Kenya Insights

Author: John Bosco

  • Safaricom’s New ‘Supa’ Mpesa App Issa New Supa systemic risk for the Economy.

    Safaricom’s New ‘Supa’ Mpesa App Issa New Supa systemic risk for the Economy.

    #TheFutureofMoney is obscure if making profit outweighs service delivery.

    While perusing through my twitter timeline, I came across a tweet  that juggled up my mind to think critically, deeply and analytically into the new Mpesa ‘supa’ app that safaricom launched and the motive behind the launch, the risk assesment as the consumer of their service and  in the long run you’ll agree with me that the #TheFutureofMoney they’re aiming at, is obscure for the consumer, the economy at large and it’s all about ‘them’ and not ‘us’.

    One of the my many other conclusive thoughts after my analysis and research is that It’s time Mpesa and Safaricom depart ways to become to independent entities – companies and with different management.

    For years since entry of the telco safaricom into the Kenyan market, it has through its management strategically thrived through and now have monopolised and dominated the market through tremendous innovations which has been massive and thumbs up for their innovations. But marinated with abuse – and to control the monopoly which’s against the laws and regulation of the Communication Authority (CA), CBK- this led to introduction of Mobile money Interoperability promotion which was stamped by CBK in April 2018. Mobile money Interoperability was aimed to promote inclusion.

    First, Mobile money Interoperability is the interaction between mobile money providers for a range of products, primarily money transfer which includes depositing and withdrawing cash either domestically or across geographic regions. And a good simple example is ATMs where a customer can withdraw cash from any VISA branded ATM if one holds a VISA branded card or MasterCard for MasterCard branded cards.

    It’s this interoperability that has made mobile money transfer possible across 3 major telecom providers in Kenya possible, that now one can send money via Safaricom’s mpesa to Airtel money to Telkom Kenya’s T-kash.

    The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) laid out principles for interoperability, which included cost levels, efficiency, and security.

    Costs:  price for transfer of money across networks would not be higher than those of transferring money within the network, and no interchange fees will be applied. Of which has been breached and isn’t the current status as the cost is higher when carrying out transactions to another network.

    Security: the mobile money operators were tasked to ensure that the interfaces between them were as secure as possible to avoid any losses for both customers and the networks.

    Efficiency:  no undue delay would occur when transferring money across networks. This principle was aimed at ensuring no foul play that eventually frustrates customers into transferring money within the network while discouraging transfers across networks.

    Safaricom is licensed under National Payment Systems (NPS) whose regulations state that the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) should use payment systems that are capable of being interoperable with other payment systems. A regulation which Safaricom has luckily conserved, hence the Mpesa business app, new Supa Mpesa app launched recently.

    Since the introduction and adaptation of the interoperability system in Kenya, the value addition to the consumers, Kenya’s economy has been great and in equal measure has plunged the economy into massive loss due to failure of market dominance regulation that has favored Safaricom in that it is either Safaricom or Safaricom and when their system fails and stalls for hours and of which has become frequent – you go down into losses with them together.

    Safaricom operating both Network service and Mobile money service whose system seems integrated that when one sinks, both sink together is a risk to the future of Money transfer in Kenya, risk to the economy, risk to the future of interoperability in Kenya and risk to the National security as it solely controls double the annual financial budget of Kenya.

    It’s shouldn’t be a choice for Mpesa and Safaricom network provider to be split into two different companies operated differently, it should happen. And so is Airtel money from Airtel, T-kash from Telkom and Equitel from Equity Bank. This will level the playing field for the game.

    The best interoperable payments platform would be one that includes all players- Banks and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), this will level the field for all.

    Tanzania is set to launch this merger (TIPS) in July with same aim and its being done through the Central Bank.

    Tanzania Instant Payments System(TIPS) is a national interoperable payments system being developed by the Bank of Tanzania to facilitate real-time payments across all financial service providers in the country thereby enhancing financial inclusion by promoting the use of electronic payments and transactions.

    Tanzanians will be able to send money instantly to people in their mobile contact list without having to go through the need to search for their phone numbers.

    TIPS will operate in such a way that all digital payment systems, including mobile money operators (Airtel Money, Tigo, M-Pesa, HaloPesa, Ezy Pesa and T-Pesa) will be under a single platform so much so that anyone wishing to send money will only require to have the name of the person in his/her contact list before sending.

    Orange and MTN have an interoperable mobile wallet called Mowali. Unfortunately this was never launched here in Kenya when Telkom was under Orange. In favor of Safaricom, CA didn’t green light Mowali despite their bid.

    But in this world which’s a vicious circle, today Safaricom is trying its luck to enter into Ethiopia’s market with the dominance mentality of which Ethiopia’s Prime Minister at first halted their bid in favor of local network providers. If they succeed in their bid, they might not survive for so long if they continue playing the Kenyan cards.

    Communication Authority (CA) who is the regulator has been laying low on Safaricom’s dominance abuse in Kenya and has failed to take action according Monopoly and Dominance regulation which many times and again the teleco provider has exploited.

    In 2015 when new laws to regulate the competitive market were put in place, the guilty victim Safaricom’s then CEO Late Bob Collymore argued that the laws were meant to punish success and ever since, seems these laws got CA officials maybe into the telco provider’s payroll to remain maim.

    The regulations proposed that the authority would have the power to declare any entity that holds more than 50% of the market dominant. Of which Safaricom then owned 67.3% and 70% currently.

    Consumers ought to be the beneficiaries in as guaranteed under Article 46 of the Constitution, which states that:

    “Consumers have the right:

    a) to goods and services of reasonable quality

    b) To the protection of their health, safety and economic interests.”

    So, the solution is simple. Let’s have KIPS (Kenya Instant Payment System). All payments transactions cleared and settled by the Central Bank of Kenya on one platform to tame Safaricom’s dominance, to increase efficiency to protect consumers right to reasonable quality and protection of consumers safety and economic interest of which is to uproot poverty.

    A language that irritates  Safaricom Plc. It doesn’t want to listen to financial inclusion, equal economic growth for all.

    #TheFutureofMoney in Kenya with financial inclusion, equal economic growth is only through KIPS, leveled playing field and worthy men of Integrity in CA.

    Consistent system failures of Safaricom plunges the economy into losses and poverty.

    There’s no need for double tragedies of both network failure and money transfer failure at ago as it’s been experienced on several occasions in the country when the solution is a wide open visible light at the end of the tunnel.

  • Why BBI Appeal case will sail through and with the help of CJ Martha Koome.

    Why BBI Appeal case will sail through and with the help of CJ Martha Koome.

    Unofficial list of judges that will hear the BBI appeal case have been laid out and its just a matter of time by Tuesday 29, June next week – the list herein will be made official by the President of court of appeal Justice Musinga.

    • Justice Rosylene Nambuye.
    • Justice Wanjiru Karanja
    • Justice Agnes Murgor
    • Justice Fatuma Sichale
    • Justice Jamila Mohammed
    • Justice Mohamed Warsame
    • Justice Hannah Okwengu

    This list elucidate the deliberate move earlier on by Chief Justice Martha Koome to reshuffle court of appeal judges by transfering ‘the liberals’ out of Nairobi station and transfering inn “state conservative” to be based in Nairobi and of whom will make the much anticipated 7 bench judge to hear annuled BBI by High court.

    From expeditious swearing inn of the 34 judges, the swift reshuffle of Court of Appeal judges was a move wantonly done in preparation to the BBI appeal hearing that lies ahead – so as have the best dancers to dance to the tunes of BBIs reggae and the Executive in the appellate court.

    In the new Court of Appeal reshuffle, Justice Musinga will serve as President at the Court of Appeal Nairobi while Lady Justice Hannah Okwengu will serve as the Head- Civil Division, Nairobi.

    ‘Liberal’ Justice Mohamed Warsame is the COA Representative to Judicial Service Commission, Nairobi and Justice Asike Makhandia will be the Head Criminal Division, Nairobi and Justice Kathurima M’Inoti will serve as Director, Judiciary Training Institute, Nairobi.

    Lady Justices Roselyn Nambuye, Wanjiru Karanja, Agnes Murgor, Fatuma Sichale, Jamila Mohammed, Hellen Omondi and Justices Imaana Laibuta, Sankale ole Kantai and Msagha Mbogholi transfered to Nairobi.

    ‘Anti-state machinery’ or rather ‘Liberalists’ judges Justice Patrick O. Kiage transfered to serve as Presiding Judge in Kisumu together with Justice Francis Tuiyott and Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi.

    Justice Gatembu Kairu transfered to be the Presiding Judge in Mombasa together with Lady Justices Pauline Nyamweya and Jessie Lesiit in the new reshuffle.

    High Court – BBI annulment ruling

    In the 5 bench high court judges who included Justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Jairus Ngaah, Teresia Matheka and Chacha Mwita – ruling on BBI, the High Court had found that the President acted in excess of his powers and contravened the Constitution, in particular Chapter Six, when he initiated and promoted a constitutional change.

    The five-judge bench, in a judgement that was read virtually for more than four hours, said the 14-member BBI taskforce and the steering committee led by former Garissa Senator, the late Yusuf Haji, was an illegal entity.

    The bench led by Justice Joel Ngugi said the President made a fatal legal mistake in attempting to change the Constitution through a popular initiative, an avenue that is not available to him.

    “He should have used parliamentary initiative by petitioning the National Assembly through the Attorney-General to consider the desired amendments,” the court ruled. 

    They described the BBI process as “a presidential initiative guised as a popular initiative,” and allowing it to be sustained amounts to having the Head of State as promoter and referee of his own initiative.

