BREEZY BLOGS

The High Court on Tuesday granted the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) orders to freeze two luxurious apartments located in Nairobi worth Sh27.5 million believed to have been bought through proceeds of embezzlement from the Vihiga County government. One of the properties, valued at Sh 14 million, is located at Nextgen Park along Mombasa Road and is registered to Nathaniel Manyeve Ahaza and his wife, Peris Odari. Mr Ahaza is a former Head of Procurement at the aforementioned county government. Also read: How Kenyan in the US lost posh Kileleshwa dream home The second property, located at Tulip Court, at Fourways Junction, valued at Sh13.5 million, is registered under Emma Mulongo, a revenue officer at Vihiga County Government. “EACC contends that Nathaniel Manyeve Ahaza and his wife Elizabeth Masidza, in conflict of interest and abuse of their positions as Head of Procurement and Administrative Assistant, and in collusion with the Chief Officer Finance, hatched and execut...

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party officials in Alego/Usonga constituency have insisted that they want Siaya Deputy Governor Wiliam Oduol to Resign. Despite being rescued from impeachment by the Senate, the ODM officials say they do not consider him as one of their members. Led by ODM party’s Alego/Usonga branch Vice-chairman Thomas Okoth Rondo, the officials said they cannot work with Oduol considering the differences that still exist between him and Governor James Orengo. Mr. Okoth Rondo noted that as far as they are concerned, the deputy governor had exhibited “total disrespect” to his boss which is why they decided to expel him from the party adding that their position has not yet changed. Also Read:  Siaya Deputy Governor Oduol Survives Impeachment While speaking in Siaya town, ODM party’s North Alego Ward chairman Michael Otieno and the branch organizing secretary for the Women League Seline Oyoo asked Mr Oduol to quit his position as Siaya DG due to the sour re...

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is expected to announce new fuel prices on Friday, June 30. The reviewed fuel prices will come following the enactment of the Finance Bill 2023. The Bill encompasses a 16 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on gasoline, up from 8 per cent. “On 26th June 2023, H.E. the President Dr. William Ruto signed into law the Finance Bill, 2023 introducing a 16 per cent VAT on petroleum products. Accordingly, EPRA will tomorrow 30th June 2023 release the reviewed petroleum prices in compliance with the finance bill 2023,” the authority announced on Thursday, June 29. Also Read:  EPRA Shuts Down Several Stations and Fines 5 Over Non-Compliance Presently, a litre of super petrol in Nairobi goes for Ksh.182 while diesel and kerosene are priced at Ksh.167 and Ksh.161 respectively. The head of state stated that the VAT increase on petroleum products was suggested by his economic advisory team, arguing it will give the government Ksh.50 bill...

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has closed at least twelve filling stations and fined five others over non-compliance to fuel standards. EPRA in their report covering March-June review period published on Thursday, Jun 29 said one filling station in Bungoma’s Sirisia town had moved to court to challenge regulatory sanctions. Also Read:  Fuel Prices Remain Unchanged in New EPRA Review Some of the service stations affected include Alysent in Maungu, and Taita Taveta, whose diesel pump was sealed. Moreover, in Kajiado, EPRA sealed petrol dispensing pumps at Wilbur station, and Isneti. The fuel stations fined for no-compliance by the regulator include OLA Energy’s Maua outlet in Meru (Sh150,000) and Chaka Filling Station in Nyeri (Sh102,100). Find the List Here from The Kenya Times ~ Trending, Breaking News and Videos https://ift.tt/mg0zpAV via IFTTT

A Nairobi court, presided over by Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robison Ondieki, is set to deliver its judgment in a case involving Bishop Gilbert Deya, who stands accused of stealing five children. Bishop Deya maintains that the state fabricated the charges without any evidence. The preacher, who was deported from the United Kingdom to face the child theft charges, denied all five counts leveled against him by the state. The clergyman requested the court to acquit him for lack of evidence, arguing he was being unfairly targeted, as his wife had previously been charged with the same offense but was acquitted. Also read: Body of missing former Treasury staff Tom Osinde found dumped in river During cross-examination by senior state counsel Nicholas Mutuku, Bishop Deya vehemently denied stealing the children and stated that he was in the UK at the time of the alleged offenses. He further insisted that he did not give any instructions to anyone to house the five children in his r...

