Category Archives: Politics & Govt

Group of 20 MPs want DP Ruto to take full responsibility for the ‘fake’ assassination plot

A group of Members of Parliament, MPs, have released a presser telling the Deputy President, Dr William Ruto, to take full responsibility for the allegedly fake assassination plot.

Here is the presser released on Thursday 4- July, 2019.

“Two weeks ago Kenyans were told that four Cabinet Secretaries – Sicily Kariuki, Joe Mucheru, James Macharia and Peter Munya – were suspected to have been holding meetings to plan the assassination of Deputy President William Ruto.

This accusation was then directly linked to a letter purportedly written by yet another Cabinet Secretary, who made these accusations.

However, yesterday one Dennis Itumbi, a blogger and digital communications officer and close political aide of the Deputy President was arrested on suspicion m that he was behind the production and public distribution of the purported Cabinet Secretary letter, which is apparently fake!

As Members of Parliament interested in seeing a united country we make the following demands:
1). That the Deputy President be probed to ascertain what he knew about this fake assassination plot. This is because he is the one who introduced the idea that there was a plot by cabinet ministers to assassinate him. However he then refused to make a formal statement with DCI on these allegations. Kenyans need to
know whether his refusal to write that statement was because he knew that the letter on which these allegations were based, was fake.

2). That the Deputy President take personal responsibility for the fear and concern that the false allegations of his possible assassination caused in all Kenyans; the mistrust and divisions these false allegations created amongst Kenyans based on ethnic identity; the emergence of inter-ethnic tensions due to the ethnic profiling of the purported ‘assassins’; and the fact that such a false claim would easily have destabilized the nation and caused bloodshed. In this regard we expect the Deputy President to make a public apology to Kenyans on causing them such anxiety based on falsehood at the very least.

We also want to congratulate the Kenyan investigation agencies for moving quickly to get to the bottom of this to fully inform Kenyans on the extent of the plot: who was behind it: who was involved; why they were involved; what did they hope to achieve with this false and dangerous plot; (and especially) what role the Office of the Deputy President played in this issue. We especially urge them to tell Kenyans what the DP knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it.

Finally we urge them to charge everyone involved in this plot such that they face the full force of the law, whoever or whatever position they hold in government.

In conclusion we also want to urge the Judiciary to treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
The fake letter and false assassination allegation on a person of the stature of the Deputy President could easily have led to an implosion of ethnic-based violence across the country, and destabilized the nation.

Anyone proven to have been involved must therefore face the full force of the law so that the message is sent that any Kenyan whatever their office, will not be allowed to use their offices or access to power to divide Kenyans and cause national instability and violence, especially for political purposes.”

SIGNED BY:
1). Hon Paul Koinange
2). Hon Simba Arati
3). Hon Peter Masara
4). Hon Ruth Mwaniki
5). Hon Jared Okello
6). Hon Caleb Hamisi
7). Hon Richard Onyonka
8). Hon Pamela Odhiambo
9). Hon Elisha Odhiambo
10). Hon Zuleikha Mohammed
11). Hon William Kamket
12). Hon Teddy Mwambire
13). Hon Peter Mwathi
14). Hon Silas Tiren
15). Hon Richard Chonga
16). Hon Ngunjiri Wambugu
17). Hon Mercy Gakuya
18). Hon Babu Owino
19). Hon Joshua Mwalyo
20). Hon Muturi Kigano

Boni Khalwale turns out to be DP Wiliam Ruto’s defender number one (Video)

Former Senator, Boni Khalwale, has become the number one defender of Deputy President, H.E William Ruto; if latest developments are something to go by. The fiery leader from western Region has been traversing the area, selling Hon. William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid. In his latest remarks, he says Hon. Ruto has an upper hand to clinch the presidency in 2022 since Hon Raila is ‘aged’, H.E Uhuru kenyatta is retiring and former Vice President and Wiper leader, Hon Kalanzo Musyoka, has ‘no votes.’

