Finger on the Pulse
Hundreds of families evicted from Mau Forest
Hundreds of families were evicted from the Mau Forest. The eviction was ordered by President Ruto in early October, as he proclaimed the government’s resolve to protect the country’s water towers.
EACC moves to court to recover Ksh 2bn grabbed market land in Kisumu
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is now seeking to recover Kibuye market in Kisumu County from alleged imminent land grabbing. Mr John Oyare Oyieko is accused of grabbing the land, which houses over 5,000 traders, and thereafter demanding to be declared the sole owner. He reportedly demanded the eviction of the traders from the market, or alternatively, the Kisumu County government pays him a Ksh 7 billion compensation to surrender the land.
Musk reportedly considering removing X platform from Europe over EU law
The European Union in August adopted the Digital Services Act (DSA), which sets forth rules for preventing the spread of harmful content, banning or limiting certain user-targeting practices, and sharing some internal data with regulators and associated researchers, among other things.
Elon Musk has discussed removing the app’s availability in the region, or blocking users in the European Union from accessing it.
Rent on gov’t residential houses to be increased by 10% from next month
The Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development has issued a notice to increase monthly rent on all government residential houses by 10%.
Kenya seeks funds to extend SGR to Malaba
Kenya is seeking funds to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project to Malaba after the pull-out of the initial financier. Negotiations have begun towards a joint bid that involves Uganda, DRC and the Republic of Congo seeking to improve the flow of cargo and make the northern corridor competitive. If the bid is successful, the SGR project is expected to extend to Kampala and Kasese heading through Mpondwe near Congo.
President Ruto leaves for 3-day visit to China
President Ruto left the country to attend the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing which focused on cooperation and partnership between nations in matters of infrastructural development. He said that the Forum dubbed “3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)” would also be fostering bilateral relations between Kenya and China.