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Finance Bill 2024 Sails Through Second Reading Despite National Protests

20Jun

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Finance Bill 2024 Sails Through Second Reading Despite National Protests

Members of the National Assembly in session on June 6, 2024. (File Photo) In Summary: The Finance Bill, 2024, has successfully passed the second reading in the National Assembly. The Bill advances to the Committee of the Whole House for further scrutiny and amendments. The Finance Bill, 2024, has cleared a significant legislative hurdle, sailing through its second reading in the National Assembly with strong backing, despite widespread national protests. A decisive 204 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favor, while 115 opposed the Bill, and no MPs abstained from the vote held on Thursday evening. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula announced the results, indicating the Bill's transition to the Committee of the Whole House. This next phase will involve de...

Gideon Moi: “The Finance Bill, 2024 Must Be Rejected in Its Entirety”

20Jun

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Politics

Gideon Moi: “The Finance Bill, 2024 Must Be Rejected in Its Entirety”

KANU National Chairman Gideon Moi during a past address. PHOTO | COURTESY In Summary: Gideon Moi calls on MPs to reject the Finance Bill, 2024. He emphasizes industrialization over increased taxation to address economic issues. Kanu chairman Gideon Moi has urged Kenyan Members of Parliament to completely reject the Finance Bill, 2024, arguing that increasing taxes to address the budget deficit unfairly burdens the populace. In a statement released on Thursday, Moi highlighted that Kenya’s economic challenges stem more from expenditure issues than revenue problems, as affirmed by economic experts. While acknowledging the removal of some harsh taxes, Moi pointed out that other punitive taxes have been discreetly included in the Bill. "Therefore, the National Assemb...

Kenya Power to Conduct Planned Outages in Four Counties on Thursday

20Jun

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Kenya Power to Conduct Planned Outages in Four Counties on Thursday

KPLC staff at work. Image: Courtesy In Summary: Scheduled maintenance to cause power interruptions from 8am to 5pm. Affected counties include Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, and Laikipia. Kenya Power will carry out scheduled maintenance on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, leading to power interruptions in specific areas across four counties. The utility firm announced that these interruptions will occur at different times between 8am and 5pm to facilitate network maintenance. Affected areas are within Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, and Laikipia counties. Nairobi County: Area: Embakasi Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm Impacted areas include Embakasi East, Garrison, Baraka East, and nearby customers. Kiambu County: Area: Ndumbuini, Kanyariri Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm Affected lo...

“Those Who Want to Demonstrate, They Can Demonstrate” – Ruto Responds to Protesters

19Jun

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“Those Who Want to Demonstrate, They Can Demonstrate” – Ruto Responds to Protesters

President Ruto at State House in Nairobi. IMAGE | Courtesy In Summary: President Ruto asserts the right to demonstrate as a democratic freedom. Emphasizes that decisions must be made by established institutions. President William Ruto affirmed on Wednesday, June 19, that Kenyans have the right to demonstrate, highlighting Kenya's democratic principles. During a meeting with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi at State House in Nairobi, the President underscored that civil society activities, including demonstrations, are protected rights. "The civil society is free to do what they want to do. We are a democratic country; we have no problem. Those who want to demonstrate can demonstrate; it is their right, no problem. But decisions have to be made by institutions," Ruto stated...

Worldcoin Investigation in Kenya Concluded as ODPP Orders Case Closure

19Jun

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Worldcoin Investigation in Kenya Concluded as ODPP Orders Case Closure

Image by Worldcoin In Summary: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered the closure of the Worldcoin investigation in Kenya. The closure paves the way for Worldcoin to potentially resume operations in Kenya. The investigation into Worldcoin, the cryptocurrency initiative by Tools for Humanity, has been concluded by Kenyan authorities. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed the closure of the case after reviewing the findings of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The company's legal team had sought an update from the DCI on May 21, 2024, regarding the status of the investigation. In a letter dated June 14, 2024, signed by Hilary Kimutai, it was confirmed that the DCI had thoroughly investigated va...

