‘Toothless’ NIS To Blame For Tuesday Mayhem — GACHAGUA

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June 26, 2024

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has slammed the National Intelligence Service, claiming that it failed to inform the President of the imminent deadly mass protests on Tuesday.

Speaking on Wednesday evening at his residence in Mombasa, the DP said that NIS chief Noordin Haji failed to notify the President about the extent of the protests in time to prevent massive bloodshed and loss of life.

“And I sympathise with my boss President William Ruto because this information was not available to him,” Gachagua said.

The DP said following this very critical oversight, Haji should do the most honourable thing and resign.

“We have a dysfunctional National Intelligence Service that has exposed the President, the government and the people of Kenya,” he claimed.

“Had the National Intelligence Service briefed the President two months ago about how the people feel about the Finance Bill, 2024, so many Kenyans would not have died, property would not have been destroyed, offices would not have been destroyed. There would have been no mayhem, but they slept on the job.”

Gachagua said it had to take nationwide protests for the president to know the truth about how people felt about the proposed new taxes in the Bill “yet there is an organisation paid for by the public to brief the President and the government about the feeling of the Kenyan people”.

The DP also said that senior National Police Service personnel confided in him that they had no prior knowledge of the magnitude of the protests, which were mostly planned by Gen Z.

He stated that as a result, the security forces deployed to disperse the protests were caught off guard by the intensity of the demonstrations.

LSK sues Duale, CDF Charles Kahariri over military deployment

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Cyrus Kimanga

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June 26, 2024

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has sued the Defence Ministry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri following the National Assembly approval of KDF deployment to control unarmed protesters in the country.

LSK accuses CS Duale of unilaterally calling on the military personnel without following the law.

Further, the Law Society asserts that none of the protestors who are against the Finance Bill 2024 was armed.

In its case filed before High Court Judge Andrew Bahati Mwamuye, LSK argues that there was nothing in the protests that would have been deemed as an emergency.

LSK lawyer Chrysostom Xavier Akhaabi argued that Duale prepared the notice in a hurry as he never provided a detailed justification to have the Kenya Defence Forces involved in subduing unarmed civilians.

‘I Concede’ – President Ruto Says As He Declines To Sign Finance Bill To Law

By

John Mutiso

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June 26, 2024

President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 26, finally bowed to pressure and declined to sign the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

Speaking to the press at State House, President Ruto, flanked by allied members of parliament, said that after listening to Kenyans who overwhelmingly rejected the Bill, he would not sign it into law.

Ruto added that his administration had heard the cry of the citizens who were urging him to drop the bill and reduce the cost of living.

“Having reflected on the conversation surrounding the bill and listening to the people of Kenyan who have said they want nothing to do with the bill. I concede and therefore I will not sign the bill. It will be subsequently withdrawn and that becomes our position,” he stated.

He proposed that since Kenya has gotten rid of the bill, the country should have a conversation going forward on how to manage the affairs of the country together.

The Head of State explained that the bill was aimed at increasing the country’s revenue adding that Kenya was burdened by debt.

He added that the revenue raised through the bill would be used to subsidize fertiliser, pay Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) teachers, the last mile connectivity, operationalise the Universal Health Coverage plan, and pay coffee and sugar cane farmers among other sectors.

Ruto added that going forward, his administration would incorporate young Kenyans to draft ways to raise revenue.

This move comes amid ongoing protests against the finance bill, with Kenyans calling for its complete withdrawal by the government. The protests conducted by young Kenyans have garnered international attention with some leaders calling upon the government to listen.

Additionally, these protests which began last week have resulted in the loss of 10 Kenyans, destruction of property and multiple injuries.

Kenyans had opposed the controversial bill adding that it would result in an increase in the cost of basic commodities and asked the government to seek alternative channels to collect taxes.

Furthermore, Kenyans complained that the government was poorly managing the billions of taxes collected and it was therefore unreasonable to overtax the majority of Kenyans who are struggling to make ends meet.

On the deaths and injuries, President sent condolence messages to all those lost their lives.

Petitioners Move to court to stop President Ruto from signing Finance Bill 2024 into law

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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June 26, 2024

The war to block the sailing of Finance Bill 2024 has taken a new turn after a team of lawyers filed a petition seeking to stop President William Ruto from assenting the controversial Finance Bill into law.