Watch the video, below:

President Kenyatta Assents To Division Of Revenue Bill 2019, Calls On Counties To Prioritize Settlement Of Pending Bills

President Uhuru Kenyatta today signed into law the Division of Revenue Bill 2019 paving the way for the release of funds to counties.

The new law allocates Shs 378.1 billion to county governments for the 2019/20 financial year. Out of the total allocation, Shs 316.5 billion is the equitable share of national revenue while 61.6 billion are conditional allocations to the devolved units.
The total allocation of Shs 378.1 billion to county governments represents 36. 46 percent of the audited and approved revenue of the National Government for the financial year 2018/19 against the constitutional threshold of 15 percent.

The National Treasury has already disbursed over Shs 50 billion to counties for the months of July and August.
With the new law in place, the President reiterated the government’s commitment to scheduled disbursement of funds to counties to enable them to continue delivering services to Kenyans.

He urged county governments to finalize their budget processes which should prioritize settlement of pending payments to suppliers such as the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) for medical supplies to facilitate the delivery of the ongoing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.
President Kenyatta further urged county governments to come up with better systems of collecting and managing their own revenue.

Present during the signing of the Bill were Acting Treasury CS Ukur Yattani, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale, Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki and Treasury PS Dr Julius Muia among others.

Bomet County Legislators stage a walk-out from President Uhuru’s meeting

About 7 legislators from Bomet County walked out President Uhuru Kenyatta’s meeting at Bomet, today. The Law makers were disgusted for not getting a chance to give their addresses at the meeting. They blamed Bomet County Governor, Hon. Joyce Laboso, for undermining and side lining the. They castigated the governor for not recognising them at the function presided by the president; during the opening of a tuition block at Bomet University College. They even went ahead to skip the President’s next event, at the county.

The angry legislators who walked out of the President’s meeting, immediately after the President’s speech, today are:
✅Senator Christopher Langat,
✅Nominated Senator Alice Milgo,
✅Konoin Member of Parliament Brighton Yegon,
✅Bomet East’s Beatrice Kones,
✅Chepalungu MP Gideon Koskei,
✅Bomet County Woman Representative Joyce Korir.
✅Bomet Central Constituency’s Ronald Tonui

President Uhuru’s latest trip to China; here are the details of what happened.

The office of the Chief of staff to the State House has come out to give details on what transpired during President Uhuru’s visit to the republic of China- this month; April, 2019. This communique comes at the wake of news that the President failed to secure a new loan to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu. Here is the presser by N.S Waita who is the Chief of Staff at State House, Nairobi;

“As you are no doubt aware, H.E the President is winding up a very successful visit to the People’s Republic Of China.

The visit to China by H.E The President and his delegation on the invitation of the Government Of the People’s Republic of China was to attend the Belt and Road Initiative which is a multilateral event that brings together over 60 Heads of State and Government and other leaders from across the world to discuss issues of inter-continental connectivity for global trade.

The President participated at both the Summit and the High Level Heads of State Meetings. His contribution urged the participating countries to strengthen connectivity, open up markets, commit to rule based international trade, strengthen multilateral cooperation and ensure that development pursued is people centered, is sustainable and ensures shared prosperity.

President Kenyatta and his delegation comprising several Cabinet Secretaries and other senior Government officials also had a bilateral meeting with their Chinese counterparts, led by H.E President Xi Jinping . The agenda of the bilateral meeting which was extremely successful covered the following areas:

i) The signing of a trade agreement for the export of frozen avocados from Kenya to China which followed the signing of an MoU on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards late last year for the export to China from Kenya of various horticultural products. The trade agreement on avocado which is a huge boost to our farmers marks the beginning of a new chapter in our relations with China that aims to address the trade imbalance and promote mutual economic benefit.

ii) The second item on the agenda was the signing of a Framework Agreement between the Kenya National Highways Authority and the China Road and Bridge Cooperation for the construction of Kenya’s first expressway from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Westlands. This landmark project aimed at decongesting Nairobi City is privately funded through the Public Private Partnerships legal framework.

iii) The third item was the signing of a financing agreement valued at KShs.17 Billion between the Government Of Kenya and China EXIM Bank for the construction of the Konza Technopolis Data Center and IT infrastructure.

