David Dunford misses out on Semis

All African Games champion David Dunford finished third in Heat 5 of the Men’s 100m Freestyle but failed to make it to the semi finals at the ExCel Aquatic Centre, Tuesday morning.

His time of 49.60 saw him ranked 26^th therefore missing tonight’s semi finals. Romania’s Nobert Trandafir came first in 49.02 ahead of Martin Verner of Czech Republic who came in a time of 49.49.

Dunford started the first lap well, winning it in 23.31 before surrendering the lead in the last lap, where he posted a slow time of 26:29.

It’s not all over yet for the younger brother to Jason Dunford, as he is set to return for the 50m freestyle heats on Thursday.

2012 EAC Media Awards finalists announced

A five-member panel of judges announced 12 finalists for the second edition of EAC Media Awards, last Friday. The 12 selected journalists are now in contention for the overall EAC Secretary General’s Award.

Kenya produced five finalists; George Omondi (Business Daily), Wanjohi Kabukuru (Africa Business / Diplomat), Wickliffe A Odera (Milele FM), Robert Koigi (African Laughter News Agency), and Aby Agina Wasonga (NTV).

Other prizes that are up for grabs in the East African Business Council Chairman’s Award include the Health; Environment; Agriculture and Food Security;  Broadcast; Political; and Higher Education reporting awards.

Here are the other finalists:

J       Zephania Ubwani (The Citizen, Tanzania)

J       Peter Nyanje (The Citizen, Tanzania)

J       Dorothy Nakaweesi (Daily Monitor, Uganda)

J       Dicta Asiimwe (The East African, Uganda)

J       Charles Kwizera (The New Times, Rwanda)

J       Eric Kabeera (The New Times, Rwanda)

J       Victor Mubwigiri (Burundi Agency, Burundi)

Winners will be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali on Thursday 9 August, 2012

Pancontinental Oil and Gas boosts Kenya and Namibia's Oil Exploration

Pancontinental Oil and Gas is a petroleum (oil and gas/ hydrocarbons) exploration company with key interests in Australia, Kenya, and Namibia.

Pancontinental Oil and Gas, an Australian Stock Exchange-listed company has raised an additional A$4.43 million for its oil and gas exploration in Kenya and Namibia.

The company completes the original A$ 50 million placement, which comprises of a A$45 million share placement to institutional investors and a further A$5 million share purchase plan.

Proceeds from the placement will go to fund the drilling of Mbawa well in Block L8 and L6, offshore Kenya as well as the ongoing exploration in Blocks L 10A and L 10B. The proceeds will be further used in Block EL 0037 in Namibia.

Pancontinental has a 15 percent stake in Mbawa’s Block L8 where operator Apache Corporation will start drilling in August,with targets of up to 700 million barrels of oil.

Gor, AFC and Tusker in Africa’s top 100 clubs

Three of Kenya’s top clubs; Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Tusker FC were named in the top 100 All-time African Club Rankings by Clubworldrankings.com. 

Gor Mahia is the best-ranked Kenyan club of all time coming in position 45 and with a total of 90 points.

AFC Leopards is in position 79 with 43 points ahead of third placed Tusker FC, which takes the 87^th position in Africa.

All-Time Africa Club Ranking

1.       Al-Ahly (Egypt)

2.       Zamalek (Egypt)

3.       Esperance Sportive (Tunisia)

4.       Tout Puissant Mazambe (Congo)

5.       Asante Kotoko (Ghana)

6.       ASEC Mimisas (Ivory Coast)

7.       Raja (Morocco)

8.       Jeunesse Sportive Kabylie (Tunisia)

9.       Canon (Cameroon)

10.   Etoille du Sahel (Tunisia)

Kirui, Cherono win Bogota Half Marathon

Peter Kirui and compatriot Gladys Cherono were crowned the winners of the thirteenth edition of the ‘Media Marato´n de Bogota´’- an IAAF Gold Label Road Race held in Bogota, Colombia on Sunday.

24-year old Kirui finished in a time of 1:02:26, just 6 seconds off the race record. Second place went to Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lelisa who clocked 1:03:18 ahead of Wilson Chebet’s 1:04:19. Victor Kipchirchir, Isaac Macharia, and Sammy Kitwara came fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

In the women’s side, Cherono posted a time of 1:13:27 ahead of Ethiopia’s Abebech Afework who finished in 1:14:49. Helah Hiprop came third in 1:15:56. Rose Chebet and Neriah Asiba were fifth and seventh respectively.

Kenya’s Sammy Ridrond wins Health Marathon

Sammy Ridrond emerged victorious in the second edition of the Phuket Health International Marathon held in Thailand’s Phuket town, on Sunday morning. He posted a time of 2 hours and 25 minutes in the open 42- kilometre event. He was followed by Thailand’s Suwat Paibaoon.  

