KBC Channel 1

Author: Maxwell Wasike

  • Dr Mishra:CS Nakhumicha on the right trajectory

    Dr Mishra:CS Nakhumicha on the right trajectory

    Former Kesses Member of Parliament Dr Swarrup Mishra has backed Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula terming her a steadfast public servant on the right track to transform health sector in the country.

    Mishra, a renowned medical practitioner and the founder of the Mediheal Group of Hospitals with over 10 branches across the country urged the stakeholders in the local health industry to support the CS in her quest to transform the sector.

    “She means very well to transform what was ailing docket when she took over.She is been at the helm for only a few months yet several milestones can be witnessed. CS Nakhumicha is doing her best and needs be given more time besides being supported by all the professionals because there’s a lot of mess and problems in that ministry.She has not done any scandal herself and continue to grow everyday in understanding the dynamics of this most critical docket” he said.

    In undescoring prudent utilisation of government resources, he rallied behind the push by CS in prioritizing accountability which remains one of the top priorities in health resource management, in line with this year’s high-level dialogue Nairobi deliberations of health financing to help build consensus towards health financing reform priorities and action.

    Nakhumicha warned individuals who misuse funds meant for healthcare projects and procurement for their own selfish-interest that they will be dealt with according to the laws of the country.

    “We cannot have people raising funds to support the health sector while others are misusing it. We will come for such individuals who are misusing those funds,” affirmed the CS

    Mishra, who was one of the panellists on health during the Russia-African Summit last month appealed for the transfer and utilization of Russian medical technologies in Kenya and Africa in ensuring Universal Health Coverage (UHC) dream is realised in the current regime.

    “The most challenging health conditions such as non-communicable diseases can be handled using Russia’s advanced medicine solutions. We should import more Russian medical technologies to Kenya and Africa,” he remarked

    His comments come months after CS Nakhumicha reiterated her bid in line with President William Ruto’s agenda of making huge strides in efforts aimed at providing quality and affordable healthcare for all.

    “I want to be known as Mama Afya Mashinani so that anyone walking to any facility in this country can get services. That I brought down this heavy monster that people call UHC to the people.” she noted.

    The Kenya Kwanza government is keen on reversing a trend where almost 60 per cent of patients go to referral institutions instead of dispensaries, health centres, or Level 3 or 4 hospitals because there are no health professionals at the same medical facilities, or there are no drugs.

  • Mophat Mandela:Kakamega Governor’s Cup has attracted significant interest

    Mophat Mandela:Kakamega Governor’s Cup has attracted significant interest

    The second edition of Kakamega County Governor’s Cup Bonanza has attracted various teams ahead of the sporting extravaganza scheduled for 28th, December 2023 – 1st January 2024.

    The tournament that entails multiple disciplines including football (men and women), rugby (men), netball (women), volleyball (men and women)  will be conducted in three phases starting from the ward level.

    According to the the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Social Services, Sports, Youth, Gender and Culture Mophat Mandela,the aim of the competition is to identify and nurture talent and to promote sportsmanship and social cohesion in the County.

    “The tournament is aligned to  FCPA Governor Fernandes Barasa’s Social Development pillar..It  seeks to develop a database for sportsmen and women with an aim of tracking them in addition to exposing the talented ones to the sports market.Last edition was successful and the upcoming one will be super better.A lot of teams have expressed an interest to participate across the disciplines and we hope to continue using this initiative to unearth and expose our rich talent to the outside world. Kakamega is blessed to have this enormous potential and my boss means well towards putting in place structures that nurture these youngsters” he said.

    Mandela revealed that there will be no age limits, and the only qualification is to be a resident of Kakamega county with the exemption of the players involved in Division 2, Division 1, the National Super League, and the Kenya Premier League.

    Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa juggling the ball in a past football activity

    He also promised to enhance the networking of the tournament’s football players by profiling them on Fifa Connect to ensure the exposure of the teams to the outer market.

