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Louisa Twum-Baah
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Yatsuhashi pumped up for first taste of Ghana’s Super Clash

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Yatsuhashi pumped up for first taste of Ghana’s Super Clash

Kenichi Yatsuhashi

Accra Hearts of Oak coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi claims Kumasi Asante Kotoko is in crisis but has warned his players that makes them extremely dangerous opponents.

The Japanese will take charge of his first game against Hearts’ biggest rivals on Monday and told 3FM 92.7 that he is excited about the prospect of playing in the game.

Hearts of Oak’s form has been much better than Kotoko’s this season. The Phobians are second in the league standings, one point behind Wa All Stars. Given their struggles this season and the general prediction of doom, the Phobians have exceeded early season expectations.

But Yatsuhashi knows he is a game or two away from a crisis and has watched Kotoko hit the wrong notes throughout the season. The Porcupine Warriors have lost three of their four games on the road and suffered a set back in the last game at home to New Edubiase in Kumasi.

You would think the uncertainty in the camp of the Porcupine Warriors makes this the perfect time to face them but Yatsuhashie does not see it that way.

He said: “In my professional opinion, I think you may agree that Kotoko is in crisis. When a team is in crisis they can go either way. They can keep falling or they will rise for the moment. I think Kotoko will rise for the moment so this will be an extremely difficult match for Hearts of Oak. We could be playing the best Kotoko that anyone has seen this season.”

Yatsuhashi himself will understand how a sense of crisis and chaos can inspire great performancces. When he arrived at Hearts of Oak, there were not many people willing to bet on his tenure as a potential success. He had no previous track record in coaching apart from stints with various American colleges and the feeling was that Hearts of Oak needed something more than that. He has proved that to be wrong so far but even more crucial he says is the fact that he is perpetually on trial.

“I think every moment that my team is on the pitch, I have to prove something to the critics”, he told 3FM 92.7. “The critics have been with me from the first day I arrived in Ghana . I always have to prove myself. I had to prove myself last week in Obuasi and this week I have to prove myself too.”

These days the Hearts fans adore him. When there were suggestions he could be sacked for an explosive facebook post that exposed months of unpaid wages of players, the powerful supporters group Chapter O threatened chaos. The club’s managers backed then. It was something of a moral victory for the Japanese but he is eager to move on from that episode.

Instead, Yatsuhahie talks about the overall strength of his team, the spread of goals in the squad and why he is convinced they will grow from strength to strength. “I am partucularly happy with the strikers because everyone can come in and score. Even Foovi who has not scored this season can come and deliver for us but our strongest department is goalkeeping because we have so many quality names there.”

That said, the Japanese knows a lot of that will come to nothing unless he wins against Kotoko. “Everyone told me since I arrived here that it is the biggest rivalry. I have been told about everyone that it is a really big deal. As players and officials these are the games we live for so we are all excited.”

The fans are excited too. Monday should provide us with a fascinating contest.

By 3news.com|Ghana

Don’t be deceived; form matters in Hearts-Kotoko games

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Don’t be deceived; form matters in Hearts-Kotoko games

Hearts Kotoko

The narrative that Hearts-Kotoko games do not depend on form has been consistent. Often in the build up to games between the two sides, it has been the side reeling from a poor run that has sang that tune the most.

It is no surprise then that, that has been the mantra of most Kotoko fans, officials and ex-players in the build up to their crunch meeting with Hearts of Oak on Monday.

It is easy to see why. This season has been a tale of two completely different fortunes. Hearts have played with verve, energy and belief. Kotoko has stuttered, looked unsure and poor for large parts. They seem to take two steps forward, one back. Their eternal rivals meanwhile seem to waltz through one controversy after the other without ever allowing it to remotely affect them on the field of play.

So last weekend, Hearts went to AshantiGold and won for the first time in nine years. The game was set in the background of reports that Kenichi Yatsuhashi was about to lose his job. He was called childish by the club’s chief executive Vincent Odotei for publicly scolding them over attempting to pay his salary while they owed the players. Kenichi used his post match press conference against WAFA to insist he stood by every word he had posted on facebook. And amidst all the chaos, he still took his side to a venue they normally lose and delivered a masterclass.

