Kenya speeding towards big financial crisis, agency warns
Government is borrowing more to plug budget gapsGlobal ratings agency Moody’s has warned that if Kenya does not reverse its increasing debt, then it might get into a financial crisis. The agency said it was particularly concerned about payment of interest which has been consuming a lot of tax revenue over the past five years. Fiscal consolidation involves implementing policies to reduce budget deficits and accumulation of debt stock. “Part of the lower income tax revenue could be offset by the removal of tax exemptions and waivers,” said Moody’s, with several measures already included in the Finance Act. “The pandemic did not only worsen revenue performance in 2019-20 financial year, but will also affect revenue performance,” Treasury said.
Source:Standard Digital
September 18, 2020 00:11 UTC
Nightjar… The night star
One of the creatures is the nightjar. For those of us who have stayed in the African Bushveld at times, ideally camping, or in a quite lodging, the sounds of the night are always interesting and at times peacefully soothing, including listening to the nightjars calling. The various species of nightjars all have wonderful call sounds. For example, the Fiery Necked Nightjar makes a noise sounding like the therapeutic whistled version of “good-Lord-deliver-us”, as people relax and enjoy the evening. Yes, they truly are night stars!
Source:The Star
September 18, 2020 00:00 UTC
Nicola Coughlan joins Coca-Cola to invite people to enjoy a free Coke to support local bars, restaurants, and cafes across the nation
Coca-Cola is supporting small businesses and encouraging people to visit their locals by offering a free Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke at 645 participating outlets. To enjoy a free Coke on Coca-Cola, people can simply register and download a coupon from www.coca-cola.ie/thiscokeisonus and present it to a member of staff at one of the participating outlets. Anyone who redeems a coupon can get a single serve of Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke, any time from now until October 18th, all while supporting their local. You can redeem it once, in one outlet for one single serve of Coca‑Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke. You can redeem it for one single serve of Coca‑Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero or Diet Coke in participating bars, restaurants or cafes.
Source:Daily Nation
September 17, 2020 22:07 UTC
Tech firm Gorilla picks Kenyan to head its regional operations
Global technology services firm Gorilla Corporation has appointed a Kenyan, William Oduol (pictured) to head its operations in Middle East and Africa (MEA). The company has opened new regional headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa with a local office in Nairobi to meet the demand for rapid growth. “William is an experienced technology leader and brings more than 25 years of industry expertise to this role. He has held senior leadership roles driving partner and distribution excellence with many of the world’s most recognised brands,” it said. Gorilla Corporation, a provider of vendor partner marketing services and technologies, said Oduol’s appointment will strengthen the company’s multi-country plan at a time when business is increasingly becoming virtual.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:56 UTC
Algeria vote test for the president
For President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, adoption of the charter would be a welcome new beginning after his predecessor and many top officials were toppled by mass demonstrations last year. The weekly mass protests, which sought to sweep away the entire ruling elite, were put on hold when the coronavirus pandemic reached the north African country in March. Abdelaziz Djerad, the prime minister appointed by Tebboune in January, recently told parliament the referendum should be a “day for consensus” among all Algerians. Tebboune’s proposed constitution gives parliament more rights to open inquiries into government work and limits the president to two terms in office. It has passed a vote in parliament despite some opposition.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:56 UTC
Court declines issue orders on Nginyo's companies
A court in Nairobi yesterday declined to block the late businessman Nginyo Kariuki’s family from operating several bank accounts relating to his companies. Yesterday, lawyer Chacha Odera for three of Kariuki’s children informed the court that Nyambura’s commercial case had also been handled by Justice Margaret Muigai who declined to issue the orders she was seeking. He also told the court the companies were not party to the case and no orders should be made against them. The bank does not see any relationship between her and the accounts she wants conservatory orders on,” explained I&M Bank’s lawyer Preston Wawire. Co-operative Bank urged the court to dismiss the case, saying Nyambura is a stranger to it.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:01 UTC
Laws of the jungle
Many songs are muted or deleted from YouTube as a result of a copyright claim from the original music’s creator. This means that you can avoid receiving such claims by getting permission from the creator to upload their music. Hours after Magix Enga’s claim, the music video was back streaming on YouTube. “About the story that is trending, y’all need to know that he did not sample my beats, he used just one of my sample kits. I do sample beats sometimes, but I do not like the outcome being too identified with the original, where anyone will be able to know or tell where I have sampled from.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:01 UTC
Court sides with KPA in port tender
[Omondi Onyango, Standard]Taxpayers have been spared losing Sh905 million in a contested tender deal involving the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and a private firm. This is after the High Court ruled Wilfak Engineering Ltd cannot lay claim to the money after KPA suspended the tender for various works awarded to the firm for various works Mombasa port, citing lack of funds. The company had told the court it proceeded to secure land, machinery and employed workers to undertake the repair works at the port in anticipation of signing the contract. This saw the company move to court seeking Sh905 million, being the amount for securing the advance payment guarantee and performance bond. It also sought to stop KPA from rewarding the tender and compelling it to release the contract papers for signing and execution of the said works.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:01 UTC
