Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made a phone call using a new technology called “immersive audio and video” that improves the quality of a call with three-dimensional sound, making interactions more lifelike, the company said on Monday.
“We have demonstrated the future of voice calls,” said Lundmark, who was also present in the room when the first 2G call was made in 1991.
Current smartphone calls are monophonic which compresses audio elements together and sound flatter and less detailed, but the new technology will bring 3D audio where a caller will hear everything as if they were there with the other person.
“It is the biggest leap forward in the live voice calling experience since the introduction of monophonic telephony audio used in smartphones and PCs today,” said Jenni Lukander, president of Nokia Technologies.
The call was held with Stefan Lindström, Finland’s Ambassador of Digitalisation and New Technologies.
“This is now becoming standardised … so the network providers, chipset manufacturers, handset manufacturers can begin to implement it in their products,” Lukander said in an interview.
Nokia made the call using a regular smartphone over a public 5G network.
Apart from person to person immersive calls, this can be used in conference calls where voices of participants can be separated based on their spatial locations, said Jyri Huopaniemi, head of audio research at Nokia Technologies.
A vast majority of smartphones have at least two microphones with which this technology can be implemented by transmitting in real time the spatial characteristics of a call, the executives said.
The technology is part of the upcoming 5G Advanced standard and Nokia aims to get licensing opportunities with the technology which would likely take a few years to be available widely
Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, should extend his ongoing advocacy for “One Man, One Shilling” to land reform in Kenya, inspired by what happened in the United States of America towards the end of the Civil War in 1865.
Slavery was abolished in America in 1865 by America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, following which one of Abraham Lincoln’s Army Generals, Gen. William Sherman, passed an ordinance into American law back then, known as “40 acres and a mule,” where each freed slave was to be allocated 40 acres of land, and a mule (a donkey), to start life as free men and free women.
“40 acres and a mule” was however short lived. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on 15th April 1865, following which America’s 17th President, Andrew Johnson, revoked “40 acres and a mule,” towards the end of the year 1865.
“40 acres and a mule,” was not however a bad idea. Mules are not key in ploughing land in Kenya, so were something on the lines of “40 acres and a mule” to be considered in Kenya, it would be more on the lines of “40 acres and an ox,” “40 acres and a camel,” or “40 acres and a boat.”
The size of Kenya is approximately 580,000 square kilometres (about 143,321,121 acres), and out of this about 143,321,121 acres, some different families, different individuals and different organisations own different parcels of land as big as 100,000 acres.
Kenya is much smaller than the United States of America, and to all intents and purposes, the United States of America is more than just a country, is a continent, with the time difference between the west coast of the United States of America, and the east coast of the United States of America, being three hours, the very same time difference between West Africa and East Africa.
Kenya’s population currently stands at about 45 million, and with Kenya’s approximate size in acreage of 143,321,121 million, then “40 acres and a mule,” in Kenya, in the year 2024, would translate to about three acres of land per Kenyan citizen.
However, about 60% of Kenya’s current population, is below the age of 18 years, so the equivalent of “40 acres and a mule,” in Kenya, would focus on the population of Kenya above the age of 18 years, an approximate current population of 18,000,000, which would therefore bring Kenya’s current approximate equivalent of “40 acres and a mule,” to “8 acres and a mule.”
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arrives in Nakuru for the annual Akurino faithful Prayer Conference at Nakuru Boys’ High School. [DPCS]In principle, land reform in Kenya is much needed and long overdue. Something on the lines of “40 acres and a mule,” should actually have been implemented in Kenya at independence in 1963.
Waweru Mburu (RIP), was a broadcaster with Kenya’s Royal Media Services/Radio Citizen Kenya, and around the mid-2000s, Waweru Mburu had a popular evening radio show on Radio Citizen Kenya, popular across Kenya back then, where Waweru Mburu regularly used the Kiswahili catchphrase:
“Kabila Kenya ni mbili tu… tajiri na maskini” (“There are only two tribes in Kenya… the rich and the poor”).
Was Waweru Mburu (RIP) right? Do Waweru Mburu’s words hold true today in Kenya in the year 2024?
Before 1964, the United Republic of Tanzania was two separate countries, Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Julius Kambarage Nyerere (1922 to 1999), was Prime Minister of Tanganyika from 1961 to 1962, was President of Tanganyika from 1962 to 1964, and was President of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1964 to 1985.
In 1967, the United Republic of Tanzania adopted “Ujamaa” (“Socialism”), in what is known as “Azimio la Arusha” (“The Arusha Declaration”). “Ujamaa” (“Socialism”), was in place in the United Republic of Tanzania for 18 years, that is, from 1967 to 1985, after which the United Republic of Tanzania reverted back to free market policies/Capitalism.
When “Ujamaa” was at it’s peak in the United Republic of Tanzania, Julius Kambarage Nyerere had a catchphrase in Kiswahili that went:
“Ujamaa ni utu, Ubepari ni unyonyaji na uhasama” (“Socialism is human, Capitalism is exploitation and barbaric”).
As a matter of fact, during “Ujamaa” (“Socialism”) in the United Republic of Tanzania, the evening news on Tanzanian radio (there was only one radio station in Tanzania in those days), would begin with a lion roaring, the significance being that the roaring lion was “Capitalism,” that needed to be “defeated.”
Was Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s take on “Socialism vs. Capitalism,” right or wrong?
Do the words of Julius Kambarage Nyerere on “Socialism vs. Capitalism,” hold true in Capitalist countries around the world today in the year 2024, including Kenya?
Don’t the words of Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Waweru Mburu, and “40 acres and a mule,” point to the same thing, that is, a more equitable and egalitarian society?
On the 27th of April 1965, the Government of Kenya’s 1st President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, unveiled and launched what is known as “Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism,” which in Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s words, was a “blend of Eastern Communism and Western Capitalism, in equal measure.”
Has Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s “Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism” lived up to expectations? It appears not.
The current Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Kenya, is a gentleman called Mwandawiro Mghanga, a former Member of Parliament for Wundanyi constituency, and a former Chairman of the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU).
Mwandawiro Mghanga was a radical who was expelled from the University of Nairobi for his radicalism and activism. For example, 39 years ago on 11th February 1985, when Mwandawiro Mghanga was Chairman of the Students Organisation of Nairobi University (SONU), he committed the treasonable act of “Inspecting a Guard of Honour,” in an act of defiance and radicalism, similar to the “Black Power” salutes made by Americans, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games.
