Clinton takes on FBI director in latest email allegations

 

Hillary Clinton on Saturday challenged FBI Director James Comey to provide a fuller explanation of investigative steps he is taking related to her use of a private email server, as the Democratic presidential candidate accused him of "deeply troubling" behavior 10 days before the US elections.

Speaking to volunteers in Daytona Beach, Florida, Clinton said: "Some of you may have heard about a letter the FBI director sent" on Friday to the US Congress informing it that the agency is again reviewing emails.

Comey had decided in July that the FBI was not going to seek prosecution of Clinton for her handling of classified materials on a private email server while she was secretary of state.

"It is pretty strange to put something like that out with such little information right before an election," Clinton said, adding, "It's not just strange, it's unprecedented and it's deeply troubling because voters deserve to get full and complete facts." She urged Comey to "put it all out on the table."

In tandem with Clinton, fellow Democrats on Saturday also worked to pressure Comey to provide details on a controversy that dominated the presidential campaigns on Saturday, less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 elections.

Four senators - Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving Senate Democrat, Dianne Feinstein, Thomas Carper and Benjamin Cardin - wrote Comey and Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking that they provide by Monday more detailed information about investigative steps underway.

At a press conference in Columbus, Ohio, the Congressional Black Caucus, comprised of about 45 members of the House of Representatives, nearly all Democrats, also urged Comey to be more forthcoming.

Sources close to the investigation on Friday said the latest emails were discovered as part of a separate probe into Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

Weiner, a former Democratic congressman from New York, is the target of an FBI investigation into illicit text messages he is alleged to have sent to a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pounded away at the new FBI development, devoting a large part of a campaign speech in Golden, Colorado, to attacking Clinton and arguing that she is not to be trusted with the presidency.

"Her criminal action was willful, deliberate, intentional and purposeful," Trump said, standing in front of hay bales stacked in a horse barn. "Hillary set up an illegal server for the obvious purpose of shielding her illegal actions from public disclosure and exposure."

Comey, however, has not provided any details on whether the emails now under review are being seen for the first time by the FBI or the nature of their contents.

Clinton's campaign team tried to downplay the new review.

"There's no evidence of wrongdoing, no charge of wrongdoing," said John Podesta, who heads the Clinton campaign, referring to the FBI's latest announcement that it was taking "appropriate investigative steps" after learning of emails "that appear to be pertinent" to the earlier Clinton email probe.

In some of his toughest language on Saturday, Podesta portrayed Comey's letter to Congress as "light on facts, heavy on innuendo."

Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook, trying to tamp down speculation of a voter backlash this late in the campaign, said Americans had already "factored" what they knew about the email investigation into how they would cast their ballots.

"We don't see it changing the landscape" for undecided voters, Mook said.

Clinton aides also said this latest controversy has further energized her supporters.

Clinton did a campaign swing through Florida as she and Trump were thought to be in a tight race in a state famous for its role in close presidential elections.

Many analysts believe this battleground state is essential for Trump to win in order to have any chance of being elected.

In recent weeks, Trump has been running behind Clinton in most public opinion polls.

Singer and actor Jennifer Lopez was scheduled to headline a free concert in Miami on Saturday for Clinton supporters. The Clinton campaign hopes that "J.Lo," as she is known by fans, will provide celebrity star power and help Clinton connect with young voters who earlier this year flocked to Democratic primary challenger Bernie Sanders.

Justice Department officials, according to a source who asked not to be identified, were opposed to the FBI director's letter being sent to Congress and believe his actions conflict with a Justice Department memo outlining instructions that agencies should not to act in ways that could influence elections.

While Lynch did not discuss the matter directly with Comey, the source said aides were in touch with each other.

Comey let it be known he felt he had to send the letter as a follow-up to his congressional testimony earlier this year regarding the FBI's probe of Clinton's emails, the source said.

During his speech in Golden, before flying to Arizona to campaign, Trump accused the Obama administration's Justice Department of trying to protect Clinton from prosecution.

"The attorney general didn't want anything to happen to Hillary. I wonder why. It's very sad. Folks, we're living in a third world country," Trump said.
 

Lifecare Medics deny 'Mafia House' scandal link, vow to continue working with government

 

 Directors at Lifecare Medics Limited have denied any illegal businesses with the Health ministry as alleged in the Sh5.3 billion Afya House scandal.

In a statement on Saturday, Richard Ngatia and Paul Ndung'u said their company was legally paid Sh201 million by the ministry.

Ndung'u is also associated with the multi-million betting company Sportpesa.

"The information being peddled in public is only meant to create a negative perception and to execute unwarranted attacks on a reputable Kenyan company doing honest business," the joint statement read.

They said they will "continue doing honest business" with the government, and are undeterred by "political sideshows".

The directors said they followed due process in applying for tenders and paid taxes to the Commissioner of Customs Services amounting to Sh32.4 million in May.

They said they got the tender, which was advertised on November 4, 2015, and delivered goods on May 13, 2016, reference No. 0182 and 0184 when they issued an invoice.

"The ministry of health processed payments though a voucher dated May 13, 2016 and the monies were paid to Lifecare Medics Ltd."

On Friday, the Attorney General revealed that the company last filed annual returns on December 31, 2015.

It is also a private company limited by shares that was incorporated on September 5, 2007, and is owned by Ngatia and Ndung'u, who each hold 500 shares.

This is after EACC officials led by deputy CEO Michael Mubea stormed Afya House for investigations into the Sh5 billion Health ministry scandal.

MCA accidentally posts nude photo on Vihiga county WhatsApp group

 

A nominated MCA from Vihaga county has reportedly gone into hiding after she accidentally posted her nude photo on a WhatsApp group on Friday.

Rhoda Omufumu, who was nominated on the now dissolved United Democratic Front, is said to have posted a nude photo of herself with an unidentified man.

The photo was posted on the Vihiga County Development group at 9.12 pm on Friday.

Omufumu is currently communicating through a source who also works at the Vihiga County Assembly.

The source said Omufumu does not know how to use digital gadgets. He also said she is a church leader.

"Mtu alichezea simu yake (someone messed around with her phone) ... she is a church leader who cannot post such things on social media. She is married and she has grown up children."

Immediately after the photo was posted, suspended county assembly speaker Dan Chitwa asked Omufumu to "undo" the post, saying "itakuletea njaa".

The post also elicited reaction on social media, with most people calling for the MCA's resignation for 'letting the entire community down'.

Nominated MCA Maureen Ambasa asked her female counterparts to meet on Monday to form a committee that will look into the matter.

Central Maragoli MCA Abdallah Chogo urged fellow ward reps to move with speed and establish what happened.

Omufumu's husband is a former councillor. 

Quake measuring 7.1 magnitude strikes central Italy

An officer of the State Forestry Corp national police stands in front of a collapsed church in Campi di Norcia, central Italy, October 27, 2016. /REUTERS

 An earthquake measuring 7.1 magnitude struck in central Italy on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The USGS said the quake was centred 68 km (42 miles) east southeast of Perugia. It was 108 km (67) deep.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck east of the city on Wednesday, the second of the evening whose tremors were felt as far away as the capital Rome.

The quakes came two months after almost 300 people were killed in the region by a quake that levelled several small towns.

Diamond, Ali Kiba beef rages on but their managers ‘crushing on each other’

 The long running tiff between Bongo Flava superstars Diamond and Ali Kiba has time and again offered fans really juicy gossip.

