Blogs & Opinion

Treasury, authority approved Sh6bn fertiliser contract

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Principal Secretary Sicily Kariuki. PHOTO/FILE. 

In Summary

• “We did consult the Treasury, the Public Procurement Oversight Authority on the legality and the value for this,” said Ms Kariuki told MPs Thursday.
• Mr Mohammed said it is not unusual to enter into long-term contracts as long as certain aspects are not locked in, which would be detrimental to the government’s interests.  
• She said they had computed and found that it would take between four to seven months to complete the procurement so they figured it would be best to have certainty on when the fertiliser would be delivered.

By NATION REPORTER
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The Treasury and the procurement oversight authority approved a contract that tied the Agriculture ministry to a three-year deal for the supply of fertiliser worth Sh6 billion.

Acting Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed and Principal Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the ministry also found it easier to have the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) provide insurance of the fertiliser while in transit.

Woody Allen on marriage: 'I was paternal - it worked '

US film director Woody Allen poses during a photocall for the French Premiere screening of Blue Jasmine, his latest movie, on August 27, 2013 in Paris. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• The couple separated when Farrow found out about his affair with Soon-Yi, whom she adopted with ex-husband, the conductor Andre Previn. Allen married Soon-Yi in 1997.
• The famed director also looked back on his life, calling himself "lazy and an imperfectionist."

By AFP
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Acclaimed American film director Woody Allen has given a rare interview and made even rarer remarks about his controversial marriage to the adopted daughter of his former girlfriend.

"I'm 35 years older and somehow, through no fault of mine or hers, the dynamic worked," he told National Public Radio of his wife Soon-Yi, calling him "paternal" in their relationship.

"I started the relationship with her and I thought it would just be a fling," he said.

Japanese firm to mature whisky in space

Seiichi Koshimizu (L), chief blender of Japanese drinks giant Suntory, tastes a 50-year-old single malt whisky as then vice president Shingo Torii (R) displays its bottle at a Tokyo hotel on May 11, 2005. PHOTO| AFP  

In Summary

• Once they are returned to Earth, blenders will assess their flavours while researchers subject the liquids to scientific analysis, the company said.
• "For the moment, we're not thinking about applying the study results to commercial products," a Suntory spokeswoman told AFP.

By AFP
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Japanese whisky will be sent into space next month to test how time in a zero-gravity environment affects its flavour, one of the country's biggest drinks makers said Friday.

Samples of whisky produced by Suntory will be stored in the Japanese laboratory facility of the International Space Station for at least a year, with some flasks staying longer.

Athi River mining takes hit from weak shilling

Pradeep Paunrana, Athi River Mining Cement CEO. Athi River Mining has posted a loss following sharp depreciation of the Kenyan and Tanzania currencies. FILE PHOTO.  Photo/FILE/NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Financing costs related to the construction of a clinker plant in Tanga, Tanzania stood at Sh627 million and contributed significantly to the loss.
• The cement maker made a loss of Sh355 million in the first half of 2015 compared to Sh847 million in net profit last year but its revenues increased marginally from Sh7.69 billion from Sh7.57 billion.

By JOSHUA MASINDE
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Athi River Mining has posted a loss following sharp depreciation of the Kenyan and Tanzania currencies, pushing up the cost of dollar denominated borrowings.

The cement maker made a loss of Sh355 million in the first half of 2015 compared to Sh847 million in net profit last year but its revenues increased marginally from Sh7.69 billion from Sh7.57 billion.

“The sharp depreciation of both the Kenyan and Tanzanian currencies in the last few weeks has resulted in an unrealised exchange loss of Sh1.4 billion from our US dollar denominated borrowings,” management said in a statement.

Six Kenyan start-ups on list of Africa finalists

Gabriel Negatu (left), the director of the East Africa Regional Resource Centre, and Harry Hare, the executive producer of DEMO Africa, at an event bringing together Demo Africa start-ups and investors. FILE PHOTO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The start-ups covered various categories, with the most innovations falling within finance and banking. Other popular categories include education, transport and logistics, retail, communication and media.
• Kenya is second in the number of representatives while last year’s giant, Nigeria, tops the list again with eight representatives.

By LILIAN OCHIENG
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Six technology start-ups have been shortlisted from hundreds of promising technology brains in Africa to represent Kenya in this year’s Demo Africa in Lagos, Nigeria.

The start-ups are among thirty technology firms from across Africa that will pitch at the 2015 edition of the Demo Africa event.

“We are excited at the opportunities that technology has presented to our African youths in creating jobs and wealth. This is a great moment in the history of Africa, steadily rising to establish its digital footprint in the world. Congratulations to the finalists,” said Peter Jack, the director-general of the Nigeria National Information Technology Development Agency.

Woman held in Mombasa over Al-Shabaab recruitment

Ms Hussein Sara Hassan in a Mombasa court. She is accused of recruiting five youth to join Al-Shabaab. PHOTO | lABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• According to an affidavit filed in court, the suspects were arrested on July 30, at Bondeni in Mombasa County.
• However, the suspects opposed the application to have them remanded claiming they are innocent.

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By BRIAN OCHARO
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Police in Mombasa have been allowed to hold a woman accused of recruiting five youth to join the Al-Shaabab militant group pending investigations.

Mombasa Senior Principle Magistrate Richard Odenyo on Friday allowed the application by investigating officer in the case Mr Charles Mwai to have Ms Hassan Sarah Hussein and the five recruits remanded at Port Police Station for seven days.