Hello, and welcome to The Kenya Times weekly roundup! If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news, you already know this week was a rollercoaster.
From high-stakes politics shaking up the nation to looming threats in the education sector. Buckle up as we take you through the top stories that had people talking!
Rigathi Gachagua Impeached by Landslide
Starting off our weekly roundup is the big news involving Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. DP Gachagua was sent packing after 282 MPs voted in support of his impeachment.
The National Assembly was abuzz as Gachagua fiercely defended himself in an attempt to deconstruct the 11 charges leveled against him, from tribal politics to undermining State officials like the Director of National Intelligence, Noordin Haji.
However, the son of the mountain didn’t back down easily, pulling out video clips as evidence to counter the accusations, and justifying his wealth as largely inherited from his late brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua.
The session was heated, with Minority Leader Junet Mohamed slamming Gachagua for his divisive rhetoric, quoting, “You are not allowed to form a Mlima political party.”
He also condemned claims that impeaching Gachagua meant ousting Ruto, clarifying that, “We cannot allow the driver to die because the makanga wants to take the steering wheel by force.”
On his part, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah added fuel to the fire, assuring Central Kenya that Gachagua’s removal wouldn’t fracture the region, declaring, “The mountain is intact!”
The Deputy President’s fall from grace, just two years into his term, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Now, his fate now lies at the hands of the Senate.
Why Schools Could Be Forced to Close Early- Weekly roundup
Kenyan secondary schools are on the brink of a crisis that could force them to close doors prematurely.
The issue? A major shortfall in capitation funds. Schools expected to receive Ksh22,244 per student for tuition, but the government has only disbursed Ksh15,192, leaving a gaping deficit of Ksh7,052.
To further complicate the situation, schools were required to deposit Ksh3,850 for infrastructure, leaving them with an even bigger deficit in their budgets.
Willy Kuria, the Kenya Secondary Schools Head Association (KSSHA) chairman, raised alarm, warning that inflation and skyrocketing commodity prices have further strained the already stretched resources.
In addition, schools are now struggling to fund even basic operations, and the looming KCSE exams have exacerbated the pressure.
Kuria didn’t hold back, saying, “There’s already a serious financial crisis in schools, and it’s not possible to complete the term if the remaining capitation isn’t released.”
With some schools unable to administer end-of-year exams or even buy necessary material, the threat of closures is looming. It’s a race against time, and the fate of many students hangs in the balance.
KNEC Announces New Exam Paper Features
As schools grapple with financial crunch, the weekly roundup looks at the introduction of new features for the 2024 KCSE exam papers by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), in an aim to tackle cheating head-on.
During the launch of this year’s national exams season, Education CS Julius Ogamba revealed that the KCSE papers would be personalized, with candidates’ names, index numbers, and other personal details pre-printed on the papers.
Rehearsals for the exams will begin on October 18, with the exams kicking off on October 22. The KCPE equivalent, KPSEA, will run from October 28 to 30.
CS Ogamba emphasized the importance of adhering to the new guidelines to ensure the credibility of the exams.
KNEC CEO, Dr. David Njengere, disclosed the number of candidates set to sit for both the KCSE and KPSEA and announced the acquisition of additional containers to ensure a smooth exam process.
Notably, this year marks the end of traditional ceremonies to announce the results for KPSEA and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), with both now integrated under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
These changes, particularly the personalized papers, aim to revolutionize the way exams are managed in Kenya, enhancing security and fairness for students.
Pay Bills Transactions to be Linked to KRA
The weekly roundup also looks at the announcement that all M-PESA Pay Bills and Till Numbers will soon act as virtual electronic tax receipt systems (ETRs), in a bold move to widen Kenya’s tax base.
Senior Government Advisor Moses Kuria confirmed the decision, explaining that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) would now be able to access over 2 million digital payment touchpoints across banks and telcos.
Kuria argued that while Kenya’s current 200,000 ETR devices are insufficient, this new system would be a game changer in streamlining VAT collection.
Kuria highlighted the simplicity and universality of M-PESA as one of Kenya’s strengths, with even those with limited education able to navigate digital payments seamlessly.
“Kenya is the only country where someone who has never gone to school can make digital payments through MPESA,” he said, pointing out the potential for a massive ‘digital tax harvest.’
The plan will ensure greater transparency and reduce tax evasion, with ETRs now tracking transactions in real time, sending electronic invoices directly to KRA.
In addition, the move is expected to modernize Kenya’s tax collection, aligning with global trends in digitizing payments while ensuring no loopholes for tax dodgers.
However, the former CS was forced to clarify on the plans following widespread uproar from Kenyans and uncertainty.
Kuria explained that his comments were not only directed to virtual payment platform M-PESA but all payment service providers in general.
“My attention has been drawn to media reports that my comments on Virtual ETRs at the KRA Summit yesterday were directed at M-PESA only. This is erroneous as I meant all Payment Service Providers including Telcos and Banks. It’s an industry issue,” he said.
