News

Senator Olekina Warns Leaders of Looming Doom

Senator Olekina Warns Leaders of Looming Doom

In a passionate address to leaders, Senator Ledama Olekina issues a stark call for integrity and accountability among the nation's leaders, condemning the pervasive corruption and external influences that have marred the governance of the country. Speaking directly to fellow Senators, MPs, the Judiciary and the Executive, Olekina emphasized the need for ethical leadership and genuine service to the people of Kenya. "Tonight, I want to speak to my colleagues—the Honorable Members of Parliament, distinguished senators, and the leadership of the Judiciary and the Executive," the Olekina began. "God has been very fair to us, giving us the opportunity to…
Read More
Embu Governor Mbarire Tours Fire-Damaged County Headquarters

Embu Governor Mbarire Tours Fire-Damaged County Headquarters

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire on Friday toured the County Headquarters office block that was set ablaze during anti-finance bill protests earlier this week. The destructive protests also targeted two other government offices, including United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and resulted in over ten private and county vehicles being torched. Governor Mbarire described the destruction as an act of arson, claiming it was well-planned and executed by hired goons who infiltrated the initially peaceful protest led by Gen Zs. She accused local political adversaries of orchestrating the attacks to undermine her administration. The governor alleged that the…
Read More
President Ruto Signs Appropriations Bill 2024; Orders Kshs 346 Billion Budget Cut

President Ruto Signs Appropriations Bill 2024; Orders Kshs 346 Billion Budget Cut

President William Ruto has assented to the Appropriations Bill 2024 and directed the National Treasury to promptly prepare supplementary estimates to reduce expenditure by the amount of revenue expected from the rejected Finance Bill 2024. This reduction in expenditure, amounting to Kshs 346 billion, will be borne equitably by both levels of government: the National and County Governments. The budget cuts will impact the National Government, with the reduction spread across the executive, legislature, judiciary, and constitutional commissions. Articles 221 and 222 of the Constitution mandate that the Appropriations Bill be signed by June 30 each year to ensure the…
Read More
President Ruto Meets Catholic Bishops After Protests Rejecting Proposed Tax Hike

President Ruto Meets Catholic Bishops After Protests Rejecting Proposed Tax Hike

President William Ruto held a meeting with Catholic Bishops at State House, Nairobi, in a significant step towards addressing the widespread protests against the proposed tax increase, known as #RejectFinanceBill2024. The delegation was led by Archbishop Maurice Muhatia, Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. The meeting comes after days of demonstrations across Kenya, with citizens voicing their opposition to the proposed tax hikes outlined in the Finance Bill 2024. “We welcome the commitment by the Catholic Church to participate in a multi-sectoral engagement that seeks solutions to the issues facing our country. Through this collective approach, we will…
Read More
Education CS Machogu: Government Prioritizes Employment of 46,000 JSS Teachers

Education CS Machogu: Government Prioritizes Employment of 46,000 JSS Teachers

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Ezekiel Machogu, has announced the government's plan to prioritize the employment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 47th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) conference, Machogu outlined the government's commitment to addressing the staffing needs of JSS. “We are going back to our drawing board as government to set our priorities and what we can cater for. One of the key issues we are going to give priority to is the employment of the 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers,” Machogu stated. Machogu assured the media that the government…
Read More
What next after #RejectFinanceBill2024?

What next after #RejectFinanceBill2024?

Many Kenyans are uncertain about the future after President William Ruto declined to sign the Finance Bill 2024. Here are the Q & A to make you understand... So what happens next after the National Assembly receives the President’s Memorandum in respect of the #FinanceBill2024? -The Speaker of the National Assembly has issued an Explainer on the Basic Applicable procedure and İmplications of the Rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024 on the FY 2024/25 Budget. What is the procedure for consideration of the President’s Memorandum to a Bill? -Article 115 of the Constitution empowers the President to refer back a…
Read More
Northern Kenya Leaders Hit at Gachagua for Demanding Noordin Haji to Resign

Northern Kenya Leaders Hit at Gachagua for Demanding Noordin Haji to Resign

Leaders from Northern Kenya have expressed their deep dismay at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's recent public statements, which they claim undermine the integrity and competence of constitutional office holders, particularly Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji. In a strongly worded statement, the leaders criticized the Deputy President for discussing sensitive civil servants like the Director General of the NIS in the press, rather than addressing his concerns through the National Security Committee, of which both he and Haji are members. The leaders affirmed their support for President William Ruto's decision to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024,…
Read More
Starlink to Halve ‘Mini’ Terminal Price for Kenya Amid Controversy Over Internet Censorship

Starlink to Halve ‘Mini’ Terminal Price for Kenya Amid Controversy Over Internet Censorship

Elon Musk has announced that the Starlink Mini will be available in Kenya later this year at approximately half the price of the standard terminal. This announcement comes in response to widespread public outcry against Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, and its alleged collaboration with the government to stifle the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests. Kenyans have taken to social media to express their frustration with Safaricom, accusing the telco of working with the government to slow down internet services and impede citizen journalism. Prominent activist Amerix (@amerix) tweeted, "Our current Internet Service Providers collaborate with a repressive regime to throttle citizen journalism…
Read More
Secretary Blinken Commends Kenyan President Ruto for Efforts to Reduce Tensions

Secretary Blinken Commends Kenyan President Ruto for Efforts to Reduce Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a significant conversation today with Kenyan President William Ruto. In this dialogue, Secretary Blinken expressed his gratitude towards President Ruto for his proactive measures aimed at reducing tensions within the nation and his commitment to engage in dialogue with protestors and civil society groups. Secretary Blinken emphasized the critical role of security forces in maintaining order without resorting to violence. He urged for restraint and highlighted the necessity for prompt and thorough investigations into any allegations of human rights abuses that may arise. Furthermore, Secretary Blinken welcomed President Ruto’s dedication to upholding…
Read More
Gachagua asks Intelligence Boss Nordin Haji to Resign

Gachagua asks Intelligence Boss Nordin Haji to Resign

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for failing to properly brief President William Ruto on the likely rejection of the Finance Bill 2024. Speaking at a press conference in Mombasa on Wednesday, Gachagua called for the resignation of NIS Director General Noordin Haji, citing incompetence. "The security sector was caught off-guard by the intensity of the protests. Had NIS DG Noordin Haji done his job, we would not be where we are today," Gachagua stated. He further accused the NIS of providing false information that linked him and former President Uhuru Kenyatta to the ensuing…
Read More