KBC Channel 1

Author: Martin Mwanje

  • Senator Thang’wa pushes for extended public holidays

    Senator Thang’wa pushes for extended public holidays

    Kenyans stand to enjoy extended public holidays should the proposed changes by Kiambu County Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa to the Public Holidays Act sail through.

    The youthful lawmaker has drafted the Public Holidays Amendment Bill which proposes that where a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding day which is a Monday also becomes a public holiday.

    The bill also proposes that when a public holiday falls on a Thursday, the succeeding day which is a Friday also becomes a public holiday.

    “If this law was effective from January 2023, this year alone could have only affected three days,” says Thang’wa who terms his proposal “holiday economics”.

    According to him, had the law been enacted by now, Kenyans could have this year benefitted from three off days, one being during yesterday’s Madaraka day celebrations which was marked on a Thursday meaning today (Friday) could have been a holiday, and during Utumishi Day which will marked on a Tuesday in October and Jamhuri day which will be marked on a Tuesday.

    Thang’wa says countries like the Philippines have such an arrangement already in place that he says is bound to provide workers with ample time to rest, recharge, and prioritize their well-being both physically mentally.

    “It will also allow for quality time with loved ones, celebration of traditions, and the opportunity for travel and tourism,” he contends adding that extending public holidays will support economic growth and promote domestic tourism by encouraging longer trips and visits to new destinations thus benefitting the hospitality and tourism industries.

    Political analyst David Makali was quick to laud the proposed amendment bill terming it progressive.

    “Dear Kenyans, let us support this bill by Sen Karungu Thang’wa. The kind of bills that make sense.”

  • WFP condemns looting of humanitarian warehouses in Sudan

    WFP condemns looting of humanitarian warehouses in Sudan

    The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has strongly condemned the looting of one of the agency’s logistics hubs in south-central Sudan.

    The agency says the attack on its warehouses in El Obeid puts food assistance for 4.4 million conflict-affected people at risk.

    WFP is working around the clock to scale up its operations in Sudan to reach millions of people whose lives have been put at risk by the violence that broke out in mid-April.

    “This theft of humanitarian food and assets totally undermines these operations at a critical time for the people of Sudan. This must stop,” said WFP in a statement.

    “Millions will be impacted by this attack. Initial reports suggest that food and nutrition supplies, as well as vehicles, fuel and generators have been looted in this incident.”

    El Obeid hosts one of WFP’s largest logistics bases in Africa and serves as a vital lifeline for operations in Sudan and South Sudan.

    WFP alone has so far recorded losses estimated at more than US$60 million since the violence broke out on April 15.

    WFP is once again urging all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian assistance, aid workers and assets so that it can resume its life-saving mission.

    About 2.5 million people in Sudan are expected to slip into hunger in the coming months because of the ongoing violence.

    WFP says this would take acute food insecurity in Sudan to record levels, with more than 19 million people affected, which is equivalent to 40 percent of the population.

     

  • CS Chelugui underscores need to devise ways of financing MSMEs

    CS Chelugui underscores need to devise ways of financing MSMEs

    Lack of access to affordable financing has been an impediment to efforts by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to stimulate development across the African continent.

    This, despite the fact that the MSME sector plays a significant role in employment creation, poverty reduction, creativity and innovation, supply chain linkages as well as social and community development.

    It is estimated that 51% of the over 44 million MSMEs in the Sub-Saharan region require more funding than they can currently access.

    “Without reliable and affordable sources of working capital, MSMEs are unable to make the necessary investments to facilitate growth as well as tap into available markets such as EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA. The financing challenge is primarily based on two  parameters of accessibility and affordabilit,” submitted the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Simon Chelugui when he spoke Wednesday during the Kenya International Investment Conference in Nairobi.

    Chelugui is now calling on African countries to devise ways that will ensure easy access to finance by MSMEs to stir up development.

    Citing the unprecedented opportunities to MSMEs both in the urban and rural settings brought about by high mobile phone penetration in the  continent, the CS observed that there is need to develop strategies that give the  highest priority to MSMEs in terms of government policy responses  and interventions.