    Appointment of the 34 Judges.

    Those who took the oath of office were seven judges heading to the Court of Appeal, 10 to the Environment and Land Court and 18 others to the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

    JSC had recommended the appointment of 41 judges in August 2019 but one died in a road accident last year 2020.

    President Kenyatta, however, appointed 34 judges leaving out justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Weldon Korir and Aggrey Muchelule, all currently serving as High Court judges and who were to be promoted to Court of appeal.

    Judges approved for the Court of Appeal were Msagha Mbogholi, Hellen Omondi, Mumbi Ngugi, Francis Tuiyott, Pauline Nyamweya, Jessie Lesiit, and Imaana Laibuta.

    He deliberately rejected George Odunga, Prof Joel Ngugi who would sabotage his appeal case on promotion to the court of appeal.

    He also rejected Evans Makori and Judith Omange Cheruiyot, who had been recommended for the Labour Court.

    The Court of Appeal is required to have 30 judges but currently has 13 judges, following the retirement of some judges and promotion of others including justices Koome and William Ouko, who were elevated to the Supreme Court.

    ………………,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,…………….

    Experts have always complained and its no longer a rocket science that Court of appeal is the weakest link in the judicial system in Kenya that filibusters the justice system in this country.

    The High court stands on firm ground and fights through thick and thin as Liberals to protect the law and constitution  but the Executive enjoys the allegiance of the court of appeal.

    The Executive no longer feels endangered with court orders and treats them as tissue papers, the Executive are proven guilty of contempt of court orders every time but are no longer worried as they have link attached to the weakest link court of appeal where they seek refuge and enjoys massive support.

    CJ Martha Koome was handpicked to head the Judiciary and we all know that, even herself knows that, and all we expect is her to dance to the tune of the Deepstate that handpicked her.

    Through her, the Executive will triumph, BBI will sail through unconditionally.

  • Failing Daraja Bank Continues To Prey On Unsuspecting Clients.

    Failing Daraja Bank Continues To Prey On Unsuspecting Clients.

    After recent insight published here exposing the sinking Daraja microfinance bank with clients money ( Another Bank Sinking With Depositors Money ), the bank haven’t conducted official communication to its clients why they still can’t withdraw their money – a mission aimed at continuation to prey on new unsuspecting clients who doesn’t know the secret Daraja bank’s motto: “Transaction once made, cannot be returned” A motto which reminds me similarly of Mombasa anthem: “Mombasa kuingia raha, kutoka ni mauti.”

    After the publishment of the ‘heist’ taking place, our source on the ground had to be given clues unconditionally to try de-escalate the tension. Clues of meetings taking place behind closed doors and which only escalates and implicates the suspicion of the grand heist even further. Different story line are given to different clients to calm down their impatience. Some have been told that there is an investor who’s being vetted secretely to purchase the bank, while some are told that the board of directors are planning to finance the bank on their own – literally from their own pockets. All of which only approves the suspicion that there’s no money – where did it go? Why hasn’t CBK as the regulator taken action despite having knowledge of what’s going on there? Why is the bank still open doors?

    “The bank has still not done any official communication. What is annoying most is that I am told to wait until the bank directors pump in money so that I can get my money back.This is not what I signed up for when I was fixing my money with Daraja. Also the bank officials tell us that there is an investor who is in the process of buying the bank so we wait until the vetting process is complete.Honestly how is that our business as customers.Some were told the bank is looking for funds so that they start giving us in instalments.We want money in full and not in bits.And when they pay you your 1st instalment it’s not definite or consistent when you will get your next instalment .When will the directors pump in money?When will the vetting process be complete?Systems are down always until when?They hold our money against our will and they won’t pay us any interest,” statement report by one of the victims.

    Despite all these unrest and hullabaloo, daraja have kept its doors open with an aim to prey on unaware new clients who are likely not able to get their money back once they make their deposit.

    With alleged and unknown investor being groomed to take over the bank as alleged by conered bank officials, it must be on its death bed and it might sink deeper like Spire bank.

    Authorities are not being helpful as most cries of the defrauded clients having fallen on dead ears. Meanwhile, the bank continues to recruit and leverage on new clients who haven’t done their due diligence instead biting snake oil.

    Markets Authority is currently under fire from the Cytonn’s troubles as many now out the blame on them for failing to cushion the investors well in advance. The same case could be happening in the situation of Daraja where authorities are playing bird box while exposed Kenyans continues to count loses.

    Kenya has become a land of lawlessness where one can coin a Ponzi scheme and get away with it. We’ve seen fall of bigger banks such as imperial, Chase wgwre authorities like CBK slept on their jobs deliberately and hanging Kenyans on the dry.

    It is Everyman for himself when the relevant authorities turn a blind eye. For now The message is home. Beware! Bank with Daraja bank knowing the risks involved.

  • Another Bank Sinking With Depositors Money

    Another Bank Sinking With Depositors Money

    Kenya has three large MFB’s including Kenya Women, Faulu and Rafiki, three mid-sized one including Caritas, Sumac and SMEP and smaller ones like Key, Uwezo, Maisha, Century, U&I, Daraja and Choice. Muungano, the new entrant, which was registered in October 2019.

    Prof Njuguna Ndung’u, Governor, CBK(Right) hands over the operating licence to Mr Peter Kariuki, Chairman, DMB

    In an email sent to Kenya insights by one of the casualty – customer of Daraja Microfinance bank – exclusively marinates the fishy ongoings in the MFB. ​The banks has been sugarcoating itself with liquidity excuses and turning away its depositors claiming not to have money to reimburse its customers. And they’ve gone an extra mile to be pulling down posts posted by its customers on its social media platforms, no positive feedback and no official communication whatsoever on these unclear circumstances. The acting CEO of Daraja Jane Mwangi has become invinscible and ever busy, dodging public appearance around the bank in “fear of angry mob customers.”

    “This bank called daraja bank. I have had our funds held for the last 6 months.They dont have money to reimburse its customers . They are having liquidity issues and dont want the public to know.If you post on their wall they are quick to pull down posts but never communicate to their customers on when we will get our money back.Every time we visit the acting ceo is always in meetings and they never get back to us. We have complained as individuals to CBK but have never gotten any help from them.We are stuck Daraja should just give us our money back and close down if they cant keep afloat.”

    This is no overreaction whatsoever when publishing this ‘heist’, some of the banks depositors haven’t been able to make withdrawals as long as the past 1 year down the line. That’s extremely backasswards and we all know it.

    Here some more of the grievances:

    According to CBK’s 2020 report, the micro finance banks have been facing challenges including the increased credit risk which has contributed to increasing the number of non-performing loans, reduced reliance on deposits and increased reliance on more expensive borrowed funds.

    But could that be the bona fade prototype haunting Daraja? But why haven’t there been dissemination one year down the line since the ‘financial woes’ which I can only abrogate as I can’t corroborate to be contemporaneous sitch. Why is CBK hush despite being accrued reports? Aren’t there regulations that controls lending and borrowing if that could be the case of  their misery?

    Like Mwalimu Sacco financial woes began prior to its eruption into public arena –  members first couldn’t be able to withdraw their money, that is dividends and salaries. Dividend balance seen on Tuesday night in member’s accounts was slashed come the next day Wednesday morning. All withdrawal functions on ATM, Gomobile and USSD *633# were deliberately disabled. Teachers who earn through MNS had their salaries delayed.

    But at least in Mwalimu Sacco’s case, they never censored or deleted criticizing posts and they held an official communication to its members in the midst of the tension and pointing fingers at Spire Bank’s initial largest shareholder – owner Tycoon Merali who withdrew all of his deposits amounting to Ksh1.7 billion ($15.74 million) immediately after selling his shares in the bank. The spire bank was acquired by Mwalimu Sacco in an estimated deal of Ksh. 3 billion ($28 million).

    Currently, The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has suspended the CEO and Board Chairperson of Mwalimu National Sacco, over alleged fraud. According to Sasra, they are investigating fraud amounting to billions of shillings with some media houses reporting that the two suspended officials were key in the eating of a Ksh. 52 Billion Mwalimu National Sacco asset base.

    CBK is maim despite having been tipped severally on the matter, Daraja microfinance bank’s CEO ​keeps avoiding accountability and transparency which is a heist – like behavior.

    Daraja bank seems to have sunk already with millions of depositors money and the food-web of the beneficiaries seems broader than initially thought. From the Regulator Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to the Microfinance Board and management. Just like food-web of chase bank back then, once again Daraja MFB seems to be next in line.

    Kenya insights is committed to dig the trench deeper and deeper. More information will be shared from our reliable sources on the same.

  • The Misery behind KNH Doctor who committed suicide.​

    The Misery behind KNH Doctor who committed suicide.​

    The body of Dr Lydia Wahura Kanyoro was found inside her car moments after she had committed suicide in a move that has prompted calls to address mental pressure among student medical practitioners.

    The family and friends of a 35-year-old, paediatrician at Kenyatta National Hospital is puzzled by what drove her to commit suicide in her car. Dr Wahura was pursuing her Masters in medicine at the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences within KNH.

    She is said to have left an ongoing MA class at the University of Nairobi that is within the hospital earlier before committing suicide.

    Witnesses said they saw her on June 12 checking to the lecture hall at around 9 am and registered for her classes. A few minutes later, Dr Wahura was seen leaving the lecture hall under unclear circumstances as she headed to her car and at around 9:30 am.

    Evidence of what she used to commit suicide found at the scene were, two bottles of anaesthesia drugs labelled ketamine and midazolam, alongside a syringe. Ketamine is primarily used as a starter pack for and maintaining anaesthesia. The body was found lying in the back seat of the car.