The most recent installment was Ali Kiba alleging that Diamond Platnumz’s manager Sallam Sharaff switched off his microphone at the Mombasa Rocks Festival and the manager responded saying Ali Kiba had a bad show and was looking for someone to blame.

So then it would only seem natural that their respective managers don’t get along, right? Wrong.

Last week, Diamond’s manager posted a photo of Ali Kiba’s manager Seven Mosha on Instagram and captioned it “#WCW” (Woman Crush Wednesday) with a blushing emoji.

While some people thought he was stirring the pot, others genuinely believed it meant they are totally cool with each other.

Avril calls out deejays that do not play Kenyan music

 

That Kenyan deejays do not play local songs is a complaint that is all too familiar in the music industry.

It’s a tired old song but artistes, especially singer Avril have vowed not to get tired of singing it. The Yule Dame star was at a football match last week and was irked when she did not hear a Kenyan song play at the game and ended up calling out the deejay.

“I was annoyed that I was at a Kenyan football finale where the team I support, Tusker FC, won and there wasn’t a single Kenyan song being played, urban or traditional. Is that what we have become? A country with no identity? No culture that we have to borrow other countries’ culture when celebrating our own success?” Avril told Showbuzz.

The singer adds that she is not afraid to criticise deejays playing foreign music.

“It really saddens me. As an artiste I will keep releasing more music and I will speak up if I feel we are forgetting ourselves whether it steps on some toes or not,” she vowed

Kenyan woman rescued from Somali pirates

 

 A Kenyan woman who was captured by Somali pirates together with his colleagues while delivering medicine to Somalia has been rescued, reports indicate.

Ms Lois Njoki Weru was seized in November 2014, along with his partner Mr James Gachamba Kuria, while delivering medicine in Somalia.

Mr Kuria was however freed as a result of a raid by Somali security forces last February on a village where the two Kenyans were being held.

One of the Somalia’s leading independent radio, Radio Dalsan, also reported that the Galmudug regional state security agencies rescued the woman from the pirates.

On October 17, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report that pirate gangs in Somalia were believed to be holding five Kenyans for ransom.

KENYAN HOSTAGES

The brief reference to the Kenyan captives is included in an 18-page update on Somali piracy presented to the UN Security Council.

He however did not name the Kenyan hostages but added that another Kenyan was the only Somali pirate hostage to have been freed so far in 2016.

The woman was part of the three Kenyans held by the pirates. The two have been identified as Mr George Macharia Mburu and George Macharia Njoki, and were working for a construction company in Mogadishu when they were kidnapped by militia from Habargidir, who are demanding ransom from the family to set them free.

On Saturday, Somali pirates released 26 crew members of an Omani-flagged fishing vessel FV NAHAN 3, which was hijacked south of the Seychelles in March 2012, following negotiations.

Moi ally files for divorce of his wife of 51 years

 

 Jackson Kibor, a once powerful, Kanu bigwig and close confidant of former President Daniel arap Moi has filed a divorce case against his second wife at an Eldoret court whom he married in 1965.

Mr Kibor, who is remains respected for his political and financial wealth among the Kalenjin community filed for divorce at an Eldoret court and accused his wife Josephine Jepkoech Kibor, of desertion, cruelty and interfering with his ownership of an 800-acre piece of land in Kipkabus, Uasin Gishu County.

In the lawsuit, the prominent Eldoret politician-cum-farmer is seeking to end his 51-year marriage to his second wife with whom has has 6 children.

Mr Kibor told Senior Principal Magistrate Charles Obulutsa on Friday that he has not spent time with his wife for more than 30 years and as such he seeking to nullify the marriage.


LAND DISPUTE

In her defense Mrs Kibor dismissed the allegations saying she has been committed to their marriage of 51 years having invested her time and resources.

She further told the court that her husband left their matrimonial home in Kipkabus area in 1975 voluntarily in preference to living with his third wife, Naomi Kibor, in Ziwa area.

The matter between the two is centered around a row over their co-owned 800 acre piece of land in their matrimonial home of Kipkabus.

In her defense, she said that Mr Kibor filed the divorce case after she thwarted his attempt to sell over 200 acres of land when she moved to court.

She told the court that following her actions, her husband threatened to divorce her officially should she not consent to the sale of the property.


CONTROVERSY

Mr Kibor has been embroiled in a land dispute with his immediate family members and in May 2016 moved to court to bar the transfer of the land to his sons despite having subdivided it to them.

Mr Kibor has also in the past accused his sons of fraudulently subdividing his land and processing ownership for 1,547 acres of land without his consent.

In politics he is known to have been a close ally of former President Moi. During the last General Election, he is on record for advising the Kalenjin community to ditch the Jubilee coalition and rally behind Cord leader Raila Odinga.

Recently, he caused a stir in public and social circles when he was captured in a video cutting off chains that county officials had used to clamp his Lexus for not paying Sh 100 parking fee.

He had packed his car right in the middle of Uganda road, which is the only highway to and from Eldoret town.

The divorce case will be heard on November 9th 2016.

Underage pregnancies are bad anywhere, any time

IT is indisputable that Africa has the world’s highest rates of adolescent pregnancy, a factor that affects the health, education, and earning potential of millions of African girls, according to a report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Although Tanzania’s record is not shockingly high at the continental level it is a headache on the home front. Niger tops the list with 51 percent of women between 20 and 24 reporting a birth before the age of 18.

And of 20 countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy, 18 are African, the report, “Motherhood in Childhood: Facing the challenge of adolescent pregnancy”, says. When a girl becomes pregnant or has a child, her health, education, earning potential and her entire future may be in jeopardy, trapping her in a lifetime of poverty, exclusion and powerlessness, the report says. “Adolescent pregnancy is intertwined with issues of human rights.

A pregnant girl who is pressured or forced to leave school, for example, is denied her right to education,” according to a UNFPA report. There are 580 million adolescent girls in the world. Four out of five of them live in developing countries including Tanzania.

Investing in them today will unleash their full potential to shape humanity’s future. The distorted transitioning of girls into womanhood as a result of early pregnancy ought to be seen as a significant economic loss.

As mentioned before, underage pregnancies are a headache especially in regions of Dodoma, Mara, Manyara, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya. Indeed, Tanzania must pursue policies that bridge the gender disparity between boys and girls in access to health care, education and other basic social services.
Leaders must also accelerate efforts towards universal primary education that gives particular focus to girls. Current statistics on underage pregnancies are hard to come by in Tanzania but the country has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the world.

In fact, thousands of girls in Tanzania have their educational pursuits cut short every year as a result of pregnancy. This diabolical situation, which is indeed, a communal and national headache, affects girls’ health, education, future employment and prevents victims from reaching their full potential in life.

Every year more than 8,000 girls drop out of school due to untimely pregnancies. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child says in Article 21 that: “States shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices affecting the welfare, dignity, normal growth and development of the child.”

The Charter also says that: “Child marriage shall be prohibited and effective action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify the minimum age of marriage to be 18 years and make registration of all marriages in an official registry compulsory.” Tanzania is a signatory to the charter.
In another development, a report by the Legal and human Rights Centre (LHRC) in 2010 said that teenage pregnancies are a major hindrance to the ability of girls to access adequate education.

