KBC Channel 1

Author: Maxwell Wasike

  • PIPPSA Kenya represented by a strong team at the London Cup 2023

    PIPPSA Kenya represented by a strong team at the London Cup 2023

    The Private and International Preps Schools Sports Association (PIPSSA) in cordination with its tours and travel partners Genesis Sports Ltd and Touride Adventures Ltd have on Wednesday morning flagged off a group of close to 100 athletes for this years London Cup, a premier youth tournament that feeds the EPL with upcoming and future stars football stars.

    The group comprising of footballers and enthusiasts from various schools in the country are charged and excited to be participating in the 2023 edition of the tournament which will be taking place from 27th-30th July at Brunel University grounds.

    While in London, they will tour various stadiums including the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and the maginificent Tottenham Hotspurs stadium among other attractions in London. The team will also have a pro training session with the Chelsea FC U16 team.

    While flagging off the team, the Chairperson of PIPSSA Kenya Mark Gaya wished team Kenya all the best in the tournament while reiterating the commitment of PIPSSA, Genesis Sports and Touride Adventures to ensure that in the coming years through partnerships with UK based teams,there shall have more Kenyan youths getting absorbed into the EPL.

    While noting the magnitude of preparations required for such a tour,Gaya noted the need to start preparing for the 2024 edition early to avoid last minute rushes that would hinder utmost decent performance from the Kenyan representatives.

  • Governor Sakaja Super Cup set to kick off as County partners with FKF

    Governor Sakaja Super Cup set to kick off as County partners with FKF

    Nairobi City County Government is set to officially launch Governor Sakaja Super Cup (football )in mid August 2023.

    Sakaja super cup is billed to be the biggest football tournament ever in Nairobi

    It will be organised by the county government in partnership with FKF Nairobi County branches, both Nairobi East and Nairobi west and the FKF National office.

    Speaking in Nairobi, the Nairobi County Chief Officer for Youth,Talent and Sports Mr Oscar Igaida said that the launch of the tournament will coincide with the opening of the new state of the art Dandora Stadium.

    According to Igaida, who prior to his appointment at the helm of the department was the Secretary General of Kenya Premier League giants AFC Leopards.

    The tournament is aimed at offering the youth a chance to nurture their talent as well as keep them away from social vices like Alcoholism,Crime and substance abuse as per Governor Sakaja’s Manifesto.

    The tournament will be patronized by Governor Sakaja Arthur Johnson.

    FKF top brass will be incorporated to the Management Team.

    “The youth of this county are very close to Governor Sakaja’s heart and he means well for them. Such events are platforms to showcase their talent that will attract scouts who will at the tail end identify talented youths to form the Nairobi Team” Igaida said.

    “The Tournament will mark the opening of the Dandora stadium which is over 90percent complete and will involve under 20 years age group teams drawn from all the 17 sub counties of Nairobi.

    Governor Sakaja said that his administration is keen to help the youth develop their talent in sports and will ensure that he continues expanding the sports infrastructure and organise sports events to give the youth a chance to monetize their talent.

    “Sports is a form of employment and that is why I said we must complete the construction of Dandora stadium and other stadiums. This new stadium will host the launch of Super cup as a sign that we mean what we say,” Sakaja said.

    The Governor’s Cup will give the youth an opportunity like no other exposure and growth, we will start from the grassroots up to the county level and from this, scouts will be able to identify talented youths.

  • KSF Kiambu intensifies plans to rebrand in line with World Aquatics regulations

    KSF Kiambu intensifies plans to rebrand in line with World Aquatics regulations

    Kiambu County Swimming Governing body Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) Kiambu County stakeholders voted to rebrand itself as Kiambu County Aquatics Association (KCAA).

    County Secretary Douglas Okatso while speaking to the media said the move was meant to symbolize inclusivity for all aquatic disciplines, not just swimming.

    The new Kiambu County Aquatics Association identity will be rolled out in the next swimming season scheduled to start 1st August, 2023.

    Okatso reiterated that the Kiambu Aquatics rebranding also reflect how stakeholders have already begun expanding aquatics profession beyond competition and swimming but rather also as a life skill, to include sustainability, environmental advocacy, leisure, tourism and wellbeing.