Mwandawiro Mghanga was imprisoned for his activism, and upon his release from prison, spent much of the remainder of the 1980s, and a part of the 1990s, in exile in Sweden.
Mwandawiro Mghanga is much less a radical person nowadays, though as mentioned, he is nowadays the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Kenya.
Where have we gone wrong as a country and as a people?
Does Kenya need to take another look at Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s “Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on African Socialism?”
Does Kenya need the likes of Mwandawiro Mghanga and the Communist Party of Kenya to help draw up and design a more equitable and egalitarian blueprint on Kenya’s short term and long term socioeconomic growth and development?
Does Kenya need to take a look at the United Republic of Tanzania’s “Azimio la Arusha” (“The Arusha Declaration”) of 1967, on “Ujamaa” (“Socialism”)?
Does Kenya need to take a look at the 1865 ordinance of American Army General, Gen. William Sherman, titled “40 acres and a mule?”
For many, sport betting is more than just a casual pastime; it’s a captivating blend of strategy, adrenaline, and the chance to turn predictions into profit. Yet, beneath the allure of potential winnings lies a realm governed by numbers and probabilities—a realm where understanding the intricacies of odds is essential for success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of sport betting odds, shedding light on the factors that influence them and empowering you to make informed decisions when placing your bets.
Deciphering the Odds: A Comprehensive Overview
Sport betting encompasses a wide array of events, from thrilling football matches to intense horse races, each offering its own unique set of odds. At its core, sports betting involves predicting the outcome of these events and placing wagers based on those predictions. While the concept may seem straightforward, the intricacies of odds can often be perplexing to newcomers.
Cracking the Code: Understanding Different Odds Formats
When it comes to sports betting, odds serve as the cornerstone of the entire enterprise. They represent the probability of a particular outcome occurring and play a crucial role in determining potential payouts. Odds are typically presented in three main formats: decimal, fractional, and American (moneyline), each offering its own insights into the likelihood of success.
To illustrate this concept further, let’s consider a hypothetical basketball game between Team A and Team B. In decimal format, the odds for Team A to win might be listed as 2.00, indicating a 50% probability of success. Meanwhile, Team B may have odds of 3.00, suggesting a slightly lower chance of victory. In fractional format, these odds might be represented as 1/1 for Team A and 2/1 for Team B, providing a different perspective on the same probabilities. Finally, in American format, Team A might be listed as -200, while Team B could be listed as +300, offering yet another interpretation of the odds.
Diving Deeper: Factors Influencing Odds
While the calculation of odds may seem like a straightforward process, it is influenced by a multitude of factors, ranging from historical performance data to market trends and beyond. Bookmakers employ sophisticated algorithms and analysis to set odds that strike a delicate balance between enticing bettors and managing risk.
One crucial point to understand is that odds are not static; they can fluctuate in response to various factors leading up to an event. For example, news of a key player’s injury or inclement weather conditions can cause odds to shift dramatically, presenting opportunities for savvy bettors to capitalize on mispriced odds.
Key Terms and Concepts: A Comprehensive Guide
To navigate the world of sports betting effectively, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with key terms and concepts that can influence your betting strategy. Below, we’ve compiled a list of unique insights to enhance your understanding:
Vigorish (Vig): Also known as the “juice” or “commission,” vigorish refers to the fee charged by bookmakers for accepting a bet. It is built into the odds and ensures that the bookmaker makes a profit regardless of the outcome of the event.
Closing Line: The closing line represents the final odds offered by bookmakers immediately before an event begins. It is often used as a benchmark for evaluating the accuracy of early predictions and assessing market sentiment.
Steam Moves: Steam moves refer to significant and rapid changes in betting lines caused by heavy betting activity on one side of a wager. These movements can indicate insider information or sharp betting action and are closely monitored by experienced bettors.
Arbitrage Betting: Arbitrage betting involves placing simultaneous bets on all possible outcomes of an event to guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome. While it requires careful calculation and timing, arbitrage opportunities can arise when there are discrepancies in odds between different bookmakers.
A Comprehensive Guide to Odds Formats:
Odds Format
Example
Probability
Payout
Decimal
2.00
50%
2x
Fractional
1/1
50%
1x
American
-200
66.67%
1.50x
In conclusion, understanding the odds in sports betting is essential for anyone looking to engage with this dynamic and exhilarating pastime. By familiarizing yourself with the various formats of odds, as well as the factors that influence them, you can make more informed decisions and increase your chances of success. Remember, while sports betting offers the thrill of uncertainty, a solid understanding of odds can tip the scales in your favor and elevate your overall experience. So, the next time you place a bet, may the odds be ever in your favor.
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko called Sunday for solidarity with the people of Palestine, denouncing what he described as an ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Addressing a political gathering that drew hundreds of youth in the capital Dakar, Sonko accused the world’s major powers of complicity in the eight-month tragedy of death and destruction in Gaza.
In a direct appeal to Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, he mentioned the need for Senegal to back South Africa’s case against Israel at The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention in its war on the Gaza Strip.
“I will begin my address by asking for a minute of prayer for the martyred people of Palestine…a people today subjected to genocide with the complicity of all the powers of this world,” he said.
“Those who define themselves as the great democracies, those who defend human rights, are today the greatest accomplices in the genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian people.”
Last December, South Africa filed its case against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
More than a dozen countries have since joined or declared their intention to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.
Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
More than 37,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and nearly 84,500 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has been caught up in a storm over ownership of Sh600 million of land in Nairobi.
This is after the CS wrote to a commercial bank, warning that it may have relied on an ‘illegal’ title to advance a Sh308 million loan to Hassan Yussuf Abdille.
The 0.27-hectare land is located at the junction of 4th Ngong Avenue and Bishops Road in Nairobi.
The property registered as Nairobi Block 27/508 (formerly L.R. No. 209/18572 and No. 209/508 I.R. 5670) is being claimed by Yussuf and International Homes Limited.
On May 23, 2024, Wahome wrote to the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, alleging the existence of a forged title that was used by Yussuf to secure the loan. The CS separately asked Directorate of Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin to investigate the matter.
The CS claims that records in the Lands Ministry show that the property belongs to International Homes Limited and has never been transferred to Yussuf.
“I have thoroughly gone through our records, inspected the documents available to us, including the original title to the property, the searches thereon, and come to the observation that the company, having never embarked on the conversion of its title and having never surrendered the original for the said purpose, it is not practically possible for the converted title to come out in the name of Hassan Yussuf Abdille,” stated the CS in the letter.