    In her car, she left behind a printed suicide note, which is being analysed by detectives. Police say the note talks about her life. A postmortem on her body was planned for today Tuesday to establish the cause of her death.

    Detectives attached at the Kilimani Division and her fellow medical practitioners are probing the matter, keen to establish what drove the deceased to allegedly end her life. Also recovered by police at the scene of crime besides the deceased’s body was an alleged suicide note. Police said she had called some of her relatives to tell them where she was and what she had planned to do, before committing suicide. The note was printed from an email dated June 12 at 9 am that detailed why she decided to commit suicide.

    The head of security at the School of Medicine, George Onyango, said he spotted the body at the back seat of her salon car within the hospital’s parking lot on Saturday at 1 pm.

    Like it took murder of George Floyd and many more innocent black lives lost to gain moment and rise against racism in the US and stage world greatest months of protest against racism not only in US but in the world. In Medical field, it is poor working conditions that’s the racism and the abuse is depression and the murder is suicide.

    I wonder how many innocent lives of  likes of Dr. Lydia it will take for the Kenya’s Jubilee Government, the county governments or any other Government worldwide who provide poor working conditions  to healthcare providers who in return end up in depression and commit suicide.

    These frontline workers sacrifice their lives to save lives but in return get deplorable benefits. We all know, and if you don’t know then you ought to know- there’s nothing for nothing, there’s only something for something and in most accasions, healthcare providers are getting almost nothing for more somethings they deliver in frontline.

    At the beginning of Covid19 pandemic I thought it would be a wake up call for Governments to prioritize frontline healthcare providers by good working conditions and good motivation by salary and wages increase  but it turned out to be an opportunity for Covidpreneurs to loot donated aids and grants and loans offered by world banks and developed  international communities​. 

    I think it’s time folks!

     

     

  • The Dark Side Of Kenya National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi That Ruined His​ Legal career and Has Kept Haunting him to date.

    The Dark Side Of Kenya National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi That Ruined His​ Legal career and Has Kept Haunting him to date.

    The unflipped side of the same coin has shown rust and dirt. History and darkest moments unknown to many is getting flipped on here once again.

    Once upon a time in the 70s-80s-90s, current National Assembly Speaker – constitutionally 3rd in command of Kenya after President and his Deputy was once a Margistrate in the Judiciary. Muturi started off as a district Magistrate to a senior resident Magistrate in Nairobi before legal relationship turned to sour situationship.

    It was the accusation of him soliciting 1 million bribe from Masaba Hospital founder Dr Geoffrey Joel Momanyi  to sort out a criminal case they faced before him 24years ago ruined his legal career.

    Late Dr Momanyi and his late wife Fellgona Akothe Momanyi challenged him in a Nairobi court and by the time the court acquitted Muturi in the late 1997, his decades-long career was over as The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) did not reinstate him forcing him to venture into business and elective politics.

    The Genesis was when NHIF had lost about Sh2 billion to fraudsters and Dr Momanyi and his wife were arraigned before Magistrate Muturi on July 28, 1995 as key suspects on charges of defrauding the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Sh347,000.

    The couple allegedly recorded Muturi on a tape negotiating the deal which they presented as evidence to the Nairobi court Senior Principal Magistrate Uniter Kidullah. 

    Muturi, represented by the late SK Ndungi and Onyango Otieno obviously pleaded not guilty that on different days between August 1996 and 1997 that he corruptly solicited for the said amount as an inducement to acquit or assist the accused couple in the criminal case No. 2782/95 which they faced.

    He was released on a Sh300, 000 bail and was ordered to deposit his passport in court and other travel documents.

    Muturi allegedly used his clerk Florence Ogutu to solicit bribes from the couple. The clerk testified that the couple had approached Muturi pleading to be assisted in the fraud charge and before another Magistrate Momanyi’s wife admitted that a tape recorded conversation was her and Muturi discussing the deal.

    Muturi was then acquitted in 1997 but then prosecutor Senior Superintendent Jonathan Mwalili appealed against the ruling, but the matter did not proceed any further. A ruling that turns out to had been ‘early retirement package’

    And on ground of public trust and integrity, JSC decided not to reinstate him even after pleading to be reinstated.

    He then opted to start business but with interest in politics, he joined parliament through a by-election in 1999 occasioned by death of Siakago MP Cyrus Ita. He won the subsequent polls in 2002 but lost the 2007 and 2013 polls before he was elected Speaker of the Parliament after defeating then Speaker Kenneth Marende.

    Apparently his political journey seems to be elevating after his recent controversial coronation by Mt. Kenya elders as the region spokesperson who will fit in the shoes of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    Despite all that political side shows, the question of his integrity I believe has now an obvious answer. The question whether he is puppet or not in his rulings in the house has been answered. He is on record. 

    On this, not even vocal SC Ahmednasir have spared him either on the matters of his integrity and respect for the rule of law.

    “If Speaker Muturi was an AVERAGE lawyer I would have taken his READING of the Constitution very Seriously…fortunately no one has EVER taken the FOOLISH risk of relying on his in”

    But in a quick rejoinder, Muturi asked Ahmednasir to stop being personal in everything.

    “Stop being personal and be civil,” Muturi said.

    Ahmednasir did not relent and instead continued to argue with the speaker openly.

    “I am civil Sir…it is fair to state Sir as I have done that your tenure as Speaker Sir is defined by a total subversion of the constitution…” he said.

    He continued “…that is your record Sir…that is your legacy Sir and Mr. Speaker Sir..you can never run away from that…Sir.”

    “Sir, an office holder has the GREATEST regret when he is in the TWILIGHT of the tenure. You are not an exception Sir. JUSTIN, history has finally caught up with you. From 2013-2019 you have DESECRATED the constitution with GLEE, treated it as TRASH and FLUSHED it down the TOILET”

     

  • It is Time Mulembe Nation Knock Out Politicians Selling Agenda Of Mumias Sugar Company.

    It is Time Mulembe Nation Knock Out Politicians Selling Agenda Of Mumias Sugar Company.

    Law number 11 in 48 Laws of power advises them (politicians) “LEARN TO KEEP PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON YOU – To maintain your independence you must always be needed and wanted. The more you are relied on, the more freedom you have. Make people depend on you for their happiness and prosperity and you have nothing to fear. Never teach them enough so that they can do without you.”

    Like politics of roads, its always on top of every politician’s eyeing seat – manifesto of which they fail deliberately to deliver so as to use it as a campaign tool for the next election to be re-elected to ‘wind up the job’.

    Mumias Sugar Company is that politics of road in western kenya- the political heavyweights in the region uses it as a campaign tool being the focal economic point of the community. For every investor, they demand kickbacks and a ‘teamplayer’ investor to loot together with and exploit sugarcane farmers and workers to finance their campaigns. 

    It is no secret that a huge segment of Kenya’s political campaigns have consistently been funded with money earned by politicians from domestic sale of illegally imported sugar. When Contraband sugar saga exploded in the country and sugar baron Rai was hunted by long arms of government, Kenyans saw the standing ovation Rai recieved from Members of Parliament when he appeared before the taskforce formed to investigate him on the irregualarities. He recieved handshakes and hugs from the taskforce. A turn of events that left tongues waggling and so did they give him clear bill of health and innocence.

    They served their master with the hot tea.

    Mumias sugar company used to produce 60% of sugar needed in Kenya before it was looted dry and put under receivership of Ponangipalli Venkata Ramana Rao. The miller was in September 2019 placed under receivership by KCB Group  to protect its assets and maintain its operations.

    At some point Farmers and millers claimed there were incidences of unlicensed importation of sugar from Uganda and Bungoma, Mukenya, Masbrago, New Adatia, Mahdhav, Kiminini, Wananchi Stores, Super Store Minimax, Misiku, Kitale, Cherangany and Jaralam as areas where the imports can be traced.

    As of December 2014, Mumias Sugar company was the lead miller at 20 per cent market share, followed at a distance by West Kenya Limited at 13 per cent, Nzoia 11 per cent, Sonny Sugar 10 per cent, Transmara 10 per cent, Butali Sugar 10 per cent, Sukari Industries 7%, Kibos seven per cent, Muhoroni and Chemilil both at six per cent.

    In 2015, national sugar production totalled 632,000 metric tonnes. Mumias and Nzoia pumped in 184,428 metric tonnes. Six years later, a downward spiral reared in production and market share drop. By 2020, Kenya produced only 193,532metric tonnes. The market share had been overturned. All the privates had leapfrogged state entities.

    West Kenya had taken the lead with a market share of 30 per cent, while Mumias wasn’t listed. Butali followed with 16 per cent, Kibos Sugar 14 per cent, Sukari Industries 14 per cent and Transmara Sugar 13 per cent. State millers Nzoia, Muhoroni and Chemilil all recorded a dismal less two per cent.

    Mumias and Nzoia were boxed in by three privates —West Kenya and Butali — allegedly enjoying the patronage of the President, and Busia Sugar Industries under alleged patronage of DP Ruto and their political cronies on the ground.

    On a Friday 4, June 2021 morning, Kenyans woke up to a rude shock of turn of events when Steel billionaire Narendra Raval withdrew his bid in leasing ailing Mumias Sugar Company which hasn’t been operational for over two years.

    The billionaire investor was planning to inject Sh5 billion to modernise the once giant miller after winning the bid and his reason for change of plans was after tremendous political interests after western Kenya politicians questioned the process and your guess for their interest if you understand language of sugar cabals in Kenya – Yes, The billionaire isn’t a man of kickbacks and has maintained a righteous career in his life since rise to stardorm.