    “The Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) with a combined GDP of USD 3.4 billion provides a significant platform for MSMEs to expand their market reach, enhance competitiveness, access new opportunities, and promotes inclusive and sustainable development in Africa,” said Chelugui who told the gathering of how MSMEs in Africa are highly vulnerable to economic shocks such as the one created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Despite this important market access opportunity, MSMEs at present are unable to fully tap into this opportunity due to a range of obstacles one of which is lack of access to finance to not only modernize their production processes but also working capital to produce the required quantities to meet the market demand.”

    To ensure financial inclusion in the country amid a litany of challenges that MSMEs face such as lack of collateral, the CS gave an example of the Hustler Fund flagship programme that was launched by the government few months ago with an aim of deepening financial inclusion for millions of citizens and MSMEs who  have for a long time been excluded from the mainstream financial system products.

    The fund which offers between Ksh.500 – Ksh.50,000at an interest rate of 8% per annum, he says, has in  just over 5 months provided affordable credit to over 20 million borrowers with over Ksh. 29.2billion disbursed.

    The total repayment stands at over Ksh.19.16 billion representing over 65%.

    In developing countries, world, the MSME sector  constitutes 90% of the private sector and creates more than 50% of  jobs in their respective economies.

    In Africa, the MSMEs sector creates an estimated 80% of jobs across, representing an important driver of  economic growth.

    Sub-Saharan Africa alone has an estimated 44  million MSMEs, with a bulk of these in the micro category.

     

  • Raila to Ruto: Address Finance Bill concerns or else…

    Raila to Ruto: Address Finance Bill concerns or else…

    President William Ruto has until Monday next week to look into contentious issues contained in the Finance Bill 2023 failure to which he will face the wrath of the Opposition.

    The 6-day ultimatum has been issued by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga who has previously called for demonstrations to push the government to listen to Opposition demands.

    He says it is improper for the ruling Kenya Kwanza regime to impose unnecessary taxes on the already overtaxed Kenyans.

    “We shall blow the trumpet, we will tell you what to do. That day is coming soon”,  said Raila while speaking Wednesday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation Headquarters in Nairobi.

    Raila accused the President William Ruto led administration for allegedly re-introducing dictatorship in the country which he said will not go down well with the oppressed majority.

    “They made a million promises to the people, none of those promises has been implemented and there is no indication that they will execute them,” he averred.

    The ODM leader said, Kenyans were tired of empty promises by the Kenya Kwanza administration coupled with the increasing high cost of living saying the time had come when they should say enough is enough.

    Raila spoke at a time Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah maintains he will challenge the controversial Finance Bill 2023 in court.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I am heading to court, which is an arena outside this house. If the bill was coming to this house, I could have waited to comment on the bill and try and fight it in this house. But because it is not coming in this house, it will only be in the National Assembly, I am going to engage with the bill in court,” said Omtatah on the floor of the Senate Wednesday.

    The Finance Bill 2023 has raised a spectre of controversy with opponents taking issue with what they term as punitive taxes contained in the bill and the proposed mandatory Housing Fund.

     

     

  • Senator Omtatah: Why I will challenge Finance Bill in court

    Senator Omtatah: Why I will challenge Finance Bill in court

    Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah maintains he will challenge the controversial Finance Bill in court.

    He says his decision to seek legal redress emanates from the fact that he will not be accorded an opportunity to debate the bill on the floor of the Senate.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I am heading to court, which is an arena outside this house. If the bill was coming to this house, I could have waited to comment on the bill and try and fight it in this house. But because it is not coming in this house, it will only be in the National Assembly, I am going to engage with the bill in court,” said Omtatah on the floor of the Senate Wednesday.

    According to him, his court battles against the bill will commence immediately after the Madaraka Day celebrations slated for this Thursday.