Construction of basic infrastructure at the Konza Technopolis is in the final stages of completion and this IT project will enable the special zone to be operational by 2020. This is a huge milestone for the project conceived over 10 years ago and will be a significant source of jobs in the technology sphere.

It is therefore very disappointing to read excerpts from a number of newspapers, namely the Saturday Nation and the Saturday Standard. Both papers intimating that the Republic of Kenya as represented by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta has “failed to secure loans or funds” for the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu.

It is important to note that the question of funding for the extension of the Standard Guage Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu was not on the agenda of the meeting between the two President’s. It therefore follows that the President cannot be said to be returning home empty handed for something he did not request.

It further goes without saying that these headlines are are not only factually incorrect, they are misleading and extremely damaging to the reputation of the People and the Government of the Republic of Kenya.

Whilst making it clear that the Government of Kenya did not discuss any funding proposals for the extension of the SGR at this meeting, it is very critical to state at this point that the SGR project is a regional project and the complexities in negotiating its completion involve several countries and securing financing for its completion could take several years of intricate negotiations.

However, given the public interest in the matter it is important to acknowledge that the SGR Phase 2A of the Railway from Nairobi to Naivasha will be complete by August 2019.

In this context, President Kenyatta highlighted to his counterpart the plans of the Government of Kenya to break ground on the Industrial Park and Dry Port to be constructed at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone by June 2019.

The President extended a welcome to Chinese companies interested in establishing industries in Kenya’s Special Economic Zones to come and visit the site.

It was further appreciated that once the Industrial Park and Dry Port serving our regional neighbours Uganda, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and South Sudan come into operation, it will be necessary to ensure that there will be no disruption in the movement of cargo from Naivasha to the region whilst financial aspect for the extension of the SGR is concluded.

To mitigate any risk of disruption to the movement of cargo, the Government Of Kenya shared its short term plans to rehabilitate the existing meter gauge railway to the Port of Kisumu to ensure seamless interconnection with the SGR at the Naivasha facilities.

The SGR remains an essential project of Kenya’s Vision 2030 strategy and a key enabler of regional economic growth within East and Central Africa. As a Pan-Africanist, President Kenyatta remains committed to laying the necessary foundation for the trans-African rail and road infrastructure that will transform intra-African Connectivity and Trade for the economic benefit of over a billion Africans.”

Best performing counties in Kenya

The Types of Audit Reports

So, the auditor general has released audit reports for County Governments in Kenya. According to the audit reports for the 2017/2018 Financial year, Makueni and Nyandarua Counties were ranked the best counties. The two counties were said to be ‘UNQUALIFIED’ by the auditor general. But, what do the terms: Qualified, Unqualified, Disclaimer Opinion and Adverse Opinion mean as used in the context. Here are the answers:

Here are the four types of audit reports that are given by external auditors:

1 Unqualified Opinion:
An unqualified opinion indicates that the information presented in a company’s financial report is clean. As in a medical patient’s clean bill of health, an unqualified opinion shows that the audited financial statements can be presumed to be free from misstatements.

An UNQUALIFIED OPINION is a clean opinion, meaning that the financial transactions, by and large, were recorded properly and are in agreement with underlying accounting records.

2 Qualified Opinion:
An opinion rendered in a qualified audit report is similar to an unqualified opinion; however, the auditing body cannot express an unqualified opinion for several reasons. One reason could be that the company did not present its financial records in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP).

QUALIFIED OPINION means that financial transactions are recorded and deemed to be in agreement with the underlying records, but there are cases where the Auditor-General is unsatisfied with the accuracy of certain expenditure.

