KBC Channel 1

Author: Margaret Kalekye

  • Affordable housing scheme to offer attractive 3pc interest

    Affordable housing scheme to offer attractive 3pc interest

    By Margaret Kalekye

    Homeowners in President William Ruto’s affordable housing plan will pay a fixed 3pc interest rate over a repayment period of 30 years.

    The President who Friday spelt out the attractive terms, said the scheme will be open to every Kenyan without favoritism or discrimination.

    ‘You don’t have to know anybody, technology has made it possible for us as an administration to eliminate knowing people, favoritism, corruption that you have to pay somebody to get what you want. The system has no human interaction,’ he said.

    ” Now that we have the housing levy, we will not only make the houses a lot more affordable, but there will be a mechanism for you to access a mortgage to make it possible for many Kenyans to own homes” added the President.

    While unveiling the upgraded  www.bomayangu.go.ke, on eCitizen, Ruto announced that 367,000 Kenyans have already registered, becoming the first potential homeowners.

    The portal is among an estimated over 5000 government digital services that has been launched by the President.

    According to Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, Ksh1.8B has so far been contributed towards the housing programme which has 33,000 active savers.

    Already over 25000 Kenyans are voluntarily saving on the portal which the PS describes ias a marketplace ecosystem that brings together developers, financiers, technology providers, land owners, and home buyers.

    Hinga says the first 200 housing units in 29 constituencies are ready. Other parcels of land in 178 constituencies across the country are under evaluation.

    In the portal, developers are able to upload images of their projects and interact directly with potential buyers who at the same time can track the progress of the ongoing projects.

    The platform shall also support other actors such as MSME’s and artisans as a supporting tool for the provision of employment youth and women.

    Similarly, financial institutions have been integrated into the portal and are therefore able to access potential mortgage takers.

    It connects Kenyan citizens both local and in the diaspora to AHP and access to Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) for offtake of the houses.

    More than 38,500 housing units commissioned for development under the Kenya Kwanza Administration are in various stages of construction across the Country.

    The journey to homeownership is broken down into three steps:

    Registration

    Home applicants can self-register onto Boma Yangu through the *832# USSD code or by visiting the www.bomayangu.go.ke website. One must be a Kenyan Citizen, above 18 years, and have a valid National Identity Card. Those interested can sign up with as low as Ksh200.

    Saving

    After registration, home applicants can make voluntary savings.

    Owning

    Home applicants qualify to be allocated a home once their savings reach 10% of the price of their preferred housing unit.

  • All you need to know about Gava Mkononi app, Gava express

    All you need to know about Gava Mkononi app, Gava express

    By Margaret Kalekye

    Kenyans will enjoy at least 5000 digitised services made available on e-Citizen platform which is the government gateway to online services.

    With improved internet connectivity in both urban areas and villages and a tech-savvy population, the new phone-based app Gava Mkononi unveiled by the government comes in handy.

    This is also in consideration of the fact that majority of users have smartphones hence making access to the services easier.

    Gava Express

    The services at the grassroots have been streamlined with the rollout of the  Gava Express which is modelled along Huduma Centers.

    Unlike Huduma Centers that are primarily based in county headquarters, Gava Express will provide services at the grassroots.

    Gava Express will be driven in partnership with the private sector and targets the establishment of over 300,000 outlets.

    The milestone is part of the great strides Kenya has made in digital access since the Kenya Kwanza administration took over last year.

    On Jamhuri Day last year, President William Ruto made a promise that 5000 government services would be digitized and made accessible on the E-Citizen platform, to enhance service delivery, increase revenue collection, promote transparency, and eliminate corruption.

    Since then, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have embarked on the onboarding of respective services which has resulted in a significant spike in revenue generate from levies and fees charged for government services,

    By January this year, there were 391 new services available on e-Citizen.

    Top 10 most popular services on the e-Citizen platform are:

    • NTSA – Provisional Driving License
    • Business Registration Services
    • Police Clearance / Certificate of Good Conduct
    • Civil Registration Services – Marriages
    • Foreign Nationals Initial Registration
    • Directorate of Immigration Services
    • Kenya Ports Authority
    • Kenya Revenue Authority
    • HELB
    • MSMEs (Hustler Fund)
  • Rival factions clash after MPs tour disputed Delmonte land

    Rival factions clash after MPs tour disputed Delmonte land

    The Parliamentary Lands Committee has waded into the land row pitting Del Monte Kenya Limited and residents of Kiambu and Murang’a counties.

    The multinational fruit juice maker has been entangled in a protracted dispute over the firm’s land with the residents under Kandara Residents Association- a group that has been seeking allocation of part of the land.