    The Devki Group chairman said his decision was made to protect his business name and reputation from being muddied in politics.

    Eight firms participated in the leasing tender and Mr Raval was the front-runner on the strength of his financial muscle and track record of running industries, people with knowledge of leasing details said.  According to Rao, many of them did not pass the test of evaluation, which was based on the technical and financial capabilities of the investor. The technical capability was given priority over the financial capability (except to the extent that the investor was considered capable of funding the revival of the operations), as the most important aspect of the leasing is the revival of the operations and assisting the community by providing the employment, the Receiver manager notes.

    “I was told that I am the winner, but it is unfortunate that I will not continue with the plans to invest at Mumias because of the new political twist that has questioned the process of selection,” he said in an interview.

    “Given the ongoing public interest which the matter has attracted and the call for a publicly run bidding exercise, we have found it worthwhile to take out our application. We will however express interest should the exercise be conducted in consultation with all the stakeholders,” the Devki founder said in a statement.

    The matter surfaced in the Senate, where Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala challenged the government to provide details of the lease. In his statement, the senator pointed out that the purported deal did not explain who would clear the company’s outstanding debts, workers’ arrears and billions owed to sugar-cane farmers. The senator challenged the government to produce details of the correspondence on which the decision to lease the company was based, arguing the law might have been violated in the process.

    Malala’s request followed a similar demand by Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, who had in a letter to Speaker Justin Muturi demanded an explanation as to whether the government, the County Government of Kakamega, shareholders and the Nairobi Stock Exchange were involved, considering the government has a 20 per cent shareholding in the sugar firm.

    “Devki Group, which has no experience in the sugar industry, has actively lobbied to win the leasing tender in direct violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act,” Mr Osotsi said in the letter in which he further demanded that KCB directors and the government be invited to Parliament to shed light on the leasing process.

    The MP expressed fears that Devki Group was only interested in exploiting scrap metal resources, land and other prime properties and had no intention of helping the miller get back on its feet.

    Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula argued that the Privatisation Commission should have looked into all the issues afflicting the miller and prepared a report that should have been tabled in Parliament before the lease was executed. “Will the new investor compensate farmers in Kakamega and Bungoma who for years have relied on the miller for their livelihoods?” he posed, demanding an explanation from the government on who would account for the Sh2 billion bailout package.

    The hungry politicians from the region are blocking every investor who doesn’t offer kickbacks and promise no political coperation ahead of next year much awaited General election. Like every other region in Kenya, Western Kenya’s main economic activity and livelihoods has been dependent on Panpaper industry, sugarcane plantation and Sugar companies. Every politician wants to take credit for the revival of the fallen projects to gain political gangster points of the region and thats why every heavyweight in the region is parroting over the exclusion in the leasing of the Mumias sugar company.

    Mulembe nation is the most divided region in Kenya politically due to selfishness of the political class. Over the years upto date majority in the region settle for Nyanza’s Kingpin and chief Opposition leader Raila Odinga as their favorite Presidential candidate despite having their own Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula and many more vying for the same.

    Mulembe nation is united by food and divided by Money and selfish Politicians.

  • Could Merali Again Bribe His Through To Win The Multi-billion KDF Real Estate Tender Deal?

    Could Merali Again Bribe His Through To Win The Multi-billion KDF Real Estate Tender Deal?

    Tycoon Naushad Merali is known for good and worst reasons at the same time in equal measure. As a business mogul and in equal measure a corrupt mogul who not once or twice have been brought to limelight for bribery accusations and deals gone sour to win state tenders.

    Merali whom has had close ties with almost all administrations since Kenyatta era, was at some point targeted by a famous group of seven individuals in what turned out to be an historic broad daylight scamming.

    On January 14, recieved a call from the ‘President’ about a tender, the tycoon had no reason to doubt he caller was not the head of state. The caller perfectly mimicked his voice. Merali and the ‘President’ exchanged pleasantries on the phone, then got down to business.

    The ‘President informed Merali of a state tender he wanted the well-known businessman to enjoy. But there was a catch. The ‘head of state’ asked Merali for a small favour before he could embark on the lucrative contract, Sh10 million in advance for facilitation.

    That presumably was a trifle compared to the tender itself. It happened that Merali was outside the country but that wasn’t gonna stop the show given his appetite, he took the risk and tadked his financial officer to process the facilitation fee which at this point we will call it as it is, a bribe.

    So elaborate was the plan that the ‘President’ sent his men to pickup the cash from Merali’s office in Mombasa road. Sharply dressed men arrived with full Police escort and high range cars to clear any touch of doubt. They were given the Sh.10M. The suspects didn’t target Merali randomly and using uhuru’s voice randomly, this was elaborate, they must have had an insider information in order to be able to exploit the weak links.

    Sh10M is not a few coins that Merali would just give easily without solid assurance like the president himself collecting the money. The level of confidence Merali had on the ‘President’ could easily point at a possible previous and similar engagement.

    At some point in 2019, Merali again was accused of giving a bribe of USD 5000 (Ksh. 500000) to fake Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers at Serena Hotel. https://www.cnyakundi.com/sameer-africa-group-chairman-naushad-merali-in-new-bribery-drama/

    The bribe was meant to give him an edge on a tyre deal worth Ksh. 1.05 billion at the Ministry of Defence. The fake KDF soldiers had demanded Ksh 105 million.

    Perhaps a routine activity at the Ministry of Defense – KDF. At some point one of the world’s top tyre companies, Goodyear, was fined Sh1.5 billion by a United States court for offering bribes to Kenyan military personnel and civil servants just days after two Britons were sentenced in London for a similar crime.

    The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company were accused of giving bribes amounting to Sh135 million (US$1.5 million) to top military, civil service and parastatal chiefs during the tenure of Narc and the coalition government formed after the 2007/8 post-election violence.

    The United States’ Securities and Exchange Commission found Goodyear paid bribes to Kenyan and Angolan officials to land tyre sales in the two countries. The firm was accused of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Among those bribed include officials of the Kenya Air Force, the ministries of defence and roads, the Kenya Ports Authority and Telkom Kenya.

    Others listed are officials of the Armed Forces Canteen Organisation (AFCO), the Nzoia Sugar Company and the East African Portland Cement Company.

    The bribes to entice these organisations to buy Goodyear tyres took place between 2007 and 2011.

    At the time, the Kenya Defence Forces was headed by Gen Jeremiah Kianga, while Garissa county Senator Yusuf Haji was the Defence minister. The Air Force was under the command of Maj Gen Harold Tangai. Engineer Michael Kamau, now the Cabinet secretary for Roads and Infrastructure, was the Permanent secretary for the ministry of Roads.

    According to the ruling released on by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Goodyear used its local franchise, Treadsetters, to give the bribes.

    “From 2007 through 2011, Treadsetters management regularly authorised and paid bribes to employees of government-owned or affiliated entities and private companies to obtain business”, the SEC ruled.

    The SEC said that the bribes were generally paid in cash and falsely recorded on Treadsetters’ books as expenses for promotional products.

    “The practice was routine and appears to have been in place prior to Goodyear’s acquisition of Treadsetters”, the decision by the SEC adds.

    Now, Tycoon Naushad Merali and Centum Investments are among individuals and local firms battling four Chinese firms; China Gezhouba Group Company Limited, China Railways Construction Engineering Group, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway Engineering Group Company Limited to build and operate 11,000 houses for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with the promise of earning rent for 15 years.

    The Ministry of Defence listed H.Young East Africa, a firm associated with Mr Merali and a consortium of three local companies – Zutari Kenya, Blink Studio and NorthWind Consulting- led by Centum Real Estate to battle for the projects to be spread across several KDF barracks.

    The project is to be funded through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model with the KDF providing Sh1 billion for the first phase as the military targets to ease an accommodation shortfall especially for the non-commissioned officer cadre.
    The private investors will rent out the houses to KDF for 15 years, allowing them to recoup their capital running into billions of shillings over the period after which the lease will terminate and revert ownership to the millitary.

    The military has targeted 2,340 residential units in phase one of the project with the Nanyuki base taking the biggest chunk at 737 houses on 300 acres of land, followed by 610 units at the Kenyatta Barrack in Gilgil.

    Tycoon Merali owns a stake in H.Young East Africa in addition to other businesses that include majority ownership in Sameer Africa that has interests in financial services, property and agriculture sectors. Sameer Group is a vehicle tyre manufacturing company listed at the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

  • 493million Goes Missing Without Trace At The Treasury.

    493million Goes Missing Without Trace At The Treasury.

    In documents tabled in the National Assembly on April 29, the Treasury says Equity Bank has an outstanding Sh493.47 million government debt from the initial loan of Sh654.3 million. However, Equity bank has denied ever receiving any loan from the government in its nearly four decades of existence.

    The Treasury documents do not show when the government loan was issued to Equity and for what purpose. The bank has disowned the loan deal with the State, raising questions on who actually received the purported millions of shillings and puts doubt to the recovery of the taxpayers’ cash.

    In an interview of Equity Group CEO James Mwangi with  Business Daily – he stated that the lender is not aware of the loan, which the Treasury says about a quarter or Sh160.83 million has been repaid.

    The loan said to have been advanced to Equity is part of the Sh907.06 billion that the Treasury told lawmakers that it advanced to State corporations and other private firms on diverse dates and only Sh40.05 billion had been repaid by end of June last year.

    The loan is not among the borrowings disclosed by the lender in its annual report, which has been endorsed by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

    “I don’t understand. We have never borrowed from government. Maybe there is another Equity but not this one,” said Mr Mwangi in an interview.

