Press Review; The day’s top stories at a glance
Today is Friday, January 27, 2023.
You can read the Daily Nation e-paper here https://epaper.nation.africa/
Here is a quick look at what is making headlines.
KRA to monitor telcos’ daily sales in tax evasion fight
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has raised concerns over mobile telecom firms potentially under-declaring revenue from airtime, internet and mobile money transactions, and plans to give itself real-time access to transactions in order to monitor revenue on a daily basis.
The taxman said that the planned integration of its tax system with telcos, who are among the biggest taxpayers, will allow it to receive taxes daily and will ensure that the full scope of transactions are monitored.
The move follows a successful pilot with betting firms.
KRA commissioner-general Githii Mburu said, “Telcos pay a significant amount of taxes, but we believe there’s much more opportunity and scope if we are to integrate and monitor that on a daily basis using technology.”
Court upholds Kwale Governor Achani’s victory
A High Court in Kwale upheld the victory of Governor Fatma Achani in the August 2022 gubernatorial elections.
Justice Francis Gikonyo ruled that Achani was validly elected and that no evidence was presented before the court to prove allegations of irregularities and voter bribery.
The case was brought by two Kwale residents, who called more than eight witnesses to prove their case against Achani.
Justice Gikonyo ruled that there was no evidence that the elections were rigged, stating “I find and hold that Achani was validly elected in the election conducted on August 9, 2022, for the position of the Governor of Kwale County.”
The judge also dismissed the claim that county employees were paid or promised heavy bonuses to campaign for Achani. The ruling has been met with mixed reactions.
IEBC ordered to reinstate deputy CEO Ruth Kulundu
The Employment and Labour Relations Court has ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to reinstate its deputy CEO, Ruth Kulundu.
Justice Linnet Ndolo ruled that the commission had unlawfully interdicted Kulundu and stated that the allegations against her of assisting four IEBC commissioners to sabotage the electoral process had not been proven.
Furthermore, Justice Ndolo stated that the IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan had violated the commission’s human resource guidebook by acting as judge, jury and executioner.
The ruling also stated that Marjan had breached confidentiality, insubordination, and intimidation of staff in relation to the case.
Stalemate over revenue sharing
The National and county governments have failed to agree on the amount of money to be disbursed to devolved units by the National Treasury in the next financial year.
Following the stalemate, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that a special committee had been formed to unlock the impasse.
Gachagua said governors were demanding KES 425 billion but the Commission on Revenue Allocation has proposed KES 407 billion with the National Treasury indicating it can only raise KES 380 billion.
He said, “We have not been able to reach a decision but I want to confirm that participants are alive to the economic situation that is facing the country and are embracing the give-and-take spirit”.
The committee will report back to us in a week on the agreed amount that will go to counties.
‘Dreaded’ cop Ahmed Rashid accused of killing two youth seeks to block his murder trial
Sgt. Ahmed Rashid, a police officer who is scheduled to be charged with the murder of two youths six years ago, has filed a case seeking to block his trial.
Rashid alleges that non-governmental organizations pressing for his prosecution are using the court process to raise funds and fatten their accounts.
In the application filed under a certificate of urgency by lawyer Danstan Omari, Rashid is questioning the authenticity of a video clip where he is allegedly firing at the victims.
He is also asking the High Court to expunge all the evidence compiled by IPOA in association with other civil rights groups, saying it does not meet the legal threshold.
The case is set to be mentioned on February 8, 2023, for further directions.
SRC dismisses reports of increasing civil servants’ house allowance
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has denied reports that it has increased house and hardship allowances for civil servants.
The commission said it had not issued any circular announcing changes in the allowances as indicated in some media reports.
In a statement, the SRC said, “SRC regrets that public service institutions and other interested parties have been misled and misguided by the story, and in some cases, it has created a false expectation and other unintended consequences.”
The reports, which have been flagged as fake, promised an increase in house allowance, with that of Nairobi-based workers raised from KES 10,000 to KES 16,000.
Safaricom appoints new board chairperson
The board of Safaricom, East Africa’s most profitable company, has appointed Adil Khawaja as its new chairman.
The election of Khawaja comes a month after he joined the firm as a director in a shake-up aimed at aligning the company with the new administration.
He has previously served on the boards of other top Kenyan firms, including Kenya Power and KCB.
Among the projects he will help shepherd at Safaricom is the scaling up of operations in neighbouring Ethiopia, following the launch of its network there last year.
“I am honored to have been elected as the chairman of Safaricom, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board and management team as we continue to drive the company’s growth and success,” said Khawaja.
Sports
Gor Mahia wants Raila to postpone Sunday rally for Mashemeji Derby
Gor Mahia Football Club has appealed to opposition leader Raila Odinga to reschedule his planned rally on January 29 to allow supporters of both clubs to attend the Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards.
In a letter dated January 26, Club Secretary General Samuel Ochola said, “As our dear Patron, we wish to remind you of our Masherneji Derby Clash with AFC Leopards at 3 p.m. – Nyayo Stadium; the same clay where you will be holding a consultative meeting cum demo.”
He added, “We also appeal to you to consider either rescheduling the demo or having it and in good time to enable the supporters of both Clubs to make their way to the stadium in time for the derby.”
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