According to the “Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania” for 2012, a total of 610 primary school girls dropped out of school due to pregnancy. In 2011, a total of 5,157 secondary school girls dropped out due to pregnancies. Underage marriage is another critical problem.

Thousands of underage brides are often married off to men in some parts of rural Tanzania. In some cases, the husbands turn out to be older than their own fathers. Early marriage is a serious social problem in this country.

Thousands of girls are married off before the statutory age of 16. Of course, the government, in league with NGOs and religious establishments, is now trying to eradicate this misguided practice. But even the statutory age of 16 is inappropriate.

This age should have been pegged at 18, the age of majority. It should be understood that a girl aged 16 years is not biologically ripe to make children. She may be tall and robust. She may even look heftier than her own mother.

But the reality is that she remains unripe for the task of managing a pregnancy, excruciating labour pains and delivery. Marrying off young girls to husbands is an old tradition that can be traced back to numerous generations. It remains persistent today.

The practice is one of the principal causes of the now numerous pregnancy complications in young mothers. Many such marriages fail to work. The practice also denies the unfortunate girls access to education, especially those who get married at tender age.

A girl aged 15 years is expected to be a Form Three student somewhere - not someone’s wife. Traditions are so powerful in many parts of Tanzania, especially among the Wamasai, Wakurya, and Wachagga in the north; the Wahehe and Wamakonde in the south; and the Wahaya in the west.
Traditions also die hard in central Tanzania mainly among the Wagogo and Wanyamwezi. Deeply entrenched traditional values here mean that the local practice is for girls to marry when they are very young.

Of particular concern to the government is the large number of pregnancy complications amongst young girls whose bodies are not yet ready to bear children. According to a report by the Women’s Dignity Project, obstetric fistulas are common complications. Women who have the fistula are often the young girls who are married early, before 15 for example, who are too poor to attend health services and try to deliver at home.

Apart from being poor, these young mothers are often ignorant about motherhood. Medical experts say an obstetric fistula can occur because the woman’s pelvis is too small; the baby’s head is too big, or the baby is badly positioned; the woman can be in labour for five days or more without expert medical help and other unfortunate reasons.

In most cases the baby dies. If the mother survives, she is left with extensive tissue damage to her birth canal that renders her incontinent - either of her bladder or bowel functions.
This is the beginning of a medically pathetic situation for the young mother. Medics say corrective surgery is possible as long as the fistula - or hole - is not too big. Without surgery, young women damaged by an early pregnancy remain physically and psychologically scarred.

This irreparable damage wrecks the life of the young woman. At the level of the family trouble for the woman starts at this juncture. The husband who took this unfortunate girl-bride in the first place will often turn his back on his wife, appalled at the smell and her inability to control her own motions.

Many such women grow old childless in a tribal setting where motherhood is the essence of a woman’s value. A childless woman among the Wakurya is seen as a social misfit or outcast. Women’s dignity activists insist that the best approach now is to stop girls getting pregnant.

It is imperative to insist here that underage marriages are abominable. Some of these unfortunate girls miss the prospect for education. Others drop out of school to get married. And there are those who marry immediately after accomplishing primary school education. Many get married off just before they comprehend the world around them. Throughout the world today there is a concern to recognise the constitutional rights of children.

‘Organic’ Afrobarometer findings match China-Africa historical wisdom

THERE are many conspiracy theories which are attempting to discredit the Monument of China-Africa Friendship. These theories are baseless given that they are based on conventional wisdom (that was discussed last week) which is boring holes on major achievements recorded by the Chinese people and their government in Africa.

I would like to correct this notion that the Chinese image has improved in recent years. It is unfortunate that some Eurocentric assumptions are based on conventional wisdom but not historical wisdom. Some of the interpretation of China-Africa friendship are based on conspiracy theories which have no ground whatsoever.

Instead, let people think independently about this bilateral cooperation between China and Africa. We learn from Chinese philosophers that we have a duty not only to draw on historical experience, but also learn from them.

Historical wisdom sounds better given that it remains reliant on the people, maintain close ties with them and never become isolated from them. We have learned from the TAZARA lessons that Chinese people sowed eternal seeds of friendship and brotherliness from the time of liberation struggle.

It is not true that China’s image has just improved in recent years. The report from Afrobarometer released recently is timely and a testimony that Africans see the Chinese influence as positive for Africa. We take this opportunity to commend efforts by one of Africa’s Think-Tanks Afrobarometer for being bold enough to conduct research on China-Africa ‘eternal’ friendship.

It is interesting that when the research is carried out in Africa there is a tendency by some Eurocentric scholars to question the results. But based on the research findings a person has only the right to dispute its outcome if there is evidence of flaws in research methodology. I, therefore, think that the Afrobarometer findings match the historical wisdom which is based on China-Africa historical achievements.

It is recorded in history that when TAZARA was conceived, the nation’s founding father Mwalimu Julius Nyerere had approached the West in an attempt to solicit support. But, unfortunately, it declined, claiming that the project was not economically viable. It was at the time Africa was in the shackles of colonialism and apartheid.

There was a dire need to liberate our brothers and sisters in Africa and only China had been willing to support the liberation railway. Perhaps for the sceptics who try to question the Afrobarometer report, they ought to go back to the history.

It is already documented that when the Chinese give a country help, the first thought in their mind is to make the support tangible and no conditions are attached to it. I can dare to say that the Chinese development model from the time of Chairman Mao to President Jinping has remained unique. It is based on adaptability which supports the local initiatives of the recipient countries.

I trust that the report from Afrobarometer which shows that Africans see the Chinese influence as positive for Africa is based on this historical evidence. What other development partners can learn from the Chinese is about humility.

The Chinese do not impose anything on Africans. In most cases they consult with the locals and look for a common ground to work together to achieve prosperity. That was exactly the TAZARA spirit during its construction which is still alive today.

Today the Chinese development model is based on win-win approach, something others can perhaps also emulate. It is upon this backdrop that the Tanzanian people have more positive image of Chinese influence.

My sincere advice is for the nations to apply historical wisdom so as to win hearts and minds of our partners which is the Chinese ‘magic bullet’. But I could be wrong!

About housing expensive estates and cement factories a la Bongo

I LOVE anything to do with money, for example how to earn and where to spend it. The way people have been earning money in this land of Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar isles has become a hot button issue.

Since president JPM took office, people in position to decide how public money is spent are no longer at ease. Contrary to popular belief in some anti-government circles, the anti-graft fight is no longer a one-man show.

Many national and provincial leaders have been taking action to expose thieves and those who have caused losses or misuse of public monies. Take the case of the pension fund company that prides itself on good performance in real estate investments.

In the last national audit, the comptroller and auditor general discovered some anomalies in some of the pension fund’s transactions. His report for the SSF was not very flattering. This time the public accounts committee of the national parliament got into the act.

They grilled top bosses of the public company. Why? It seems the corporation had entered into an agreement under questionable terms. Just consider the following. The proposal involved the development of 20,000 plots somewhere in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, a project worth some 1.4 trillion shillings.

The fund would be a minority shareholder with 45% share while its business partner would hold 55%.The partner would cough up 35% of the value in cash and the 20% would come from the land value. Now it gets interesting.

The land was valued at 800 million shillings an acre. Who did the valuation is not clear. For that kind of money in Tanzania, you can buy a 7,000 square metre plot and build a palatial mansion on it. It gets even more interesting. The two partners decided to begin the project by developing 350 plots (1.7% of the total number).

