijing ing is being left to chance in cities, France, Egypt and at least 37 counties. Some of the hospitals with CT SCAN TECHNOLOGY already operational CT centres include King Fahad Hospital in Computed Tomography (CT) Scan centre of excellence inter- Lamu, Kakamega County Re- faced with Artificial Intelligence ferral Hospital, Thika Level Five Software dubbed Golden Eye Hospital, Iten County Referral used to detect the deadly virus Hospital (Elgeyo Marakwet), Narok County Referral Hospi- The technology, the first of tal and Voi Level Five Hospital its kind in Africa, makes Kenya in Taita Taveta. the second country globally to China embassy in Nairobi embrace the machine first devel- and Neosoft offered the soft- oped in Wuhan City, China, and ware solution for free. successfully used to detect and “Through this technology help in monitor Covid-19 patients

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe when he officially launch the COVID-19 CT Scans machine yesterday at Kenyatta National Hospital. With the equipment patients’ information from counties can be interpreted through the Diagonstic Imaging Centre at KNH. PD/TABITHA MBATIA NEWS BEAT PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 CORONA CRISIS

We have four groups of The first carrier A go out to find C, passes by A has contact with C. No matter Quarantined & Observed D stay in home & never go out They are easy to find and stranger B in public; A & B how many people are in C, we people A, B, C and D mostly in care don’t know each other. can find them.

  6DIHJXDUGPHQWDOKHDOWKRI Lobbies call for bills deferment .HQ\DQVERG\XUJHV6WDWH Some 16 human rights organisa- tions have called upon Kenya Power and all public water providers to an- Health ministry asked to selling during this Covid-19 crisis period. nounce a moratorium on payment “Just like the rest of the world, Kenyans of bills for all people living in urban publish mental health are anxious about the future occurrences settlements during the Covid-19 crisis guidelines, avail hotlines around Covid-19; we do not know what period. The organisations expressed will happen but in the midst of all this, we concern that millions of people living for counselling sessions should protect our health and support in urban informal settlements and each other as much as possible, at all lev- byGeorge Kebaso other neighbourhoods across the els, to ensure that we come out of it healthy country do not get continuous clean @Morarak including mentally,” Mbugua, an advocate and affordable water. The call was of the High Court, said. made in a statement to the Health The International Institute for Legisla- The two attribute their concerns to the Cabinet secretary signed by, among tive Affairs (IILA) is calling on the govern- amount of stress and panic that was wit- others, Amnesty International, Action- ment to urgently put in place measures to nessed in the country when the first case Aid, Umande Trust, and Kenya Na- safeguard the mental health of citizens in was announced. tional Commission on Human Rights the event a total lockdown is declared to The announcement sent Kenyans into (KNCHR). Kenya has confirmed seven avert escalation of coronavirus cases. panic mode with people scrambling for cases of Covid-19 as per Thursday’s In an interview with People Daily, Celine household goods in bulk, while others government update. A Ministry of Health official educates members of the public on Awuor, the Institute’s programme officer started sending false information on so- – Bernard Gitau in charge of capacity building and Medi- personal hygiene at the KenCom bus stop in Nairobi, yesterday, cial media. cal Law writer, Elizabeth Mbugua, said go- to help stop spread of Covid-19. PD/SAMUEL KARIUKI “All these reactions being evidence that ing forward, decisions to be made require despite knowing the presence of the dis- deliberate efforts to address mental health tion and low living standards. ease in other countries we were not pre- challenges posed by the pandemic. Fix prices pared mentally to have the disease in our Nyanza in corona Besides focusing on populations, the country,” they said. “The government needs to ensure that duo said actions should importantly target .#6(6" Awour and Mbugua want Kenyans to ad- people who are not able to fend for them- sensitisation drive healthcare providers and caregivers. here to the partial lockdown measures that selves without going to work every day “Should more cases be recorded in the have already been ordered as more cases Chiefs and assistant chiefs in Nyan- are comfortable while self-isolating. Our days to come, the country may go into continue to be recorded in the country. za region have embarked on door-to- government should learn from the trade full lockdown as is the case in other coun- As part of response and support strate- door campaigns to sensitise locals on ministry in Rwanda which fixed prices for tries and these are the times we need to be ,FOZBOT
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including prevention and control nor suspected recorded cases. Most and spread of the Novel coronavirus, paredness, and even management of strategies. Further, the African teams impressively, there were no new medically known as Covid-19, in the fast-spreading virus. learned how to undertake efficient local transmission cases in China’s Wuhan, China has rolled out one of In less than two months, China’s

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The problem is, we can’t find Once D go out, they might The objective of lockdown and Basically incubation period By this method, we can: One person can make a huge B. Nobody knows who is B, contact/meet/pass by B. Now D quarantine is using time to find is two weeks, within which Find out Group B. Quarantine difference. STEP BACK. Stay including B themselves becomes new B (B2) out Group B. Group B will show symptoms. & treatment applied. home. Slow the spread. Reduce & stop B2. Stop the transmission.

A camel rider at the Jomo EAC joint inspections aim to Kenyatta public beach in Mombasa. Members of improve healthcare in region the public have been Since 2009, the East African Commu- banned from nity Partner States’ Medical and Dental %"/*&-
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sities are conforming to the standards GATHUNGU and guidelines governing medical and dental schools with a view to improv- ing healthcare services and promotion as those used in Uganda, the boards/coun- of the harmonisation of education and cils inspected 13 universities in Kenya. training in the region. Following the inspections, Mount Kenya 7HQTXDUDQWLQHG Other than quality assurance, the University School of Medicine, Maseno other advantage of the inspections is University School of Medicine and Kisii that the doctors from the medical and University School of Health Sciences were dental schools which conform to the set found to have met the minimum require- standards are given EAC reciprocal recog- ments for the training of medical students. LQ&RDVWWKUHHWHVW nition upon their qualification as practitio- This, therefore, makes their graduates ners, meaning they can practise in Kenya, eligible for reciprocal recognition within Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi or the EAC. South Sudan. Institutions like the University of Nairobi The inspections are carried out by a School of Medicine and that of Dentistry, QHJDWLYHLQ1DNXUX Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture technical team from the EAC partner States boards/councils as well as a repre- and Technology Medical School, Moi Police in Murang’a Mbathi said the guests and staff local health centre with symptoms sentative of a country’s Commission for University, School of Medicine and that of the hotel in which the two stayed similar to those of coronavirus. University Education. So far, there have of Dentistry, Kenya Methodist University, hunting for a man had also been quarantined. An ambulance was dispatched been two joint inspections, in 2009 and in School of Medicine, Egerton University, “There were nine in-house to collect her but after screening it 2016, with the third taking place between Faculty of Health Sciences, Kenyatta Uni- believed to have defied guests and 36 staff members in that was established she was suffering February and June 2020. versity, School of Medicine and Masinde order to self-isolate hotel but we have quarantined all from flu to the relief of residents. The inspections focus on, among Muliro University of Science & Technology, after arrival from US of them and are now awaiting med- According to the Chief Officer in other things, lecturers’ qualifications School of Medicine scored between 50 and ical reports,” he said. charge of health in Nakuru County and whether they are suited to teach the 80 per cent, and were found to have par- by PD Team Kwale County Chief Officer for Samuel King’ori, the patient was programmes, lecturer to student ratio, the tially complied. stable. “The woman was treated @PeopleDailyKe Health Services Salim Mbete said academic programmes being run by the Even though their graduates will be the Kwale county government has for flu and is recovering. There is medical/dental school and whether they eligible for reciprocal recognition within set isolation rooms in all its four no reason to worry,” he said. At least 10 people in the Coast the EAC upon qualification, the institu- sub-county hospitals. Meanwhile, there was relief in have been approved and accredited by region are in isolation centres after relevant authorities, teaching and learning tions will be subjected to a re-inspection exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19. In Murang’a, police are looking Nakuru after health officials an- for a man who believed to have nounced the last three suspected infrastructure such as classrooms, labora- within six to 12 months to ensure they are Mombasa County Commissioner tories and libraries, quality improvement, working towards the achievement of the Gilbert Kitiyo said eight patients arrived in the country from the Covid-19 cases had been dis- United States last week but defied charged after they tested negative. student welfare facilities and support recommendations laid out by the boards/ have been quarantined at the Coast councils. Provincial General Hospital’s isola- orders to self-quarantine. He is said mechanisms such as recreational grounds, Clean bill Uzima University College, Medical tion centre, adding that test results to have proceeded to his home in welfare policies, healthcare, accommoda- Nakuru Health County Execu- were expected yesterday evening. Makuyu instead of self-isolating for tion and risk protection. School scored below 50 per cent and failed tive Committee member Dr Kariuki This comes as the county emer- 14 days. Before an inspection is carried out, stan- to comply with the minimum require- Gichuki said the three were dis- gency response committee an- “I have directed the area chief dard tools for self-assessment are sent to ments for training medical students. The charged on Saturday bringing total nounced several measures, includ- with the help of other officers to the medical and dental schools and teach- school will have to be closed and stu- number of those who have been ing closure of mosques, churches hunt down the man and the neces- dents redistributed under the guidance given a clean bill of health to eight. ing hospitals. and temples for two weeks and a sary action be taken against him,” of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and “We don’t have any suspected Medical and dental schools in Uganda section of Kongowea market for said Murang’a county police com- case at our isolation facility at the were the first to be inspected this year be- Dentists Council and the Commission a month to curb the spread of the mander Josphat Kinyua. moment,” the official said. tween February 10 and 14. Following the for University Education, to other medi- virus. Residents have expressed con- The three include a Rwandese exercise that covered eight institutions, Is- cal schools. “We are asking residents to take cern that the man could be put- truck driver who developed symp- lamic University in Uganda’s Habib Medi- The boards/councils are commit- these measures seriously,” Kitiyo ting their lives at risk for failing to toms similar to those of the corona- cal School was the only institution that was ted to ensuring that the region’s future said. adhere to the quarantine directive. virus at Salgaa while on his way to doctors are learning the proper cur- Two French tourists are in isola- In Karagita estate in Naivasha, given a clean bill of health. The Uganda Rwanda from Mombasa. tion ward at the Msambweni Sub- there was tension when a flower Christian University School of Dentistry riculum taught by enough qualified The second case was a French County Referral Hospital. They farm worker was wheeled into the scored poorly and was ordered to close un- personnel and are provided with the national who was picked by emer- arrived in Kenya on March 14 and til proper infrastructure is put in place. right infrastructure and support to make gency response unit at his hotel in stayed at Diani beach for a week. The rest of the institutions, including their study seamless. Once this is done, CORONA ORDERS Nakuru last week. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Makerere University Dental School, were Kenya, and East Africa will be assured of Gichuki said he had not shown Kagwe last evening confirmed the Anyone who arrives in Kenya quality healthcare. any symptoms but was picked as a directed to stop admission of any new stu- two had tested positive for the virus. from a country which has reported The boards/councils are expected precautionary measure because he dents until a re-inspection by the Joint EAC Speaking to journalists, medical cases of coronavirus is required to had arrived from a country which medical boards/councils is carried out and to complete the exercise in Tanzania, officer in charge of Msambweni stay in self-isolation for 14 days. has reported Covid-19 cases. approval given. None of their graduates Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan by Kelvin Mbathi said they were sup- Defying the order could lead will be eligible for reciprocal recognition June. posed to go back to France on Sat- —Reporting by Munira within EAC. — The writer is the CEO, Kenya urday but on reaching the Diani air- to serious legal consequences including a jail term. Mandano, Kirera Mwiti, Njuguna The same exercise concluded in Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists strip, they were screened and found Wangari and Noah Cheploen Council to have coronavirus symptoms. on March 6. Applying the same checklists  PEOPLE SPEAK PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 K 8:$-*''&
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K A PUBLICATION OF MEDIAMAX NETWORK 8"/("."5* .64&7&/* LIMITED These KEN NGARUIYA: County are the times This Acting Chief Executive Officer employees the government (coronavirus ERIC OBINO: shall work from needs to step in to outbreak) is a Group Editor-in-Chief, Print home to avoid ensure Kenyans challenge but People Daily is published by MEDIAMAX NETWORK unnecessary still enjoy highest we shall prevail LIMITED at DSM Place, Kijabe Street, P.O. Box 24943, contact. At the possible quality over the crisis. 00100 - Nairobi, same time, of life in the I challenge Tel: 0730144100; 0709824000; 0204944100 only markets face of possible Africans to use lockdown as E-mail: [email protected] serving small their talents. communities and a result of Christians must Copyright 2020 neighbourhoods the Covid-19 pray but also act. will operate. outbreak. Africa must prepare to tackle Covid-19 The World Health Organisation has expressed concern about Africa’s preparedness in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed more than 13,000 lives globally. “Africa should wake up. My continent should wake up,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghe- breyesus, an Ethiopian. At home, Health Cabinet secretary Mutahi Kag- we has also warned Kenyans to prepare for tough times ahead and made a strong pitch for what he called citizen responsibility. Ghebreyesus’ fears are informed by the fact that African health systems are weak and could be overwhelmed if the virus, which is on its initial stages, were to hit the continent on a larger scale. Kagwe has sounded the alarm that evidence from other countries indicate the number of in- fected persons increases dramatically in the sec- ond week following confirmation of the first case. “Consequently, the next two weeks are ex- tremely critical for this country,” he said during a press briefing. This effectively means that the real battle against the respiratory disease is ahead and Kenyans should brace themselves accordingly. SGR freight transport to boost region’s economy As High Court judge Weldon Korir pointed out when he declined to allow a petition that would In today’s competitive economic land- plementation of the Internet of Things (IoT), have seen Kagwe summoned to court, the country scape, rail freight is crucial and operators are 7*3(*/*"
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a welcome boost to the battered hosting political visitors the rest of the world, has taken economy. An elderly unionist married to a drastic measures to combat it. Con- Seek emergency funding for an younger woman has laid down rules sequently, a lot of positive things are

