Author: Journalist Benedict
DisputeCourt Orders Ksh10.5 Billion Road Maintenance Levy to Be Given to Counties In a major legal milestone that strengthens the spirit of devolution, the High Court of Kenya has ruled that county governments must be included as beneficiaries of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF)—a fund commonly known as the fuel levy. The decision was delivered on Thursday, June 5, 2025, by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who declared that previous decisions made by the National Assembly excluding counties from this crucial infrastructure fund were unconstitutional and illegal. Justice Mugambi specifically nullified two parliamentary decisions—one from September 28, 2023, and another from…
As Kenya nears the one-year mark since the historic June 25 anti-Finance Bill protests, survivors and victims are now demanding answers and action from President William Ruto, particularly regarding compensation pledges he made after the unrest. One of the most vocal among them is Antony Chege, a 25-year-old protester who survived a gunshot wound during the demonstrations. He is still recovering from the injuries he sustained after being shot near Parliament. Chege has publicly called on President Ruto to honor his commitment to compensate victims who were wounded or lost loved ones during the violent police crackdown. Chege painfully recalled…
EACC Recovers Ksh39 Million From Treasury Officials Over Illegal Allowances A major corruption scandal at Kenya’s National Treasury has come to light after the High Court ordered two government officials to refund Ksh39.1 million that they had unlawfully received through irregular allowances and perks. The court established that the two officials had used outdated, revoked, and unauthorized government circulars to award themselves extra payments. These circulars, issued by the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), provide essential rules on which allowances public officers are entitled to and which are not permitted. However, the officials manipulated the system…
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has published its latest quarterly report, highlighting the leading Money Market Funds (MMFs) in Kenya based on total Assets Under Management (AUM). The report gives insight into which funds are handling the most investor cash and where Kenyans are placing their trust for short-term investment returns. Money Market Funds are a type of unit trust investment managed by professional fund managers. They offer a relatively safe way for investors to grow their money, often delivering better interest rates than traditional savings accounts in banks. MMFs are popular for their stability, liquidity, and the ability to…
The High Court sitting in Nanyuki has handed down a 40-year prison sentence to a woman found guilty of murdering her former boyfriend, bringing closure to a legal battle that has dragged on for over seven years. In a statement issued by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Friday, June 6, it was confirmed that the woman had been convicted of murder for an offence committed on December 4, 2018. According to details presented in court, the woman—alongside two accomplices—broke into the home of the deceased during the night and took his life. The man, a…
Police officers in Mombasa have arrested two well-known human rights activists after they attempted to interrupt a public participation session on the Finance Bill 2025. The incident occurred during a scheduled meeting held at Tononoka Hall, where citizens had gathered to offer their views on the proposed legislation. The two activists, Mathius Shipeta from Haki Africa and Francis Auma from the Muhuri Organisation, took issue with the timing of the forum, which coincided with the Eid-ul-Adha holiday, a sacred day of celebration for Muslims, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. The activists peacefully approached the podium and requested that…
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced plans to launch an online chatbot designed to assist small businesses by offering them easy access to accurate and timely tax-related information. According to George Obell, the Commissioner for the Micro and Small Taxpayers Department, this chatbot will serve as a helpful tool for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It will provide answers to their common questions about tax compliance, helping them better understand their responsibilities. “This new chatbot is being developed to respond to the many concerns MSME taxpayers often have about taxes,” Obell said during a roundtable discussion held in…
The Kenyan government has unveiled plans to shift all radio broadcasting from traditional FM and AM frequencies to modern digital platforms. This major transformation is being prepared by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), which is expected to implement the changes soon. In a statement issued on Thursday, June 6, the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy explained that the decision to move to digital systems is driven by the growing shortage of available FM frequencies. Unlike FM and AM radio, digital broadcasting does not face these frequency limitations and offers a far more flexible and expandable solution.…
The High Court of Kenya has temporarily stopped the National Assembly from forwarding a proposed constitutional amendment bill to the President for approval. The decision effectively pauses the legislative process at a critical stage, halting any chance of the bill being signed into law until the court fully hears and decides on the matter. The ruling was issued by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who stated that although Parliament is allowed to debate and even send the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to the Senate, it cannot go any further — particularly not to the President for assent. This injunction follows…
President William Ruto has ordered all county governors to make sure that every public health facility within their counties is registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA). The president gave this directive during a meeting with county leaders on Thursday, June 5, highlighting that registration is vital for these facilities to receive timely reimbursements from the government’s new health insurance scheme. According to President Ruto, many public hospitals have not yet been registered, making it difficult for citizens to fully benefit from the government-backed medical coverage. He stressed that private health facilities have already registered in large numbers, while public…