    The association represents over 5,000 residents who are squatters and victims of historical injustices from the two counties. They have been claiming some 7,400 acres of the Company’s uncultivated land.

    The committee chaired by North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko held a meeting with the residents at Makenji area in Kandara constituency on Thursday to listen to their plight as they seek to bring an end to the row.

    The meeting was however halted for close to an hour after members of rival factions of the Association clashed. One faction is headed by the former group’s patron PMG Kamau’s son, Kibiru Kamau, and the other is by Geoffrey Kairu who was Kamau’s deputy.

    The duel was quelled by the lawmakers who asserted that justice will be served to all.

    The MPs noted that they will be pursuing the matter to ensure that residents are settled on the land as per the recommendation by the previous Lands committee that was chaired by Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai and the National Land Commission (NLC).

    NLC in a gazette notice dated March 1, 2019, said 70 percent of any excess land ceded by Del Monte should be given to members of the community and 30 percent to the county governments.

    He noted that the firm has already ceded part of its land to Murang’a and Kiambu counties. The two regions received 1400 acres and 935 acres respectively.

    Juja MP George Koimburi who is a member of the committee said that the committee won’t allow allocation of land to one party while denying the other their share.

    Similar sentiments were made by MPs Chege Njuguna (Kandara), Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central) and John Kaguchia (Mukurweini)

    They noted that Four land parcels-LR Nos 10862, 11146, 10741 and 11312-measuring 7,400 acres, have been at the center of the dispute.

    The parcels are said to have been surrendered to the government after the dissolution of two companies that were trading as Sassa Coffee and Chui Estate Limited who were the alleged owners.

    Residents led by John Kiarie pleaded with the committee to ensure that they get settled in the land which they said is ancestrally theirs.

    Kiarie said that most of them are living in abject poverty as squatters in slums within Thika including Matharao, Umoja and Gachagi while others settled at Nguthuru in Kandara constituency.

  • All set for Gava Mkononi mega launch at KICC

    All set for Gava Mkononi mega launch at KICC

    President William Ruto will this morning be unveiling over 5,000 digital government services on the eCitizen Kenya Portal at KICC.

    The improved platform will enhance access to government services and improve revenue collection and service delivery.

    The government has embarked on an aggressive campaign to create awareness of its digital services under the hashtag #GavaMkononi which means services brought closer and made easier.

    “On JAMHURI Day last year, President William Ruto made a promise that 5000 government services would be digitized…. Today, that pledge has become a reality as the President unveils the digitized e-Citizen services, the GavaMkononi App, and Gava Express”, says State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.

    “From anywhere in the Country, government services will be accessible, delivered efficiently, more transparently and to all”, he adds.

    Boma Yangu portal

    One of the key digital services entrenched is the upgraded Boma Yangu portal.

    The portal which can be accessed through www.bomayangu.go.ke provides a platform for the offtake of housing units constructed under the Affordable Housing Program.

    It has over 350,000 registered potential homeowners and is the marketplace ecosystem that brings together developers, financiers, technology providers, land owners, and home buyers.

    Already over 25000 Kenyans are voluntarily saving on the portal and have so far contributed over Ksh 1.8 billion, on their customer journey to purchase a home under the Affordable Housing Program.

    In the portal, developers are able to upload images of their projects and interact directly with potential buyers who at the same time can track the progress of the ongoing projects.

    The platform shall also support other actors such as MSME’s and artisans as a supporting tool for the provision of employment youth and women.

    Similarly, financial institutions have been integrated in the portal and are therefore able to access potential mortgage takers.

    It connects Kenyans citizens both local and in the diaspora to AHP and access to Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS) for offtake of the houses.

    More than 38,500 housing units commissioned for development under the Kenya Kwanza Administration are in various stages of construction across the Country.

    The journey to homeownership is broken down into three steps:

    Registration

    Home applicants can self-register onto Boma Yangu through the *832# USSD code or by visiting the bomayangu.go.ke website. One must be a Kenyan Citizen, above 18 years, and have a valid National Identity Card.

    Saving

    After registration, home applicants can make voluntary savings.

    Owning

    Home applicants qualify to be allocated a home once their savings reach 10% of the price of their preferred housing unit.

  • Githiga OCS on the spot over alleged defilement

    Githiga OCS on the spot over alleged defilement

    Hundreds of irate residents in Githunguri Sub County stormed Githiga police station seeking the arrest of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for allegedly defiling a Form 3 student.

    Led by Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba, the residents claim that the OCS has been threatening the minor through text messages.