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Bank and Africa Development Bank touching on political visits. Previ- with an opportunity to change how to sustain the budget for at least two ously, the wife had prevailed upon him to stop entertaining visitors at their it operates. brave move. This is to stop people fidence-inspiring. This has given the years. Stop government borrowing Two key things. The first is hy- domestically, and release bank credit home and dishing out cash to political gathering for funerals. Gatherings President the latitude and space to delegations. But a few months down giene. For the longest time, Kenyans are the epicentres in spreading Co- re-calibrate the country and bring it that the economy badly needs. This have treated hygiene very casually. way, banks will return to lending to the line, the man has realised he vid-19. Of course, it has been a mas- back onto the rails. With the clamour needs the politicians—hopefully not Kenyan towns are dirty, and open-air sive cultural shock! for a referendum now on the back businesses, a role they long forgot. more than he needs the wife—and food vendors are the worst. Now, all Funerals are a debilitating cultural burner, the President can recapture Have serious discussions with the declared that his home is open to any shopping establishments have water practice that has created economic the BBI initiative. He should only al- Chinese government to reschedule visitor. This is after a number of politi- and soap for customers and there are destitution across that region. Those low politics again in 2022. payment of their loans. cians and leaders from his community sanitisers everywhere. People must residents now have an opportunity He should use this opportunity Slash loan interest rates. All global threatened to distance themselves now wash hands. Handshakes are to do away with it. Indeed, the gover- to pick up one or two agendas and economies have reduced interest from him after he closed his doors on banned, and people have adapted. nors should now move to discourage drive them all the way to 2022. rates to near zero to assist econo- them. The unionist would do anything to remain relevant, and has swal- All public areas and transport are a return to these cultural practices. The most obvious is healthcare. mies. Kenya cannot be the only lowed the bait. being fumigated. The National and Legislate against them countrywide, Right now, the focus of the whole country in the world that expects to County governments must now if necessary, including a time limit country is on its health system. This support its economy amid exploit- move to make these measures a for burials. should become the core agenda for ative interest rates. The Central Bank permanent feature of the country’s The crisis has shutdown the politi- the government. It should invest in has the means to offer easy credit to Is official aiding spouse laws. Legislate hygiene into the Pub- cal cacophony that had brought the robust facilities, medical personnel, banks to enable them cut interest steal siblings property? lic Health Act and county by-laws. country to the brink. It has propelled and equipment in all counties, cov- rates below 10 per cent during the Is a senior government official us- The country must also not return to President Uhuru Kenyatta back into ering all Kenyans. Coronavirus is a crisis. ing his position to help his wife wrest handshakes. the country’s body politic as the key Finally, Kenya must put in place warning to our leaders: develop your property from her siblings? The man’s The second is debilitating cultures pillar around which the country’s own hospitals because you can get permanent vigilance and a crises which have stymied communi- response system for viruses. Believe wife is embroiled in a property row affairs are anchored. The country is stuck in your country. and is accused of forging her late ties. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe now looking to only one person to Another obvious agenda is the me, the next virus attack after coro- Oparanya led governors in closing navirus is now in diapers. Use re- father’s will to claim ownership of a lead it out of this crisis—Uhuru. economy. Oil prices globally have prime property. Efforts by her sib- mortuaries in Nyanza and Western sponse to coronavirus as a full dress Indeed, the government’s re- crashed. The government should lings to get justice have hit a dead end Kenya to compel their residents to sponse to the crisis has been widely pass the full benefit of the oil price rehearsal for the fire next time. as the sister is well-connected. Any —[email protected] bury their dead immediately—a acclaimed as being robust and con- fall to the economy as long as it police officer who attempts to get his hands into the case receives a warn- ing from their boss to keep off.

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facility has been the launching pad playboy. The married man has been are keen to learn French. for many young Kenyans aspiring to engaging in extra marital affairs with his mother’s friends indiscriminately Indeed, in Kenya, there is no need a career in the creative arts. the public health crisis caused by their own continent, as it is spoken and word has it that he has impregnat- to be in a Francophone embassy or Engaging a dialogue with franco- the Covid-19 pandemic brought a in Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, DR ed two of them. The man always lies High Commission to hear people phone countries, through OIF, is also premature end to the rich variety Congo, Madagascar, Mauritius, The to his “victims” that he is in the middle speaking French! Nearly 40,000 a way to join a global conversation. of programmes prepared for Fran- Seychelles and Rwanda. of a murky divorce and promises to youth learn it from kindergarten to Founded in 1970 in Niger, the OIF is a cophonie month. We should also note that the marry them soon. Truth is, the man is universities countrywide. platform for exchanges, responsible The disruption notwithstanding, visionary efforts by a majority of happily married and his uses the sob But what exactly do we mean for promoting and disseminating the story to get his way. His mother is now there are practical reasons why any African governments to create an by “Francophonie”? Simply, Fran- cultures of its members and intensi- forced to warn her friends to be wary Kenyan would benefit from a good African Continental Free Trade Area cophonie is the term that designates fying cultural, scholar and technical of her philandering son. knowledge of French. Students can (ACFTA) will open up free trade the ensemble of people, organisa- cooperation among them. immerse themselves in a broad and throughout the continent, with tions and governments that share By 2070, there will be an estimated diversified Francophone literature, those who are multi-lingual, being the use of French on a daily basis. 500 to 800 million French-speaking before finding a job or starting best placed to serve the business or- Ex-official’s love life And in this lies the possibility of eco- people in the world, the majority of a business. With more French- ganisations seeking to benefit from nomic opportunities on the global whom will be young people living in worries friends, kin speaking entrepreneurs, Kenya’s opportunities that ACFTA will bring. scale, for the young Kenyans who are Africa. This is why the theme chosen Friends of a disgraced State op- blossoming tourism sector can even Like any language, French is not already busy perfecting their written by Tunisia for the next Summit of erative are concerned over his love be more attractive to welcome some one-sided; learning it paves the way and spoken French. the OIF in Tunis in December 2020, life. The single man is known to of the 235 million people who speak for cultural exchanges. With a solid In its 50 years of existence, the Or- sticks to the preoccupations of Af- walk around in company of a bevy of French daily worldwide. level of French, Kenyans can teach ganisation Internationale de la Fran- rica and its youth: “Connectivity in beauties, but no one knows his real In Nairobi or abroad, French can English or Swahili in Francophone cophonie (OIF),—an organisation diversity: Digital, a vehicle for devel- girlfriend. Some of his friends have also help in securing a diplomatic countries, as it is the case for the 60- set up specifically to promote Fran- opment and solidarity in the French- cast aspersions over his sexual ori- job in international organisations, plus language assistants currently entation, claiming that he surrounds cophonie—has developed a network speaking space.” where it is used as one of the United in France who make French youth himself with women to hide skeletons of 88 countries, including where —This article is jointly authored Nations’ six working languages. discover Kenyan cultures and tradi- in his closet. French is not an official language. by envoys of Tunisia, France, Beyond Kenya, speaking French tions. Or they might increase their This is what we are celebrating Switzerland, Benin, Morocco, might open doors for East Africans in chances when applying for scholar- this month. It is unfortunate that Canada and Belgium in Kenya

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Kenyans have no kind words for people @_ItsShark: They say do your part, and advice of the health professionals, attend still going to church and bars as the gov- God will do His. You can’t ignore the church service, possibly get infected then ernment tries to tame coronavirus. safety measures given and expect God to run back to the same health profession- protect you. Kenyans, kindly let’s be seri- als for treatment. @Mbaka254: What was the purpose of ous for once. closing schools if we are still going to en- @iamkasiti: Ignorance has no defence. danger our kids with congregation in the @PedroMbugua_: One way coronavirus What they’re looking for, they will get it. name of church masses and services? spread in South Korea is through the Instructions are simple and clear avoid TRUTHIS: Children may not inherit #IgnorantKenyans. church. And someone will ignore the crowded places their parents’ talents, but they will absorb their values.  WITH A LIGHT TOUCH PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 Hilarity around measures to prevent Covid-19 spread

Just about last week, one of my favourite mutura brought the most trending jokes on social their version of hilarity, saying if media said a famous self-styled anyone finds the taste different prophet had cancelled a crusade just about now, it is because the owing to the coronavirus pan- makers are suddenly washing 1"53*$,

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QSPDSFBUJPO here? The sheer irony is hard to in two trips to eager lips. Bot- miss. toms up. By contrast, chaps who Assuming it was true, it would afford costlier stuff with exotic go a long way to show and dem- names take the trouble to ap- onstrate to us gullible folks that preciate the aroma, then they sip some of the guys we take to be gingerly as if their lips are fragile miracle performers are stunt and must be handled with care. masters at best. Not that this is This side up. news but the reality should start But we digress, again. to sink in, that we have been de- On a really brighter side, the ceived for long. help contain the pandemic. His comment was greeted by is a family newspaper. pandemic has taught some of Indeed, at worst, they are Of course, you heard that incredulous reactions, with a Suffice it to say that the us to keep hands clean, even masters of chicanery and exploit those who could work from bloke asking how folks who have quarantine will breed (pun if it is by default, and to avoid their followers. They are up to no home were encouraged to do so, not been working can start to intended!) a situation in which handshakes. I like that. If you are good. Haki! and then the jokes started. work from home. recreation results in procreation. a notorious germs carrier, you In some cases, incredibly na- A wag suggested that con- A man of the cloth, who shall Enough said! keep them to yourself. ive followers have taken to using struction workers could carry not be named because he is my Of course, spouses will be You see, out there in the west, detergents to wash the tarmac home cement, ballast and mix friend, also joined in, saying that amazed to discover that their folks shake hands the first time where the men of the cloth will them. Thereafter, they could get given the suggestion for people partners have been allowed to they meet or are introduced. pass. It boggles the mind that motorcycle riders to deliver the to keep indoors in the spirit of work from home but this reali- After that, they never, ever shake these folks have a following at all. cargo to their bosses at building self-quarantine, a population sation will come months later hands again. If they meet in the Whoever said that religion is sites. boom should be expected nine when they come to terms with a streets, they just nod and say the opium of the masses must Another wag took issue with months from now. strange business trip organised ‘hi’. Now that is a very, very good have had us in mind. I mean we the bit that civil servants be en- The laughter that met this cu- just around this time. Then they thing. It’s actually cool. Kenyans. But we digress. I was couraged to work from home too rious observation could only be will put two and two and come Have a handshake-free week, telling you about the hilarity that and help reduce the congestion compared to that inside a circus up with a strange answer, like folks! greeted public announcements – The writer is Special that authorities were particularly but that topic should be extend- six. If you know, you know! Projects Editor, People Daily about measures to be taken to keen to eliminate or reduce. ed at other forums because this In other circles, eaters of Meeting to plan for coronavirus funds ends in disarray So the threats by a section of streamed in. I gave her a don’t-be- to spare something for the church,” MCAs to impeach our governor ac- .$"
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The meeting began and I confi- a worried man. This was no longer He was sitting on funds meant for TFBUJOH
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BOUJDPSPOBWJSVT dently informed the gathering that a committee meeting but a gather- coronavirus control in the county. the World Bank had given Kenya ing. The seating arrangement was Towards end of last week, the air Mama Hirohito, daughter of my them so that we have our first meet- Sh6 billion to fight coronavirus. not anti-corona. To make it worse, was full of rumours the boss was mother-in-law. Much as it was nev- ing in my house immediately. This money, I affirmed, had already there were no sanitisers at the entry about to release the funds. The er my wish to let her into any plans been cascaded to the counties, and into the compound. sweetest bit of the rumour was that involving funds, this time I had no Distribute funds was on its way to the wards (I heard I, however, did not have to worry we MCAs would be in full control of choice. The committee would most Well, it was until the committee a few claps). for long. Someone—and I suspect the monies! likely meet in her territory, given the members arrived that I realised my “We want the money to find us it was my rival Alfalfa—had already Not to be caught unawares, I work-at-home directive. mistake. I should have been exact well prepared,” I declared. called the area chief and told him I immediately swung into action. I “That is so thoughtful of you,” she about the number of people I ex- “Kuna sitting allowance ya leo?” was distributing coronavirus funds called my chief advisor, Mokonyo- said, to my surprise. pected. While I initially had about someone asked loudly. in my residence. What cheek! nyo Spoiler, and asked him to help I had expected some resistance seven people in mind, here was Before I could say anything, a “So Bw MCA, I am giving you in setting up a Ward Coronavirus since this arrangement would Moks leading into my house about group of people, led by Mama Hiro’s five minutes to disperse,” the chief Control Steering Committee. I had mean she was to be the actual host. 25, most of them his buddies! church pastor, walked in. On seeing growled at me on phone. a few of my people in mind, but I “I hope you will not leave out our “More people are on the way,” them, Mama Hiro stood and broke Knowing how ruthless this man did not want to be seen to favour church members from the commit- Moks said. into a chorus. could be when the law was on his my friends. tee,” she added. We had to make quick alternative Soon, our compound was sound- side, I had no choice but to request “No problem. How many people “Of course not,” I retorted. An- seating arrangements since we had ing like a crusade venue. Two more the people to leave. Thankfully, do you want?” Moks asked. other mistake! only planned to cater for about 12 choruses later, the pastor led in a they understood and obeyed, but “Just a reasonable number,” I The following day, Moks called to people inside the house. prayer. He asked the Almighty for not before someone led them into said. This was a mistake, as I later say he already had in mind people “I hope we won’t need a public wisdom to enable us spend the bil- chants like “Corona ishindwe!” realised. he trusted would serve well in the address system,” Mama Hiro whis- lions well. I also shared the plans with committee. I suggested he contacts pered to me as a few more people “May our leaders also remember – [email protected] Monday, March 23, 2020 / PEOPLE DAILY NEWS BEAT  CORONA CRISIS &RPPXWHUVWREUDFHIRUIDUH KLNHVLQQHZSDVVHQJHUUXOHV Public transport players 0RUHWKDQ term rules counterproductive ELOOLRQSHRSOH and costly, call for cost- sharing with commuters JOREDOO\FDQ·W by Alvin Mwangi, Roy Lumbe and James Magayi DFFHVVZDWHU @PeopleDailyKe

