KBC Channel 1

Author: Nicholas Kigondu

  • Hughton tenure as black stars coach terminated

    Hughton tenure as black stars coach terminated

    The Black Stars of Ghana have relieved Chris Hughton of his duties as the club’s manager after their group-stage exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

    The Ghana Football Association also took the decision by further dissolving the whole technical team staying they will provide a roadmap on the future of the team in coming weeks.

    Hughton was named Ghana’s boss in February 2022 after a poor World Cup campaign saw Ghana finish bottom of the group; meaning his predecessor Otto Addo’s contract had to be terminated.

    The former Newcastle and Brighton coach’s paramount task was to lead the Black star to the cusp of Africa cup of Nations glory but Ghana would finish third in a rather disappointing campaign.

    The Black Stars finished the campaign with two points; after drawing 2-2 with both Egypt and Mozambique following a 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde in their opener.

    Ghana’s hopes of qualifying as one of the four best ranked third placed sides faded as results in other matches on Tuesday went against them.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Chelsea reach Carabao cup final after a 6-1 drubbing of Middleborough

    Chelsea reach Carabao cup final after a 6-1 drubbing of Middleborough

    Chelsea booked a Carabao cup final berth, as they thumped Middleborough 6-1 in the second leg of their semi-final played at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

    Boro had won the first leg of the tie 1-0 with the two legs ending with an aggregate score of 6-2.

    It took the team from West London 11 minutes to get on the scoresheet and level up the tie, as a through ball from Ben Chillwell found Raheem Sterling, whose cross was diverted by Jonny Howson into his own net.

    Enzo Fernandez would score his sixth goal in all competitions as a cut-back pass from Alex Disasi meant for Albanian Armando Broja weaved its way to the Argentine who smashed the ball home.

    Boro would be the architect of their own downfall, as Hayden Hackney’s pockets got picked by Disasi who would continue his run into the box to finish off a move he started.

    It would be about damage control for the team from Riverside, but Chelsea’s relentless pressure would be cataclysmic for Boro as Daniel Barlaser’s comedy of errors set-up Cole Palmer who calmly slotted past Tom Glover to see the Blues up 4-0 before half-time.

    Chelsea would add a fifth in the 77th minute as Conor Gallagher danced with the ball on the by-line to set-up Cole Palmer for his second goal of the match.

    Noni Madueke who came off the bench at half-time rounded off a perfect night for Chelsea as his deflected shot made it six. Morgan Rogers would score for Boro in the 88th minute in what proved to be a consolation for the travelling fans.

    Chelsea will face the winner of the next semi-final match between Fulham and Liverpool on the 26th of February at Wembley.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • WHO and partners bring fuel to Al-Shifa amid growing threats

    WHO and partners bring fuel to Al-Shifa amid growing threats

    The World Health Organization and partners have completed resupply of fuel to the Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people remain cut off from aid.

    The mission, which delivered 19 000 liters of fuel to Al-Shifa Hospital, faced delays at the checkpoint with roads leading to the hospital severely damaged and desperation in northern Gaza apparent, as thousands of civilians surrounded the UN vehicles and fuel truck in the hopes of finding food and water, also delaying the mission.

    The last humanitarian mission to northern Gaza took place on 12 January.

    Monday’s mission was executed in partnership with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security, and Médecins Sans Frontières.

    Across the Gaza Strip, the few remaining hospitals find themselves in ever more dire circumstances, with hostilities often preventing access for patients and supplies, and health workers managing on little rest and scarce supplies.

    According to the WHO mission, functionality at Al-Shifa Hospital has improved since the last visit with a significant decrease in the number of displaced people, from 40 000 to 10 000. There were 120 health and care workers and 300 patients with the hospital conducting 5-10 surgeries daily, mainly trauma cases that require immediate care. Essential services such as basic laboratory and radiological facilities remain operational, along with emergency care, a surgical unit with three operation theaters, post-operative care, and a dialysis unit. There are plans to reopen a 9-bed ICU over the coming days.

    Intensified military presence and hostilities in southern Gaza are also placing patients and health workers at risk, and compromising access to health care with the mission saying the obtaining situation is severely obstructing the movement of health workers, ambulances, and health partners’ ability to resupply hospitals, eroding their functionality.

    In southern Gaza, which used to have 12 hospitals, only 7 remain partially functional. A further two, Al-Kheir Hospital and Nasser Medical Complex, are only minimally functional and now inaccessible.

  • Azerbaijan’s Cop29 Committee: “A step forward, but gender equality in climate leadership requires urgent attention”

    Azerbaijan’s Cop29 Committee: “A step forward, but gender equality in climate leadership requires urgent attention”

    In what appears a response to earlier criticism, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has expanded the Cop29 organizing committee to include 12 women, a commendable move addressing the initial all-male composition.

