Stop dancing before knowing what proposals mean for you
Political noise. For several months this year, Kenyan voters have not been a happy lot. Previously, the silence in the political scene, occasioned by the coronavirus restrictions saddened them because they hate quietude. All the brouhaha before its release was to prepare Kenyan voters to either welcome it or denounce it — without knowing its contents. This unbridled love for political noise is the bane of growth, of any form, in Kenya.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
How to make the most of virtual conferences
Like many gatherings this year, the tech conference for nonprofit professionals was fully virtual. “Virtual events require more preparation and action from attendees,” said Leslie Marshall, head of experiential marketing for Chicago-based investment research firm Morningstar. According to education consultancy Tagoras, 92 per cent of those who have held virtual conferences plan to do so again. So how can conference attendees thrive in a virtual world? A few tips:USE TECH TOOLS TO YOUR ADVANTAGEVirtual conference organisers have gone to a lot of trouble to create tech tools for networking and interactivity, so you might as well use them.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
The musical chairs at IEBC and bid to get it right in 2022
Read MoreThat agreement would later give rise to the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) that presided over the 2002 and 2007 elections. The BBI report reinforces the same, seeking an overhaul of the commission, which has three commissioners – Wafula Chebukati (chairman), Abdi Guliye, and Boya Molu. He now faults the BBI report that seeks to reform the IEBC and accused the political class of propagating the onslaught against the commissioners. “When parliamentary political parties still play a key role in the recruitment of commissioners, we will still face the same chaos witnessed in 2017. “We need a total overhaul at IEBC and new fully independent commissioners appointed, not party listed.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Kilifi home buyers set to receive houses this Saturday
Mtwapa Pride Apartments. Solian Ltd will next Saturday hand over to buyers 80 low-cost units which have been under construction in Mtwapa, Kilifi County. The first phase of Mtwapa Pride Apartments targeted low to medium-income earners with a unit going for Sh995,000. The housing units were constructed under an off-plan for studio apartments, which were sold within the first three months of early 2019. Solian, according to Kosgei, has created over 500 jobs with the second phase of the project being 70 per cent done.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Bankruptcy laws good, but lock out cheats
This is not just a reflection of how the pandemic has devastated the Kenyan economy, it is also a badge of approval on the country’s insolvency laws. The new insolvency laws, enacted in 2015, have been useful in helping improve the ease of doing business in the country. Gakuru says bankruptcy and insolvency is one of the things which make people take risks and that with insolvency laws in place, people are not afraid of going to civil jail for taking risks. There have also been cases of businesses or individuals abusing the insolvency process. Moreover, the country should try to expedite the insolvency process.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
It’s ‘Made in Kenya’ moment, let’s back local innovations
Analysts argue that China has taken the pedestal as an economic leader, with Chinese tech companies leading in the global market. It deliberately sought to identify and support local innovators. For a fact, some of these products may take a while to penetrate the global market. But even then, there is something about targeting the local market that makes good sense and cents. Apparently, China requires several things of foreign companies who want to do business in China or work with Chinese companies.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Turn your side hustle into main occupation
Her well-thought side hustle can eventually develop into her main occupation. This is a critical signpost on the road of transforming side hustles into main occupation. Turn your product from a good or mediocre product into a great product and you will see your market reach expanding. For a side hustle to turn into a main occupation, you must be like Eliud Kipchoge and just keep running. If you do so, your side hustle will eventually storm into the centre and become your main occupation.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
How 2010 Katiba failed us on the sharing of political power
The first is a Polarising Theory. And this would have been the dominant Polarising Theory. This person, or people, are the embodiment of all the bad things featured in the ‘Polarising Theory. The politician must create the ‘BogeyMan.’In 2013, the Polarising Theory was that the racist West intended to lord its imperialistic intentions over Kenya, a proud sovereign nation. The embodiment of this polarising theory was the Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson who ‘dared’ to tell us “choices have consequences”.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Calls for justice as lawyer laid to rest
Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi, his Vice President- Caroline Kamende at the burial of the late Onesmus Masaku. [Erastus Mulwa, Standard]Makueni-based lawyer, Onesmus Masaku was yesterday laid to rest at Kyaume village, in Machakos County. The lawyer, who died at only 27, was eulogised as a polite and honest gentleman with a promising future. Read MoreThe ceremony was dominated by calls for thorough, transparent and expeditious action to ensure justice. It is the responsibility of judges to take charge of their courts and expedite justice,” said Havi.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Will abolishing Woman Rep seat help cure gender rule headache?