by Bernard Gitau Most public transport operators have @PeopleDailyKe welcomed the directive on carrying fewer passengers in bid to curb the spread of Co- As the country struggles to fight the vid-19 but said they will have to increase unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, fares lest they will incur losses. over 3.6 billion people live in poten- Speaking to People Daily on phone, tially water scarce areas at least one chairman of Matatu Owners Association month per year and cannot wash their (MOA) Simon Kimutai said despite Health hands at home. CS Mutahi Kagwe ordering PSV operators The Food and Agriculture Organi- to carry less passengers in the fight against zation (FAO) Secretary General Qu the coronavirus, he never gave a clear out- Dongyu said the crisis might hit 5.7 line. billion people by 2050 in a message Kimutai warned that Kenyans should during the World Water Day yesterday. prepare to dig deeper in their pockets if by MATATU A public health official from the Ministry of Health sprays a bus in Nairobi Railways “This most precious resource is any chance the directive will be forcefully CRISIS Bus Stop. PD/SAMUEL KARIUKI now under increased pressure due to effected. global growth. And climate extremes,” “We don’t have any other choice but to Last Friday tions on social distancing through limiting pay Sh350 to Murang’a but currently they he said. hike fares. The cost of doing business is cer- Health CS Mutahi of passengers. had to travel with Sh500. According to FAO, two in five tainly getting higher each and every day. I Kagwe directed A spot check by People Daily on various “I am not bothered with adding a few people worldwide do not have a basic can tell you for a fact that even getting pas- that 14-seater bus termini within the county revealed shillings to my usual bus fare, the most hand washing facility with soap and sengers to fill a 14-seater vehicle is becom- matatus should a number of PSVs had already complied crucial part is that we follow the govern- water at home where at least two bil- ing difficult. Our daily customers are now carry only eight with the directive to carry at least 60 per- ment’s directive on social distancing to lion people live in countries experi- working from home,” said Kimutai. passengers while cent of passengers as measures to curb the stop further spread and I am happy some 25-seater should encing high water stress. Kimutai further said the sector was in spread of Covid-19. matatus have complied,” he added. only carry 15 pas- The report also shows one out of talks with several providers to see how they sengersila At 2NK Sacco stages only eight passen- four healthcare facilities worldwide will have to use cashless transactions. gers were allowed to board a 14-seater Government guidelines lack basic drinking water services. Most operators matatu as the management seeks to im- At 4NTE stage the situation was the same Water shortage puts the fight Disinfections said their busi- plement the order of social distancing as as no more than eight passengers were al- against Coronavirus at crossroad in On the issue of sanitising MOA chairman ness has been directed by the ministry of health. lowed to enter one 14-seater matatu as the over 188 countries and territories said prices for disinfectants and sanitisers facing challenges Travellers were placed into separate Sacco moves with speed to implement the around the world. had gone up and not every matatu could as they are un- seats within a safe distance of at least one set guidelines by the government. In Kenya, seven cases of Covid-19 afford them. able even to meet metre with strict instructions not to relo- However, this was different among town have been confirmed with the Minis- “This is a national crisis and the govern- cate from their positions as one way to en- service operators as 14-seater matatus try of Health continue to monitor and ment should subsidise the prices of sa- sure the spread of the virus in PSVs is easily continued with their normal routine with test more people. nitisers so matatu saccos can afford them. contained. the directive set to take effect from today. The National Emergency Response Imagine how much of the disinfectant we ,*.65"* At 3NS Sacco it was business as usual Committee on Covid-19 recommends would require, noting the number of trips Social distancing with routine hygiene exercises of hand hand washing with soap as the first made in a single day,” he said. Joel Muchina, a passenger travelling washing and disinfecting of vehicles save line of defense. Most operators, which People Daily from Nakuru to Murang’a, welcomed the for the social distancing. This has put most of the Kenyans in caught up with said their business has been move of social distancing, saying it will According to the Sacco’s supervisor Jo- informal settlements at greater risk. facing challenges as they are unable even to 8F
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0XUDQJ·DJRYHUQRUFDOOVRQJRYHUQPHQWWREDUPRYHPHQW 3+<6,&$/$1'/$1'86(3/$11,1*$&7 by Wangari Njuguna rus massive movement of people virus because humans are the when their cause is very nec- 12) @hillarymageka will always be a challenge. Wa Iria major carriers” he said. essary like going to hospital, &+$1*(2)86(5 warned that if this is not heeded He said people need to be sen- but anything else can wait” he 7KH RZQHU RI /5 1R 7KLND 0XQLFLSDOLW\ %ORFN  LV SURSRVLQJ FKDQJH RI XVH Murang’a Governor Mwangi to, the situation is likely to get out sitised on the seriousness of this added. RI WKLV SURSHUW\ IURP VLQJOH GZHOOLQJ WR wa Iria has urged the govern- of hand and more people will be situation for them to understand He said soon they might be PXOWLGZHOOLQJ UHVLGHQWLDO ÀDWV  VXEMHFW WR DSSURYDO E\ .LDPEX &RXQW\ *RYHUQPHQW ment to implement measures infected. the need to stay indoors as much forced to monitor the movement ,QGLYLGXDOV LQVWLWXWLRQV DQG RUJDQL]DWLRQV which would minimise move- Speaking in Murang’a, he urged as possible. of the people getting in and out of ZLWK REMHFWLRQV RU FRPPHQWV DUH UHTXHVWHG WRIRUZDUGWKHPLQZULWLQJZLWKLQGD\VIURP ment to various parts of the the national government, through “I think this matter has not the county. GDWHRIWKLVQRWLFHWR country. the Ministries of Transport and In- sunk into the minds of the peo- “We don’t mean to curtail the &(&0/DQG+RXVLQJDQG3K\VLFDO 3ODQQLQJ The governor said in as much as terior Coordination, to come up ple and that’s why they are still freedom of movement but let &RXQW\*RYHUQPHQWRI.LDPEX the government is putting efforts with measures to enforce this. people will be a sure way of con- moving around” he said. people understand it is for their 32%R[ to fight the spread of the coronavi- “Controlling the movement of taining the spread of the deadly “People should only travel own good,” said the governor. .LDPEX  COUNTY NEWS PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020

  :DWHUVFDUFLW\KLWV SRSXORXV.LWHQJHOD by Christine Musa water and salty water cost Court suspends arrest @PeopleDailyKe Sh50 and Sh20 respectively. KRA officers lead Bungoma couple held Residents have now warrant on Kitui CEC raid on tax cheats over dead child found In the wake of corona- raised alarm that some A court has stopped arrest war- Kenya Revenue Authority Police in Bungoma are holding virus, water scarcity is still water suppliers have with- rant on Kitui County Health CEC (KRA) officers led other members a couple for questioning after it a major challenge at the drawn water bowsers due to for contempt of court. Justice By- of the multi-agency team in a suc- emerged that the duo allegedly populous Kitengela town. the Covid-19 scare. ram Ongaya of Nairobi’s Employ- cessful raid on alcoholic drinks conspired to murder then secretly Despite promises by “We depend on buying ment and Labour Relations Court and spirits in Bahati, Nakuru. Fol- dumped the body of their four- both the national govern- water everyday. We want to suspended the execution of the lowing a tip-off from members of year-old son at a nearby road. ment and county govern- maintain high hygiene lev- arrest warrant on Richard Mukula the public the team intercepted Residents of Misikhu location, ment of Kajiado, the town els but it is unfortunate that Muthoka pending the hearing of a vehicle offloading suspected Webuye West constituency in taps remain dry with resi- the supply of water is so application challenging the arrest counterfeit alcoholic drinks at Bungoma County were shocked dents relaying on scarce limited. You are subjected order. This followed application, Phonex Wines and Spirits outlet after they encountered the lifeless water from water vendors to buy a limited number of under certificate of agency, filed at Ahero area in Nakuru North body of the baby abandoned on and water bowsers from jericans and this will com- by Muthoka’s lawyer. sub-county. a feeder road and traced the late Nairobi. promise the situation,” said - Christine Musa - Mutuku Mwangangi child to the couple. - KNA A 20-litre jerrican of fresh Ann Wanjiru, a resident.

Mandera County *RYHUQPHQWIRFXV employee’s cash frozen by court

The High Court has frozen two RQGHVHUWORFXVWV accounts holding over Sh62 million belonging to an employee of Mandera County government suspected to be proceeds of graft. Justice Jessie Lesiit allowed the application by Assets VKLIWVWHPSRUDULO\ Recovery Agency (ARA) freezing the accounts for 60 days. This is to enable Imminent danger of down due to the attention on the Marsabit and Turkana. These are the agency to complete investigations Covid-19. counties with Arid and Semi Arid over alleged theft at the county. Ac- coronavirus pandemic Land (ASAL) like conditions. cording to ARA, one of the accounts slows down fight on Continuing operations The UN’s Food and Agriculture has Sh40.8 million belonging to Abdi “We are however, continuing Organisation (FAO) is taking a Mohamed Ali and another jointly destructive pests with the operations killing the old- technical lead role in the ongoing held with his wife, Saadia Sheikh Os- est as we wait for the young ones exercise, and has hired three con- by George Kebaso man, contains Sh21.4 million. ARA that are not really a bother to us. sultants who are doing livelihood believe they are proceeds of crime @PeopleDailyKe We count for four weeks for the assessments in the affected coun- and may have been siphoned from hatched ones. We are waiting for ties, to inform on compensation. the county where Ali works as direc- The government is between a them in a systematic manner,” he tor. “That an analysis of statements hard place and a rock as efforts told People Daily on telephone ex- Looming attack of accounts established that the ac- to combat the desert red locust uding confidence. An insect expert, Christian Pan- counts received suspicious huge cash slowed down in the past week due But the PS’s confidence faded tenius, who worked with the FAO deposits that indicate activities of to the raging Covid-19. quickly recollecting the new locusts for years, last appealed to govern- money laundering,” the ARA investi- A scheduled tour of the six coun- will pose a headache since they ments in the region to accelerate ef- gators told the High Court. According ties most affected by the locust have multiplied in many areas and forts in containing a looming locust to the agency, investigations estab- invasion this week was called off seem to have adapted to the climat- attack saying it will be more furious lished that there were suspicious cash as much of the government efforts ic conditions in Kenya as opposed than the current one. deposits made from different loca- were focused on the fight against to the Sahel weather that is ever dry. He said if the winds blowing tions, including Garissa, Mandera further spread of Covid-19. “The increasing numbers of Northwards from the Indian Ocean, and Moyale, Eastleigh and Westlands Agriculture PS, Hamadi Boga new ones are really over-stretch- where cyclones are influencing in Nairobi. admitted, despite ongoing ground ing us but we are doing our best,” rainfall in the Sahel, start blow- - Alphonse Mung’ahu spraying of the locusts in the af- he said. ing southwards through Ethiopia, A farmer attempts to scare away desert fected areas, mainly in the North The counties where ground Somalia to Kenya, the swarm of locusts from his farm in Nyandarua county Eastern region of Kenya, the ef- spraying continues include; Isiolo, locusts flying to East Africa will in- last month. PD/DAVID MACHARIA forts he said, have been scaled Tharaka Nithi, Garissa, Samburu, crease. Vihiga MCAs appeal to party over positions Vihiga Members County Assem- bly (MCAs) ousted from the house leadership positions have asked their party leader of Amani National Congress (ANC) Musalia Mudavadi to Garbage intervene and have them reinstated. They accused their fellow MCAs of ousting them from their house lead- mount ership without consulting their party A heap of garbage at leadership. Nixon Butiya of Shiru Gikomba market on Ward who was ousted deputy speak- Saturday. Traders at er, Victor Ijaika of Lugaga Wamuluma the market complain ward who was removed as assembly the mess poses a chief whip and Moses Opole who was health hazard and removed as leadership of majority urged the county said they were removed from their government to clear leadership for pushing the impeach- it. PD/JOHN OCHIENG ment of governor Wilber Ottichilo. They said their ouster would destabi- lise the support of ANC in their area of representation. - Enock Amukhale Monday, March 23, 2020 ."35*/
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  'HEW&RURQDGLPV.HQ\D EABL increases Serengeti shares East African Breweries Board FRPPHUFLDORLOSURVSHFWV (EABL) has advised members of the public to exercise caution while deal- ing in firm’s shares after signalling tap- For Tullow, Kenya’s oil dream company, equivalent of 45,000 barrels per day (bpd) ping an additional 30 per cent share- Covid-19 continues to take ACTIVITY the future looks bleak and so does the na- at a minimum $57.28 per barrel at the end holding in Serengeti Breweries Ltd. tion’s hope to become a commercial oil of last year, which will underpin its cash The warning is done in accordance toll on global oil prices Shares producer. flow forecasts. plunged: with the Capital Markets Authority Tullow Last month, Kenya failed to flag off the The company expects to produce an av- even as investors hoard Oil’s bonds due (Securities) Regulations of 2002 for cash, to monitor how to mature in 2025 second shipment of early oil exports as the erage of 70,000 to 80,000 bpd in 2020, down the deal sealed in July last year follow- fell to 55 cents on government hoped to test the market for its as much as 19 per cent from last year’s level. ing Tanzania’s Fair Competition Com- pandemic unfolds the dollar and its Turkana crude oil reserves. According to UK-based analytic site, Mo- mission approval. Serengeti Breweries shares plunged A past Reuters report showed that Tullow tely Fool, a bounce in the oil price – which Ltd (SBL) is the second-largest beer by Seth Onyango to levels not seen is eyeing to sell its entire 50 stake in the oil could happen given instability on the Mid- company in Tanzania, with its brands @PeopleDailyKe since 1993 blocks. dle East – would also be a welcome boost accounting for 15 per cent of the mar- The firm, together with its other partner for the group. ket by volume and when combined Tullow Oil’s crippling Sh300 billion net Annual costs: in the project, Total Oil, have contracted “A takeover may well be the best hope for with EABL’s portfolio, accounts for debt and the plunging global oil prices on The firm is seeking French bank Natixis to run the joint sale current shareholders and there have been approximately 28 per cent of the Tan- the back of the novel coronavirus pan- to shave Sh2 bil- process for Blocks 10 BA, 10 BB and 13T in rumours that much larger French com- zanian branded beer sector. demic are set to dim Kenya’s prospects for lion off its annual the South Lokichar Basin. pany, Total, is interested. Although even – Zachary Ochuodho. commercial output in 2023. costs that include if a takeover did happen it’s far from clear cutting a third of its Tullow’s bonds due to mature in 2025 fell Urgent funds that a premium would be paid for Tullow’s to 55 cents on the dollar and its shares have global workforce shares give the challenges it faces,” read and closing its of- Tullow’s saving grace would be to mo- slumped to 27-year low as investors fretted analysis in part. fice in Dublin. bilise urgent funds from optimistic inves- about the exploration group’s mega debt. tors, who are hard to find in the wake of the For now, Kenya will need to bank on Total Now, the firm is seeking to shave Sh2 bil- coronavirus pandemic. if it is to revive its hope of becoming com- lion off its annual costs that include cutting In January, it said that it had hedged the mercial oil exporter. a third of its global workforce and closing its office in Dublin. In Kenya, the firm announced plans to shed multiple employees in its unit as it fights for survival. “Due to this review, it has become neces- sary to restructure the company with some roles becoming unnecessary,” Tullow Oil Savannah Cement Kenya managing director Martin Mbogo said in a memo. fires 22 employees But the move is unlikely to help the firm Savannah Cement has laid off 22 stay afloat as the novel coronavirus con- employees in a restructuring bid at tinues to take toll on global oil prices even the troubled cement manufacturer. as investors hoard cash, to monitor how The move which comes a few weeks pandemic unfolds. after completion of a new Sh5 billion capacity grinding plant launched a Knocked down month ago has declared them em- Already, the Covid-19 fallout has ployees redundant and their employ- knocked down oil prices to a staggering ment terminated. This will affect four 24 per cent to $20.37 a barrel in the United senior managers in production and 18 States as the commodity drops below $30 other employees in different depart- globally. The International Energy Agency ments. In a letter seen by People Daily, also warned that global oil demand will managing director Ronald Ndegwa fall this year for the first time since 2009, said they will get benefits. “The grind- serving to compound the woes of heavily- ing plant is at final stages undergoing indebted oil companies. commissioning. We are compelled to “People will have to take a view of how Business as usual lay off some employees and engage sustainable these oil prices are. If oil pric- For traders and shoppers at Gikomba market in Nairobi it was business as technology. The restricting is geared es stay in the $30s, a lot of companies will usual yesterday despite coronavirus fears and calls by the government on towards increasing cement produc- struggle,” David Round, an analyst with Kenyans to avoid crowded places and congregating in social events or religious tion and minimising cost,” Ndegwa BMO Capital Markets in London said. places of worship. PD/JOHN OCHIENG said. – Christine Musa &%.SROLF\ERG\PHHWVRQEDFNRISDQGHPLFWRJLYHJXLGDQFHRQHFRQRP\