    “We have special plans for those teams participating in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) leagues and, therefore, we shall not have them taking part in the Governor’s tourney,” added Mandela

    This development comes a month after the CECM also unveiled a 12 member team that will ensure proper coordination and smooth running of the tournament in their respective Sub-Counties.

  • Arteta:Rice dominated Palace

    Arteta:Rice dominated Palace

    Mikel Arteta said Declan Rice “dominated the game” during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football, while Jamie Carragher described the £105m midfielder’s performance as “outstanding”.

    Rice has made a positive impression following his club-record move from West Ham last month and produced a player-of-the-match display in the Gunners’ narrow victory at Selhurst Park.

    After starting on the left of a midfield diamond against Nottingham Forest last weekend, the 24-year-old began in a single pivot for Arsenal’s trip across London and was key as his side defended with 10 players for the final 30 minutes to secure three points and a hard-fought clean sheet.

    Speaking to Sky Sports about Rice’s performance after the game, Arsenal boss Arteta said: “I thought he was fantastic. He really dominated the game.”

    Arteta added: “He bossed the midfield and dominated the game. He was very influential, both attacking and defending. Today he played a different position to last week because of what we expected from Palace and what we needed today, and I think he was really good.”

    Last season, Arsenal faltered in the final stretch as they were caught and passed by Man City, but Gary Neville believes Rice may prove a crucial difference this term following his summer acquisition.

  • Theo Walcott announces immediate retirement from football at the age of 34

    Theo Walcott announces immediate retirement from football at the age of 34

    Theo Walcott has announced his retirement from football following his departure from Southampton at the end of last season.

    Walcott, who scored more than 100 goals for Arsenal and won 47 England caps, had been linked with a move to Bournemouth and League One outfit Reading earlier this summer.

    But the 34-year-old has called time on his career, confirming his retirement with a social media post, having made 563 club appearances and won three FA Cups alongside two Community Shields.

    In an emotional video posted on social media, Walcott said: “The first moment I put my football boots on aged 10 was a special journey for me. From playing in the park with friends to performing in some of the biggest stadiums in front of huge crowds across the world.

    “The support shown to me throughout this time has been incredible and in every way imaginable I am truly grateful. I shared the football pitch with so many incredible players and we have created so many unforgettable memories.

    “I’d like to say a big thank you to all the managers and coaches that I’ve worked with, especially Harry [Redknapp] for giving me a start and Arsene [Wenger] for showing the belief and supporting me when I joined the club at only 16 years old. Over 18 fantastic years in the Premier League, there are so many moments I will cherish.

    “The early days at Southampton Football Club, my transfer to Arsenal where I spent 12 enjoyable years and scored over 100 goals, winning the FA Cup and scoring in the final which is every kid’s dream. To have had the opportunity to represent England 47 times and to go to the World Cup in 2006 aged just 17 and still to hold the record for the youngest-ever debut by a senior England player and the youngest hat-trick goalscorer at 19 – I will never forget that feeling.

    “I’m lucky enough to have had offers to continue playing but it feels right to finish where I started and hang up my football boots. Thank you to everyone who has been with me along the way.”

    He was sensationally named by Sven-Goran Eriksson in England’s World Cup squad that summer despite not featuring for the Gunners in the second half of the 2005/06 campaign.

    Walcott became England’s youngest player at the age of 17 years and 75 days when he appeared in a friendly win over Hungary in May 2006.

    He scored eight times for his country, including a hat-trick against Croatia in World Cup qualifying in 2008 which made him the youngest player to score a treble for the Three Lions.

  • Health CS Nakhumicha launches KEMRI Sports Research Centre in Eldoret

    Health CS Nakhumicha launches KEMRI Sports Research Centre in Eldoret

    The Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S Wafula has presided over the official launch of the KEMRI Eldoret Sports Science Research Centre which will encompass a holistic approach to sports health and medical research components in a bid to tame the doping scourge.

    Speaking during the event, Nakhumicha underscored the government’s commitment of addressing doping crisis in Kenyan Athletics, a sport that has raised Kenyan flag high on the international podium through blistering performance by the local runners.