    “We are not denying that we borrow. Like anybody else we borrow, but we don’t borrow from government.” Mr Mwangi explained that distressed banks have a window to borrow from the CBK, adding that Equity has never used the emergency facility.

    Equity latest annual report shows its borrowings jumped 71.3 percent to Sh71.3 billion and does not list the State among its creditors.

    The bank lists its creditors as International Finance Corporation (IFC), KFW-DEG, Proparco, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank and National Bank of Rwanda.

    KCB and Equity are among the banks that have borrowed from international financiers to fund their long-term lending business, attracted by relatively more favourable terms of the debt, including lower interest rate and longer maturity.

    The lenders have complained of a mismatch between long-term loans and deposits that are mostly short-term in nature, exposing a gap that they have chosen to fill by credit from the institutions which charge single-digit interest rates.

    The Treasury’s list of firms with outstanding State loans includes Co-operative Bank (Sh287.42 million) together with three micro-financiers— Kenya Women Finance Trust (Sh100.56 million), Faulu Kenya (Sh98.15 million) and Rafiki Micro-Finance (Sh46.4 million).

    The five lenders are listed among State run corporations that have paid a measly Sh40.05 billion or 4.42 percent of the Sh907.06 billion they borrowed from the government.

    The bulk of the loans are held by State-controlled firms such as Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and electricity distributor Kenya Power partly as a result of mega government-sponsored projects they have undertaken in recent years.

    Outstanding loans to the loss-making Kenya Railways, under which the standard gauge railway (SGR) line falls, stood at Sh473.21 billion, or 54.58 percent of the Sh867 billion total State debt to the companies as at June last year.

    Banks have also struggled to recover money lent to State-run firms, with the CBK report for 2019 saying the lenders risked losing up to Sh100 billion due to deepening cash crunch among the State agencies.

    A total of 35 banks issued loans to State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in December 2019 — comprising some of the largest single borrower exposures, with those in the energy sector accounting for the biggest share.

    With such cases of missappropriated funds, in Kenya it never ends well for the taxpayer – the only remedy is to forget about the recovery or prosecution of the conspirators and move on. The 493million is gone, just like that. It never ends well. The fruits of graft investigations are ever and always futile. 

  • Double Tragedy As DRC is hit with 61 Earthquakes in 24hrs As a Result of Volcano Eruption

    Double Tragedy As DRC is hit with 61 Earthquakes in 24hrs As a Result of Volcano Eruption

    Talk of double tragedy!

    Seismologists in the Democratic Republic of Congo reported 61 earthquakes in a 24-hour period on Saturday around the Mount Nyiragongo volcano, which erupted a week ago, warning residents to keep well away from lava flows.

    Mt. Nyiragongo

    The details were outlined in a daily report prepared for the government by the Goma Volcanic Observatory (GVO), and seen by CNN. It explained that the volcano’s crater “continues to collapse, which contributed to the earthquake and caused ash emissions visible from Goma.”

    The 11,500-foot-high volcano sits around 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Goma, a city with an official population of 670,000, though several NGOs estimate it to be closer to 1 million.

    A provincial government spokesperson said Friday that around 400,000 people had fled the city as officials warned of a second eruption. The first explosion last Saturday killed at least 31 people.

    Since then, the area has experienced a series of earthquakes and tremors, some felt as far away as the Rwandan capital of Kigali, more than 100 km from the volcano in the Virunga National Park.

    The report warned that lava flows “can cause asphyxiation, severe burns or death.”

    It laid out four possible scenarios, the best case being that the earthquakes stop and that no second eruption occurs.

    But it also warned that as magma continued to move through a fissure toward Lake Kivu, there was a possibility of a limnic eruption, where an eruption under the lake could cause it to send debris flying and emit toxic gas. That could be a worst-case scenario.

    “If lava erupts in the Kivu River, keep a considerable distance away, as the explosions could produce dangerous ballistics,” the report said.

    A volcanic eruption, landslide or large earthquake could destabilize the lake’s deep waters and emit dissolved gases.

    Gas emissions are likely to become more frequent in the coming months anyway because of the increase in volume of underground magma.

    Fissures could release lethal concentrations of gases, the report said, urging people to stay away and supervise children in low-lying areas.

    The report added that people should take precautions in using water for drinking and washing vegetables as volcanic ash may have contaminated tanks.

  • Full Scholarship List for African Students Whose Applications End In July, 2021

    Full Scholarship List for African Students Whose Applications End In July, 2021

    Below is a list of scholarships with application deadlines in the month of July 2021.

    1.

    African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Masters Fellowships for African Students

    AERC wishes to announce the 2021/2022 Masters scholarships for applicants from Anglophone subSaharan African countries admitted into any of the following AERC Collaborative Masters Programme (CMAP) in Economics universities below.

    Application Deadline: 16th July

    2.

    Reckitt-LSHTM PhD studentships on Hygiene & Health in Sub-Saharan Africa 

    The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) invites applications from candidates from Sub-Saharan Africa for fully-funded 4-year PhD studentships to start a research degree programme on 3 January 2022. There are three studentships available.

    Application Deadline: 11th July

    3.

    Germany: DAAD Leadership for Africa Scholarship Programme for African Masters Students (Fully-funded)

    The DAAD has launched its scholarship programme “Leadership for Africa” with funding from the German Foreign Office.

    Application Deadline: 2nd July

    4.

    Study in UAE: Canadian University Dubai Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students

    Canadian University Dubai Scholarships are awarded to international Undergraduate students based on the student’s academic performance.

    Application Deadlines: 1st July

    5.

    Rhodes University Postdoctoral Research Fellowships – South Africa

    The Rhodes University, South Africa, through the University Council, has established the Rhodes University Postdoctoral Fellowships for a South African student.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

    6.

    DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters in Public Policy and Good Governance Scholarship Programme for Developing Countries

    The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) intends to contribute to the support of good governance and civil society structures in selected partner countries and regions.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

    7.

    Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering – Call for Nominations

    The search is on to find bold, groundbreaking innovations that are of global benefit to humanity. Nominate for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

    8.

    Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa

    The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation is open for ambitious and talented sub-Saharan African engineers from all engineering fields to demonstrate innovative and engineering entrepreneurship skills

    Application Deadline: 20th July

    9.

    AREF Women in Research Essential Grant Writing Skills Workshop for African Women Researchers

    AREF is calling for applications from women who are emerging biomedical/health researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa to participate in its Essential Grant Writing Skills Workshop

    Application Deadline: 8th July

    10.

    L’Oréal-UNESCO Maghreb Fellowships for African Women in Science

    The L’Oréal-UNESCO Maghreb Fellowships For Women in Science are set to be awarded to 5 young female scientists from 4 different countries of the Maghreb: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

    11.

    IsDB-TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Women in Least Developed Countries

    Early-career female researchers from 21 least developed member countries of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) are eligible for an ambitious new postdoctoral programme offered by IsDB and TWAS.

    Application Deadline: 19th July

    12.

    TWAS/German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI)

    With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), TWAS launches a new programme to strengthen the capacity of African countries lagging in science and technology.

    Application Deadline: 27th July

    13.

    Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship for Undergraduate African Students to Study at Ashesi University

    The Jim Ovia Foundation in collaboration with the Africa-America Institute is offering the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship for Young African leaders to study at Ashesi University.

    Application Deadline: 27th July

    14.

    Apply: University of Pretoria Scholarships for Masters in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa

    This prestigous degree is presented by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in partnership with 12 leading African universities.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

    15.

    Fulbright African Research Scholar Program (ARSP) for African Researchers

    The Fulbright African Research Scholar Program (ARSP) 2022 is offering grants to researchers from African countries.

     

    Application Deadline: 15th July

    16.

    Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme for Mid-level Career Professionals (Fully-funded to USA)

    The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is a Fulbright program that provides mid-career professionals from designated countries around the world an opportunity to enhance their professional capacities through participation in specialized 10 month non-degree programs.

    Application Deadline: 15th July

    17.

    TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship Programme for Researchers in Developing Countries (Funded to India)

    For young scientists from developing countries (other than India) who wish to pursue postgraduate research in emerging areas in science and technology for which facilities are available in laboratories and institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

    18.

    TWAS-CSIR Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Developing Countries – India

    TWAS-CSIR Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable in CSIR research laboratories and institutes in India for a minimum period of six months to a maximum period of twelve months.

    Application Deadline: 31st July

     

  • Safarilink Allows Late Arrivals With Joho’s Circus.

    Safarilink Allows Late Arrivals With Joho’s Circus.

    On Friday the 21st May, 2021 was perhaps one of the worst days for flamboyant Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho “Sultan”. From disgrace of missing a flight after late arrival and being charged with contempt of court after being found guilty and risked 60 days imprisonment or Shs. 250,000 fine by Mombasa law court.

    Maybe one the court judgement would have led to his second misfortune of the day but he just didn’t know where to tore the line.

    He took to social media to complain to http://www.flysafarilink.com

    In response to the governor, the airline noted that a complaint was not lodged so they could launch an internal query on the matter.

    The airline did not waste time reminding him that he was late and that it would have been unfair to inconvenience others who were onboard.

    According to Safarilink, the flight was scheduled to depart at 4 pm, and all passengers are required to check-in at least 30 minutes before departure time.

    However, the flamboyant Governor arrived at the airstrip four minutes after the plane had taken off as scheduled and missed the flight – adding salt to an injury.

     


    Ordinarily as per commercial aviation rules and regulations, when you’re late for flights you’re penalized but seems after fierce with county boss, safarilink has redefined the rules —you miss out with minutes, they reschedule your flights at no cost, something which is new and out of international aviation norms, not even big airlines consume such low grade damage control.