by Zachary Ochuodho including the Central Bank depart- speculations are not without any ba- economy has not been cushioned @zachuodho ments enabling it to decide on any sis. The team meets at a time when from the impact of what is becom- action to maintain or vary its stance. several fundamental issues affecting ing a global financial crisis with eco- Central Bank Monetary Policy Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) low- the economy call for attention from nomic activity especially export trade Committee (MPC) meets today to ered the benchmark lending rate CBK. affected as is the case with movement decide whether to review its base from 8.5 per cent in January in a “The issues include economic into and out of the country. lending rate, also known as Central move it says is aimed at supporting growth, foreign exchange, stability “Inflows of capital through remit- Bank Rate (CBR) from the current economic activity. of the Kenya shilling and inflation – tances, foreign direct investment, 8.25 per cent. The meeting comes amid mixed all which CBK team is supposed to capital markets, particularly the eq- The MPC meets at least once ev- speculations from analysts that the deal with,” Renaldo D’Souza, Sterling uities market and tourism earnings ery two months and reviews data base lending rate could either be fur- Capital says in their brief statement. are likely to be negatively affected,” and analysis from various sources ther cut down, stayed or raised. The According to D’Souza, Kenya’s D’Souza said.  BUSINESS PICTORIAL PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 Keroche tax tussle through brewer’s eye By Tabitha Karanja KRA sent the same 2006 assessment - that had been Keroche and Kenya Revenue quashed by the High Court - on Authority (KRA) tax dispute May 10, 2017, and demanded has become almost toxic and a that Keroche pays the Sh1.2 subject that has severely divid- billion within 14 days. ed public opinion in Kenya. Keroche objected and the Two critical offices approve matter was sent to the Tax introduction of new products Tribunal where it remained Usha Nagpal (left) General COUNTRYWIDE EXPANSION: WAITING FOR CUSTOMERS: Traders wait for customers into the market. First, Kenya pending till 2019 when the Tax Sales manager Volkswagen at DT Dobie hands over keys for to buy omena at the Gikomba market, Nairobi, yesterday. Bureau of Standards (Kebs) Appeals Tribunal (TAT) was two Volkswagen Caddy Kombi vans to George Obel (right), Small traders say business has gone down as coronavirus approves the quality and the National Operations manager for G4S Secure Solutions. constituted. The TAT recently pandemic takes its toll on markets, businesses and everyday determine product category, ruled in favour of KRA in the The fleet investment is part of G4S countrywide expansion of lives worldwide. PD/JOHN OCHIENG its technical support services. then KRA determines the tax much publicised Sh9.1 bil- rate in what is supposed to be a lion decision. Keroche stands CORONAVIRUS simple predictable process. with the 2006 decision that FIGHT: President In March 1997, Kebs ap- termed KRA’s change of tariff Uhuru Kenyatta proved Viena Fortified Wine. and backdating as “abuse of with Central Bank On June 4, 1997, KRA gave it authority”. of Kenya Governor a classification—Tariff HS The year 2006 marked the Patrick Njoroge and Code 22.04 or 45 per cent of ex- beginning of the false narrative CBK board Chairman factory value as the excise duty. that “Keroche owes billions to Mohammed Nyaoga at This was reconfirmed on April KRA” and “Keroche does not State House, Nairobi 27, 1998. pay Tax” during the transfer by Viena Fortified Wine was Keroche Breweries in 2007 CBK of Sh7.4 billion well received in the market presented a new alternative for to the Government bringing more Kenyans to the moderate drinking, a ready-to- Consolidated Fund, drinking tax bracket and KRA drink vodka derived from our in support of the fight tax collections surged. Every- existing Crescent Vodka. against coronavirus. one was happy. In fact, by June This is similar to what a con- 2006, Keroche was due for a tax sumer would do – walk into a refund of Sh84 million. bar, buy some tots of Crescent Vodka and mix with water or Aiding competitors soda. Little did we know that However, in November 2006, seven years later (May 2014), KRA disrupted this arrange- the same 2006 scheme would ment. They wrote to Keroche be replayed. Keroche received stating that classifying Viena communication from KRA Fortified Wine under Tariff saying there was “confusion” of HS Code 22.04 was a mistake, the applicable rate of the Viena and, a decision had been made Ice ready-to-drink Vodka. to reclassify the product to a The new demand directed higher Tariff HS Code 22.06 or that water added to vodka to 60 per cent of ex-factory value make Viena Ice ready-to- drink as the excise duty. Vodka and consumed between KRA backdated the new 2007 to 2014 would now at- 22.06 Tariff for five years to tract Sh119.90 per litre. The recover their “error” amount- assessment was backdated for ing to Sh1.2 billion with full three years and new demands knowledge Keroche had never amounting to Sh6.113 billion collected the money from the issued. public. The matter went to court. In Punitive rate a ruling delivered in Nairobi This is the genesis of the on July 6, 2007, the High Court highly publicised new Sh9.1 quashed KRA’s notice. billion demand, billions that It ruled that the classifica- do not exist in reality but on INCREASED PRODUCTION: Ayub Okoko a tion of the products had a paper. KRA on July 22, 2015 quality assurance manager at Nia Cosmetics (right) at one direct bearing on the price acknowledged that Viena Ice of the company’s sales outlets. The company has doubled Keroche was selling its prod- ready-to-drink Vodka met the up production of hand sanitisers and antibacterial soap following market demand driven by coronavirus pandemic. ucts and applying a different standards of an innovation. PD JIMMY GITAKA classification years later was However, in June 2019, KRA unfair, oppressive, irrational withdrew their support for this unreasonable and constituted arrangement with a new letter abuse of power and author- demanding Keroche either ity aimed at aiding Keroche’s pays for the added water at competitors. the punitive new rate (now at This was shortlived as the Sh210/litre) or create a product 2007/2008 Finance Bill forced below 10 per cent. This left the the change of Viena Fortified product on it’s death bed. Wine classification to a higher These disruptive reclas- Tariff HS Code 22.06 or 60 per sifications explain the Sh14.4 cent of ex-factory value. This billion case and sheds light on finished the product. how torturous our 22-year-old KRA appealed the ruling. journey has been. A PREMIUM NEW PACK: Benjamin Kyalo (right) and The court ruled that an appeal It is time to ask how does a FEW HIDDEN WINNERS: Traders along Kimathi Street, David Masinde celebrate after a successful production of could be heard if and when the local enterprise survive in such Nairobi, wait for passers-by to buy hand sanitisers and face WhiteCap Lager Beer, in a new redesigned bottle. The new revenue authority produced a hostile environment? masks. Sales of hand sanitisers have drastically increased bottle includes a redesigned logo adapted from its original, new supporting documents — The writer is the CEO, amid the coronavirus pandemic. PD JOHN OCHIENG historic form PD/ ALICE MBURU with reasonable notices. Keroche Breweries. Monday, March 23, 2020  %0/"-%
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  6WDWHVUROORXWPRUHPHDVXUHV China begins clinical trial for virus vaccine DVFRURQDGHDWKVSDVV China has started the first phase of a clinical trial for a novel coronavirus vaccine, records show, as the world’s Covid-19 global infections scientists race to find a way to combat the deadly pathogen. It comes after US top 300,000, with a billion health officials said last week they had started a trial to evaluate a possible vac- people confined to their cine in Seattle.The Chinese effort began homes to tame spread on March 16—the same day as the US announcement—and is expected to Rome, Sunday continue until the end of the year. “Vol- unteers of the Covid-19 phase one trial Nearly a billion people around the world have already started receiving the vac- were confined to their homes on Sunday, cine,” a staff member involved in the as the coronavirus death toll crossed government-funded project said Sun- 13,000 and factories were shut in worst- day. The 108 participants, aged between hit Italy after another single-day fatalities 18 and 60, will be tested in three groups record. and given different dosages. They are all The raging pandemic has forced lock- residents of Wuhan—where the virus downs in 35 countries, disrupting lives, first emerged. travel and businesses as governments -AFP scramble to shut borders and unleash hundreds of billions in emergency mea- sures to avoid a widespread virus-fuelled economic meltdown. More than 300,000 infections have been confirmed worldwide, with the situation IRAN DECLINES AMERICA’S AID increasingly grim in Italy where the death toll spiked to more than 4,800 —over a third Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali of the global total. Italy Prime Minister Gi- Khamenei rejected America’s offer of aid The pandemic has bludgeoned global A nurse wearing to help the country battle coronavirus. useppe Conte announced a closure of all stock markets, and the United States is protective gear non-essential factories in a late-night TV preparing a huge emergency stimulus comforts a address Saturday. In a televised speech, he said the US was Iran’s “most evil enemy” and hinted at a package that could top $1 trillion. colleague as Italy, with a population of 60 million, is conspiracy theory, also voiced by some Millions have been ordered to stay home they change now the epicentre of the disease, which Chinese officials, that the US was respon- in the United States. New Jersey on Satur- shifts on March Earthquake rocks first emerged in central China late last sible for the pandemic. day followed several states in telling resi- 13 at a hospital year before marching out to the rest of the dents to stay indoors. And in neighbour- in Lombardy, Croatia’s capital world. “Possibly your medicine is a way to ing New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo Italy. The Italian An earthquake on Sunday rocked Italy has now reported more deaths spread the virus more.” warned that the disruption is likely to last healthcare Croatia’s capital Zagreb, damaging than mainland China and third-placed for months, not weeks. workers are buildings and leaving cars crushed by Iran combined, and it has a death rate of “I don’t think it’s possible in a city of this exhausted as the falling chunks of masonry. A teenager 8.6 per cent among confirmed COVID-19 deaths, a 30 percent increase over the pre- size for people to maintain it for much country bears is in a critical condition after a roof col- infections—significantly higher than in vious day, raising to 1,720 the official death longer than three weeks before they start the brunt of the lapsed, local media say. The spire of the most other countries. toll in Europe’s worst-hit country after Italy. losing it,” Yona Corn, a 35-year-old singer, coronavirus city’s cathedral also snapped off. After Across the Atlantic, more than a third of Spain PM Pedro Sanchez warned that sais. “I think there’s going to be a big men- pandemic. AFP the tremor, Zagreb’s mayor urged peo- Americans were adjusting to life in vari- the nation needs to prepare for “very hard tal health crisis.” ple to return to their homes given fears ous phases of lockdown, including in New days ahead”. US Vice President Mike Pence and his about the coronavirus. The 5.3-magni- York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Other parts wife tested negative for the coronavirus. Unprecedented measures tude quake is the largest to affect the of the United States are expected to ramp The couple had taken the test after one of Fatalities in France jumped to 562 as city in 140 years. Panicked residents up restrictions as well. Pence’s staffers contracted the illness. police officials said helicopters and drones ran out into the streets when it struck “This is a time of shared national sacri- Britain has told pubs, restaurants and were being deployed to boost the govern- around 6am local time and were initial- fice, but also a time to treasure our loved theatres to close and warned citizens to ment’s attempts to keep people at home. ly told to stay out by authorities. “Keep ones,” US President Donald Trump said. stop panic-buying. While the elderly and The unprecedented measures to coun- your distance. Don’t gather together. As world leaders have vowed to fight the those with pre-existing medical conditions ter the spread of COVID-19 have shred- We are facing two serious crises, the pandemic, the number of deaths and in- are the hardest hit by the virus, the WHO ded the international sports calendar, and earthquake and the epidemic,” Interior fections has continued to rise, especially has warned that young people are also pressure is mounting on Olympic organ- Minister Davor Bozinovic said. in Europe—now the coronavirus hotspot. vulnerable. Spain on Sunday announced 394 new isers to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Games. -AFP -BBC

5ZDQGDLPSRVHVVKXWGRZQDV&RYLGLQIHFWLRQVMXPSLQ$IULFD Kigali, Sunday passenger who had returned home deaths, but in the past few days has warned that official figures being from Dubai. The confirmation came seen a significant rise in cases. given likely did not reflect the full Rwanda imposed a nationwide hours after President Yoweri Musev- The continent has now reported picture. The figures for Africa are just shutdown and border controls to eni announced several crowd control more than 1,100 infections—more a fraction of the more than 300,000 combat the coronavirus at the week- measures. than 1,000 of them in sub-Saharan confirmed infections worldwide and end in some of the strictest measures From Mauritius to Burkina Faso, Africa. The DR Congo reported its the more than 13,000 dead. taken in Africa, as infections spread governments have banned pub- first death on Saturday, taking the Despite fears over the virus, Guin- across the continent and authori- lic gatherings, shuttered schools, sub-saharan African toll to six after eans were set to go to the polls Sun- ties warn healthcare systems are ill- churches, mosques and bars and Burkina Faso, Gabon and Mauritius day to vote in a divisive referendum equipped to cope. closed their airports. previously reported fatalities. on whether to adopt a new constitu- Uganda reported its first case Africa has lagged behind the global But World Health Organization tion that has sparked protests. Masked South African officers patrol Saturday evening after testing a Diepsloot township in Johannesburg. AFP curve for coronavirus infections and chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus -AFP and BBC  PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020

