KBC Channel 1

Author: Martin Mwanje

  • Who are you to issue demands? DP Gachagua fires back at Raila

    Who are you to issue demands? DP Gachagua fires back at Raila

    Azimio leader Raila Odinga has no moral authority to issue demands to President William Ruto.

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accuses him of failing to address the very issues he is raising when he entered into a handshake with ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    “Who are you to give demands? Who elected you? Who are you in Kenya? Can’t you wait until 2027 and persuade these people to give you an opportunity?” Gachagua fired back even as he expressed optimism that their bold decisions will be vindicated by the people of Kenya in the next two years.

    “You were in the government of Uhuru Kenyatta, you were an advisor, you could have addressed the issues you are raising. You did nothing. You left us a country that is torn apart. You destroyed the Jubilee agenda, completely.”

    He made the remarks Friday while addressing a high-level Coffee Reforms Conference in Meru County.

    The DP expressed the sentiments a day after Azimio leader Raila Odinga issued ten demands to President William Ruto.

    Key among the demands was a call on President Ruto to withdrawal the Finance Bill 2023 that has sharply divided the court of public opinion.

    “We ask Ruto to humble himself, withdraw this bill, offer apology and seek forgiveness from Kenyans for anxiety caused then and begin afresh,” urged Raila while addressing the media Thursday.

    Rather than burdening Kenyans, the Opposition also called on the ruling regime to stop duplication of county roles and responsibilities and adopt a zero-based budgeting approach.

    The government was at the same time urged to live within its means by cutting down the size of the budget.

    According to Azimio, this can be done by sealing the loopholes that lead to the loss of revenue, stopping non-essential government expenditures including the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries, reduce the size of government and by cutting non-essential domestic and international travel.

    The Opposition further called for a freeze on ministerial out of station allowances, ministerial house allowances and domestic allowances for Cabinet and Principal Secretaries and wants corruption and theft of public funds stopped.

  • Kindiki: Gov’t to construct cross community schools in six conflict prone counties

    Kindiki: Gov’t to construct cross community schools in six conflict prone counties

    The government will construct cross community schools in six North Rift Counties that have for years faced insecurity challenges.

    The move, Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki says, aims at promoting peaceful co-existence and integration among residents of the targeted counties.

    They are Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, Samburu, Laikipia, West Pokot and Baringo where education has been listed as a key change agent.

    “In order to bring lasting peace, we will build five special schools so that children from different communities including those from West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana can learn together and collaborate in promoting peace in future,” Prof. Kindiki said during a meeting held at Dira Primary School in Tiaty Constituency.

    “Along Kerio River, we will establish irrigation projects that will bring together people from all communities so that as they work together, peace will prevail.”

    The meeting was attended by security, political, religious and community leaders among them Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Wisley Korir and Tiaty MP William Kamket.

    The CS indicated that the 15 schools that were vandalized and destroyed by bandits in Tiaty Constituency will be reconstructed adding that the government was determined to ensure all pupils go to school.

    He assured locals that the government will ensure the safety of the learners to facilitate uninterrupted learning.

    The Interior CS was later expected to visit the sites where the five cross community schools will be built at the intersection of Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and West Pokot to encourage education uptake, integrate children from different communities at an early age and limit their recruitment into banditry.

  • My hands are tied, says Speaker Wetang’ula over Sabina Chege ouster

    My hands are tied, says Speaker Wetang’ula over Sabina Chege ouster

    Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege will continue to serve as Deputy Minority Whip in the National Assembly pending the outcome of a case filed in court in relation to her ouster.

    The High Court in Kiambu on May 30, 2023 issued conservatory orders restraining the replacement of the former Murang’a Woman Representative pending the determination of the case.

    The petitioners in the case argue that National Assembly’s Standing Order No. 20(a)(4) does not clearly outline the process for the removal of a Whip or a Deputy Whip.

    While the Minority Party has met all requisite requirements to replace her, Speaker Moses Wetag’ula says the House is obligated to obey the orders the court.

    “On one hand, the minority party has met all the procedural requirements to effect the change of its leadership. On the other hand, I am confronted by a court order that specifically cited both the Speaker and the House as parties to a judicial process that seems to challenge an administrative process,” said Wetang’ula in communication to the House regarding the matter Thursday afternoon.

    “Despite the sympathies I may hold for the predicament the minority party finds itself, this House has consistently demonstrated its willingness to abide by orders of the court relating to the exercise of its quasi-judicial and administrative function. Even where certain orders have been adverse to the interests of the House, we have dutifully obeyed them and set aside the orders that we were not in agreement with,” added Wetang’ula amid chants of “no orders” from a section of the seeming agitated Azimio lawmakers.

    In a letter dated May 31, 2023 addressed to the Speaker, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi indicated that they have settled on Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje to replace Sabina as Deputy Minority Whip.

    In the letter, Wandayi indicated that the decision was taken during a meeting held by the Minority Party the previous day.

    Jubilee party is currently embroiled in supremacy battles pitting two camps, one led by ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta and the other, Sabina Chege.

    The Sabina-led faction has since called its National Delegates Conference slated for July 22.