She explained that certain procedures are followed whenever the conversion of a title is undertaken, and from their internal investigations, there is no evidence of the transfer of the property to Yussuf.
“The totality of the foregoing is that there is a possibility of serious fraud culminating in the alleged title, whose sole aim was to further perpetuate even more serious illegalities, inter alia obtaining credit facilities fraudulently,” the CS claimed.
Meanwhile, the Chief Land Registrar has placed a restriction on Yussuf’s title, forbidding any transactions. The ministry launched a probe after International Homes Limited filed a complaint over the ‘illegal’ acquisition of its property.
“We have further noted that the search availed by the company to our offices shows that there were alleged borrowings taken against the alleged title from various financial institutions, including your ban, which now appears to hold the security,” said Wahome.
However, Yussuf, through his lawyer, Victor Rapando, has written to the DCI boss demanding an investigation of the Lands CS over alleged conflicts of interest, aiding fraud, and abuse of office.
In the letter delivered at DCI headquarters on June 5, 2024, Yussuf is questioning Wahome’s powers to determine ownership of disputed land.
“It’s outrageous that a whole Cabinet Secretary would conclude that a party’s land ownership document is illegitimate and at the same time purport that a concerned party that has been condemned unheard has been summoned to present his version of facts,” said Rapando in the letter.
Yussuf claimed that the CS is siding with International Homes Limited to defraud and deprive him of ownership of the property.
He insisted that he is the legit owner of the land, having bought it from Mohamed Ibrahim Abdulah, who acquired it from Ahamed Mian Abdur Mohamed Hussin, Imran Mohamed Salim Ibrahim, and Iram Shahzad Ibrahim.
“Our client further invites your office to investigate the conduct of the Cabinet Secretary and her office and establish her culpability relative to the complaint of abuse of office, fraud, unlawful deprivation of private property, and conflict of interest, which we hereby lodge,” Rapando said.
Yussuf maintained that he legally bought the land on June 5, 2023, before charging the land to a bank, which was later discharged on February 23, 2024. He would, on March 25, 2024, charge the parcel to another bank, where he secured the Sh308 million loan.
French President Emanuel Macron said Sunday he was dissolving the National Assembly and calling a snap legislative election after his party suffered a heavy defeat in elections for the European Parliament.
In an address to the nation from the Elysee presidential palace, Macron said: “I’ve decided to give you back the choice of our parliamentary future through the vote. I am therefore dissolving the National Assembly.” The vote will take place in two rounds on June 30 and July 7, he said.
The move comes as first projected results from France on Sunday put the far-right National Rally party well ahead in the European Union’s parliamentary election, defeating Macron’s pro-European centrists, according to French opinion poll institutes.
The first round of elections for the Assemblée will take place on June 30, with the second round on July 7, Macron announced in an address to the nation. The outcome of the EU elections, he acknowledged, is “not a good result for parties who defend Europe.”
The far-right Rassemblement National party obtained by far the most votes (31.5%) in France as voters throughout the European Union elected their members of the European Parliament, according to initial estimates by Ipsos for France Télévisions, Radio France, France 24/RFI, Public Sénat/LCP Assemblée Nationale. Behind the RN, Macron’s Renaissance coalition held on to second place, with 15.2%, ahead of the Socialists and their lead candidate Raphaël Glucksmann (14%).
Estimated results in France
Estimates updated at 10:14 PM (Paris)
Source: Ipsos for France Télévisions, Radio France, France 24/RFI, Public Sénat/LCP Assemblée Nationale
The ruling coalition’s score was “not a good result for the parties who defend Europe,” Macron said. “Far-right parties, which in recent years have opposed so many of the advances made possible by our Europe, (…) are gaining ground across the continent.”
“I could not, at the end of this day, act as if nothing was happening,” he said.
Two other parties appeared certain of crossing the 5% threshold required to send candidates to the European Parliament: the radical left La France Insoumise and the conservative Les Républicains. The initial estimates also put the far-right party Reconquête! at 5.5%, and the Greens at 5.2% – those tallies could potentially change as more results are counted during the evening.
Marine Le Pen’s RN has now been the top-ranking party in three consecutive European elections. This year, however, it substantially improved its tally from 2019, when the same lead candidate, Jordan Bardella, had obtained 23.34 %.
In his speech after the first estimates were published, the 28-year-old Bardella had “solemnly asked” Macron to dissolve the Assemblée Nationale and call early elections. “A wind of hope has risen in France, it is just beginning,” said Bardella. “This clear message has been sent to Emmanuel Macron and the European leaders.”
The score of President Macron’s coalition came as a disappointment, but not a surprise, after a sluggish campaign for his lead candidate Valérie Hayer, an unfamiliar face to many voters.
Polls closed at 6 pm in most of France, but voters in big cities could still cast their ballots until 8 pm, when the initial estimations were published.
Throughout the EU’s 27 member states, citizens voted over four days to elect the 720 members of the European Parliament for the next five-year term. Results began trickling in on Sunday as the last countries voted.
Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government on Sunday, withdrawing the only centrist power in the embattled leader’s far-right coalition amid a months-long war in Gaza.
The departure of Gantz’s centrist party will not pose an immediate threat to the government. But it could have a serious impact nonetheless, leaving Netanyahu reliant on hardliners, with no end in sight to the Gaza war and a possible escalation in fighting with Lebanese Hezbollah.
Last month, Gantz presented Netanyahu with a June 8 deadline to come up with a clear day-after strategy for Gaza, where Israel has been pressing a devastating military offensive against the ruling Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Netanyahu brushed off the ultimatum soon after it was given.
On Sunday, Gantz said politics was clouding fateful strategic decisions in Netanyahu’s cabinet. Quitting while hostages were still in Gaza and soldiers fighting there was an excruciating decision, he said.
“Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward true victory,” Gantz said in a televised news conference. “That is why we are leaving the emergency government today, with a heavy heart but with full confidence.”
Netanyahu responded in a social media post, telling Gantz it was no time to abandon the battlefront.
With Gantz gone, Netanyahu would lose the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped broaden support for the government in Israel and abroad, at a time of increasing diplomatic and domestic pressure eight months into the Gaza war.
While his coalition remains in control of 64 of parliament’s 120 seats, Netanyahu will now have to rely more heavily on the political backing of ultra-nationalist parties, whose leaders angered Washington even before the war and who have since called for a complete Israeli occupation of Gaza.
