Breaking News Kenya: January 2015

BATA, Equatorial Guinea, January 31 – Claude Le Roy hit out at the match officials after Congo Brazzaville’s 4-2 defeat to neighbours DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Bata on Saturday.

The Red Devils were 2-0 up through goals by Ferebory Dore and Thievy Bifouma only to crumble in the last 25 minutes and lose 4-2 to their rivals from over the Congo River.

Veteran Frenchman Le Roy described it as the “biggest disappointment” in his eight appearances at the competition and was unhappy with the assistant referee after Congo conceded a goal when forced to play with only 10 men on the field.

“The assistant referee delayed our substitution after one of my players was injured and we wanted to replace him and it was at that time that they got one of their goals,” said Le Roy.

“So we played 10 against 11 and that was when we conceded a goal because an official was not diligent enough.

“It’s football and, except for this big mistake by the assistant referee, the refereeing has been very good since the start of the competition,” he added.

“Probably this is my biggest disappointment.

“When you are leading 2-0, it is not finished. We have always known that DR Congo have huge potential.

“When we were 2-0 up, we were not far from the dream. But we became euphoric after we scored our second goal and we also lacked a little bit of experience at this level.”

Le Roy unhappy after ‘biggest disappointment’

>>> Kenya commits $1mn to ‘unstoppable’ African Court of Justice

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 1 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the establishment of the proposed African court of Justice and Human Rights is now unstoppable and announced Kenya’s commitment of one million dollars (Sh91mn )for the new judicial institution. He said Africa is poised to establish a broader African transitional justice police framework and an […]

Kenya commits $1mn to ‘unstoppable’ African Court of Justice

>>> DR Congo storm semis after derby win

BATA, Equatorial Guinea, January 31 – DR Congo ended the fairytale run of neighbours Congo Brazzaville on Saturday when they came from behind to win 4-2 and qualify for the semi-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Congo, who were only reinstated in the qualifying tournament of this competition after Rwanda were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, led this battle of the Congos 2-0 before DRC fought back to win with four goals in the last 25 minutes.

Following a flat first 45 minutes in a largely deserted Estadio de Bata, this derby clash came to life after the break, with Ferebory Dore volleying Congo in front 10 minutes into the second half.

Thievy Bifouma then doubled their lead just after the hour mark, but the Leopards were back in the game on 65 minutes when Dieumerci Mbokani found the net.

Loteteka Bokila equalised with 15 minutes remaining before substitute Joel Kimwaki Mpela put Florent Ibenge’s side ahead and Mbokani then clinched the win.

The result sees DR Congo advance to the last four for the first time since 1998, while the adventure ends here for Claude Le Roy’s team.

The first half never really got going, with both sides playing with caution and at a slow pace.

Congo almost went in front just before the interval, though, when a free-kick from outside the box by the towering Dore passed just over the bar.

But, in contrast, the second half was a remarkable affair.

In the 52nd minute, Mbokani headed down for Bokila, who crashed a volley against the underside of the bar, before Congo opened the scoring at the other end moments later.

Delvin Ndinga swung a free-kick into the box and Dore got in behind his marker to volley past veteran goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba.

Bifouma then doubled the Red Devils’ lead in the 62nd minute when he latched on to a loose ball inside the area after Kidiaba had saved from Dore to grab his third goal of the tournament.

However, DR Congo pulled a goal back on 65 minutes when Mbokani was left with a simple finish following superb work by Yannick Bolasie on the left.

The Leopards now had the momentum on their side and Bokila made up for his earlier miss when he turned inside the box and fired home the equaliser.

For a short while extra time loomed, but then Kimwaki put DR Congo ahead for the first time when he rose unmarked to head home a free-kick past the stranded Christoffer Mafoumbi in goal.

And Mbokani got his brace to complete the turnaround in stoppage time as he finished after Mafoumbi had stopped his initial effort.

DR Congo storm semis after derby win

>>> Sturridge strikes on return as United go third

LONDON, January 31- Daniel Sturridge put nearly five months of injury frustration behind him by coming off the bench to score in Liverpool’s 2-0 win at home to West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 25-year-old striker had been sidelined with thigh and calf injuries since September, with his fitness problems coming while on England duty.

Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock in the 51st minute at Anfield before Sturridge, a 67th minute replacement for Lazar Markovic, marked just his fourth Liverpool appearance of the season by slotting home 10 minutes from time as the Reds bounced back from their League Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea.

Premier League leaders Chelsea will go eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City if they beat the defending champions in Saturday’s late kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United climbed into third place with a 3-1 win over basement club Leicester at Old Trafford.

The Foxes produced one of the upsets of the season in coming from 3-1 down to beat United 5-3 when the teams last met in September.

But there was no danger of a similar revival in the return fixture as Louis van Gaal’s men went 3-0 up before half-time through goals from Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and an own-goal by Wes Morgan.