That same weekend, Kotoko were in Kumasi with the firm conviction that their season had finally taken off. The Porcupine Warriors had won a first away game of the season away at Dreams FC, their second straight in the league and their third if you add the FA Cup win in Tumu. They had momentum, they had drive but they came crushing against New Edubiase.

The seven-point gap that the contrasting result has created speaks of a gulf in form between the two sides and for Kotoko fans it doesn’t make for great reading.

Hearts have faced and triumphed over adversity this season. They went to Inter Allies and recovered from a 2-0 reverse. They travelled to Tarkwa and beat Medeama when everyone expected them to lose. Wa Al Stars came to Accra and deservedly won. It caused a blip with draws against WAFA and Techiman City suggesting a club that was struggling to hold it’s own together. Then came that blistering win in Obuasi.

When you measure that against Kotoko’s form, there is no denying who goes into Monday’s game with the right kind of momentum.  Kotoko have lost four times this season including three on the road. In a sense, a Kotoko fixture away from home has become bonus for this who bet on games.

Kotoko proved that they can find some form as they did against Dreams FC but that was as much about experience triumphing as anything. The club was reeling from too many punches and like the old experienced boxer, they found the strength to land one deadly knockout.

The small opening that most Kotoko fans have been happy to exploit is this thinking that in games against Wa All Stars and WAFA, Hearts have showed a great deal of vulnerability. That is true but All Stars are the form team of the league and on a good pitch, the WAFA side that beat Kotoko on the opening day can get a result.

If there is anything that this season has showed us, it is that the Hearts of Oak side that escaped relegation narrowly last season is a vastly improved entity. It is also a stronger entity in the mind. And those are the two fronts on which Monday’s fascinatingcontest will be fought.

It will be a game played purely along the lines of form. And granted that may not be enough, this is a Hearts side with mental strength to spare too.

In fact Hearts have both in abundance. Recent history too at least suggest FORM does matter. One of the greatest Hearts of Oak sides we have seen was the one that we nicknamed 64 Infantry Batallion. They were the masters of their craft by a mile. Ishmael Addo, Osei Kuffour, Charles Taylor supported by the Jacob Nettey and Sammy Adjei at the back.  They beat Kotoko 4-0. That was form talking.

On that painful, wrecthed night of May 9 2001, the events on the pitch was form talking too. Is it by coincidence that Kotoko have dominated recent games between the two sides in the last five years in a period when they have also been the best side in Ghana football on account of their three league titles in the league?

The good old, wise voice of football in Ghana, Kwabena Yeboah tells the story of how Hearts struggled against Kotoko between 1980-1985 when the likes of Opoku Nti and Kwasi Appiah had helped make Kotoko a strong unit in Africa. He also tells of how during the era of the Fearsome Fivesome, Hearts bossed those games.

Form has not mattered in Hearts-Kotoko games when the gulf between the two sides has not been anything profound. You could argue the gulf now is nothing profound. And by extension you could argue it will not necessarily play a part on Monday.

But this is still a game between one side that has looked sure, composed, well drilled and won this season against another that has seemed unsure of itself, stutters too often and can’t seem to put a run together. It is also a game between two sides separated by SEVEN points.

Strip away the emotions. Who will you put your money on if there was a jackpot at stake? Logic says Hearts of Oak.

By 3news.com|Ghana

Workers step up campaign against ECG privatisation

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Workers step up campaign against ECG privatisation

ECG campaign

Workers of the Electricity Company of Ghana [ECG] in the Central Region have initiated a new campaign strategy against the move by government to privatised of the company.

The workers on Friday night mounted banners with the message – Leave ECG Alone- MIDA Stop ECG Privatisation – at all the company’s offices in the region; an indication of the workers’ zeal to stop the move which has been widely criticised.

Per the second compact of the Millennium Challenge Account signed by the Government in August 2014, the ECG is set to be leased to a private company for up to 30 years.