    The development marks progress but achieving genuine gender balance within the committee remains an essential objective.

    Criticism from global campaign groups like She Changes Climate and prominent figures such as former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres emphasizes the need for diverse representation in decision-making bodies addressing key global issues like climate change.

    Recognizing that climate change affects each and every one of us, a diversity of perspectives is essential for formulating effective solutions.

    The inclusion of accomplished women including Umayra Taghiyeva, Sabina Aliyeva, and Bahar Muradova in the committee is a positive step toward inclusivity.  These women bring valuable expertise that will undoubtedly enhance the committee’s approach to tackling climate challenges comprehensively.

    However, it is essential to view this as a starting point. As emphasized by Elise Buckle, co-founder of She Changes Climate, progress has been made, but achieving genuine gender balance is an ongoing journey. The urgency of addressing climate change requires a commitment to ensuring diverse voices are proportionately represented at decision-making tables.

    It is noteworthy that the majority of Cop29 committee members are government officials, some with ties to the fossil fuel industry. The choice of Azerbaijan as the Cop29 host, following the UAE’s hosting of Cop28, raises questions about host countries’ alignment with the overarching goals of combating climate change. This amid concerns about Azerbaijan’s commitment to the global shift away from fossil fuels, particularly considering its plans to increase fossil fuel production.

    The president-designate for Cop29, Mukhtar Babayev, with a background in the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, highlights the interconnectedness of key positions in climate negotiations with the fossil fuel industry.

    This calls for a reassessment of potential conflicts of interest and a clear commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels, aligning with the urgency stressed by scientists regarding the climate crisis.

     

    The writer is the Human Resource and partnership manager at the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and founder Leaders Africa: An Emotional wellness community

  • Kenya in new push to end TB by 2030

    Kenya in new push to end TB by 2030

    Kenya has adopted a combination of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services as it seeks to end Tuberculosis by 2030 in the wake of disturbing statistics on undiagnosed and untreated cases.

    According to the ministry of health, 42,159 of the estimated 133,000 TB cases in 2022, accounting for 32% the total suspected TB cases in the country, were not diagnosed.

    Speaking during the launch of the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Lung Health 2023/24 – 2027/28, National TB Laboratory Operational Plan, Quality Management Framework, Pediatrics Algorithm, and Short-Term Regimen, public health and professional standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said Kenya recorded 90,841 TB cases in 2022, a significant increase from the 77,854 cases reported in 2021.

    “Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern not only in Kenya but across the globe, standing as a leading cause of death attributable to a single infectious agent. The havoc it wreaks on both the social and economic facets of our societies is immeasurable, with the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains further compounding the problem.” Observed Muthoni.

    According to Muthoni, the plan to eradicate TB over the next six years has been developed using a people-centred approach, reflecting a bottom-up strategy championed by the government, in an arrangement that has prioritized partnership and accountability as key pillars.

    “The launch coincides with Kenya’s introduction of a community-centred Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative that has seen the recruitment, kitting and deployment of 100,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs). These CHPs will play a pivotal role in timely Tuberculosis detection at the grassroots level, ensuring proactive household screenings and bolstering our fight against this disease.” She said.

    Speaking during the launch, USAID HPN Director John Kuehnle’s said the National Strategic Plan for TB is an important step toward eliminating TB in Kenya, building on the progress achieved to date in improved case detection and improved treatment outcomes. “Building a strong and resilient primary health care system is a key tool in eliminating TB in Kenya, as community health promoters are the bedrock of early detection and treatment. “ He said.

    According to WHO country representative, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo,the preventive and promotive approach employed by the government is pivotal  in delivering holistic, people-centered TB care particularly for people with TB who face socioeconomic vulnerabilities, as it will ensure access to quality, timely, affordable, and safe healthcare services

     

  • Safaricom hits minimum KPI compliance threshold in latest CAK report

    Safaricom hits minimum KPI compliance threshold in latest CAK report

    A report on Kenya’s telecommunication market, authored by the Communications Authority of Kenya, has revealed that only one telco realized the 80 percent key performance indicator minimum compliance threshold last year.

    According to the quality of survey report on the country’s three legacy mobile operators, conducted under three components: End-to-End QoS, Network Performance QoS (NP), and Quality of Experience (QoE) assessment, Safaricom PLC attained this target by achieving an overall performance of 90% with Airtel Kenya Networks Kenya Limited and Telkom Kenya Limited posting an overall performance of 79% and 65% respectively against a target of 80%.

