KBC Channel 1

Author: Nicholas Kigondu

  • A section of opposition senators stage walkout protesting CS Kuria’s presence in the house

    A section of opposition senators stage walkout protesting CS Kuria’s presence in the house

    House business was temporarily disrupted on Wednesday morning as a section of opposition senators staged a walkout protesting the dismissal of a motion seeking to block Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria from addressing Senate.

    Trouble started when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ruled Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna out of order after seeking a clarification on whether allowing Kuria to appear before the house pending a motion of censure against him amounted to an opportunity to sanitize himself from accusations of abuse of office.

    “I take great exception to the presence to somebody the subject of such of a motion in this hallowed house.  My fear is that the CS is going to use this privilege of a appearance before the senate to cleanse himself. “ Claimed Sifuna.

    The opposition n senators would stage a walkout soon after Kuria was given the green light to address the house.

    According to Sifuna, a person subject to a motion of censure should not be given an opportunity to appear before the house before the matter is dispensed with.

    “Honorable speaker, I wanted some clarification of guidance from the chair on standing order number one. Mr. speaker by way of information, the person listed to appear before the senate this morning is the subject of a censure motion that I filed on this senate on the 19th of June 2023.” Asked Sifuna.

    Senate majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot accused the opposition of lacking goodwill in their attempt to block the CS from answering to questions from senators.

    “What is the justification Mr. Speaker of someone who has never shown any interest whatsoever in this process that has been happening. But today they want to stop some of us who want to keep holding the executive into account.” Argued Cheruiyot.

    In his direction, the speaker ruled that he was not aware of the said censure motion and as such, it cannot be a subject of discussion on the floor of the house.

    “Before moving a motion, a senator must file a notice of motion and before you move that notice of motion, the first thing you do is to take a copy of the proposed motion to the office of the clerk. Thereafter, the clerk wills submit that proposed motion to the office of the speaker. The speaker can either admit or dismiss the motion.” Observed the speaker.

     

     

     

  • Police on the hunt of a trader accused of vandalizing Kenya Power equipment

    Police on the hunt of a trader accused of vandalizing Kenya Power equipment

    Police in Kiambu have launched a manhunt for the owner of a scrap metal yard accused of dealing with vandalized Kenya power equipment.

    A raid at his yard saw the recovery of assorted Kenya Power equipment worth 11 million shillings that is believed to have been vandalized.

    Transformer fuses, pylon bindings, transformer laminations, transformer shells, high tension cables among other equipment vandalized from power lines were among the recovered items.

    The recovery was made on Sunday night following a raid at Patrick King’ori’s premises located in Ndenderu location and who has since gone into hiding.

    One suspect identified as Florence Kariuki, aged 30 years, was arrested during the raid as efforts to arrest the main suspect intensify.

     

  • Seven arrested in Nairobi as war on narcotics intensify

    Seven arrested in Nairobi as war on narcotics intensify

    Police in Nairobi are holding seven suspects accused of involvement in the supply and sale of narcotic drugs.

    According to police, the suspects were arrested in the city’s Huruma estate over the weekend during an operation conducted by Starehe based detectives.

    Over 10 kilograms of bhang, 450 rolls of the same substance, weighing scales, daggers and gas cylinders suspected to have been stolen were recovered during the Saturday raid. A vehicle used to distribute the illegal consignment in various parts of the city was also impounded.

    The seven suspects identified as Alex Murimi, Woche Sipa, Clinton Odinga, Kevin Kimani, Mohamed Wako, John Chege and Hassan Yussuf are set to be arraigned in court to face charges ranging from trafficking in narcotic drugs to being in possession of narcotic drugs and preparation to commit a felony.

     

  • Finance Bill 2023 will see provision of better services to Kenyans, says Nyoro

    Finance Bill 2023 will see provision of better services to Kenyans, says Nyoro

    Chair of the National Assembly Budget Committee Ndindi Nyoro says proposals contained in the Finance Bill 2023, set for its third reading tomorrow, will ensure Kenyans get better services.

    According to Nyoro, the government is working to ensure Kenyans get better education, health and infrastructure saying the funds to implement development projects will be accrued through the finance bill 2023.

    The parliamentary budget committee chairperson faulted a section of leaders, who he accuses of opposing the bill instead of working to ensure views of their electorate are included in the bill before it sails through the parliament.

    He added that the education sector will get the lion’s share of 640 billion shillings out of the entire 3.69 trillion shillings budget to support various programmes in the sector, including 25.5 billion for junior secondary education, while another 30 billion will go to the Higher Education Loans Board.

    Nyoro who is also the Kiharu legislator, said for the government to work effectively for its people , it must have a pool of funds saying the monies will be realized through the Finance Bill, which has since gone through second reading.

    “Leaders in the opposition and those opposing the bill will have a chance Tuesday and Wednesday, when the bill will be tabled for third reading to bring in their proposal for amendments. Let’s work for Kenyans instead of deceiving them and inciting them to demonstrate,” he appealed.