Senator Okiya Omtatah has amended his petition challenging the Finance Bill 2023. Omtatah in his amended petition added the speaker of the National Assembly , Commissioner General –KRA, Senate, Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK), Kenya Export Floriculture Allied Workers Union as interested parties. Moreover, the Busia Senator in his amended petition notes that the Finance Bill contains amendments to several laws that have nothing to do with raising revenue, and those affecting the work of the Senate to protect the interests of counties and their governments. “Forcing employees to contribute an amount of money based on the applicable blanket deductible percentage without consideration of their existing contractual obligations on their salaries is not reasonable,” says Omtatah. According to the senator, it is mandatory for a speaker of one House of Parliament to first seek the concurrence of the Speaker of the other House of Parliament before the Bill can be introduced for consid...

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has revealed that the government plans to employ 24,000 teachers to bridge the gap experienced across schools nationwide. The CS while speaking during the 46th Annual Conference of the Kenya Secondary Heads Association (KESSHA) at Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa on Wednesday, June 28 announced that the recruitment exercise will kick off at the start of the 2023/2024 Financial Year. He further affirmed that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) would ensure equity during the deployment of the teachers. Likewise, TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi stated that following CS Machogu’s directive, qualified teachers will be able to start applying for the positions on the week beginning Monday, July 3. Furthermore, Muturi announced that the Kenya Kwanza government had set aside Ksh4.6 billion to hire interns as part of efforts to curb teacher shortage in the country. TSC also revealed that it had received a Ksh1 billion capitation...

Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja has proposed a Sh40 billion budget for the 2023/2024 financial year, the highest ever since the advent of devolution. And Members of the County Assembly (MCA) have until June 30, 2023, to pass it. On June 27, 2023, the Chairman of the County Finance, Budget and Appropriations Committee, Mr Wilfred Oluoch Odalo, presented the Budget and Appropriations to scrutinise the county's revenue and expenditure estimates. With June 28, 2023 declared a public holiday, the County Assembly is expected to meet the following day to discuss and approve it. The County Executive Member for Finance (CEC) Mr Charles Kerich will read the budget estimates to the House. MCAs, therefore, have one day to discuss the budget and later have the CEC take them through how the county has budgeted to spend Sh40 billion in the next financial year. The budget will also allow the governor to complete the construction of kitchens for the school feeding program in line with his manifest...

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) acting CEO Samson Kuhora has said increasing NHIF rates will benefit patients. While speaking on Tuesday, June 27 during an interview with Citizen TV, Kuhora noted that the proposed new rates will help in covering the treatment plans for cancer patients. “One of the things that are most expensive at the moment is the management of cancer and when we estimate how much we are likely to spend if 85 per cent of the population is covered, we are looking at a bill of Sh71 billion,” he said. He noted that currently NHIF only covers sessions of treatment and not the entire treatment plan, adding that increasing NHIF rates will help finance the whole treatment plan. “If you finance six sessions of treatment and then if the patient is not able to finance the remaining treatment, the patient drops out and you will have spent about Sh600,000 but not get the treatment outcome you are looking for,” Kuhora added. Also Read:  New NHIF Rate is a Sca...

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has sworn to mobilize street protests from July 7 to demonstrate against the Finance Bill 2023. According to Raila Odinga, President William Ruto ignored the pleas of Kenyans requesting him not to increase the cost of living. “Now you know that the only language Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza understands is street protests and boycotts,” he said While speaking during the Azimio Coalition rally at Kamukunji grounds on Tuesday, June 27, Odinga stated that the Kenya Kwanza government had betrayed Kenyans hence the need to boycott. “We are the people,” Odinga said, “and the people are supreme.” He added that the Finance Bill assented by the head of state will push the cost of living up and make life difficult for Kenyans. “And that is why we are saying that Ruto must be made to listen to the people and the only way is to resist,” he said. “Protests and boycotts is the only language Ruto will understand because he declined to listen to the voice of the peo...

