Just a day after they unveiled their revised national budget, comes news that Norway’s government ministers have overspent their own budget and needed more than NOK 7 million in extra funding.

Pay hikes, consultants’ fees and severance pay associated with the departures of two cabinet ministers contributed to a 16 percent increase in costs of the left-centre coalition government led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of the Labour Party.

Figures released Thursday show that it will cost NOK 135 million (about USD 27 million) to run Stoltenberg’s office and those of his government ministers this year.

In addition to higher payroll costs, Stoltenberg’s government has drummed up higher travel costs and faces higher costs for heightened security measures.

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API – SOURCE.AFTENPOSTENENG

Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke

We could not agree less with Okemo. The Grand Coalition is not even 3 months old into a five year term period and they are already campaigning for 2012 presidency! Some are already fronting the VP to take over from Kibaki. What a shame on Kenyan leaders to start an early campaign when IDPs are suffering. They seem to think of positions only instead of serving the people and having the IDPs get settled. (API)

Coalition faces collapse, says ODM lawmaker

Story by MICHAEL OONGO and OUMA WANZALA

An ODM MP Sunday predicted the collapse of the grand coalition Government before the end of its term.

Nambale MP, Chris Okemo, claimed there was a lot of mistrust and bickering among key coalition Government leaders, owing to their deep political differences, thus threatening the survival of the system

�I don�t see this Government finishing its term because the key players cannot work together for long owing to their different approaches to various issues� affecting this country,� said the MP.

He said he had talked to a number of Cabinet ministers from both sides, who indicated that they were currently working together merely for the sake of peace to prevail in the country but would take their different stands later.

Still unresolved

Noting that he had earlier predicted the collapse of the previous Narc government over the same problems, Mr Okemo added that most of the issues which divided the Narc leaders were still unresolved.

He, however, appealed to his constituents to support the grand coalition Government to foster peace, adding that the country could only realise meaningful development under a peaceful atmosphere

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API.

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Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

Bush calls on Egypt to lead political reforms in the Middle East

United States president George W. Bush said that the US has realized the magnitude of the challenges facing the Middle East, calling on Egypt to lead the political reforms, as well as expressing his belief that the region is able to achieve a good future.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum “Davos” being held at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday, Bush said; “to achieve progress in the Middle East requires economic reforms accompanied at the same time with political reforms”.

He called on countries in the region to benefit from free trade and remove barriers and restrictions to trade with each other, pointing out that the US will continue to negotiate with states in the region to conclude free trade agreements bilaterally with them.

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API

Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

Somali Islamist rebels seize three towns within as many days

Islamist insurgents on Sunday overpowered government troops in Kamsuma, 430km south of the capital, with less resistance after the troops ran away soon after they received reports that Islamist rebels were going to Kamsuma on Sunday, residents told APA.

Kamsuma, is the provincial capital of Lower Jubba, was managed by clan militias backed by the government soldiers but who were said to have swiftly ran away before the Islamist reached in the town.

“The troops ran away without taking part in any fighting. We heard some exchange of fire but it looked like a signal to drive the soldiers out of the capital and the Islamists later poured into the town from the outskirts,” said Ibrahim Dheere, one of the local elders in Kamsuma, who spoke to APA by telephone.

Officials of the Islamist, who led the insurgents to capture the town, gave a speech to the people who gathered in a clearing in the town.

“Today is an important day for us because we chased the group who are obeying the infidel Ethiopians and the puppet TFG. Our aim is to manage the town with Islamic law and to give you security. I am calling on you to support the Islamists and to attack the Ethiopians and their puppets,” Sheikh Ishaak Abu-Muslim, commander of the group that captured the town reportedly told the people.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Islamist insurgents overran the important town of Jillib in Jubba region, 40km south of Mogadishu. They killed three clan militias and took control of the place and reports say that the town is still under their control.

Two days before, Islamist insurgents also captured Dinsor, about 60 km north of Baidoa, the base of the Somali parliament which almost all the government members parliament are based.