CAMPORAGE Spice Flavour ZPVSEBZ @michael_muraya @ElijahGitau Where art thou the Kenny Rogers ‘comrades power’? Curtains go Dear comrades, aren’t you the souls that went around singing that Comrades’ power is the most superior thing after God’s power? Aren’t you the in- down on the telligent children of Israel who claim to be feared by Satan and adored by John the Baptist? Aren’t you the chosen intel- lectuals who claim comrades ‘Gambler’ are the fourth arm of the gov- ernment? Now that we have a world in crisis and a nation at the brink of peril, where is that everlasting comrade’s power energy? Previously comrades’ power has proven to be very efficient whenever deployed. We have, in the recent past, witnessed comrades fiercely engaging anti-riot policemen in regu- lar “friendly matches” in the streets. In other days, we have seen comrades guided by the spirit of comrade’s power, throwing stones viciously to calm down rioting policemen. Thanks to Comrades power, the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) money has always been appearing out of nowhere like the proverbial manna from heaven. The tale always starts with the chiefs at Anniversary Hailed as one of the greatest Towers claiming that there is no Helb money. Comrades quickly musicians in history, Kenny Rogers mobilise and march to Anni- stood as a country music idol versary Towers with bricks and stones, where they chant the words, “I look up the Anniver- by Elly Gitau and Agencies sary Towers, Where does my Best of darlings: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Helb come from?” And in just a few days, the state deposits ountry music lovers continue to money in their accounts, Com- mourn the death of one of the rades power at work! genre’s biggest acts in Kenny But now that coronavirus is Rogers. The music icon—who here, where is the Comrades’ dominated the pop and country power? Comrades are so quiet charts in the 1970s and 1980s with you’d think education here ends support they’ve given me throughout my career a string of sleekly tailored hits and at High School. Seemingly, the and the happiness I’ve experienced as a result of won three Grammys—passed away aged 81 on power is only powerful where CFriday under hospice care at his home in Sandy that,” the Gambler hitmaker said in a statement violence is required. It comes Springs, Georgia, in the US, a representative for in April 2018. in handy in the streets, against the singer said in a statement. the ‘oppressors’. In a time when Speaking to Spice on phone, Kenyan musician Among the world’s greatest other comrades around the Suzanna Owiyo said that it was artistes such as Known with hits such as Coward of the County, world are assisting their gov- Rogers and other Country musicians that helped Lucille, Write Your Name, Evening Star and ernments to find the vaccine her hone her imperious skills on the guitar. Daytime Friends, Rogers is revered as one of the for coronavirus, our comrades “On Friday, I woke up to the sad news of Kenny world’s greatest musicians of all time. His ap- are at home tweeting and won- Rogers passing on. The world and music indus- pealing, sometimes gritty voice propelled 20 solo dering when next they’ll picket try at large has lost a legend. My dad was a great 45s to No. 1 on the country charts from 1977-87. Aurlus Mabele and show their VC the power of fan of his music. I remember listening to Country Two of them (his 1980 cover of Lionel Richie’s Comrade’ s power. music courtesy of my dad when I was grow- Lady and the 1983 collaboration with Dolly Par- view with CMT.com, mentioning at that time that When other comrades are ing up. To some extent I got glued to this genre ton Islands in the Stream) also topped the pop he had 11-year-old twin boys with his wife Wanda spending nights in discussions because it helped shape my guitar picking. I cel- lists. He worked profitably with a number of other Miller. Married five times, Rogers is survived by and research, our comrades ebrate him. His legacy lives on,” said Suzanna. female vocalists, including Dottie West, Sheena his last wife Wanda and five children. are busy waiting for 8pm twit- Rogers had announced a farewell tour in 2015 Easton, Kim Carnes and Anne Murray. ter follow trains. When other and was able to keep it going through Decem- The Gambler was added to the Library of Another icon bows down comrades are volunteering ber 2017. In April 2018, shortly before he was to Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2018, Meanwhile, on Thursday, the music world and walking at the face of the spend a few months finishing out the tour after making it one of the most recent of a lifetime of was thrown into mourning following the demise fire to save their nations, our a break, he announced that he was having to honours bestowed on the singer. Others included of Soukous legend Aurlus Mabele. The Congo- comrades are taking selfies call off the remaining dates due to unspecified the induction into the Country Music Hall of lese musician died in hospital in Paris, aged 67. in gas masks feeling like stars “health challenges.” Fame (2013), three Grammy Awards (1977, 1979, Unconfirmed reports said he had died of the straight out of a contagion mov- “I didn’t want to take forever to retire. I’ve thor- 1988) and six Country Music Association Awards coronavirus disease, His daughter, singer Liza ie. When other comrades are oughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell (1979). Monet, tweeted saying her father had died of harnessing the power of their to the fans over the course of the past two years “I hope my fans understand that I’m a father Covid-19. brains to save the world from on ‘The Gambler’s Last Deal’ tour. I could never first and a singer second,” he said about his “I am inconsolable,” she wrote. Mabele’s hits the pandemic, our comrades properly thank them for the encouragement and planned retirement from touring in a 2016 inter- include Embargo, Evelyne and Rosine. are at home making coronavi- rus memes and tik-tok videos! Monday, March 23, 2020 / PEOPLE DAILY 

Clique & Clicks Get 4QPUUFE ELEGANT FUSION Ole Sereni by John Ochieng Hotel CEO ashion lovers were Ghulam recently treated to Samdani a one-of-a-kind with event experience as this organiser year’s edition of the Thomas Wine, Music, Fash- Kwaka aka ion and Art Affair Big Ted. went down at the Michael Joseph FCentre in Nairobi. The event, or- ganised by Farishta Fashion and Events, brought together differ- ent designers who exhibited their diverse creations. As the guests in attendance sipped on some wine, models showcased various outfits from the varied designers. PD/ JOHN OCHIENG

Guests Barrack Teg and Roza Arega.

Exclusive Apparel’s Aziz Abdallah.

UB40’s Astro and Ali Campbell live on stage.

Musician Judy Wangechi serenades Musician Cara Feral the guests. and Jill Tafyana.

A model struts the runway.

Fashion of our times: A model showcases a novel creation. Fashion lovers Emma Ochieng and Chemitei Farishta Fashion MD Tatiana Whitup with Allan Sigei. Janet.  TOP SHELF FACTS PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020

Ten 4. Marion Jones Marion Lois Jones, also known as Marion Jones-Thompson, is an American former world champion Star athletes track and field athlete and a former professional basketball player for Tulsa Shock in the WNBA.She was sent to prison for six months on charges of using who have fallen an illegal substance while in competition. She is one of the few athletes in this country who were charge and some thought unfairly foul of the law since this was her first offense.

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho faces six months behind bars after his hopes of release from a fake passport rap were dashed last week. PD takes a look at some big names in the sports world who rubbed the law in the wrong way and ended behind bars.

7. OJ Simpson OJ Simpson a former American Football star was acquitted of a double homicide in one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent history. Many in the nation were shocked that the superstar football player-turned actor and TV pitchman was accused of murder. Simpson had been out of the spotlight after the trial, but he was arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping, and assault charges in 2007. Convicted in 2008, Simpson was paroled in 2017 after serving the minimum of his nine-to-33 years sentence. 8. Joey Barton Barton a professional English footballer who even played for Man City, has been sentenced to a total of 10 months in 1. Ronaldinho outskirts of Paraguayan capital Asuncion. 5. Mike Tyson prison during his career, serving 77 days. His birthday will be a far cry from others While at Newcastle, he was sentenced The party-loving former Barcelona and AC including his 26th when he partied until 6am Tyson is an American former professional boxer who competed Milan superstar, famed for his lavish birthday to six months in jail in May 2008 after at a Barcelona nightclub as he is expected to from 1985 to 2005. He reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight being found guilty of common assault bashes, left a court hearing in handcuffs last celebrate his 40th birthday behind the bars. champion and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win a week.Ronaldinho, a star of Brazil’s 2002 World and affray during an incident in Liverpool His 32nd, which lasted five days and cost tens heavyweight title, at 20 years, four months, and 22 days old. He stayed in City Centre. In July 2008 he was also Cup winning side and one of the greatest of thousands of pounds, took place at a luxury trouble back in the 1990’s. He was sent to prison on rape charges which ever footballers, is being held in a jail in the given a four-month suspended sentence hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. some feel to this day were trumped up charges. after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo. 2. Oscar Pistorius 9. Marlon King Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius is a 33 year old South African The former Watford, Wigan and former professional sprinter Sheffield United striker is currently and convicted murderer. In 2015 serving 18 months in jail following a he was found guilty for the 2013 conviction for dangerous driving in murder of his girlfriend Reeva May 2014. King has served three jail Steenkamp. Both of Pistorius’ sentences in his lifetime as well as having feet had been amputated a number of other criminal convictions. In when he was 11 months old 2009, whilst at Wigan, he was sentenced due to a congenital defect. He to 18 months imprisonment for sexual is currently serving a 15 year assault charges. prison sentence. 6. Allen Iverson Back in Virginia, 10. Jermaine Pennant where former NBA star Another player forced to wear an Allen Iverson played electronic tag while playing, Pennant was 3. Tedium Rodgers football and basketball, given a three-month prison sentence for he was accused along Tedium Rodgers, who joined I joined Mathare Youth Sports Association driving offences. At the time the player with several others of (MYSA) in 1987 starting off in the under-12 team, was arrested on July 4, was on loan at Birmingham City. When starting a race fight in a 2000 and was convicted on robbery with violence.Court records indicate he returned from his time in jail after local bowling ally which that at Kiambu township, while armed with crude weapons - knives and 30 days the Blues signed the winger on divided his hometown machetes - Teddy and his co-accused jointly robbed their accuser of his a permanent deal. He remained with along racial lines Panasonic TV valued at Sh27,000 and one blanket valued at Sh500; and the side for a year before signing for because it was debated that they threatened to use actual violence on the complainant. He spent Liverpool on a four-year deal. He has whether or not Iverson 19 years in jail and was freed on August 19, 2019 on grounds of being a since played for Real Zaragoza and Stoke deserve to spend time in first offender. City. jail for the incident. PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 

TWOINONE You Itʼs all about-JGF&4UZMF Life lessons from the coronavirus Too busy to date, yet relative’s pandemic pressure to marry is too much When the coronavirus pandemic first hit Wuhan in China, little did we know we in person and have several face-to-face would soon be battling it in Kenya. i Achokis, I’m in my mid- interactions before settling on them. Then the first case was announced 30s, single and a suc- Nothing can replace a face-to-face and the President announced a raft of cessful businessman. I’ve interaction, especially when consider- measures the Government was taking, not yet found someone ing a long-term relationship. There are including shutting down schools to slow that I think I can share certain things that you can only get to its spread. my life with. I’m too busy find out over time through interper- H sonal interactions. So, you cannot avoid The pandemic has caused a lot of and rarely have time to spending time with them, which means panic, not just in Kenya, but all over the socialise. My family is putting pres- taking time off your busy schedule. world. Our lives have come to a stand- sure on me to get married. My mum ACHOKIS still and suddenly we are conscious has even tried connecting me with about our hygiene. It has reminded us some ladies, but things didn’t work. I feel okay except for this concern from Too choosy? how fragile and fickle life is and how my parents and siblings. Should I just OUR TAKE... Secondly, it could just be that you things can change in a moment. I know haven’t found someone you like, whom get some lady and settle down with Thanks for your question. You many of you had various plans for the her? How do I even do that seeing you click with, not because of time, but begin by saying that you are yet to maybe because you are a little bit too coming days, but they have since been how busy I am? Is it advisable find someone that you think you can choosy. People like you, perfection- suspended. We don’t know what lies to hook up with someone share your life with. Is this because ists, have a really hard time finding ahead of us and are living one day at a via the net? you are too busy as you have alluded time hoping for the best. This should be to or you haven’t found your type, or the perfect match. So, it may mean a reminder that we are mortal beings you just aren’t ready for marriage? It looking inward and accepting that there’s no such person on earth. You and our lives are not in our control. At is important to distinguish between these three. too are not perfect. Marriage is about such times, we also realise how health compromise, adjusting, accepting and is more important than wealth. There First if it is a matter of being too busy then you might as well consider adapting to each other. No matter who are things in life that money cannot buy other avenues that can allow you to you meet, there will always be one or or prevent. Imagine one of the most hook up with someone such as dat- two things that you don’t just like about prosperous continents, Europe has now ing sites. This increases your reach, them. The sooner you accept that, the become the epi-centre of this pandemic. gives you a wide variety of people to easier it may be for you to find some- choose from while at the same time one. Opportune time is convenient for a busy guy like you. Finally, it could also be possible that Because of this panic, a once hitherto, The only thing is that even if you get you are not really ready for marriage not popular product has suddenly be- to connect with the other person via and that is okay. You should be okay come popular and the demand for it has the Internet, please make sure that with that fact. If that’s how you feel then you actually get to meet with them caused it’s price to shoot up, the hand you don’t need to be under any pres- sure to marry. You don’t marry for your sanitisers. Kenyans being Kenyans, family you marry for you. Sometimes there are those that have suddenly our family or friends’ concerns for us seen a business opportunity here and are legit, while other times it’s due to will be making hay while the pandemic 2605&
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/+*36 catch up and reconnect with each other. Who knows the one good thing that can come from this is a happier and stron- Oh its an allergy you say? But please cough with decorum ger marriage and that way the two can remain one. Wee si corona has stopped reggae, literally- you’re eyeing and your neighbour will automati- neither have they dared abroad themselves, reggae nights remain cancelled. Metaphorically, cally move, you’ll be on self- quarantine, the well… it’s your time to jivunia kuwa Mkenya. You the BBI talk and rallies, vacays, schools, church, whole trip. But then again who would blame any- can stand tall and say, yes I’ve never travelled weddings, court sessions have all stopped. It’s one given the new infections reported almost on outside the country, neither do I have friends or dry season, so dust is unavoidable. But war unto a daily basis. So, we understand, when you want relatives out there and you’ll be the new influ- you if you’re allergic to dust or pollen. You sneeze to cough and sneeze in peace, without causing encer, believe me. But only now, when business like this and wollah, people scatter. You cough, any alarm. But we need you to sneeze and cough is unusual. and people want you to explain your cough or decently. How do we not panic when we don’t But I digress. Maybe that cough or sneeze is sneeze. But they have an answer already. It can’t know if you’re exposed to risk or not? allergy related or just common cold, we under- be allergy. No one sprayed chilli around. So bang, When we don’t know if you have no relative or stand. But please cough with decorum. Don’t go ‘rona’. There’s an explanation: If it sneezes like a friends overseas and the farthest you’ve trav- coughing and sneezing on people’s faces and not rat, breaths like a bigger rat and coughs like rat elled was KICC, and most of all only see ‘Kenyans expect the, ’corona look.’ Flu, allergy, dust, dry baba lao, it’s definitely it. It’s important to note abroad’ on Chamwada’s Daring Abroad (is he still air whatever it might be please suffer in peace, in that in all this, no one’s talking it’s the stares talk- daring abroad or on Viusasa? Hmm haidhuru). these Corona times you don’t have to rub it on our ing. If you want to get the most coveted seat in a Either way, this is your time to shine. See the way ‘healthy’ faces. When time comes and we need to matatu, just cough and back it up with a sneeze people feel FOMO(Fear Of Missing Out) because cough, we will mind our neighbours and cough on and if you survive the stares, sit next to the seat well, they don’t have relatives or friends abroad our elbows or handkerchiefs.  PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020

