Goverment

Progress in Kenya-US Bilateral trade talks: United States Trade Representative’s proposal on key agreement areas

As negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between Kenya and the US under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) continue, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released summaries of texts proposed on the areas covered by the agreement.  One of these, the Services

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KEEPING YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE

Speaking in a Cabinet meeting held at State House Tuesday, President William Ruto read the riot act to Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries saying that wastage and corruption will not be condoned in his administration. This comes hot on the heels of the sacking of

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Analysing the government’s justification behind the Finance Bill

The Finance Bill 2023 proposes a raft of tax measures, some of which appear to have explored some uncharted territory. This is the first Bill under the new regime and it is grappling with several challenges. A good number of the proposals are aimed at

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Quarterly Economic and Budgetary Review: Analysis of 3rd Quarter FY2022/2023 (Ending March 31, 2023)

The National Treasury recently published the Third Quarter report for the financial year 2022/2023 per the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. Below are some of the highlights of the Report.    Economic Growth   The report reveals that economic growth witnessed in

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Unveiling the fallout: An Analysis of Kemsa scandals and Health PS termination

In the past decade, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) has been involved in one scandal after another. Every other year, Kemsa is embroiled in what are mostly procurement-related scandals. It, therefore, came as no surprise when on Monday, May 16th 2023, Health Cabinet Secretary

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Financing higher education: Why the new funding model might be the answer to solving financial crises in public universities

The demand for higher education in Kenya has increased despite inadequate funding from various stakeholders. This has led to the cost-sharing policy where the government and parents or stakeholders/donors (households) share the costs of higher education. The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) provides students with

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Highlights of the Finance Bill 2023: Tax changes and proposals by Kenya Kwanza government

The Finance Bill 2023 is the first fiscal legislative proposal under the Kenya Kwanza administration, aimed at implementing the Bottom Up Transformation Agenda. The Kenyan economy is expected to maintain a 6.1% growth rate over the medium term, with leading indicators showing strong performance in

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‘Maandamano’ Monday and Thursday: Analysis of possible solutions to end demonstrations

Things were calm after the August 9, 2022, General Election. Kenyans returned to their normal routines after the results of the polls were announced. However, a few months after the highly contested elections, the leader of the opposition, Mr Raila Odinga, called for protests for

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Despatch from the Cabinet: Highlights from the March 20 communique

The country’s national policy organ, the Cabinet, reconvened on 20th March 2023 under the leadership of President William Ruto. In the meeting, the Cabinet considered a number of bills and policy documents that aim to enhance economic productivity through agriculture, investments, trade, and industry. Key

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Only time can tell whether gov’t efforts to tame biting cost of living and inflation will bear fruits

The cost of living in Kenya has escalated in the past few years due to a combination of factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic, changing weather patterns, drought and increase in the price of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs. Annual inflation in Kenya went above

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Internal and external security threats rock new government’s boat

  Five months since President William Ruto was sworn in as the Commander-in-Chief, the threat to Kenyan national security has been on upward trend.   Externally, success in the Somali battleground against Al Shabab by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Somali army, has had

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To fight alcoholism, govt must not ignore the economy and illicit drinks

President William Ruto recently made a pronouncement that it was high time the country fought against alcoholism. The President’s statement was as a result of the increased rate of alcohol and drug abuse in Central Kenya which has been attributed to unregulated alcohol selling joints. 

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Office of the Attorney-General in Kenya: Functions, powers and duties

The Office of the Attorney-General in Kenya dates back to 1906. Over the years, with successive governments, the powers changed and evolved until the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 which cemented the roles and functions of the Attorney-General. According to Article 156 of

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Ruto administration to merge higher education funding and placement to enhance efficiency amidst row over bursaries in counties

President William Ruto has denounced claims that he plans to get rid of the Higher Education Loan Board (HELB). Speaking during an interview with journalists at State House, Nairobi, on Friday, January 6, he said his administration is geared towards strategic measures and solutions for

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Gachagua and Mudavadi: Duties, overlapping roles and likely outcomes

The Office of the President recently issued the first Executive Order of the year 2023. The Executive Order entails organisation of the Kenyan Government. The Executive Order comes after President William Ruto introduced the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary following his successful win in

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9th December 2022 Kenya Gazette

PUBLIC SECTOR Appointments: Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kithure Kindiki, has appointed: Silas K. Sachida, Masika M. Mukuyuni, Geoffrey Wanyoike, and Moses Mucheru Hopkins M. Hoyt to be fingerprint experts.   Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Zachariah Njeru,