Somalia had been plunged into anarchy after the overthrow of Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, when warlords used their clan based militias to fight each other for power, leading to constant inter-clan war and the death of thousands of, people and the displacement of millions.

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African Press International – api

Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

African squads hire new coaches ahead of CAN-World Cup qualifiers

People have been witnessing changes at the heads of African soccer squads ahead of the combined qualifiers for 2010 African Cup of Nations (CAN) and World Cup to be kicked off in two weeks.

At least ten squads have changed their coaches for various reasons since the end of the February 2008 African Cup of Nations.

Some great soccer squads that kept turning over their rout in Ghana, such as Nigeria, Cote d�Ivoire, Morocco and Mali, have sacked their coaches.

South Africa was coerced to dispense with Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira�s services for family reasons to be replaced by one of his compatriots Joel Santana, who was leading so far Carioca of Flamengo.

The motion in the benches was expected to gain momentum in the upcoming days, as at less six teams are looking for coaches.

After the resignation of German Rinhard Fabish, Benin seeks a new coach as well as Tunisia which parted with Frenchman Roger Lemerre who shifted to Morocco.

Togo eyes for the services of Frenchman Henri Stambouli while Rwanda negotiates with French-Polish Henry Kasperczak. In Ghana, Frenchman Claude Le Roy turned out a two-year extension of his contract whereas Frenchman Alina Giresse resigned last Sunday from the Gabonese team�s head.

The former French team�s midfielder is victim of the elimination by Cameroon in the qualifiers for the African Championship of Nations (CHAN), a competition reserved to African local players.

Following its surprising victory to Cameroon by 1-2, Gabon was defeated at home on Saturday by the Indomitable Lions (0-2), a defeat that angered Gabonese soccer fans.

Here are the countries that hired new coaches:

Zambia: Herv� Renard (France)

Burkina: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)

Liberia: Antoine “Tony” Hey (Germany)

Morocco: Roger Lemerre (France)

Cote d�Ivoire: Vahid Halilhodzic (Bosnia-Herzegovina)

Nigeria: James Peter (Nigeria)

Mauritania: Alain Moizan (France)

Mali: Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)

South Africa: Joel Santana (Brazil)

DR Congo: Patrice Neveu (France)

Congo : Ivica Todorov (France-Bulgaria)

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API

Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke

I am the PM, see what I got here, Raila seems to be saying!

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PM alleges new plot

By Standard TeamThe lid has finally been blown off the pressure cooker that is the Grand Coalition Government, with the crisis � which the top political leadership has stridently denied in the past weeks � boiling over.

There was also a flurry of contradictions and doublespeak as leaders appeared to change positions on the thorny issue of amnesty for post-election violence suspects, the Grand Opposition and the Kibaki succession.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga fired the first salvo with claims of dishonesty in the coalition and alleged a conspiracy by a section of its leadership to make it unworkable.

The PM further stoked the embers of controversy and appeared to accentuate the divide in Government over what to do with those arrested for allegedly perpetrating violence during the post-election crisis by referring to the suspects as “those who fought for democracy”.

Clear signs of a party torn down the middle were also evident in President Kibaki�s PNU as the Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, appeared to close ranks over the Kibaki succession debate describing it as “premature and irrelevant”.

With this pronouncement, the two broke ranks with at least half a dozen Kibaki allies, notably Ms Martha Karua (Justice) and Mr Kiraitu Murungi (Energy), who appeared to up the ante on the post-Kibaki era by beginning to rally PNU behind Kalonzo four years ahead of 2012.

Irrelevant talk

“You know that I�m not a dishonest person and I speak out what is in my heart. There are people in the Grand Coalition Government who are not open,” Raila, who was speaking at Nandi Hills, where he joined Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, and Sports minister, Prof Hellen Sambili, at ODM chairman Mr Henry Kosgey�s homecoming party, said.

The PM did not name names, but claimed the individuals behind the conspiracy were hell-bent on wrecking the coalition.