Among other things, the move seeks to ensure reliable power supply for domestic and industrial use, improved transparency and independence in the setting of regulated tariffs by the PURC, and improve ECG’s creditworthiness to enable it acquire additional generation capacity from IPPs without, or with limited, recourse to government guarantees.

However, the decision has been widely criticised by many experts and individuals including the workers of the company who are under the Public Utility Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress.

Speaking to TV3 on the latest move by the workers in the Central Region, the Deputy General Secretary of the Public Utility Workers Union, Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi, said has been prompted by the government’s insistence to go ahead with the deal despite the protest.

“It seems all the talking we have done government and MiDA have ignored and we think the time is now for government to understand that the workers are key stakeholders in ECG,” he said.

He said the privatisation of the ECG is not right and would not be in the interest of the country, noting that although the ECG has challenges the best way to handle it is not the trajectory the government is taking.

That, he said, is not only an imposition by the Millennium Development Authority but also an affront to the people of Ghana.

By Kwame Kakraba|3news.com|Ghana

Pres. Mahama addresses Ghanaian workers

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Pres. Mahama addresses Ghanaian workers

Mahama TUC

Thousands of public and private sector workers have gathered across the country to join the world to mark this year’s labour day.

A national event, to be addressed by President John Dramani Mahama is being held at the Jubilee Park in Wa in the Upper West Region where the leadership of organised labour have converged.

Themed “Election 2016: The Role of Workers in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development”, similar events are taking place in the 10 regions across country. And typical of May Day celebrations over the years, the event will see workers voice out their grievances.

Issues of workers remuneration, better conditions of service, unemployment and elections are set to feature prominently as the concerns of workers at this year’s events at the various regions.

President Mahama’s address is expected to applaud the workers for their sacrifices over the years, appreciate their contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

He will also talk about the need to ensure violence-free election, assure the workers of a free and fair elections come November 7 as well as the various interventions and policies being or already put in place to better the welfare of workers.

Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Dr. Yaw Baah told TV3’s Daniel Opoku on News 360Saturday night that the theme was carefully chosen considering the fact that Ghana goes to the polls in November.

He explained the theme is a reminder to the Ghanaian workers of their role in ensuring a violence free election, adding it seeks to sensitise our members to be alert against violence and also to vote and be part of the process.

Dr Baah said all the concerns raised so far on the elections and the Electoral Commission demonstrates how important the election is to the ordinary Ghanaian.

“The concerns, for me, reflect the importance Ghanaians attach to the election,” he said and noted that organised labour is fully satisfied with the EC’s preparation towards the November 7 polls.

He said until last week when they met with officials of the EC, they thought the preparation by the EC was not up to scratch.

“Before we met them, we thought the preparation was inadequate but after our meeting with the chairman of the EC and the Deputy we are satisfied that we are going to have peaceful elections,” he said.

Labour and Employment Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, described the theme for the celebration as apt, noting that the conduct of election is a shared and collective responsibility.

By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana

Dilapidated classroom block given facelift by Airtel Ghana

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school building

Dubila Primary School in the Bolgatanga East constituency in the Upper East Region which used to be a death trap has been reconstructed into a modern school infrastructure.

The school was also provided with school uniforms and bags, furniture, and mathematical sets among others.

The gesture was made possible through the influence of the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East constituency and Deputy Attorney General, Dominic Ayine who wrote to season three of Airtel Touching Lives TV series for assistance.

The mud school building which was near collapse was therefore pulled down and replaced with the new structure. Hitherto, academic work at the school was seriously affected as both pupils and teachers were discouraged from attending school for fear of their lives.

At a ceremony to hand over the facility to the community, the Legal and Corporate Affairs Director of Airtel Ghana, Hannah Agbozo said education is a cardinal pillar in Airtel corporate social responsibility strategy.

She noted that life touched through education will leave a long lasting impact from the individual level through families and communities to the national level.

She therefore, urged pupils and the entire community of Dubila to cultivate the habit of maintaining the infrastructure for generation yet unborn to also benefit from it.

The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr. Dominic Ayine was grateful to Airtel Ghana for the support.