Caroline Mutoko appointed to HIV-Free board

Kiss 100 breakfast show presenter Caroline Mutoko has been appointed as a board member of the Partnership for an HIV – Free Generation, Kenya (HFG/K). The popular radio presenter will serve at the board for a period of 2 years.

About HFG/K

The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation, Kenya (HFG/K) is a public-private partnership supported majorly by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Its vision is to inspire and provide opportunities for Kenyan Youth to live healthy and Productive lives geared at a HIV-Free generation.

Last week, Mutoko was appointed by the Tourism Minister Dan Mwanzo to chair the Kenya Tourist Development Corporation, a key tourism board.

Currently, she is the Group Marketing Manager and Programme Controller at Radio Africa Group.

Viettel Group targets the Kenyan market

Kenya may have a fifth mobile operator in the coming days. Viettel Group, a Vietnamese mobile network operator is seeking to grab a share of East Africa by setting up its base in Nairobi.

The military-run company is braced to face the competitive Kenyan market, which is embraced by four mobile operators Safaricom, Airtel, yuMobile and Orange.

Viettel is also eying Tanzania and Cameroon to establish a strong telecom network in Africa.

Viettel Group recently launched its Movitel telecom network, a joint venture with Mozambique’s SPI Company, in Mozambique becoming its third telecom network. In just over a year of licensing, it has built 12,600 kilometres of fibre optic cable and 1,800 mobile stations in the country.

The company has also developed successful telecom services in Cambodia (Metfone), Laos (Unitel), Haiti (Natcom), and Peru.

About Viettel Group

Viettel Group is a Vietnamese mobile operator based in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a state-owned corporation entirely owned and under the control of the Ministry of Defense. Viettel Mobile is the largest telecommunications provider in Vietnam and boasts of around 60 million subscribers in the world.

Benson Gicharu knocked out of the Olympics

Kenya’s only male boxer at the Olympics, Benson Gicharu Nganjiru was knocked out of the London Games by Egypt’s Abdelaal Hesham on Monday’s bout.

The ‘Chafua Chafua’ boxer lost the fight 16 – 18 to the fellow African, recording scores of 6-6, 5-8, 5-5 in their round of 32 bout.

Gicharu was Kenya’s hope in rekindling memories of the late RobertNapunyi Wangila, who knocked out Frenchman Laurent Boudouani to claim the welterweight gold in the 1988 Summer Olympics, in Seoul.   

Kenya’s hope for a boxing medal now lies on  female boxer Elizabeth Andiego.

Image Credit: www.africanewssearch.com

Manchester United weighing up Wanyama’s move

According to MailSport, the Old Trafford side has compiled a dossier on the Kenyan attacking midfielder and will be sending scouts to monitor him on Wednesday when Celtic go against HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

Sir Alex Fergusson has received glowing reports about the midfielder and appears likely to fulfill his wishes to seal a move to the English Premier League.  An offer of about £8 million would be accepted by Celtic who signed him from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot at around £1 million last season.

English top sides have continued to show interest on Wanyama with Arsenal and Manchester United sending their scouts earlier last week to watch him play Norwich City. Other English sided that are keeping an eye on him include Liverpool, Manchester City, QPR and Fulham.

Prezzo in Big Brother Africa finals

Kenyan rapper, CMB Prezzo has made it to the finals of Big Brother Africa (BBA), after surviving Sunday’s eviction in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He becomes the first Kenyan to ever make it to the finals of Africa’s biggest reality show and in clear contention of the $300,000 winner’s jackpot.

Prezzo is up against five contestants; Namibia’s Lady May, Malawi's Wati, Uganda’s Kyle, Zambia’s Talia, and South Africa’s Keagan

The other Kenyans who were in the seventh season of the show dubbed ‘Big Brother Stargame’, Malonza and Alex were evicted.

Ruth Matete wins Tusker Project Fame season 5

Kenya’s Ruth Matete was crowned the winner of the fifth edition of Tusker Project Fame at Sunday’s grand finale. She walked home with Ksh 5 million and a recording deal worth Ksh 10 million with Universal Records.

Doreen Muchiri from Kenya was the first runners up while Jackson Kalimba from Rwanda and Joe Christian Irankunda from Burundi emerged third and fourth respectively.

Fifteen contestants from East Africa had 8 weeks to prove they were worthy of the region’s most coveted prize.

Kenya won the inaugural season through the sensational Valerie Kimani while Uganda’s Davis Hillary Ntare bagged the title last season.

Esther Wahome crowned Mrs Universe Kenya 2012

Esther Wahome was crowned Mrs. Universe – Kenya at a colourful evening ceremony held in Hilton Hotel on Saturday. Esther Wahome is an award-winning gospel singer popularly known for her massive hit “Kuna Dawa.”

