KBC Channel 1

Author: Nicholas Kigondu

  • United to host Liverpool in FA Cup quarterfinals

    United to host Liverpool in FA Cup quarterfinals

    Manchester United will play host to Liverpool in the FA CUP quarter-finals in an epic encounter that is set to be played on March 16th.

    The draw was conducted following the two teams safe passage to the next round, despite taking contrasting routes in their fifth round victories.

    United narrowly edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the dying minutes of the match thanks to a Casemiro goal, while Liverpool – fresh off their League Cup final triumph against Chelsea- relied on their youngsters again to secure a 3-0 win against second tier Southampton at Anfield.

    Holders Manchester City will welcome Newcastle after securing a 6-2 win against Luton, while Eddie Howe’s men had to rely on the heroics of Martin Dubravka to see off Blackburn in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

    Leicester will travel to Chelsea following a hard fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth, that saw Abdul Fatawu score the only goal of the match in the 105th minute, while the Blues, who were looking to put the disappointment of the cup final loss behind, had to leave it late as a Conor Gallagher’s dramatic 90th minute strike saw them go through on a 3-2 score line.

    Championship side Coventry were the first team to qualify for the last eight after beating sixth-tier Maidstone 5-0 on Monday evening, setting up a tie against Wolves at Molineux.

  • Okutoyi among those to headline African games in Accra

    Okutoyi among those to headline African games in Accra

    US-based tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi, will be among eight players representing the country in the upcoming African Games in Accra, Ghana next week.

    The 2022 Wimbledon Open doubles juniors’ champion will be leading a familiar company of players, as four from the women’s side previously partnered with the Kenya’s top ranked player.

    The players who include Cynthia Wanjala, Zimbabwe-based Melissa Mwakha and Stacy Yego will be using the Pan African Games as a pathway to the Paris Olympic Games.

    Okutoyi, Wanjala and Yego were all in action in last December’s International Tennis Federation [ITF] Women’s World Tour at the Karen Country Club, where they all fell short of the Quarterfinals.

    Top seed Israel Changawa Ruwa, Rwandan Open champion Albert Njogu, Ibrahim Kibet Yego and Kevin Cheruiyot have all been included in the men’s team.

    The team is set to join the rest of the African Games Kenyan delegation for a seven-day residential camp at Kasarani.

    The players have been in camp for the last six weeks and are expected to post good results during the biannual games set to begin on March 8th.

     

     

     

  • Laiser hill, St. Anthony Kitale among schools shortlisted for sports personality of the year awards

    Laiser hill, St. Anthony Kitale among schools shortlisted for sports personality of the year awards

    Laiser Hill and St. Anthony’s school Kitale are among teams short-listed in the boys’ category for next week’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

    In a 2023 year that saw national and regional secondary school sports games’ favorites maintain their dominance, with others resurrecting after periods of dull performances, the championships were marked by the emergence of schools that caught the eye with impressive performances worth the recognition.

    Nyanza’s Onjiko, Namwela, Butula, Hospital Hill, Mbooni High, Musingu High and Ruthimiti are some of the shortlisted schools that fall into this category, with Kayonzo earning its place in the category after pulling up their socks in the teams’ competitions.

    St. Anthony continued their dominance as the kings of football at the school level, beating Dagoretti High School 2-0.

    They also made an appearance at the East Africa Games in Huye, Rwanda which catapulted several star players including Aldrine Kibet, Amos Wanjala, Joseph Omuse and Allan Kasavuli who went on to play for the national under -18 team at the Cecafa U-18 Championships in November.

    Their dominance wasn’t on the football scene only, as they imposed their skill and style of play in hockey, qualifying for the Rwanda Games and finishing third after they beat Uganda’s St. Mary’s Kisubi 2-0.

    In basketball, Rift Valley’s Laiser Hill narrowly edged Dagoretti High School 45-43 to clinch their ninth national crown in 17 years. They would slump to fourth in the regional games after losing 76-44 to Rwanda’s LDK in the third-place playoff.

    Kakamega’s Kayonzo’s dominance on the rugby scene gained them recognition, as they walked away with both the national and regional titles. Kayonzo’s impressive 108 points scored with 0 conceded in the group stages of the national championships, was clear evidence of a well-oiled machine.

