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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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Token keypads. Image file In Summary: Electricity bills to increase by 359 cents (about Sh3.50 per unit). Increase comes despite lower fuel prices and a stronger Kenyan shilling. Electricity bills are set to rise by 359 cents, approximately Sh3.50 per unit, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). This increase, which takes effect in June 2024, comes despite a drop in fuel prices and a favorable foreign exchange rate for the Kenyan shilling. EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo, in a gazette notice, stated that “...all prices for electrical energy specified in Part II of the said schedule will be liable to a fuel energy cost charge of plus 359 Kenya cents per kWh for all meter readings to be taken in June, 2024.” Several generators have rais...

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga delivering a speech at a previous event. PHOTO: RAILA ODINGA In Summary: Raila Odinga delivers a heartfelt condolence message in Malawi on behalf of President William Ruto. Raila calls for African unity, resource fairness, and compensation for climate change impacts. A crowd at the Bingu National Stadium in Malawi cheered Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, as he delivered a condolence message on behalf of President William Ruto during the funeral service for the late Malawi Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima. Raila, representing both Kenya and President Ruto, conveyed his deep condolences. “I come here with a very deep heart and I speak on behalf of the people of Kenya. First, I want to convey my condolences on behalf of the President...

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (right) and Public Service CS Moses Kuria (left) during a past event. IMAGE | Courtesy In Summary: Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria criticizes Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly declining tea at State House. Kuria poses ten tough questions to Gachagua, questioning his leadership and intentions within UDA. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has intensified his critique of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua amidst escalating tensions within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). In a statement released on Sunday, Kuria accused Gachagua of refusing tea at State House, purportedly due to fears of poisoning—a move that Kuria claims reflects a breakdown in trust between Gachagua and President William Ruto. Ku...

Image file of civil society members staging a protest outside Parliament on June 6, 2024, against the finance bill. In Summary: Kenyans are mobilizing for a protest at Parliament against the Finance Bill, 2024. A strong majority opposes the bill's new taxes, rallying under 'Reject Finance Bill' on social media. As Parliament gears up to debate and vote on the contentious Finance Bill, 2024 this Tuesday, Kenyans are making preparations for a sit-in at Parliament buildings to vehemently oppose the proposed new taxes. Utilizing social media platforms, disgruntled citizens are uniting under the hashtag 'Reject Finance Bill', aiming to raise awareness and garner support for their planned occupation of Parliament on the day of the debate. A prominent poster circulating...

Comedian Fred Omondi .PHOTO: Fred In Summary: Fred Omondi died after a car accident on June 14. He was a well-known comedian and younger brother to Eric Omondi. The entertainment world is grieving the loss of comedian Fred Omondi, who passed away after sustaining injuries in a car accident on Friday, June 14. Omondi, who rose to fame in the late 2000s, was involved in a tragic road accident and was urgently taken to Mama Lucy Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Fred Omondi, the younger brother of famous comedian and activist Eric Omondi, made a significant mark in the comedy industry. He was a beloved events emcee and a former member of the acclaimed Churchill Show. In a previous interview, Fred mentioned that his older brother Eric inspired him to purs...