3 Disclaimer Opinion:
Auditors give a disclaimer when they are
unable to express a definite opinion. This can be due to the lack of properly maintained financial records or the absence or insufficient support from the management. For instance, an auditor may not have had the opportunity to fulfill tasks that they deem to be crucial to the audit, such as observing operational procedures or reviewing particular procedures.
DISCLAIMER is serious and means that there was no basis upon which the Auditor-General can undertake an audit because the accounting records are unreliable; there are no verifiable supporting documentation and explanations for transactions.

4 Adverse Opinion:
When auditors issue an adverse opinion, it indicates that there has been a gross misstatement and, possibly, fraud, in the
preparation of the company’s financial
records. An adverse opinion shows that the company’s records have not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Financial statements with adverse audit opinions are typically rejected by financial institutions or investors.
ADVERSE OPINION means that although the financial transactions are recorded, the Auditor-General may be unsatisfied with the accuracy of significant amounts of expenditure. Consequently, the Auditor-General cannot give a clean (unqualified) opinion, and gives an adverse opinion.

This is what the Makueni Governor, HE Kivutha Kibwana, had to say on learning that his county got a clean bill of health from the Auditor General’s Report;

“I have learned with lots of gratitude that Makueni and Nyandarua earned an UNQUALIFIED/CLEAN AUDIT from Auditor General in FY 2017/18.
I specially appreciate MARY KIMANZI, Makueni county Finance CEC and her entire finance team together with the entire county executive and Assembly.
Thank you Speaker Douglas Mbilu for breathing behind our backs.We are laying the foundation for devolution in our county. Kudos to the people of Makueni.”

Auditor Genera’s report

President Kenyatta to open the Afro-Asia Fintech Festival in Nairobi; How to register

The Central Bank of Kenya, CBK, has announced that His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta will officially open the inaugural Afro-Asia Fintech Festival, to be held in Nairobi on July 15 and 16, 2019. The Festival, dubbed Fintech in the Savannah, is co-hosted by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Singapore’s Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be a Keynote Speaker on the opening day of the Festival.

CBK Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge said: “We are honoured to welcome His Excellency President Kenyatta and Senior Minister Tharman. Their presence at the inaugural Fintech Festival shows the commitment at the very top to make Kenya and Singapore centres of excellence for the FinTech agenda.”

The two-day Festival, the first of its kind globally, will provide a platform for connections collaborations and the exchange of ideas between Africa and Asia in the area of financial technology and innovation. Modelled after the annual Singapore Fintech Festival, the Afro- Asia Fintech Festival targets to bring together 5,000 policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and researchers from across Africa, Asia, and other parts of the globe. It will also feature visionary speakers, icons from both continents, and an innovative Hackathon.

The Afro-Asia Fintech Festival continues to attract a growing list of speakers, participants and partners.

How to register

You can register to participate at www.afroasiafintech.com, and also through [email protected].

Read also;

Good news for small traders as CBK introduces the cheapest loans dubbed ‘Stawi’.

President Uhuru Kenyatta launches Africa’s largest wind power project

President Uhuru Kenyatta today commissioned the Lake Turkana Wind Power farm, Africa’s largest wind power project, with an installed capacity of 310 megawatts of clean, reliable and low cost electricity. At the same time, the President commissioned the 428 kilometre high voltage power transmission line as well as the upgrading of Loyangalani to South Horr road. The double circuit 1,200 megawatt capacity line constructed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) evacuates the electricity generated at the plant to Suswa where it is injected into the national grid. In the last eight months, the wind power project has saved Kenyans more than Shs 8 billion from reduced usage of the expensive diesel generated thermal power.

Over the same period, the plant injected more than 1.2 billion kilowatt hours (KWh) of electricity.President Kenyatta, speaking at the event also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, said the commissioning of the project was a proud moment for Kenya.“With this monumental feat, as Kenya scores another first in Africa, I challenge all Kenyans to remain resilient builders who build best when called upon to build greatly,” said President Kenyatta.