NUTRITION 8*5)
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/%&3*56 It matters Dietary tips for social Your Health distancing period The last week has had sure they are thoroughly so much buzz, and right- cooked. Also ensure fully so, as the govern- you clean with water Hidden casualties of ment and public health and soap, the chopping experts have taken boards, knives and sur- measures to educate and faces used while handling WHO statistics that show protect the public from raw meat, before you can TB STATUS COVID-19 virus. use them on vegetables about a million children 1.5m 251,000 While watching a brief- or cooked food. Ensure people died of this had HIV. ing in one local channel, a food is properly stored with TB and 230,000 from TB glob- ally in 2018. viewer called in and asked and reheated. deaths in 2018 raise Tuberculosis (TB) is what dietary practices It is also important to 1 caused by bacteria people need to observe work out. The internet 10m concerns as the world (Mycobacterium people fell ill with TB to protect themselves. has given us access to marks TB Day tomorrow tuberculosis) that most worldwide in 2018. One doctor answered “the many sites that allow us often affect the lungs normal healthy diet- a to exercise in the comfort balanced diet”. of our homes. by Evelyn Makena and Sandra Wekesa It is spread from 5.7m There is no ‘new’ If you have a yard, were men @PeopleDailyKE 2 person to person dietary guideline for or a park within your through the air. COVID-19. As the doc- estate where you can 3.2m tor answered, we need safely observe your social leven years ago, when Catherine Neri- TB is one of the top 10 were women to observe a healthy, distance, then you can ma was nursing her seven-month-old 3 causes of death and the nutritious and balanced enjoy your walks and a firstborn child, she visited a clinic in leading cause from a 1.1m diet, where we limit or little play time with the Nairobi to get treatment for what she single infectious agent were children avoid deep fried and junk children. But remember thought was a common cold. She had (above HIV/AIDS) aged 0-14, food, highly processed to keep your children in been experiencing a persistent cough 205,000 died foods, sugar sweetened sight. Discourage close E for weeks before she sought medical beverages and snacks, contact and sharing of attention in March 2009. The doctor prescribed and consume more plant food and drinks with other a strong expectorant, but still the cough did 24% based proteins, fruits and children. Educate and re- not subside. were from the African vegetables. assure them. As she was undergoing treatment, her baby, region During this time when Finally, take care of Kofi Meshack Wandera, also started having we are spending a lot of your mental health. Use similar symptoms. A month after the initial time in our homes, it is this time to rest and bond visit to the clinic, Nerima was advised by the KENYA STATUS (2018) particularly important with your loved ones, and doctor to have a chest x-ray, which revealed we observe food safety choose your source of she had tuberculosis (TB). “When I got the re- ɒ 7RWDO7%LQFLGHQFH ɒ 7RWDOQHZDQGUHODSVH and hygiene. If you are information on the virus sults, I immediately got worried about the pos- was 150,000, with the cases was 94,534, of going to eat animal based updates wisely, lest you sibility of having infected my baby. He was still multidrug resistant which 47 per cent were products like meat, en- get drawn into panic. breastfeeding at the time,” she explains. TB at rate of 4.5 per tested, 98 per cent with With tests results out, she immediately 100,000 known HIV status. began her treatment at Kangemi Health Cen- tre in her neighbourhood. While undergoing treatment that entailed taking daily pills for “My work would regularly get disrupted by Referral Hospital. Mutheu’s treatment entails the following six months, Nerima informed my son’s medical emergencies. Besides, I had taking two sets of medication, taking nutri- nurses about the persistent cough her son to excuse myself from work every Tuesday tious foods and walking 7km every Monday to was having and whether he was likely to have morning to get my weekly supply of drugs from get refills. Her health started deteriorating in been infected with TB. the clinic. It became exhausting,” she adds. October last year, and in a span of two weeks, “The nurses quickly dismissed me, saying Two months after beginning treatment, her she had lost 10kgs. Mueni took her to the it was not possible that my child had TB. Even son got a proper diagnosis at Kenyatta Na- clinic in her village in Ukia, but Mutheu did not without conducting any tests, they speculated tional Hospital (KNH). improve, and a trip to a different hospital in he was suffering from asthma,” she says. Kofi fell so ill one day and upon being rushed Makueni did not help. Despite going to several hospitals and get- to KNH, he was diagnosed with pneumonia All along, no one had been testing Mutheu ting different drugs, her son’s cough persisted. and was admitted in critical condition. For the for anything serious and it was becoming “He was so weak, and I was getting desperate. three weeks he was admitted at the hospital, expensive for Mueni as she had to make ar- At the same time, I was dealing with strong doctors treated him for pneumonia. However, rangements for transport. “It drained me. That side-effects of the TB drugs, which mostly left on the day of being discharged, he underwent I was not able to provide adequately for my me feeling fatigued,” she explains. an X-ray that showed he had pulmonary TB. child was hurting me, especially since she was Nerima, who was working as a cleaner at The case is the same for Elizabeth Mueni, getting worse by day,” Mueni says. University of Nairobi at the time, had to resign the mother of Mercy Mutheu,12, who had been from her job to focus on her treatment and diagnosed with pulmonary TB at Makueni Outlined roadmap nursing her son. The trip to Makueni Referral Hospital turned things around as Mutheu received proper diagnosis and started receiving treatment for TB. It also forced Mueni to interrogate some beliefs about the disease she had. “Since the bacteria had been hiding for a Funding gaps haunt plans to end disease period of over two months, my next step was The World Health Organisation manager for National Tuberculosis include increasing domestic re- scarcity of active ingredients used to take everyone in the house for check up (WHO) has listed Kenya among Programme, says the country has sources and inclusion of private to make those drugs worldwide. because I didn’t want any more problems the 30 high burden Tuberculosis about Sh3 billion for TB funding, sector for more funding. Consequently, more funds are than the one I had,” the mother of three says, (TB) states. Despite considerable against the required Sh6 billion. “There is need for the govern- needed even when number of pa- explaining how shocking it was for her to learn investment in the care and preven- “Kenya relies on external fund- ment to increase domestic re- tients remain the same. that TB could affect a perfectly healthy child tion in the past 20 years, TB is still a ing to finance HIV, TB and Malaria. source allocation for TB because Although Kenya has made great who didn’t, at any point, have any medical is- leading cause of death. Global fund is the main financier they are capable of doing so. strides in TB control such as sue that could cause such an exposure. Kenyan health sector hugely contributing about 50 per cent, fol- TB should be treated as a giving out TB drugs for free, Kofi and Mutheu are among dozens of chil- relies on donor funds. And since lowed by USAID with 20 per cent domestic issue and not a emergence of multidrug-re- dren globally who suffer from TB every year. the country was ranked as middle- and the rest from the national gov- donor issue,” he adds. sistant TB (MDR-TB) remains An estimated 1.1 million children under income, donors have been pulling ernment,” says Omale. However, Omale says a big challenge. By 2050, 15 years fell ill with TB in 2018, and 230,000 out their support, leading to the big To ensure there is enough fund- cost of medicine for drug DR-TB could cost the global of them died, according to World Health Or- question: is the government ready ing locally, Omale says, TB is get- sensitive TB has doubled economy up to $16.7 trillion ganisation (WHO). Just like in the case of Kofi to fund the health sector? ting about Sh360 million from the over the last two in medical expenses and lost and Mutheu, TB detection in children is low, Dr Newton Omale (pictured), the Universal Healthcare programme. years be- wages. leading to delayed diagnosis, non-diagnosis policy, planning and global fund Other measures by government cause of and unavoidable deaths. Until 2013, the global -Milliam Murigi approach in tackling TB mainly focused on Monday, March 23, 2020 / PEOPLE DAILY 

BRIEFLY Activist at forefront in stopping TB tuberclosis transmission Looking back, Peter Owiti realised India, About 58 million in his polygamous family of 28 sib- China, lings, he had lost eight to HIV/Aids Indonesia, the 4 lives were saved through TB complications and TB. He noted there Philippines, Pakistan, was no other way to fight this mon- Nigeria, Bangladesh diagnosis and ster by facing it head on. and South Africa treatment between Catherine Nerima and her son, Kofi. PD/ His solution was to form Wote account for 2/3 of 2000 and 2018 COURTESY Peter Owiti and Stanlus Kioko in Youth Development Projects in 1999. total new cases. Wote, Makueni. PD/COURTESY People who are The organisation’s aim was to use Elizabeth football to fight HIV and TB. 5 infected with HIV Mueni. PD/ earning him invitiations to global are 19 times more A few years later, in 2006, Owiti’s 30 COURTESY son contracted TB from his adopted forums such as the Union Confer- high TB burden likely to develop ence, where he was recognised active TB nephew. The disease had hit home countries accounted and he had to make changes. Since as an important player in the fight for 87 per cent of new he previously focused on people with against TB. TB cases in 2018 Vulnerable groups HIV, his son contracting TB pushed “As an organisation and partners, 6 include people with we have been able to find missing HIV (19 times more him to focus on the infectious dis- ease. cases and hand them diagnosed and likely), persons treated. We have also been able to suffering from At first, Owiti didn’t know how to handle it, but “With the little knowl- raise the profile of TB, so that duty other conditions bearers can pay attention. We have that impair the edge I had acquired through the proj- duced playfulness ect, I was able to navigate the situ- fought for the rights of patients to immune system, Similarly, health professionals sometimes ation,” he says. He had his child put access life-saving drugs. We have and people with expose children to the disease by failing to on the six-month treatment regimen been able to advocate for research undernutrition educate infected mothers on the neces- and he got better. and development on less toxic drugs (three times at sary precautions to take. As a precautionary and shorter regimen for adults and risk). measure, infected mothers are advised not to Poor maginalised lot for child friendly regimens,” he breastfeed their babies or be in direct contact At community level, Owiti focused explains. with them until they start taking TB medica- on implementing his project with Some challenges Owiti has had to tion and are no longer infectious. “If that infor- support from donors such as Stop TB deal with include lack of funds to run mation is not shared with a mother then that Partnership, Amref Health Africa and the project, which means volunteers ɒ 0HQZRPHQDQGFKLOGUHQ puts other people at risk. This is some sort of Geneva Global Inc. He also invested are unable to work for long or opt to accounted for 58 per cent, negligence,” he says, adding that it is the right personal funds into the project that change careers once an opportunity 32 per cent and 10 per of every TB patient to access prevention, di- saw him and volunteers work with arises. Consequently, he has had to cent of these case. agnosis, treatment, care and support service. community health workers on a door- fund projects out of his own pockets, Kelin, an organisation that promotes human to-door campaign to raise awareness something that is not sustainable. rights of TB and HIV patients, works with com- about the disease, especially since it “Other than funds, there are also munities to educate them about the diseases affects poor and marginalised com- issues of stigma and violation of preventing transmission between adults. Then 5*.05):
and the necessary response. munities. rights of TB patients and dealing the WHO introduced the first ever strategy 8"'6-" Joseph Mulei, a doctor in Makueni says “When they contract TB, they lose with this becomes hard. In some focused on ending childhood TB, a situation Tuberculosis in children is a difficult disease to their income. It is worse when the cases creating awareness in the the global agency referred to as the “hidden treat, because unlike in adults, children don’t patient is the sole breadwinner. This community is futile as some still fail epidemic”. show any symptoms. comes with many trips to the hos- to understand this dangerous dis- The roadmap outlined 10 steps, including 8IFO
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They also resort to inquiring about the cause they live in remote locations,” sick. They feel we are able to solve challenges still exist in tracing TB in children. child’s history, asking whether a child has he says. As a global anti-TB activist, all their socio-economic problems, Timothy Wafula, programme manager, health UP
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there are any recorded weight loss, fever and isation handles around 1,500 cases, burn out is too high. We can train 200 often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to dif- even poor appetite. Another challenge is that with treatment for a minimum of six and after a few months we are left ficulties in obtaining sputum in children. UIFZ
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RANDOM SENSE 8*5)
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Nations across the world are letting New hope for down children by failing to cut down carbon emissions a UN report has shown. Wealthy nations particularly scored poorly in curbing global warm- ing posing a huge threat to children Samburu teen and adolescents. The report com- missioned by Unicef, WHO and Lancet medical journal shows that only three countries Norway, South Korea and mothers Netherlands offered children the best chance of survival and well be- ing due to good healthcare, nutrition and improved education. It further reveals that the warming of the planet presents children with an uncertain future. Environmental degradation also posed a risk to their health. Coun- tries from Africa had the best score on emissions. For many underage girls, getting INQUICKFIGURES pregnant spells the end of education. But a programme in Samburu is helping these Of all the top 25 countries with the best score on emis- teens get a second chance at learning sions only two were from outside Africa. by Lilian Kaivilu THE FACTS @liliankaivilu Eight of the hen 14-year-old Dinah* Binti Shujaas got pregnant in early 2018, identified in Log- she dropped out of school, orate village have since returned to casting uncertainty on her school. future. She was then in MAIN: Dinah*, 01 Class Six at Logorate Pri- Six are transi- W a beneficiary Countries mary School in Samburu tioning to second- of Binti Shujaa are striving East. From the experience of her peers, ary school, two programme. to achieve Dinah knew her education had hit a dead are set to join pol- LEFT: Peter ytechnic schools a global end. She would give birth later in the year. Lemuna, for vocational target of Dinah is just one of the 777,000 teenage training, one has headteacher, limiting girls below the age of 15 across the globe joined college Logorate global tem- who give birth each year. Many of them and seven are set Primary perature at drop out of school to take care of babies. to join college. School. PD/ a maximum 02 The World Health Organisation says at LILIAN KAIVILU of 2 degrees Nearly 160 mil- least 10 million teen pregnancies in devel- Two of the Binti Shujaa and may lion children oping countries are unintended. In some members have lower it to are in high or communities, however, stigma keeps many graduated from 1.5 degrees extremely high girls out of school as they are too ashamed secondary school Celsius drought zones to resume learning. have since start- But Dinah’s case was different as her ed businesses school accepted her back. “I resumed and are using the school in the first academic term of 2019 proceeds to take members on the need to give the girls a sec- save upto Sh32,000. They plan to open 03 care of their chil- and am now in Class Eight,” says a jovial dren and families. ond chance. Many of them have accepted,” a wholesale shop called Binti Shujaa Human ac- Dinah. Her mother, she says, encouraged Lekamparach says. Logorate. The chief lauded the impact tivities have her to go back to school. The initiative As a result of his efforts, 10 girls have so of the initiative, saying it has seen many contributed has led to in- far enrolled in colleges and polytechnics girls go back to school and become more 95% to the creased primary after resuming school. Some are pursuing confident in life. “We have seen signifi- global Second chance school enrolment beauty courses and entreprenuership. “One cant drop in teenage pregnancies in this warming Through Binti Shujaa programme, an of girls in Sam- is in Form Four this year and we are optimis- sub location. In the last three years, experience buru East. initiative by Afya Timiza, Dinah, together tic she will perform well,” he adds. there has been only one pregnancy in since mid 04 with tens of other girls have gotten a sec- Through the To sustain themselves, the Binti Shujaas this area,” he said. 20th cen- ond chance in their education. “Although I initiative the have formed a self-help group and regis- Peter Lemuna, headteacher at Logo- tury An estimated went through a challenging time as a teen girls have saved tered it with the aim of equipping the teens rate Primary School, says the institution 2. 3 billion chil- mother, I want to tell other young girls Sh32,000. They with life skills to apply for business loans, recorded increased enrolment of girls as dren live around there is hope after pregnancy,” she says. plan to open a start businesses and earn a livelihood to a result of the Binti Shujaa initiative. the world mak- wholesale shop. Binti Shujaa is a USAID-funded initiative support their families. “In the last three years, the enroll- ing a third of the that seeks to reintegrate teenage mothers An estimated ment of girls has continued to increase. world population to formal school system. 777,000 teenage Improved enrolment Last year, we had 70 candidates in total; John Lekamparach, assistant chief of girls below age Lydia Ogutu, the Afya Timiza project offi- 37 boys and 33 girls. The gap is quite 05 Logorate sub location blames stigma for 15 give birth each cer in Samburu Central says the Binti Shujaa small compared to the past years. This the high school dropout rate among teen- year. concept is aimed at rehabilitating school- year we have 35 girls registered to sit the age mothers. “When girls get pregnant going mothers to return to school, empower Kenya Certificate of Primary Education 10 million before marriage, they are excluded from all teen pregnancies adolescents girls and young women with examination, higher than the 24 male activities in the community, including po- in developing knowledge on sexual and reproductive candidates registered for the same ex- litical and community dialogues,” he says. countries are un- health. amination. This is a big milestone to our The assistant chief was compelled to of- intended. The initiative also eases access to sexual community and particularly to the girls,” fer a solution to the girls who, he observed, reproductive health sevices. says Lemuna. were being punished for getting pregnant The girls in the Binti Shujaa programme while in school. “I spoke to community have a merry-go round that has helped them *Name changed to protect identity PEOPLE DAILY /Monday, March 23, 2020 