Addressing the gathering at Nandi Hills Stadium, Raila told supporters that the coalition was just a stopover before the party makes another stab at the presidency in the next General Election.

The crowd waved at Raila and responded with chants of “President! Our President!” each time speakers referred to him as Prime Minister.

Separately, Kalonzo and Uhuru sought to stem the growing succession clamour, saying it was misplaced and untimely.

“The debate is irrelevant at the moment. We are underrating the intelligence of Kenyans. We cannot afford to occupy ourselves with talk of who will be the next President when thousands of Kenyans are refugees in their own country,” said Kalonzo.

Worshippers greet Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Dandora, Nairobi, on Sunday. Picture by Collins Kweyu

Speaking yon Sunday at Ekerenyo IDP camp, Nyamira District, while on his way to a burial in Omonono village in the same district, Kalonzo said: “The Prime Minister and I have a duty to help the President in service delivery to Kenyans who voted us into office.”

And in Nairobi, Uhuru termed the succession debate irrelevant and said it was wrong for leaders to start rallying Kenyans behind some leaders as potential Kibaki successors even before wounds inflicted following the last elections had healed.

“We are yet to sort out the issues that caused bloodshed among Kenyans and yet some people are busy drumming up support for some leaders. That is wrong and unacceptable,” Uhuru, who was speaking at a campaign rally for PNU�s Mr Ferdinand Waititu in Embakasi constituency, stated.

He urged the media to “kill” the early 2012 campaigns debate by giving it a blackout.

Amnesty for democrats

But the question of suspects being held in police custody for alleged post-election violence still divided the coalition down the middle � and could get worse.

Previously guarded on the issue of hundreds of youths arrested over links with the violence that left at least 1,000 people dead, hundreds maimed, property worth millions of shillings destroyed and close to half a million people homeless, Raila spoke candidly of his bitterness earlier in Kisumu and again in Nandi Hills.

“The youths should be given amnesty. They fought for democracy after the disputed presidential poll. They should be set free,” Raila said after visiting Butere DC, Mr Samuel Njora, who is undergoing treatment at Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu, following a road accident.

It was the first time the PM closed ranks with Mr William Ruto, the Eldoret North MP and Agriculture minister, over the matter after weeks of apparent dilemma.

This could further drive a wedge in the coalition. Both Kalonzo and Karua have rejected ODM�s call for amnesty for post-election violence suspects.

In Nandi, Raila repeated his stand on the suspects stating: “These youth have been arrested in the ODM strongholds of Mathare, Kibera, parts of Rift Valley and Nyanza. I have already met President Kibaki and Internal Security minister, Prof George Saitoti, over the issue, but the youths are still being held in cells.”

On his part, Kosgey said: “We mean well and we support the Government, but we need our rights. The Government should stop selective justice.”

MPs, Mr David Koech, Sambili, Ms Lorna Laboso, Prof Ayiecho Olweny, Mr Franklin Bett and Mr Jackson Kiptanui, were at the ceremony.

Raila gave Ruto�s apology, saying the MP was attending Assistant minister, Mr Omingo Magara�s homecoming party in Kisii. The MP arrived later at the function.

The fragile nature of the coalition also played out, with ODM saying it might seek disengagement if some people made it impossible to work.

On Sunday, in his address, Mudavadi said it was ODM�s position that if it became impossible for the party to stay in the coalition, it would move out.

“If ODM is dissatisfied with the Grand Coalition Government, we can make a policy decision as a party and declare that we are moving out of the Government,” he said.

Speaking separately, Nambale MP, Mr Chris Okemo, warned that the grand coalition may not last to 2012, saying there was mistrust among MPs and ministers of the two sides. He also said the spirit of unity exhibited by President Kibaki and Raila was not being felt at the grassroots, further threatening the future of the coalition.