Kenya is one of the countries leading globally in the development of renewable energy especially in the geothermal sector.The President, who made an extensive tour of the expansive plant, said the government has stepped up efforts to encourage development of wind farms and other renewable green sources of electricity, by both KenGen and the private sector.Kenya’s installed power capacity has increased from 1,768 MW in March 2013 to the current 2,712 MW, with the Lake Turkana Wind, Garissa Solar Power (54 MW) and Ngong Wind Plants (26 MW) joining the grid within the last year.

President Kenyatta said the commissioning of the project is a testament of Kenya’s commitment to pursue clean sources of energy. It is also a major boost to the country’s international commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions.He said globally, Kenya is celebrated as one of the leading countries in the world with an energy mix of over 85 percent from renewable sources especially from geothermal, a technology in which the country has become a continental centre of excellence.

“The successful implementation of Lake Turkana Wind Power demonstrates Kenya’s outstanding credentials as an investment destination in Africa and is a perfect example of the immense potential of the public private partnership model of implementing development projects,” said the President. The President said Kenya’s progress in renewable energy will ensure the country’s scenic beauty and unique ecosystems are preserved and protected for both present and future generations.

He said the successful completion and operation of the project is a testimony of the vital role played by collaboration between the public and private sectors in the development of the country. “I invite other investors, not only within the energy sector but across the full spectrum of the economy, to join hands with government in conceptualizing and delivering transformative projects that secure measurable returns for our people as well as the investors,” said the President.

Deputy President Ruto said the success of the project was a result of unity and commitment of all stakeholders who included host communities, various development partners and the private sector. Dr Ruto thanked the President for personally taking charge in ensuring the project which consists of 365 turbines each with a capacity to generate 850 kilowatts of power was successfully executed.

Energy CS Charles Keter said the ministry is working to ensure that locals are connected to the national grid as soon as possible while the chairman of Lake Turkana Wind Power Mugo Kibati said the Vision 2030 flagship project is a showcase of Kenya’s maturing profile as an investment destination of choice in Africa.Other speakers included Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali and his Samburu counterpart Moses Lenolkulal. The two leaders commended the President for his commitment to improving the livelihoods of all Kenyans by undertaking transformative development projects throughout the country.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga among high ranking state officers listed to receive VIP treatment on roads

Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, is among state officers that have been accorded VIP treatment on roads and highways by the Inspector General of Police.

Via a memo dated 29th May, 2019 and titled ‘DIRECTIVE ON ROAD CLEARANCE TO VIPs’, the IG goes ahead to list the VIPs who will receive preferential treatment on Kenyan roads.

“In light of streamlining the flow of traffic in major cities, I here by direct guidelines concerning entitlement and privileges on clearance of vehicles for VIPs on roads and highways,” says the IG, Hilary N. Mutyambai.

According to the directive, the following categories of VIPs shall be entitled to special clearance on roads and high ways:

CATEGORY 1
1). H.E. The President
2). The Deputy President
3). The First Lady
4). The cabinet Secretaries for Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs
4). The Principal Secretary/Interior

CATEGORY 2
1). The Chief of Defence Forces
2). The Service Commanders of Defence Forces
3). The Inspector General National Police Service
4). The Deputy Inspector General-Kenya Police Service
5). The Deputy Inspector General – Administration Police Service

CATEGORY 3
1). The Speaker of the National Assembly
2). The Speaker of the Senate
3). The Majority leader of the National Assembly

CATEGORY 4
1). Retired Presidents
2). Retired Prime Minister

CATEGORY 5
1). Ambulances
2). Fire Brigade

CATEGORY 6
1). Any other vehicles will require authority by Officers in charge of Traffic in respective Regions (Traffic 1) on special cases

“All other vehicles including Government registered vehicles (GK) are expected to follow the normal traffic flow,” the IG adds.