    “I firmly believe that this Center is poised to play a pivotal role, engaging in a spectrum of research studies including Sports Medicine and research related to the well-being of athletes, injuries, mental health, nutrition, and anti-doping challenges” she said.

    “Furthermore, it is our aspiration that this Center will evolve into a fully-fledged anti-doping laboratory, situated right here in Eldoret, resolving the doping challenges that which is threatening to stain our sports and taint the careers of athletics and other sports players in the country. This will ensure that our country retains its globally respectable stature in producing not only legendary, but also clean athletes” added the CS in a statement

    The proposed Sports Science Research Centre that would also house the country’s anti-doping laboratory in Eldoret is designed to prioritise sports health research including comprehensive analysis of biological passports, factors associated with anti-doping testing, nutrition and sports injuries.

    According to KEMRI, Kenya is a category A under the Anti-Doping Rules of World Athletics meaning that athletes must undergo at least three no-notice tests.

    Dubbed the first-ever accredited anti-doping facility in the Eastern African region, the Ministry has reiterated its agenda of using the facility in combating doping in partnership with other relevant stakeholders such as Athletics Kenya (AK), Kenya Antidoping Agency (ADAK), the Ministry of Sports among others.

    “I extend my sincere appreciation to the Athletics Kenya (AK), Kenya Antidoping Agency (ADAK), the Ministry of Sports, other agencies and all the stakeholders who have collaboratively birthed this initiative. This landmark facility shall stand as the inaugural accredited anti-doping hub not only within our nation but across the Eastern African region. The collective determination that led us here today will undoubtedly propel us forward on this critical journey. And so, aluta continua!” affirmed Nakhumicha

    Athletics Kenya Executive Member and Kip Keino Classic race Director Barnaba Korir lauded the office of Health Ministry in prioritizing the needs of Kenyan athletes a head of World Athletics Championship set for Budapest in Hungary.

    “It’s a big honour for Waziri Nakhumicha to spearhead this great milestone aimed at containing doping menace in the wake of alarmingly increasing cases of Kenyan athletes being suspended and banned over consumption of illegal substances.The establishment of the Kenya Anti-Doping laboratory will help the country test more doping control samples in its bid to tame the menace that has tainted Kenya’s image internationally, and frequently advise the country on the products containing banned substances.” Korir said in a phone call conversation from Hungary.

    Thursday event is a follow up of President William Ruto’s sentiments earlier this year when he said the Government will go an extra mile in protecting the integrity of athletics.

    While making the remarks when he met the President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe at State House, the Head of State announced that his administration had set aside Sh3.7 billion to help in the fight against doping for the next five years.

    “We will collaborate with partners, sportsmen and their contacts to tackle doping that threatens our heritage,” noted President Ruto

    Kenya ranks third with a total of 55 athletes currently banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a range of violations behind Russia (102) and India (61).

    A further eight Kenyans have been provisionally suspended and are awaiting the outcomes of their cases.

    Kenya’s medal prospects at the 19th World Athletics Championships gets underway inside the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday.

  • Man City win the Super Cup after shootout success over Sevilla

    Man City win the Super Cup after shootout success over Sevilla

    Manchester City came from behind in normal time before beating Sevilla in a penalty shootout to win the Super Cup for the first time in their history.

    Presented with the rare opportunity to claim a trophy that did not already have their name on it, City initially struggled to rise to the occasion and found themselves behind thanks to Youssef En-Nesyri’s towering header.

    The Sevilla striker went on to be denied by Ederson several times in the second period and was made to pay for his wastefulness when Cole Palmer looped a header over Yassine Bounou to equalise.

    City belatedly improved as the game headed towards the final whistle and almost won in stoppage time when Nathan Ake forced a sharp save from Bounou.