Well, as you know, a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step. Then came the clincher. In this first phase, the minor partner paid up 129 bn/- (79%) while the majority shareholder could only manage 11bn/- or 21%.

Where did the 45 and 35 percent cash sharing go? Question is, with such an interesting twist of affairs, how will the two partners make the project succeed when 98% of the 20,000 were plots yet to be funded, never mind developed? Was this project heading anywhere?

Anyway, president JPM’s government already took action by sacking/suspending directors and associates. Problem is, while the new management was not involved in the questionable deal, they are in the hot seat. The buck stops with them.
The new directors worked out that the plots were grossly overvalued and are only worth 25mln/- each. Phew. I know my arithmetic. Talk about overinflation.

From 800 million a pop to 25 million is a long way down in value. That is mind boggling. Do the math, 800 minus 25 times 20,000-350 (800-25 × 20,000-350) is the ghost value of the plots.

After all the sniffing and digging by PAC, the revenue authority and the anti-corruption chaps, it emerged that there was not enough land owned by the project to make all those twenty thousands of plots.

In Tanzania we are used to ghosts. Ghost workers who get regular salaries, ghost medical supplies that disappear en-route to hospitals, ghost trips that are paid for but not undertaken and even ghost degrees some people claim to have but never actually studied for.

Who would notice another ghost saga? At the rate we are going we will need to contract ghost busters to deal with the many episodes breaking at dawn and twilight disappearances of manpower, money, materials and means in our national soap opera. Hopefully there will be a hero walking off into the sunset at the end of the series’ last episode. That pension fund is a public company.

Meanwhile a private company is facing some challenges to its operating costs after government honchos apparently reneged on a promise to supply its cement factory with gas for running its turbines and ovens.

Can you imagine there being a shortage of gas in Mtwara? There is gas everywhere but apparently no cheap fuel for the Mtwara cement factory.

Apparently government prevented or banned the factory from importing South Africa coal, even as local coal of indeterminate quality and higher cost was available hundreds of kms away. Without the two cheap energy sources, the company is forced to burn the expensive and more polluting diesel.
I read somewhere that we have 54 trillion cubic gallons of natural gas which belongs not to an investor but to the people of Tanzania? What is the holdup in selling it to Dangote cement? Does the factory need a special permit? I could swear the Dar cement factory is already using Mtwara gas.
And the one company in Mtwara cannot get Mtwara gas? Interesting. The US $500 million cement plant in Mtwara has capacity to produce 3,000 tonnes of cement per day and has been operating at full throttle, producing 2,880 TPD.

The best the energy authorities can do is to give the management of Dangote cement full support and cooperation. The factory is already contributing to President Magufuli’s vision of industrialising Tanzania. We need plenty of cement for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the earthquake in Kagera.

Speaking of Kagera, it seems a substantial part of monies contributed have not been spent. Maybe it is time to start giving each family xx number of cement bags and roofing sheets and let families to figure out how to manage the rest.

Creative clutter is better than idle neatness

GREETINGS from the land of the Great Ganges, hope that you have all woken up to beautiful Sunday and are rested and ready to face the challenges and opportunities that Monday brings.

A couple of months I profiled a person that I consider a close acquaintance and friend, her name is Nasra Karl. I previously worked with her when she worked for a hotel in Dar es Salaam and she later decided to start her own business related to decluttering and arrangement of houses, homes and offices.

I know, I thought the same thing when she first told me about and after she explained it to me, I realized it was a much needed service and the whole idea was out of the box.

You may wonder what is so unique or special about decluttering. Well for starters, it has the advantage of enabling you to concentrate better. When there’s a bunch of junk on my desk, it is almost impossible to get anything done.

But if you take a second to remove the extra papers, and put everything at right angles (you know how that goes), then you find myself able to start typing away almost immediately. I don’t know about you but decluttering has a way of making you sleep a lot better.

According to Today.com, “A new sleep study has found that people who doze in cluttered rooms and are at high risk for developing hoarding disorder are more likely to have sleeping problems. This includes having trouble falling asleep at night and experiencing rest disturbances.” Decluttering also has the advantage of enabling one to forget their past.

This however depending on which side of the fence you are standing in. This is actually what I want to talk about today. A part of me is thankful that I am also able to learn so much about decluttering from Nasra but at the same time hoped that I had acquired the knowledge earlier because in one way or another, I would have got tips on how to preserve some memories that I didn’t want to completely get rid of.

I know it sounds confusing but you will get the idea before I pen off. While I buy the idea that decluttering is helpful to one’s health, I think it is equally important to know what ‘trash’ to throw away and what to learn. Let me give you a fine example. When I was in primary school I was a stamp collector and I had stamps from countries near and far.

I had stamps of countries I had never heard of but they gave me an idea of what the country was about. Thanks to the electronic age today, stamps have almost gone obsolete and to most people have no meaning.

I am sure if I was to give a stamp to my daughter; she would see as just another paper but if I showed it to my nephew, I would be bombarded with so many questions, might end up looking shallow minded.

Of late I have been thinking a lot about my stamp albums and my entire collection and blaming myself for not having been a forward looking person. If I had acquired the decluttering skills earlier, I would have known what to keep and what to throw.

If I was a forward thinking person who regarded everything to have a value in future, I would have ensured I kept the stamps safely away. I may not be talking for the whole of the population but I think a big chunk of our population are not forward looking people, for many of us, now is everything.

Sometime ago, one of my nephews found an audio tape in the house and he went up to his dad to find out what it was, for all he, it could have an explosive device. Anyway, his dad after losing a few hairs on his head managed to explain how the gadget worked and how it can ‘store’ music.

I think the fact that there are so few museums for certain themes is an indicator that we are forward looking by nature. I know for a fact in some countries they have all sorts of museums like modern art, war, locomotive and even museum of sex and toilets.

Tanzania as a country has so many unique things and many are vanishing, without preserving them, will be depriving future generations to learn something about their country.

Cheerio.

Private-run schools should learn from Tusiime

THE 2016 Class Seven National Examination results were announced four days ago and some private-run schools scooped the ten top positions including Tusiime located at Tabata Kinyerezi in Dar es Salaam.

Reasons for this lead are obvious - that they have better learning facilities than public schools, plus friendly learning environment like food and reliable transport for non-boarders.

The lead does not mean that all the private schools countrywide performed well in the exams. In fact, some of them performed so poorly that some parents have started tendering complaints as to why they spent millions of shillings that did not help their children excel.

If you sit down and do a quick evaluation of some schools you may end up questioning why they shouldn’t be deregistered because they lack the required education standards.

Should a school like that one in Lake zone whose teachers were caught providing answers to pupils be allowed to exist? I think such institutions are time bombs to our nation and should be sent packing as soon as possible.

I have keenly looked at this year’s results, and Tusiime primary school has impressed me, because it has kept the passing record for the past four years consecutively, and that gives confidence to parents see value of the money spent on their children’s education.

This year for example, Tusiime had 210 pupils who sat for their class seven national examination and all of them scored the average of ‘A’ in all the subjects. Strangely, some very famous private schools in Dar es Salaam did not reach that level.

The school scored first position at district level, second position at regional level, while it came fifth in the overall national class seven national examination results, kudos to the Director of the School Mr. Albert Katagira.