    “Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya Networks failed to, not only meet their coverage targets, but a number of the most critical QoS KPIs, and particularly the “Unsuccessful Call Ratio” and Data Internet KPIs which is an indicator for coverage and internet availability/accessibility respectively.” Says the report.

    Aging BTSs and Sparse deployment of BTS was cited as a major contributing factor to the failure by Airtel and Telkom Kenya to meet the KPI thresholds with the two operators showing good performance in urbanized areas while having below average coverage in rural areas and far-flung areas.

    The report highlight results of the three components including End-to-End QoS, Network Performance (NP) QoS and Quality of Experience (QoE) assessment that was conducted through surveys, alongside the Customer Satisfaction and perception surveys.

    Voice Telephony (Speech) parameters analyzed unsuccessful call ratio, dropped call ratio, call set up time, voice quality (MOS, POLQA) and handover.

    Data parameters on local Websites and Common search engines like google looked at

    latency (delays and buffering), data transfer failure ratio and throughput of successful data transfer, internet accessibility, HTTP set-up failure ratio and HTTP set-up time, HTTP Completion failure ratio and HTTP Completion Time as well as HTTP generic scenario availability.

    SMS parameters measured successful SMS Ratio, completion Rate for SMS and End-to-End delivery time for SMS.

    According to the regulator, the aspect of the market stratification and competition have continued to impact on the performance of Telkom Kenya and Airtel based on the understanding that quality of service is a product of market investment levels, the investment levels is a product of subscriber numbers and revenue generation, while market balance and consumer confidence/balance is a product of regulatory interventions.

    The Authority has pledged to implement regulatory interventions that will balance the market and ensure success of the smaller players and help them to grow and compete effectively.

  • Morans 30-man provisional squad announced

    Morans 30-man provisional squad announced

    The Kenya Basketball Association has announced a 30 man provisional squad composed of foreign and local-based players, ahead of the 2025 FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers set to be played next month at the Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi.

    The national basket team, the Morans have stepped up their training following the announcement of the team composed mostly of local basketball team Nairobi City Thunder.

    The thunders have produced eight players, while Kenya Ports Authority and Equity Damas have each produced two players. Ulinzi Warriors and Strathmore have produced one player each for the national team.

    Australian Wallace Grant has been appointed to take charge of the team after the dismissal of fellow compatriot Liz Mills; who propelled the team to their latest edition after a 28 year wait.

    That tournament saw the Morans finish 9th in a competition comprising of 16 teams, played in Kigali.

    Rwanda based Cliff Owuor, Ulinzi Warriors’ Ancet Wafula and All One Basketball’s Harrison Kaudia will assist Wallace in his effort to bring the team glory.

    The association feels that Wallace has had enough experience under his sleeve to guide the team, having served as manager for Melton Thoroughbred VBL men’s basketball team, the Under 18 men’s Victorian Metropolitan state basketball team, ITC under 18 boys and Geelong Supercats NBLI men.

    He was also the runner-up of the Australian Sports Commission – national junior coach of the year.

    Kenya is placed in Group E alongside Tunisia, Angola and Guinea.

    The 30- man squad comprises of Victor Bosire (Equity Damas), Desmond Owili (Australia), Joel Awich (France), Griffin Ligare, Ariel Ortega, Ariel Okal, Faheem Juma, Kennedy Wachira, Fidel Okoth, Olang Derrick, Dismas Mbaks, all from Nairobi City Thunder, Tylor Ongwae (Germany) Ronald Gombe, Evans Ojwang, Valentine Nyakinda, Albert Odero and Ambaka Le Gregam, all based in USA, Derrick Ogechi (Spain), Preston Bungei (Australia), Peter Sifuna (Uganda), Bush Wamukota (Rwanda), Bramwel Muchina (Tanzania), Eugene Adera (KPA), John Wijass (KPA), Brans Nzioka and Elisha Odhiambo from Ulinzi Warriors, Ivan Ombiru from Equity Damas, Dennis Koja (Strathmore), Jeff Onyango (Moischers) and David Gichuhi who is unattached.

  • Five senior County officials arrested in EACC anti-graft dragnet

    Five senior County officials arrested in EACC anti-graft dragnet

    The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission has arrested five suspects in connection with graft at the Isiolo County government.

    The five were arrested early Wednesday morning and detained at the Isiolo EACC offices for processing as the commission spread its tentacles targeting a total of thirteen suspects wanted for corruption offences relating to a 58,560,000 shillings procurement fraud.

    Those arrested in the operation include former Chief Officer Finance Peter Ngechu Muhuha, Former Chief Officer Public Works, Housing & Urban Develepment Adano Salad Kadubo , former head of Treasury Abdinassir Ali, Jibril Hassan and Augustine Kariuki Gatebu who are both accountants.

