Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced new dates for the planned resumption of services at the Makadara Law Courts.

Koome stated that after extensive consultations with security agencies, the leadership of the Makadara Law Courts, Judiciary management, and various judicial associations, the Makadara Law Courts will reopen on July 1, 2024.

This follows the tragic shooting incident at the Makadara Law Courts that claimed the life of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.

Koome had initially said the court would remain closed until June 24 to allow for the dismantling of makeshift court structures and reorganisation for security reasons.

“Starting July 1, 2024, plea-taking will resume in secured and fit-for-purpose courtrooms,” said Koome.

From June 24 to 26, 2024, all judicial officers and court staff at the Makadara Law Courts will undergo individual and group trauma counseling sessions conducted by professional counselors.

On June 27, a meeting of the Makadara Law Courts Court Users Committee (CUC) will discuss the modalities of resuming court operations and review new security measures.

The CUC will also provide guidelines on hearing modalities and the use of virtual courts to reduce congestion.

Additionally, on June 28, court diaries will be reorganised to assign new dates for pending matters.

Koome directed that until the resumption of services at the Makadara Law Courts, all matters will continue to be handled at the Milimani Law Courts.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives have arrested Tanathi Water Works Development Agency (TAWWDA) CEO Fredrick Tito Mwamati over the embezzlement of Sh 292, 770,465.

In a statement on Tuesday, June 25, EACC said Mwamati was arrested on Monday evening and was held at EACC Integrity Centre Police Station.

Mwamati and eight other officials are said to have irregularly issued a tender for the construction of the Kinanie Leather Industrial Park Water Supply Project- Phases II and III to Perma Structural Engineering Company Ltd during the Financial Years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.

“The Commission commenced investigations in 2022 upon receipt of a complaint that top officials of Tanathi Water Works Development Agency had embezzled public funds to the tune of Kes.292,770,465 through fraudulent schemes in the award of tenders to companies linked to them,” read the statement in part.

The other suspects include; Francis Siva, David Otieno Mwango, Duncan Mulandi Mutambuki, Eric Muendo Ng’alu, Dickson Mugambi, Peter Muange Kimuyu, Joseph Mutua Muange and Willy Kimuyu Muange.

The suspects are set to face charges of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, abuse of office, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement, conflict of interest contrary and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

The commission ordered the eight other suspects to report to the EACC headquarters or the nearest EACC regional office by Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

“Consequently, the Commission hereby directs the following suspects to report to EACC Headquarters located at the Integrity Centre Building, or the nearest EACC Regional Office, by Wednesday, 26th June 2024, at 8:00 am, without fail,” EACC added.

Mobile Service provider Safaricom has refuted claims that it is working with the government to crack down on dissenting voices.

The telco stated that it respects the privacy of its customers following growing concerns from some online quotas that the Telco has been sharing its customer’s data in the wake of the anti-finance bill protests currently happening across the country.

In a statement, Safaricom maintained that it has not shared any customer information with government agencies adding that any such directive can only be issued through a court order.

“On the current issue in discussion, we confirm that we have not received any court order requiring us to share customer information with any government agency,” read the statement in part.

”We respect our customers’ privacy and adhere strictly to the country’s data protection laws. As such we do not share any customer data unless explicitly required of us via a court order,” it added.

A section of online users have cast aspersions that Safaricom is aiding the state in a bid to crack down on individuals perceived to be the faces of the Gen -z demonstrations against the 2024/2025 Finance Bill.

Several anti-finance bill sympathizers majorly drawn from the X platform have been abducted by people believed to be police officers.

Kenyans are protesting over a new finance bill that introduces unpopular tax proposals that have drawn a lot of anger across the nation.

The controversial bill, which has provisions that are seen as imposing extra burdens on ordinary citizens and businesses, has sparked a huge outcry from a public already burdened with a high cost of living.

It has sparked youth-led protests, which, though largely peaceful, have led to at least one death and hundreds of injuries as well as arrests – all of which have been condemned by lawyers and human rights groups.

The government has dropped some of the contentious proposals, but it has done little to assuage public anger.

Many now want the entire bill scrapped.

On social media, there have been calls for protest and demands that lawmakers oppose the tax increases.

What were some of the original plans that sparked anger ?

• Taxes on basic items

Amendments to the bill look set to be approved but some of the controversial provisions initially put forward included a plan to introduce a 16% sales tax on bread and 25% duty on cooking oil.

There was also a planned increase in the tax on financial transactions as well as a new annual tax on vehicle ownership amounting to 2.5% of the value of the vehicle.

The government said it was dropping these measures amid a public outcry.

• The eco levy

The eco levy, described as a charge on products that contribute to e-waste and harm the environment, was another key provision of the bill that the government has now suggested amendments to.

Critics pointed out that it would lead to the increase in the cost of essential items such as sanitary pads, which was seen as insensitive, as there are many girls who, unable to afford these products, often miss school during their periods.

Babies’ nappies would also be affected.

Following an outcry, the government said the levy would apply only on imported products, arguing that this would the boost growth of local industries.

The other key target of this eco levy is digital products, including mobile phones, cameras and recording equipment as well as TV and radio equipment. A rise in the cost of these products is seen as harmful to the growth of the digital economy, which many Kenyans rely on for their livelihoods.