The excellence of Tusiime has made me investigate more about this school and the factors making this school do well in examinations. This school provides boundless opportunities for intellectual, creative and personal growth, and teaching is consistently good and teachers are always striving to improve, planning lessons that excite the pupils and there is a strong focus on investigative approaches to learning in all lessons.

Tusiime believes that highclass academics go far beyond the classroom, and the pupils and students are immersed in experiences that have consistently made it do extremely well for the past few years.

I was informed that Tusiime diverse community of faculty and staff supports pupils and students and shares their characteristics of dedication, motivation, passion, perseverance, creativity and intelligence.

Together they have what it takes to turn thoughts into concrete ideas, potential into genuine ability and goals into tangible results, eventually making the school do well in examinations.

Excellent teachers are an essential ingredient for Tusiime, and the school is fortunate to have the resources to recruit and retain first class teachers who can bring the best out of each and every child. The school invests heavily in the development of its staff and sets high professional expectations.

The school educates boys and girls from Nursery to High School on three separate sites, and children progress through three distinctive schools but benefit from being part of a larger institution with an integrated curriculum and pastoral care system and access to first class Education.

I have also discovered that Tusiime promotes better education through supply of learning and teaching materials of high quality including story books, illustration, laboratory equipment and all other required materials.

At Tusiime, pupils and their teachers have been in position to simplify and consolidate learning and teaching using required teaching and learning resources thus improving the academic performance.

Tusiime is said to be offering quality support services for pupils and students to make their life at school better. These include medical Services, transport, clean and safe water, balanced diet, enough classrooms with maximum capacity of 40 students each, good dormitories (accomodating around 2300 pupils and students), sports and games, electricity, laboratory, library, computer laboratory and dining hall.

Following government commitment to improve quality of education as advocated in new Education Policy of 2014, the school management has embarked on three projects which are geared towards improving quality of education.

This project is aimed at improving the teaching and learning of science subjects within the school and also ensuring the availability and effective use of teaching and learning resources.

This ensures that students acquire required knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet expectations of labour markets. This min project at Tusiime is aimed at improving teachers’ pedagogical competencies in all subjects to meet the requirements of learner centered teaching and learning.

The school also conducts in-house training, refresher courses in areas of lesson planning, teaching methods and techniques, classroom management, assessment and evaluation. The monitoring department within the school coordinates the implementation of this project.

However, the capacity of monitoring department to conduct these in service training is limited in terms of e-learning resources like computers, and over head projectors. Any support in area will be highly appreciated.

This project aims at improving the use of English language as a medium of instruction within our schools and the teaching of English subject in classrooms. The focus is on assisting our teachers to be able to teach well the four language skills; reading, writing, speaking and listening.

However, given that English is a third language to most Tanzanians and scarcity of resources and skills, this project requires extra support to make it successful, and that is one of the major priorities of Tusiime.

Italian ambassador to grace Children Hockey meet

 THE Italian Ambassador to Tanzania, Roberto Mengoni, is expected to be chief guest at the final day of the Children Hockey Championship.

The tournament’s final will be held today at the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (JMK) Youth Park at Kidongo Chekundu ground in Dar es Salaam. Valentina Quaranta, one of the tournament coordinators told the ‘Sunday News’ yesterday that preparations are complete for the youth meet.

Quaranta, who also presides as women’s national hockey team head coach said Ambassador Mengoni will watch final matches at the ground before attending end of the tournament awards presentation gala.

She said that about 22 matches will be played during the final day, eleven matches for each category, boys and girls and the event will run from 10.30 am to 17.30 pm. Quaranta said that each game will be played over 15 minutes each.

Girls will get the ball rolling with Almadrasa A taking on Almadrasa B, followed boys’ match between Amani and Almadrasa B. Then, Kawe A and Amani B will face off before Amani A battle against Almadrasa B in a girls’ encounter.

Other girl’s matches at the final day will involve Kawe B versus Almadrasa B, Kawe B v Amani B, Bombambili v Almadrasa A and Bombambili v Kawe B, while other boys’ matches include Juhudi V Almadrasa A, Ukonga A v Almadrasa B, Juhudi v Almadrasa A and Almadrasa A v Lugalo.

“After group matches, there will be playoff matches before the final match,” she said.

Quaranta said the tournament aims to promote grassroots hockey.

Tayana eyes Turkish Airlines World Golf feat

TANZANIAN lady golfer Tayana William is determined to make a mark at the Grand Final of the 2016 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup set to tee off tomorrow at the five-star luxury Titanic Deluxe Belek hotel, Antalya, Turkey.

Tayana left the country yesterday morning to Turkey ready for the tournament that will draw about 100 golfers, male and female from over 60 countries worldwide.

She will be the first Tanzanian ever to appear at the third edition of the annual tournament after she sealed her place in the final during the Turkish Airline tournament held at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (AGC) in the City in February, this year.

Handicap-23 Tayana returned a stunning 41 stable ford points to secure final berth. “I’m well prepared for the final in Turkey, I know it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to take on the challenge,” she said.

Tayana added that she was happy to secure such a life opportunity and big sponsorship and promised to put in a fine show. “My desire is to bring the title to Tanzania for the first time, my mind is clear that I have got everything it takes to win as this is stable ford event that use full handicaps,” she said.

Turkish Airlines Marketing Representative Dar es Salaam office, Hashim Bhoki, said in Dar es Salaam on Friday while bidding farewell to Tayana that all preparations are on place ahead of the corporate golf widest amateur event.

Meanwhile, Bayram Celik, Finance Manager Turkish Airlines Dar es Salaam office, said that the finalists will compete at two round (Monday and Tuesday) Grand Final at Titanic Golf Club before the leading 10 players progress to participate in Wednesday’s prom-am of the 2016 Turkish Airline Open.

Pluijm returns as Yanga host Mbao

DUTCH Coach Hans Van der Pluijm will return to the technical bench when defending Champions Young Africans continue the battle to retain the Vodacom Premier League title against Mbao FC at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.

Van der Pluijm was dramatically reinstated as Yanga head coach on Friday- five days after quitting his post and will be the centre of attraction when he resumes his duties as the holders seek to close the gap on leaders and arch-rivals Simba FC.

Pluijm resigned from his position on October 22 after the club started talks with Zesco United head coach George Lwandamina who jetted in Dar es Salaam last weekend, but his proposed move fell through.

The defending champions’ bid to catch up with the early pacesetters and main title contenders Simba have picked momentum in recent days with massive wins against Kagera Sugar, 6-2 and JKT Ruvu 4-0.

Pluijm was in charge as Yanga thrashed Kagera Sugar 6-2 last weekend but watched from the stands when the team whipped JKT Ruvu 4-0 last Wednesday, with his righthand man Juma Mwambusi taking charge of the team.

Yanga, who are currently second-placed with 24 points, eight points behind their traditional rivals and leaders Simba, will be favourite to outshine the league debutants, Mbao FC and cement their grip on second spot.

Meanwhile, reports from Zambia claimed yesterday that Lwandamina was offered US $18,000 monthly salary by Mainland giants Young Africans. Lwandamina appeared on Friday on the Zesco technical bench during a league match but was tight-lipped and refused to talk about his future.

It was learnt yesterday that the rich Tanzanian super division club has offered the former Chipolopolo coach a monthly salary of US $18,000 with other perks if he moved to Dar es Salaam in the near future.