Kenya Met Issues Rainfall Advisory for Several Regions, Including Nairobi and Mombasa

19Jun

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Kenya Met Issues Rainfall Advisory for Several Regions, Including Nairobi and Mombasa

Residents of Nairobi navigate flooded streets in the CBD (left), alongside flooding in Parklands estate (right). IMAGE FILE In Summary: The Kenya Meteorological Department predicts moderate to heavy rainfall in several parts of the country. Key regions affected include the Highlands East, Coastal Strip, West of the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, and Rift Valley. The Kenya Meteorological Department issued an advisory on Wednesday, alerting Kenyans to anticipate moderate to heavy rainfall in several regions across the country. The advisory highlighted that regions such as the Highlands East, which includes Nairobi County, and the Coastal Strip are expected to receive significant rainfall. Additionally, areas west of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, and the ...

#OccupyParliament Protests Rock Mombasa Streets

19Jun

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#OccupyParliament Protests Rock Mombasa Streets

Police officers deploy teargas against protestors in Mombasa on June 19, 2024. IMAGE | Courtesy In Summary: A section of Mombasa residents protest the Finance Bill 2024, urging MPs to reject it. Clashes with police occur as protests spread to other counties. The #OccupyParliament movement continued into its second day on Wednesday as Mombasa residents took to the streets to protest the Finance Bill 2024 currently under discussion in Parliament. Chanting and carrying placards, the demonstrators urged Members of Parliament to reject the controversial bill. The protests began at 8:00 am at three main locations: Pembe za Ndovu, Mwembe Tayari, and Makadara Grounds. Despite the rainy weather, the determined residents marched through the streets, calling on legislators to lis...

KPLC Announces Power Interruptions in 8 Counties on Wednesday

19Jun

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News, Top stories

KPLC Announces Power Interruptions in 8 Counties on Wednesday

A utility pole carrying electrical wires for distribution seen in Nairobi, Kenya, captured in a 2015 image. PHOTO | Kenya Power In Summary: Scheduled power outages will affect parts of Nairobi, Kisumu, Meru, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nyamira, and Homa Bay. Outages are planned to allow for essential network maintenance. Kenya Power has announced scheduled power outages in eight counties on Wednesday to facilitate network maintenance. The power company, in a statement issued Tuesday evening, detailed that the interruptions will occur at various times between 8am and 5pm. The affected counties are Nairobi, Kisumu, Meru, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nyamira, and Homa Bay. Specific areas within these counties will experience the power outages as follows: Nairobi County: Are...

‘Proud Father’ Raila Applauds Protesters as Azimio Pushes for Key Amendments to Finance Bill 2024

18Jun

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‘Proud Father’ Raila Applauds Protesters as Azimio Pushes for Key Amendments to Finance Bill 2024

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga delivering a speech at a previous event. PHOTO: RAILA ODINGA In Summary: Raila Odinga praised Kenyans for protesting against the proposed Finance Bill 2024. The Azimio coalition criticized the government's tactics and proposed amendments to the Bill. ODM leader Raila Odinga commended Kenyans who took to the streets of the Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday to protest the proposed Finance Bill 2024. Expressing his pride, Raila reshared a video of a young Kenyan protester who claimed to represent him during the demonstrations. "I’m a very proud father today!" Raila captioned the video on X. "Hongera sana to the young lady and all those who bravely stood up for their rights!" The video, which gained thousands of reshared by Tuesday ...

Turkana Central MP demands Justice for slain fisherman

18Jun

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News

Turkana Central MP demands Justice for slain fisherman

Turkana Central MP Joseph Emathe at Parliament building. PHOTO: MP Joseph Emathe Turkana Central Member of Parliament Hon. Joseph Emathe is now demanding justice to slain fishermen Daniel Esinyen who was shot and killed by Kenya Wildlife Service officers at Kanakwara Fish Village. The incident involved Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers in a helicopter while the victims were fishing in Lake Turkana on Saturday, 15th June, 2024 when they met untimely death in the hands of KWS rangers The deceased who is a respected former manager of the Lodwar Youth Polytechnic was accompanied by other three friends during their fishing activities away from the park's protected area ``This tragic incident has left our community in shock and mourning. Many boats have been destroyed by KWS offi...