    The rule has always been, despite social or political status, if you miss out on flights schedules, you’re penalized. Safarilink is simply breaking the norms to satisfy Joho’s ego.

  • The Controversial Bus Deal That​ Has Come to Haunt KAA.

    The Controversial Bus Deal That​ Has Come to Haunt KAA.

    In 2014, Relief & Mission Logistics won the contract to ferry passengers on the airside at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a period of 8 years and of which was to expire next year 2022. But the contract was, however, terminated on June 5,2015 after President Kenyatta visited the airport in May 2015 on a public resources random audit mission and in the process, was flabbergasted to find out that KAA was paying Sh11 million every month for Relief and Mission logistics’ 5 buses services.

    That was the day and moment that sparked a legal dispute for 6 years until finally the company saw light at the end of the tunnel after Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) was recently ordered to pay Sh158 million to the company.

    The sole arbitrator, Mr Allen Gichuhi, awarded the compensation to Relief & Mission Logistics on grounds that the KAA failed to show how public interest prompted the cancellation of the bus deal.

    The controversial deal saw the sacking of KAA managing director Lucy Mbugua, chief finance officer John Thumbi and airport engineer Christopher Warutere.

    According to report prepared by an internal auditor in the wake of President Kenyatta’s concerns showed that the cost charged by the bidder was to be recovered from the airlines since the apron buses service was not meant to be free but in contrary, it was noted that since the introduction to the apron service on November 28, 2014, the airlines had been getting the service for free.

    For the eight years, Relief & Mission Logistics was to earn Sh1 billion in fees.

    After winning the tender, controversially  beating other 16 companies pants down, the company imported five apron buses and started operations that were stopped seven months later after President Kenyatta’s visit.

    While terminating the contract, the State-run KAA whose chairman by then was former Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo – said the cancellation was on the basis of necessity, convenience and in public interest.

    “From the preponderance of evidence, the inescapable conclusion is that the respondent had no lawful basis for termination of the agreement summarily and hide behind the cloak of convenience, necessity and public interest,” Mr Gichuhi The Sole arbitrator ruled.

    The company in its argument stated that the termination of the bus deal caused it financial losses and damaged its reputation.

    At some point, the KAA wanted to settle the matter and pay the company but the parties failed to reach a mutual agreement. The KAA later challenged the powers of the arbitrator to hear the dispute but Mr Gichuhi dismissed the application.

    Directors of the company maintained that they had not received a penny despite investing Sh245 million in the project. They claimed to had spent Sh200 million to buy the five apron buses and paid Sh45 million in taxes to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

    In his ruling, the arbitrator said no evidence was produced to prove concerns about cost-effectiveness or potential loss of public funds if the contract was executed by an internal KAA probe. He said the tender was open and complied with all the provisions of the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act. “I find and hold that the tender process was lawfully carried and was not contrary to the Constitution with regard to the utilisation of public funds,” he said.

    Mr Gichuhi, however, rejected a bid by the company to be paid for alleged damage of its reputation. He also rejected the company’s bid for loss of profits for the unexpired period, saying there was no basis for the claim.

  • Kenyans Beware! Covid19 Is Not Your Relative and so is Your Government. They both dont care.

    Kenyans Beware! Covid19 Is Not Your Relative and so is Your Government. They both dont care.

    Escalating taxations

    Digital Tax Service

    The Kenyan government implemented taxes on Internet businesses and entrepreneurs in January, 2021 with an aim to bring up to 1,000 companies and individuals under its tax bracket which, it claims, could generate up to $45 million (Ksh 5 billion) in revenue by June 2021. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) publicised Digital Services Tax in 2020, following the Finance Act 2019. Businesses and Individuals would pay a 1.5% fee on the value of goods and services sold or offered online.

    Some of these services include e-books, movies, music, games, theatre and event tickets, news platforms, magazines and other digital content.

    The COVID-19 induced disruption and has moved several businesses online, and the KRA expects this to work in its favour in 2021 as many business have resorted to online service delivery as demand for it have since been on the rise at the expense of recovering business.

    Only India, Italy, France, the UK, Mexico, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Belgium and Spain are in the process of implementing the process. These aren’t even Kenya’s peers in terms of Economy index ranking. Kenya is the only African country to have implemented the Digital Tax Service.

    As much as KRA is implementing its programme thinking they’re being innovative and ahead of time — they’ve killed and continue to kill business and they might be left with a handful to tax and will revoke more pins for individuals and business not filing their annual returns.

    In the wake to economic recovery after covid19 wrath, what’s the essence of the Government lobbying for foreign and local loans which end up in dirty hands of cartels in the name of tenderprenuers.

    As the Jubilee Government which has become Handshake Government continue to lobby for more loans and bonds and continue to recieve more aids and grants from international community – it has equally stretched out its hands to siphon money from small business and individuals by overtaxing them to meet their revenue target. 

    Goods exempt from taxation in Kenya

    On September 17, 2013, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the Kenya Revenue Authority and the National Treasury to clarify on the list of VAT exempt goods in Kenya. This presidential order was in a bid to deter unscrupulous traders from overpricing goods and taking advantage of the ‘local mwananchi’.

    The offense of charging VAT on exempt goods or services carries a fine of even up to one million Kenya shillings or a jail term of three years. Here is a detailed list on goods that have been exempted from the Value Added Tax in Kenya.

    Below is a list of VAT exempt goods in Kenya according to their categories.

    1. Materials used to prepare the cleaning dairy apparatus.

    2. Mosquito nets

    3. Seeds for sowing, for example, cotton seeds, sunflower seeds, mustard seeds, sesamum seeds, safflower seeds, cola seeds, linseed and mustard seeds.

    4. Inputs for the use of in the manufacture of agricultural products

    5. Floriculture, Agriculture and Horticulture inputs

    6. Fertilizers 

    7. Electrical Energy Saving bulbs

    8. Specialized solar accessories and equipment 

    9. Hotel equipment marked, printed or engraved with any hotel logo 

    10. Education as well as educational materials and articles

    11. Museums and exhibits

    12. Relief goods imported mainly for emergency use in areas where a natural calamity has occurred. The importation must be made within a span of six months not exceeding 12 months.

    13. Speed governors

    14. Computer software and media that contains computer software 

    15. Plants and machinery designed specifically for garbage collection are some examples of VAT exempt vehicles.

    List of VAT exempt transactions and VAT exempt services in Kenya 

    1. The following financial services are VAT exempted:

    *The operation of current, deposit, or savings accounts as well as the provision of account statements.

    *Issuing of credit and debit cards.

    *ATM transactions excluding the supply of the machines and the software to run it.

    *Cheque handling, processing, clearing as well as cancellation of cheques.

    ​2. Insurance and reinsurance services excluding actuarial services, management, and related insurance consultancy services and services of loss adjusters.

    3. The supply of education services

    4. Medical, dental, veterinary, and nursing services.

    5. Agricultural and horticultural services.

    6. Burial and cremation services.

    7. Transportation of passengers by any means excluding international air transport.

    8. Supply by way of sale, leasing, renting, letting or hiring land or residential premises.

    9. Community, social and welfare services provided by National Government or County Government.

    10. Stock exchange brokerage as well as tea and coffee brokerage services.

    11. The supply of services rendered by educational, religious, welfare, political and other philanthropic associations to their members.

    12. Stage and cultural performances which are conducted by educational institutions and approved by the Cabinet Secretary for education as part of the learning curriculum.

    13. Accommodation and restaurant services provided or operated by an educational training institutions and also approved by the Cabinet Secretary.

    14. Conference services conducted for educational institutions.

    15. Car park services rendered by National Government, County Government.

    16. The supply of airtime by any person other than the provider of cellular mobile telephone services or wireless telephone services.

    17. Leasing, hiring, and chartering of aircrafts

    On 23 December 2020, the Kenyan President assented to the Tax Law Amendment Act (No. 2) of 2020 (the Act). The Act amends the Income Tax Act and the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act of Kenya.

    The key amendments made through the Act include the reinstatement of: (i) the resident corporate income tax rate to 30% from 25%; and (ii) the highest individual income tax band to 30% from the 25%. Additionally, the VAT rate was reinstated to 16% from 14% through a legal notice in accordance with the law.

    These rate changes became effective on 1 January 2021. Some of the notable introductions into the tax landscape is the minimum tax at the rate of 1% of the gross turnover, a digital services tax at the rate of 1.5% of the transaction value and also the introduction of a Voluntary Tax Disclosure Program, which will run for a period of three years beginning 1 January 2021.

    This Alert summarizes the tax proposals contained in the Act and insights into the other critical tax changes that took effect on 1 January 2021. Refer to EY Global Tax Alert that summarizes all the tax changes enacted by the Finance Act, 2020.

    Kenyans have a government which operates like matatu sacco business which grasps the opportunity to siphon passengers by doubling the fare when it rains. In the midst of a pandemic, the Government saw a great opportunity to bloat its accounts by overtaxation and reinstatement of old laws to increase its revenue.

    Overtaxation in an economy where the Head of State himself Uhuru Kenyatta admitted that KShs. 2 billion – $20 million tax payers money is lost on daily basis to money launders in the government. Corruption at its best.

    The government wants more but cant even manage the little they have. The more they get, they more public coffers loot.

    The Treasury have even now proposed to remove syringes from the category of goods exempt from taxation, in the Finance Bill of 2021. A sign that exempted Goods and Services in the Healthcare sector will soon be almost all taxed as the treasury seems to also want to grasp the opportunity in the demanding healthcare service due to the pandemic.