Mutyambai has, though, issued a stern warning to drivers who dangerously overlap and overtake carelessly. “Any Government vehicle found violating traffic
regulations especially those overlapping, the drivers shall be arrested and charged in accordance to the law,” he adds.

This directive takes place with immediate effect.

President Kenyatta to attend TICAD 7 in Yokohama, Japan; to meet investors

His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta left the country yesterday evening for Yokohama, Japan to attend the 7th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) that kicks off on August 28th.

At the three-day international conference focusing on development in Africa which will run until August 30th, Kenya will be seeking to strengthen its bilateral relations as well as consolidate cooperation with Japan in various sectors of the economy.
Hinged on the theme of “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation”, TICAD 7 provides an opportunity for Kenya to engage directly with Japanese investors.

The Kenyan delegation to TICAD 7 is also focused on optimizing the resources available in Japan for the delivery of the Big 4 Agenda in all areas including in Agriculture, Affordable Housing, Universal Health Coverage and Manufacturing.

TICAD 7 builds on TICAD 6, the first ever Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) on African soil that Kenya hosted in Nairobi three years ago in September 2016.
Apart from showcasing Kenya’s growth and exposing Japan to available areas of cooperation in trade and investment, TICAD 6 also facilitated a high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and Africa’s development partners on issues regarding growth, sustainable development, security, peace and stability. TICAD 7 will review the progress made on these issues and chart the way forward.

Launched by Japan in 1993 to promote Africa’s development, TICAD has over the years grown into a major global and multilateral forum for mobilizing and sustaining international support for Africa’s development under the principles of Africa ownership and international partnership.

Governor Oparanya leads in latest performance rating

Kakamega Governor Wycliff Oparanya has emerged the best performing county boss as contained in the latest research. Oparanya leads with a performance index of 87% and is followed closely by his Kirinyaga counterpart, Ann Waiguru. Governor Oparanya is also the Orange Democratic Movement, ODM, Vice Chair and the Chair to the Council of Governors.

Consortium of Researchers on Governance Report on performance of 47 Governors.

  1. Oparanya 87%
  2. Waigiru – 84%
  3. Kivutha – 83%
  4. Kimemia – 79%
  5. Ngilu – 78%
  6. Kiraitu – 76%
  7. Nderitu Mureithi – 74%
  8. Obado – 73%
  9. A. Mutua – 73%
  10. Ongwae – 72%
  11. Nanok – 71%
  12. Nyong’o – 69%
  13. Tolgos – 68%
  14. Wairia M – 67%
  15. Sonko – 65%
  16. Njuki – 65%
  17. Sang – 64%
  18. Ojaamong – 63%
  19. Tunai – 62%
  20. Roba – 61%
  21. L. Kinyanjui – 61%
  22. O. Nyangapuo – 60%
  23. Korane – 58%
  24. Mvurya – 58%
  25. Chepkwony – 57%
  26. Wangamati – 55%
  27. Kingi – 54%
  28. Kuti – 53%
  29. Mandago – 52%
  30. Joho – 51%
  31. Abdi Mohamud – 48%
  32. Twaha – 45%
  33. Nyangarama – 44%
  34. Ottichilo – 43%
  35. Mohamud Ali – 42%
  36. Khaemba – 42%
  37. Wambora – 41%
  38. Godhana – 40%
  39. Kiptis – 40%
  40. Samboja – 39%
  41. Laboso – 38%
  42. Lenku – 37%
  43. Waititu – 36%
  44. Awiti – 36%
  45. Mutahi Kahiga – 34%
  46. Rasanga – 33%
  47. Kasaine – 32%

FKE quashes move by government to effect the Housing Fund Levy

The Federation of Kenya Employers, FKE, has termed the move by the government to effect the Housing Fund Levy unlawful. Through its boss, Jacqueline Mugo, FKE says the government is in breach of the law as a case concerning the Housing Fund is still in court. The government on Tuesday 16th April, 2019, published a notice on the local dailies saying the housing fund Levy is now operational and deductions to be paid by 9th May, 2019.

