KBC Channel 1

Author: Maxwell Wasike

  • Kanini Kega:President Ruto means well for this country

    Kanini Kega:President Ruto means well for this country

    East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Kanini Kega has reiterated his commitment of supporting President William Ruto’s administration saying the Head of State means well for the country a few months after taking over following the August 2022 General Elections.

    The former Kieni lawmaker and Jubilee Secretary General said they have resolved to work with the Kenya Kwanza government because the Head of State and his second in command Rigathi Gachagua mean well for the whole country.

    “By the mere fact that we are here, it shows that we recognise that the fifth president of the Republic of Kenya is none other than William Samoei  Ruto. I have come here as the Secretary General of the (Jubilee) party.Your excellency you know I am your friend, I support you and you can count on my support,” Kega remarked authoritatively on Sunday during an interdenominational service at Sagana Lodge in Nyeri

    “With 34 members in the National assembly and Senate, we will be walking and working with you from today,” he added. 

    Last month,the vibrant politician who was an integral part of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s campaigns challenged former President Uhuru Kenyatta to keep off his successor’s regime.

    Addressing a gathering in Bahati Constituency, the ex two-term legislator who also serves as Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman during the last term asked Kenyatta to reach out to former Prime Minister Odinga and ask him to let go his demonstrations agenda which will further disrupt the stability of Kenya.

    “To the former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the gentleman who is now the President now stood with you for 10 years when you were the President as his principal assistant. Helped him work. In 2002, the same gentleman (Ruto)stood with him.

    “What we are requesting from Uhuru, Kindly let the government William Ruto be. Talk to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga because the cost of living will not be brought down through protests,” he chastised.

    Kega, while disclosing the reasons for severing ranks with their Azimio partners earlier this year claimed they have been marginalized almost in all key decision-making meetings including being shortchanged in key Parliamentary appointments.

    He argues that for a former ruling party that once boasted of having 175 MPs to remain relevant in coming years, the members need to put their money where it counts saying such a possibility cannot be realized under the umbrella of Azimio coalition.

  • Arsenal beat Man City on penalties to lift Community Shield

    Arsenal beat Man City on penalties to lift Community Shield

    Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-1 on penalties to claim the Community Shield at Wembley, after Leandro Trossard had equalised in the 101st minute of normal time.

    Treble-winners City looked on course to add a fourth trophy of the year to their collection, with Cole Palmer’s fine curling shot giving them the lead on 77 minutes. Instead they were handed a third straight Community Shield defeat.

    Trossard’s last-gasp effort deflected in off Manuel Akanji to send the contest to penalties, where Kevin De Bruyne – on his return from injury – blasted against the bar and Rodri saw his effort saved.

    Arsenal were immaculate from 12 yards, with Martin Odegaard, Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Fabio Vieira hitting the net to land a morale-boosting blow for the Gunners in the season’s curtain-raiser.

    There had been plenty of positives for Arsenal during the 90 minutes and they should have led at the break after new signing Kai Havertz missed two good chances. There were good performances from fellow newcomers Jurrien Timber and £105m man Declan Rice, too, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale sharp late on to keep them in the game and set up the grandstand finish.

    He could do nothing about Palmer’s opener, with the 21-year-old bending a brilliant strike into the far corner after a superb break from Phil Foden. England U21 Euros winner Palmer looks set for a big season ahead.

    But Arsenal – who were pegged back by City in last season’s Premier League title race – battled deep into stoppage time to get their reward, and will hope this can be the catalyst to launch another battle with Pep Guardiola’s side for the major honours which will be handed out at the other end of the campaign.

    Arsenal were the Premier League pacesetters for much of last season but it was City who set out to take control of this contest from the off, racking up 85 per cent possession in the first 15 minutes as Thomas Partey’s poor pass for Rice allowed Erling Haaland to tee up Rodri for a deflected shot wide.

    The Gunners have won on their last five Community Shield appearances and are outright second on the honours list with 17 overall. They will now have their sights set on bigger prizes to come this season.

  • Plans underway for NCA to establish Centre for Construction industry development (CCID) at Konza

    Plans underway for NCA to establish Centre for Construction industry development (CCID) at Konza

    The National Construction Authority (NCA) has intensified its plans of creating a centre of excellence named Centre for Construction Industry Development (CCID) in a move aimed at offering training, research and advisory.