    It is expected that Uhuru will be among leaders that will be expelled from the party during the conference.

    The Uhuru Kenyatta led camp held its NDC a fortnight ago where Sabina Chege and EALA MP Kanini Kega were expelled from the party.

    The NDC held at Ngong Racecourse has since been declared null and void by the party’s internal dispute committee.

     

     

     

  • EACC says bill by Mbeere North MP will hamper graft war

    EACC says bill by Mbeere North MP will hamper graft war

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has vehemently opposed a bill sponsored by Mbeere North lawmaker Geoffrey Ruku which seeks to repeal crucial provisions of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

    It is this legislation that governs the investigation, prosecution and punishment of corruption and economic crimes.

    In particular, the Bill seeks to amend section 45(2) of the Act by deleting the two offences prescribed in Section 45(2)(b) and (c) namely the “failure to follow procurement guidelines” and “engaging in a public project without prior planning.”

    In opposing the Bill, EACC says the sections sought to be deleted form the bedrock of corruption investigations which lead to either criminal prosecution of offenders and/or recovery of public funds looted through procurement flaws.

    If enacted into law, the anti-graft body says the Bill will deal a major blow to the ongoing efforts to tame procurement related corruption in both national and county governments where theft of public funds through skewed procurement processes, conflict of interest, tender fraud and award of contracts to unqualified persons are prevalent.

    According to Mbeere North MP, the issues sought to be de-criminalized are mere administrative flaws that can be adequately handled through administrative mechanisms instead of criminal prosecution.

    EACC, civil society and other stakeholders have unequivocally opposed the Bill terming it a dangerous proposal aimed at creating legal escape routes for perpetrators of corruption scandals through procurement fraud.

  • Raila to Ruto: Withdraw Finance Bill 2023 and apologize to Kenyans

    Raila to Ruto: Withdraw Finance Bill 2023 and apologize to Kenyans

    Azimio One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has yet again issued ten demands to President William Ruto  amid the raging standoff over the Finance Bill 2023.

    Key among the demands is the immediate withdrawal of the Bill that has sharply divided the court of public opinion.

    “We ask Ruto to humble himself, withdraw this bill, offer apology and seek forgiveness from Kenyans for anxiety caused then and begin afresh,” urged Raila who warned against the use of threats to have the bill passed in parliament in his address to the media Thursday.

    “Should Ruto overrun the National Assembly, we will regroup and overrun him in the Ward and National Assembly of the whole people of Kenya.”

    Raila further warned the Kenya Kwanza administration against imposing punitive taxes on Kenyans saying the move was bound to negatively impact economic growth.

    “As this bill heads to the National Assembly, we must remind Ruto that excessive taxation is stifling growth. We must tell Ruto that when people have to pack cars at home because of cost of fuel, it is bad for the economy. We must tell him that when Kenyans postpone travelling upcountry, because they can’t afford fuel or fare, it is bad for the economy.”

    Rather than burdening Kenyans, the Opposition is calling on the ruling regime to stop duplication of county roles and responsibilities and adopt a zero-based budgeting approach.

    The government has also been urged to live within its means by cutting down the size of the budget.

    According to Azimio, this can be done by sealing the loopholes that lead to the loss of revenue, stopping non-essential government expenditures including the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries, reduce the size of government and by cutting non-essential domestic and international travel.

    The Opposition is further calling for a freeze on ministerial out of station allowances, ministerial house allowances and domestic allowances for Cabinet and Principal Secretaries and wants corruption and theft of public funds stopped.

  • Ruto lauds French Government for supporting Africa Climate Summit plans

    Ruto lauds French Government for supporting Africa Climate Summit plans

    President William Ruto has lauded the French Government for its generous support towards the Inaugural Africa Climate Summit to be held in Nairobi in September.

    He termed the move a bold step that will greatly contribute towards positive environmental outcomes.

    “This is the collective, bold and creative approach that the world desires in generating positive environmental and social outcomes,” said President Ruto Wednesday at State House, Nairobi.

    He spoke when he met Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, the Minister for Development, Francophony and International Partnerships of the French Republic and Special Envoy of President Emmanuel Macron.

    The inaugural Africa Climate Summit that will bring together African Heads of State and Government will be held in Nairobi from 4-5 September, 2023.

    It will be held in the country alongside this year’s Africa Climate Week that will run from 4-8 September.

    The venue of the twin event shall be the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in downtown Nairobi. Costs for both the Secretariat Office and the venue will be met from a USD 1 million sponsorship from the Government of Denmark through the Danish Embassy in Nairobi.

    “We expect the participation of over 10,000 delegates in Nairobi for both events. The participants will include Government delegations, representatives from UN agencies, multilateral development institutions,
    financial institutions, private sector,” Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS Soipan Tuya is on record having said of the two events.

  • Raila threatens to call for countrywide protests over Finance Bill 2023

    Raila threatens to call for countrywide protests over Finance Bill 2023

    Kenyans should ready themselves for countrywide protests over the cost of living.

    Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga says the protests will commence once he blows the trumpet.

    He is urging Kenyans to turn up in large numbers and fight for their rights when called upon to do so.