This would likely increase strains already apparent in relations with the United States and intensify public pressure at home, with the months-long military campaign still not achieving its stated goals – the destruction of Hamas and the return of more than 100 remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Polls have shown Gantz, a former army commander and defence minister, to be the most formidable political rival to Netanyahu, whose image as a security hawk was shattered by the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.
Warning that the conflict in Gaza could take years, he urged Netanyahu to agree on an election date in the autumn, to avoid further political infighting at a time of national emergency.
Gantz joined a unity government soon after Oct. 7 as part of Netanyahu’s inner war cabinet where he, Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant alone had votes.
On Sunday, Gantz described Gallant, who has sparred with Netanyahu and some ultra-nationalists ministers, as a brave leader and called on him ‘to do the right thing,’ though he did not elaborate on what that meant.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded Gantz’s now vacant seat at the war cabinet soon after the resignation was announced.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in a statement Gantz was giving Israel’s enemies what they want.
Asked whether he was worried about his departure impacting Israel’s standing abroad, Gantz said Gallant and Netanyahu both know “what should be done.”
“Hopefully they will stick to what should be done and then it will be okay,” he said.
Haiti’s new interim prime minister, Garry Conille, is in stable condition after being hospitalized for an unspecified illness on Saturday afternoon, his office said.
Conille, 58, who took office just over a week ago, was rushed to hospital after suffering breathing problems, local media reported earlier. His office did not provide details on the cause of his hospitalization.
“Following a week of intense activities, the Prime Minister … had a slight illness on the afternoon of Saturday June 8, 2024 and went to the hospital for treatment,” his office said in a statement.
“His situation is stable for the moment,” it added.
Reuters images showed several ambulances and police officers outside a hospital in a suburb of the capital Port-au-Prince where Conille was reportedly undergoing treatment.
Conille had briefly led the country over a decade ago, and was most recently a former regional director at U.N. children’s agency UNICEF.
He was named interim prime minister on May 29 by a transition council with the mandate to restore stability and take back control from violent gangs.
The transition council aims to hold elections before Feb. 7, 2026, as laid out in Haiti’s constitution, after a series of crises in the country’s leadership.
President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021, leaving Haiti to this day without a president, while Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in March this year after he left Haiti to seek support for the Kenyan security mission and was unable to re-enter the country.
Three Americans and three other citizens of Western countries are among more than 50 suspects who have gone on trial for their alleged roles in a failed effort to overthrow the government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The defendants in the case – including US, UK, Canadian, and Belgian citizens – appeared at a military court hearing on Friday in Kinshasha, the DRC capital. They face counts of criminal conspiracy, murder, terrorism, and other charges for their alleged roles in last month’s failed coup bid.
The charges were read out to the suspects as their trial began in a tent outside the Ndolo military prison. If convicted, at least some of the alleged coup participants could be sentenced to the death penalty or lengthy prison terms. Judge Freddy Ehume said the actions of the three Americans were “punishable by death.”The open-air court proceedings were shown live on a local television station.
A group of gunmen in military uniforms briefly occupied an office of DRC President Felix Tshisekedi on May 19 in Kinshasha after storming the home of Vital Kamerhe, the outgoing economy minister and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly. Six people were reportedly killed during the raids, including two police officers who were assigned to protect Kamerhe.
The alleged coup leader was Christian Malanga, a former DRC politician who obtained US citizenship while living in exile. He was killed by security forces during the attempted government overthrow, according to a DRC military spokesman. His 21-year-old son, Marcel Malanga, is one of the US citizens charged with taking part in the plot.
The DRC ended its moratorium on capital punishment in March, saying it was needed to rid the army of traitors and respond to a surge in terrorism. Tshisekedi won a second term as president in December, winning 73% of the reported votes in a disputed election.
Earlier this year, Tshisekedi’s government demanded that UN peacekeepers leave the country, saying they had failed to protect civilians from armed rebel groups. The UN mission operated in the DRC for two decades and involved thousands of troops, mostly from Pakistan. DRC security forces are taking over 14 UN bases as they step in to battle the insurgents.
Four hostages kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival during the 7 October attacks have been rescued in a daylight raid deep in central Gaza.
Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were freed during a “high-risk, complex mission” from two separate buildings in the Nuseirat area, the Israel Defense Forces said.
The IDF said the four are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the ‘Sheba’ Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations – where they have been pictured embracing family members waiting at the facility.
Dozens of people, including children, have been killed and injured in the area where the operation took place, with images and footage showing significant numbers of casualties.
Staff at the Al-Aqsa hospital are said to be struggling to treat the casualties.
‘Precise intelligence’
The rare rescue of hostages – a joint operation conducted by the IDF, Israel Security Agency and Israel Police – comes eight months into war with Hamas in Gaza.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said the mission was based on “precise” intelligence and that Israeli forces came under fire during the operation.
In a televised news conference, Mr Hagari said one Israeli soldier had been badly hurt.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Israeli forces for operating “creatively and bravely”.
“We will not let up until we complete the mission and return home all the hostages – both those alive and dead,” he added.
Miss Argamani, a Chinese-born Israeli citizen, was kidnapped from the Nova festival and harrowing video footage from 7 October showed the 25-year-old being taken away on the back of a motorbike screaming, “Don’t kill me!”
Fresh video of her being reunited with her father, smiling and embracing him on board a vehicle, was broadcast soon after news of the rescue operation on Saturday.
Mr Kozlov, a Russian who moved to Israel in 2022, had been working as a security guard at the festival when he was kidnapped.
Mr Jan tried to flee the festival. He and a friend made it to the friend’s car but only managed to drive a short distance before being forced to stop.
Mr Ziv was part of the security detail at the festival and was initially in contact with his sisters as the attack unfolded, according to an interview with The Times of Israel.
Andrey Kozlov is a Russian-Israeli who worked in security at the music festival from where he was kidnapped on 7 October. Getty Images.
The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, a group representing the families of the hostages, described the rescue of the four hostages as “a miraculous triumph,” and thanked the IDF for the “heroic operation”.
The group added: “The Israeli government must remember its commitment to bring back all 120 hostages still held by Hamas — the living for rehabilitation, the murdered for burial.”
In response to the military offensive in Nuseirat, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Israel could not force its choices on the group.
He said the group would not agree a ceasefire deal unless it achieved security for Palestinians.
During its 7 October attacks in southern Israel Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took some 251 people.
Some 116 remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead.