In the case, the petitioners argue that there has been “no lawful or effective public participation on the Finance Bill which the National Assembly approved on Tuesday amid violent protests in the country which saw wide spread loss of life, injuries and destruction of property.

The lawyers, Kibe Mungai, Ndegwa Njiru, Fanya Mambo Kinuthia, Peter Koira, Lempaa Suiyianka and Mt.Kenya Jurist Association are also challenging the budget-making process for the coming Financial Year arguing that it was unlawful and characterized by “controversy, acrimony and political contestation”.

The lawyers note that the Finance CS published the estimates of revenue on 4th June, 2024 after the National Assembly Budget Committee had completed public participation hearing and submitted its report to the National Assembly.

“The budget-making process has been vitiated by the involvement and dictation of the policy preferences and agenda of foreign governments and corporations spearheaded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has taken effective control of Kenya’s National Treasury to the detriment of the sovereignty of the Kenyan people in matters of public finance,” they further add.

The petitioners want the Chief Justice to appoint a five-judge bench to hear the matter of national priority.

Man charged with threatening to kill National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah

By

Cyrus Kimanga

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June 26, 2024

A middle-aged man has been charged with threatening to kill the National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah for his effort in ensuring the 2024 finance bill sais trough the parliament.

According to the prosecution, Stephen Mwangi Kamau on June 20, 2024, at unknown place within the republic of Kenya, through his WhatsApp number sent a WhatsApp threatening message to Kimani Ichung’wa to wit “Kimani I swear if that bill will pass I will plan an accident and you will not survive”.

He also faced another charge of Cyber harassment where the prosecution said that the suspect published abusive message targeted to the National Assembly majority leader’s mother where she referred to his mother as a prostitute.

Appearing before Miimani Law Courts in Nairobi, the accused denied the charges and was released on Ksh 300, 000 bond with an alternative cash 100,000.

KAM, GIZ Partner to Raise Awareness and Support “Bringing AfCFTA Home” Campaign

By

Vanessa Kariuki

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June 26, 2024

One of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063 Africa’s development framework is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) is working to maximise the benefits of AfCFTA for Kenyan manufacturers and promote export-led industrialization.

Dr. Giuseppe Scuto, the Head of the GIZ AfCFTA AU Programme, and Anthony Mwangi, the Chief Executive of KAM, met yesterday to discuss collaborative efforts.

KAM has teamed up with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to promote AfCFTA through the “Bringing AfCFTA Home” campaign.

The primary objectives of this effort are to improve manufacturers’ export ready support, policy and lobbying for export competitiveness, capacity building on AfCFTA protocols and annexes, and the integration of sustainable trade within AfCFTA.

One of KAM’s core principles is export-led industrialization, which seeks to give manufacturers access to a variety of markets and effective trading in order to expand their export potential.

“As we continue to advocate for a conducive business environment, we foster partnerships that ensure seamless coordination between the public and private sectors, leading to a competitive and productive economy,” said KAM.

SHIF transition team wants July 1 rollout plan suspended

By

John Mutiso

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June 26, 2024

The Ministry of Health’s committee established to ensure a smooth transition to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has recommended suspending the planned rollout of the system from July 1 due to problems with the digital platform designed for contribution payment and registration.

The transition committee of the Social Health Authority (SHA), tasked with managing the SHIF and replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), stated in its report that a pilot run of the ICT system revealed its was not ready less than a week before the scheduled switchover.

The team suggested that the Ministry of Health should consider continuing with the NHIF and withdrawing the regulations already issued for the new system.

“The trial run of the SHA ICT system in Marsabit revealed that the new system is not yet ready. The challenges are being addressed and a second trial run with proxy mean testing can be conducted thereafter,” stated the committee’s report after a meeting last Friday.

“The ICT experts have been asked to propose alternatives to the ICT system for the SHA, especially in the area of registration and contribution. There is a need for an alternative solution that also includes the withdrawal of the SHA regulations and the use of NHIF systems, and the latter has financial implications. The nature of the contract with the current NHIF system licenses and contracts needs to be renewed.”

Oscar Sudi Breaks Silence After His Timba XO Club In Eldoret Was Vandalized

By

John Mutiso

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June 26, 2024

Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi now claims that the looting and vandalism of his newly launched Timber XO club in Eldoret was planned.