    But City got the win they craved when Nemanja Gudelj missed the decisive penalty of the shootout, striking the bar and handing Pep Guardiola a record-equalling fourth Super Cup

    After finally claiming the elusive Champions League crown they had craved for the best part of two decades, City ultimately made the most of being granted access to the exclusive Super Cup.

    But the treble winners made hard work of their meeting with Sevilla, who may have won the Europa League last season but also slumped to a mid-table finish in LaLiga and are set to lose key personnel before the transfer window closes.

    Manchester City now switch their focus back to the Premier League, with Newcastle visiting the Etihad on Saturday.

    The Premier League champions then travel to newly-promoted Sheffield United on Sunday August 27.

  • Bitok impressed as Malkia down Rwanda in final build-up match

    Bitok impressed as Malkia down Rwanda in final build-up match

    National women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers, on Tuesday, warmed up for the CAVB African Nations Championship with a friendly match against Rwanda.

    Coach Luizomar de Moura’s charges faced off with fellow East Africans Rwanda winning 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-14) in a match they largely dominated apart from the second set.

    The Brazilian tactician had trusted skipper Mercy Moim to lead hard-hitting duo of Sharon Chepchumba and Veronica Adhiambo, Edith Wisah, Belinda Barasa and setter Emmaculate Nekesa to start, a line-up that he has stuck with in most of the matches he has taken charge this summer.

    eThe Rwandese were no match for the Mozzart Bet-sponsored top-ranked African side, going down 25-14 in the first set.

    Kenya was, however, dealt a blow in the second set when 2022 Africa’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in club championships, Chepchumba was taken off with an injury scare, having twisted her foot awkwardly.

    With youngster Loice Simiyu stepping up to fill Chepchumba’s place, the Rwandese took advantage of Malkia Strikers’ setback, as the worry of their teammate being sidelined with a serious injury was evident in their eyes, to run the scores and go nine points ahead.

    Moura also made two more changes, bringing in Africa Club Championships best blocker Trizah Atuka and teammate Leonida Kasaya. Kenya ate into Rwanda’s lead one point after another as they went on to reclaim the lead and win 27-25.

    In the third set, Lorine Chebet was also introduced albeit sparingly, leaving only three players out of action in Malkia’s final friendly match, and the only one in Cameroon, even as the team won the set 25-14 for a straight-sets victory.

    “From Morocco all the way to Yaounde, preparations have been good. From today’s friendly, I am confident that the squad is ready and this win gives us confidence,” assistant coach Paul Bitok offered after the match.

    The team, is set to learn its opponents in the group stage tonight during a 12-team draw slated for 7pm EAT. As anticipation grows, Bitok says hosts Cameroon and Egypt, who are returning to the competition this year, pose the biggest threat to Malkia’s claim to the African throne.

    “We are likely to land Egypt in the group stage, as Cameroon are in a different pool but both teams are very strong and we have to be intentional in how we play them.

    “With Chepchumba likely to miss the opening fixture and maybe action for three days we are hoping not to go up against any big challenges in her absence.

    “We have, however, been preparing for such an eventuality as this is part of sports and I am impressed with how Simiyu performed after settling in. We also have several other players who can switch positions if need be able to adjust,” Bitok explained after the team’s friendly.

  • Provisional Shujaa squad named ahead of Rugby Africa 7s

    Provisional Shujaa squad named ahead of Rugby Africa 7s

    The Kenya Rugby Union has named a 35 man provisional Kenya men’s sevens squad ahead of the Rugby Africa 7s taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe on 16th/17th  September 2023.

    This year’s tournament doubles up as the African Qualification Tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Shujaa have been grouped in Pool B alongside Zambia, Namiba and Nigeria.

    Kenya will be seeking to reclaim the Africa 7s title and book Paris Olympics ticket but the hard nut to crack will be South Africa after they failed to finish amongst the top four in the 2022-2023 World Sevens Series season to book an automatic qualification.

    South Africa finished seventh as New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and France finished 1-4 respectively to book automatic slot with Australia joining them for finishing fifth courtesy of France earning a bye by being the hosts.