Scholar Training future leaders Kenya can’t afford to waste its hard- earned income on the inefficient capitation model the State has been using since 2003 and 2008 when the Free Primary and Free Day Secondary Education, respectively, were introduced From left: KFC chief executive Timothy Owase and Paul Zeleza after signing by John Masika the memorandum. PD/ PETER NGILA @PeopleDailyKe

he 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school is Entertainment probably the boldest decision Kenya has made in recent years in the industry eyes education sector. Under the policy, Tall candidates who sit for the Kenya global market Certificate of Primary Education test must transit to secondary school. by Peter Ngila This is the third school calendar year the @peterngilanjeri gitau Education ministry is implementing the pol- icy. The programme is well-meaning since United States International education is a public good, benefitting the University (Usiu)-Africa and Ke- society in terms of employment, economic nya Film Commission (KFC) have prosperity, health and social cohesion. signed a five-year Memorandum However, questions are now stalking the of Understanding (MoU) aimed at policy intention and its execution, especially Rethinking secondary making Kenya a first-class pro- given the prohibitive cost of education in vider of screen entertainment for boarding schools. The State has stepped in local, regional and international to ease the fee burden for parents through market emanating from relevant the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) school funding by State training by the university. that pays Sh22,244 for every learner in public The MoU will see both institu- secondary school. Parents whose children tions jointly work together. Some attend boarding secondary schools pay lion annually in capitation and in direct fund- ABOVE: Michelle hurt many institutions while it has benefited a ing from guardians of the children in school. Achieng’ of few. The State should consider introducing a of the initiatives will include Sh53,554 in national schools and Sh40,535 in building capacity through organ- the rest of the boarding schools. These are colossal amounts of resources. Precious national funding formula for the institutions. Some of the immediate policy interventions Academy Nairobi Resources should be distributed on a formula ising film classes, workshops, The ministry statistics show more than seminars, film boot camps, short for these resources are to improve teaching, accompanied based on the individual needs of schools. 60 per cent of public secondary schools are courses, projects, and programs. learning facilities and staffing in day schools by her father There should be a minimum per pupil fund- day schools, which admit more than 70 per Going with the international’ to ensure quality education and encourage Dickens Nyamogo ing for secondary schools—funding support cent of the student population. This means nature of the university, the part- majority of secondary school students at- more learners to join day schools. during Form that is different to that provided to all pupils Education ministry officials should expend because of an evidenced need—and top-up nership will also see to the market tend day institutions. Therefore, the State is One admission penetration of the Kalasha Inter- spending more money to cater for about 30 time and energy to rethink the model of fi- at Kisumu Girls funding for pupils with Education, Health and nancing and staffing of day secondary schools Care Plans. The latter should target Special national Film and TV Festivals. per cent of those boarding schools less on High School in This step is aimed at increasing the majority students. to minimise the costs of secondary education. January. BELOW: Needs Education learners wherever they are. The current model of spending money on market penetration and visibility An urgent policy review is needed to Parents and for Kenyan content at international make education affordable for the 100 per boarding schools—building hostels and din- their children Blank cheques ing halls—is wasteful. It is better to spend The Sh60 billion FDSE budget can moder- film markets. cent transition to succeed. This will cure during Form Signing the MoU, USIU-Africa the heart-wrenching scenes on media of that money on building classrooms, labora- One admission nise school infrastructure in all public second- tories, libraries and sanitary facilities in day Vice Chancellor Prof Paul Zeleza parents and their children crying after failing at Tudor Day ary schools within five years. It will also cut schools and to ensure Teachers Service Com- said partnership will position the to raise school fees. Worse, suicides and at- Secondary costs; parents can save on the Sh40 billion mission (TSC) deploys teachers there. they spend in boarding school fees. institution and KFC as resource tempted suicides have been reported. School, For the sake of access, equity and efficiency Moreover, principals of secondary schools centres for local broadcasters, From an economic perspective, boarding Mombasa. PD/ media, film and communication schools are significantly more costly com- in administration of 100 per cent transition, it have a field day determining suppliers and the is important that the government also relooks DANIEL OGENDO and prices of the personal effects children need researchers and scholars. pared to day counterparts because of the ex- NDEGWA “USIU-Africa will be able to of- tra fees levied for accommodation and food. at how it funds free primary education. such as uniforms. Prices of some of the per- The FDSE programme is based on capita- GATHUNGU sonal items parents are being forced to buy for fer mentorship programmes for There are also contingent costs that arise students interested in film. We will due to administration and other logistics. tion. School financing targets children admit- their children upon admission are exorbitant. ted in a school. This glosses over the differ- Who gave the principals the blank cheque conduct film industry research and collect data which will enable us to Boarding schools ences in the resource endowment and the to swindle parents of their hard-earned cash? unique needs of each school being funded. One of the campaign platforms President develop short courses tailor-made Boarding schools also impose additional for industry practitioners for certi- charges of not less than Sh40,000 per year. The current FDSE system d (one-size-fits- Uhuru Kenyatta ran on in the 2002 presidential all model) of funding secondary schools has elections was that he would make education fication,” he said. Other indirect costs such as uniforms, Kenya Film Commission Chief personal effects and transport costs are affordable. Affordability of education lies in the State deliberately channeling resources into Executive Officer Timothy Owase incurred by guardians. About 30 per cent of said the corporation will continue secondary school learners attend board- funding day secondary schools. Kenya cannot afford to waste its hard- to source and negotiate for tax re- ing institutions — an estimated one million lief incentives on film and anima- learners— meaning that Sh40 billion is earned income—from government and households—on the inefficient capitation tion equipment to boost the growth spent annually in boarding facilities. of the industry. Boarding secondary schools are costing model the State has been using 2003 and 2008 when the free primary and free day secondary “We will offer guidance on stan- households Sh40 billion exclusive of the dards of excellence and advocate Shs22, 244 they attract from the students education programmes were introduced. It is time the Ministry of Education went for the use of best practice in film courtesy of the FDSE. The combined sum production while working closely public day and boarding secondary schools back on the drawing board with a view to sav- ing this country from the waste, tears and with relevant government agen- receive from government under FDSE is cies to create robust and stream- approximately Sh60 billion on Free Day Sec- blood we witness every time students join secondary education. lined mid-level film education that ondary Education programme annually. will lead to more exportation of In other words, public secondary schools locally-made films,” he said. in this country receive more than Sh140 bil- The writer comments on social issues  ENTERTAINMENT PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020

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AMOS KIPRUTO’S HONOURS

2016 Rome Marathon -Winner Sport 2017 Amsterdam Marathon -Fourth place 2018 Berlin Marathon -Runners-up The POFTUPQ Sport shop... 2018 Tokyo Marathon -Third place 2019 World Championships -Bronze

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Neck injury is common among tests reflexes. ILWVMXVWZHOO athletes whose sporting activity If the physio suspects that the involves tackling with the arm and athlete has a spinal cord injury, involving upper body tackle like he or she treats the condition as rugby, judo, wrestling and martial a medical emergency with full arts. spinal precautions. It also can occur in people This condition produces symp- IRUIDPLO\ who participate in cycling, and toms in only one arm. Injuries that gymnastics. The nerves that give can accompany a neck problem he could have scaled. I think he had Amos Kip- feeling to the arms and hands include fractures, dislocations, the potential to do something ex- ruto after originate from the neck spinal or damage to the ligaments (tis- traordinary,” adds Kipruto. winning cord. As these nerves leave the sue connecting two bones) of the It’s therefore, no coincidence that PDQ.LSUXWR the World neck, they form a large weave of neck. he is under the tutelage of veteran Champi- nerves. They then branch as they Therefore, when treating, the Italian coach Claudio Berardelli, onships pass under the collar bone on the medical personnel takes appro- who also handled Wanjiru. World marathon bronze medallist speaks of marathon way to the shoulder. priate precautions to protect the “Credit must be given to Berardel- bronze Most often this nerve gets spine. A spinal cord injury usually being inspired by late Olympics champ as he li. He natured Wanjiru and helped medal injured when the person makes causes symptoms involving more him become a world beater. I am credits family support for his meteoric rise in Doha, a hard hit using his shoulder. The than just one arm and possibly lucky to be learning from him too. Qatar direct blow to the top of the shoul- the legs. It is such a great honour for me” he last year. der drives it down and causes the This injury must be treated as by Amos Abuga is firmly trained on a legacy. “If we says. INSET: neck to bend towards the opposite a medical emergency. A contu- @PeopleDailyKe can have a positive mindset while While there is still uncertainty side. sion (bruise) to the spinal cord in being mindful of others, then we will over whether the July 24-August 9 During This motion severely stretches the neck during athletics com- The words of former US President leave a better world for our children. Tokyo Olympics will be held be- a race in or compresses the nerves and petitions can lead to temporary Barrack Obama “we have not inher- I think we owe them that much,” cause of the coronavirus, Kipruto Prague in triggers an intense discharge of weakness of the body, producing ited this land from our forebears, adds the former Tulwet Secondary says being included in team Kenya’s the Czech electricity. For a few seconds, symptoms of pain and tingling in we have borrowed it from our chil- School student. squad for the Games alongside Kip- Republic. the electricity shoots down the both arms and both legs. dren” ring loudly in the ears of world One of the goals Kipruto has set choge and Boston Marathon cham- FILE nerves to the tip of the fingers. Certain athletes may be more marathon bronze medallist Amos for himself is equal and better Wan- pion Lawrence Cherono was not by After this intense electrical prone to this injury because the Kipruto. jiru marathon record; the Olympics accident. discharge, the nerves’ fibers that space in their necks through The soft-spoken athlete, who title holder and the London and Chi- “It is about hard work and persis- allow movement in the arm do not which the spinal cord travels speaks fondly of the motivation he cago marathons champion. tence. You keep working hard to give function well. The dysfunction is is narrow. Other injuries to the derives from his five-year-old twin “I have been called a Wanjiru selectors no option but to include evident by weakness in the arm. spinal cord can cause lasting, daughters Joy and Joyline, says his wannabe, I take all that positively you in the team. Work doesn’t stop The weakness often involves the serious nerve damage. The health role model in athletics is 2008 Olym- because he was a top athlete, one there. Competing to win for your muscles that allow the athlete to care provider always treats neck pics marathon champion, the late who inspired many. I admired him country is the biggest achievement lift the arm away from the body, to injuries with full precautions until Samuel Wanjiru. right from secondary school. I trea- in sports,” adds Kipruto. bend the elbow, and to grip. serious injuries are ruled out. But having said that, Kpruto gives sure and to date I carry with me the He hopes Covid-19 pandemic will Symptoms also include sensa- If the athlete’s sense of feeling, a hint on his secret to success. pride that I was humbled to meet come to pass and let the Olympics tions of tingling and of burning or strength and neck motion have One, he says settling early in life him before he passed on,” Kipruto go as scheduled. stinging pain in the arm and hand. returned to normal, the athlete was a starter block to his meteoric says of the former Olympic cham- “I am in no position to say any- The extent of the damage varies may be able to return to the game rise which has seen him become a pion who died in May 2011. thing on whether the Games will considerably. provided there is no pain or ten- household name in Kenya. Born in Tulon village, Nandi go on but all I am advocating for is The pain usually lasts only a derness. “Getting peace of mind from county, the former Rome marathon safety. There can’t be Games with- few minutes, but the weakness All protective gear should be home is the single most basic in- winner believes Wanjiru could have out athletes. For now, the message can last weeks, months, or years. inspected to ensure it fits prop- gredient to success. I am happy be- been the greatest marathoner of all is keep safe,” he says. Rarely, the injury may cause per- erly and is in good condition. Ad- cause I have an amazing and sup- time had death not come too soon. Like every athlete around the manent damage. ditional shoulder pads or a neck portive family and with my daugh- That tag is currently held by world, Kipruto’s training pro- Treatment begins as soon as roll may be added. ters, I feel I have more responsibil- Olympic and world record holder gramme has been disrupted by the the player runs off the field with ity,” says Kipruto, who is married to Eliud Kipchoge and while Kipruto disease, having been forced to leave the limp arm hanging by his side. The writer is a physiotherapist, Janet Samoei, a stay at home mum. has no qualms about that, he be- camp in Kapsabet and train from The team’s physio carefully ex- Mathare United & Harambee And this has helped the 27-year- lieves Wanjiru could have reached home. amines the neck, evaluates nerve Stars old escape many social distractions such levels if not more. He says despite the training dis- function in the neck and upper [email protected] that come with his success. His eye “Nobody really knows the heights ruption, he remains focussed. back, tests muscle strength, and  PEOPLE SPORT PEOPLE DAILY / Monday, March 23, 2020 2PELMDNHHQWRVHDO 16/JROGHQERRWJRQJ Coast Stima forward 27 matches. It has been a remarkable rise says Ombija. Realising he might not fulfill for the 25 year-old goal machine who had his potential fully by warming the bench at can’t wait to claim Super to abandon top flight football kick start his Gor, Ombija decided to join Coast Stima. career in the lower league. It was not easy settling in initially but af- League top scorers award The Mombasa-born striker was snapped ter overcoming an early season injury, the as he eyes KPL promotion up by former Gor Mahia tactician Dylan lanky forward has found his best form. Kerr for a season-long loan two years ago “I know I have to constantly work hard to by Barry Silah but his hopes of playing a starring role for get better. It has not been easy but slowly the 18-time champions were not realised I am getting sharp and it helps when the @PeopleDailyKe as he found himself playing bit-part roles Coach has confidence in you,” says Om- at K’Ogalo. bija. There have been suggestions that the “I did not play as many games as I would With his goal scoring form, Ombija is 2019/20 Betika National Super League sea- have wanted but the few minutes I had got naturally attracting the interest of the big St Joseph’s Nyabigena Boys coach Saphinah Kenyando son could be brought to a premature end were utilised. For me, it was about growth boys and given he still harbours ambitions (right) celebrates with her team after winning the 2018 Kisii in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. and therefore my only purpose at the time of playing in the Kenyan Premier League, County Secondary School Games rugby sevens title. PD/ If that comes to pass, then a number of was excelling. he is not ruling out a move in future. GIBO ZACHARY players would walk away with individual “My biggest memories were in 2018 “I would consider that when the season awards besides the winner’s trophy that during the CECAFA Club Championships is done. I want to help my team go as far as would go to current league leaders Nairobi when I scored two goals and provided an possible,” he adds. City Stars. assist in our two matches against AS Port His coach Paul Ogai is also full of praise 0HHW.HQ\DQGRV One of the players who would walk away of Djibouti and KMKM of Burundi. I also for him, saying: “He is in a familiar environ- with an award is Coast Stima striker Eric featured in the GOtv Shield that season ment and the management supports him. Ombija who is currently the top scorer in alongside substitute roles against Mathare He wants to develop his game every day UXJE\IHPDOHFRDFK the second tier league with 17 goals from United and the now defunct Sony Sugar,” and he can only go far.” DGHSWDWEHDWLQJPHQ by Gibo Zachary exiting at the Nyanza region @PeopleDailyKe games before switching to 15s where she triumphed at Oscar Bimpong once said, sub-county level and went “success is for those that on to lose at the county finals. presses on when they see a She returned to her first wall, find ways around a road love, sevens rugby, this year, block and consistently push reached the county games boundaries and conquer ter- final and thrashed hosts Car- ritories against all odds”. dinal Otunga Boys 31-0 and This was true during this now wants more. year’s Kisii County Second- “It was not easy but I’m so ary Schools Term One Games happy to have finally broken when Saphinah Kenyando, the jinx of winning the coun- the only female rugby coach ty trophy. in the championship, led St We play and train on Joseph’s Nyabigena Boys to stoney grounds because Eric Ombija of glory. we don’t have a good rugby Coast Stima In a sport dominated field. However, the trophy is (right) vies by men, Kenyando went finally home and being the for the ball against all odds to beat her only woman coach in the against an male counterparts as she re- competition, I’m so excited,” Administra- peated the heroics of 2018 by she said. tion Police de- guiding her side to the rugby “Winning is a great feel- fender during sevens title. ing. We thank God for this a past Betika In the 2018 final, Nyabig- victory. This achievement is National Su- ena beat Kisii School 12-7 to not for one person. I want per League lift the title for the first time to acknowledge the boys’ ef- match. PD/ and that fueled Kenyando’s forts and my colleagues too,” RODGERS desire to conquer in the re- added Kenyando, who is now NDEGWA gion and nationally. targeting the Nyanza region She, however, fell short, games title.
  Fitness, focus, frustration: life Vitafoam have eyes on Division Two Ex-teammates send 40th birthday in lockdown for footballers slot when league finally resumes MADRID: wishes to jail-bound Ronaldinho Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira is NAIROBI: Vitafoam FC, learning to play the piano, La Liga clubs are facing RIO DE JANEIRO: Former playing in the Football Kenya team-mates of Brazilian football off on playstation and Atalanta’s Robin Gosens has Federation (FKF) Nairobi Zone great Ronaldinho took to social been revising for exams in psychology. Yet as thou- A league, are looking to earn media on Saturday to wish him a sands of footballers, from the highest levels to the promotion to FKF Division Two happy 40th birthday. The retired lower leagues, remain on lockdown while corona- League when this season fi- attacker celebrated the day with virus spreads across Europe, all of them are tasked nally concludes. Their matches, inmates at a Paraguayan prison, with keeping themselves fit, as well as entertained. just like all sports around the where he and his brother, Roberto “Everyone needs to be ready so that when the world, we’re halted due to the Covid-19 threat. However, head Assis, have been held since March health advice says resume, we can resume straight 6 for using fake passports. Those coach Dennis Kimuyu believes enough wins in the remain- away,” Emmanuel Orhant, medical director of the the team will carry on the good ing encounters and be in the to pay tribute included Ronald- French Football Federation (FFF), told AFP. Nobody inho’s 2002 World Cup-winning said on Instagram. “Congratula- momentum, upon resumption, top four, consequently earning team-mates Ronaldo, Rivaldo and tions my friend. It was very easy to knows when that will be and with the global death and earn promotion. “The team promotion to division two,” said Roberto Carlos. “Congratulations, play with you,” said Rivaldo. “I will toll from coronavirus passing 13,000 on Saturday, is in sixth place in the 20-team Kimuyu, adding that playing in mate. May you overcome this dif- never forget those moments. May there is little appetite yet even to address the ques- league. We have managed 17 the Kenya Premier League re- ficult moment in your life with the you have strength to get through tion. But within football, the absence of a deadline points so far with eight matches mains their long-term goal. -Lynette Matheka happiness of always,” Ronaldo this difficult time.” -XINHUA only enhances the sense of urgency. -AFP to go. We are hoping to manage Monday, March 23, 2020 / PEOPLE DAILY PEOPLE SPORT 