What are some of the measures that remain untouched?

• Tax on specialised hospitals

The finance bill introduces a 16% tax on goods and services for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialised hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50.

Many Kenyans have been apprehensive that this could mean higher costs to access critical health services for cancer, diabetes, kidney dialysis or other chronic illnesses.

The chairman of the parliamentary finance committee, Kuria Kimani, has dismissed claims that “the bill introduces taxation on cancer patients” terming them in parliament as “falsehoods to emotionalise the public”.

• Higher import fees

The bill proposes to increase the rate of import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the value of the item, to be paid by the importer at the port.

The rise comes just a year after the rate was reduced from 3.5% to 2.5%. The change is expected to generate additional revenue for government but could also lead to higher prices for imported products.

What has been the government response?

As well as withdrawing some of the most controversial measures, President William Ruto has acknowledged the protests and promised he will hold talks to address the concerns of the youth who are at the forefront of the demonstrations.

But that has done little to calm tensions.

Why is this not seen as being good enough?

Despite the axing of some of the proposed measures, others remain – including the higher import tax and an increase in the road maintenance levy that is charged on fuel.

But this is also about a sense of anger that has been simmering over a long period.

Some exasperated Kenyans, who feel they are overtaxed, do not think the government has been taking their concerns into consideration.

Mr Ruto has argued that compared to some other African countries Kenya has a relatively low tax rate – but this did not convince many.

Everyday conversations, which were already dominated by the pain of taxation, have now reached a crescendo.

This year’s finance bill was not the first unpopular one under Mr Ruto.

Last year’s equivalent, which also sparked protests, introduced a slew of unpopular taxes that the current plan adds to, worsening the pain.

Angry protesters would rather the government to reduce its spending, just as many Kenyans have had to in the lean economic times, and address wastage and corruption.

The government has in the past said it was pursuing that but has been unable to persuade many that enough is being done.

What happens next?

On Tuesday, lawmakers is considering and voting for the government’s amendments to parts of the draft law, which was approved by parliament last week.

The governing coalition has enough numbers in parliament to allow the amended bill to sail through. After it is passed, the president would have to sign it into law within 14 days or send it back to parliament with a proposal for further amendments.

Though unlikely, the government could also opt for other measures in a bid to defuse the pressure, including deferring the bill.

(Story by BBC)

Kenya police have fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters in the capital, Nairobi, amid ongoing anti-tax demonstrations across the country.

Businesses have been shut and transport has been paralysed in the city, with the police engaging in running battles with demonstrators.

The youth-led protests are calling on MPs to reject proposed tax increases.

The government, which has rowed back on some of the most controversial measures, says new taxes are needed to fund spending programmes and lessen the debt burden.

An AFP journalist was quoted as hearing a police officer tell his colleagues to ” get the rubber bullets from the box”.

The police then reportedly started firing in the air and at the protesters.

Officers have been deployed to protect various key government installations including parliament.

From the morning the anti-riot police have been using teargas to disperse the protesters amid clashes with the security officers.

There have also been huge crowds in many other parts of the country, with local Kenya newspaper the Daily Nation reporting protests in about 30 of the country’s 47 counties.

Ahead of the demonstrations, lawyers and human rights groups expressed concern about arbitrary arrests and the intimidation of activists during earlier protests.

It came amid reports of at least five prominent social media users being abducted at dawn, hours before the demonstrations.

The government has defended the taxes as necessary for raising additional revenue to reduce Kenya’s significant debt, but last week conceded to some demands.

It scrapped some contentious taxes including proposed taxes on bread, cooking oil and motor vehicle ownership in the wake of a public outcry.

But the protesters have been saying that this is not enough, and have agitated for the complete withdrawal of the bill.

Despite that, majority MPs passed the controversial bill during its second reading and were on Tuesday debating on the various amendments, to remove some of the clauses that the government has considered contentious.

At least two people died in protests and hundreds others injured in last week’s demonstrations, which were largely peaceful.

Mr Ruto acknowledged the protests and promised he will hold talks to address the concerns of the youth who are at the forefront of the protests.

Former US President Barack Obama’s Sister Auma Obama was on Tuesday, June 25 during the anti-finance bill protests in Nairobi CBD.

Auma was speaking in a live interview with CNN reporter Larry Madowo when the anti-riot police officers lobbed teargas at her and other protestors who were surrounding her.

She noted that she joined the protests in solidarity with the young people who are against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

“I am here because look at what is happening. Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights. They are demonstrating with flyers and banners. I can’t even see anymore. We are being teargassed,” said Auma as she was forced to cut the interview.

Kenyans on Tuesday took to the streets for another round of protests against the Finance Bill 2024.

In Nairobi CBD thousands of youths turned up to pile pressure on members of Parliament to reject the bill.

Police officers have barricaded major roads leading to the Nairobi CBD including Ngong Road, Thika Road, and Mombasa Road.

Security has been beefed up in Parliament buildings where lawmakers are currently discussing the Finance Bill at the committee stage and voting clause by clause. The roads leading to Parliament have also been closed

A contingent of officers have been deployed in various key government installations including the State House.

The anti-finance bill protests are also being witnessed in Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii and Narok counties.

Other areas include; Kisumu, Kwale, Turkana, Thika, Murang’a, Bungoma and Makueni.