    According to the Executive Director of NCA Maurice Akech,the move to put up the program which will be based in Konza City is in line with one of their functions to develop and build capacity in the construction industry in Kenya.

    “We have been allocated three parcels of land in Konza and that is the place where the institute is supposed to be built.The centre is going to offer support for East Africa and beyond. We have concluded the feasibility studies, done the architectural designs, prepared the bill of quantities and onboarded environmental consultants to do the green reviews.As a regulator, we advocate for social and environmental sustainability. The next stage is groundbreaking” he wrote

    Speaking in 2020 during the site visit by then Principal Secretary for State Department of Public Works Major General (Rtd) Dr. Gordon Kihalangwa,former Chief Executive Office of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) Eng. John Tanui said more than 40 % of the 145 parcels under Phase One of the project had already been taken up.

    “Phase One of the Technopolis has spaces of about 145 parcels available for development. As of now we have over 40 % of these parcels already taken up,” he said.

    According to Tanui who is currently the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy,investors at the Konza Technopolis are drawn from both public sector and private entities. The investors include a South African specialized hospital, an American Hospital, Software development companies, Real estate developers including offices, hotel and residential houses.

    He also said that Konza was working with the State department of urban development and the director of physical planning in collaboration with the counties of Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni, to have a joint team to guide developments within the 10Km buffer zone at the Technopolis.

    “It is very important for us to see that we add value to this 10km buffer zone by outlining one thing that will work to ensure approval is aligned to the Master Plan of the Konza Technopolis and planning of the three counties, for the mutual benefit of all,” he added

    So far,progress has been made on the horizontal infrastructure, which has taken into account aspects such as drainage, water and roads.

    The key objectives of the center will be to establish a conducive environment to support inter-disciplinary basic and applied construction related research as well as provide a hub for knowledge, technology transfer and research diffusion to the construction industry and other allied sectors.

  • Man Utd sign Hojlund for £72m

    Man Utd sign Hojlund for £72m

    Manchester United have completed the £72m signing of Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund.

    The 20-year-old – who will miss the start of the campaign as he continues his recovery from an injury sustained in pre-season – has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12 months.

    Hojlund – who was unveiled to the United supporters ahead of their friendly against Lens at Old Trafford on Saturday – told the club’s website: “It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player.

    United will pay Atalanta an initial £64m for Hojlund, with a further £8m in add-ons.

    Paris Saint-Germain also wanted to sign the Denmark international this summer but his desire to move to Old Trafford ensured United were confident of sealing the deal.

    Ten Hag hailed new signing Hojlund after he was unveiled ahead of Manchester United’s win against Lens on Saturday.

    “He is a real frontman,” Ten Hag said. “Very direct to the goal, very good presser, a physical presence.

    Rasmus Hojlund has captured the imagination after an encouraging season in Serie A and Manchester United are betting on the 20-year-old talent to be the next superstar striker in European football

  • It’s all systems go for the national school games in Kakamega

    It’s all systems go for the national school games in Kakamega

    Kakamega County is expected to host this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national schools ball games scheduled for August 8-13.

    The five-day sporting extravaganza will bring together various schools to compete in various disciplines including soccer, volleyball, rugby, handball, tennis, hockey, among others.

    The event will be staged at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega High, St. Ignatius Mukumu Boys, St. Peter’s Seminary-Mukumu, Kakamega Approved School and Masinde Muliro University.

    “We expect all the participating teams on Saturday August 5 and Sunday August 6 after which they will train in their various spaces and acquaint themselves with the local environment.The referees charged with officiating the various matches would, meanwhile, undergo training from Saturday August 5 to Monday August 7.

    “The teams will take a rest on Monday August 7 as we prepare for the official kickoff the following day,” said KSSSA Western Region General-Secretary Quinto Omusugu

    Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has lauded the organisers of the showpiece for prioritizing the region as the host venue saying they have prepared sufficiently to stage a great tourney in compliance with laid down rules and regulations.