    Wamuchomba who led the protests said she will not relent until the minor gets justice. She further called out the officer over alleged corruption for protecting illegal businesses.

    “The officer must face the full force of the law” she said while calling for the release of all motorcycles belonging to boda boda operators that were being at the Station on flimsy allegations.

    She is also demanding the transfer of all officers from the Station.

    Githunguri Sub-County Police Commander George Kipkoros has urged the complainant to report the matter so that investigations can be formally launched.

    Reporting by Tom Kimani

  • KRA destroys illicit goods worth Ksh500M

    KRA destroys illicit goods worth Ksh500M

    Illicit goods worth Ksh500 million have been destroyed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Team.

    The assorted goods seized from the market have an estimated tax value of Kshs 150 million.

    They were confiscated by the Inter-Agency Teams in a move to protect society against illicit products and enhance a competitive business environment to promote legitimate trade.

    The illicit goods comprised alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, ethanol amongst others, which had been impounded during various Inter-agency operations executed countrywide, in the financial year 2022/2023.

    Speaking during the event at the destruction site at EPZ in Athi River, the Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Department, Enforcement Division Mr. Mutembei Nyagah said that the goods had been condemned and declared counterfeit as they did not comply with various legal statutes including the Excise Duty Act 2015 and Excisable Goods Management System Act Regulations (EGMS).

    He added that it was an offence to be in possession of any excisable product imported or manufactured by unlicensed persons.

    The Chairman of Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya Mr. Eric Githua commended the Inter-agency Team for the initiative stating that illicit goods had devastated the lives of many young people, and called on the public to remain vigilant against such products.

    Officials present during the destruction were representatives from the Inter-Agency Team comprising the National Police Service and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

    KRA has consequently notified all traders and the general public that it is an offence to distribute, offer for sale or be in possession of any excisable goods manufactured or imported by unlicensed persons.

    “The updated list of licensed manufacturers and importers of excisable goods is available on the KRA website.KRA is committed to ensuring that trade operations are only carried out by traders who abide by the laid down legislations and tax policies” said KRA  commissioner.

  • PS Tum to appear before senators over Kemsa scandal

    PS Tum to appear before senators over Kemsa scandal

    Immediate former PS Medical Services Peter Tum is expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Health to shed light on the Ksh 3.7 billion Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) procurement scandal.

    According to a press invite, Tum is scheduled to appear at 10 am.

    “The purpose of the meeting is to meet with PS (Eng.) Peter Tum, OGW, Principal Secretary, State Department of Sports, and immediate former PS, State Department of Medical Services, MoH to deliberate on the alleged irregularities in the procurement of long-lasting insecticidal nets at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority” reads the invite.

    Tum was moved to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in a graft purge that saw the Principal Secretary at the State Department of Public Health Dr Josephine Mburu and the entire board sacked.

    Ms Mburu who was grilled by the committee early this month absolved herself from blame over the cancellation of tender for the procurement of mosquito nets.

    She claimed she did not interfere with the tendering process disclosing that the role fell squarely in the docket of her former colleague in the Ministry Eng. Peter Tum.

    While calling for a fair hearing and justice, the former PS said she learned about her sacking from the media.

    She further urged the Senate to expedite its investigations to unearth the real culprits.

    Several top Ministry of Health officials and KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani were also suspended.

    Health CS, Kemsa top officials, and Global Fund representatives have since been interrogated by the Senator Jackson Mandago-led committee.

    The fund had floated tenders for the supply of 10.2 million long-lasting polyethylene and polyester nets to be distributed from November to July next year as part of a mass campaign.

  • Suspects linked to multiple crimes set to appear in court

    Suspects linked to multiple crimes set to appear in court

    Two suspects arrested over a series of armed robberies in several counties are set to appear in court today.

    David Mwangi alias Mzae and Ezekiel Kiarie Njoki who are currently in custody are behind a string of crimes in Nairobi Nakuru, Kiambu, Murang’a, and Kajiado counties.

    Kiarie who has been on the run for the past few days was arrested along Limuru road as he escaped with his family from the city to his rural home in Dundori,  Nyandarua County.

    Detectives intercepted a Mitsubishi canter registration number KAM 231J, that was ferrying the suspect, his family members, and their belongings to Nyandarua, after realizing that sleuths were closing in on them.

    After conducting a search in the vehicle, a Czeska pistol serial number B022944 with a magazine loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a CZ P-07 pistol serial number C626319 with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm calibre were recovered.

    The firearms have been linked to various incidents where victims have lost money immediately after making transactions in banks.