It was not clear whether Lwandamina will serve the remainder of his contract at Zesco up to the end of the year or he will opt to leave immediately for Dar es Salaam. Zesco club management have warned Lwandamina he risked severe consequences should he breach the contract.

In a media statement on Tuesday, Zesco said Lwandamina has a three-year running contract which expires in January 2017 and the club had not entered into negotiations to have the contract extended.

“Zesco United would like to state that indeed if these media reports are true, Lwandamina will be in breach of contract with the club; we believe he is a professional and is expected to behave as such,” acting general secretary Richard Mulenga said.

Lwandamina refused to give his side of the story in a post-match interview yesterday and only commented on the performance of the team against Nkwazi.

Simba rout Mwadui to extend lead

 GIANTS Simba maintained their brilliant run this season with a resounding 3-0 win away to Mwadui, pulling eight points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday.

Sensation midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim scored a stunning brace with wing wizard Shiza Kichuya notching the other as Joseph Omog’s demolition gang extended their gap at the top.

The win at the Kambarage Stadium in Shinyanga saw the Reds go eight points clear ahead of their closest challengers and defending Young Africans, who can cut the gap back to five points with a win against Mbao FC today.

Simba have now won 10 games out of 12 in the top flight league this season, drawing the other two as they remain the only unbeaten side so far in this campaign. The victory served a perfect revenge for Simba, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to the Shinyanga-based outfit previously.

Simba were swiftly on the offensive after the first whistle and Burundian striker Laudit Mavugo fired a powerful shot off target in the opening minute. Mavugo was at the centre of most actions as Simba created a couple of good chances early.

The striker who scored one of Simba’s 3-0 goals against Toto Africans last time out, got into the box in the sixth minute, teased his marker before sending his shot narrowly wide.

A minute later he squandered another good chance before Mwadui responded with a good attack but Rashid Ismal blasted a shot wide from good position after 14 minutes. Unmarked Kichuya planted a header narrowly off target from Mavugo’s inviting cross in the 25th minute.

Ibrahim opened the scoring for Simba after producing a fine piece of skill. The talented midfielder received the ball on the edge of the box and made a clever turn to beat his marker before calmly slotting the ball past keeper Shaaban Kado.

Mwadui almost replied when Miraji Athumani unleashed a powerful shot that bounced on the bumpy pitch before hitting goalkeeper Vincent Agban on face, but defender Method Mwanjali was alert and cleared the danger.

Simba replaced Mavugo with Ame Ally after 40 minutes and Kichuya doubled his side’s advantage on the stroke of half time, finishing off a brilliant cross from Ibrahim. It was Kichuya’s eighth goal of the season, cementing his position as the league’s top scorer. Simba took a 2-0 lead to the breather. Ibrahim made it 3-0 with a coolly finish five minutes into the second half after a good work by Ally down the right flank.

With two goals in the bag, Simba comfortably dominated the rest of the half without too much exertion. Meanwhile, Toto Africans came from behind to beat Mtibwa Sugar 3-2 at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, reports Alexander Sanga.

Kelvin Friday shot Mtibwa Sugar to the front after eleven minutes, but Waziri Junior levelled the score four minutes later before Friday restored his side’s lead in the 37th minute.

Hamim Abdul pulled Toto level in the 65th minute and Omega Seme fired home the winning goal with ten minutes to go to help stuttering Toto Africans secure their third victory of the season.

Toto have now collected 11 points from 13 outings. Elsewhere, Raphael Daud scored a brace and Ditram Nchimbi notched one as hosts Mbeya City registered a 3-2 win over Majimaji at Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya yesterday. With the win, Mbeya City reached 16 points from 13 games.

Four in trouble over illicit armadillo shells

 FOUR people including three Burundi nationals have been apprehended by police in Morogoro Region after being found in possession of 67 bags of rare armadillo pangolin shells (kakakuona) worth more than 1.4bn/-, which were about to be exported.

Morogoro Regional Police Commander (RPC), Ulrich Matei, said the suspects were arrested just before midnight on October 28, at Reli Street, Kichangani ward in the municipality, in a warehouse with grinding mill machines.

He said they received a tip-off from community members in the area regarding the activities of the suspects in the area. They apprehended four suspects and also found the bags some of which were ready for export.

The RPC mentioned the Burundi nationals as Kibonese Golagoza (35), Nuru Athuman (32) and Benjamin Gregory Luvunduka (41), who are also residents of Morogoro. A Tanzanian national, Shukuru Mwakalebela (25), who lives at Stesheni in the region, was also nabbed.

According to Commander Matei, the suspects preserved the armadillo shells in 50kg bags and then packed them in 100 kg parcels that also contained beans. The RPC said three of the four suspects who are citizens of Burundi were also facing charges of entering the country without permission.

He said that all the suspects were undergoing interrogation and prosecution was expected to follow. However, RPC Matei said it was too early to talk about specific areas of the country where the animals were killed since the matter was still under investigation.

Armadillos are new world placental mammals with a leathery armour shell. The Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae are the only surviving families in the order Cingulata, part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths.

The word armadillo means "little armoured one" in Spanish. Morogoro Natural Resources Officer, Mr Joseph Chuwa, said that one armadillo on average can have 60 to 100 shells that means the suspects in question killed 670 of them for the illegal business.

Mr Chuwa said the illegal business has been conducted in East and Central African countries in which its large market was in Asian countries.

Urafiki Textile Mill poised for revival

 THE Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Industries and Trade, Dr Adelhelm Meru, has welcomed China to participate in the revitalisation of factories in the country. He says that the Chinese are instrumental in fostering the country’s economy.

The PS was speaking during the 50th anniversary Exhibition of ‘Urafiki’ Friendship Textile Mill (FTM) and 20th anniversary of Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Company (FTC), held over the weekend in Dar es Salaam.

The anniversary was also attended by China’s Party Secretary of Changzhou Municipal Committee, Mr Yan Li. Dr Meru welcomed the Changzhou initiative to visit the textile company as the country is now entering a new phase of industrialisation under the fifth phase government. "Let me say that the revitalisation of factories like FTC are very instrumental towards fostering the country's economic development.

The upshot is achieving total industrialisation, which Tanzania desires," said the PS. He further said that despite the FTC facing many challenges, Tanzanian government is quite certain that the two countries will do all they can to ensure that Urafiki remains strong.

"We as a government will ensure that Urafiki will always survive," he stressed. He called upon the injection of funds to ensure that the factory has a reliable working capital.

"We hope that the presence of the Party Secretary here at the anniversary will assist in ensuring that the factory can raise some funds to be able to move forward strongly," he said.

On his part, Mr Yan Li, who is in the country to further strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation between Tanzania and China, pledged to rigorously implement her country's policies for Africa.

Mr Li, who also spoke during the 50th anniversary Exhibition of ‘Urafiki’ Friendship Textile Mill (FTM) and the 20th anniversary of Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Company (FTC), said that the two are the vivid embodiment of older-generation Chinese leaders' care and support to Tanzania and the fruit of cooperation between the two governments and their people.

Tanzania-China Friendship Textile Company evolves from the two countries' Friendship Textile factory, a China-sponsored project in Tanzania. It is a joint venture company between Changzhou State owned Textile Assets Operation Company of China and the government of the United Republic of Tanzania.