He remarked that government alone cannot meet the needs of every constituency even though several projects including school blocks, CHPS compounds, feeder roads and others have been provided in the constituency.

The headteacher of the school, Daniel Aniah Asembono, expressing his gratitude for the project was confident it will increase school enrollment.

The school was also provided with a water reservoir.

 

Story by Tanko Mohammed Rabiu | tv3network.com

Ghanaians should brace up for more tribal politics – Dr. Jinapor

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tribal politics

A political analyst, Dr. Abu Jinapor says Ghanaians should brace themselves up for more tribal politics during the elections campaign period.

According to him, issues of tribalism will dominate the political landscape if the citizenry is not economically empowered.

Speaking on the Saturday edition of TV3 and 3FM’s New Day programme, Dr. Jinapor maintained that some people vote along tribal lines rather than on issues.

He said the role of tribalism still holds a place in Ghana’s politics.

He made reference to recent comments by former Transport Minister Dzifa Attivor supposedly pitching the Ewes against the NPP, which have been condemned by many.

“Dzifa Attivor’s statement was not good and it’s something that must be condemned. And I am not surprised because, we are going to hear more of those. You remember Osafo Marfo’s issue? It will not only be on political platforms but even academia. Even though we inter marry, these issues will continue until we have an economic empowerment’’.

He also added that, “The reality on the ground is that people vote on issues and competence…I do not subscribe to tribalism.”

 

Story by Sarah Apenkroh | 3FM | tv3network.com

Our priority is to restore common sense – Mrs. Rawlings

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Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

The founder of the National Democratic Party, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings says her party’s priority if voted into power would be to place people over politics.

The former first lady was speaking after she was re-elected unopposed at the NDP Congress which took place at the Trade Fair Center in Accra on Saturday April 30.

The Congress saw the former first lady’s two daughters Amina and Yaa Asantewaa as well as former President Jerry Rawlings making an appearance to support Mrs. Rawlings.

During her acceptance speech, Mrs. Rawlings urged Ghanaians and party members to return Ghana to the principles it was built on by voting for the NDP in the upcoming elections.

“Our priority is choosing people over politics and that is what our party stands for and that is what I stand for.

“People over politics mean restoring our common sense, peaceful progress and improvement in our lives.

“Our greatest resource is the people of Ghana because they are the future of the nation.

“The diverse nature of our party welcomes all ethnic groups because we believe that we should all be together to be able to fight this battle.

“The NDP is an all inclusive party and understands that everyone has the right to help in the development of Ghana

“Ghana is a great and progressively wealthy country and yet the people are not seeing it as it should have been.

“I would urge you to please return Ghana to the principles upon which it was built.”
Story by Nana Afrane Asante | tv3network.com

‘Welcome to the race’ – Akufo-Addo tells Mrs Rawlings

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‘Welcome to the race’ – Akufo-Addo tells Mrs Rawlings
Nana Akufo-Addo is leading the NPP for the third consecutive time
Nana Akufo-Addo is leading the NPP for the third consecutive time

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party has congratulated former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings on her election to lead the National Democratic Party in the November elections.

He expressed optimism that Mrs Rawlings’ experience in politics would help shape the political discourse hinged on policies and ideas as against one characterised by attrition and personal attacks.

“Her wealth of experience in Ghanaian politics should put her in good stead to help steer and shape the nature of our political discourse from one of attrition, personality attacks and negative preoccupations to an issues-based campaign, hinged on the competition of policies and ideas. That is how the public interest of our nation can be best served,” he said in a statement.

Mrs Rawlings was re-elected unopposed at the NDP’s Congress at the Trade Fair Center in Accra on Saturday April 30. The Congress saw the former first lady’s two daughters, Amina and Yaa Asantewaa as well as former President Jerry Rawlings making an appearance to support her.

“The New Patriotic Party and I [Nana Akufo-Addo] welcome her into the race for the Presidency and wish her well,” Nana Akufo Addo said.