    Raila claims the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration has failed to address concerns raised by millions of Kenyans regarding the high cost of living and instead was hell-bent on slapping them with an unbearable tax regime.

    “Kenyans are hurting. They are suffering. They came to power through the backdoor when they were not ready to govern and now want to pour their inefficiency on poor Kenyans”, Raila said at Chungwa House Wednesday when he met members of the Gusii Community living in Nairobi.

    With the contentious Finance Bill 2023 set to be tabled in the National Assembly Thursday, the ODM leader says he will address the nation on the material day over the Bill with an aim of giving Kenyans the way forward.

    “They want to table the controversial bill in parliament tomorrow for the second reading and then have the Treasury CS present the budget statement on Thursday next week. They are determined to have it passed, but Kenyans will resist,” he charged.

    According to him, Kenyans should brace for harsh economic times ahead if Parliament passes the controversial Finance Bill 2023 which he says will inflict them with more pain if implemented in its current state.

  • Finance Committee recommends approval of Dr. Kamau Thugge as CBK Governor

    Finance Committee recommends approval of Dr. Kamau Thugge as CBK Governor

    National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning has recommended the nomination of Dr. Kamau Thugge to be the next Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya.

    National Assembly will now either approve or disapprove his nomination when the Committee tables its report on the floor of the House Wednesday afternoon.

    The Committee’s Chairperson Kuria Kimani says their decision was informed by Dr. Thugge’s suitability and integrity for the job.

    “Having considered the suitability, capacity and integrity of the nominee, and pursuant to section 13(1) and 13C of the Central Bank Act, section 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval), and Standing Order 216(5)(f) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, the Departmentmal Committee of Finance and National Planning recommends that the National Assembly APPROVES the nomination of Dr. Kamau Thugge, CBS as Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya,” says Kimani in a statement dated June 6, 2023.

    Dr. Thugge was mid last month nominated by President William Ruto, on the recommendation by the Public Service Commission, to succeed the outgoing CBK Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge whose term ends mid this month.

    An accomplished economist, the nominee who is also the Head of Fiscal Affairs in the Council of Economic Advisors, served as a Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Treasury during ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • First Lady Rachel Ruto calls for bicycle cycling

    First Lady Rachel Ruto calls for bicycle cycling

    First Lady Rachel Ruto has called for more use of bicycles to promote clean and sustainable mode of transport in the country.

    Speaking on Friday at State House after receiving more than 280 bikes donated by South Korea, Rachel said cycling is healthy, affordable and environment-friendly.

    “Road transport accounts for about 10 per cent of global carbon emission; we must tame this to save lives,” she said.

    The First Lady said more focus on cycling will help achieve zero carbon emission by 2050.

    She explained that bicycles will help in timely transportation of goods to markets.

    “This will help our farmers earn more from their produce, hence support more livelihoods.”

    The First Lady has been leading in “Share the Road Campaign” to promote cycling as a safe and sustainable means of transport.

    South Korea Ambassador to Kenya Hoeseung Hwang praised the noble role played by the First Lady in uplifting the vulnerable.

    “We recognise the invaluable role that women play in driving positive changes in the society,” he said.

    Hoeseung noted that cycling symbolises freedom, health and active living.

    “We are proud to be part of this momentous occasion; it is a testimony to strong bonds between our countries and our unwavering dedication to supporting gender equality,” he added.

     

  • Senator Omtatah files lawsuit, challenges Finance Bill 2023 in court

    Senator Omtatah files lawsuit, challenges Finance Bill 2023 in court

    Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah has made true his threats to challenge the Finance Bill 2023 in court.

    The first time Senator Friday filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the contentious Bill which he terms unconstitutional.

    Senator Omtatah had vowed to seek redress in court after the Madaraka Day celebrations saying he will not sit by and watch as the Bill that threatens to destroy the industrial base of this country is enacted into law.

    “This is a war on the Republic of Kenya, it is a fight for the soul of this country, and we are not going to shy from it,” he said at the floor of the Senate Wednesday.

    In a suit filed under a certificate of urgency Friday, Omtatah faults the Executive for usurping the roles of both the taxman and the two Houses of Parliament.

    He argues that President William Ruto is forcing the passage of the Bill which he says amounts to coercing Kenyans to pay tax irregularly.

    In the case, the Senator has enlisted over 30 articles of the Constitution which risks being violated if the Bill is passed.

    “Earlier today I filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Finance Bill, 2023. There are clear limitations that cannot be breached when doing taxation. You cannot force somebody to save. You cannot force somebody to join an association”, said Omtatah after filing the lawsuit.

    This coming at a time the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning has finalized public hearings on the Bill.

    The Committee, led by Molo MP Kimani Kuria, has for the last nine days been receiving submissions and memoranda from organized groups and individuals on various proposals contained in the Bill that provides for various ways of financing the 2023/24 Budget.

    The Committee is now expected to engage the National Treasury and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on thorny issues raised by respondents during the hearings before retreating to write its report.

    Thereafter, the report is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly for consideration.

    The Bill has an approval timeline of June 30, 2023 and will come into effect from July 1, 2023 if enacted into law.