     

     

  • Okal scoops Gold in Africa triathlon championships

    Okal scoops Gold in Africa triathlon championships

    Jesse Okal has been crowned the Super Sprint Champion in the recently concluded two-day Africa Triathlon Championships as Mohammed Bagha scooped Bronze in the junior Triathlon Category at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

    Okal, the grandson of legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino, won the men’s race in a time of 41 minutes and 23 seconds.

    Josett Kiarie finished fourth in the women’s elite aquathlon category while Dubai based Aisha Naseer and Meghan Irungu finished 14th and 15th respectively in the triathlon elite women category.

    The junior women’s triathlon category saw Kaiza Iman and Nadia Ndibo finish 5th and 7th respectively as the event presented one of the first installments of the 2024 World circuit and road to the Paris Olympic Games later in the year.

    The Kenyan squad now sets their sight on the African Games in Ghana and Africa Triathlon cup in South Africa slated for April.

     

     

     

  • Kwale County head of treasury Vincent Mbito arrested

    Kwale County head of treasury Vincent Mbito arrested

    Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission have arrested four employees of the Kwale County government over graft allegations.

    Kwale County Head of Treasury Vincent Mbito and his four brothers, working in various Departments in the county, were arrested by EACC detectives early Tuesday.

    EACC says the Mbitos are the Directors/owners of two companies namely Chilongola Holdings and Rome Investments (k) Limited, which they have been using to execute fraudulent deals with the Kwale County Government.

    The suspects include County Head of Treasury Vincent Chirima Mbito, Mongo Mbito Mongo-County Revenue Officer, Hassan Shilingi Mbito- Driver,Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Limited, Mwaiwe Mongo Mbito- Kwale County Procurement Officer and Chindoro Mongo Mbito who was formerly an Intern attached to Kwale County.

    Soon after their arrests, the suspects were escorted from Mombasa Central Police Station to the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court to take plea.

    The current charges relate to 10 contracts fraudulently awarded to the companies; Rome Investments and Chilongola Limited; which EACC says were paid exaggerated amounts of 44,919,341 and 4,007,943 shillings respectively.

    The total amount, according to EACC investigations, was distributed to the suspects.

    The tenders allegedly obtained in violation of procurement laws using forged documents, were for the supply and delivery of sanitation materials, food and ration, general office supplies, and institutional appliances.

    In its fourth quarter report released on Friday, EACC had preferred to charge Mbito with Conflict-of-interest contrary to Section 42(3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Act, No. 3 of 2003.

    This followed inquiry into allegations of conflict of interest and procurement irregularities with EACC investigations establishing that the companies were awarded ten tenders to supply and deliver sanitation materials, food and ration, general office supplies, and institutional appliances.

    According to EACC, The tender documents including purchase requisition forms, minutes of the tender opening committee, letters of appointment of inspection and acceptance committee and inspection and acceptance minutes relating to the said tenders were forgeries and the same were presented at the Kwale County Government by Peter Midas; the Accountant and Suleiman Mazera the Hospital Administrator.

    EACC had also recommended to charge Peter Midas Wanje and Suleiman Mazera with offence of uttering a false document, deceiving principal and fraudulent practise in procurement.

     

     

     

  • Concern in Baringo following a spike in banditry attacks

    Concern in Baringo following a spike in banditry attacks

    A security operation is underway in Baringo County following last evening’s banditry attack in Yatya location that left two people dead.

    The attack saw armed bandits raid the home of Jackson Keitany, the Yatya location chief, shooting dead two of his children before driving away with unknown number of livestock.

    The latest incident blights the ongoing operation by the government to flush out armed bandits in the region with the area having already recorded 12 deaths attributed to criminal gangs since the beginning of the year.

    Last evening attack comes barely four days after a police reservist was shot dead in Noosukro village in Baringo South.

    The spate of attacks has seen learning paralyzed across several schools in the region including Kosile,Yatya,Kibenos,Ngratuko and Kagir primary schools.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Bowen hat trick sinks Brentford

    Bowen hat trick sinks Brentford

    Jarrod Bowen struck a hat-trick to end his goal drought as West ham drubbed a struggling Brentford 4-2 to secure their first win in nine games on Monday at the London Stadium.

    It was The Hammers’ first win of 2024, with Bowen scoring his first goals since before Christmas –December 23 -, ending a miserable run of eight games without victory, easing the pressure on manager David Moyes, whose performances prompted questions about his future.

    West ham also possessed a poor record against the Bees coming into the match, having played five and lost five, the only team of the 43 that Moyes had faced in the top flight and not previously beaten.