“This project has far-reaching political, diplomatic and economic significance against the backdrop of booming bilateral ties between China and Tanzania. “It is very meaningful to review the history of China sponsored Tanzania-China friendship textile project and to recall great contributions our older generation leaders made to Sino- Africa relations,” said the Party Secretary.

“We will rigorously carry out China’s policies for Africa, show our sincerity and integrity, enhance our mutual understanding and cooperation,” he stressed. He also commended the textile craftsmen from Changzhou for 20 years of dedicated service to both nations despite the odds.

“For the past 20 years, you have fought against immense pressure, overcome unimaginable hardships and persisted against all odds.” “On the other hand, you have also helped develop Tanzania, develop its textile industry and improve employment and living conditions for Tanzanians.

“Textile experts are regarded as role models of the friendship and cooperation between China and Tanzania,” the Secretary said. In 2010, Changzhou and Dar es Salaam established a sistercity relationship, with Tanzania- China Friendship Textile Co. Limited as a bridge between them.

The secretary also said that the visit with his delegation is meant to boost political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two cities. “Today we are here to conduct exchanges and deepen friendship. And I believe that through our efforts, we are sure to renew and further our cooperation,” he said.

In another development, the Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Gou Haodong, reminded Tanzanians at the anniversary that Urafiki factory is a biological child of the two great nations; Tanzania and China.

He said that TAZARA and Urafiki were both great monuments but the latter was born earlier than the former. “Therefore, we cannot let this treasure just fade away. Urafiki must be revived and revitalised,” he stressed.

The envoy further said that: “We have every reason to say that we are much better today in terms of technology and capital investments. But what we need is strong commitment.”

JPM pushes for war on poachers

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday ordered the arrest of all poachers and other suspects who are connected with the illegal business regardless of their positions and seniority.

According to a statement released by the Director of State House Communications, Mr Gerson Msigwa, the president was speaking during an impromptu visit to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

During his visit, Dr Magufuli was shown 50 elephant tusks and motor vehicles which were seized between Friday and yesterday in Dar es Salaam. The tusks were impounded by the ministry’s anti- poaching special unit.

The task force was formed to conduct operations against poaching in the country. At least eight suspects have been arrested for allegedly being involved in illegal businesses and poaching.

“President Magufuli was shown 50 tusks and motor vehicles which were seized between Friday and yesterday. The anti-poaching unit also has arrested eight poaching suspects,” reads part of the statement.

The head of state was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Major General Gaudence Milanzi. According to the statement, President Magufuli commended the officers who form the anti-poaching unit for being in the frontline in fighting the vice in the country. He also applauded the public for sharing useful information with the officers who are conducting operations against poachers.

The head of state encouraged the officers to continue fighting poachers and protect the country’s natural resources including animals. He said his government recognises and supports their efforts. “I would like to commend you for this wonderful job you are doing.

I would also like to assure you of my support and encourage you to continue working hard. Make sure you arrest everyone who is involved in this illegal practice regardless of his title, position, religion or his/her age,” said Dr Magufuli.

He added: “We must reach the point where people flee when they meet elephants instead of killing them. We must protect these animals, which are being brutally killed. Let the law take its course,” he said.

He said 50 tusks means 25 elephants have been gunned down and that the government will not tolerate such atrocities. “You have seized 50 elephant tusks, this means 25 elephants have been killed, we cannot allow this to continue.

A few people are doing this for their own interests,” he said.

In June, Tanzania emerged at the epicentre of Africa’s elephant poaching crisis after the government census revealed it had lost 60 per cent of its elephants in just five years.

Tanzania’s elephant population is one of the continent’s largest. But data released by government last year showed that between 2009 and 2014 the number dropped from 109,051 to 43,330.

Bruno Mars You Jacked Our Jam ... Now We're Gonna Funk You Up!!!

Bruno Mars' monster hit "Uptown Funk"  is a thinly-veiled replica of a groovy tune back in the day ... and now the OG band is out for blood in court.
Mars and "Uptown Funk" producer Mark Ronson are among many names listed in a lawsuit filed by members from the music group, Collage.  The band released a single in 1983 called "Young Girls" and claim Bruno's Billboard #1 is a dead-on copy in rhythm, harmony, melody and structure.

It's interesting -- Collage claims  Ronson and Mars have been big fans of Minneapolis/1980s electro-funk soul ... of which Collage was a part, along with Prince and others. The suit claims there's reason to believe Ronson and Mars have heard and been influenced by "Young Girls."
The stakes are enormous.  "Uptown Funk" is Mars' biggest song to date ... selling more than 6.1 million copies.  It's the second-longest number-one hit single in Billboard history, and makes the label alone a reported $100k a week via streaming on Spotify.
Collage -- only has one living member -- but he's alive and kicking ... demanding a cut of the profits and a stop to "Uptown Funk."

Jose Fernandez Cocaine & Booze In System During Fatal Crash

Jose Fernandez had cocaine and alcohol in his blood last month when he was involved in a boat crash that killed his two friends, along with the famed pitcher.
Jose's BAC was .147, approaching twice the legal limit, according to the Miami-Dade Coroner's Office. Cocaine was detected in his system as well.
Fernandez's friends both had small amounts of alcohol in their system ... one also had cocaine.
TMZ broke the story ... Fernandez and friends partied at a local bar less than two hours before the fatal crash. The spot -- American Social Bar & Kitchen -- has a dock for boaters to pull up, get out and get served. 
It's still unclear who was driving the boat at the time of the crash.
Source:TMZ

Metropolitan Opera Evacuated After Man Throws Suspicious Powder

New York's Metropolitan Opera was evacuated after reports say a man sprinkled an unknown powder into the orchestra pit.
A spokesperson for The Met says Saturday's show of "Guillaume Tell" was cancelled after the incident. Reports say the man fled and cops are trying to find him. 
At this time, the type of powder thrown is unknown ... one person requested medical attention, but their current condition is unknown.
Story developing ... 

Tusker inch closer to Kenyan Premier League title

Tusker are 90 minutes away from being confirmed league champions for the first time in four years after they edged out battling Sony Sugar 1-0 at the Awendo Green Stadium on Saturday.

Wide man Noah Wafula struck the all-important goal in the 32nd minute to hand his side three points after Sony Sugar had squandered a penalty in the fifth minute through Amos Asembeka.
Shafik Batambuze was adjudged to have infringed Masud Juma in the box but Asembeka failed to take advantage from the spot.

The win took Tusker’s points tally to 55, opening up a seven-point gap between them and the chasing Gor Mahia, who will play Mathare United on Sunday at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.
With the win Tusker could be confirmed champions next weekend in the event that they beat the free-falling AFC Leopards on Sunday at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.


WASTED CHANCES
Such an outcome would see the brewers declared champions on 58 points regardless of how Gor Mahia performs in the remaining matches. Gor and Tusker will clash in the last match on the season.
Sony dominated with the lion’s share of possession but could not make it count missing chances in either side of halftime.

At the Kasarani Stadium, visiting Bandari shocked Posts Rangers 1-0 with Abdulatif Omar striking in the 85th minute to guarantee the win.

Across town at the Ruaraka grounds, it was an afternoon of disappointment for relegation threatened Ushuru who fluffed chance after chance to settle for a barren draw with Muhoroni Youth.