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A stitch in time to tame doping saves Kenya from global athletics ban

The Kenyan government pledged to provide an additional $5 million a year for the next five years to strengthen Kenya’s anti-doping programmes. This proved to be the magic bullet that saw Kenyan athletics survive the looming global ban from World Athletics due to a flood

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25th November 2022 Parliamentary Round Up

Tuesday 22nd November; The Senate MOTION   The County Governments Additional Allocations (No. 2) Bill (Senate bills No. 4 of 2022) (Resumption of debate interrupted on Thursday, November 17, 2022 – Afternoon Sitting)     Integrating Climate Education into the National Education Curriculum.    

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As it starts working, Ruto administration walks a fine line

A familiar scenario has played out in the last two weeks. Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said he would be issuing the legal instruments needed to allow duty-free maize imports and a few days later, a ship with 10,000 tons of maize docked

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11th November 2022 Finger on the Pulse

Significant political events of the week:  Monday 7th, November Wednesday 9th, November, Thursday 10th , November,  While in a meeting with his Cabinet, President William Ruto urged them to uphold the rule of law as they settle down to deliver on their mandate under the

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What next after Ruto reverts operations to Mombasa Port from SGR and Naivasha dry port?

Traders and transporters who were disadvantaged by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)  and Naivasha dry port, can now smile after President William Ruto reverted most operations to the Mombasa Port. President Kenyatta had ordered that most cargo landing in Mombasa be ferried to Naivasha for

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Ruto’s legislative agenda: Bid to reform pension plan vs reality

President William Ruto during Thursday’s joint Parliament address on his legislative agenda mentioned that his government was concerned about the welfare of the social security infrastructure. He was referring to both the public National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and private pensions, noting that no Kenyan

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The push to raise cash transaction limit while guarding against money laundering

During President Ruto’s inauguration speech on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, he noted that his campaign team had received complaints from traders about the onerous burden involved in cash transactions exceeding KSh 1 million. He further asserted that many of them have reverted to storing money

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Media relationship with the State worth watching in the new administration

The decision by the new administration to deny the media the rights to livestream the inauguration of President William Ruto has marked the start of a rocky relationship with the Fourth Estate. Last weekend, the media was up in arms over the directive that they

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Slaying state capture: The how and what next if the Ruto administration takes action 

The Kenya Kwanza manifesto proposes to set up a quasi-judicial commission of inquiry into state capture within 30 days of the new administration. The commission would aim to establish the extent of cronyism and state capture in Kenya and make recommendations. Transparency International has defined

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Government business continuity following anticipated mass resignation of key public officers

Succession in government offices has been making headlines following the announcement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that public officers seeking elective posts should resign.The IEBC has gazetted notice that public officers vying in the August elections, should resign from public office on

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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NOTICES POSTINGS, PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS WITHIN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Vide a press release issued on 23rd July, 2021, H.E. Hon Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of  Kenya, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces has today promoted Maj Gen Francis 0 Ogolla

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Suluhu brings solutions to Kenya and Tanzania

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan arrived in Kenya on Tuesday this week following an invite from President Uhuru Kenyatta. The relationship between the two countries took a nosedive during the presidency of the late John Pombe Magufuli, her predecessor.

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BBI at a glance: Uniting Kenya through legal and policy reforms

The Steering Committee on the implementation of the Building Bridges Initiative made recommendations on the implementation of the Report, which are structured in the following thematic areas: Constitutional; Legislative; Policy; and Administrative. Proposed Constitutional Reforms Chapter Two on formative aspects of the Republic. This chapter

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Highlights of Virtual 2020 Taxpayers Day- 6th November 2020

The main objective of the occasion was to recognize taxpayers from various sectors of the economy for their contribution towards nation-building. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme; “Enhancing Tax Administration for Economic Sustainability’’ similar to the Tax Summit. During the meeting, the Commissioner

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COVID-19: Global trade value chains, taxation, and recovery

Ideally, removing the non-tariff barriers that remain the biggest hindrance to continental trade can foster regional integration, which must play a key role in the crisis recovery strategies in Africa.

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Combating Tax Evasion: Intelligence-driven approaches

The commendable progress made so far can only mean one thing: the days for tax
evasion perpetrators are continually diminishing. Through such collaborations, the
country is now better equipped to emancipate tax revenues trapped in the intricate
web of tax evasion schemes.