Marcin Wasilewski pulled a goal back for Leicester 10 minutes from time.

United will only be in the top three briefly if Southampton regain third place by avoiding defeat at home to Swansea on Sunday when Arsenal, also vying for a top-four finish, face Aston Villa at the Emirates.

- Kane double -

Tottenham Hotspur completed a fine week with a 3-0 win away to West Bromwich Albion where Harry Kane scored twice to take his tally for the season to an impressive 20 goals.

Christian Eriksen scored his third goal in two matches and 11th of the season to give Mauricio Pochettino’s men the lead at the Hawthorns.

Eriksen, who scored twice in the midweek League Cup semi-final win at Sheffield United that gave Spurs a 3-2 aggregate victory, has become renowned as a late-goal specialist.

But the Denmark midfielder needed just six minutes to put Spurs in front on Saturday when, as he did against the Blades, he curled in a superb free-kick from outside the box.

Kane doubled Spurs’ lead in the 15th minute before beating Baggies goalkeeper Ben Foster from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after Kyle Walker’s cross hit the hand of Joleon Lescott.

Meanwhile Crystal Palace saw a run of four successive wins in all competitions since manager Alan Pardew arrived from Newcastle ended with a 1-0 loss to Everton at Selhurst Park.

Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal of the game as early as the second minute when he followed up after a shot from Steven Naismith was blocked by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

Second-bottom Queens Park Rangers’ dreadful away record continued as they suffered an 11th straight league defeat on the road with a 3-1 loss to former manager Mark Hughes’s Stoke City side as Potters forward Jonathan Walters scored his first top-flight hat-trick.

QPR’s run of 10 successive away defeats was already a Premier League record and they fell behind at the Britannia Stadium when Walters capitalised on poor defending in the 21st minute.

Walters added a second goal after a neat one-two with Stephen Ireland before Niko Kranjcar pulled a goal back in the 36th minute.

Jermain Defoe scored his first goal since returning to English football from Toronto as he netted Sunderland’s second in a 2-0 win at home to Burnley after Connor Wickham put the Black Cats ahead.

Saturday’s early kick-off saw John Carver enjoy his first win as Newcastle boss after a 3-0 success away to Hull ended a run of four games without a victory since Pardew’s exit.

Remy Cabella put Newcastle ahead five minutes before half-time with his first goal for the Magpies.

Hull claimed an equaliser in first-half stoppage time but Ahmed Elmohamady’s effort was rightly disallowed for after the Egyptian punched Andrew Robertson’s cross into the net.

Sammy Ameobi made it 2-0 with a 25-yard shot before Magpies substitute Yoan Gouffran put the result beyond doubt 12 minutes from time.

Sturridge strikes on return as United go third

>>> Njuri Ncheke clears Kithure Kindiki to be William Ruto’s running mate

>> The Tharaka Nithi senator was also mandated to be the Ameru community’s spokesperson after being inducted into the council of elders.

Njuri Ncheke clears Kithure Kindiki to be William Ruto’s running mate

>>> Fear in Florida over plan to release genetical modified mosquitoes

>> Trials conducted in the Cayman Islands and Brazil showed a more than 90 per cent drop in mosquito populations.

Fear in Florida over plan to release genetical modified mosquitoes

>>> We will hit back, North Korea tells US

>> Kim said North Korea was ready to counter “any war including a war by conventional armed forces and a nuclear war”.

We will hit back, North Korea tells US

>>> Rebels in DR Congo vow to disarm after army threatens offensive

>> A multitude of armed groups is active in the mineral-rich eastern provinces.

Rebels in DR Congo vow to disarm after army threatens offensive

>>> UN chief backs regional African force to fight Boko Haram

>> Ban nevertheless said that "military means may not be the only solution."

UN chief backs regional African force to fight Boko Haram

>>> Fears of fresh Ebola crisis as lab tests reveal the virus has mutated

>> Scientists tracking the Ebola outbreak in Guinea say the virus has mutated.

Fears of fresh Ebola crisis as lab tests reveal the virus has mutated

>>> The Counties: West Pokot, Turkana leaders embrace dialogue to end border conflicts

Political leaders from West Pokot and Turkana counties on Friday agreed to resolve insecurity issues along their common border and declared a 50 point resolution to end the perennial challenge.

The Counties: West Pokot, Turkana leaders embrace dialogue to end border conflicts

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>>> IEBC urges Kajwang’ to file complaint after attack

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) now wants Moses Kajwang’ to submit a written complaint to the police and to the Homa Bay county returning officer after he was reportedly attacked by his rivals’ supporters on Friday. In a statement, the Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager Tabitha Mutemi , […]

IEBC urges Kajwang’ to file complaint after attack

>>> CID summons Sossion over N.Eastern teachers incitement

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31 – Kenya National Union of Teachers Chairman Wilson Sossion has been summoned to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department over North Eastern teachers’ failure to resume work. Sergeant Maxwell Otieno attached to the CID’s Serious Crime Unit says Sossion should present himself at the CID Headquarters on Monday or face prosecution. […]

CID summons Sossion over N.Eastern teachers incitement

>>> The Counties: How waist beads spice up romance in the bedroom

Sometimes she sets the mood for romance with her man by tying a bunch of sweet scents on her waist beads.

