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Kenyan economy on steady growth as world GDP decelerates

By
Baraka FM Team
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Nairobi,KENYA:Kenya’s economy has reported a 5.8 per cent growth in 2016 as compared to a revised growth of 5.7 per cent in 2015.

This is according to the Economic Survey Report whose results were released on Wednesday.

Zachary Mwangi the Director General  of Kenya National Bureau of Statistics KNBS attributed the growth to ICT, real estate, transport among other sectors.

“Persistent drought hampered growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 impacting negatively on agriculture and electricity supply. Growth in construction, mining and quarrying, financial and insurance activities decelerated in 2016. From the demand side, growth was buoyed by consumption in both the public and private sector, “Mr. Mwangi said.

Annual average inflation decreased to 6.3 per cent from of 6.6 per cent recorded in 2015.

“This can be attributed to a decline in prices of transportation, housing and utilities, and communication, “Mr. Mwangi noted.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Festus Mwangi Kiunjuri confirmed that the government had created over 832,000 jobs of which 85,600 were from the modern sector and 747,300 emanating from the informal sector.

The KNBS Director General added that the agricultural sector recorded a growth of  4 per cent in 2016 as compared to 5.5 per cent in 2015.

“The manufacturing sector recorded a growth of 3.5 per cent. The Export Processing Zones EPZ experienced growth in most of its performance indicators. Sales from the enterprises increased by 5.8 per cent to Ksh. 68.7 billion in 2016,” he continued.

According to the Economic Survey the construction industry grew by 9.2 per cent in 2016 while Financial and Insurance Activities recorded a deceleration from 9.4 per cent in 2015 to 6.9 per cent in 2016.

The survey revealed that the tourism industry is recovering from the yesteryear shocks of insecurity.

“Growth was mainly supported by increased international visitor arrivals from 1.2 million in 2015 to 1.3 million in 2016,” the report said.

World Bank’s Outlook

According to the World Bank Kenya’s GDP growth was projected to decelerate to 5.5%, a 0.5 percentage point mark down from the 2016 forecast.

“Consistent with its robust performance in recent years, once again economic growth in Kenya was solid in 2016.This has been supported by a stable macroeconomic environment, low oil prices, earlier favourable harvest, rebound in tourism, strong remittance inflows, and an ambitious public investment drive,” said Diarietou Gaye, World Bank Country Director for Kenya in a statement.

Mr. Gaye added that the ongoing drought which has led to crop failure, dying herds of livestock, and increased food insecurity was likely to dampen GDP growth in 2017.

World economy

According to KNBS to the world’s real Gross Domestic Product decelerated to 2.9 per cent in 2016 from a revised growth of 3.1 per cent in 2015.

“This slower growth was occasioned by constrained global trade, subdued investment, heightened policy uncertainty associated with Brexit and the US elections,” KNBS Director General explained.

He added that the real economic growth in Sub Saharan Africa slowed from a revised growth of 3.4 per cent in 2015 to 1.6 per cent in 2016.

“This was attributed to lower commodity prices for metal exporting countries and domestic shocks from a generally less supportive global economic environment. Noted also was an accelerated growth of 6.1 per cent growth in the East Africa Community that was fuelled by public infrastructure investment and low oil prices, ” Mr. Mwangi concluded.

Jubilee splits primaries into a two day  affair due to demands

By
Christopher Nyamuta
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Nairobi,KENYA:Jubilee party has split its party nominations scheduled for the end of the month into a two day affair due to demands  that arose from the increase  in the  number of counties where the exercise will be undertaken.

In a media briefing in Nairobi  the national election board chair Andrew Musangi said that  the decision was reached at after the counties where initial party primaries were to be conducted increased from 33 to 45.

He said that the primaries in 22 counties  will be conducted on the 21st of April while  the supplementary session of 23 counties will be conducted on 25th .

Counties from the coast whose primaries are scheduled on 21st include Taita Taveta while in Lamu,Kilifi  ,Tana River ,Mombasa and Kwale counties  the exercise would be conducted on 25th of April.

Kisumu and Siaya counties have been excluded from the party primaries after it emerged that candidates in those counties do not have competitors .

The party warned the candidates to avoid  acts of violence adding that those who will be culpable of such acts would face the full force of the law

“Aspirants are reminded that acts of violence before ,during and after the primaries will lead to automatic disqualification .Our disciplinary committee has commenced sittings today on reported acts of thuggery we await their verdicts.”Musangi said.

He added that the announcement of the results will be done at the polling station ,county level and at the party headquarters in Nairobi in order to enhance efficiency and accountability.

Mwanengo and Taru win wiper party primaries in Kilifi county

By
David Ngumbao
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Wiper gubernatorial aspirant in Kilifi county Gabriel Katana PHOTO COURTESY

Kilifi,KENYA:Alphonce Taru and Shaban Mwanengo won the wiper nominations to fly the flag for Mnarani and Sokoni wards  respectively in Kilifi county.

Taru won with 476 votes beating his rival Anthony Kazungu with almost half of his total votes (289) and Mwache Roze who got 195 votes.

