The Finance Bill 2024, which revealed the government’s taxation plans for the next financial year, has sparked a huge debate in the country. One thing stands out: many Kenyans, including workers, churches, and business people, oppose it. According to a Poll by Infortrack, Kenyans say that the country is headed in the wrong direction, citing the taxes proposed in the Finance Bill. 63% of Kenyans are not happy with the tax regime and the state of the economy. Over 80% of Kenyans opposed the 16% VAT on basic commodities like bread, VAT on financial transactions, motor vehicle tax, and the disclosure of personal data for taxation purposes. The cost of doing business, high cost of living, and unemployment rates are major concerns for Kenyans in the Finance Bill. The Proposals in the Finance Bill risk putting Kenya at a high risk of job losses and an economic crisis as businesses threaten to exit the Kenyan market. More and More Companies Leaving Kenya Digital ride-hailing platforms such as Bolt and Uber have already threatened to leave the country over the Significant Economic Presence Tax (SEP) set at six percent. According to the platforms, if Parliament approves the SEP’s proposals, they will face unsustainable operational costs. Uber App SEP is meant to tax the income from multinational companies with a substantial economic presence in Kenya. The tax will be imposed on non-resident persons earning income from services rendered in Kenya through digital marketplaces. Uber and Bolt’s representatives argued that increased taxation would eat out their small earnings and affect even the drivers’ income. This would eventually lead to a total collapse of operations and job losses, which is not good for a country already struggling with high unemployment rates. Uber and Bolt are not the only companies that have threatened to leave the country. Many multinational companies, some of which have been in the country for over 60 years, are packing up and leaving. GlaxoSmithKline is one of the companies that had earlier announced that it would be exiting the Kenyan market due to the high cost of doing business. Bayer, a biotechnology company with over 200 employees in the country, also announced its departure. Procter and Gamble, a multinational manufacturer of home products, also made the heartbreaking announcement of leaving the country. An illustration of taxes going high According to the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya is still facing more job losses as taxation continues to hurt businesses in the country. But what is Kenya gaining from the high taxes that are worth driving away investors and causing massive job losses? Well, they argue that it’s the only way to save the economy, which is already on its deathbed.
Paris Olympics 2024: Is Russia Trying to Disrupt the Event
Russia is using fake news and a false AI-generated documentary to undermine the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France. The Russian government has been on the neck of any nation seen to support Ukraine in any way, and the Olympic Games is a touch point to stoke fear about security at the event. Could the country be retaliating after its athletes were barred from participating in the games using their flag but as neutral competitors? Microsoft released news that propagandists in Russia had created a 60-minute documentary. The video imitated American and French intelligence agencies issuing false security warnings telling people to avoid the events. The documentary gives the impression that the games might be ruined by terrorist attacks. The Microsoft report stated that the Russian disinformation started towards the end of 2023. It was presented in digitally generated images that showed graffiti in Paris, which was a threat against Israeli athletes attending the games. These instances referenced the 1972 killings where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian militants in Munich. It is described as the most alarming disinformation shared by Russians impersonating militant groups, falsifying threats to the event while the Israel-Hamas war intensifies. The campaigns are spread by two Russian-supported groups named Storm-1679 and Storm-1099, also known as “Doppelganger.” Storm-1099 has used forged French News Websites to amplify Russian claims of potential violence during the games and International Olympic Committee, I.O.C., corruption allegations. Similarly, in June last year, the same group, Storm-1099, created a feature film they called “Olympic has Fallen” to belittle the I.O.C. leadership. Microsoft claimed that the movie used phony AI-generated sounds of American star Tom Cruise to narrate it and a Netflix logo and tricked