Zambia Suspends Kenya Airways Flights
Switching gears in our weekly roundup, national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) faced a significant setback this week as Zambia suspended all KQ flights effective October 8, 2024.
The move came after Kenya denied Zambia Airways permission to operate flights to Nairobi using a wet-leased B737-700 aircraft.
In a letter to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Zambian Civil Aviation Authority revealed that multiple appeals to reconsider this decision had been made, all without success.
The suspension of KQ flights will have a considerable impact on the many passengers who rely on Kenya Airways for travel between the two countries. KQ operates two daily flights from Nairobi to Lusaka—one direct and one with a stopover in Harare.
Zambian authorities, frustrated by the lack of response from KCAA and Kenya’s Ministry of Transport, initiated the suspension after numerous attempts to resolve the matter, including reaching out via email and WhatsApp.
In response, Kenya Airways issued a statement hours later, assuring customers that it was in discussions with Zambian authorities and expected flights to resume soon.
KQ also apologized for the inconvenience and provided customer support contacts for assistance.
Whether this diplomatic stalemate will be resolved quickly remains to be seen, but the disruption is a major blow to Kenya’s flagship carrier.
JKIA Terminal to Close on Thursday, Airlines Affected
In another aviation shake-up, several airlines operating at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were affected by the temporary closure of Terminal 1E on Thursday, October 10.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced that the terminal would close at 7:00 AM to allow for essential rehabilitation works.
During this period, passengers on affected airlines were processed through Terminal 1A, although KAA did not disclose how long the terminal would remain closed.
KAA has apologized for the inconvenience, stating that the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of staff and passengers.
The authority reassured travelers that the rehabilitation is part of its efforts to enhance the airport’s facilities and improve the overall travel experience.
KAA emphasized the importance of these renovations in maintaining high standards at Kenya’s busiest airport.
South Africa President Ramaphosa Clarifies Endorsing Raila’s Opponent
Shifting gears to regional politics in our weekly roundup, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa found himself at the center of controversy this week.
This is after reports surfaced that he had endorsed Djibouti’s candidate, Mahmoud Youssou, for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship—a position sought by Azimio Party leader Raila Odinga.
The reports alleged that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had met and decided to back Youssou over Odinga.
However, on October 2, 2024, the South African Presidency quickly moved to set the record straight, calling the claims nothing more than misinformation.
The viral post, which had circulated across several platforms, was labeled as “fake news” by Ramaphosa’s office, emphasizing the importance of verifying facts through official channels.
In its statement, the Presidency clarified that the quote attributed to Ramaphosa was entirely fabricated and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.
Standard Group CEO Lands a New Job
In corporate news, the weekly roundup reflects on the appointment of the highly accomplished CEO of Standard Group PLC, Marion Gathoga-Mwangi, as an Independent Non-Executive Director at Absa Bank Kenya PLC.
The announcement, made on October 7, 2024, comes as a testament to her extensive experience and leadership across several sectors.
The bank lauded Gathoga-Mwangi’s exceptional track record, highlighting her 25 years of experience in commercial operations, lean manufacturing, leadership, and trade marketing.
Her role as CEO at Standard Group and her previous positions, including as the Managing Director at British Oxygen Company (BOC) Kenya PLC and various executive positions at African Oxygen (Pty) Limited, were cited as part of the stellar portfolio that made her an ideal candidate for this prestigious appointment.
With a bachelor’s degree in international business administration from USIU-Africa and a diploma in Executive Coaching from the Academy of Executive Coaches, Gathoga-Mwangi brings both academic and professional rigor to the Absa Kenya board.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone in her already illustrious career, and it’s safe to say that she’s just getting started in shaping Kenya’s corporate landscape.
Also big in the weekly roundup:
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The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) once again captured the attention of travelers, raking in Ksh2.6 million within hours of releasing tickets priced at Ksh12,000 for trips to Mombasa. This surge in ticket sales came on the heels of the Mazingira Day holiday, that led to increased demand as Kenyans went seeking for convenient transportation to the Coast.
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National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) announced the suspension of flights to Mogadishu, Somalia from October 14, 2024.
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On Thursday, reports emerged that the embattled DP Gachagua had announced his resignation through a letter that has been making rounds on social media. However, The Kenya Times conducted a fact check to prove the authenticity of the letter confirming that DP Gachagua has not tendered any resignation as purported by the letter.
Others:
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A plane was forced to make an emergency landing after its pilot tragically passed away in the cockpit mid-air.
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Lawyer Makau Mutua on October 7 explained why Deputy President Gachagua’s impeachment is political and not judicial.
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President William Ruto appointed Munyori Buku as new Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS).
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The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) listed several mistakes applicants often make when submitting motor vehicle ownership transfer applications.
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Inclusive National Justice, Economic and Civic Transformation (INJECT) party leader Morara Kebaso was set free hours after being arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He will be facing charges of creating disturbance in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
That wraps up this weekly roundup! Thank you for reading the roundup! Stay tuned for more updates and keep engaging with us for the latest developments. Until next time, stay informed and stay inspired!
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Weekly roundup photo of the week