Tanzanian music manager Babu Tale has marked the third anniversary of the death of his beloved wife, Shammy. To commemorate the third anniversary of Shammy's death, Babu Tale shared some nostalgic photos of the moments they had together. Babu Tale described the past three years as incredibly challenging, as he navigated the difficult task of raising their children alone. Also read:   Zari Hassan stands firm on age despite passport ‘leak’ Babu Tale admitted that since he lost his wife he has struggled with sleepless nights and a constant sense of fear, with his children as the only source of solace for him. Babu Tale, who is the manager of Bongo superstar Diamond Platnumz, also addressed the issue of getting married again, saying that his prayer is that he gets a companion who will love his children. "Daima namuomba Mungu anijaalie mwenza mwenye mapenzi kwa watoto wangu zaidi ya atakavyokuwa na mapenzi juu yangu," Babu Tale said. Also read: Burna Boy outshines Wizkid; ...

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge now says there will be little to no inflationary pressure on Kenyans due to the new taxes passed in the Finance Bill 2023. Thuge said the finance bill will have minimal impact on Kenyans due to the countermeasure in place including the reduction of the railway levy and import declaration levy. While addressing journalists during the bi-monthly monetary policy meeting on Tuesday, June 27, the CBK Governor noted that the reduction of the two taxes will offset the new taxes passed on housing which is 1.5 per cent of gross pay, VAT on fuel which has increased to 16 per cent and an increase in NHIF contributions to 2.75 per cent. “We have looked at all the factors and on the issue of VAT on fuel and other taxes, the Treasury has offset these by incentives such as the reduction in railway levy and import declaration,” Dr. Thugge said. Also Read:   New NHIF Rate is a Scam in Waiting – Senator Onyonka Moreover, Thugge defended the...

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has said the increased National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) monthly contributions is a scam in waiting. The senator said the 2.75 per cent NHIF increment is another corruption loophole. Senator Onyonka while speaking during an interview with Citizen TV claimed NHIF contributions have always encouraged money squandering and Kenyans do not benefit from them. According to Onyonka,the countless number of scams linked to NHIF prove the health fund to be nothing but a ‘white elephant’.  “Why has NHIF in Kenya failed? Because money is stolen from it what has been the issue? How many scandals have we gotten from the NHIF?” he posed. “Who doesn’t know that hospitals organize, and patients are taken to certain hospitals and payments are made to people who actually do not go there for treatment other than documentation which is done and it’s all fake.” He added. The Kisii legislator further proposed that Kenya needs to benchmark with countries whose h...

Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai has warned embattled Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol not to celebrate yet after being saved from impeachment by the Senate. Alai has asked Oduol to learn politics fast because he does not know what will hit him next. According to Alai, Kenyan politics can be rough and one must learn what to do and when, and how to do it to survive. “William Oduol must learn politics fast. Otherwise, he might think he won but he doesn’t know what will hit him next. Kenyan politics is rough. Know how to pull your strings. That was not a win. Watch out Oduol!” Alai said in a tweet. Also Read: Police Allow Azimio to Proceed with Kamukunji Rally On Monday, Majority Senators voted to save Oduol from an impeachment motion that had been passed by the Siaya county assembly and adopted by the Senate special committee. Kenya Kwanza Senators ganged up to save Oduol from the jaws of Azimio Senators who supported his impeachment motion. An 11-member ad...

National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi has told the President William Ruto-led administration to prepare for an unstoppable mass action after the Kamukunji meeting set for Tuesday, June 27 While speaking during the ODM party delegate meeting in Nyatike Sub-County on Monday, June 26, Wandayi said the opposition will embark on a serious mass action that might not stop in due course. He added that Azimio will not sit back and see Kenyans suffering because of the high taxation imposed by the government. Moreover, the minority leader said Kenyans are going to resist government’s move to impose more taxes on them. “We want to embark on a new journey at Kamukunji… a lot has been said, but where we have reached now, we must seek direction from the people. The journey that is beginning at Kamukunji may be unstoppable. Depending on what the people will tell us, it will change the politics of this country,” said Wandayi. Also Read:   Azimio Sets Tuesday 27th for Public Rally...