  • Suspects linked to armed robberies in 4 counties arrested

    Suspects linked to armed robberies in 4 counties arrested

    Police have arrested two suspects linked to a series of armed robberies in Nairobi Nakuru, Kiambu, Murang’a, and Kajiado counties.

    According to DCI, two firearms used in the various robberies have been recovered.

    The suspect identified as Ezekiel Kiarie who has been on the run for the past few days was arrested along Limuru road as he escaped with his family from the city to his rural home in Dundori,  Nyandarua County.

    Detectives intercepted a Mitsubishi canter registration number KAM 231J, that was ferrying the suspect, his family members, and their belongings to Nyandarua, after realizing that sleuths were closing in on them.

    After conducting a search in the vehicle, a Czeska pistol serial number B022944 with a magazine loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a CZ P-07 pistol serial number C626319 with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm calibre were recovered.

    The firearms have been linked to various incidents where victims have lost money immediately after making transactions in banks.

    Two suspects David Mwangi alias Mzae and Ezekiel Kiarie Njoki are currently in custody being interrogated in relation to their crimes, before being arraigned in court Thursday.

  • Muslims in Mombasa observe Eid al-Adha amid calls for peace

    Muslims in Mombasa observe Eid al-Adha amid calls for peace

    By Eyob Mengistu Alemayehu

    Hundreds of Muslims Wednesday converged in Mosques and open grounds in Mombasa to offer special prayers for Edd-ul-Adha.

    Edd-ul-Adha, also known as Edd-ul-Hajj, is celebrated to mark the end of a pilgrimage that revolves around the activities of Abraham and his son.

    During the festival of Eid ul-Adha, Muslims acknowledge the devotion of Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son, Ismail, under the order of Allah SWT (God).

    Ibrahim, also known as Abraham, is a prominent figure in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

    This story in different versions is in the Quran, the Bible, and the Old Testament, which shows the common heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

    More than 2 million in 160 countries began the annual Hajj pilgrimage Sunday in Saudi Arabia. The five-day hajj pilgrimage represents one of the world’s biggest gatherings every year.

    According to Islamic teaching, Edd-ul-Adha (the feast of the sacrifice) takes place on the 10th day of the third month after Ramadhan.

    According to the Quran – the sacred religious book of Islam – just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God replaced Ismail with a lamb, which was sacrificed instead.

    This command from Allah SWT was a test of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness and commitment to obey his Lord’s command, without question. Therefore, Eid al-Adha means the festival of sacrifice.

    Edd is an Arabic word that means feast or festival and Adha means sacrifice. The holy feast is not to be confused with Edd-ul-Fitr, which is marked at the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, which comes earlier.

    Eid al-Adha takes place on the 10th day of the final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah.

    Dhu al-Hijjah is the 12th and most sacred month of the Islamic year, during which observant Muslims travel to Mecca for Hajj.

    During the morning of Eid al-Adha, a special prayer called Salat al-Eid is recited in honour of the festival, ahead of the Dhuhr prayer at noon.

    All able-bodied adults of the Islamic faith are expected to complete Hajj at least once in their lifetimes.

    As Eid al-Adha commemorates the sacrifice made by the prophet Ibrahim, Muslims typically celebrate the festival by carrying out a Qurbani, meaning “sacrifice” in Arabic.

    The animal that is sacrificed – which is usually a goat, sheep, cow or camel – is separated into three parts.

    At least one-third of the meat from the animal must go to poor or vulnerable people.

    Addressing the media after presiding over the morning prayers at Masjid Ummu Kulthum, Sheikh  Abubakar Bamkuu, Muslim scholar and cleric who presided called upon the Muslims to follow the footsteps of Prophet Mohamed in preaching unity, love and coexistence among Kenyans.

    Sheikh Bamkuu,further urged Muslim faiths to share meat with their non-Muslim brothers and sisters as signs of goodwill and cohesiveness of the society.

    He called for the slaughtering of healthy animals including camels, goats, sheep and cows to observe Prophet Ibrahim obedience to God’s directive to slaughter his only son, Ismail who survived the knife after God replaced him with a fat ram miraculously.

    The vocal cleric went on to urge Muslims across the country to follow the true teachings of religion with caution of an upsurge in deviant teachings.

    Sheikh Bamkuu further called upon Kenyans to be God-fearing people and observe prayers as a way of averting the economic crisis and drought which has been ravaging the country.

    “If we respect God and follow his teachings to the letter and seek intercession from Allah (God) we will receive blessings,” he said.

    Sheikh Bamkuu further called on political leaders to forge political unity and peace to help build stability and progress in the country.

    He said unity was necessary for the development of the country and asked people to embrace peace and unity in the interest of national development by following God’s teachings.