other American celebrities into endorsing it with the help of the customized video message website Cameo. Olympics has Fallen Video poster However, the video was removed from YouTube, which has caused the groups to shift to other sites like Telegram. The initiative made it evident that the content producers put in a lot of work on the project and were more skilled than other influencer campaigns so far. It is also alleged that the tactics used to spread fake news could also be used during U.S. and European elections. Officials from France and the U.S. have monitored the campaign. According to an American official, Russian disinformation propagated by the Kremlin through social media still poses a threat to the security of the U.S. and its closest allies. French President Emmanuel Macron has also voiced his concerns over the documentaries. Speaking when opening the new Olympic swimming center, the president undoubtedly believes Russia is working tirelessly to release such propaganda. “Every day, Russia is putting out stories that we are not able to do this or that, implying that the games will be at risk.” Portal Kombat, a network of websites formed in Russia, is suspected of disseminating fake news. For instance, the assertion that French soldiers are currently operating in Ukraine and that President Macron aborted his trip to Kyiv due to concerns of an attempted assassination. Why France is Targeted It seems that the Storm-1679 group is now producing easier-to-make, shorter videos. The videos were centered on demeaning Ukrainian refugees living in the West, but they moved to the Olympics when French President Emmanuel Macron started to explore deploying his military to Ukraine openly. President Macron with other government officials and swimmers during the opening of Olympic Aquatic Center. For the first time, the president stated that if the terrorist threat increases, there will be backup plans for the July Olympic inaugural ceremony. “We will be ready,” the president said. The 26 July ceremony is currently scheduled to occur aboard boats in the Seine River. Over 300,000 spectators are expected to watch from the waterfronts. Experts have cautioned that there is a high risk of a terrorist strike on this occasion. French officials have spent months considering how Russia might sabotage the Games. Russian intelligence-affiliated hackers interrupted the 2018 Winter Olympics inauguration in South Korea, and French officials are bracing for further cyber-attacks this year. Following threats against highly publicized football matches in Paris and an Islamic State attack in Moscow in March, France increased its terrorist warning level. For the Olympics, France has also stepped up security. Though the Russian disinformation campaign aims to intimidate people into staying away from the Olympics, neither French nor American officials are issuing warnings to that effect. Shifted Target in the U.S. and Europe Microsoft researchers and U.S. government officials have discovered several Kremlin-affiliated organizations disseminating false information against the U.S. and Europe. President Putin Aides to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin oversee some of them. Others work for Russian intelligence. Others are people who go undercover as nonprofit organizations. Another group is former employees of the St. Petersburg-based troll farm Internet Research Agency, which disseminated election-related propaganda in 2016. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the agency, was a mercenary organization founder who spearheaded a revolution against the Kremlin before dying in an aircraft crash last year. Storm-1679 creates close to eight short films weekly. They are produced in French and English, imitating Al Jazeera, B.B.C., and other renowned channels. They are quick to spread news events such as protests in any part of France, while others amplify the possibility of an attack in Paris. To an unsuspecting online audience, the videos may seem to be legitimate C.I.A. videos with their logo, but they are not. In one of the videos, the group reported that 24% of the tickets issued have been returned due to fear. With the Olympic date drawing near, the French government cannot sit back and watch. The legislative branch has proposed creating stiff laws that would punish any individual or organization caught spreading propaganda. On the other hand, French people and others who are preparing to participate in the event have a role to play. There is a need for “internet hygiene.” Ensure you consume content from verified news channels. When you come across a video
What Measures Should the Government Take To Lower the High Cost of Living?
