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Press Review: The day’s top stories at a glance
Today is Friday, March 3, 2023. Today is World Wildlife Day.
You can read the Daily Nation e-paper here: https://epaper.nation.africa/
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s making headlines.
Ruto pledges to cut prices of 6-kg cooking gas cylinders to KES 500 by June
President William Ruto has announced plans to reduce the cost of cooking gas cylinders by over 80% by June this year. The president revealed that a six-kilogram gas cylinder would cost between KES 300 and KES 500, down from the current KES 2,800.
“From June 2023, a 6 kg cylinder of cooking gas will cost KES 500 or KES 300,” said President Ruto during the launch of the Women Enterprise Fund and the Hustler Fund at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). He added that the price reduction would encourage more people to move away from non-renewable energy sources such as firewood, charcoal, and paraffin.
The President also pledged to remove the 8% VAT that gas currently attracts, making it more affordable for Kenyans. To achieve this vision, he plans to crack down on cartels in the gas industry and increase supply and competition in the market. Ruto recently inaugurated the newly built Taifa Gas LPG terminal in Mombasa, which he believes will boost the country’s energy sector and create opportunities for trade and investment in the region.
Makueni man who survived hyena attack killed by marauding elephant
A Makueni man who survived a hyena attack three years ago has died following another attack by a marauding elephant. The incident has highlighted the bad situation of human-wildlife conflict in the county. Angry residents draped the victim’s body in the national flag and prevented the police from collecting it for hours to protest the “lacklustre” response by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wardens to the wild animals’ menace in the region bordering Tsavo East National Park.
“We are tired of rampant attacks by elephants. The government has turned a blind ear to the plight of farmers in this region,” a resident lamented.
Farmers in the sleepy region have reported increased attacks and destruction of crops and properties by elephants in recent months despite efforts by the county government and Tsavo Trust, a local conservancy, to seal off the park using an electric fence.
KWS has been shooting to death or relocating from the region elephants it deems rogue. But this has not prevented the animals from sneaking into farmlands, leading to calls for intensified efforts to stem the elephants’ menace.
Man jailed for 10 years for vandalizing transformer and supplying oil to cook chips
A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison or a fine of KES 10 million after he vandalized a 100kva transformer and supplied the oil to a hotel owner for cooking. The accomplice of Zachary Mwangi Gitau, Elijah Mwangi Muthoga, who operated a hotel at Ol Kalou trading centre, was also jailed for two years or fined KES 200,000 for selling potato chips cooked using transformer oil.
The two were arrested in December 2021 after Kenya Power’s security team raided their premises and found 11 litres of transformer oil that was used to fry chips at the hotel and also repackaged as popcorn cooking oil. Vandalism of transformers is one of the leading causes of power outages.
Kenya Power bosses kicked out of parliamentary committee for being unprepared
Kenya Power’s acting managing director, Geoffrey Muli, and his team were asked to leave a parliamentary committee meeting after failing to explain why the power utility was making losses yet charging customers high amounts in electricity bills.
MPs were also concerned about the negative working capital the firm has posted since 2014, as well as Kenya Power’s revolving door of managing directors. It emerged that government agencies owe the firm Sh19 billion in unpaid reimbursements that the National Treasury collects on its behalf.
Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi dismissed the response as a “joke” and demanded that the board’s chairperson attend the next meeting.
Safaricom launches ATM vicinity check to tackle banking fraud
Safaricom has introduced a new technology called “ATM Vicinity Check,” designed to help commercial banks reduce banking fraud cases. The technology will ensure that cash withdrawals can only be made if the transacting customer is within the vicinity of the machine.
This move aims to combat the rising cases of fraud where criminals use their victims’ cards and information to withdraw funds from ATM points. According to Safaricom, the technology works by comparing the geographical location of the ATM and the customer requesting a withdrawal based on the location of the cell phone mast serving the customer.
Safaricom’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa, stated, “We have developed SIM-Swap-Check and ATM Vicinity Check solutions that we have made available to banks to empower them to reduce fraudulent transactions.”
Anti-Counterfeit Authority confirms authenticity of seized goods worth KES 50M at China Square
Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) confirms authenticity of goods worth KES 50 million seized at China Square. The goods were confiscated after a complaint from Smithmo Company Ltd alleging that China Square was selling counterfeit Finder Tools. However, Smithmo later requested for the complaint to be withdrawn, and ACA conducted a thorough investigation, verifying the authenticity of the goods before releasing them to the rightful owner.
ACA CEO Robi Mbugua Njoroge urged the public to be vigilant when purchasing goods and to report any suspected cases of counterfeit goods. China Square has been accused of underpricing goods, leading to the closure of local traders’ businesses. On Sunday, the retail shop shut down indefinitely to address various issues, including security.
The Chinese Embassy has also requested the Kenyan government to protect its citizens and create a friendly business environment.
Ruto, Raila fault Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ+ lobby
President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have united in condemning the Supreme Court’s ruling that LGBTQ+ lobby groups can be registered. Ruto argued that religious traditions in Kenya do not allow for same-sex marriages.
He vowed that he will not allow same-sex marriages to occur under his watch, and called on religious leaders to stand firm and educate Kenyans.
Raila, meanwhile, accused Ruto of advancing the beliefs of a single religion against Kenya’s laws. He argued that the Supreme Court overstepped its mandate and claimed that the role of making laws is reserved for parliament.
“We respect the Court but… I will not allow it in Kenya,” President William Ruto said.
Kenya shifts foreign policy to allow direct engagement with missions
The Foreign Affairs Ministry will no longer be the only channel for diplomatic communications with other countries, according to a memo sent to all diplomatic missions in the country. The memorandum, issued on March 1, enables foreign missions to directly engage with ministries and agencies, without having to go through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although a copy of any correspondence should be shared with the ministry, the move is aimed at improving efficiency and cutting bureaucratic red-tape.
It has been suggested the change is part of President William Ruto’s efforts to increase foreign investment in Kenya, with his Trade Ministry playing a central role.
Sports
Hustler’s Bazaar to feature in WRC Safari Rally
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has announced the introduction of a hustler’s bazaar during this year’s World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally. The event is scheduled to take place from 24-27 June. The government will provide “customised spaces” at the various rally points, with traders allowed to sell their goods and enjoy the event.
Namwamba said, “Either you are selling traditional baskets, fire-grilled delicacies popularly known as mutura, you will have space in the bazaar and a chance to make money”.
The WRC Safari Rally Organising Committee chairman, Carl “Flash” Tundo, added that the aim is to make the sport “people friendly”.
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