She will now represent the country at the Mrs. Universe Pageant in Rostov, Russia on August 13, 2012. Mrs. Universe is an annual competition, which focuses in not only physical beauty but also highlights the most honorable married women from all over the word. The running motto for the pageant is “Against violence.”

In Miss World 2012: Kenya’s Shamim Nabil made it to the Semi Finals of Miss World 2012 for Top Model Category. Kenya was the only East African country mentioned in the list of 47 nations that included Nigeria, Gabon, Angola, Jamaica, South Sudan, India, Israel, and China among others.

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Wahome Crowned Mrs World Universe First Runners Up 

Esther Wahome, the only Black African competing for Mrs World Universe crown  in Russia emerged the first-runners up.

The 37 year old mother of three thanked her husband of 16 years  for his support and love. 

Nairobi to host Cloud East Africa Summit

Nairobi will play host to the inaugural educational Cloud East Africa Summit scheduled on September 7, 2012.

The summit will provide a platform to discover the basics concepts behind cloud and virtualization, the potential enterprise benefits and key decisions related with cloud computing initiatives, and exactly how to get started with virtualization assessment.

Hosted by Kinetics events, the summit will bring together industry experts who will engage on new strategies and best practices for their business, as well as measures existing enterprises can take to adopt cloud computing.

Among the guest speakers will be Allan Waititu, the director of IT in Equity Bank and Samuel Rutto, CIO of Globe Track International Kenya. 

Harambee Stars invited to play Jamaica

The national soccer team Harambee Stars has received a FIFA invitation to play in an international friendly against Jamaica’s Reggaeboyz on 25^th August 2012, in Jamaica’s capital Kingston.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF), which has acknowledged receiving the invitation, is working on logistics before making a formal confirmation of the international friendly.  

The Reggaeboyz who are currently ranked 63^rd by FIFA, stand as a formidable challenge to Stars who are in the 125^th position. The Jamaican team carries a richer history of the two sides having played in the first round of the 1998 FIFA World Cup and ranking a higher 27^th the same year.

In the Copa Coca-Cola: Coast Boys beat Eastern Boys 1-0 to lift the 2012 Copa Coca Cola boys trophy at KPA Mbaraki Sports Club on Saturday.

Substitute Omar Mwinyi scored the solitary goal of the match while Ahmed Mahfudh was named the best player. Coast Boys were also recognized as the best disciplined team of the tournament.

The second runners up went to Central Boys who beat Western Boys 2-1.

In the girls’ division, Rift Valley claimed the girls’ title after MVP Ruth Chebungei strike sunk Western girls in a 1-0 showdown.

The second runners up went to Coast Girls who beat Nairobi 2-1.

$15 million equity investment in the African Trade Insurance Agency

The African Development Bank (AfDB) recently approved a $15 million equity investment in the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) aiming to strengthen its capital base.

The investment is paramount to ATI’s plans to encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and trade in the continent by increasing its provision of credit, trade, and insurance products related to political uncertainties.

Nairobi-based ATI, was established in 2001 under an International Treaty by African Member States of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and with the financial and technical support of the World Bank.

According to the director of the AfDB’s private sector division, Tim Turner; ATI will have supported about $8.6 billion worth of trade and investment projects in the continent by 2014.  

Cows for Kenya

A Canadian group has organized a fundraiser on Thursday, 2^nd August at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough, Canada for a Kenyan cattle herder who is devastated after losing his herd to drought and a pride of lions.

Maasai herder, Nkaisunki Siolo lost many of his cows to drought last year and a few weeks ago, mystery struck again, when a pride of lions claimed six of his remaining eight cows.

The Cows for Kenya event will include a wine tasting with piano music by Terry Finn, and live performances by Buzz Thompson, Alan Black, Bobby Watson, Brent Bailey, and J.P. Hovercraft.

Tickets go for $10 each and can be purchased through the Showplace box office.

Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association honoured

KEHPCA was among 10 winners chosen from more than 1400 nominees from around the world.

Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA) was honored with a Red Ribbon Award in the Treatment, Care and Support category during the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC on Wednesday, July 25.

The Red Ribbon Award is presented every 2 years at the AIDS conference to recognize and celebrate community-based organizations for their exemplary initiatives that display leadership in reducing the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS.

KEHPCA is a national association that represents all palliative care service providers in Kenya. Its mission is to scale up palliative care services to bridge a significant gap between those who receive services and those in need.

KEHPCA is a partner of Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA), an affiliate of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

For more on Red Ribbon Award http://www.redribbonaward.org/

Manchester United, Arsenal eying Wanyama

Celtic (Scotland) attacking midfielder Victor Wanyama has reportedly attracted interest from English sides Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Kenyan midfielder has admitted that he would like to move to England this summer and those comments have angered manager Neil Lennon who had earlier announced his stay.