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GPS With football having ground to a halt UEFA’s commitment to ending the Meanwhile, young players who are because of the coronavirus pandemic, European season by June 30 was surely out of contract are a problem, points the usual transfer rumour mill has fallen partly because it is common practice for out David Venditelli, a French silent and nobody cares much where contracts to run until that date. agent whose company Neymar or Paul Pogba might be playing Players like Manchester City’s David Score represents next season. Silva, Willian at Chelsea, or Paris Saint- Arsenal’s Alexan- Nobody even knows when next season Germain’s Thiago Silva and Edinson Ca- dre Lacazette might be, and the financial impact on vani, will be free to leave on July 1 even if among oth- football clubs, and therefore the transfer the season has not been completed. ers. -AFP market, is likely to be significant. FIFA has set up a working group which A study by KPMG this week estimated could amend rules on transfers and make that cancelling the rest of this season changes to “protect contracts for both would cost clubs across Europe’s top five players and clubs”. leagues as much as four billion euros However, clubs are already having to (Sh433 billion) in lost revenue. take drastic action to stave off finan- The knock-on effect could be enor- cial disaster. mous, trickling down to smaller clubs Some French sides, in- worldwide. cluding Lyon, put their After all, look at a club like Monaco, players on short- who have raked in huge sums in recent years from selling players like Kylian Mbappe, who went to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 for 180 million euros. They have then invested Manchester Unit- ed’s want-away midfielder Paul Pogba. PD/FILE

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  )HOODLQLLVILUVWFRURQD 0LODQJUHDW0DOGLQL Social distancing to tame killer FDVHLQ&KLQD/HDJXH flu has Serena ‘on edge’ Shanghai, Sunday the season as early as next JHWFRURQDYLUXV LOS ANGELES: Tennis great Serena Williams says she is @PeopleDailyKe month. “on edge” as she practices social distancing recommended by The campaign was sup- Rome, Sunday battling the disease. health experts in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. The Footballer Marouane Fel- posed to begin last month @PeopleDailyKe “Paolo and Daniel are both 23-time Grand Slam champion posted a series of videos on laini has tested positive for but has been indefinitely well and have already com- TikTok describing her concerns for her two-year-old daughter, the coronavirus, his club postponed by the outbreak. Argentina striker Paulo pleted two weeks at home Olympia. “I’m just on edge. Any time anyone sneezes around Shandong Luneng said Sun- Fellaini, also formerly of Dybala (pictured) said Sat- without contact with oth- me or coughs I get crazy. I don’t hang out with anyone, and day, the former Manchester Everton, joined Shandong urday that he has become ers,” said a statement from when I say anyone I mean my daughter. She coughed, I got an- United player becoming the Luneng from English giants United in February last year the third Juventus player to AC Milan. gry and gave her a side-eye,” she said. -AFP first known case in the Chi- test positive for coronavi- “They will now remain in nese Super League (CSL). for a reported 7.2 million eu- rus while former AC Milan quarantine until clinically The 32-year-old Belgian ros. -AFP defender Paolo Maldini re- recovered, as per the medi- international midfielder has vealed that he and his son cal protocols outlined by the Former Real president a normal temperature and is have also been infected. health authorities.” feeling fine, Shandong said, “Hi everyone. I just want- Maldini, 51, is considered succumbs to Covid-19 but “is under observation ed to let you know that we one of the greatest defenders MADRID: Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz, and having treatment at a have received the Covid-19 of all time. who was hospitalised with coronavirus, died on Saturday at designated medical facility”. test results and that Oriana He won five Champions the age of 76, his son announced. Sanz was in charge of the “The club will do its best... (Sabatini, his girlfriend) and I Leagues with Milan and ap- Spanish giants from 1995-2000, overseeing two Champi- to help in the treatment and are positive,” the 26-year-old peared in 647 matches. ons League titles. “My father has just passed away. He did recovery of the player.” Dybala tweeted. -AFP not deserve this ending and in this way,” tweeted his son, Fellaini, who had just “Fortunately, we are per- Lorenzo Sanz junior. “One of the best, bravest and hardest- returned to China, is the fectly fine. Thank you for working people I have ever seen. His family and Real Ma- latest high-profile name in your messages.” drid were his passions.” -AFP football to catch the disease, Italian champions Juven- along with Juventus forward tus said that Dybala had Paulo Dybala, Chelsea wing- been self-isolating since F1 champ Hamilton self-isolating er Callum Hudson-Odoi and Arsenal manager Mikel Wednesday. LONDON: Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton Arteta. “He will continue to be says he is self-isolating but will not get tested for coronavirus monitored. He is well and is Former Real Madrid as others need attention more than him. The 35-year-old Briton president Lorenzo Sanz, asymptomatic,” said the club said he decided to self-isolate because he had been at the same in a statement. who was hospitalised with function in London that actor Idris Elba and Canadian Prime the coronavirus, died on Later Saturday, the club Minister Pierre Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau attend- said Maldini, now the tech- Saturday at the age of 76. ed earlier this month. Elba and Gregoire-Trudeau subsequently Shandong Luneng mid- nical director at Milan, and But Fellaini is the first both tested positive for COVID-19. “I want to let you know that I confirmed case in the fielder Marouane Fellaini his 18-year-old son Daniel, a am doing well,” Hamilton said in a statement. -AFP youth team player, were also CSL, dealing a blow to the who has tested positive for league’s hopes of starting Covid-19. FILE Monday, March 23, 2020 / / / @PeopleDailyKe / / / People Daily Spanish athletics want Tokyo 2020 delayed as COVID-19 disrupts global sports

MADRID: The Spanish athletics federation (RFEA) on Saturday joined the calls for the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics this summer be- cause of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “The Board of Direc- tors of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, on behalf of the majority Norway urges IOC to postpone global Games of Spanish athletes, is advocating the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” the RFEA said in a statement. Earlier in the day, USA OSLO: The Norwegian Olympic “concerned about the COVID-19 pan- Track and Field urged its national Olympic committee to request a post- Committee (NOC) said Saturday they demic and the public health situation ponement of the Games, scheduled for July 24 to August 9 in Japan, had asked the International Olympic both nationally and internationally.” “Our where 11,000 athletes from around the world are expected. “Circum- Committee (IOC) to postpone the 2020 clear recommendation is that the Olym- stances do not guarantee adequate preparation or fair competition with Olympic Games in Tokyo until the new pic Games in Tokyo shall not take place the rest of the athletes in the world, without endangering the health (of coronavirus pandemic was under con- before the COVID-19 situation is under Spanish athletes),” said the RFEA. Spain, one of the most affected coun- trol. In a letter sent to the IOC on Friday, firm control on a global scale,” the letter tries, had recorded more than 1,320 deaths from Covid-19 by Saturday the Norwegian sports body said it was continued. -AFP and is enforcing confinement to try to stop the spread of the virus. -AFP

A woman wears 70--&:#"-- a face mask amid concerns over the spread .9)RIILFLDO of the COVID-19 coronavirus as she sits at a bus 0RYLQJ7RN\R Download QR stop advertising Code app on the Tokyo 2020 JDPHVZRXOG Google Play and Summer Olympics. scan this QR code with your smart AFP phone for pic- EHQHILW$WXND tures, videos and more stories by Amos Abuga @PeopleDailyKe

A Kenya Volleyball Federation official is certain national women’s team Malkia Strikers blocker Trizah Atuka will benefit a lot should the Olympic Games be post- poned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kenya Pipeline player missed the Africa Olympic qualifying tournament in Cameroon in January after suffering a knee injury last November and is on course to full recovery, though the July 24 to August 9 Games might come too soon for her. The remarks by the official, who did not want to be named, comes at a time the COST OF CANCELLING international sports calendar has been disrupted by the coronavirus, leading to OLYMPICS wide spread calls to have the Tokyo event postponed or cancelled. -Sh1.4 trillion: What Japan could lose if the Last week, the Kenyan international, Tokyo Olympics are cancelled. who played a key role in Malkia Strikers -Sh1.2 trillion: Bill for the Olympics including winning gold at the 2019 African Games, huge taxpayer spending on a new national in Rabat, Morocco told a local daily that she -DSDQEHJLQV stadium would be regarded as wasted if the will not be ready for the Tokyo Olympics. Games are cancelled. “I need to catch up with the rest of my -Sh812 billion: Combined losses to private team-mates in terms of fitness as I start firms who have already shelled out billions court rehabilitation and a month will not for sponsorship and media contracts. be enough to make the cut for the Olym- -Sh266 billion: Amount of money in media pics,” Atuka was quoted saying in the in- WDONVWRSXW rights that could go down the drain if the terview. Games do not go ahead. The official now believes a delay in the -Sh215 billion: What Japan’s tourism in- Games might be a blessing in disguise for dustry could lose if the expected millions of Atuka and other players who might be in- spectators do not materialise. jured or even out of form. Athletes: 11,109 athletes expected at the “We have to be mindful of athletes, fans RII2O\PSLFV games from 206 nations, taking part in 50 and even officials. While it is true millions disciplines. have been used in the preparations of the Games, organisers will have to do the right thing for everyone,” said the official. Country finally starts Euro 2020 has already been pushed back un- Meanwhile, another official source, also report- Kenya qualified for the games for the discussions over moving Tokyo til next year and other summer events such as ed to be a senior member of the Tokyo 2020 or- first time since 2004 after beating Nigeria, Wimbledon look increasingly unlikely to hap- ganising committee, said that time was running Egypt, Uganda and hosts Cameroon in a Games after weeks of denials pen. out to make a decision. round-robin qualifiers in January. But Japanese officials and International “The more they push the decision away ... as officials admit ‘we are Olympics chief Thomas Bach have long been more and more preparations have to be made making alternative plans’ insistent that their Games will go ahead on July – this will cause cancellation fees to go through 24, despite the ever escalating crisis. the roof.” Tokyo, Sunday An official source close to the organising com- There has been a growing number of calls for @PeopleSports11 mittee has now admitted, however, that discus- the Games to be pushed back. sions are underway to delay Tokyo 2020, with The Global Athlete movement have demand- Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have finally various plans and timeframes already being ed both the Olympics and Paralympics be post- begun making preparations to postpone the drawn up. poned having spoken to hundreds of athletes. Games this summer, reports claim. “Finally, we have been asked to make a simu- They said restrictions on public gatherings The biggest global sporting event, which is lation in case of a postponement,” the source, across the world in addition to training facili- only held every four years, has been plunged who is involved in the talks, told Reuters. ties being closed on a wide scale mean that into doubt as the coronavirus pandemic brings “We are making alternative plans, plan B, C, D, stars are without the “ability to appropriately Malkia Strikers blocker Trizah Atuka. PD/ sport across the globe to a standstill. looking at different postponement timeframes.” prepare for these Games.” -Dailymail DAVID NDOLO

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