    “This event is essential for the prosperity of our county because it will spur growth. I thus ensure the total safety of the organizers.We are a peaceful and hospitable people, and I am confident that the participants will enjoy their time here.” he noted

    In football which attracts huge following in an area considered home of talents,Nyanza region representatives Agoro Sare from Homa Bay County are in Pool “A” with hosts Shanderema Secondary School, Kirangari High School from Central region and North Eastern’s Bute Boys High School.

    Pool “B” has five-time champions St Anthony’s Boys High School, Kitale from Rift Valley, Dagoretti High School (Nairobi), Matiliku Boys Secondary School (Eastern) and Serani Secondary School from Coast.

    Koyonzo High School Rugby Team who reclaimed the Western Region Rugby 7 title after defeating Vihiga High School 17-7 in the finals played at the Bull Ring in Kakamega are optimistic of replicating last year’s glittering performance.

    “We are champions again. Kuddos to the boys for showing character. Despite qualifying for the regionals with two games to spare, the boys never backed down as our goal was to win the championship which will go along way to motivate us ahead of the next stage,” said Koyonzo Stormers head coach Elly Okwemba

  • Prinsloo Sevens in top gear as excitement builds

    Prinsloo Sevens in top gear as excitement builds

    Excitement is building up in Nakuru County as it gears up to host the much-anticipated 2023 Prinsloo Sevens, the third leg of the 2023 National Sevens Circuit slated for Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th August.

    Scheduled to take place at the Nakuru Athletic Club, the tournament which is hosted by Nakuru RFC, is expected to draw over 40 clubs, making it one of the largest gatherings in the circuit.

    The Nakuru Derby between Menengai Oilers and Nakuru RFC promises to be a highlight of the event, as both teams face off in Pool B alongside Nondies and Catholic University Monks.

    Kabras Sugar, leading the Sevens Circuit log with 41 points, finds itself in Pool A, where they will compete against Western Bulls, Homeboyz, and Kisumu.

    Dala Sevens champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) will headline Pool C which also includes third-place finishers in Mombasa’s Driftwood Sevens, Kenya Harlequins, three-time National Sevens Circuit champions, Masinde Muliro University, and Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad.

    Meanwhile, Pool D features four-time champions Mwamba RFC, Daystar Falcons, Zetech University Oaks, and Strathmore Leos.

    The Nakuru leg follows the completion of the first two legs last month – the Dala Sevens in Kisumu that was won by KCB RFC and Driftwood Sevens which was won by Kabras Sugar.

  • Emily Muteti and her compatriots hailed for a good show in Japan

    Emily Muteti and her compatriots hailed for a good show in Japan

    The local swimming stakeholders have lauded the quarted consisting of Olympian Emily Muteti,Maria Brunlehner,Monyo Maina and Swaleh Talib for breaking the Kenyan national record mixed 400 freestyle relay posting 3.42.58 at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

    Led by Kenya Swimming Federation Kiambu executive committee member Joseph Ndungu,the good performance of the local swimmers overseas will inspire the rest of Kenyan athletes to put up a better great showing at the upcoming international championships.

    “We were impressed with our representatives in Japan for their spirited fight despite not finishing in the medal bracket they did well and were Kenya’s good ambassadors abroad. This is the start of big things ahead as we seek putting our house in order in complying with regulations by the World Aquatics.Our hope is that the World Aquatics Stabilisation Committee will complete the task on the elections so as we get new leaders at the helm of the federation to help dispense the running and management of swimming activities in the country.We can’t risk killing the passionate upcoming talent due to the ban from the global body and as a result we’re appealing to all the relevant stakeholders to play their part and help restore order in Kenyan swimming” he said

    Muteti, who is based at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix USA, said the swimming standards in the USA have really improved her performance.

    “My performances have improved tremendously alongside the coaching team at the university and I am looking forward to other subsequent world events,” he said.

    She made her debut at the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan and partnered with Brunlehner on the women’s team during the just concluded extravaganza.

    At the the global showpiece which took place in July 14-30, swimmers competed in diving, artistic water swimming, open water, water polo, swimming and high diving.

    The World Junior Championships was a test of the event’s endurance after a meet last year that was missing several top swimming countries including the US, Australia, and Great Britain.