A deal agreed in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in return for a week-long ceasefire and some 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
On Saturday, the Hamas-run health ministry said the death toll in Gaza is now 36,801 people.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga has expressed his vehement opposition to Finance Bill 2024. The Opposition chief termed the Bill a regressive taxation proposal that goes ruthlessly after the poor.
Should it be ratified, Raila warns that low-income citizens will be hit with taxes on multiple fronts and will end up paying more than people with higher incomes. He insists that taxes on basic necessities such as food, cooking oil, and money transfers will disproportionately hurt the poorest of the poor.
“The Finance Bill 2024 fails the taxation dictums of predictability, simplicity, transparency, equity, administrative ease and fairness. It is worse than the one of 2023, an investment killer and a huge millstone around the necks of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would see the government lessen the tax burden in 2024,” added Raila
In Raila’s view, the country’s economy might suffer major breakdown given the proposals contained in the Bill.
“The tax proposals for 2024 will make an already bad situation worse. They could usher the collapse of an economy that is already severely suffocated, and the poor will be the hardest hit,” he warned
In a statement to newsrooms Friday evening, the Former Prime Minister further described most of the tax proposals in the Finance Bill 2024 as insensitive as they are callous.
“We see no positive result that the country which is a net importer of nearly everything can derive from the proposal to raise Import Declaration Fees from 2 percent to 3 percent. The impact is that the cost of goods will go up,” he charged
Raila argued that the tax measures put in place last year (Finance Act 2023) have subjected Kenyans to a great deal of trauma but bore no fruit. He says the intended purpose of the 2023 tax measures was to help the government raise more revenue but, instead, the Kenya Revenue Authority has consistently failed to meet targets.
“The high taxes on petroleum products occasioned a fall on the fuel levy raised. They led to closure and relocation of businesses,” he said
Odinga insists that if the government expects businesses to invest in Kenya, then it cannot afford a tax policy that “keeps swinging like a pendulum.” He says Kenya cannot afford taxation measures whose result is to inflict more pain on the poor who expect relief.
“Parliament must inject very radical surgery on the outrageous proposals in the Finance Bill 2024. We will not accept the mistakes and pains inflicted on Kenyans by the Finance Act 2023 to be continued into 2025 through Finance Bill 2024,” he said
A senior intelligence officer, who police claim died by suicide on Tuesday, was planning to expand his popular restaurant in Kisumu City, according to staff who described him as generous but secretive.
Tom Mboya Adala, who was an assistant director at the National Intelligence Service (NIS) headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi, was also the proprietor of Yurop Choma Zone.
He regularly visited the restaurant every weekend, according to his employees but had curiously kept away over the past couple of months.
Adala had informed his workers that he would check in this weekend because he was working to expand his thriving business.
Whenever he was at the restaurant, staff told the Nation on Wednesday, he was generous to clients and freely mingled with the crowd, which meant that he never had any particular sitting place.
To relatives, friends and staff, Adala was jovial and never hinted at having deep personal problems. It was, therefore, shocking for them to learn that depression had driven him to suicide.
Police said the son of the late Adala Otuko, who was the first Kenyan ambassador to Russia and Ker (chairman) of the Luo Council of Elders, had shot himself in the head in his house in Nairobi and left a suicide note explaining his tragic actions.
A day after news of his death became public, the place was a beehive of activity as customers savoured roasted meat.
Outside, car wash operators were scrambling for customers. The business-as-usual mien of the premises belied the grief that came after the death of its proprietor.
In between short breaks at the busy restaurant located on Nyerere Road near Da Vundu Bar in the lakeside city, workers managed to squeeze time to pay tribute to an employer they held dear. He not only had offered them a source of income but treated them like family.
“I knew Tom through my brother Maurice who helped me secure a job at his restaurant. He interviewed me in his vehicle where he expressed concern that the business was slow. I advised him on how to improve the business by introducing the Point of Sale (POS) system,” recalled Mr Fredrick Oduor, who is one month old in the job as a cashier. The system helps seal financial accounting loopholes.
According to Mr Oduor, a Tourism and Hospitality professional who was employed at the eatery three months after graduating from Maseno University last year, Adala was to visit the restaurant this weekend.
“He was planning to expand the premises to accommodate the growing number of customers. He was to come next week and had alerted us that we would have a meeting,” said Mr Oduor.
Mr Jack Ralik, a chef, knew Mr Adala way before he set up the hotel on October 22, 2023.
Mr Ralik was working at Adala’s Backyard joint in Nairobi’s Kilimani Estate before it closed its doors. He was the only chef who prepared special meals for him.
“He loved nyama choma, fried matumbo (tripe) , chicken and fish,” said Mr Ralik.
Mr Ralik added: “It appeared strange to us that, while he used to visit every weekend from Nairobi previously, this time round it took more than two months before he came back.”
According to the police, Adala had been battling depression for some time.
Wife and child support
Former KTN journalist Saddique Shaban reported that three-quarters of Adala’s salary was being deducted from his payroll for child support without a court order. The journalist is questioning who in the administrative hierarchy at NIS authorized this deduction without a court order. Adala’s estranged wife, Habiba Sebi, is also a senior NIS officer at the government’s intelligence agency. Adala had reported his failed marriage to his friends, leading him to seek medical help.
But for the staff at this restaurant, his demeanour did not portray one who was suffering.
They described Adala as jovial, but very secretive, perhaps because of the nature of his job and, therefore, did not share much with his subordinates.
“Alikuwa anatolea watu form sana akiwa area na kupatia watu thao thao (When he was around, he would really spoil his customers and freely dished out thousand-shilling notes to anyone who asked),” said Mr Oduor.
Another worker, Ms Cynthia Nyateng, said her boss had made friends from all walks of life and whom he would treat generously during the weekends he was around.
“He never sat at one particular spot in the hotel; he would join his clientele anywhere because he was a man of the people,” said Ms Nyateng.
Mr Ralik described Adala as friendly, understanding and accommodative. Their boss, he said, respected staff regardless of their position and he would come through for them whenever they faced financial difficulties.
He nurtured young people from various estates in Kisumu who had a talent in art and music.
Adala is said to have shot himself dead inside his residence in Kirichwa Villas in Kilimani Estate in Nairobi.
Police officers who visited the scene said they established that the 54-year-old shot himself using a pistol on the right side of the head. The bullet exited on his left side.