It appears as though Wanyama is a target for a number of Premier League clubs, with the Daily Mail reporting that Arsenal and Manchester United sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old during Celtic's 1-0 loss against English side Norwich City.

Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Southampton have all been linked with a move for Wanyama.

Source: Sports Mole 

Deloitte to launch IT Academy in Kenya

Leading accounting firm Deloitte & Touche has disclosed its plan to set up a graduate training academy in the country before September in a move geared to diversification from auditing and consultancy.

The academy will recruit staff from companies and train them primarily in IT and business related courses so as to meet the corporate skills demand in the country.  

Deloitte is targeting fresh graduates who are expected to enroll for the 6 to 10 months programme at the facility. The academy seeks to equip them with practical approaches to the corporate world as opposed to the emphasis on theoretical skills in the Kenya education system.

In other news: Audit firm Ernest & Young has launched a fraud investigations and dispute services unit in Kenya. Ernest & Young will follow the likes of Deloitte and Touche, Price Water House Coopers and KPMG who provide such services.

Underwater Museum in Kenya

Cancun Underwater Museum in Mexico

Kenya is set to be the first African Nation to have an Underwater Museum when it opens the only museum of its kind in the world, in 2014. The ‘underwater museum’ will be situated at the Kenyan coast and will be part of the Malindi Marine National Park.

Visitors to the museum will be treated to marine life spectacle of mantra rays, sea turtles, whale sharks, dolphins and shipwrecks. There are about 35 shipwrecks spread in Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Watamu and South Coast.

The shipwrecks are remnants of the vessels Britons, Indians, and Portuguese used in the early Indian Ocean trade a century ago. They will be prepared for exhibition and fitted with underwater cameras to transmit live images to visitors above sea level.  

Kenya will join the USA, Britain, Mexico and China who boast of underwater museums and will serve as a major boost to the country’s tourism sector. Egypt is another African nation, which is also planning to open one in Alexandria. 

photo courtesy http://www.aquaworld.com.mx/fig/photogallery.html  

Kenya’s Olympic Journey: 2008 Summer Olympics

1 day  to the opening of the 2012 London Games

The 2008 Summer Olympics were held in Beijing, Republic of China showcasing a well-choreographed opening ceremony   and arguably the most successful event in recent times. Kenya fielded a team of 46 comprising of 28 men and 18 women, participating in 5 disciplines; athletics, boxing, rowing, swimming, and taekwondo.

University of Nairobi tops Kenya

University of Nairobi has been ranked 14^th in Africa’s top 100 universities by 4icu.org in its 2012 World University Web Ranking. The ranking is based on institutions’ web popularity and has been published since May 2005.

About 4 International Colleges & Universities

4ICU  is an international higher education search engine and directory reviewing accredited Universities and Colleges in the world. 4icu.org includes 11,000 Colleges and Universities, ranked by web popularity, in 200 countries.

Other Kenyan Institutions that featured in the top 100 include; Strathmore University at 48, Kenyatta University at 54, United States International University (USIU) at 65 and Moi University at 68.

Here are the top 15 universities:

1.       University of Cape Town (South Africa)

2.       Universiteit Stellenbosch (South Africa)

3.       University of Pretoria (South Africa)

4.       University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)

5.       University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

6.       University of South Africa (South Africa)

7.       Cairo University (Egypt)

8.       The American University of Cairo (Egypt)

9.       Rhodes University (South Africa)

10.   University of the Western Cape (South Africa)

11.   University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

12.   University of Johannesburg (South Africa)

13.   University of Botswana (Botswana)

14.   University of Nairobi (Kenya)

15.   University of Ghana (Ghana)

For the rest of the top 100 universities visit http://www.4icu.org/topAfrica/

Kenyans feted at Durban FilmMart 2012

Kenyans were among other festival winners named at the 3rd Durban FilmMart 2012, which was held at the Blue Waters Hotel in Durban, South Africa from 20 -23 July 2012.

Directors Anjali Nayar and Hawa Essuman were honored with the ‘Most Promising Documentary Projects’ Award for “Logs of War.” The Anjali team received travel grant funds worth € 5000 for travel and accommodation to the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA). They were feted alongside South Africa’s producer Neil Brandt and director Riaan Hendricks for “The Devils Lair.”

Wanuri Kahiu was awarded the “Best Feature Film Project” together with South African producer Steven Markovitz for Kenya-South Africa co-production, “Jambula Tree.” They received a cash prize of € 6000.