The Counties: How waist beads spice up romance in the bedroom

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>>> The Counties: Apostle James Ng'ang'a: From thief to man of God

His lavish lifestyle belies a poverty-stricken childhood and several jail terms for theft and other misdemeanors.

The Counties: Apostle James Ng'ang'a: From thief to man of God

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>>> The Counties: 10 years on, Â‘monkey boy' wants to be pilot

Meshack Challo,10, the boy who was rescued after having spent part of his life with monkeys, is slowly adapting to normal life contrary to perception

The Counties: 10 years on, Â‘monkey boy' wants to be pilot

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>>> The Counties: Grace Msalame slams Lupita's Â‘shady' hairstyle

Our Kenyan representative in Hollywood, Lupita Nyong'o has changed her hairstyle. No, she is not wearing some Brazilian or Peruvian imported long strands of hair

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>>> Police summon Sossion for alleged incitement

>> The Knut boss will be questioned for allegedly inciting teachers working in the northeastern region not to return to work over insecurity.

Police summon Sossion for alleged incitement

>>> Kajwang’ roughed up as race for Homa Bay takes shape

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 31 – ODM Homa Bay candidate Moses Kajwang was Friday injured in a fracas while attending a funeral in Kochia, Rangwe Constituency. All was well aside from the occasional boos and insults shouted from a section of the crowd, as Kajwang, who seeks to inherit the seat previously held by his brother […]

Kajwang’ roughed up as race for Homa Bay takes shape

>>> The Counties: How my pal's little sister became my wife

Maurice and I have been friends since childhood. He was my elder brother's schoolmate, so we have known each other since our primary school years.

The Counties: How my pal's little sister became my wife

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>>> Serena beats Sharapova in open to win 19th Slam

MELBOURNE, Australia, January 31 – American top seed Serena Williams won her sixth Australian Open and 19th career Grand Slam title on Saturday with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Russia’s Maria Sharapova.

The triumph means the world number one overtakes 18-time major champions Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert to go a clear second on the all-time Open-era winners’ list, three behind Steffi Graf on 22.

It also extends her staggering decade-long dominance of arch rival Sharapova, with the world number one posting her 16th straight victory over the Russian.

At 33, she also became the oldest woman to win the title in the Open-era, taking her tally at Melbourne Park to six titles in six appearances in the final.

Contesting her 23rd Slam final, she surpassed Navratilova and Evert as she chases Graf’s Open-era record of 22. Australia’s Margaret Court, who played many of her match before the Open-era, has 24 titles.

The first Australian final in a decade to feature the tournament’s top two seeds was a one-sided affair in the first set although Sharapova rallied to make a contest of it in the second.

An intensely focused Williams outgunned Sharapova, cannoning down 18 aces, including a 203 kmh (166 mph) thunderbolt and glaring at her opponent during key moments as Sharapova struggled to stay in the march.

Sharapova made a disastrous start when she double faulted to go down a break in the opening game, succumbing to pressure as Williams aggressively stood inside the baseline and easily read the Russian’s intent.

The American then pounced on a tentative return from Sharapova in the next game to hold serve after swatting a pin-point backhand to the corner of the court.

Sharapova, wary of getting into a slugfest with the game’s most powerful hitter, surprised Williams by throwing occasional drop shots into the mix, successfully holding serve.

Heavy rain interrupted play at 3-2, with Williams taking shelter and towelling down as the roof was closed, while Sharapova sat courtside then performed warm-up exercises.

Williams emerged briefly but went back inside after suffering a coughing fit before the match finally resumed after 13 minutes.

The American showed no sign of losing momentum though, blasting an ace with her first shot and then capitalising after Sharapova gave her three break points with another double fault.

Williams committed a double fault of her own to hand Sharapova a break against the run of play but immediately broke back to take the set after 47 minutes.

With the final threatening to become a massacre, Sharapova’s fighting qualities emerged in the second set, with her serve improved as she held twice early, jubilantly fist pumping each time.

She started taking chances attacking Williams’ serve but the American simply got herself out of trouble with three aces.

Sharapova battled to a rare break point in the ninth game but hit her forehand wide after failing to handle the blistering power of Williams’ return.

She had to hold serving with Williams up 5-4, holding off championship point with a desperate forehand down the line.

Finally gaining confidence, she held Williams to love in her next service game to take it to a tie-break.

She managed to fend off another championship at 6-5 then Williams thought she had sealed the win with an ace, giving a wry grin when the umpire called let.

She slotted home another ace to seal the tournament, waiting for the umpire’s call this time before jumping for joy.