Proposals in a document that seeks to make changes to the Constitution have elicited debate on how gender parity would be achieved. Read MoreShould the changes be implemented, political parties will have to provide the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission with a list of candidates that complies with the two-thirds gender rule. But Community Advocacy and Awareness Trust Executive Director Daisy Amdany says it would be unfair to abolish the Woman Rep position. “If doing away with the Woman Rep positions will create gender parity, then it is a good move. Mid last year, Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Shollei also tabled a Bill in Parliament proposing that the 47 positions be abolished.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Why MPs will be most powerful politicians if proposals are passed
President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga display a copy of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report at Kisii State Lodge. The BBI report could technically re-organise Kenya's political landscape, making the presidential and MP seats highly sought after. The BBI report has enhanced the powers of the president in the new equation. There is no certainty that the popular politicians will win the MP seat in their backyards," Ahmednasir said. The proposed BBI report provides for members of the Cabinet to be appointed from a mix of MPs and technocrats.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
The economics and politics of boda boda
Taking an average earning Sh700 a day, boda boda riders earn more than Sh350 billion per year. A request on Friday evening from Spring Valley to the city centre indicated a boda boda charge of Sh140, Chap Chap at Sh300 and UberX at Sh370. Is this collective investment the carrot to regulate the boda boda industry? They even have a boda boda safety association. The number and influence of boda boda riders has made them a target of politicians.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
MP Aisha Jumwa spends weekend in cell after failing to raise bail
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her bodyguard Geoffrey Okuto will spend their weekend in police custody for the seventh day after they failed to raise bail. Jumwa (pictured) was on Friday released on a Sh3 million bond with a similar surety or an alternative cash bail of Sh4 million with a similar surety. Okuto was released on a Sh1 million bond with a similar surety or an alternative cash bail of Sh1.5 million with a similar surety. Meet bailHowever, the MP could not meet the bail terms by 4pm on Friday despite the High Court releasing them at 12:30pm. According to Jumwa’s lawyers Jared Magolo, Cliff Ombeta and Dunstan Omari, the MP could not raise the bail in time because the banks were closed early.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
MPs to lose Sh67 million from sitting allowances
Parliamentarians are among public officers enjoying sitting allowance. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]A proposal to scrap sitting allowances for public officers would save taxpayers billions of shillings if it becomes law, with MPs becoming the major casualties. The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report seeks to eliminate sitting allowance for public officers on salary. If so, MPs would lose Sh67 million cumulatively per month in sitting allowances. The county public debt will also be required not to exceed 20 per cent of the county governments total revenue at any one time.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC
Kenya’s export trade goes digital
[David Njaaga, Standard]Kenya has broken ground in online export promotion after it secured more than Sh200 million worth of orders in its first virtual trade fair recently held in Italy. Championed by the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), it is expected that virtual trading will become a lucrative avenue for the country’s fledgling exports sector. “Kenyan exporters clinched sales leads amounting to over $2,178,000 (Sh235,224,0000) in the recent Virtual Macfrut Digital 2020 Trade Fair that took place in Rimini, Italy. Read More“The 10 women exporters who exhibited in the 3-day virtual exhibition were hosted at the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency offices. The news comes as data shows Kenya’s trade with European Union has been stable over years.
Source:Standard Digital
October 24, 2020 21:00 UTC