Other Winners were:

Hubert Bals Fund Award, “The Most Promising African Project” – Producer Jackie Cahi and director Rumbi Katedzi  for “Live from Zimbabwe”

“The Most Promising Feature Projects” – Producer and director David Horler and Jenna Cato Bass for “Flatland” (South Africa)

“The Most Promising Project” – Producer and director Joel Karekezi for “The Mercy of the Jungle” (Rwanda)

“Best South African Film Project” – Producer Imran Jeeva, Omar Khan , Sara Blecher and director Nadia Davids for “The Visit”

Ikechukwu Omenaihe from Nigeria was also honored for “In Silence…& In Tears” 

Marathon Oil acquires exploration blocks in Kenya

Marathon Oil Corporation has struck a deal worth an initial US $35 million with Africa Oil Corporation to acquire two onshore exploration blocks in northwestern Kenya.

Houston-based, Marathon Oil will start their exploration work in the two exploration blocks in the coming months and has further plans to acquire 15 per cent stake on block 12A in the Rift Valley presently controlled by Africa Oil and Tullow Oil.

"With this transaction Marathon Oil gains entry into an emerging onshore oil play in Kenya that offers potential across a vast acreage position and fits with our liquids-rich strategic focus," said Marathon Oil's senior Vice-President of Global Exploration, Annell R. Bay.

Marathon Oil makes an initial payment of $35 million that include prior expenses and fund Africa Oil’s working interests up to a maximum of $43.5 million during the next three years.

Keith Hill, Africa Oil President and Chief Executive Officer said he was pleased to work with Marathon, adding Kenya is set to become a major oil and natural gas producer.

2004 Summer Olympics Kenya Style

2 days  to the opening of the 2012 London Games

2004, the Olympics returned to their historic home Greece, where the participation was a record 201 nations with 10,625 athletes taking part in 301 different events.

That year Kenya participated in 4 disciplines; athletics, swimming, volleyball and rowing. The Kenyan team comprised of 22 men and 24 women, with athletics being the only discipline to yield medals.

Junior Achievement Kenya Feted

Junior Achievement Kenya was among 5 Junior Achievement organizations that received the 2012 MetLife Foundation “Sowing the Seeds of Entrepreneurship” Award. The 2012 winners were announced last Wednesday at Junior Achievement USA's National Leadership Conference held in Grand Rapids, Mich.

They each received grants worth $10,000 to advance their innovative, but untested program concepts. The 5 2012 MetLife Foundation “Sowing the Seeds of Entrepreneurship” Award winners were announced alongside eight, 2012 MetLife Foundation Entrepreneurial Award winners who received grants of $25,000.

Junior Achievement Kenya, “JA Mentors On Board (MOB)"

Mentors On Board aims to connect business experience to rural and disenfranchised schools in Kenya, mentoring one school at a time. Through the acquisition of a nine-passenger vehicle, JA Kenya will recruit mentors who will traverse rural Kenya, mentoring students via JA programs and sowing seeds of entrepreneurship in locations and schools JA would otherwise not reach due to limited capability.

Source: Junior Achievement USA

Kenya Investment Summit ‘30th Olympiad'

Kenya at the 30th Olympiad

The Kenya Investment Summit will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at Mansion House, London. The one-day forum is organized by the Commonwealth Business Council in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, and the Lord Mayor of London.

Dubbed "Kenya at the 30th Olympiad,” the forum will highlight the various exciting investment projects in the country that are ready for international support, investment, and development.

Kenya’s Olympic Journey: 2000 Summer Olympics

3 days  to the opening of the 2012 London Games

The 2000 Summer Olympics preferably known as the Games of the New Millennium were held at the beautiful city of Sydney, Australia. The Games entertained 56 participants from Kenya comprising of 34 men and 22 women.

Olkaria IV Geothermal Project launched

Olkaria IV will increase the total electricity output by 25 per cent.

Monday morning, President Kibaki commissioned the groundbreaking ceremony at Okaria IV that is expected to generate 280 megawatt of geothermal power in Naivasha.

Olkaria project, considered the largest geothermal power plant in Africa, seeks to raise geothermal contributions to 35 per cent from the current 10 per cent. The construction of the new plant, estimated to cost Ksh 82 billion is expected to be operational in 2014.

Olkaria IV, a flagship project of Vision 2030 is co-financed by KenGen and various development partners including World Bank, German Development Corporation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the French Development Agency (FDA), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Companies that will carry out the construction of the plant include; Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan, KEC (Kamani Engineering Corporation) of India, New Zealand’s Sinclair Knight Mertz, and Hyundai Engineering Company Limited of South Korea.

Mercy Ojoyi among 10 L’Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship winners

29-year-old researcher Mercy Ojoyi is among 10 winners of the prestigious 2012 L’Oréal – UNESCO Regional Fellowships for Women in Science (FWIS) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Kenyan researcher was honored with the others at a colorful ceremony held in South Africa last Friday.

“I am honored to receive the L’Oréal UNESCO fellowship which will go a long way in helping facilitate my research requirements, particularly fieldwork, which is a major challenge with field data having to be collected in extremely remote and inaccessible areas,” said Ojoyi.