By 3news.com|Ghana

NDC won’t tolerate NPP’s disruptive acts – Arkutu

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NDC won’t tolerate NPP’s disruptive acts – Arkutu
 voter registration2

The Ayawaso Central constituency chairman of NDC, Mr. Ebenezer Arkutu told tv3network.com the NDC would not tolerate any disruptive act coming from the NPP.

He said the NDC is committed to a peaceful exercise and therefore demanded same from all other stakeholders, particularly the NPP.

He also called on all political parties and like the NDC to work and cooperate with the Electoral Commission to ensure the ultimate success of the registration exercise.

“However, any attempt to visit the exercise by any form of violence and deliberate disruption by agents/leadership of the NPP will be resisted by the NDC by any means necessary in the preservation and protection of our flourishing democracy,” he said.
New Picture 2

Ebenezer Arkutu

The ongoing 10-day exercise which started on Thursday nationwide has registered pockets of violence and confusion.

Mr. Arkutu therefore warned, “We urge the NPP not to take our warning lightly.

“The NPP have every right to boycott the exercise and proceed to court, that is a decision we urge them to consider ahead of the exercise.

“But to seek the backdoor to stop or disrupt the exercise by their agents through violence means will be crushed.”
The constituency chairman also appealed to the security agencies to be vigilant and work hard to ensure adequate protection of all during the exercise.

“Ghana’s future and prosperity is a collective responsibility,” he charged all.

 

 

Story by Isaac Essel | 3news.com | Ghana

Technical University Bill receives Presidential approval

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Technical University Bill receives Presidential approval

Dr. Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama said on Thursday that he has given executive approval for the passage of the Technical University Bill.

The Bill would be laid before Parliament for passage as soon as the House re-convenes in May, President Mahama said when he inaugurated a multi-faceted lecture block constructed at the cost of ₵7.3 million at the Sunyani Polytechnic.

The facility was funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund, and would serve as integral provision towards the conversion of the Polytechnic into a Technical University.

President Mahama explained his government had undertaken massive retooling and upgrading of infrastructure to enhance teaching, research and learning in the six Polytechnics expected to be converted into technical universities by September this year.

He said re-assessment was being done at the Cape Coast and Tamale Polytechnics, and that based on the Assessment Committee’s report, a final decision would be taken on the two institutions for their conversion or otherwise.

President Mahama said because the Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics could not meet the eligibility criteria set up by the technical committee and the panel of experts, the government would undertake a fast track upgrading of infrastructure for their conversion when they meet the criteria.

He added that faculty upgrade would also be done at the two Polytechnics through the offering of scholarships so that lecturers could improve on their qualifications as part of the eligibility criteria for the conversion into technical universities.

President Mahama expressed appreciation to policymakers, academia, students and relevant stakeholders for the immense work done on the transformation process to convert the nation’s Polytechnics to technical universities.

The Vice Rector of the Sunyani Polytechnic, Dr Kwadwo Adinkra Appiah said the Polytechnic was in urgent need of a large capacity-seater bus for industrial and field work and appealed to the President to assist in that regard.

He appealed for the construction of a pedestrian footbridge across the Sunyani-Kumasi highway at the frontage of the Polytechnic to curb the incidence of pedestrian knockdowns.

Dr Appiah commended President Mahama for the early completion of the block, saying it would reduce pressure on the existing few lecture halls and create an opportunity for more students to gain admission into the Polytechnic.

 

Source: GNA | Ghana

Rawlings shows up at NDP congress to endorse wife

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Rawlings shows up at NDP congress to endorse wife

Jerry John Rawlings

Former President Jerry John Rawlings arrived to a rousing welcome halfway through the ongoing National Democratic Party congress at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra.

The former President stormed the congress hall just after the interim chairman of the NDP Dr. Asare Bediako and the party’s interim General Secretary Mohamed Frimpong had given their speeches.

In a thunderous way, the delegates cheered the former first gentleman as he made his way to his seat in front.

It is not clear his locus in the affairs of NDP, a party that is believed to have been founded by Mrs. Rawlings.

But this is not the first time Mr. Rawlings has been sighted at an NDP function. He was at the party’s first delegates’ congress where the wife was endorsed as the presidential nominee four years ago.