    “Our new brand and visual identity will also enable us to connect with new audiences and encourage new generations of athletes across various aquatics disciplines to be united by water, safely, fairly and sustainably.”

    Kiambu stakeholders also voted to amend its constitution in line with Kenya Aquatics, Africa Aquatics and World Aquatics.

    The stakeholders also agreed the representation of public schools in the board of Executive Committee.

    Coach Joseph Ndungu from Condor Swim Club who also doubles as a board member of vulnerable public schools within Kiandutu slums commended the move of incorporating public schools in management of the sport.

    He opined that swimming was becoming an exclusive sport of the rich and was at the verge of completely secluding underprivileged kids in the community.

    The stakeholders also unanimously endorsed Gloria Muthoni, an advocate specializing with sports law to be the returning officer during elections of officials at AGM slated for next month.

  • PIPPSA swimming extravaganza returns to Thika next weekend

    PIPPSA swimming extravaganza returns to Thika next weekend

    Mpesa Foundation Academy will host the Private and International Preparatory Schools Sports Association (PIPSSA) Swimming Championships slated for this upcoming weekend; 22 July 2023.

    The invitational championships, which are set to be conducted under the Kenya Aquatics Federation rules, will act as the last event for this term, and come a month after the last PIPSSA edition held at the Moi Educational Center in Nairobi.

    In the aforementioned event, Kianda School emerged as the overall winners after scooping up 48 golds, 47 silvers and 38 bronze medals to finish ahead of Dashing Dolphins Swim Club and Strathmore School that came in second and third respectively with 112 and 79 medals respectively.

    On Saturday however, over 25 schools will get the opportunity to bag various individual and team awards – with medals being awarded to the top three finalists, and certificates of participation being handed to all participants.

    Some of the teams confirmed to be taking part in the championships include; St. Christopher’s Schools Nanyuki, Foresight Academy, Merishaw School, Kitengela International Main Campus, Teule School, Chantilly School, Liz Wanyoike School, Alliance Boys, Alliance Girls, Umoja Sharks, Falcon Heights, Next Gen, Condor Swim Club, Mugomoini Primary School among others.

    The recommended age groups for the individuals and teams will be; 6 years and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15 years and over.

    In addition, the championships will have no qualifying times and all events will be swum on a heat declared basis, with seeding done using times from the team database.

    Meanwhile, over 15 Kenyan schools are expected to grace the 2023 Chipkizi Cup East African Soccer Tournament and Swimming Championships set to take place from 14-18 December 2023 at Braeburn School -Arusha.

    The teams, which will be joined by others from Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Burundi, Uganda, Cameroon and Congo, will see over 120 teams participate in the soccer tournament and swimming championship, all with the aim of exposing teams and children to new international events providing fun environments and travel.

    The Chipkizi Cup is the largest youth sports tournament in East and Central Africa.

  • MP ‘CNN’ urges President William Ruto and former PM to engage in dialogue

    MP ‘CNN’ urges President William Ruto and former PM to engage in dialogue

    Mwingi West Member of Parliament Charles Nguna has appealed to President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to institute dialogue and restore sanity and order in the country ahead of the consecutive three day protests planned by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

    Speaking on KBC Channel 1’s News Check program on Tuesday morning, the second-term lawmaker said the fate of the country in terms of peaceful coexistence among its citizens entirely lies with the two Principals to speak and initiate a conversation aimed at easening the current tension.

    “Both President  William Ruto and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga should set the stage for the ceasefire, show great responsibility and put Kenya first.They must ignore their cronies politicians with imposing attitude and institute dialogue failure to which tomorrow’s demonstrations will leave adverse effects to our political,social and economic fabric.To our youth; In Peace, sons bury their fathers, but in war fathers bury their sons” remarked the Wiper MP alias CNN

    He echoed weekend sentiments by Nyeri Catholic Church Archbishop Anthony Muheria who called for a humane and compassionate way of handling tension between the government and the opposition.

    “We sit, chat, talk to one another with true listening, and then we concede and find a compromise. Sometimes we may not agree, but we don’t let that build bad manners.” Muheria said.

    “We have instrumentalised misery and poverty and many times weaponised tragedy; when we see something that has gone wrong, we go out with our swords to find a battleground to fight our opponents in a vicious, inhumane way. We need to recover our humanity,” he added.

