President William Ruto has addressed the ongoing protests by Kenyan youths against the Finance Bill 2024. Speaking in Nyahururu on Sunday, Ruto expressed pride in the young people who have peacefully come forward, transcending tribal affiliations, to make their voices heard. His remarks follow nationwide demonstrations by Kenyan Generation Z against what they deem as punitive provisions in the Finance Bill 2024. Last week, protests spread across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Nanyuki, and other regions, demanding the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 due to its harsh tax implications. Despite the protests, 204 Members of Parliament voted in favor of the Bill, while 105 voted against it.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura has called out the organisers of 'Where’s Crazy Nairobian’ X space for not allowing them to respond to some of the issues raised. While the daylong X space called for the release of blogger Billy Simani alias Crazy Nairobian, it was also a platform for Kenyans to raise concerns on the contentious Finance Bill, 2024. According to Mwaura, while the organisers had good intentions, they should have given the government side a chance to speak. Mwaura in a statement at midnight, on Saturday, said there was a lot of misinformation on the space. He said this is why it would have been important for the government officials to be given a chance to speak.

President William Ruto has urged the church to continue praying for the nation, and especially the Executive arm of the government. Speaking during a Sunday service in Nyahururu, Ruto said they need prayers as they continue leading the country. This is loosely translated to, "We urge the church as a whole to pray for our nation of Kenya because it is a God-fearing nation". The Gen Zs have no tribe, no religion, no class but they are our children not enemies of the nation," he said. He urged the police not to use excessive force while dealing with the protesters and the Gen Zs likewise to keep the law.

Last night, Paraguay was announced as a new host for the 2025 World Rally Championship, marking a historic moment for South America. Paraguay is gearing up to make automotive history by hosting a round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2025. Moreover, Paraguayan drivers have dominated the last 11 editions of the FIA CODASUR South American Rally Championship. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also highlighted the broader implications of this move. "Welcoming Paraguay to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2025 is a fantastic opportunity for the series and all its stakeholders to explore new horizons," he said.

Mixed bag of fortunes for women in 2024/25 BudgetAs the sun rises over Nairobi’s Kayole, Ruth Achieng’, a 28-year-old expectant mother, nervously counts the coins in her worn leather purse. Ruth’s story is just one of many that illustrate the real-world impact of Kenya’s latest budget decisions on women’s health and empowerment. This fund, born out of the 2010 Constitution, aims to address historical disadvantages faced by marginalized groups, including women. Additionally, the Women Enterprise Fund will receive Sh182.8 million, offering financial support to women entrepreneurs like Sarah’s sister, who runs a small tailoring business. For women like Ruth, this cut could mean the difference between a safe, attended birth and a potentially dangerous home delivery.

ACK Archbishop Ole Sapit has welcomed Generation Z to church and urged them to share the country by listening to one another. Speaking during a service on Sunday in Nyahururu, Ole Sapit said there is a need to discern what Gen Z is saying, adding that this is a listening moment not a talking one. The Gen Zs have no tribe, no religion, no class but they are our children not enemies of the nation," he said. He urged the police not to use excessive force while dealing with the protesters and the Gen Zs likewise to keep the law. "Let us be civil each and every one of us," Ole Sapit said.

Police can also be seen in the video during the peaceful protests that happened outside the venue where the President and his deputy were. Politics was not welcome at the pulpit with Anglican Arch Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit declining a request from DP Rigathi Gachagua to allow politicians speak at the event. “To the Gen zs the country is yours. Gen Zs are not enemies of the nation. Let the police not use excessive force and the Gen Zs should also not be lawless.” Ole Sapit stated.

There have been cheers and jeers surrounding the actions of Julius Kimani, the man accused of disrupting Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung'u’s Budget Day photoshoot. Kimani, who has since appeared in court, was seen to rush at the Treasury CS and his colleagues, who were posing for a commemorative photograph. In April 2022, he was arrested by police outside Parliament Buildings as he prepared to protest against then Treasury CS Ukur Yatani. For the last few months, the phrase, “The fear is gone and the clouds are gathering”, or variations thereof, has been popping up with more frequency on my X timeline. There appears to be the suggestion that perhaps the state would be wise to bow to the gathering storm.

Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Something went wrong, please try again later. READ MORE: Only Fools and Horses fans fume over ‘accent blunder' that 'ruins entire series'READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star showbiz storiesFor most couples, that moment makes you or breaks you. Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.

Kenyans have descended on Fred Machoka with insults after his niece, nominated senator, Gloria Orwoba, reported blogger Edgar Wabwire to the police, and he was arrested. Fred Machoka decries being attacked over Gloria Orwoba's beef with blogger Edgar Wabwire. Photos: Gloria Orwoba, Fred Machoka. May God have mercy on me) I was just chilling, and then Gen Zs started calling me," he shared. "Mimi nauliza hawa Gen Zs kosa langu ni gani (I want to ask Gen Zs, what is my mistake?

Hairy Bikers star Si King has made it clear there will be no Hairy Bikers without his late presenting partner, Dave Myers. However, he assured fans that the Hairy Bikers title they've come to love will not be carried on without Myers. READ MORE: Hairy Bikers' Dave Myers remembered by motorcyclists who gather for memorial rideREAD MORE: Join the Daily Star Soaps WhatsApp for all the latest spoilers and exclusivesThe Observer Magazine captured King's sentiment perfectly when the chef explained: "It can't be the Hairy Bikers 2.0. While the future may appear uncertain, King does express a desire to carry on professionally and to keep the fanbase of the Hairy Bikers appreciative. For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.

Our discussion centred around access to maternal and child health services and the community-based organisation had wanted us to hear these women’s stories. They were forced to cover distances ranging from ten to twenty kilometres to access free healthcare services in a public facility. The stories would go on until a community health promoter, Faith, recruited as part the Universal Health Coverage’s Primary Healthcare Program, stood up. They were part of a primary healthcare network, starting from households to level two and three facilities, all feeding into the hub, the primary healthcare referral facility which would be a level four facility. It wasn’t her role, but no woman will bleed out on the road, not on her watch.

A woman in France, Laurence Van Wassenhove, who is disabled, has taken legal action against her employer, telecom giant Orange. She claims she was not given any work assignments for 20 years yet continued to receive her full salary, alleging harassment and discrimination due to her health condition. Wassenhove was employed by France Telecom in 1993, prior to its acquisition by Orange. France Telecom was aware of her physical limitations—she suffered from partial paralysis on one side of her body and epilepsy. Instead, she continued to receive her full salary without any work assignments.

Actor-director Connors says he wants Notorious to star in one of his moviesIrish film heavyweight John Connors confirms Conor McGregor would be perfect for one of his upcoming flicks after the UFC fighter’s performance in Roadhouse. McGregor attended this week the Irish premiere of Connors’ new movie, The Black Guelph, which he hosted in his own Dublin pub The Black Forge. “Conor was sitting next to me at the showing and he really liked the film,” said John. I think there’s a lot more to him as an actor than we saw in Roadhouse. Essentially we are saying is Ireland the state was the Black Guelph.

[File, Standard]Nominated MP Jackson Kosgei yesterday warned national leaders against dividing the country along ethnic lines. He singled out Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his drive to unite only one part of the country. Kosgei, who is also a cleric, warned that such tactics risked fracturing the nation along ethnic lines and would undermine Kenya's quest for unity. “Now, if we introduce the politics of tribal identity, it is going to be dangerous. I would therefore urge politicians to do away with tribal politics and adopt nationalised politics,” Kosgei said.