His nephew, Mr Francis Oduor, who lived with him, informed the police that he last saw his uncle on June 3 around 10pm as he went to sleep in his room upstairs. His nephew said Adala also retired to bed in his room downstairs.
On Tuesday, he woke up to do his morning chores. Shortly thereafter, their house-help, Ms Caroline Amanda, arrived and prepared breakfast for them.
But Adala was nowhere to be seen. Mr Oduor climbed upstairs to check on him in his room but he was not there.
He asked their watchman, Maurice, who was at the gate, if Adala had gone outside. But the watchman said he had not, according to the police report.
After checking the compound, Mr Oduor found Adala lying dead inside the servant quarters.
It was then that senior police officers and NIS officials were alerted and they visited the scene.
The police recovered a Glock 19 pistol serial no ZKG 589 with one spent cartridge and a magazine loaded with three rounds.
In his bedroom, another spare magazine was recovered loaded with 13 rounds and a suicide note (written on a black note book) placed on the bed, according to the police report.
The body was taken to Lee Funeral Home and an inquest file has been opened.
A prominent opponent of the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, has been barred from standing in next month’s election to challenge his three-decade rule.
Diane Rwigara, the leader of the People Salvation Movement, who was also barred in 2017, launched her election bid in May and submitted her candidacy last week. Her name was missing from the provisional list of candidates announced by the electoral commission on Thursday.
“After all the time, work and effort I put in, I am very disappointed to hear I am not on the list of presidential candidates,” Rwigara said on X. “Paul Kagame, why won’t you let me run?”
The election commission said she had failed to provide a criminal record statement as required, and that she had not met the threshold of 600 supporting signatures from citizens.
Only two other candidates – Frank Habineza, of the Democratic Green party, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent – were cleared to run against Kagame.
A final candidate list is due on 14 June, a month before the presidential and parliamentary votes on 15 July.
Rwigara was barred from the 2017 race over accusations she had forged supporters’ signatures for her application. She was arrested and charged with forgery and inciting insurrection, and held behind bars for more than a year.
Rwigara is the daughter of Assinapol Rwigara, an industrialist and former significant donor to Kagame’s ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party before he fell out with its leaders.
Kagame, Rwanda’s de facto ruler since the 1994 genocide and president since 2000, has won three elections with more than 90% of the vote and is widely expected to be victorious again in July.
He has been praised for putting the country on the path of economic transformation after the genocide but he faces frequent criticism over rights abuses and intolerance of the opposition.
In the run-up to this year’s vote, Rwandan courts had already rejected appeals from the prominent opposition figures Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire to remove previous convictions that in effect barred them from standing.
A Milimani chief magistrate’s court on June 7, released a suspect who allegedly obtained goods worth over Sh355 million by purporting to be an employee of United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)
The Director of Criminal Investigations through a miscellaneous application petitioned the court to grant them 14 days to detain Kelvin Koech Kemboi pending conclusion of investigations.
Corporal Stephen Kiogora told Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo that he is investigating a case of obtaining goods by false pretenses which was reported at Kamukunji Police Station on June 2, 2024.
Kiogora said he was apprehensive that the suspect is likely to interfere with the witnesses or disappear if released.
‘’The investigation is very expansive and requires time to complete recording of statements from all the witnesses who are yet to be traced,’’ said the officer.
According to police, the reportee Abraham Tarbei applied for a tender to supply food to the World Food Programme (WFP) in March 2023, however he was not successful.
Abraham said in July 2023, he met the suspect who was then working with Development Aid Africa (DAA) and they became friends.
‘’On January 6, 2024 the reportee told the respondent about his unsuccessful tender application he made at the WFP, the respondent in turn told the reportee that he had left DAA and was now working with UNON and offered to help introduce him to the UN/WFP procurement officers,’’ read the court documents
The reportee further contended that he was invited to an informal meeting with Victor Ayumba, who was purported to be a WFP procurement officer, at village market on January 10, 2024 by Kemboi.
Ayumba was wearing a WFP bade around his neck who subsequently promised to help him secure a tender to supply food to WFP.
The suspect later invited him to another non-formal meeting on January 24, with another person namely Elizabeth Mutua in Gigiri area who introduced herself as an employee of UNON, she too promised to help him in securing the tender.
The complainant needed a confirmation of the authenticity of the tender and he subsequently asked to visit their offices and on January 25, he was invited to a face to face meeting inside UNON from where he met Victor Ayumba and Elizabeth Mutua and was taken around the place and shown their alleged offices.
He later received an email, allegedly from WFP, inviting him to tender for maize, soap, sugar and cooking oil.
He was notified that he won the tender for USD 2,737,000.
‘’The reportee was later notified by the respondents that he had won a tender for supply of 9,450 boxes of soap, 9,700 units of cooking oil, and 10, 200 bags of sugar and 32,000 bags of maize for USD 2,737,000.’’
On February 1, he received a call and a hand-delivered LPO.
Believing the tender was legitimate, he delivered the goods from February 2 to April 4.
When seeking payment, he discovered he had been scammed and no goods were received by UNON.
‘’He visited UNON from where he was informed that no goods had been delivered to them and that he had been scammed.’’
‘’I therefore pray this honorable court do allow that the respondent be detained at Kamukunji police station for 14 days for the purpose of competing investigations,’’ read the court documents
The defence on their part, vehemently opposed the application
They told the court that no investigations done links the respondent.
‘’The police are on a fishing expedition to not only embarrass but intimidate the respondent.’’
Onsarigo released him on a bond of Sh500,000 with an alternative cash bail of sh 200,000.
He also directed the suspect to report at Kamukunji police station on a weekly basis on Monday until investigations are completed.
Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe has been released on a cash bail of Sh1 million by a Machakos High Court for allegedly killing a boda boda rider in Thika.
Kagombe was released Friday after he pleaded not guilty to the charges before Judge Francis Olel.
The MP took the plea after undergoing a mental assessment at Kiambu Level Five hospital as ordered by the court on Wednesday when he first appeared to face the charges leveled against him.
According to the charge sheet the legislator is accused of shooting and killing David Nduati,a boda boda rider at Kimuchu area in Makongeni location in Thika, Kiambu county at around 4.30 pm on May 17.
The mention of the case has been slated for July 17.
While releasing the accused on bail, Justice Olel directed him not to contact any witnesses in the case or visit the area where the incident occurred.
The MP has been in police custody for almost two weeks’ time after he was arrested for killing the boda boda rider.