    “After Jamhuri (Madaraka), it is a new ball game. We will be engaging totally with that bill on the issues that threaten to destroy the industrial base of this country and return us to the caves the way the war on Iraq has returned Iraq to the caves. 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 insisted.

    His stance coming at a time Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwaba last weekend pleaded with him to use the platform that is parliament to raise his concerns regarding the bill.

    “Okiya, my very good friend, you know you used the court platform because it was the only platform available to you. But now the people of Busia have given you a forum, you are the Honourable Senator of the great County of Busia. You don’t need the courtroom no more. You need the floor of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya,” urged Namwamba during an inter-denominational prayer service that was held at Busia Stadium last weekend.

    It was during the prayer service that Senator Omtatah first intimated that he will challenge the bill in court saying it contained both good and bad things.

    “I have already prepared a petition to go to court. But when I heard you were coming to Busia I did not file it last week. I held on. I pray that we relook at this bill. If we can avoid fighting in court it would be good as it is bad for friends to fight,” he told President William Ruto who was in attendance.

    “You want to take me to court and all I’m doing is creating jobs for these people, don’t you want them to get jobs? Busia people, please talk to this man to go easy on the court matters,” President Ruto responded in his defence.

    The Finance Bill has raised a storm in a tea cup with the Opposition terming it punitive for imposing untold taxes on Kenyans who are already reeling under the weight of the high cost of living.

    The proposed mandatory Housing Fund has in particular been a bone of contention.

  • It was just a drill, KAA now says over JKIA ‘incident’

    It was just a drill, KAA now says over JKIA ‘incident’

    Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has successfully conducted a full-scale emergency drill at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

    The exercise, conducted Wednesday morning, involved a simulated incident of an aircraft that crashed at the region’s busiest airport while overflying the capital, Nairobi.

    It was organized by KAA as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance airport emergency response capabilities while at the same time ensuring the highest level of preparedness in the case of unforeseen events.

    “KAA would like to assure the public that this incident was entirely simulated and did not pose any real danger to passengers, crew members, or airport operations,” said the agency amid fears an aircraft had crashed at the airport.

    “The safety and security of all individuals involved were strictly prioritized throughout the exercise.”

    KAA Managing Director Alex Gitari expressed his satisfaction over the manner the drill was conducted.

    “Safety is our utmost priority at Kenya Airports Authority, and conducting regular emergency drills is a crucial aspect of our commitment to ensuring the highest level of preparedness,” he noted.

    Earlier, the agency sparked fears after it announced in a terse statement that an aircraft overflying Nairobi had encountered an “incident.”

    “An aircraft overflying Nairobi encountered an incident at JKIA this morning. Immediate rescue operations are underway, led by our dedicated emergency response teams,” KAA announced at the time.

    “We are working closely with authorities as we prioritize the safety of all involved,” it added without divulging finer details regarding the said incident.

     

     

     

  • North Korea says spy satellite launch crashed into sea

    North Korea says spy satellite launch crashed into sea

    North Korea has said an accident happened as it planned to send up its first space satellite, causing it to crash into the sea.

    Pyongyang announced earlier it planned to launch a satellite by 11 June to monitor US military activities.

    It now says it will attempt a second launch as soon as possible.

    The launch sparked a false alarm in the South Korean capital Seoul, while in Japan a warning was issued to residents of Okinawa, in the south.

    There was chaos and confusion in Seoul as people awoke to the sound of an air raid siren and an emergency message telling them to prepare for an evacuation – only to be told 20 minutes later it had been sent in error.

    The stakes are high on the Korean Peninsula, where tensions have existed between the two countries for 70 years, and this false alarm could seriously damage people’s trust in the alert system.

    North Korea poses a threat to South Korea, and if there is an alert in the future one question being asked is whether it will be taken seriously, or brushed off as another mistake.

    Kim, a 33-year-old mother living in Seoul, told the BBC she was “very scared” when she received the emergency alert and started packing her bags to evacuate.