Since the Kenya Kwanza administration took power, most Kenyans have been grappling with the high cost of living. Whether one works in the formal or informal sector, we can all feel the heat. Although the country was not doing well economically before the 2022 general elections due to a prolonged drought in the same year, after President William Ruto clinched the presidency seat, things moved from bad to worse. The Kenya shilling started depreciating against major trading currencies. Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the global supply of foodstuff items such as cooking oil was disrupted, further increasing the cost of living. Despite these challenges, the government can still take several measures to lower the high cost of living. Below are some helpful measures the government can undertake to mitigate this situation today. A person holding kenyan money 1. The Government Should Lower Taxes on Various Basic Commodities One factor that has hurt the budget of many Kenyan households is the high prices of basic commodities. For instance, if the Finance Bill 2024 is gazetted, consumers will likely have to part with Ksh.160 more for every liter of edible oil. This will become a reality once the 25% on exercise duty proposal on both refined and raw cooking is unamended. If this happens, the price of meals, even in hotels and roadside sellers, will increase significantly, further hurting the common man on the street. Other essential commodities that might witness a sharp rise in cost include diapers, bread, etc. If the government is interested in lowering the already high cost of living, it should lower or exempt taxes on most of these basic commodities. 2. The Government Should Increase Per Capita Income With little or no income, most people cannot afford the basic necessities of life. For this reason, the government should aim to increase per capita income so that most people can afford to pay for different commodities and bills even when inflation has increased. One way to do this is by creating employment opportunities for young people. Additionally, the government should be an enabler of business so that those in this sector can make more profits and afford a decent lifestyle. Policies that encourage people to immerse themselves in entrepreneurship should be enhanced so that those who do not have a formal job, can venture into this field and generate an income. By doing this, joblessness will be a thing of the past and the economy will grow tremendously. A team of entrepreneurs 3. The Government Should Continue Lowering the Cost of Farm Inputs Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy. For this reason, the government is making efforts to ensure that farmers purchase farm inputs such as fertilizer at a relatively lower price by offering the Free Fertilizer Subsidy Program. In addition to this program, the government should make other farm inputs affordable so that farmers can produce more on their farms. This will not only increase food security in the country but also make food items more affordable. Since most Kenyan households spend about 60% on food items, this amount will reduce, thereby enabling them to save more and cater for other expenses. Final Words Like other countries, Kenya has faced tough economic challenges in the past. Although these challenges have contributed significantly to the current high cost of living, implementing the ideas mentioned above can help make Kenyans’ lives easier. In the coming days, we hope the government will put into practice those ideas so that Kenyans’ disposable income can increase and lower the cost of living.
TVETs in Kenya: Are the Students Evading the High University Costs?
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services, KUCCPS, recently released students’ placements. The 2023 KCSE candidates were placed in different universities and colleges according to their grades. According to the KUCCPS, 258,935 students are scheduled to join different programs. Seven hundred thirty-four will attend Diploma Secondary Technical Training Centers, while 9529 will join Primary Technical Training Centers. Sixty-three thousand nine hundred twenty-one students have been placed in Ministry of Education TVETs, 3963 in non-Ministry of Education TVETs. Public universities placed 134,743 students, while private universities placed 1558, and 19,653 were placed in KMTC. Traditionally, getting a university education was seen as the definition of academic excellence, not anymore. The story is changing, with many students choosing technical colleges over universities even after surpassing the cut-off points to join universities. The placement board raised a concern that close to 600k students didn’t apply for university opportunities despite having the needed grades. At the University Every year, thousands of our university students graduate. However, they live to tarmac looking for a job. Are the studies learned in the universities relevant to our society? Do they solve our country’s problems, or do they deter us from realizing our challenges and strategies for overcoming them? Unfortunately, one must look for a job after university studies, yet the cost of going through the system is exorbitantly high. The high number of unemployed degree students makes the market competitive. This makes these students continue to pursue higher education to earn master’s and PhD degrees, thus using more money. Undoubtedly, the high costs and skill-focused training in TVETs make technical training a preference for many. The Technical Training Institutes, TTIs, as they were known before, were seen as a place of learning for students who had failed their national exams. The perspective has changed after these students make it in life and greatly contribute to the country’s economic growth. In the job market, most degree holders, even master’s students, have gone back to pursue a diploma in their area of specialty. Employers are looking for candidates with hands-on skills, especially in technical roles. However, it should be noted that education qualifications have their place, especially in managerial roles. KUCCPS stand in ASK Machakos show From culinary schools with state-of-the-art kitchen equipment to mechanical or automotive garages with modern equipment, students learn skills that they continue to employ in their jobs. These skills also give these students the opportunity to be self-employed from the moment they leave class. This disposition usually makes them financially independent from a young age. The Cabinet Secretary for Education has encouraged students to consider technical learning. Speaking when TVETs were celebrating a century since their establishment in Kenya, Mr. Machogu informed the citizens that the ministry is ready to hold exhibitions and even competitions to inspire more students to enroll in these courses. The permanent secretary of the State Department for TVETs, Dr Esther Muoria, also emphasized the government’s intention to ensure students receive the needed learning in these colleges. She stated that the government has been ensuring that the colleges have skilled trainers and required equipment, not forgetting the in-demand and relevant skill learning. The country has indeed seen the benefits of these courses. Besides finding employment in the local job market, some students have found employment opportunities in foreign arenas. Some of the courses done in technical institutes include electrical technicians, plumbing, masonry, carpentry, medical training in nursing and medical assistance, and information technology studies in cyber security, network administration, and software development. Other courses are in agriculture, the environment, and natural resources management. Culinary students Think about a person who has specialized in tile placement or modern ceiling installation. They will acquire these skills in class, continue to improve on their craft while working, and become experts in it. While we cannot dismiss university education, we also cannot underestimate the value TVET training offers by offering practical, in-demand skills. Technical graduates start their careers with a competitive job advantage, and as they advance, they are able to command higher salaries.