Speaking at Kisoko Primary School in his Nambale constituency during a meet-the-people tour, Okemo said: “The Coalition Government is too fragile because of the big divisions between the two parties (ODM and PNU). It is only at the top that we see a sign of unity, but in real sense there is no genuine unity.”

Internally, ODM also sought to consolidate itself by calling for unity within its ranks, with Raila telling supporters: “ODM will be there even after Raila and Kosgey. That is why those who are looking at the future should support the party.”

He was making the appeal even as 12 MPs behind the push for Grand Opposition kicked off countrywide campaigns to seek support from the people.

The MPs, who included Mr Ababu Namwamba, Mr Lang�at Magerer, Dr Julius Kones, Mr Charles Kilonzo, Mr Fred Kapondi, Mr Isaac Ruto, Mr Lucas Kigen, Mr Kiema Kilonzo, Mr Mithika Linturi and Mr Charles Keter, were speaking in Kericho during a fundraiser at Meswondo Secondary School at the weekend.

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API

Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke

By Lucianne Limo And Brian Adero

Virgin Atlantic has rolled out a Sh30 million advertising campaign to woo UK tourists back to Kenya.

The drive, which begins today, will be used as an initiative to get tourists back to Kenya, and focuses on the migration of the wildebeest.

Virgin Atlantic president, Sir Richard Branson, gave Kenya a clean bill of health and vowed to help the country get back on track and increase tourist numbers.

“Kenya is a fantastic and safe place to come. We need to get tourism back on track,” he said.

The campaign will appear on London�s underground mainline railway, as well as the national Press.

Branson made the announcement at Sarova Mara Game Camp at the Maasai Mara on Saturday.

Tourism minister, Mr Najib Balala, has said Branson�s tour was a clear indication that Kenya was back on the recovery path.

Branson regretted that post-election violence was a major setback to tourism, especially the airline industry.

“The violence was disastrous to the airlines, hotels and to the people of Kenya. Virgin was also affected, but we decided to be faithful to Kenya and not switch to other routes,” he said.

Branson, however, warned that the airline would pull out of the Kenyan route should violence erupt again.

“If politicians mess the country again, we will not stick here. We will move out,” he said.

According to Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), tourism earned Sh8 billion between January and April, way below the expected Sh21 billion.

KTB Chairman, Mr Jakes Grieves Cook, expressed optimism that the tourist arrivals would improve.

Virgin Atlantic is one of the world�s leading long-haul airlines and flies daily to Nairobi. It flies to 30 destinations worldwide from its headquarters at London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

The aviation industry will get a boost as Branson re-launches the Nairobi-London route with the introduction of another aircraft, which will also mark the airline�s first anniversary.

A delighted Kenya Tourist Board Managing Director, Dr Achieng Ong�ong�a, said Branson�s visit was a blessing.

“He came at a time we really needed someone of his stature to send a message to the world that Kenya is back to normal,” Ong�ong�a said.

On Saturday, Branson opened two dormitories at Sekenani Primary School, a co-ed institution at the Maasai Mara, built by the airline at a cost of Sh8 million.

The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Card volunteers collectively contributed �30,000 from sponsorship and donations to the project.

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API

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT MWAI KIBAKI DURING THE AWARD OF CHARTER TO KABARAK UNIVERSITY, 16th MAY, 2008

Your Excellency, Daniel Arap Moi, former President and Chancellor of Kabarak University,

Members of the Kabarak University Community,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to join the Kabarak University community on this auspicious occasion of the award of a charter to Kabarak University. This institution began very humbly as a secondary school that soon became well-known throughout the country as one of the leading performers in national examinations.

This tradition of excellence has been maintained following the transformation of the then Kabarak High School to Kabarak University. I take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have contributed to the remarkable growth of Kabarak into a full-fledged university. In particular, I wish to express my special appreciation to the Chancellor, His Excellency Daniel Arap Moi for the initiative of starting this University and for donating the land in which it is built.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The growth of university education in our country is a key pillar to our development. In today’s knowledge driven global economy, Universities hold the key to the competitiveness of national economies. In order for our country to remain globally competitive, it is incumbent upon the universities to continually re-orient their programmes to reflect modern trends towards knowledge-based economies and to aggressively foster creativity and innovation.