    “I didn’t believe there would be a war, but after the war in Ukraine it made me think that North Korea or China might invade [South] Korea,” she said, adding she thought Pyongyang had “lost its mind” and launched an invasion.

    In a press conference, Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon acknowledged the emergency text “may have been an overreaction” but said “there can be no compromise on safety”.

    He said the city would improve its warning system to avoid confusion, AFP news agency reports.

    South Korea’s military said the rocket might have broken up in mid-air or crashed after it vanished from radar early. It released pictures of wreckage found in the sea.

    Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said North Korea appeared to have fired a ballistic missile and that the government was analysing the details.

    He added that there were currently no reports of damage following the launch. Japan said previously it was ready to shoot down anything that threatened its territory.

    On Tuesday, Ri Pyong Chol, vice-chairman of North Korea’s ruling party’s central military commission, announced the launch plan, saying it was in response to “reckless military acts” by the US and South Korea.

    He accused the countries of “openly revealing their reckless ambition for aggression”.

    The United States joined South Korea and Japan in condemning the launch, calling it a “brazen violation” of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

    “The door has not closed on diplomacy but Pyongyang must immediately cease its provocative actions and instead choose engagement,” said Adam Hodge, National Security spokesman.

    He added that the US will take “all necessary measures” to protect itself and its allies.

    UN secretary general Antonio Guterres also condemned the move, saying any launch by Pyongyang using ballistic missile technology was “contrary” to the relevant security council resolutions.

    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has identified the development of military satellites as a key component of his country’s defence.

    Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the North Korean government “likely sees itself in a space race”, and that whether or not its current satellite mission is a success it “can be expected to issue political propaganda about its space capabilities”.

    Source: BBC

  • Kenya hosts ‘World No Tobacco Day’

    Kenya hosts ‘World No Tobacco Day’

    Kenya is Wednesday hosting the commemoration of the “World No Tobacco Day” amid heightened calls that millions of hectares of land globally be dedicated to food as opposed to tobacco production.

     The theme of the day to be marked in Migori County is “We need food, NOT tobacco,” a global campaign for raising awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers.

    Under the Tobacco-Free Farms Project, over 2,000 long-time tobacco farmers in the county have switched to alternative crops, participated in training, and planted high-iron beans in the fields where they used to grow tobacco.

    The project has equally seen farmers’ health improve, increased school attendance from children previously working on the farms, and better crops for the environment replacing tobacco.

    ”The government, and particularly the Ministry of Health, wholeheartedly supports the Tobacco Free Farms Project due to its prioritization of the health of Kenyans. By introducing iron-rich nyota beans, we aim to address the prevalent iron deficiency among women and children, thereby significantly improving their well-being,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha ahead of the commemoration.

    With the planned expansion of the Tobacco Free Farms Initiative, more farmers and families in other counties are expected to grow more food and less tobacco.

    Kenya was one of the first countries to ratify the legally binding WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004 and has been a key player in implementing effective tobacco control measures.

    The Convention and the Kenya Tobacco Control Act promote economically viable alternatives to tobacco production as a way of preventing possible adverse social and economic impact on populations whose livelihoods depend on tobacco production.

    “We congratulate Kenya for its efforts to control tobacco and for leading in this transformative – Tobacco Free Farms initiative that is truly changing the lives of farmers and communities for better health,” remarked WHO Country Representative, Dr Abdourahmane Diallo.

    “We also appreciate the strengthened partnership of the Ministry of Health, the WHO, the FCTC Secretariat and all the partners in the Tobacco Free Farms project for choosing Kenya and more specifically Migori County to implement this important global initiative.”

    Tobacco kills over 8 million people every year with more than 6,000 Kenyans dying of tobacco-related diseases every year (79 men and 37 women die per week).

    An estimated 220,000 children and 2,737,000 adults use tobacco each day in the country.

    Over one million deaths (from the 8 million-tobacco -related) are attributed to exposure to second-hand smoke.

    Tobacco as a cash crop contributes less than 1% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Its farmers and their families are exposed to serious health risks through nicotine absorbed through the skin when handling wet tobacco leaves, exposure to heavy use of pesticides and to tobacco dust.