    The alleged offence relates to a tender for the supply and delivery of a fire engine said to have been corruptly awarded to Drescoll Limited in the Financial Year 2018/2019.

    EACC investigations established that the suspects engaged in a flawed procurement process designed to fraudulently award a tender for the supply and delivery of a fire engine to Drescoll Limited worth 58.560,000.

    The said contractor is at the centre of a related investigation at the Marsabit County Government involving a 62,000,000 shillings tender for similar supply and delivery of a fire engine.

    The suspects were processed at EACC Isiolo regional offices before they were transferred to Isiolo Central Police Station pending arraignment in court tomorrow. One of the suspects, Adano Salad Kadubo was processed at the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station.

    According to EACC Director of Legal Services David Too, the suspects will be arraigned before the Isiolo Anti-Corruption Court tomorrow facing charges related to theft of public funds.

    EACC has at the same time directed eight other suspects who are yet to be arrested to immediately report to EACC Isiolo regional office or to the nearest EACC office.

    Those on the EACC radar include Yusuf Mohammed Galgalo a former Chief Officer, Finance, former Chief Finance Officer Qanchora Roba  , former Head of Supply Chain Management Dr. Salad Kikuyu Sarite, former Isiolo County legal advisor Linus Gichunge Thuranira  and  John Thuranira Nkuraru  a Supply Chain Management Assistant.

    Others are  Ali Godana Wako, a former town administrator,  Kennedy Macharia Murimi a transport officer and Bashir Hassan Abey Mamo the Director of Drescoll Limited.

     

  • Mutua: Government remains committed to wildlife conservation efforts

    Mutua: Government remains committed to wildlife conservation efforts

    Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua says Kenya is committed to growing her rhino population by applying the best conservation practices.

    Speaking as he flagged off the translocation of twenty one black rhinos from Nairobi National park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Loisaba conservancy in Laikipia County, Mutua said the black rhino population has impressively increased and hit the 1,000 mark over the last three decades.

    “Over the past three decades, Kenya’s black rhino population has grown from 384 to over 1,000 individuals, halfway to our 2037 goal of 2,000. We rank 3rd globally after South Africa and Namibia. Additionally, our efforts extend to southern white rhinos and the critical Northern White Rhino recovery project through BioRescue,” said Mutua

    He said his ministry will continue to provide resources to support rhino conservation commending the Kenya Wildlife Service for prudent leadership that has ensured conservation of rhinos and other endangered wildlife species.

    He stated, “In collaboration with stakeholders and as per the Wildlife Conservation Act, we’re implementing the 7th edition of the Recovery and Action Plan for the Black Rhino in Kenya, our focus is on rhino range expansion to decongest populations and ensure sustainable growth.”

    Mutua said the government, through his Ministry, is committed to providing resources for rhino conservation.

    Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)  Director General, Dr. Erustus Kanga thanked the management of Loisaba conservancy for accepting to take in 21 black rhinos, noting that it will create more space for rhino breeding.

    The translocation exercise saw three black rhinos, six black rhinos and twelve black rhinos trans-located from Nairobi national park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Lewa Down respectively to Loisaba conservancy.

  • De Rossi appointed new Roma manager

    De Rossi appointed new Roma manager

    Daniele De Rossi has been unveiled as the new Roma coach, as the World cup winner takes over managerial duties after the abrupt departure of Jose Mourinho.

    In a deal set to see him manage the club until June 2024, Rossi signed the deal hours after the sacking of his predecessor, an easy decision as Roma has been his boyhood team with the midfielder having spent almost the entirety of his playing career at the club.

    The owners of the club felt time was up for the 60 year old Portuguese, as a run of poor results coincided with rumors of departure whose contract was due at the end of the season, with Roma being knocked out of the Italian Cup by Lazio, following a dismal 3-1 defeat away at AC Milan.

    The defeat at Milan left the Giallorossi ninth in the league, five points adrift of the Champions league positions.

    Despite Mourinho’s dismissal, he stood as a fan favorite with some meeting him at the gate and chanting ‘Thank you for these two years’, having won the UEFA Europa Conference league, a triumph that brought him tears and cemented his place in the team from the capital.

    Rossi who has won two Italian cups and the 2007 Italian Super Cup with Roma, finished his careers at Boca Junior in Argentina, with his only managerial role coming at SPAL, a role that only lasted four months.

    His tenure at SPAL saw him sacked in February last year, with the team being relegated to the third tier.

    Rossi and Roma now set their sights on a home match against Verona this weekend as they hope to overturn their fortunes.