    Bowen broke the deadlock in the 5th minute as Emerson run onto a James Ward Prowse ball, to set up the unmarked Bowen, who slotted past the desperate dive of Brentford keeper Mark Flekken.

    He would be on target two minutes later, as VladamirCoufal’s cross needed any touch, with the English International on hand to double the advantage for his side.

    The Bees would respond in the 13th minute, as Neil Maupay latched onto a Keane Lewis Potter through ball, to loop the ball over the on-rushing Lukasz Fabainski.

    Bowen would complete his hat trick in the 63rd minute, as Mohammed Kudus’ trickery on the right wing saw him send a delightful cross into the danger area, Bowen on target to head it home and restore the Hammers two-goal cushion.

    Emerson would strike a long-range effort that saw the Hammers record 4 past their London rivals, but it would be too little too late for Yoane Wissa whose goal in the 83rd minute proved to be a consolation.

    The win sees West Ham move up to 8th with 39 points, while Brentford slump to 16th with 25 points.

     

     

     

  • Process to transfer multi-billion shilling assets to County governments underway

    Process to transfer multi-billion shilling assets to County governments underway

    Counties are set to assume ownership of multi-billion shillings assets from the defunct local authorities allaying fears of grabbing and embezzlement during the transition period.

    The transfer of ownership of the multi-billion shillings assets represents a significant milestone in devolution, aimed at empowering counties to undertake development projects.

    Devolution PS Teresia Mbaika underscored the importance of finalizing the valuation and transfer of assets to secure ownership rights for the devolved units amid concerns over potential grabbing and embezzlement during and after the transition period.

    Speaking in Mombasa while launching the exercises, Mbaika said concerted efforts through a multi-agency Technical Task Team will ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.

    The valuation exercise, covering movable assets, land, and buildings, is being conducted in phases across 30 counties, aligning with the National Treasury Guidelines on Assets and Liabilities Management as espoused by the Public Finance Management Act while the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee is actively working on modalities to effect the transfer to respective counties.

    Mombasa Deputy Governor Francis Thoya, who was present during the launch, said the transfer of ownership has been long overdue adding that the transfer of assets holds the promise of enhancing development opportunities at the county level.

    He said it was imperative to address concerns regarding potential grabbing and embezzlement during the transition period where individuals could take advantage to grab prime assets.

  • 44,000 students benefit from 600 million shillings bursary in West Pokot

    44,000 students benefit from 600 million shillings bursary in West Pokot

    Students drawn from vulnerable families in West Pokot County have benefited from six hundred million shillings bursary disbursed by the county government as an affirmative action to ensure all students complete their studies.

    West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin cited retrogressive like FGM, early marriages and gender inequality as having contributed to the region being left behind in development.

    According to Kachapin, those in boarding schools will receive 20,000 shillings while day scholars are set to be allocated 5,000 shillings each with those enrolled in tertiary institutions receiving 10,000 shillings.

    The County government has also allocated 20 million shillings for infrastructure development in 40 schools comprising of 22 primary and 18 secondary schools to create a conducive environment within the learning institutions.

    He however challenged school principals to be prudent in the use of the bursary urging them not to send home students for fees as the county has provided a huge boost for learners saying the allocation is the highest in the country with the county intent on mitigating the challenges faced by the region including insecurity.

    He called the national government through the ministry of education to ensure all schools get their required share of development.

    West Pokot County Commissioner Mohammed Khalif said the national government will ensure all Chiefs and Sub chiefs will be held accountable for any retrogressive practices within their areas of jurisdiction.

    They spoke at Chewoyet National School during the launch of the bursary.

  • Everton’s 10 points penalty reduced to six

    Everton’s 10 points penalty reduced to six

    Everton’s 10 points penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules has been reduced to six points, following an appeal that hands the Premier League club a massive boost in the relegation battle.

    The Toffees were hit by the substantial fine in November, following an investigation by an independent commission that declared that the club from Merseyside has exceeded permitted losses under the league’s profitability and sustainability rules [PSRs] by 25 million dollars, over an assessment period ending with the 2021/22 season.

    The rules dictate that clubs are allowed to lose a maximum of 133 million dollars over a three-year period or face sanctions.

    The original ruling – which is the biggest points deduction in Premier League History – left Everton 19th on the log, fighting a relegation drop, to avoid the drop.

    The independent board has cut the punishment by four points, lifting Sean Dyche’s men to 15th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.