    A section of leaders has threatened to call for mass demonstration to oppose the bill claiming it will increase the cost of living.

     

     

     

  • Kenya and EU signs economic partnership agreement

    Kenya and EU signs economic partnership agreement

    Kenya and the European Union have signed a trade deal as part of ongoing efforts to boost trade and economic ties between Kenya and the European Union.

    Speaking during the ceremony, President William Ruto described the development as a major step in the trade and investment relations between the EU and Kenya saying it signals long-term commitment to ensure farmers, including those in the flower, coffee, tea, fish, peas, and the edible fruits and nuts sectors, are assured of a predictable market.

    “Under our bottom-up agenda for economic transformation, we are committed to increase our manufacturing share of GDP and to also lift our export to GDP ratio. This is the purpose of our flagship projects, the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), to be established in all our 47 counties to maximize output through aggregation and value addition.” Said the President.

    He said the government remains committed to the continuous implementation of the business climate reforms agenda and to sustain the country’s position as a continental leader in institutional evolution.

    “The EU-Kenya Agreement will therefore retain potential to evolve as an intrinsic feature, insofar as it shall remain open to accession by EAC Partner States, in line with the decision of the Summit, which recognized the need to permit some Partner States to move forward and commence engagements with the EU with a view to starting the EU-EAC-EPA implementation under the principle of variable geometry.” Observed President Ruto.

    Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua said the deal was actualized through prudent commitment and focused leadership by the president.

    According to Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, the agreement underlines the shared ambition of Kenya and the EU to upgrade and strengthen their trade, investment and economic ties.

    He said the agreement that revolves around access, facilitation and promotion will focus on reviving the manufacturing sector, enhancing the country’s exports as well as fortifying foreign direct investment.

    According to Executive Vice-President and EU Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, the agreement is a key deliverable of the EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue and will be directly supported by the implementation of the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package announced at the 6thEU-AU Summit in February 2022.

    “This Agreement takes into account our different stages of development. Kenya’s exports to the EU will be tariff-free from day one, while tariffs on EU exports will be liberalised over time and not on all products. We look forward to the entry into force of this agreement as soon as possible so that we can fully reap the untapped potential of our economic and political partnership.” Said Dombrovskis.

    The Agreement will deepen trade and trade-related policy measures that will create a supportive business ecosystem for Kenyan firms to participate in sustainable global value chains.
    The Agreement will deepen trade and trade-related policy measures that will create a supportive business ecosystem for Kenyan firms to participate in sustainable global value chains.

    The signing of the agreement on Monday marked the end of a negotiation process that kicked off in 2016. The trade deal seeks to implement bilaterally the provisions of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the East African Community (EAC) Partner States, on which negotiations were finalised in 2014 with the EU-Kenya Agreement remaining open to accession of the EAC Partner States. It is expected to facilitate trade and investment, accompanied by trade-related development cooperation, with a view to further deepen the economic ties between the EU and Kenya and boost sustainable economic growth and job creation.

    The parties will work towards the completion of their respective internal procedures for the entry into force of the EPA as soon as possible.

     

     

     

  • Court orders Mackenzie followers be transferred to a rescue center

    Court orders Mackenzie followers be transferred to a rescue center

    The Shanzu magistrate court has ordered sixty-four followers of controversial cleric Paul Mackenzie, who had staged a hunger strike, be taken back to a rescue centre within Kilifi County.
    However, one of the victims identified as Feminise Mwoma, who blatantly told the court that she will not cooperate with the police, will continue being remanded at Shimo la Tewa Women’s Prison.

    The victims, who were being held at Sahajanad rescue centre in Mtwapa Kilifi county, had between June 6 and June 10 declined meals served to them by the state.
    The victims had been rescued from the vast Shakahola ranch on diverse dates between May 20 and June 10 in critical condition and with signs of starvation.
    They were taken for treatment and thereafter to a rescue centre.
    After staging a hunger strike, the state was forced to arraign them before a Shanzu court where they asked for orders to be allowed to detain them in a prison facility, where they will be forced to take meals.

    Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omido directed that each of the victims should undergo medical and mental health assessments.
    “I also directed that the medical and mental health reports be filed with the court in the next 14 days for further directions,” said Omido.

    Earlier, the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR) had filed to be enjoined in the matter to give an advisory on the case.
    KNCHR assistant director of legal services Beryl Oraro told the Shanzu Magistrate Court that the state’s apprehension over the possibility of the victims engaging in suicidal behaviour is understandable.
    “However, the approach should enhance the well-being of the victims and safeguards their rights, rather than unduly restrict them and risk jeopardising the mental health of the victims,” she said.

     

     

  • Kenya and UNCTAD to champion global trade

    Kenya and UNCTAD to champion global trade

    Kenya and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will work together to champion matters on global trade and development.

    President William Ruto and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan agreed that was a promising path to growth.

    This, they added, was also key to integration and uplifting developing countries.

    The UNCTAD Secretary-General said the agency will launch its African Report in Nairobi in August.