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Excellent service delivery is key to KRA’s successful delivery of mandate

CRM is a state-of-the-art system which has revolutionised how KRA engages with taxpayers virtually. Diversification of the virtual customer assistance platforms is informed by the need to take care of the equally diversified base of taxpayer

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Treasury’s take: Impact of Covid-19 on Kenya’s Economy

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 has caused the most severe global economic setback. Its impact to our economy includes:
-Loss of lives
-Decline in demand of Kenya’s goods and services,
-Job losses,
-Decline in household earnings,
-Heavy public expenditures towards health sector and social
protection,
-Decline in revenue due to subdued economic activities.
Kenya’s GDP is projected to decline to 2.5 % in 2020 compared to a growth of 5.8 % in 2019.

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End of Cabinet working recess: Goodies in Cabinet Despach

The Cabinet ended a two week working vacay on the 28th August and had its first Cabinet Meeting yesterday the 10th of September. The focus areas of the meeting, according to a despatch released soon after, were an economic stimulus as well as seminal programmes and projects under the Big Four agenda.

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Highlights: Draft Consumer Protection Guidelines

Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has released draft consumer protection guidelines for public review and comment. The guidelines are to protect the users and consumers of communications services with regard to the prices, the quality and variety of services.

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Temporary closure of Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi

On 29th July, 2020 the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya issued a notice to the public indicating that Milimani Law Courts would be closed for the next fourteen days with effect from 30th July, 2020. The reason given is that some members of

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FINANCIAL SERVICES ROUND UP

President Uhuru Nominates Nancy Janet Kabui Gathungu for position of auditor General. Her name has been forwarded to Parliament for vetting.

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KENYA WINS BIG: AFRICA’S REPRESENTATIVE AT THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

On 18th June 2020 Kenya won the bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council defeating Djibouti by 67 votes.  As part of the UNSC, Kenya joins 9 other non-permanent members and 5 permanent members including the United States, United Kingdom of

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DIVISION OF REVENUE IMPASSE: THE SUPREME COURT SPEAKS

Today, the Supreme Court of Kenya issued an advisory opinion on a dispute between the National Assembly and Senate, regarding the Division of Revenue Bill for the Financial Year 2019/2020. The Division of Revenue Bill for the Financial Year 2019/2020 was not enacted into law, in

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KENYA TOURISM SECTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Highlights International Visitors Arrivals 2,048,834 Top 20 source markets for 2019 were: USA Uganda Tanzania United Kingdom India Age of visitors to Kenya 33-44 (30%) 25-34 (29%) 45-54 (18%) 18-24 (11%) 55-64 (8%) Purpose of visit Holiday (63%) Business (13%) Visiting family and friends

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The energy and petroleum regulatory authority (EPRA) 2019 energy sector overview and 2020 outlook

2019 achievements Electricity Sub-Sector The Olkaria 5 Unit I and II with an installed capacity of 158MW The 310MW Lake Turkana Wind Power The 50MW Garissa Solar Plant These three projects have seen the country’s installed capacity increase to 2819MW The Petroleum Sub-Sector Key highlights

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VELLUM WEEKLY: KENYA GAZETTE SUMMARY 24 January 2020

Legislative Supplements Declaration of Special Economic Zone The Kenya Trade Network Agency Order, 2011 The Competition Act—Exclusions The  Nutritionists  and  Dieticians  (Entry Requirements)  (Training  Institutions) Regulations, 2019 The Nutritionists and Dieticians (Training Institutions) (Fees) Regulations, 2019 The Crops (Food Crops) Regulations, 2019 The  Land  Adjudication 

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We can’t afford Sh5 billion special fund for cities, MPs say

CRA argues that the five major cities in Kenya play a significant role in economic development

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Ruto changes strategy, warns against early campaigns in his name

After his latest statement, the DP appears to be changing tack

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Ban on Plastic Bags

The National Environmental Management Authority (“NEMA”) has clarified that the Plastics ban shall apply to all plastic carrier bags and flat bags used for commercial and household packaging, including garbage bags.

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Urban Areas and Cities Bill

12th Parliament 2017 – 2019 – Session 15 The Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Bill, (the “Bill”) was read a first time in the Senate on 7 November 2017. The Bill is sponsored by Kipchumba Murkomen, the Senator for Elgeyo Marakwet County. The Bill follows

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