Addressing the press from the Machakos law courts shortly after he posted the bail, Kagombe conveyed his message of condolences to the family of Nduati ahead of the burial tomorrow.
The MP expressed his confidence that the court will deliver justice to both parties.
‘‘This matter is now perfectly before a court of competent jurisdiction and therefore I trust the judicial process will ensure that everyone is going to get justice”, said the legislator.
He thanked his family, friends and fellow MPs for supporting him during the two weeks he was in police custody.
‘‘I wish to thank those who visited me when I was incarcerated and especially the people of Gatundu South who stood by me in these trying moments and having confidence in me as their MP, ’added Kagombe.
He assured his constituents that the case will not hinder service delivery and vowed to continue fighting for their welfare and especially for tea farmers.
‘‘I will ensure that tea farmers are represented by the right people in the forthcoming elections in the tea sector. Nobody should think that they will use the judicial process to derail justice for farmers, added the MP.
The High Court has blocked the sale or transfer of an apartment in Nairobi’s Westlands area suspected to have been purchased from funds linked to terrorism as proceeds originated from the sale of a house in Somalia.
Justice Nixon Sifuna also allowed the preservation of over Sh8.5 million held in two bank accounts at I&M Bank, suspected to be proceeds of crimes, for 90 days. Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) moved to court seeking the preservation of the funds held at the bank in the names of Gibriel Cusman Moxamed and Jibca Services Limited.
The apartment was identified as unit 1 Green Peaks, erected on a plot along Eldama Ravine Road, in Nairobi and registered in the name of Jibca Services Limited, where Mr Moxamed is a co-director.
“The same is hereby certified as urgent and orders hereby granted allowing the application as prayed. The orders to last for 90 days from today,” Justice Prof Sifuna said.
The agency said it received information on April 8 of a suspected case of terrorism financing and money laundering. This was after Mr Moxamed and the company received funds from Abdinasir Ali Mahamud, who has been listed on the OFAC Treasury Sanctions Network Financing Houthi aggression and instability in Yemen.
The court was informed that the funds were wired between February 29 and March 1, 2024, to Jibca Services, after the sale of a house in Somalia.
“That the funds were supported by a house sale agreement between the 1st respondent (Moxamed) as the seller and Abdinasir Ali Mahamud as the buyer for $2,200,000,” the agency said in the application.
The agency added that its investigations revealed that the funds held by the company and later transacted by Mr Moxamed are questionable. ARA said the house in Nairobi worth more than Sh100 million was allegedly purchased with funds whose source is questionable.
Mr Moxamed, the agency said, is a Somali-born UK national and one of the two directors of the firm and the company incorporated on February 9, this year. The court heard that between February 29, and March 1, 2024, the company received a total of $560,000 from the sale of a house in Somalia.
The funds were then rapidly transferred with $510,000 sent to Jibca’s shillings account and $50,000 was sent to Mr Moxamed’s bank accounts. Between March 11 and 14, this year, the company’s shillings account received Sh67.88 million from the dollar account, the agency added.
From the funds, Sh66 million was transferred to Siana Properties Ltd, for part payment of Unit 1 Green Peaks, in Westlands. One of the accounts at I&M Bank holds Sh6.77 million and $293, while a second bank account holds Sh1.8 million.
“The investigation established that transactional activities in the account held by the 1st and 2nd respondents are inconsistent with the explanation and documents provided to support the transaction,” Mr Bernard Gitonga, an investigator with the agency said.
When asked about the source, the agency said Mr Cusman could not give a clear description of the source of the funds and the supporting transactions he provided, are inconsistent.
“That pursuant to section 82(2) of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the funds and the house are tainted property and proceeds of crime,” the agency said. ARA told the court that there was a risk of the funds being withdrawn or transferred out of the country before the investigations are complete.
The investigating officer said Mr Abdinasir Ali Mahamud is a perfect match for “Abdinasir Ali Mahamud” who is listed on OFAC- Treasury sanctions network financing Houthi aggression and instability in Yemen. The said Mahamud had indicated in his documents that he was Somali’s ambassador to Malaysia in 2016 but ARA said investigations showed that the ambassador of Somalia to Malaysia then was Abuukar Abdi Osman.
Maybets, the latest sensation in the Kenyan betting market, has made a significant stride by introducing its Android application on the Google Play Store. Since its inception, Maybets has captivated the market with its innovative approach and customer-centric offerings. Now, with the launch of its dedicated mobile app, the company aims to further enhance user experience and accessibility.
The Maybets app promises a superior gaming experience, boasting seamless functionality that allows users to indulge in their favorite betting activities with ease. Notably, the application is designed to be lite and consume minimal data bundles, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay even in areas with limited internet connectivity.
One of the highlights of the Maybets app is its exclusive bonuses tailored for app users. These bonuses include the much-anticipated Monday bonus, deposit bonus, jackpot bonuses and free bets, adding an extra layer of excitement to the betting experience. Additionally, every user is entitled to a bonus upon downloading the app, further incentivizing users to explore its features.
In line with its commitment to user satisfaction, the Maybetsapp incorporates several user-centric features aimed at enhancing convenience and flexibility. These features include bet cancellation, rebet, and sharebet options, allowing users to manage their bets effectively and adapt to changing circumstances seamlessly.
Moreover, the app introduces the highly anticipated cash-out feature, providing users with the flexibility to cash out their winnings before the conclusion of a game or event. This feature adds a new dimension to the betting experience, empowering users with greater control over their bets.
In addition to traditional betting options, the Maybets app expands its offerings to include a diverse range of games. From Aviator to Spin2Win, Virtuals, Roulette, and Comet Crash, users can explore an array of exciting games within the app, catering to a variety of preferences and interests.
With the launch of its app on the Google Play Store, Maybetsreaffirms its position as a trailblazer in the Kenyan betting industry. By combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric features and exclusive bonuses, the company continues to set new standards for innovation and customer satisfaction in the market.
As Maybets continues to gain momentum, the introduction of its dedicated mobile app marks a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming the preferred choice for betting enthusiasts across Kenya. Whether it’s the thrill of sports betting or the excitement of casino games, the Maybets app promises to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience to users, redefining the landscape of online betting in the region.
In the wake of devastating floods that have displaced over 300,000 people in Kenya, TECNO, a leading mobile technology company, has stepped up to provide essential relief to affected communities. The company has delivered much-needed food supplies, beddings, and other materials to those in need, demonstrating a commitment to immediate relief and support.