At the Kisumu County Stadium, Kennedy Otieno “Agogo” scored at the death as Western Stima and Chemelil Sugar shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

David Ojuang put the sugar millers ahead at the half-hour mark but Stima’s resilience paid off with the last attack of the game.

Nairobi roads to be closed for StanChart Marathon

Major roads in Nairobi will be closed on Sunday for this year’s Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon that will start and end at the Nyayo National Stadium.
The roads that will be affected include sections of Upper Hill Road, Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Upper Hill and Forest Road, according to Nairobi Traffic Commandant Leonard Katana.
“Drivers are advised to drive carefully and obey traffic signals which will be given by the traffic officers and they should also obey any signage along the various roads,” said Katana.
In the Central Business District (CBD), the roads that will be affected are Kenyatta Avenue and sections of Haile Selassie and University Way.
From Saturday 11pm to Sunday 4am, motorists coming to town using Mombasa Road will be diverted at Lusaka Roundabout via Langata Road, Madaraka Roundabout and Aerodrome Road.

AFFECTED ROADS
From the city to Mombasa Road, motorist will be directed at Bunyala Roundabout to rejoin Nyayo Stadium Roundabout via alternative routes.
From Sunday 4am motorists intending to access the City Centre to Westlands and Kileleshwa have been advised to use the Globe Cinema Roundabout, Kipande and Ojijo Roads.
To access the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, motorists will be redirected to Landhies Road, Jogoo Road and Outering Road.
Drivers on Langata Road will be diverted to use Mbagathi Way, Valley Road, State House Road, Arboretum and Riverside Drive then Kipande Road and through the Globe Cinema Roundabout to the CBD.

KOT now want President and First Lady to sign up for #BeyondZeroCorruption marathon

Kenyans on Twitter have launched an online campaign that invites those interested to sign up for a marathon race to fight corruption.
Under the hashtag #BeyondZeroCorruption, KOT have extended an invitation to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to champion the course as she has done with the hugely successful Beyond Zero campaign.
The netizens also want President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose Jubilee government has been implicated in several corruption cases, to join in the race.
A new page for the intended marathon has been set up and all those using the hashtag #BeyondZeroCorruption are have been urged to sign up for the race.
The page prompts users through a series of questions to enable them complete the signing up procedure.
Users have been signing up while also encouraging others to do the same.

You will not believe what Lupita Nyong’o did before her big breakthrough in Hollywood

Lupita Nyong’o is currently one of the biggest actresses in the world. However, her journey to success has not been an easy one. She had to start small so as to get to her current position in the entertainment industry. Looking at her now, one would easily think that she was handed everything on a silver platter.

Lupita Nyongo and Mira Nair
Lupita recently revealed that she did a few odd jobs before her breakthrough. She was an intern at Mira Nair’s production Company and was given the task of serving Nair with her favorite cup of tea. She revealed this while accepting an honor at the recently concluded Elle women in Hollywood Awards.

“When I was an intern at Nair’s production company in 2001, I was tasked with serving her favorite cup of Tazo chai.“Then one day one day I was given the most significant assignment for the first-ever certificate of attendance for Mira’s film school.” She revealed
Lupita also recalls her first time to hand Mira Mira the draft certificate, she only took one look at it and she frowned but she decided to repeat the research on what the film school stands for and tried again.
“I decided to get bold with my take on an attendance certificate.” she mentioned

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“I hate people who brag about their wealth and achievements”- Kanze Den

Citizen TV’s Kanze Dena is known to be a polite and quiet personality. The beautiful mother of one does not like exposing her private life unlike many other celebrities of her caliber. She has worked with her co-host Lulu Hassan as news anchors of Citizen TV for a while now and the two make the perfect pair. Their beauty and fluent Swahili normally steals away the whole program.

Apart from her outstanding anchoring skills, Kanze is also a God Fearing woman who often shares inspiring quotes to her fans through social media. She educates young people to remain pure and gives hope to people who are experience life stress like joblessness, abuse and even single parenthood. Kanze is a single mother to her cute 10 year old boy Amani.

It turns out that Kanze Dena dislikes people who like bragging with material possessions. She took to social media to express this.
“Nothing in life is worth fighting for. Your best clothes is someone’s rag, your account balance is someone’s donation at a function. Your girlfriend/boyfriend or fiance/fiancee’ is someone’s Ex. Every single prostitute you see in a hotel or on the street at night was at some point in time a virgin. So what is the squabble all about? “ She wrote in part

“Life is too small to feel bigger or better than anybody. “We’re all naked to death” says Steve Jobs. Nothing can save us from it. I hate to see people who brag about wealth, beauty, intelligence, level of education, fame and material possessions. There’s nothing you’ve achieved in life that no one else has never gotten. The office you occupy today was occupied by someone yesterday and will be occupied by another person tomorrow. You don’t know whom that person might be.
There’s only one thing that is worth bragging which is “LIFE IN GOD ALMIGHTY”. SO BE GOOD TO YOUR FELLOW MAN AND ALWAYS MAKE FRIENDS. Always remember that the people you trampled upon on your way up a ladder will be the same set of people you’re likely to pass on your way down, so cause no problem for others or make not life unbearable for other by virtue of your position, because if you do, they’ll become your very problem one day.
Finally, even banana stems will one day become dried leaves.”

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“Publicity Stunts are not in my Menu”- Ali Kiba

Many celebrities today use publicity stunts to push their work out there. It has become a common trend even to gospel artists. Celebs feel like no stunt is bad publicity and so they would do just about anything for publicity. However, Tanzanian heartthrob Ali Kiba has distanced himself from this behavior. The Aje hit maker has just revealed that he dislikes publicity stunts and would never get himself involved in anyway.
Speaking during an interview with Tanzania’s cloud TV, the singer said that publicity stunts are not in his menu. He also said that he does not know how to brag about his wealth like most Tanzanian artists do.

Kwanza kwangu mimi hicho kitu hakipo, sijui kusema mimi nina hela. Na kuna watu wengine wanaongopa kwa kusema uongo tu kwasababu watanzania tumeshakubali kupelekwa na hiyo.
Lakini kuna baadhi pia ya watanzania wapo makini sana, huwa hawakubali kitu kirahisi na kuna wengine ni wepesi sana kuamini. Na hizi kiki zinakuja kwasababu watu wanaamini. Mimi binafsi sitaki kabisa hivyo vitu na sitokuja kufanya na kama kuna watu wanafanya hivyo vitu mimo nimewaambia unajua kila mtu ana identity yake kwamba hawa ni watu wa aina hii na hawa ni hii.
Ukiongea kitu mtu mwenye akili zake timamu anajua kabisa hii si kweli na Alikiba hawezi kufanya hivyo. Ila huyu anaweza kufanya hivyo na huyu hawezi kufanya hivyo ila Alikiba anaweza fanya hivyo,” He said

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Ruto’s sweet message to his wife on her graduation

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday congratulated his wife Rachel after she graduated with Masters Degree with a heartfelt message, calling her “God’s best gift”.
Mrs Ruto graduated with an MA degree from one of the local universities.
“My dear wife and best friend congratulations on your graduation with MA. You are God’s best gift to me and the kids,” Ruto posted on Twitter.
Mrs Ruto is known for her education initiatives in Kenya and runs an organisation called Joyful Women Organisation which helps women to get involved in table banking.

The two got married in 1991 and have six children.

Deputy President William Ruto’s wife, Rachel in her graduation gown.