    This will be the first assignment by head coach Kevin Wambua who replaced Damian McGrath a month ago in the changes done on the technical bench where he will be assisted by Louis Kisia, who will act as his deputytactician.

    Steve Sewe, Lameck Bogonko, Andrew Amonde, Chris Brown, and Eric Ogweno are serving on the technical bench as team manager, physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach, consultant, conditioning and strengthening coach, and team liaison, respectively.

    Pool A features South Africa, Madagascar, Tunisia and Ivory Coast with Pool C comprising of Uganda, hosts Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Algeria.

    Kenya 7s Provisional Squad: Brian Tanga, Kevin Wekesa, William Mwanjii, Lamech Ambesta (Kabras Sugar), George Ooro, Barnabas Owuor, Brunson Madigu, Nigel Amaitsa, Victor Odhiambo (Strathmore Leos), Austin Sikutwa, Vincent Onyala, Elvis Olukusi, Samuel Asati, Festus Shiasi (KCB), Samuel Ovwamu, Floyd Wabwire, Patrick Odongo (Daystar Falcons), Brian Mutugi, Stephen Sikuta, Ronnie Omondi, Tony Omondi, Daniel Taabu, Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba), John Okoth, Beldad Ogeta, Steve Arunga, Dennis Abukuse (Menengai Oilers), Felix Makokha, Herman Humwa, Amon Wamalwa, Paul Mutsami, David Mwangi (Kenya Harlequin), Chrisant Ojwang (Nakuru), Fidens Tony (Nondescripts), Brian Mutua (Homeboyz)

  • Winning start for Malkia Strikers against Rwanda

    Winning start for Malkia Strikers against Rwanda

    National women’s volleyball team Malkia Strikers opened their 2023 Africa Nations Championship campaign with a straight-sets victory over Rwanda as the games served off in Yaounde, Cameroon.

    Coach Luizomar de Moura who has stuck to the same starting lineup in previous matches was forced to make two changes, bringing in middle blocker Triza Atuka for Belinda Barasa while Sharon Chepchumba, out injured, was replaced by Kenya Pipeline youngster Loice Simiyu.

    Despite a shaky second set that saw Rwanda’s strong services trouble the Kenyan girls so much so they were trailing on several occasions, Malkia in true fashion of a champion recovered to take the set and the match 25-16, 25-20 and 25-17.

    “The first team always has a lot of expectations but we are adjusting the team to play the way we want. I am happy with the performance and with the set scores.

    “After playing the same side in a friendly match on Tuesday, we were expecting them to take risks with their services which is what they did in the second set. We will, however, improve with each match, this was just part of the process,” Luizomar said after the win.

    The tactician further expressed satisfaction with Simiyu’s performance in the absence of Chepchumba adding that it was important to bring in more experienced players in the absence of the opposite player.

    “In a competition like this where we have matches every day, it is important to have all the player ready for action. Today we couldn’t risk playing a dominantly young squad so we brought in the experienced Atuka and her leadership helped immensely,” the tactician explained.

    Skipper Mercy Moim was full of praise for the young Simiyu and for the returning Atuka arguing that they had gelled well with the squad. Veronica Adhiambo’s contribution also did not go unnoticed.

    “I have to thank my team for this start. We knew Rwanda would come hard at us after Tuesday’s friendly and we had to change strategy which worked well. This is a good start and I am confident we will grow into the competition,” Moim offered.

  • Maguire’s move from Man Utd to West Ham stalls

    Maguire’s move from Man Utd to West Ham stalls

    Harry Maguire’s potential move from Manchester United to West Ham United has stalled.

    West Ham believe they have a full agreement with Man Utd on a fee and personal terms are not expected to be a problem.

    However, it’s thought Maguire’s exit from Old Trafford has not been resolved.

    West Ham remain interested in the England defender and are ready to do a deal, but will look at other options.

    Last week David Moyes’ side had agreed a deal worth around £30m for the England defender, who had struggled for first-team opportunities at Old Trafford last season.