Shaban Mwanengo defeated Christine Akinyi and Omar Mbaruk in the Sokoni ward member of county assembly aspirants’ primaries that encountered irregularities as names of members could not be found in the party’s register.

Speaking to the media in Juwaba after the announcement of the winners for the two wards, Kilifi County wiper party Coordinator Saida Famau said the nominations faced irregularities which which were resolved in the end.

She said the irregularities came about due to missing of names from the register and the use of membership cards.

“We experienced some irregularities in process but later on we managed to resolve that we have now have our flag bearers,” said Famau.

Mnarani ward nominations’ returning officer Evans Osiri said the competition was tough but due to the confusiuon on the names of voters which were missing.

“Many people could not vote as their names could not be found in the register,” said Osiri.

“The problem was not with us but I think on the side of the national party’s office as the registers came from them. We had hard time to settle things down but in the end all went as planned,” added Osiri.

Mwanengo and Taru will join the gubernatorial aspirant former lecturer,  Gabriel Katana and  the senatorial aspirant Charles Chigiri both who received direct nominations  to fly the Wiper flag in Kilifi county on the August 8th general elections

This comes as Orange Democratic Movement primaries were postponed to Saturday.

 

How to cook fried rice and peas

By
Baraka FM Team
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The Fried rice when cooked PHOTO COURTESY
Ingredients
½ kg cooked plain rice or leftover
1 carrot diced
½ cup boiled green peas
2 fried eggs nicely chopped
Soy sauce (opt)
Procedure
  1. Put oil in your cooking pan and on medium heat, fry in your carrots for 2 mins.
  2. Then, add the green peas and stir for another 2 mins.
  3. Add in the already cooked plain rice and mix until well combined.
  4. Then add the chopped fried eggs and mix well.
  5. If you want the rice to be colourful you can add ½ tsp of soy sauce and stir until the sauce dries out.
  6. Serve hot with fried chicken.     

Kisilu and Zam Zam to fly the wiper flag in Mombasa

By
Baraka FM Team
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Zam Zam and kisilu PHOTO COURTESY

Mombasa,KENYA:Accountant Lawrence Kisilu and Zam Zam Mohamed are set to join the wiper secretary general who is also  senator for Mombasa county Hassan Omar Sarai to fly the wiper flag in Mombasa in the August 8  general elections.

The tallying exercise which took place at the Star of the Sea  high school hall saw Lawrence Kisilu  clinch the Mombasa county wiper senatorial ticket  beating his close opponent Jabess Oduor  who is the Kongowea ward representative with less than 1,000 votes.Lawrence managed to get 4, 072 votes while Jabess got 3, 409 votes.The Kongowea MCA was arrested and charged at the Mombasa law courts on allegations of trying to cause chaos.

On the other hand Zamzam Mohamed will fly the Women representative wiper flag after garnering  5, 750 edging out her closest opponent  Afiya Rama who is the current chair-lady for Maendeleo ya wanawake in Mombasa County  who got  2, 210 votes

“I want to thank all those who voted for me and I want to urge my friend Afiya to accept the defeat and work with me.”said  Zamzam.

Zam Zam might  be battling for the seat in August with fashion designer Sadaf Deen who is seeking the ODM party ticket and the former women wing chair for the Jubilee party in Mombasa Amina Abdalla who is seeking the seat on a jubilee party ticket and Margaret Ambasa.

Daniel Mwange who is seeking to unseat the Incumbent MP for Changamwe Omar Mwinyi will fly the Changamwe constituency flag after winning the party primaries.

Mombasa senator Hassan Omar Sarai   received a direct nomination  is seeking to unseat the incumbent governor Hassan Joho.

 

Kenyans are good when it comes to ironical democracy

By
Peter Kombe
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An illustration of vote buying by political cartoonist Matador COURTESY

It has come to my notice that Kenyans are the best  ironical democrats that the world has ever had and I personally have some reasons to back my statements.

First and foremost, Kenyans have a tendency of electing leaders who grease their palms.

This is because during the electioneering year, Kenyans try to make ends meet by getting in touch with politicians aspiring to seize political positions with selfish gains.

During this period, a certain group of Kenyans rely on these leaders to fend for their lives and fail to practice the democracy required to propel the country towards prosperity.

Secondly, some Kenyans have a tendency of relying so much on the arguments of politicians during campaign rallies and once again fail to perceive the real meaning of political campaigns.

What these people ought to learn about campaign rallies is that it is only for a little while and people should not concentrate so much in them.

These type of Kenyans should understand the real meaning of a democratic society where everyone is free to share their ideas to everyone regardless the political affiliations.

Thirdly Kenyans should understand that democracy is all about governance and nothing else and that when it comes to politics leaders should fully submit themselves to the common man.

According to the Democratic Index 2016, published by Economist Intelligence Unit in the UK, Norway leads the list of the most democratic countries in the world with a 9.93 per cent,  Iceland ranking second with 9.5 per cent, Sweden third at 9.39 percent and New Zealand ranking forth at 9.26.

There are several parameters that determine the type of democracy in any given country in the world including electoral process and pluralism, functioning of a respective governments, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.