In particular, the universities must ensure that their education and training programmes reflect our national development needs. In addition, our university education and training must be of high quality, demand-driven and globally marketable. These challenges dictate the agenda before our universities as we endeavour to realize our national development goals and to remain competitive within the context of the global economy.

As Kabarak now enters the community of accredited universities, therefore, let me emphasize that the award of a Charter is a major milestone in a long journey. Towards this end, I am encouraged to note that the work of updating and expanding the range of academic programmes has already begun. I am also happy to see that plans are underway to expand physical facilities to cater for the expanding student population. I am confident that the future of Kabarak University is bright and that you will face up to the challenges of a growing community with the same boldness that you initiated the University. I encourage the Kabarak University community, the Commission for Higher Education and all other stakeholders to continue working together in order to effectively handle the challenges ahead.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In appreciation of the importance of knowledge to the growth of our economy, my Government has taken bold steps to streamline the education sector. In this regard, we have paid particular attention to expanding access to education at all levels. Today, we are offering free primary education and have launched the first phase of free secondary education. We are also providing targeted support to vulnerable groups such as learners with special needs as well as regions that have lagged behind in education. These initiatives have enabled more young Kenyans to access education. However, the rapid growth in enrolment at primary school level has exerted pressure on the facilities at the secondary and tertiary levels. Moreover, the provision of free secondary education is expected to further increase demand for University education.

Indeed, the number of students seeking university education has steadily increased every year, and it is no longer realistic to expect the government to adequately fund university education. In view of this situation, my Government has initiated measures to ensure those who qualify to pursue for university education are not denied this lifetime opportunity.

Towards this end, we are implementing the recommendations of the Public Universities Inspection Board, including the upgrading of middle level colleges to constituent colleges and campuses of public universities. My Government is also supporting the development of Open and Distance Learning, including the establishment of an Open University. In addition to these measures, my Government is encouraging initiatives by private sector providers of higher education. To support private investors in the sub-sector, my Government has already come up with a package of incentives. In last year’s budget speech, for example, we proposed that expenditure on social infrastructure such as public schools be income tax deductible. I urge private investors to take full advantage of this and other incentives to expand existing institutions and develop new ones.

In addition, there is need to equip our youth with knowledge and skills needed for global competitiveness, by re-orienting our education system to the needs of the labour market. For instance, in order to attain the goal of transforming our country into an industrialized status, we must strengthen the teaching of science, mathematics and technology. For this reason, my Government has already stepped up measures to promote these courses in our education system. As part of these measures, for example, we are now providing in-service training for more than 20,000 mathematics and science teachers in our secondary schools each year.

Indeed, in order for us to achieve our goals under VISION TWENTY THIRTY, we must ensure that science and technology are given high priority. Towards this end, my Government is developing a science, technology and innovation policy aimed at increasing investments in research, science and technology. Furthermore, the newly created Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology will be making annual financial allocations towards the creation of an endowment fund to support research in our Universities.

I appeal to local universities to give priority to topics of relevance to our national needs, to pay attention to science and technology and to focus on producing graduates capable of competing in the global market place.

I wish to commend those institutions of higher learning that have collaborated with the private sector and introduced programmes that are ‘tailor made’ for the local and international market. This has greatly deepened the relevance of our education. I would like to see more such partnerships that will produce graduates who are ready made for the local market and easily fit into the international human resource market.

In conclusion, I once again thank all those who have made contributions towards the growth of Kabarak to a fully-fledged university. I also thank the university management for the immense contribution this institution continues to make in our education sector.

With these remarks, it is now my pleasure to welcome the University into the family of accredited institutions and to wish the entire Kabarak University community a prosperous future.

Thank you and God bless you

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Publisher; Korir, africanpress@getmail.no African Press International – api