    It also turns out Government is against local chang’aa brewers not because the brewers are producing substandard Chang’aa – liquor but because the Government isn’t / can’t getting / get enough tax from the brewers. A jealous partner.

    Soon they’ll tax the church since that’s the only lucrative business not being taxed and clergy are ripping big. As Corona continues to swipe out humanity, your Government is assisting it by overtaxation. Total Economic sabotage instead of Economic recovery.

    Public debt

    According to the 2021 Budget Policy Statement, Kenya’s public debt as of June 2020 stood at Sh7.06 trillion, which is equivalent to 65 percent of GDP.

    In December 2020, the Treasury claimed that the figure was Sh7.2 trillion, which was 65.6per cent of GDP.

    At the same time, in November 2020 the Treasury in its Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategy stated that public debt was at Sh8.41 trillion. Controversies!

    In reconciling this discrepancy, the Treasury claims that this arises from committed but undisbursed concessional loans.

    With public debt at Sh8.4 trillion in November 2020, it is likely to hit  around Sh8.8 trillion by the end of this financial year, which is June 2021. Now, add Sh3.4 trillion, which the IMF has pressured government to add on its register arising from parastatals and county loans, Kenya’s debt portfolio stands at Sh12.2 trillion at the end of this financial year.

    Kenya, möge der allmächtige Gott mit dir sein

    Kenya, Ilaaha Qaadirka ahi ha kula jiro

    كينيا ، الله تعالى مع

    Kenya, que Dieu tout-puissant soit avec vous

    Kenya, que Deus Todo-Poderoso esteja com você

  • Fierce Bidder Fight Over Multi-Billion Kebs Tender.

    Fierce Bidder Fight Over Multi-Billion Kebs Tender.

    (more…)

  • Former Chase Bank Finance Manager Is Expected to Take over as Rafiki Bank CEO.

    Former Chase Bank Finance Manager Is Expected to Take over as Rafiki Bank CEO.

    Chief Finance Officer Paul Karanja Macharia was recently appointed to the helm of the CEO post in acting capacity with an aim to be permanently appointed for the position.

    Mr Macharia has previously worked at Equity Bank and Chase Bank (Finance Departments) and was a Finance Manager at the collapsed Chase Bank before joining Rafiki in 2016.

    In his appointment as acting CEO, he commenced his duty as acting CEO from 1st April 2021 for 90 days as the search for a substantive CEO is undertaken.

    Rafiki Microfinance Bank was a subsidiary of Chase Bank and launched its operations in the Kenyan market in 2011 targeting the microfinance industry.

    Rafiki was a subsidiary of Chase bank which is currently under liquidation – but was not bought by SBM. Mauritian lender SBM Bank in 2018 carved out and bought 75 per cent of certain assets and liabilities from Chase Bank in what was considered as cherry-picking ‘good assets.’

    It is currently oversighted by Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) as the company hunts for a strategic investor to buy out the Chase bank shareholding.

    With the unforgetable and unforgiving corporate fraud history of embezzlement that led to the collapse and liquidation of Chase bank in 2015, it will never be written off in history and those involved continue to enjoy freedom and continue to land more deals in the system as the system loves their conmanship at the expense of customers money.

    Like his predecessor Ken Obimbo who was Chase bank CFO and took over as MD – CEO of Rafiki microfinance bank, Obimbo nicknamed ‘Bimbo’ was sacked from Coca-Cola then went to serve as MD of Kenya Bus Service that was run down by graft before joining Chase bank.

    Former long serving Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs Zak Syengo is among the senior executives who have left the company( Rafiki Microfinance) in recent weeks. Mr Syengo has resigned but is serving notice pending his exit.

    Replacing Obimbo ‘Bimbo’ with Paul Karanja leaves much to desire.

    With the recent exits through resignations and new appointments in the company raises eyebrows and to salt to an injury is that the replacements have the same corporate fraud history as part of their work experience and CBK and KDIC have allowed such a filth to continue in the banking sector with recycling of corporate fraudsters.

    Former risk manager of Chase bank Michael Muriuki is now hiding in Dubai National Bank as their Risk manager https://kenyainsights.com/as-chase-bank-goes-on-liquidation-its-risk-manager-evaded-arrest-and-fled-to-dubai-national-bank/

    Why are naive Kenyans still putting their money at Rafiki Microfinance knowing it’s a subsidiary of collapsed Chase bank being led by the same crooks that laundered the mother Chase bank. Now, they’re looting and resigning to hoodwink the public and customers before they’re unmasked.

    Rafiki microfinance under recycled CFO Paul Karanja might just be the last kicks of a dying horse. Thunder is going to strike the same tree twice. Customers of the microfinance bank, thank us later.

     

  • The Unholy Relationship Between Kenya’s CDF CEO And Kenya’s Parliament That Should Worry Kenyans.

    The Unholy Relationship Between Kenya’s CDF CEO And Kenya’s Parliament That Should Worry Kenyans.

    In March 2020, National Assembly House Speaker Justin Muturi had to cut short his statement to calm lawmakers who were chanting ‘Mbuno! Mbuno!’ bringing house business to a standstill. MPs were protesting the nomination of Prof Mohamed Hussein Abdille as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Government Constituency Development Fund- CDF (NG-CDF) by Treasury Secretary Ukur Yatani. This brought into light the unholy relationship the MPs had with Mbuno.

    Prof Mohamed Hussein Abdille

    At the end, Treasury Secretary Ukur Yatani was left with no choice but to retreat and appoint Yusuf Mbuno to head the National Government Constituencies Development Fund for three years, ending his battle with MPs.

    Through a gazette notice published, Mr Yatani confirmed the appointment of Mr Mbuno ending a power vacuum that has persisted for nine years following the exit of Agnes Odhiambo who was appointed the Controller of Budget in 2011.

    Mr Mbuno emerged top in the interviews with a score 93 percent while Mr Abdille had 73.3 per cent.

    The Unholy affair.

    The NG-CDF  Board which derives its mandate from the NG-CDF (Amendment) Act 2016 is specifically mandated to consider project proposals submitted from various constituencies, approve for funding project proposals that are consistent with the Act and send funds to the respective constituency fund account with respect to the approved projects.

    The NG-CDF Board other notable functions are to ensure timely and efficient disbursement of funds to every constituency and ensure efficient management of NG-CDF.

    Law demands that one can only serve for three years (renewable once). Mbuno should not have been considered for the job since he had already served as CEO since 2011 by the time Treasury Secretary made his second nomination to the house to vet as stipulated by the constitution and once approved, the Treasury then officially appoints the nominee officialy. At first, MPs had previously shot down the nomination of Wilfred Buyema by the then Devolution secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and instead recommended reconstitution of the board further prolonging the wait for a substantive holder.

    Mbuno was ineligible for appointment for the reasons that the NDCDF act section 20(4) sets out that one can only serve for three years, that is renewable once yet he had served for 8 years since 2011. The said provisions are to be read with Article 259 (1) d, (3) b of the Constitution.

    The approval was marred by open favouritism as MPs expressed support for him in advance, even before the vetting was done.

    There are serious audit queries tied to his term of service, for example in the Auditor-General’s report of August, 2017 the whereabouts of Sh1.8 billion under his watch could not be traced or accounted for.

    Sh300 million allegedly lost to Chase bank – When the 2016/17 financial year Audit report was released implicating the man of over Ksh300 million lost through Chase bank, the report was just tabled in National Assembly and shelved without being discussed. Not even the General Auditors office has ever posted the report on its website as required by law. It just vanished in thin air after both parties received kickbacks to remain maim.

    The CDF had been outlawed in 2016 for not being in line with the 2010 constitution. A three-judge bench composed of Justice Isaac Lenaola, David Majanja and Mumbi Ngugi on February 20, 2016 invalidated the CDF Act, but gave law makers 12 months to make the necessary amendments in a bid to align it with the 2010 Constitution. That is when they came up with the amendment of the act, so as to still have access to the funds.

    This meant that each constituency would have at least Ksh81 million.

    Mbuno managed to pocket a number of MPs to the tune of Ksh9 million each in the name of CSR projects in their constituencies. Most of the MPs were members of the National Assembly on CDF committee (NASC) in parliament and cronies of Mbuno. In return, the ‘honourable’ members were to root for his appointment and subsequent gazetting, which would add him more life at the body and a dream which came to pass since he succeeded.

    Below is a list of the MPs who benefited from the body in the name of CSR projects in their constituencies.

    1. Elijah Moindi- MP Nyaribari Masaba (NASC member)

    2. Yusuf Chanzu – NASC member

    3. Esther Gathogo – NASC member

    4. Peter Kaluma – NASC member

    5. Maweu Katatha- NASC member

    6. Francis Mwangangi

    7. Mohammed Haji – NASC member

    8. Joseph Ndiege- NASC member

    9. William Kamoti -NASC member

    10. David Wafula – NASC member

    11.  Abass Sheikh -NASC member

    12. Abdikadir Ahmed- NASC member

    13. Sila Tiren – NASC member

    14. Raphael Letimalo- NASC member

    15. John Lodepe- NASC member

    16. Moses Lesonet- NASC Chair

    17. Jesica Mbalu -NASC member

    18. John Karanja Kihagu -NASC member

    19. Late Francis Nyenze -NASC member

    20. Mathew Lekidime-NASC member

    21. Nicholas Gumbo-NASC member

    22. Jakoyo Midiwo –

    23. Gideon Ochanda- NASC member

    24. Maina Kamanda

    25. Aden Duale- Former Majority Leader

    Because of flawed appointment, it is not a rocket science that Mbuno’s loyalty seized to be towards the Kenyan public but to certain groups with vested interest, not necessarily for the good of the public. His loyalty is for the MPs who gives him money kickbacks after approving for them flawed process and allocating them funds and keeping secret their audit reports from EACC and other authorities.