The floods, which have affected many, including a TECNO employee in Syiokimau who lost valuable property, prompted the company to take action. “This personal connection to the disaster spurred us into action, reinforcing our resolve to support not only our colleagues but also Kenyans at large,” said Wilfred Odera, the IMC Manager, TECNO Mobile-Kenya.
The response from beneficiaries has been overwhelmingly positive. One recipient expressed, “TECNO is a blessing. I had no monthly supplies of food for my family but this token has improved my livelihood and I look forward to another day.” This feedback is a testament to the impact of TECNO’s latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
TECNO’s commitment to community support is not limited to this immediate relief effort. The company has announced plans to embark on additional CSR initiatives, starting with stadium renovations to promote football in Kenya. This initiative, which is set to begin in July, aims to foster local talent and encourage youth participation in sports.
This dedication to societal impact is not new for TECNO. In February, the company partnered with Dennis Oliech to promote a football training camp for under-15s, following a successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign. This initiative, held in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nyeri, was aimed at nurturing young talent and fostering a love for the sport.
“At TECNO, we believe in the power of giving back and are committed to creating a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve,” said Mr. Odera. This commitment is evident in the company’s response to the recent floods and its plans for future CSR initiatives.
As Kenya continues to recover from the devastating floods, TECNO’s efforts serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of corporate responsibility in times of crisis.
This Finance bill has continued to unite Kenyans, of all walks of life, whether your rich or poor, Mama mboga, Boda boda and even that Bank manager that counts our money. While it remains important to raise money for the operation of a country, these proposals if they are to be approved will hurt all Kenyans from all walks of life.
Public participation process, a process that many Kenyans continue to question on its validity and usefulness. Even in the last Finance Bill 2023, which is an ACT now was passed with a lot of proposals that most Kenyans had said no to. Is public participation just a “tick the box” process to such vital processes?
Not just bread, that most Kenyans have been complaining about, things like cooking Oil, Banking and insurance services, Margarine, soap and jobs will be highly affected if the Finance bill 2024 is approved. While, we are being distracted by the bread tax, lets read the bill in its entirety.
The Finance Bill 2024, has stirred significant controversy and concern among consumers and businesses alike. Proposed by the government to enhance tax revenues and grant broader powers to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), this bill comes with a slew of measures that could impose heavy financial burdens on the populace and stifle economic growth.
One of the most contentious aspects of the bill is the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions on critical banking services. This move threatens to increase the cost of financial transactions for ordinary citizens and small businesses, further exacerbating the financial strain already felt by many due to the economic challenges of recent years.
Moreover, the proposal to maintain or increase excise duties on financial and telecom services adds insult to injury. With the cost of living already skyrocketing, such measures only serve to deepen the financial woes of Kenyan households and discourage investment and innovation in key sectors.
The introduction of a 20% excise duty on “other fees charged by financial institutions” is particularly concerning. This blanket tax could lead to a significant rise in the cost of financial services, making it harder for individuals and businesses to access essential banking facilities and credit.
Furthermore, the imposition of new taxes, such as the Significant Economic Presence Tax for foreign digital businesses and a minimum top-up tax for multinationals, threatens to deter foreign investment and innovation in the digital economy—a sector crucial for Kenya’s future prosperity.
The proposed eco levy, while ostensibly aimed at offsetting environmental damage, could further burden consumers by driving up the prices of goods deemed environmentally harmful. While environmental conservation is undoubtedly important, the burden of such levies should not disproportionately fall on the shoulders of already struggling consumers.
Equally alarming are the controversial changes outlined in the bill, including the removal of VAT exemptions on basic necessities like bread, the introduction of an annual tax on car value, and taxation on imported motorcycles. These measures not only risk exacerbating poverty and inequality but also run counter to efforts to promote affordable transport and mobility.
Perhaps most concerning of all are the new powers granted to the KRA, including the demand for the integration of electronic Tax Invoice Monitoring Systems (eTIMs) into invoicing and exemptions to data protection laws for tax purposes. Such measures raise serious concerns about privacy and civil liberties, potentially paving the way for abuse of power and infringement on individual rights.
Leaders need to be held accountable proposals that will continue to hurt Kenyans! Could we perhaps also start having discussions around reducing the wage bill and reduce on the luxurious life that we have accorded our leaders? Discussions around exempting KRA from the constraints of the Data Protection Act in accessing tax payers’ data should be done away with.
In conclusion, the Finance Bill 2024 represents a significant threat to the economic well-being and civil liberties of Kenyan citizens. Instead of fostering growth and prosperity, its proposed measures are likely to deepen inequality, hinder innovation, and erode trust in government institutions. It is imperative that lawmakers carefully reconsider these proposals and prioritize policies that promote equitable development and respect for individual rights.
Losing an academic certificate can be a daunting experience. However, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) provides a clear and straightforward process to replace it.
KNEC has outlined guidelines on how one can obtain a letter of certification in case of loss of academic papers.
According to a notice, for one to apply for the letter, the individual has to submit a copy of either the original certificate or result slip.
“If you don’t have either, there is still help. You can apply for a statement of results (confirmation), which is a great option done on a need basis. This will be sent directly to the institution that needs to verify your exam results,” KNEC explained.
To apply for a statement of results, one needs to register an account on the council’s website or through the E-citizen platform. After logging in, applicants are required to select the confirmation option from the menu.
They are then required to fill in the required details which include the Index number, type of exam, and year of completion.
Applicants will key in the destination address details (for the institution requesting confirmation), addressee and finally purpose of confirmation.
They would then be required to attach a copy of the certificate/result slip/result printout, submit the application and wait for the system to generate the payment details. They would receive an SMS notification to log in and make payment.
For those applying for a certification letter in case of a lost certificate, the guidelines to follow are slightly different. After registering an account and logging in, they are required to select the Lost Certificate option where they are required to fill in the Index number, type of exam, and year then click find.
Applicants are required to attach a copy of the lost certificate/result slip (Mandatory), both sides of their ID, a passport size photo, a police abstract, and a confirmation from the registrar of persons.
In addition to the above, applicants are also required to attach a letter of recommendation from the head teacher of the school attended or from CEO (County Education Officer)/SCEO (Sub-County Education Officer) for private candidates or for those whose schools have been closed down.
After submitting the application, individuals are required to wait for verification of the application which comes with an SMS notification to log in and make payment. A payment of Sh 5,800 is required for the application to be processed.
Applicants can collect the certificate at the KNEC offices after 15 days.
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