    Tobacco growing is also associated with increased gender inequality, deforestation, soil degradation, and contamination of water supplies.

     

  • DP Gachagua orders illicit brew crackdown in Rift Valley region

    DP Gachagua orders illicit brew crackdown in Rift Valley region

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ordered security agencies to crack down on illicit brew and hard drugs in Rift Valley region effective immediately.

    The DP called for concerted effort between security agencies and the leadership of all the 14 counties in the region to fight the menace.

    ” The way to solve a problem is first to acknowledge that it exists”, he said while commissioning an engagement of leaders and other stakeholders from Rift Valley in Nakuru County on ending illegal brews and drugs abuse.

    Statistics by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) shows that the Rift Valley region closely follows the Central region in illicit drugs abuse.

    Gachagua warned that the government will not entertain officers who will not deliver on this order, which aims to save the region, as the young generation, which mainly indulges in the illicit and second-generation alcohol, risks being wiped out.

    “The situation degenerated because of laxity by the previous administration. They absconded duty. I am asking police officers to do their job. Arrest this people. The war will be determined by the station commanders. The success or failure of it will be determined by station commanders,” noted the DP who ordered that the crackdown commences effective immediately.

    Leaders present echoed the sentiments warning that officers protecting unscrupulous dealers will not be spared, adding that only registered dealers will be allowed to operate awaiting re-evaluation of their licenses.

    According to the NACADA, alcohol abuse in Rift Valley is a major problem due to high levels of consumption, ease of availability, affordability and accessibility.

    The DP called on the leadership of counties to aid the government eradicate the menace by regulating issuance of licenses.

    At the same time, the Deputy President also took the opportunity to send a stern warning to leaders who are aiding and abetting the silent resurgence of the outlawed Mungiki criminal gang in the country.

    “This criminal gangs being revived by politicians cannot and will not be allowed,” he warned.

    He called on all security apparatus in Rift valley region to be on alert and lock out infiltration by the criminal gang into the region.

    “Rift Valley is a sensitive place and we must keep those criminals away. You must be rough on these guys within the parameters of the law. ”

    The meeting culminated in adoption of a communique, which gives a framework of collaboration between and among the various government agencies in dealing with the menace.

    The leadership of the counties have been urged to audit licenses issued to bars and restaurants while the security agencies charged with the responsibility of investigating have been urged to investigate and gather information as the government explores the possibility of having those running the illegal businesses to forfeit their assets.

    The DP has also announced a crackdown on all illegal and unregistered distilleries warning security apparatus which will be found to be complacent of dire consequences.

    Report by DPCS

  • Siaya MCAs approve motion to impeach Deputy Governor William Oduol

    Siaya MCAs approve motion to impeach Deputy Governor William Oduol

    The motion to impeach Siaya County Deputy Governor William Oduol has been approved by the County Assembly.

    The motion was tabled by East Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Gordon Onguru who accused Oduol of gross misconduct.

    38 County Assembly MCAs Monday voted to endorse the impeachment motion that could potentially see Oduol become first Deputy Governor to be impeached after the August 9 polls.

    The assembly has now formed a 10-member special committee to look into the matter and report back to the house within the next 10 days.

    Oduol, who has been expelled from the ODM Party, accuses the Governor James Orengo-led administration of misappropriation of public funds.

    He has vowed to fight to the bitter end until he exposes how millions of public funds were withdrawn from the county kitty in mysterious circumstances.

    Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei was quick to weigh-in on the matter terming the move sickening.

    “The impeachment proceedings & removal from ODM party of Siaya Deputy Governor H.E Oduol by Tinga is sickening & nauseating for exposing corruption in Siaya County govt. As a Senate, we shall NOT impeach DG Oduol nor confirm impeachment proceedings from Siaya County Assembly against him. This once again has confirmed Tinga as Lord of corruption, poverty and impunity! Blessed afternoon,” charged Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei.