LiberalMindsKE

  n a shocking discovery on a ranch hidden in Kenya’s Shakahola Forest, more than 100 people – including children – have been found dead in mass graves. Hundreds more are still missing. Pastor Paul Mackenzie convinced followers of his Good News International Church that the world was ending, though he denies telling them to starve themselves to death. Now, the country is reeling, and Kenyan President William Ruto has called the mass deaths “akin to terrorism”. But it was not the pastor’s first brush with the authorities. Could this have been stopped? And how did one man get hundreds of people to follow him down this path?

 https://www.un.org/en/observances/press-freedom-day?gclid=CjwKCAjw-b-kBhB-EiwA4fvKrA2z6WIE5x6sAOKN4KEF94_S6ZdTGAmCpbx6xwRsOAJpwNIVbUu7NBoCaNAQAvD_BwE

  Africa’s youth are less optimistic about the future of their countries than they were two years ago – and they are even more pessimistic if they live in Kenya, Rwanda, or South Africa. The latest survey conducted by Ichikowitz Foundation, a South African p hilanthropist family says the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing global volatility have raised the level of pessimism. ''Effects of Covid-19 on the economy, instability all play a role in the drop in sentiment, followed by corruption, poor standards of education and the availability of decent jobs.,'' the survey shows.  Most of the young people aged between 18-24 years, however,  are only slightly more positive about the continent’s future. About 77 per cent are scared they will not be able to buy their own homes, with three-quarters of them believing owning land is vital for their financial wellbeing. For this reason, two-thirds of them will marry later than their parents did, 72 per cent intend to have fewer children. ...

  https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/kenya-kwanza-s-arrogance-of-power-4172924 President

  A removal of fuel subsidy has sent petrol and electricity prices to the roof as the country's tax authority hikes excise taxes in an inflation adjustment plan. For many Kenyans, life was unbearable during former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign. But just one day after new president William Ruto’s  inauguration , life is getting more onerous, after the lifting of a fuel subsidy that had kept the price of petrol, diesel and kerosene  the lowest  in eastern Africa. “On fuel subsidy alone, taxpayers have spent a total of $1.2 billion [since 2020],” Ruto said during  his inauguration  before projecting that if it continues till June next year, it will cost Kenyans $2.4 billion. To cushion manufacturers and processors against high production costs, the government has spent  $74 million  in fuel subsidies since April last year. The move is seen as Ruto bowing to  pressure  from the International Monetary Fund, which in July set a new conditio...

  Kenya-based content creators have faulted the William Ruto-led government’s plan to   introduce a 15% withholding tax on income generated from digital content monetization . The proposal to tax content creators in Kenya is part of the many revisions intended for   the Finance Bill . If approved by the nation’s legislature, any income obtained from the monetisation of a creator’s content will be subject to the 15% tax. Although this move will help the East African country widen its tax base, it’s worth exploring the potential implications for those directly affected. The creator economy in Africa is booming with young individuals leveraging platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to advertise products and get paid. Many brands have also signed some of the popular creators, turning them into influencers for products and services.  Interestingly,  a Selar report  found that 66.9% of digital content creators “ hire one staff or more in the first six mon...

https://www.theafricareport.com/279263/kenya-ruto-burdens-kenyans-with-increased-taxes-to-deliver-on-promises/   https://twitter.com/AtwoliDza/status/1616367530595221505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1616367530595221505%7Ctwgr%5E6d8f50b70b6bd8bfbc22f997471adb721ef5a20d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theafricareport.com%2F279263%2Fkenya-ruto-burdens-kenyans-with-increased-taxes-to-deliver-on-promises%2F

“The Finance Bill, 2023 wants to raise revenue through tax, but Kenyans are being crushed by the high cost of living, stagnant and limited income,” it stated. On specific proposals in the Bill, 94 percent of respondents indicated they completely do not support a plan to raise Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel products from 8 percent to 16 percent, as 2.2 percent said they slightly do not support the proposal. This was the proposal rejected by most Kenyans, among the respondents. Only 1.7 percent of the respondents indicated that they completely support the proposal. At least 92.4 percent of the respondents completely do not support the proposed 3 percent house levy (which was revised downwards to 1.5 percent by the National Assembly’s Finance committee), with only 3 percent of respondents indicating complete support. Also, 90 percent of the respondents completely do not support a proposal to raise the excise tax on mobile money transfer services from 12 percent to 15 percent, but 2.5 perce...

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/3/15/how-an-lgbtq-court-ruling-sent-kenya-into-a-moral-panic   The legal pushback against Kenya’s anti-LGBTQ colonial-era laws has unleashed vicious homophobia in the public space. Kenya is in the throes of a full-blown existential moral panic. If the country’s politicians, clergy, self-anointed defenders of “traditional culture” and media are to be believed, the long-dreaded gay zombie apocalypse is upon us, bringing hordes of insatiable homosexuals hungry for our children’s impressionable brains. A February ruling by the Supreme Court that the constitution barred discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has sparked weeks of hysterical breast-beating across the country, with many fearful that it could open Pandora’s closet and precipitate the end of civilisation as we know it. A February ruling by the Supreme Court that the constitution barred discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has sparked weeks of hysterical breast-b...

  In public policy, there is a concept called broken-window theory. In a street for instance, if there are street lights broken by hooligans and not repaired within a certain duration, it sends signals to the other rational citizens that rule enforcement is weak. This is the true picture of our Kenyan society today. We have laws, but they are simply ignored. Every day of the week, we watch as PSVs and even respected school buses overlap other cars, some mount pavements to get a few meters ahead in the traffic, and some speed recklessly when the road opens up. All these happen, sometimes in the full view of our traffic police officers. But that’s not my issue; my concern is on we, the people being transported.  We are knowledgeable Kenyans; we know what is right and what an offence is. But we are quiet when traffic rules are being flouted. We believe we have to break rules to get to our destinations much faster. That there is no reward in being patient with one another. In fact...

https://www.theelephant.info/features/2019/08/30/state-capture-the-institutionalisation-of-impunity-in-kenya/  

  Dear Kenyans, The Judiciary under the leadership of Chief Justice Martha Koome has today appalled us and made a mockery of its constitutional role by presiding over the 7.00am swearing in of 50 illegal Chief Administrative Secretaries (CAS) despite an active case. The case, challenging the appointments of CAS, was due for a mention today at 9.00am. The Judiciary has had numerous opportunities to stop these illegal appointments but failed to act. Instead, the Judiciary by this stroke, is responsible for aiding and abetting impunity. This action undermines the rule of law, and increases the public wage bill, even as Kenyans reel under an economic crisis. When Eliud Matindi and others challenged the CAS appointments, the courts denied them conservatory orders to protect the Constitution. Instead, the court fixed the case for mention (not hearing) today at 9:00am. Yet by sunrise, the same Judiciary had sent a top official to swear in the 50 illegal CAS at StateHouse. These actio...

LiberalMindsKE: The Sheer ineptitude of the Kenyan Government, whe... : https://nation.africa/kenya/news/prayers-then-murder-inside-shakahola-s-holy-betrayal-4234804 https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/opinion/articl...

https://nation.africa/kenya/news/prayers-then-murder-inside-shakahola-s-holy-betrayal-4234804 https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/opinion/article/2001467079/what-the-government-must-do-to-end-menace-of-bandit-attacks https://youtu.be/Q3NE03yeuFU The Kenyan government, under the leadership of President William Ruto, has faced severe criticism for its failure to protect human lives and property in the face of the Shakahola massacre and the banditry menace in regions such as Laikipia and North Eastern Kenya. These incidents have revealed a gross disregard for human rights, impunity, and a lack of effective governance. This article will examines the government's ineptitude in fulfilling its mandate and highlights the need for immediate action to address these pressing issues. Drawing upon reports from various media sources, we shed light on the failures of the present regime and the consequences it has on the lives of Kenyans. The Shakahola Massacre: A Tragic Display of Ineptitude: The Sh...

  A new survey has revealed President William Ruto’s government’s achievements and failures in his first six months in office, according to Kenyans.The research  conducted by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) research firm  shows that Kenyans are most concerned about the high cost of living. Thirty-seven per cent of the respondents cited increased economic hardship as the main area President Ruto has failed so far. Some 14 per cent of Kenyans sampled took issue with the failure to keep campaign promises, while nine per cent cited an increased corruption rate as well as the  dropping of major  corruption cases.“There is widespread agreement that continuing if not increasing economic  hardship is at the top of most Kenyans’ minds, though it seems that much of the content of “campaign promises” that are considered yet to be fulfilled is also of an economic nature,” TIFA’s research analyst Tom Wolff said. Asked about their opinion on the top achiev...

  In the dynamic world of politics, alliances and loyalties can shift swiftly, leaving leaders vulnerable to the whims of changing regimes. Such is the case for Kenya's former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, who finds himself facing mounting frustration and hostility from the current government. This post will delve into the unsettling events surrounding Uhuru Kenyatta's active involvement with opposition politics in Kenya, particularly his association with Raila Odinga. By examining reports from Kenyan newspapers, we will shed light on how the current regime has allegedly employed goons to attack the former president's farms, steal property, and damage the private assets of his family. A Shattered Legacy: The Jubilee Party, once a formidable force in Kenyan politics under the leadership of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, has suffered a precipitous decline in recent years. The party's electoral performance in the 2022 elections was dismal, winning less than 30 seats in t...

  Government Assaulting Sovereignty of Kenyans Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority and independence of a state or nation to govern itself without external interference. The present regime is indeed infringing upon the sovereignty of its citizens, it’s  a serious issue that raises concerns about democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law. Safeguarding sovereignty is crucial for maintaining the rights and freedoms of individuals within a nation. It’s of paramount importance for citizens to actively participate in their country's democratic processes, exercise their right to free speech, and engage in peaceful means of expressing their grievances. Additionally, independent media, civil society organizations, and judicial systems play a vital role in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. The reported incidents of violence against journalists in Kenya, as well as concerns over potential internet and media shutdowns, are indeed seriou...

  Undermining the Fight against Corruption: Cronyism and Nepotism in Kenya's New Administration Since the inauguration of the new administration, Kenya has witnessed a disheartening trend of rewarding loyalists with state jobs in influential positions and the questionable dismissal of corruption cases involving them. This article sheds light on the perceived loss of commitment to fighting corruption, as well as the detrimental impact of cronyism and nepotism on the nation. It emphasizes the need for renewed efforts to restore transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in Kenya. The Rise of Cronyism : The appointment of loyalists to key positions within the government raises concerns about the prevalence of cronyism. Instead of selecting individuals based on merit and qualifications, political affiliations and personal connections seem to be the determining factors. This practice undermines public trust, as it implies that loyalty to the administration is prioritized over...

In recent times, the Kenyan government has been implementing taxation policies that have raised concerns about the denial of growth, hindrance of human rights, and potential economic sabotage. This article delves into the adverse effects of increased taxing, such as housing and fuel taxes, on the people of Kenya. It highlights the impact on economic growth, the infringement on human rights, and the need for a more balanced and inclusive approach to taxation. Stifling Economic Growth: The introduction of new tax regimes, such as housing and fuel taxes, has put an undue burden on the Kenyan people and stifled economic growth. Higher taxes reduce disposable income, leading to reduced consumer spending and business investment. This, in turn, affects employment opportunities, hampers entrepreneurship, and discourages foreign investment. The government's short-sighted approach to revenue generation undermines the potential for economic growth and ...