    Earlier on Monday, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition reiterated that the plan to hold anti-government protests from Wednesday to Friday is still on despite stern warnings from the government.

    Pressure continues to pile on the head of state and Orange Democratic Movement leader to stop grandstanding and embrace dialogue.

    Religious, union and political leaders are calling on Dr Ruto and Raila to sit down and initiate talks to save the country from degenerating into chaos.  The leaders said the next generation will hold them to account should their hardline positions burn the country.

  • Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court

    Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape and attempted rape at Chester Crown Court

    Ex-Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been cleared of raping a woman and attempting to rape another.

    The 28-year-old was accused of attacking a 24-year-old woman at his £4m mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire in October 2020.

    Mr Mendy was also accused of the attempted rape of another woman, aged 29, who said he had also molested her at his home two years before.

    It comes after he was cleared of six rapes at an earlier trial in January.

    The France international broke down in tears as the not guilty verdicts were read out by the jury foreman following a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.

    The jury of six men and six women deliberated for about three hours and 15 minutes before reaching their conclusion.

    Judge Steven Everett said: “Mr Mendy can be discharged from the dock.”

    The footballer, whose contract with Manchester City expired earlier this month, was cleared at the earlier trial of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to four young women or teenagers.

    Mendy became the Premier League’s most expensive defender when City paid £52m to Monaco for him in 2017.

    He won three titles with City and was part of France’s World Cup-winning squad in 2018.

    He was released by the club when his contract expired at the end of June.

    After leaving court, Mendy’s solicitor Jenny Wiltshire said in a statement: “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focusing on the evidence of this trial, rather than the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.

    “This is the second time Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by the jury. He is delighted that both jurors reached the correct verdict.”

  • Maurice Akech:NCA is developing the building code which is a standard of construction for the industry

    Maurice Akech:NCA is developing the building code which is a standard of construction for the industry

    National Construction Authority (NCA) Executive Director Maurice Akech has disclosed plans are underway to publish a building code replacing the one developed in 1968 by the first quarter of the financial year starting July.

    He hailed the move by the industry regulator to develop a code of conduct saying it has guided and regulated the conduct of parties engaged in construction-related activities and  established the standards against which this can be measured and monitored.

    According to the state agency,code of ethics for the contractors describes the rights and responsibilities of every player in the construction value chain while laying the fundamental principles for their harmonious relationship in service delivery. It obligates all players to abide by professional codes and regulations.

    “We’ve developed a code of conduct for the construction industry that guides the roles and responsibilities of the various players in the construction value chain.We developed a skill-transfer framework for foreign contractors such that it is not haphazard and can be traced.We expect to publish a building code replacing the one developed in 1968 by the first quarter of the financial year starting July. All our services are offered on automated platforms.” noted Akech who joined the construction watchdog in 2014 as general manager in charge of research, training and capacity before rising through the ranks to the ED position.

    According to NCA, buildings collapse due to flouting of zoning roles and over-development where developers send the wrong building plans for approval with an expectation of high returns on investment.

    Other reasons for building failures include poor workmanship, rogue contractors, use of substandard material, poor maintenance, failure to undertake a geo-technical study, building overload and developer’s greed, among others.

    To cushion the collapse of buildings, NCA explained that it was constantly carrying quality checks through proper coordination and collaboration among the players in the sector in an effort aimed at ensuring that everything is right.

    “We have started addressing this through multi-agency collaboration in our activities, including working with county governments, regulators like Nema [National Environment Management Authority] and the enforcement unit like the police.We move as a team and carry out joint operations or a joint inspection. By the time we visit a site, we have received numerous reports on non-compliance issues on a building that need to be addressed. Previously, there was a lack of proper coordination to address those issues.” he added

    Data by the National Building Inspectorate (NBI) on building tragedies in the past five years, shows that 87 buildings have collapsed. About 200 people have lost their lives and 1,000 were injured.

    Aketch regarded as one of the outstanding parastatal chiefs further indicated that the board of the NCA carries out an enquiry which is like a quasi-judicial process, leading to certain actions after the findings and recommendations.

    Over the past four years,  36 inquiries have been conducted following collapses that have caused either death or injuries for which 50 percent of contractors have been suspended, with the longest period being 36 months.

    Suspended contractors are denied business and the projects they are handling are stopped. After the period lapses, they have to apply afresh to be considered back into the register.