Ojoyi who is currently studying for her doctorate in Environmental Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) walked away with Ksh 1.7 million (US $ 20,000) which she hopes will help in her research work.  

The other winners include:

J        Fatemah Thawer-Esmail (Tanzania)

J        Mopo Leshwedi-Radebe (South Africa)

J        Marisa Klopper (South Africa)

J        Gerda Fourie (South Africa)

J        Gcineka Mbambisa (South Africa)

J        Britt Drögemöller (South Africa)

J        Oluwasola Fasan (Nigeria)

J        Tsige Ketema (Ethiopia)

J        Vivian Boamah (Ghana)

Kosgei storms 4th Annual Wharf to Wharf Race

Shadrack Kosgei emerged victorious in the 4^th Annual Wharf to Wharf race clocking a leading time of 27:21 on a Sunday morning in Santa Cruz, California. The 27-year-old now becomes the first three-time champion in the Wharf to Wharf's 40-year history.

“I felt good all the way. I still have energy to go,” said Kosgei, who recorded winning times of 27:51 in 2004 and 27:01 in 2010.

“But out of the three times that I've won, this was the easiest [on my body]. I felt good,” he added.

Kosgei was closely followed by United States’ Ben Bruce who finished in a time of 27:50 ahead of his compatriot Joseph Chirlee clocking a time of 27:52. Fourth place went to Uganda’s Tony Okello who finished in 27:59.

The top four placers were awarded cash prizes of $4000, $3000, $2000, and $1000, respectively.

Image credits: Santa Cruz Sentinel 

Kenya’s Olympic Journey: 1996 Summer Olympics

4 days  to the opening of the 2012 London Games

In 1996, the Olympics were finally in the United States after the 1984 Los Angeles Games. That year Kenya participated in 5 disciplines; athletics, boxing, archery, weightlifting and shooting. With 52 participants, comprising of 42 men and 10 women the country was ready for the Atlanta Games.

World Deaf Athletics Championships - Kenya

Friday – University of Toronto’s Varsity Centre, Canada

Kenya concluded their campaign in the 2^nd edition of the World Deaf Athletics Championships in Toronto, Canada in fourth position in the overall medal standings. Kenya bagged a total of 10 medals (4 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze) behind leaders Russia with 42 medals, Ukraine with 17 and Belarus who finished third.

On the last day of the championships, Bexton Menjo and Beryl Atieno dashed to bag 2 gold medals in their respective races. In the men’s 800m, Captain Menjo won in a leading time of 1:52.26 ahead of Russia’s Andrey Andreev who finished in 1:52.91. His fellow countryman Justus Kipkemboi came in third place in a time of 1:53.92.

In the women’s 200m, the recently crowned 100m silver medalist Beryl Atieno bragged the second gold in a remarkable time of 24.76. She was closely followed by Russia’s Ksenia Golovina who clocked 24.98 ahead of Belarus’ Alena Tsiarentsyeva who finished in a time of 25.43.

In the men’s 200m, David Wamira dashed to second place in a time of 22.16 behind of Ukraine’s Myoka Nosenko who clocked 21.97.

World Deaf Athletics Championships - Kenya

Tuesday – University of Toronto’s Varsity Centre, Canada

  

Kenya signs cooperation agreements with China

By PMPS, KBC

 

Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga on Saturday witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements leading Chinese firms, covering energy and road construction projects meant for various parts of Kenya.

The agreements signed in Nanchang, China on Saturday include an MOU with China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation to develop a solar and diesel engine power plant in the country.
The agreement also provided for a concessional loan for the construction of the Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Karungu-Masara Road and Sindo-Nyandiwa-Sori Road in both counties of Homa Bay and Migori.
Another MOU between the Government of Kenya and Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd provides for a concessional loan for the construction of Narok-Masai Mara (C12) road to connect with Narok-Mau-Narok (C57) Road.
Engineer Maingi Mwangi, Director General Kenya Rural Roads Authority, and Engineer Meshack Kiddenda of the Kenya Highways Authority signed the agreements for Kenya.
During the ceremonies, the Prime Minister also presented to the governor of Jiangxi Province of China the power plant agreement with the Government of Kenya, signed in Nairobi on 16 July.
The Chinese Government has also accepted to extend to Kenya a concessional loan of US$ 72 million, for the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure Project and E-Government, which will provide fibre-optic, linking all urban areas in the country.

For the entire story visit: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

Kenya's Olympic Journey: 1992 Summer Olympics

5 days to the opening of the 2012 London Games

1992, the Games where in the Spanish city of Barcelona with Kenya participating in 5 disciplines; athletics, boxing, weightlifting, judo and shooting. 49 participants comprising of 40 men and 9 women represented the country that year. 

Cobi the Official '92 Mascot 

That year Kenya managed only 8 medals (2 gold, 4 medal and 2 bronze) and was in the 21^st position in the overall medals standing.