Here is the Presser from FKE;

“Our attention has been drawn to the Public Notice published in today’s Daily Nation Newspaper under the headline Housing Fund Levy.

The notice by the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works in conjunction with Kenya Revenue Authority has issued a go-head on the implementation of the Housing Fund Levy with effect from 9th May 2019. This is contrary to the Court Orders which are still in force.

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) attended Court on the 8th of April 2019 for the further mention of this case and obtained an extension of the Court Orders suspending the implementation of the Housing Levy upto the 20th of May 2019 when the case will come up again for mention for further directions from the Court on the Hearing and determination of this case.

The Gazette Notice is therefore unlawful and we shall keep you posted on any further developments.”

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The Low Cost Housing Scheme finally comes into effect; first deductions to be made in the April, 2019, payroll.

Two Directors arrested for tax evasion worth Kshs.1.4 billion

Two directors of a computer company have been arrested for tax evasion amounting
to Kshs.1.4 billion.
The two Mr. George Bhutto Abiga and Berard Ochieng Okello both directors of Olympus Computer Garage Limited are suspected to have deliberately failed to declare taxes due from sales they made to Mitsumi Computer Garage between September 2014 and August 2016.

Instead, the suspects filed nil returns for Corporation Tax and did not disclose the business transactions.

Further investigations by the Kenya Revenue Authority, KRA, also revealed that Olympus Computer Garage Limited had imported various computer gadgets and accessories such as laptops, flash drives which attract zero duty but are charged 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as Railway Development Levy (RDL), which they also failed to declare.

The company equally failed to file Value Added Tax (VAT) for the year 2014 and instead filed NIL returns for the year 2015 and 2016 intentionally avoiding to declare sales of over Kshs.1 billion.

The two will be arraigned in court on 11th October, 2019. If found guilty, the suspects are likely to be fined an amount not exceeding ten million shillings or double the tax evaded, whichever is higher or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) years.

KRA has noted that high valued goods are being brought into the country through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by importers who underdeclare their value hence paying less duty.

The Authority is keenly monitoring all imports through the JKIA and those found culpable will be prosecuted.

Murang’a County government- Ministers, CECs, Chief officers, Directors

The Murang’a county assembly committee on Appointments on Tuesday held an approval hearing on the suitability of various nominees to the office of County Executive Committee (CEC) member.

The committee led by the speaker of the assembly Joseph Mukuha, clerk Kuria Thuita and leader of the majority Francis Kibe conducted the exercise.

The nominees were required to answer various questions on their competencies and how they will address various issues in their dockets so as to improve service delivery to the residents of Murang’a County.

Those vetted include Faith Wanjiru Njuguna, Education and Technical training, Professor Joseph Kiarie Mwaura, Finance and Economic planning, Pius Njuguna Macharia, Roads, Housing and Infrastructure.

Others were Noah Gachucha Gachanja, Youth affairs, Culture and Social Services, Kirangi Kamau – Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, Mary Muthoni Magochi, Water, Irrigation, Environment and Natural resources, Dr Fredrick Kamondia Mbugua, Health, Dr Winfred Mwangi, Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Paul Kimani Mugo, Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism and James Gatuna for ICT and Public administration.

Murang’a Governor, Irungu Kang’ata had promised to engage professionals to handle various dockets and enable him to deliver on his mandate.

Gachucha the nominee for Youth Affairs, Culture and Social Services who worked in Kang’ata’s office while he was senator had to convince the committee that his appointment was not to just pay off for his loyalty and for being a close associate to the governor.

“I applied for the job just like other people and I got shortlisted so I cannot say being appointed was a favor,” he defended himself.

Mukuha the house speaker ascertained that the committee was confident that the nominees presented to them were the best suited for the jobs among all those who had applied.

“The job of this committee is not to interview but vet the nominees presented to us to ascertain that they are fit to hold the positions,” he said.