His action then generated a lot of controversy with respect to the fact that the NDP had just broken away from the governing National Democratic Congress, a party he personally formed.

Rawlings.jpg2

Meanwhile, hundreds of party supporters and delegates are at the Trade Fair Centre to elect national executives and the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party.

The wife of the former President Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is going unopposed for the second time as the NDP’s flagbearer.

November 7 has been proposed for the 2016 general elections.
Story by Nana Afrane Asante | 3news.com

Rawlings girls storm NDP congress, back Konadu’s presidency

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Rawlings girls storm NDP congress, back Konadu’s presidency

Amina and Yaa Asantewaa RawlingsTwo daughters of former President Rawlings Amina and Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings have pledged their support to former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’s presidential ambition.

The leader of the National Democratic Party – NDP – Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is running unopposed for the flagbearer slot of the National Democratic Party.

The party’s congress is underway at the Ghana International Trade Fair Center in Accra on Saturday.

Sources within the party have confirmed to tv3network.com that since nominations were opened, no party member filed to contest for the flagbearership except Nana Konadu.

Other positions being contested for at the congress include General Secretary, Communications Director and Women’s Organiser.

NDP

Speaking exclusively to TV3’s Jonathan Adams at the congress venue, Amina and Yaa Asantewaa confirmed their full support for their mother.

“You would do the same for your mother if you found yourself in the same situation.

“We are here to give her our full support as everybody else would have done,” she said.

Interestingly, their other sister Dr. Zanetor Rawlings is still keeping faith with the National Democratic Congress, a party founded by her father. She is however embroiled in a legal tussle over her election as NDC parliamentary nominee for Klottey Korle constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

The political affiliation of their only brother Kimathi Rawlings is unknown.
Story by Nana Afrane Asante | 3news.com | Ghana

Search for Nairobi collapse survivors

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Search for Nairobi collapse survivors

 

kenyaRescuers in the Kenyan capital Nairobi are searching for people feared trapped after the collapse of a residential building in heavy rain.

At least seven people are known to have died, and 121 people rescued, including a baby on Saturday morning.

The Red Cross criticised “chaotic scenes” as rescuers arrived. It is unclear how many people are trapped.

There are conflicting reports as to whether the building had six or seven storeys.

The rainfall has caused landslides, washed away houses and flooded roads. Police said 14 people died in the Nairobi rains, including those in the collapse. Another four died when a wall toppled over.

Steven Oundo, the chair of Kenya’s National Construction Authority, told KTN there would be an investigation into whether the building had a certificate allowing people to live inside.

“The building went down during the heavy rains, but we still want to establish if all the procedures were followed when it was constructed,” Nairobi’s deputy governor Jonathan Mueke told reporters at the scene.

He said the building, which reports in Nairobi said was built two years ago, did not have planning permission.

Kenya’s KTN network said on Saturday morning that a nearby building was being evacuated in case it too collapsed. Across the city, more than 800 homes were affected by the flooding, Kenya’s Red Cross said.

The Huruma neighbourhood is a poor district on the outskirts of Nairobi made up of narrow streets, meaning firefighters struggled to get to the scene and were delayed by large crowds.

After some time, the army took charge of the rescue with the help of the Kenyan Red Cross.

Residents said that the building, which was on the edge of a river, shook violently in the rain before collapsing.

“I think it appears that some people are getting impatient but as it is we have got indications that there are people who are still trapped in the rubble,” said Nathan Macharia Kigotho, the director of the national disaster operation centre.

“We don’t want to use heavy machines because it is likely to crumble and crush them.”

Poor building standards are a fact of life in Kenya, correspondents say. A survey carried out last year found that more than half the buildings in the capital were unfit for habitation.

The high demand for housing in Nairobi has led to some property developers bypassing building regulations to reduce costs and increase profits.

President Uhuru Kenyatta last year ordered an audit of all the buildings in the country after a spate of collapses.

Meanwhile two boys are missing in another part of the flood-hit country after going herding, according to the Red Cross.

 

Source: BBC

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