Mboya, Nyaga win CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award

From l-r: Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa; winners Tom Mboya and Evanson Nyaga; and Parisa Khosravi, senior vice president for CNN Worldwide.

The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2012 Awards ceremony was held for the first time in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka on Saturday evening.

Tom Mboya (Citizen TV) and Evanson Karuri Nyaga (formerly Citizen TV, now CCTV Africa) scooped the overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award.

Mboya and his colleague Nyaga also won the Television Features Award after a story on a small long-forgotten African tribe living in India. The feature story titled, ‘The African Tribe in India’ aired on Citizen TV, and was picked from among 1,799 entries from 42 countries in Africa.

Waihiga Mwaura (CitizenTV) and Jephitha Mwai Mwangi (Citizen TV) also bagged the Sports Journalist of the Year Award, after a story on Maasai Morans who downed spears for Cricket bats.

Nimrod Taabu (NTV) and Charles Kariuki (NTV) won the Television News Bulletin Award after their feature ‘The Portrait of Pain’, an East Pokot Story on challenges of getting clean water.

John Muchangi Njiru (The Star) won the HIV/AIDS Reporting Award.  

Other winners across the African Continent were:

Joshua Anny Osabutey (JOY FM - Ghana) – Radio Journalist of the Year for ‘Squatters Paradise’ documentary

Ahaoma Kanu (National Daily – Nigeria) – Tourism Award

Demelza Bush, Craig McKune and Verashni Pillay, The Mail and Guardian Online (South Africa) – Digital Journalism Award.

Nigerian Journalists and Editors body – Free Press Africa Award

Megan Small and Clive Mtshai, 3^rd Degree and E TV (South Africa) – MSD Health & Medical Award

Adriaan Basson and Piet Rampedi (City Press – South Africa) – Print General News Award
Arsenio Henriques Cossa (Socio-STV – Mozambique) – Portuguese General News Award for TV/Radio   

Isabel Joao (Novo Jornal – Angola) – Portuguese General News Award for Print

Gerald Tenywa (Saturday Vision – Uganda) – Environment Award

Antione de Ras (The Star – South Africa) – Mohamed Amin Photographic Award

Joy Summers (Carte Blanche – South Africa) – Coca-Cola Company Economics & Business Award

Manar Attiya (Ahram Hebdo – Egypt) – Francophone General News Award for Print

Najlae Ben Mbarek (2M TV – Morocco) – Francophone General News Award for TV/Radio

Andrew Mulenga (Zambia) – Arts & Culture Award

photo courtesy: www.edition.cnn.com 

Kenya’s Olympic Journey : Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics

With only 6 days to go, we start with our countdown to the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

In 1988 Seoul Olympics Kenya managed to participate in 7 disciplines; athletics, boxing, Judo, hockey, weightlifting, wrestling and shooting. That year the Kenya sent 74 participants who comprised of 70 men and 4 women.

Hodori the Tiger (official mascot)

In the 1988 Games Kenya won 9 medals; 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze, producing their best performance since their debut in 1956. In the overall medals standing, Kenya was 20^th position with the Soviet Union leading with a total of 132 medals (55 gold, 31 silver and 46 bronze).

Kenyans impress at 2012 Monaco Diamond League

On Friday, the final leg of the Samsung Diamond league at the Herculis meeting in Monaco, France was marked in style with Kenyans maintaining their impressive track performance at the meetings.

In the men’s 800m, Abraham Kipchirchir Rotich emerged victorious in a time of 1:43.13 ahead of compatriot Leonard Kirwa Kosencha who came in 1:43.40. Third place went to USA’s Duane Solomon who finished in 1:43.44.

In the men’s 1500m, Asbel Kiprop won in a world leading time of 3:28.88 followed closely by fellow countryman Nixon Kiplomo Chepseba who finished in 3:29.77. New Zealand’s Nicholas Willis finished third in 3:30.35.

In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Conseslus Kipruto was victorious in a time of 8:03.49 ahead of compatriot Paul Kipsiele Koech who came second in 8:03.90. USA’s Evan Jager ruined Kenya’s clean sweep after beating Bernard Mbugua Nganga to finish third in 8:06.81.

In the women’s 3000m, Mercy Cherono led compatriot Sylvia Jebiwott Kibet to a 1-2 win with times of 8:38.51 and 8:39.14 respectively. Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba came close third in 8:39.83.

image credits: www.athleticsweekly.com

Kenya to be Intel's regional hub

Intel Corporation has made Kenya the regional hub for its operations in East Africa and announced key appointments such as that of a regional head and senior managers over the last few months.

While speaking at a media workshop held in a Nairobi hotel Thursday morning, Intel GM for the East Africa Danie Steyn said, the company views the East African countries and other developing economies, as the key markets with potential growth opportunities in computing for the next few years.      