    In 2017 Activist Okiya Omtatah seeked that the services of NGCDF Chief Executive Officer(C.E.O), Yusuf Mbuno be terminated immediately and his terminal benefits provided in full since his six years tenure in office expired 0n 1st September 2017 hence lacking capacity under the law to order the recruitment of the C.D.F committees in the 290 constituencies.

    Activist Okiya Omtatah filed a petition seeking an order to stop the on-going exercise of constituting National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) committees until a properly constituted  board is appointed.

    Omtatah claimed that the board was irregularly managed by a board of four directors instead of five as required by the NG-CDF Act thus lacking the required quorum to conduct business.

    In the petition filed at the Milimani Law Courts, Omtatah wanted the court to issue a temporary order of injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from forwarding any nominated Members of NG-CDF committee to the NG-CDF Board for appointment through gazette notice.

    Mr. Mbuno is dancing to the tunes of MPs as Treasury is losing millions of shillings through his unholy relationship. And when Ukur Yatani tried to cock his gun on this crook, he was instead shot back by majority of MPs whom were on the payroll of Mr. Mbuno.

    Here is a matter of public funds being missappropriated with the help of  disbursement authority and cover ups being done at the expense poor Kenyans tax money. Accountability, Fidelity, Transparency are in jeopardy in this board led by CEO Mr. Mbuno.

    As Kenyans are getting over-taxed and prices of commodities get increasingly high by everyday, MPs and Mbuno are laundering public funds in the likes of CSR projects and many other irregular allocation of CDF.

    A NG-CDF ‘Mugabe’ illegally overstaying in power to swindle public funds under the watch of Legislators in a symbiotic affair is a sinful, corrupt, economic sabotage act. His illegal over-stay in office is upto no good for general public.

  • Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) Launches Pursuit for Loan defaulters of the collapsed 27 banks.

    Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) Launches Pursuit for Loan defaulters of the collapsed 27 banks.

    Individuals and businesses that defaulted on loans tapped from 27 collapsed banks like Chase, Imperial and Dubai Bank among other lenders put under liquidation since 1993.

    Some 17 of the 27 banks collapsed between 199 and 1999 under the cloud of weak supervision, with Postbank Credit, Trade Bank, Kenya Finance Bank, Trade Finance and Heritage Bank being among the affected.

    This was then followed up with the collapse of Prudential, Reliance and Fortune banks in 2000 before Kenya’s banking sector experienced about five years of stability following the tightening of supervision.

    The agency is seeking a management company to auction or run the operations of the firms in defaults to recover unpaid loans in failed banks. At the end of June 2018,  KDIC data showed unpaid loans of Sh45.51 billion excluding those from Chase bank and Imperial bank.

    Many individuals and businesses stopped servicing their loans once distressed banks were placed under receivership, hurting the ability of depositors to recover their savings. The agency has now evoked Section 50 and 55 of the KDIC Act 2012 that allows it to recover billions of shillings in unpaid loans, overdrafts and other credit facilities linked to the collapsed banks.

    KDIC had by end of June 2018 recovered Sh10.12 billion, being an equivalent of about a fifth of the entire outstanding loan book at the time the banks fell into liquidation, showing the extend of defaults. 

    Central Bank of Kenya had in 2018 said large borrowers in Chase Bank stopped servicing loans making about Sh20 billion to go into bad debt status. Such defaulters will be among those to be pursued by KDIC.

    The agency is seeking a management company to auction or run the operations of the firms in defaults to recover unpaid loans in failed banks. The management company picked by KDIC will be required to be registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, meaning that audit and advisory firms are in line for this job.

    The management company will be required to step up loan recoveries and also secure possession of the assets of the respective defaulters for the interest of depositors. And where considered appropriate, the company be allowed to sell the defaulting companies’ assets and distribute the realised money to depositors and other creditors.

    For the victims – Embrace yourselves for tough times ahead. 

  • Why The Bulgarian Web- Hosting firm, SiteGround Has Exited Kenyan Market.

    Why The Bulgarian Web- Hosting firm, SiteGround Has Exited Kenyan Market.

    “Due to new local regulations (mostly tax-related), we have recently stopped offering new sign-ups for a number of countries and Kenya is one of them,”  That was the response to a Kenyan web designer, who had unsuccessfully sought to sign up an account for a client, via Twitter.

    “Complying with said regulations would be expensive for us, making offering our product there not feasible for us.”

    The Sofia-based firm — with data hubs in the US, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore and Australia — offers free to low-cost hosting services such as domain listing, enterprise solutions and email hosting. SiteGround  hosts for websites such as WordPress and Joomla which is popular with Kenyan micro-enterprises.

    Seems introduction of Digital Service Tax in January 2 at the rate of 1.5 per cent of the value of goods or services supplied and sold online contributed to their exit from the Kenyan market. 

    The Kenyan government implemented taxes on Internet businesses and entrepreneurs in January, 2021 with an aim to bring up to 1,000 companies and individuals under its tax bracket which, it claims, could generate up to $45 million (Ksh 5 billion) in revenue by June 2021.

    The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) publicised  Digital Services Tax in 2020, following the Finance Act 2019. Businesses and Individuals would pay a 1.5% fee on the value of goods and services sold or offered online.

    Some of these services include e-books, movies, music, games, theatre and event tickets, news platforms, magazines and other digital content.

    The COVID-19 induced disruption and has moved several businesses online, and the KRA expects this to work in its favour in 2021 as many business have resorted to online service delivery as demand for it have since been on the rise. 

    Exit of foreign investors​ from the Kenyan market has been on the rise over exploitation by the taxman – KRA by overtaxing  goods and services even surpassing the the value of their original value. Apparently in the public dormain is the taxation stand off between taxman KRA and USaid in the port of Mombasa where the taxman imposed taxation on ARVs of which is an aid to HIV/AIDS patients in the country.

    Never ever before have USaid been taxed when importing these ARVs into the country and what turned out to have brewed the war is when the corrupt KEMSA in conjuction with MoH wanted to takeover distribution of these drugs instead of USaid doing so as they’ve always done before. And when Kenyans on social media realised the stand off – it went all blazing. HIV/AIDS patients decided to express their oppression to the street — calling out the government to release the drugs as hospitals were out of stock and they were missing  out their prescriptions tempering with their system – immunity- Viral load —KEMSA instead flagged off expired toxic ARVs to them through county governments, a heartbreaking move that was exposed and led to the whole KEMSA board get suspended from office recently by the President.

    As much as KRA is implementing its programme thinking they’re being innovative, they’re killing business and they might be left with a handful to tax and will revoke more pins for individuals and business not filing their annual returns. 

    Only India, Italy, France, the UK, Mexico, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Turkey, Belgium and Spain are in the process of implementing the process. These aren’t even Kenya’s peers in terms of Economy. Kenya is the only African country to have implemented the Digital Tax Service and its unfortunate that through this, investors are leaving the market rendering many jobless out of selfishness of the authority.

  • EXPOSED: Quickmart Supermarket On its Death bed – A snake in the grass.

    EXPOSED: Quickmart Supermarket On its Death bed – A snake in the grass.

    Just like Tuskys, Quickmart has dug its own grave and is now sleeping on its death bed awaiting its burial ceremony.

    When I previously warned about Kicking out Carrefour and keeping Quickmart is ill advised some thought I was a toothless dog maybe. Now they’ve realized I’m bitting and many ‘toothless dogs” have joined the army as people have began to speak out on the oppressive management of the supermarket.

    And Viva to those who’ve come out of their oppressive comfort zones – Better die on your feet than live on your knees.

    It turns out that this hyped retail outlet in the country is practicing “Ukoloni mamboleo” – Modern day slavery. From paying their employees peanuts, overworking their employees past curfew hours without essential service providers pass, selling expired cat food and repackaging expired food products on shelves, over-pricing their goods.

    A snake in the green grass who has been hyping the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to expunge out Carrefour out of Kenyan market with trumped up accusations. 

    Recently one individual took to social media – Twitter expressing his concerns with the slavery Quickmart supermarket is putting its employees in and many number of individuals took the opportunity to air out their previous harsh encounters, what they think of the Supermarket:​

    Some calling for boycott.

    Being that they are essential service providers, they are expected to have pass but even if they’re given pass- the company doesn’t provide transport of which they’re forced to only rely on public vehicles to ferry them home or dig deep down their pockets to afford private vehicles past curfew hours of which none of the junior enslaved employs are unable to afford hence risking their freedom, security and their health.

    Carrefour considers their employees work environment and as Quickmart release their employees home past curfew hours – Carrefour releases their employees at exactly 6:15pm.

    And when I said how expensive this Supermarket is and having tremendously spread to every corner of this country, – they want Carrefour out of the Kenyan market to keep exploiting lazy customers. The rift between Carrefour and the CAK and KRA seems to were all choreographed in favor of fellow market competitors to kick the giant out. With over-hyped prices, Quickmart has no brighter future. They can bribe all the authorities but it is the customers who decides their fate of stay. Boycott.

    Another eye-catcher turns out that Quickmart been selling expired cat food by exchanging expiry dates on their packages. And this is an alarm to any food stuff you buy from the shelves, possibility of recycling could be the norm.

    https://twitter.com/ngindanganga/status/1387744783054082048?s=21.  

    It also turns out the slavery have been there even before curfew was put into place as workers would be expected to work 16hrs a day with dire repercussions on failure to comply.