A large number of residents of counties believed to be strongholds of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga are leading in the number of people who have defaulted in paying the Hustler Fund loans. A report issued by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui shows that most of the residents from Western Kenya and Ukambani are not repaying the loans within the required timelines. For example, Machakos, Kilifi, Kakamega, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii and Kitui are among the counties with a large number of Kenyans who applied and received the Hustler Fund loans. But those areas are among the 15 counties whose residents are struggling to pay the Hustler Fund. “Nationally, the repayment rate stands at 69 percent. We’re building a very good story backed by data. I am particularly impressed by the positive attitude shown by the majority of the beneficiaries,” CS Chelugui said. On the other hand, the report shows that residents of the Rift Valley and Moun...

Moja Expressway Company in a statement released on Monday, June 26 announced that the Nairobi Expressway will be temporarily closed on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2. Moja Expressway stated that the temporary closure of the expressway will be done to allow for the Nairobi City Marathon, which is to take place on July 2. “Please note that the Nairobi Expressway will be temporarily closed from Saturday July 1, 2023, at 10 pm to Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 4 pm as we host the 2nd edition of the Nairobi City Marathon,” the notice reads in part. As such, the company has asked motorists to plan their journeys on the mentioned dates. “We kindly request all motorists and commuters to plan their journeys accordingly.” The statement further reads. Also Read:   Nairobi Expressway Hits Sh2billion in Toll Fees Since Launch Nairobi City Marathon was scheduled for May 21 but was later postponed to July 2, due to a clash of dates with another charity race that was set for that same da...

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) now wants the government to review the funding for schools to improve the provision of free education. KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu criticized the way the state has been sending funding for schools saying it is wanting. According to Oyuu, the government’s method of releasing funds in small bits is obstructing operations in both primary and secondary schools. He argued that free basic education will only be sustained if the government disburses sufficient funds in good time to schools and. While speaking during a fundraising at St. Gabriels’ Gagra Catholic Church in Rarieda sub-county, the KNUT Secretary General opined that the capitation for school is still at the rate at which it was stipulated ten years ago yet the cost of living has since doubled. Also Read:  Schools Will Receive Capitation Money Tomorrow – Education CS Oyuu further appealed to the government through the Ministry of Education to consider increasing fu...

It is increasingly clear that a rattled Vladimir Putin’s political end is approaching. All that really matters now is whether it comes sooner or later.  Having appeared on national television to warn of a coup attempt by traitors – and an impending civil war – Putin abruptly reversed his position only a couple of hours later. The Kremlin announced that Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief protagonist, would go into exile in Belarus and all charges against him had been dropped. It’s little wonder that Prigozhin, the one-time hot dog vendor who rose through the ranks of Putin’s patronage to head up the infamous Wagner Group, was at the center of the political maelstrom. Chafing for weeks at the requirement for Wagner fighters to integrate into the Russian armed forces, Prigozhin became enraged when a Wagner base was attacked by Russia’s military. His response was nothing short of extraordinary: to drive a convoy into Russia, swearing to confront Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Rus...

Less than 24 hours after the mutiny began, it was over. As the rebelling Wagner column bore down on Moscow , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal under which Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to drop criminal charges against the mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and allow him to seek asylum in Belarus. The departing Wagner troops were given a heroes’ send-off by some residents of Rostov-on-Don – the southern Russian town they had taken control over without firing a shot earlier in the day. Prigozhin gambled and lost. But he lives to fight another day – for now at least. The events of June 24, 2023, had observers searching for the right term to describe what was going on: Was this a coup attempt, a mutiny, an insurrection? Did Prigozhin seriously think that he would be able to enter Moscow? Perhaps he genuinely believed that Putin would accede to his demand to fire Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov – two men...