Kenyans ought to learn from the perfect world democracies and not just claim to be democratic without even practicing the real democracy.

We can be the best democratic country in the world only if we put into consideration all the indicators of a perfect democratic country.

Gor Mahia tactician Ze Maria feted as KPL outstanding coach

By
Wyclif Okumu
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Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcelo presented with the KPL best coach of the month for March accolade. Photo/courtesy

Nairobi,KENYA:Kenyan Premier League leaders Gor Mahia FC head coach Jose Marcelo Ze Maria has been feted as the best coach for the month of March.

The former Inter Milan defender saw off competitions in the polls conducted by Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) on Wednesday to take home the monthly accolade which comes with a personalized trophy and Sh. 75,000 reward.

Ze Maria, a Brazilian born tactician, lead Gor Mahia to two wins in as many matches during that period and would then proceed with the impressive run to April where they currently top the table standings on 12 points after five rounds to the season.

This is second time that Ze Maria has bagged the gong after having won it last season in his first campaign in the Kenyan Premier League with the Green Army.

Meanwhile K’ogalo who aims to dethrone Tusker of the title they surrendered last season, could maintain their position at the summit should they get better of the defending champions when they lock horns on Saturday.

Wiper senatorial aspirant charged over nomination chaos in Mombasa

By
Hillary Makokha
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Jabeez Mdhai Odoury at the Mombasa law courts

 Mombasa,KENYA:Kongowea Member of County Assembly Jabeez Mdhai Odoury was on Wednesday charged for allegedly creating disturbance during   the Wiper Democratic Party primaries held in Mombasa county.

He  is alleged to have  disrupted  the voting exercise at Fahari primary school in Kiziwa area in Mombasa in the Tuesday party primaries.

Mr.Jabeez is also accused of obstructing a police officer from executing his duties.

The particulars are that on 18th day of April, 2017 at Fahari primary school in Kiziwi area of  Mombasa, Jabeez willfully he obstructed  Omar Fadhili,a police officer  of No.98059 who at the time of the said obstruction was acting in due execution of his duties.

But he pleaded not guilty to the two charges before Mombasa principal magistrate Henry Nyakweba.

Mr.Nyakweba ordered him released on a bond of Sh.100,000 or cash bail of Sh.50, 000.

The wiper party senatorial seat was won by Laurance Kisilu who got 4, 072 votes followed by Jabeez who managed to get 3,409 votes.

The case will be mentioned on the 8th May 2017.

The case comes two days after the wiper secretary general  Hassan Omar warned aspirants intending to cause chaos at the party primaries  that the full arm of the law would deal with them.

Relief food distributed in Rabai,Kilifi County

By
David Ngumbao
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Kilifi governor Amason Kingi (centre) distributes relief food to one of the residents in Rabai PHOTO COURTESY

Kilifi,KENYA:Rabai constituency in Kilifi County for the first time since independence on  received relief food from the County government of Kilifi on Tuesday.

Residents of the area blamed the national government for overlooking it in terms of hunger saying Rabai has been hit by drought and hunger like any other area in the entire Kilifi County but it has been discriminated.

They hailed the county government for its recognition of the area as among the hunger prone areas and took initiative of taking relief food to them.

“We have been suffering from hunger for the past 50 years since independence and the government has just been looking without any assistance,” said one of the residents requested anonymity during an interview with Baraka fm.

“We are really thankful to the County government for recognizing us and bringing this food,” added the source.

Kilifi governor Amaosn Kingi said the situation in Kilifi has been so tough in terms of hunger and drought that both the national and his county government must intervene.

He said Rabai  is known for its abundance in Coconut products but the long term drought that has affected  productivity of the trees.

“We all know that Rabai is the richest area in Coconut products in Kilifi County and that has been the main source of income to many residents here,” said Kingi.

“But, as you can see now, all coconut trees are falling down due to the drought hitting this area, meaning the residents here have nothing to depend on other than relief food which has been a dream to the people of this area. The area has been sidelined for a long time by the national government and my government has ensured that today the government will taste the relief food” said Kingi.

Among the  food items distributed  were Maize, Beans, Rice and cooking oil and over 1000 families received the relief food.

Madtraxx and DJ styles bereaved after losing sister

By
Nina Njeru
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Madtraxx (L) and his elder brother DJ styles PHOTO COURTESY

Kenyan rapper and DJ Madtraxx and his equally celebrity brother DJ styles are mourning after losing their elder elder sister.

The sister a doctor by profession was found unconscious in her house and rushed to hospital but unfortunately  pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The sister identified as Njeri Mungai was 8 months pregnant and her baby too did not survive.

Njeri who was a medical doctor by profession passed on in her late 30’s

The late Njeri PHOTO COURTESY
The late Njeri PHOTO COURTESY

KMPDU chairman Ouma Olunga mourned Njeri in a post on facebook.

“No Dr Njeri Muigai, you can’t die now. How can you go when we hadn’t even begun working on our plans? Your untimely demise is just very sad news unacceptable to our hearts. Rest with the angels Beautiful. We remain broken.” Wrote Ouma.

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