    The report will, among other things, assess Kenya’s e-commerce level. The two spoke at a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

    President Ruto had earlier Thursday addressed the International Labour Organisation World of Work Summit.

    He said Kenya has the financial infrastructure to support e-commerce.

    The President said Kenya’s global leadership places it in a unique position to drive the growth of e-commerce.

    “Kenyans are tech-savvy and online financial services have moved the bankable population from a low of about 30 per cent to about 80 per cent,” he said.

    This foundation, he noted, had enabled the government to move thousands of services online.

    The government, President Ruto explained, has been on boarding public services online. In September last year, only 320 government services were online.

    “Since then, more than 4,000 services have gone online and will hit the 5,000-mark by the end of June, ” the President said.

    The government’s programme to install 25,000 WiFi hotspots at markets and urban centres is also on course.

     

  • President Ruto: Job creation key government agenda

    President Ruto: Job creation key government agenda

    The government is keen on creating jobs and facilitating business opportunities for Kenyans at home and abroad.
    Speaking to the Kenyan community and delegates from Kenya to the ILO summit in Geneva, Switzerland, President William Ruto said Kenya must keep pace with global changes in the nature of work while creating more opportunities from traditional sectors.
    “We want to position our young people to take full advantage of the digital economy and online talent marketplace. We also see opportunities in agriculture and housing to generate significant employment opportunities.” He said.
    He commended trade unions, employers, and the Ministry of Labour for maintaining industrial harmony in Kenya.
    He was accompanied by Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore, Principal Secretary Geoffrey Kaituko, Kenya’s UN Geneva Ambassador Cleopas Mailu, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and Chief Executive of Federation of Kenya Employers Jacqueline Mugo.

  • Managed Equipment Services scheme rebranded to National Equipment Support to Counties

    Managed Equipment Services scheme rebranded to National Equipment Support to Counties

    The Council of Governors (COG) and the Ministry of Health have now agreed to scrap the controversial Managed Equipment Services (MES) health scheme.

    The service will now be referred to as National Equipment Support to Counties (NESC) which will be undertaken by the national government.

    This emerged at the end of a two-day consultative meeting in Naivasha where the national government and the counties agreed to streamline health services.

    MES was started in 2015 by the Ministry of Health on behalf of the 47 devolved units to supply and equip two hospitals in every county with high-tech machines to manage chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.

    The contract entailed leasing of assorted medical equipment for renal, laboratory, ICU, radiology and theatre to at least two hospitals in each of the 47 counties for a seven-year period.

    COG Health Committee Chair Muthomi Njuki lauded the move to scrap MES for NESC noting that the former was shrouded in controversy.

    “We are happy to announce the death of MES which for a long time was shrouded in mystery right from inception and we are ready for change,” he said.

    Njuki who is also the Tharaka Nithi Governor thanked the Ministry of Health for the decision to terminate MES noting that the new system would help improve service delivery to the people.

    On her part, the CS for Health Susan Nakhumicha thanked the governors for giving the Ministry the mandate to execute MES through Intergovernmental Participation Agreements (IPAs).

    “After so much noise we have agreed with the governors on the Managed Equipment Service scheme and we thank them for giving us the opportunity to provide the services,” she said.

    COG chair Ann Waiguru said that all pending issues on Medical Equipment and related Services deployed by the National Government in Counties have been agreed upon by the two levels of Government.

    Reading a joint communique, Waiguru said that the funding for level 1,2 and 3 facilities would be financed through a public financed mechanism and individual capitation.

    “Level 4 and 5 Hospital will be financed through Social Health Insurance while Level 6 will be financed through a critical illness fund and Social Health Insurance,” she said.

     

  • Government goes for big earners as it seeks to boost revenue

    Government goes for big earners as it seeks to boost revenue

     

    Employees earning over 500,000 shillings are set to pay more tax if a proposal contained in the 2023/24 budget seeking to change the current PAYE structure is adopted.

    While presenting the 2023/24 budget, National Treasury CS Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, urged the National Assembly to introduce two additional tax bands to add to the existing three rates and bands.

    The fourth band that will be applicable to employees earning incomes between 500,000 shillings and 800,000 shillings per month will attract a rate of 32.5 percent. The fifth band that will be applicable to employees earning incomes above 800,000 shillings per month will see those in the bracket taxed at 35 percent.

    The latest move will affect 26,676 employees who constitute 0.8 percent of total employed workers.

    The current PAYE tax structure has three rates and bands applicable to 3.3 million employees.

    Those with an income of up to 24,000 shillings per month pay a tax of 10 percent.

    “Employees who fall under this category, who account for about 42.5 percent of the total employed workforce, who earn a maximum of 24,000 shillings per month do not pay any tax to government as tax computed from this income is equal to the relief of 2,400 per month under the Act.” Observed the treasury CS.

    The second category of employees who constitute about 37.2 percent of the total working population and earn incomes between 24,000 to 32,333 per month pay a tax rate of 25 percent while the third category, that forms 20.4 percent of the workforce, earns incomes above 32,333 shillings and pays a tax of 30 percent.