Wakifunga, tunafungua
“Naona hizi Covid rules nikama nizakusnishika tu. So pressed are the patrons that covert social gatherings have been set up just so people can link up to drink up. Last weekend saw one of the brunch gatherings set up by Milan Lounge dismantled as police showed up at the scene. Yet another issue that caused outcry was of the teenagers who were shipped from a party way past curfew hours in an ambulance. Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe was also once asked about his son Kahu$h, who had posted photos while out with his friends at a party past curfew hours.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:01 UTC
Women shun oral contraceptive for implant, injection
Details from the County Reproductive Health Department show that majority of women prefer implant and Depo Provera injection for birth control. Consequently, data from Reproductive Health directorate shows that in 2019, only 6,320 women across the county collected oral pills from public health facilities. A total of 4,678 women picked family planning pills between January and June this year. “We agreed on the type of family planning method to enable us plan well for our children,” Rosebellah said. Records from reproductive health department show that Matayos constituency leads with girls aged between 10 and 19 who take contraceptives.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:01 UTC
Birds, fish and reptile population decline due to climate change
The report titled Living Planet Index 2020 details that population of birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles are on the steep decline due to logging, climate change, poaching and unsustainable hunting. It shows an average 68 per cent decrease in population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish between 1970 and 2016 across the globe. To determine the Living Planet Index, the report tracked 20,811 population of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians around the world. In addition to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, butterflies were noted as being on the decline as a result of overuse of pesticides. The number of documented plant extinctions, according to the report, is twice as many as for mammals, birds and amphibians combined.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:00 UTC
20 couples tie the knot at launch of open-air civil weddings
Maurice Ouma with his wife Janet Achieng during the solemnisation of their civil marriage at Nairobi Primary School on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Honest folksCovid 19 Time SeriesAchieng and her husband, Maurice Oula Osumba, 56, finally decided that it was time to make honest folks of each other, becoming one of the 20 couples that tied the knot on the first day of open-air civil weddings at the Nairobi Primary School. The two couples were part of 20 couples who were the first to get married under the newly-launched open-air civil weddings, conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice at the garden of the Nairobi Primary School. With the launch of the open-air wedding civil weddings, the office intends to carry out marriages at two stations in the school, which has been Gazetted as a venue for civil weddings, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for the next three months. However, civil weddings in other parts of the country are going on as before, a factor Ms Guchu attributed to lower numbers of people engaging in civil weddings outside Nairobi.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:00 UTC
No report on corona deal probe as Uhuru’s ultimatum ends
President Uhuru Kenyatta's 21-day ultimatum to the anti-graft agency to unmask faces behind the alleged fraudulent purchase of Covid-19 medical equipment elapsed on Wednesday with no word on the status of the investigations. A source at the EACC only said that investigations are ongoing. "Following the allegations of impropriety at Kemsa, the relevant investigative agencies of our country are currently fully seized with the matter. However, given the compelling public interest in the matter, the relevant agencies should expedite their ongoing investigations and conclude the same within 21 days from the date hereof." He added: "All persons found to be culpable from the ongoing investigations on Covid-19 funds should be brought to book notwithstanding their social status or political affiliations."
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:00 UTC
Raila party plots reforms to counter Ruto’s rising wave
[File, Standard]ODM is working on strategies to counter Deputy President William Ruto’s spirited presidential campaigns ahead of the 2022 General Election. According to ODM Chairman John Mbadi, the party will not give room for Ruto to overtake them in the presidential race ahead of 2022. Mbadi said although Raila had not officially declared that he will run for president in 2022, the party considers him their 2022 flag bearer. The National Assembly minority leader said ODM will push for a set of reforms to counter Ruto camp’s anti-constitutional change agenda. “We will just deal with the lies and propaganda that our DP is sending out as part of his premature 2022 presidential campaigns,” Wambugu said.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:00 UTC
Sh1.1 billion boost to schools reopening plan
[Jonah Onyango, Standard]The Government has received a Sh1.1 billion boost towards preparations for schools reopening. Some of the measures that require funding include creating additional spaces to cater for social distancing when schools reopen. Under the second GPE component, the funding will help in expanding access to existing remote learning opportunities and will also be used to train teachers in interactive remote learning methodologies. Also to be catered for is creating an integrated monitoring and evaluation system for remote learning interventions and support for parents and caregivers to monitor student learning. The head teacher, deputy head teacher, the school ICT champions teacher and two other teachers will be trained per school.
Source:Standard Digital
September 17, 2020 21:00 UTC