  • MP urges government to prioritise support for Kenyan athletes

    MP urges government to prioritise support for Kenyan athletes

    Mwingi West Member of Parliament Charles Ngusya Nguna alias CNN has appealed to the government to introduce  motivation winning bonuses for the local sports men and women participating in major international competitions.

    Speaking in parliament on Thursday, the second term lawmaker and member of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture lauded Kenyan athletes for sweating abroad to bring glory back home.

    “In less than 2 months our queen Faith Kipyegon made us proud to break three records in Diamond League and this is not a mean feat.Besides,the Commonwealth Games 100 metres champion Ferdinand Omanyala made history after becoming the first Kenyan to win a 100 metres race in the Diamond League on Friday.These two coupled by other triumph by our athletes is a testimony that our sporting warriors are putting in extra effort to advertise Kenya to the outside world and this Kenya Kwanza administration must think outside the box and introduce winning inventive to motivate them further” he said

    Kipyegon’s record-breaking streak continued with a stunning performance at the Monaco Diamond League meeting on Friday after the the 29-year-old completed the race in four minutes, 7.64 seconds to smash Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan’s 2019 mark of 4:12.33.

    The Olympic and world champion has marched across Europe in the last seven weeks.She started this imperious run of Wanda Diamond League form in Florence on 2 June, when she became the first woman to run 1500m in under 3:50 before  conquering Paris a week later, this time splintering the 5000m record, before laying siege to the mile in Monaco.

    Omanyala on his part rounded off a great night for Kenyan athletes with victory in the 100m at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday (21 July).

    It was the 27 year old sprints sensation’s
    first Diamond League victory and one which ensured qualification for September’s Diamond League Final in Eugene.
    CNN,an avid sporting fan backed Kenyan athletes ahead of World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where the East African nation is set to be represented by total of 57 athletes (32 men and 25 women)  under the tutelage of head coach Julius Kirwa.

    “I’m behind our lads a few weeks before this sporting extravaganza and as expected they will do better like they have done before.I urge Kenyans to rally behind our ambassadors who’ve always flew our flag high during major competitive assignments around the globe.The team itself is strong and as Parliamentarians we need to pay for ourselves and go witness this big action as our boys and girls win top medals for us” he added

    The Central European nation will host the premier annual global showpiece at the brand new National Athletics Centre on the eastern bank of the Danube River on the south side of Budapest.

  • KRU launches Ksh 100 ticket sales drive for World Rugby U20 Trophy finals

    KRU launches Ksh 100 ticket sales drive for World Rugby U20 Trophy finals

    Kenya Rugby Union has introduced a highly subsidised ticket for the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament to encourage more die-hard rugby fans to grace the final play-offs of the international showpiece this weekend.

    KRU is running a Ksh 100 advanced match entry ticket sales drive from this Wednesday July 26th till mid-night of Saturday 29th July. Fans can make an early booking for Sunday matches via a USSD code *805# and follow prompts.

    On the Match-day, regular tickets will go for Ksh 300 . VIP Ticket charge of Ksh 1,000 and free entry for primary and high school students in uniform remain unchanged.

    Kenya Rugby Union Chairman, Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai called on Kenyan Rugby fanatics to come-out in large numbers in show of solidarity for the Kenya Under 20 players, to lift the players spirits and enhance their final performance of the tournament.

    “This last match is crucial for Chipu, for Kenya the host country, for all of us and will determine our new position in the continent and World Rugby. We are calling on Kenyans to come, rally behind and cheer our youngstars this Sunday,” said Mutai.

    Hosts Kenya, will face Zimbabwe on Sunday in fifth-place play-offs at the Nyayo National Stadium. Spain and Uruguay will vie for the top slot and promotion from the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 while Scotland and Samoa battle for a third-place. HongKong China will take on the USA in the seventh-place play-off game.

    Kenya Rugby Union Commercial Director, Harriet Okach said the new board is committed to do all it can to transform Rugby in the country and take the game to the next level.

    “We have introduced the ticket sales drive to give all Kenyans an opportunity to come witness the finals of this global discourse happening at home. We are especially banking on the young generation to enhance Kenya’s final performance by filling up the stadium,” said Okach.

    Among the key highlights of the final play-offs will be the special appearance of legendary former Springbok prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira confirmed as one of the high profile guests expected to grace the closing event.