  • Chipu squad to face Samoa revealed ahead of World Rugby U20 Trophy kick off

    Chipu squad to face Samoa revealed ahead of World Rugby U20 Trophy kick off

    Kenya Head Coach Curtis Aluoch has named his match day squad for Saturday’s opening clash against Samoa at the Nyayo National Stadium.

    The former Kenya international expects a massive physical challenge from the Samoans but has backed his charges to rise to the challenge posed against their opponents from Oceania.

    “We have prepared well for this tournament. We understand the level of the competition that we are playing in, and the caliber of the opponent we are facing but we believe that the boys will play their hearts out before the home fans. We are aware of the physical threat that Samoa poses but we play to our strengths and take our chances, not only on Saturday but throughout the tournament, ” said Aluoch.

    Kenya U20 match day squad v Samoa U20
    15. Faran Juma, 14. Alvin Kalori, 13. Mike Wamalwa (Captain), 12. Chacha Masega, 11. Raphael Wanga, 10. Eddy Wambugu, 9. Patrick Wainaina, 1. Geylord Ngasi, 2. Jeremy Odhiambo, 3. Raymond Chacha, 4. Stanslaus Shikoli, 5. Andy Cole Omolo, 6. Laban Kipsang, 7. Iddo Kuta, 8. Jacktone Omondi REPLACEMENTS 16. George Otieno, 17. Wickliffe Ogutu, 18. Mike Oduor, 19. Edmond Omondi, 20. Vincent Omondi, 21. Brian Mwendwa, 22. Spencer Davies, 23. Victor Odhiambo

  • Kipchoge to return to Berlin Marathon, site of world records

    Kipchoge to return to Berlin Marathon, site of world records

    Eliud Kipchoge will return to the Berlin Marathon, where he broke the world record in 2018 and 2022, to race on Sept. 24.

    Kipchoge, 38, entered Berlin rather than race November’s New York City Marathon for the first time. Kipchoge traditionally races two marathons per year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

    In his most recent marathon, Kipchoge placed sixth in Boston on April 17, just his third defeat in 18 career marathons. He said he developed a left leg problem late in the race.

    Kipchoge had eschewed his usual London Marathon start to make his Boston debut as part of his goal to become the first runner to win all six annual World Marathon Majors.

    Kipchoge previously won Berlin, Chicago, London and Tokyo, in addition to his two Olympic titles. The lone annual major he has yet to race is New York City.

    Kipchoge won Berlin in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022, taking the world record down to 2 hours, 1 minute, 9 seconds last year.

    Kipchoge will be nearly 40 come the Paris Olympics, more than one year older than the oldest Olympic champion in any running event, according to Olympedia.org. He hopes to become the first person to win three Olympic marathons.

    Kipchoge may face a challenge to make Kenya’s three-man Olympic team.

    Three Kenyans finished ahead of him in Boston, including Evans Chebet, who has now won three consecutive major marathons (Boston 2022, New York City 2022 and Boston 2023). Another Kenyan, Benson Kipruto, finished third after winning Boston in 2021 and Chicago in 2022.

    Then at the London Marathon, Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum won in 2:01:25, the second-best time in history.

  • Aston Villa complete Pau Torres signing from Villarreal

    Aston Villa complete Pau Torres signing from Villarreal

    Aston Villa have announced the signing of Spain centre-back Pau Torres from Villarreal for a reported £31.5m.

    Torres, 26, played under Villa boss Unai Emery with the Spanish club between 2020 and 2023.

    The defender, who joined Villarreal’s youth academy in 2003, played a pivotal role as the Yellow Submarine finished fifth in La Liga last season.

    He made 173 appearances for his boyhood team, scoring 12 times, and has played 23 times for Spain.

    Torres made his first Villarreal appearance in 2016, becoming the first player born in the small Valencian town to debut for the club in 13 years.

    He quickly established himself as a key player in the squad, winning the 2021 Europa League under Emery when he was among the scorers in the penalty shootout victory over Manchester United.

    Torres made his debut for Spain in 2019 and has played both at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

    He is Aston Villa’s second summer signing, after Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans arrived on a free transfer from relegated Leicester City.

    Villa finished seventh in the Premier League last season, securing qualification for the Europa Conference League.