Speaking on Wednesday, June 26, Sudi alleged that politicians from the Rift Valley region planned the vandalism.

The UDA lawmaker condemned the move saying he has never thought of destroying anyone’s property.

“I have never in my life planned to destroy people’s property. My work has always been helping people who don’t have parents, building churches, and other things. We know people who organized it and the leaders are from home,” said Sudi.

At the same time, the Kapseret MP suspended all his planned activities including charity events and fundraising until further notice.

“I will not say anything bad but since it has become something else let me also rest and suspend everything that I had planned until further notice,” Sudi stated.

He continued “You destroyed the county and where people do plans for development or destroy the business belonging to a person from the area. It’s okay. I wish you well.”

The Timber XO club was on Tuesday looted after unknown people marched from Eldoret CBD to the premises and destroyed the gate, glass walls, windows, and doors.

In a video shared on social media, the angry youth pelted stones at the club while others brought down the gate.

The irate youth also stole alcohol and other properties of unknown value. Photos circulated on social media showed people carrying bottles of expensive liquor from the club.

Timber XO was opened a few weeks ago in an event graced by several MPs.

Elon Musk’s Starlink unveils cheaper data plan in Kenya

By

John Mutiso

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June 26, 2024

Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider Starlink has unveiled a new cheaper data plan for Kenya ushering in competition for Safaricom and Airtel, which have a big grip on the segment.

Starlink has introduced a 50 gigabyte (GB) monthly data package at a rate of Ksh1,300 ($10.16) which is less than half the asking price for Airtel which charges Ksh3,000 ($23.44) for a similar package.

Market leader Safaricom, on the other hand, offers a monthly package of 45GB at Ksh2,500 ($19.53). Subscribers of Starlink will, however, have to part with Ksh45,500 ($355.47) for an installation hardware that will unlock access to the offering, in stark contrast to the model adopted by local telcos where users only need to activate a registered SIM card.

“Affordable, high-speed internet with 50GB of data included for Ksh1,300/month (opt-in for additional data at Ksh20/GB),” reads a notification displayed on Starlink’s website adding that users will now be able to submit payments through mobile money options M-Pesa and Airtel Money.

The Starlink package is likely to usher in stiff competition for Safaricom and Airtel in the data segment. The latest disclosures by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) show that Safaricom controls the country’s mobile broadband subscriptions at 63.7 percent market share followed by Airtel at 31.5 percent.

Others are Telkom Kenya (1.8 percent) while Finserve (Equitel) and Jamii Telecommunications tally at 1.5 percent. Last July, Starlink unveiled satellite internet at rates that sat at the midpoint of what other fixed internet service providers were charging per month.

($1 equivalent of Ksh128 at current exchange rate)

Atwoli Urges Ruto Not To Sign Finance Bill 2024 Into Law

By

John Mutiso

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June 26, 2024

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has called on President William Ruto not to assent to the Finance Bill 2024 passed by the National Assembly on Tuesday, saying the concerns of the protesters were genuine.

According to COTU, Tuesday’s demonstrations were infiltrated by thugs and those who looted were acting against the intention of the protesters.

Atwoli said the protesters had earlier promised that their march would be peaceful.

“For now, on behalf of Kenyan workers, some of whom will not be able to reach their workplaces during the demonstrations, we appeal to the President to suspend assent to the Finance Bill,” the COTU general secretary said.

Atwoli explained that young Kenyans were only concerned about the content of the Finance Bill and the demonstrations witnessed across the country were their way of making the government listen.

“They were genuine,” said Atwoli.

He further explained that during the public participation phase, COTU had written to the government on some of the contentious issues in the Bill, which were successfully removed.

The COTU secretary-general called on President Ruto to form a commission of inquiry to look into the issues raised by Gen-Z, including tribalism, nepotism, corruption and unemployment.

“Appoint a commission of inquiry to look into the demands of Gen-Z, millennial young men and women and other Kenyans,” he said.

As the country comes to terms with the aftermath of Tuesday’s chaotic scenes, Mr Atwoli also warned that it was better to have a “bad government” than none.

“I want to tell Kenyans that if this country goes down, it will go down with everybody,” Mr Atwoli said. “I have said time and again that it is better to have bad government than no government. Because anarchy is the worst thing for anybody to experience.”