    “The 2019 Rugby World Cup winner, Tendai Mtawarira will grace the upcoming World Rugby Under-20 Trophy at the Nyayo National Stadium as the chief guest. The presence of this World Rugby icon will also motivate the players to dream and achieve more in global tournaments,” said Mutai.

    Recently elected President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah will serve as the official representative of World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont at the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament, where he will have the privilege of presenting the highly coveted trophy to the winning team.

    WRU20 Chief Executive Officer, Ian Mugambi urged Kenyan fans to take advantage of the flash sale and turn out in large numbers to support Chipu as they play the Junior Sables in the fifth and sixth place play-offs.

    “We met the Junior Sables from Zimbabwe in the Barthes Cup Finals, we had abit of a slip up and allowed them to take up the game. On Sunday we plan to right the wrong and take our place as the best under 20 team in Africa,” said Mugambi.

  • Johnson tips Omanyala for greatness

    Johnson tips Omanyala for greatness

    The four-time Olympic champion Micheal Johnson has backed Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala to conquer on the international stage and become the first man from the African continent to win a gold medal in 100m ahead of World Athletics Championship set for Budapest in Hungary.

    Johnson – an athlete once so supreme that he was known as Superman said the 27 year-old Omanyala’s bulky physique is well-suited for the sprints dominance and will work in his favour during the upcoming championships and beyond.

    “Said it before. I believe Omanyala will be the first African to win a 100m World Champs medal. His muscular structure provides tremendous power but do any coaches or sport science experts out there think it could become a limiting factor in his ability to sprint efficiently?” he tweeted

    The American sprinter is considered the most eminent figure in athletics (track and field) in the 1990s.

    For much of the decade he was virtually unbeaten in the long sprints—the 200-metre and 400-metre races—and at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta he became the first man to win gold medals at both distances; he also set Olympic marks in both events.

    In 1991 he lowered the world indoor mark at 200 metres, winning that event outdoors at the world championships. He won his first Olympic medal at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, as a member of the 4 × 400-metre relay team that set the world record, which he helped to lower again the following year.

    The third quickest man in the world Omanyala is optimistic a few weeks before athletics’ biggest event.

    The current African Record holder warned his rivals they should know something big awaits them during the championship that will be held from Saturday, August 19 to Sunday, August 27 in Hungary.

    “I already qualified for Budapest a long time ago, but it feels nice to have run 9.85 here. It was a surprise, but the focus is on Budapest, and I feel better prepared than I was for Oregon 2022,” said Omanyala.

    “I have been looking for chances to compete, and now I have them, which is good. I am prepared to run two races a month.

    “I am also a big boy now. I see people running good times, and others are dropping out of the race for Budapest. My opponents should know what awaits them in Budapest,” Omanyala said after his participation in the trials at the Nyayo Stadium.

    In 2015, Omanyala began his athletics career in Kenya as a chemistry student the University of Nairobi. He made this move after a friend noticed his speed while he was playing rugby. He made the switch from rugby to track and only a few weeks later he ran a time of 10.4 s in his first AK meet in Kakamega.

    “I was a rugby player and a very fast winger,” Omanyala told DW after he won the African title. “So to change to sprint was something that I dreamt of. It’s interesting to do something different that nobody in Kenya is doing because it means my people will treasure me; which is why I decided on sprinting, and it has brought me this far.”

    His coach, Duncan Ayiemba, whom he still trains with in Kenya, thinks Omanyala’s curiosity and hard work proved pivotal.

    “He was hard working, dedicated, curious and ready to learn while also challenging me with his effort and growth day by day,” Ayiemba said to DW.

    Omanyala won the men’s 100m at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on the new athletics track at the Alexander Stadium. A packed-out crowd roared on the finalists in the penultimate event with the Kenyan blasting out the blocks to win comfortably in a time of 10.02s.

    A total of 57 athletes (32 men and 25 women) will fly the Kenyan flag in the Hungarian capital under the tutelage of head coach Julius Kirwa.

    The Central European nation will host the premier annual global showpiece at the brand new National Athletics Centre on the eastern bank of the Danube River on the south side of Budapest.