Author: Lorren Aliwa
Yesterday, the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee Chairperson Kimani Kuria announced changes to the Finance Bill 2024. The changes, which were announced hours before the Bill was tabled in Parliament, saw a number of tax proposals scrapped following pressure from members of the public and lobby groups. These amendments are poised to significantly impact various sectors of the economy. Here are the highlights: VAT Adjustments: The Finance Committee announced the removal of 16% VAT on bread and VAT on transportation of sugar, aimed at reducing the cost burden on consumers. Financial Sector Relief: VAT on financial services and foreign…
Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai has sparked controversy with her recent claims that some demonstrators protesting against proposed taxes in the Finance Bill 2024 were primarily driven by a desire for TikTok fame rather than genuine concerns about the legislation. Speaking during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, June 19, Nyamai recounted an encounter with a protester whom she had previously supported financially for education. “Yesterday I watched a girl I have been paying fees for and she was in the streets and she had written a message to me the previous day,” Nyamai stated. “I asked her, ‘you told me…
The High Court has authorized the seizure and auction of assets worth Ksh.235 million belonging to former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, following allegations that they were acquired through corrupt practices. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that the properties, including a Ksh.40 million house in Nairobi’s Loresho estate, are considered proceeds of unexplained wealth linked to Obado and his associates, derived from funds allegedly misappropriated from the Migori County Government. Justice Esther Maina issued the court orders on Tuesday after an out-of-court settlement was reached between Obado and the EACC. The consent judgement, which formalized the agreement, was part…
In a fervent address during the National Wildlife Census launch in Narok on June 19, 2024, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua strongly condemned the recent turn of events during the Occupy Parliament protests, which resulted in severe injuries to a senior police officer. “Violence is not allowed,” Mutua declared, emphasizing that peaceful protest must not devolve into chaos and harm. Mutua specifically blamed protestors for the incident, in which a police officer lost his hands due to a teargas canister explosion amid the demonstrations against the Finance Bill, 2024. “Huyo askari amepoteza mikono, hiyo damu yake imemwagika is on you…
The family of the beloved comedian Fred Omondi has called upon the community and well-wishers for support as they prepare for his final farewell. Fred Omondi, who tragically lost his life in a road accident, was remembered by his mother, Eunice Atieno Omondi, as a joyful and loving son who brought immense happiness to those around him. Eunice shared her sorrow, describing how Fred’s playful nature and zest for life endeared him to many. “Fred was full of mischief and joy, which shaped his career and life positively. Losing him has left a void that words cannot express,” she said,…
Nuru Maloba Okanga, a political activist, faced charges in a Nairobi court on Wednesday for allegedly disseminating false, defamatory, and threatening information on social media platforms. The accusations centered on content published via his TikTok account “Riba News @ribanews & Siasa tv ke backup” and his YouTube channel “RIBA NEWS aribanews.” Okanga was charged with knowingly publishing false and provocative material designed to incite fear and damage the reputation of Kenya’s executive leadership. Specific allegations include posts suggesting violence against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and statements intended to alarm citizens, including “PILOT WA RUTO ADUNGWE SHINDANI,” which translates to “Ruto’s…
In response to a troubling surge in online vigilantism, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) of Kenya through the government has issued a stern warning against the public dissemination of personal information on social media platforms. This cautionary statement follows a disturbing trend where individuals have been targeted for public humiliation through the unauthorized sharing of their personal details. The ODPC highlighted that this disturbing practice gained traction recently, particularly after the unauthorized disclosure of phone numbers belonging to President William Ruto and Members of Parliament. These actions were part of a public campaign against contentious tax proposals…
Julius Kamau Kimani faced a pivotal moment in court as he vehemently denied charges brought against him for allegedly disrupting Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u’s photo session outside the Treasury building on Budget Reading Day last week. Appearing before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi, Kimani pleaded not guilty to charges of creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace. Despite the prosecution’s assertions, Kimani maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The magistrate, after hearing Kimani’s plea, granted him bail set at Ksh.10,000 pending further legal processes. The case is scheduled for mention on July 3rd…
Autopsy results revealed that father of the late Jahmby Koikai, Daniel Koikai died as a result of suicide. The somber revelation came after Mr. Koikai, 65, was discovered in his Tatu City apartment on June 14th, with a fatal wound to his throat, causing excessive bleeding. According to sources close to the family, Naserian Koikai, Daniel’s daughter, received a troubling message from him early that morning, hinting at distress. The message read, “AM SORRY IT HAD TO COME TO THIS.” Prompted by concern, she rushed to his residence, only to find the door locked. Upon entering through a bedroom window,…
Molo Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the National Assembly Finance Committee, Kuria Kimani, found himself in a quandary today after disclosing that he received Ksh168,000 from members of the public, who were verifying his phone number. During the parliamentary session on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, where he was presenting the Finance Bill 2024 for its second reading, Kimani admitted to receiving the funds through SMS messages sent by Kenyans seeking to confirm his contact details. While expressing gratitude for the validation, he also acknowledged concerns over potential breaches of data protection laws. “I am grateful to those who reached…