Religious Fanaticism and What Kenyans Go through in the Name of Salvation
One of the things you can never argue and win with a Kenyan is a topic about religion. You can only choose to be a believer or a non-believer. And yes, if you don’t subscribe to some people’s religious ideologies, you will be branded a sinner. But what has religion not done for Kenyans and Africa as a whole? If you view it from an expert point of view, you’ll understand that religion is the biggest disease ailing Africa. Many churches are not holy places anymore; they are businesses where the language of money dominates more than biblical teachings. Pastors use all kinds of tactics to milk money from their congregants. They quote a few bible verses of how the poor widow gave everything she had. They’ll tell you how 10 percent of your income doesn’t belong to you, and you’re stealing from God by keeping it. These tactics are to guilt trip you into giving away your hard-earned finances. Money aside, we’re not new to stories where pastors ask women for sexual favors in return for spiritual intervention. Videos often circulate on social media showing how some pastors pray for their congregants while touching their fundamental body parts. Don’t mention fake miracles showing people standing directly from wheelchairs or even the dead resurrecting. Pastor praying for a woman These stories only leave us with one question; how can sane people allow themselves to be used like that? The answer is simple: religious fanatism. Religious Fanatism and the Damage It Has Done to Kenyans If there’s one freedom that has been abused in Kenya, it’s the freedom to worship. People have gone to dangerous lengths to exercise this freedom. They have exercised their faith and beliefs in completely unreasonable ways. The story about Shakahola took the media waves by storm earlier last year. Paul Mackenzie, let’s not give him the ‘pastor’ title, was accused of religious radicalization back in 2017, only to be released back to society in 2021. During his earlier arrest, parents had accused him of advocating for their children not to go to school. Pastor Paul Mackenzie After he was released, Mackenzie was again back in the limelight in early 2023. This time, the story was extremely terrifying. Everything began with a family looking for their two missing children. A simple search for the children led to the discovery of hundreds of shallow mass graves with 600 people missing. This was later to be called a massacre in Shakahola. Mackenzie gave his congregants a false hope of Christianity, getting them to fast to death. People came from all over Kenya, some from Kisumu and Kakamega all the way to Malindi, where the fake pastor even gave them land. Some believers sold their property back home, abandoned their careers, and cut off family ties to join the pastor. Mackenzie made his congregants believe that fasting to death was their way of achieving eternal life and meeting Jesus. The fasting started with children, who were denied food and water until they breathed their last. Parents followed suit, fasting for days until their bodies couldn’t handle it anymore. Shakahola mass graves being exhumed Dating from April last year to date, more than 400 bodies have been exhumed from Shakahola, with scores still missing. How much harm did the preacher manage to cause within just two years? While the Shakahola case is regarded as the worst form of religious extremism ever witnessed in Kenya, it’s just another example of how Kenyans have become gullible to religion. Many are highly brainwashed by the so-called ‘men of God’ and are unable to make sound decisions. These people are not ready to listen to any advice and become extremely defensive if you question their religious ideologies. Kenyan and the entire Africa still have a long way to go as far as Christianity and religion are concerned.