“The three largest and fastest growing market segments in emerging markets are corporate IT, consumer, and governments. In corporate IT we expect that IT budgets are set to increase as companies look for ways to maximize their IT spend for productivity and expansion,” he added.

Intel has trained 10,000 teachers in the country in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and others, as well as initiated together with the Ministry of ICT and the Kenya ICT Board (KICTB) the successful deployment of Wezesha, the student ownership program through which 16,000 Kenyan students purchased laptop in 2011.

Agrochemicals Association of Kenya Award 2012

The Agrochemicals Association of Kenya is requesting entries for an Environmental Award to individuals or organizations that meet the following criteria:

        I.            An organization or individual who will have put in place a system to protect the workforce from contamination during the normal activities within the premises and promoting their safety

      II.            An organization or individual who will have a recycling process using the Best Available Technologies (BATs) and Best Environmental Practices (BEPs)

    III.            An organization or individuals with a disposal system using Best Available Technologies (BATs) and Best Environmental Practices (BEPs)

    IV.            An organization or individual who takes part in tree planting and environmental conservation.

      V.            Alternatively, any other system put in place that protects the environment, which should be described in detail.

The Association is encouraging companies or individuals to try to do something in all areas mentioned.

Entries clearly showing how the above criteria have been met should be forwarded to:

Agrochemicals Association of Kenya

P. O. Box 13809- 00800, Nairobi

Email: info@agrochem.co.ke

Cell: 0734 447777, 0710 447777

Deadline for entries will be 15 September 2012, while the winning entry will be awarded during the Association’s annual dinner to be held on the 7^th December, 2012.

About AAK

AAK is the Kenya’s representative of the International Agrochemicals Industry represented globally by CropLife International. It is aslo the national umbrella organization for manufacturers, formulators, re-packers, distributors, farmers and users of pesticides.

3rd Insurance Awards 2012

The 3^rd Annual Insurance Awards took place on Wednesday night at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi.

The annual Insurance Awards is organized by business intelligence, research, and publishing house Think Business Limited (BTL).

Here is the list of honored insurance companies:

J        Life Insurer of the Year – Jubilee Insurance

J        General Insurer of the Year – UAP Insurance

J        Claim Settlement Award – CIC Insurance

J        Medical Insurance Provider of the Year– Resolution Health EA

J        Medical Insurance Underwriter – Jubilee Insurance

J        ICT User of the Year – UAP Insurance

J        Corporate Social Responsibility – CIC Insurance

J        Corporate line brokerage and Training Award – AON Kenya

J        Risk Management Award – Jubilee Insurance

J        Major Loss Award – ICEA Lion

J        Customer Service – Pan Africa Life Insurance

J        Fraud Detection & Prevention – Jubilee Insurance

J        Marketing Initiative Award – Jubilee Insurance

J        Most unique Insurance Provider – Takaful Insurance

J        Lifetime Achievement  Award – CIC Insurance Group CEO, Nelson Kuria

CIC Insurance Group listed 2.1 billion shares by introduction at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, being the 6^th insurance company to list at the bourse.

Internews Storyfest Awards 2012

Internews in Kenya is calling for applications for the ‘Internews Storyfest Awards 2012’.

The awards aim to celebrate creative, compelling, unique storytelling from Internews alumni of the Health journalism program. There are seven award categories with an overall winnerdrawn from the category winners.

For one to be eligible he/she must have been trained or mentored by Internews.

Selection criteria

Stories that do not meet the submission criteria will automatically be disqualified. The jury will score stories on;

§  Standard journalism principles of ethics (Accuracy, balance, relevance, and Independence)

§  Creativity

§  Sensitivity

§  Clarity

§  How compelling the story is

§  Possible Impact

Award Categories

1. Best TV Story

Under the themes HIV/AIDS, Family Planning & Maternal and Child Health.

2. Best Radio Story

Under the themes HIV/AIDS, Family Planning & Maternal and Child Health.

3. Best Print Story

Under the themes HIV/AIDS, Family Planning & Maternal and Child Health.

4. Best online story

Under the themes HIV/AIDS, Family Planning & Maternal and Child Health.

5. Best Data story

Data stories in health journalism. This category will award one winner in all media.

6. Best Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) Story

This category will award one winner in all media on stories based on VMMCfrom the period between 2008 to 2012

7. Best Long form/ Documentary story

Under the themes HIV/AIDS, Family Planning & Maternal and Child Health.

The Prize: The three finalists in each award category will receive a fully paid trip to the awards ceremony venue. The winner will receive a trophy and a prize that will be revealed at the awards. The two runners up will each receive a certificate recognizing their achievement. Internews will not pay prize money to the winners.

The deadline for the story submission is 31 July, 2012.

For more details contact: fdallu@internews.org

                                                http://www.internewskenya.org