On Saturday, November 2, local newspapers reported extensively on the swearing in of Kithure Kindiki as the third vice president of Kenya at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC).
Source: UGC
The newspapers also got a chance for Rigathi Gachagua's new life after sharing a photo with his family in Nyeri county during the historic event.
1. The Saturday Standard
The newspaper reported that the government is ready to bring more pain to Kenyans by imposing new taxes, amid the worsening cost of living situation.
In a notice published in the daily newspapers yesterday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi outlined new plans to amend various tax laws to boost government revenue, as the Kenya First administration faces a financial crisis and limited options for further borrowing. .
The new tax plan brings back measures from the previously rejected Finance Bill, 2024 in what is likely to be an acid test for the government.
This is because this bold decision comes after President William Ruto refused to approve the Bill last June amid unprecedented youth-led protests against such tax measures.
Key among the proposed measures is the draft Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill which aims to include air travel service providers, food delivery, independent and professional services in the tax system, aimed at the dynamic and expanding digital market.
“This definition is important for the taxation of income derived from businesses that operate online or through electronic networks, thereby expanding the scope of taxation to include income from digital systems,” Mbadi explained.
The National Treasury intends to introduce a large economic presence tax, applicable to non-residents who earn income from services provided in the country Kenya through digital channels.
While some punitive taxes, such as car and eco-levy taxes, have been scrapped, the Treasury is aiming to reorganize taxes on spirits, significantly increasing taxes on wine and beer in what could be a big hit for drinkers.
Telephone and internet services are also set to be taxed up to 20 per cent, in what will see the cost of internet and calling services rise, while gambling-related activities will be taxed at 15 per cent.
Defending the proposals, Mbadi said they were informed by 35 public submissions, stressing the need to increase revenue to strengthen the social and economic well-being of Kenyans amid the debt challenge.
2. The Star
According to the daily, Kenya could end up enjoying only a few weeks of rain for the rest of the year, followed by a hot and dry January, a weather expert says.
The prediction is in line with a new report by the United Nations which has named Kenya as one of the countries that may experience severe famine early next year.
David Gikungu, the director of the Department of Meteorology, blamed the delayed rain on a phenomenon called the Indian Ocean Dipole, which involves cold water in the Indian Ocean near East Africa. This causes dry weather in the area.
“The delayed start is a result of the Indian Ocean Dipole that has been going on for the past few weeks,” he said.
Gikungu said it will rain next week or the second week of November in many areas.
Areas where rain will fall include the Coast, northeastern Kenya, the entire eastern region of Kenya, and Mount Kenya.
“Precipitation is expected to be below the long-term average for November to January in most areas, except for areas in the north of the County of Turkanawhere near average rainfall is expected. Temperatures are likely to be warmer than average across the country,” he said.
Gikungu said La Niña, which previously caused drought in East Africa, was also partly responsible for the expected rains.
3. Saturday Nation
According to the publication, Kindiki finds himself in a political minefield after succeeding Gachagua.
Kindiki, who has risen from the position of Home Affairs Minister, is in the midst of a storm in Mt Kenya politics.
His most difficult task will be to mobilize the slippery slope to support President Ruto as it was in 2022.
He is also expected to replace Gachagua as the deputy leader of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), party Secretary General Omar Hassan has said.
The task of reuniting the area torn apart by Gachagua's accusation by the parliament is not easy. Nyandarua Senator John Methu calls it “a big disappointment”.
“The mountain is in a bad state. The way Prof Kindiki and his team intend to calm it down is something I would not like to be placed on my shoulders,” Methu told the newspaper.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba shared those views.
“My famous brother Kindiki will need God's grace to fight the notion that he was used by other forces to divide Mount Kenya and stab Gachagua in the back,” Mamuchomba said.
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu said Mount Kenya is in a wait-and-see situation as Mr Gachagua's cases collapse.
“No one should lie to Prof Kindiki that it will be easy, now that he is the Deputy President. This good man is drawn into a difficult and toxic political arena. There is a general feeling that Prof Kindiki is President Ruto's weapon to divide and rule,” Nyutu said.
To the Senator of KiambuKarungo Thang'wa, Prof Kindiki will not be easy to help the leaders of Mount Kenya who contributed greatly to bring Mr Gachagua home.
“Politics given to our people has poisoned it relationship between leaders and residents of Mount Kenya. Most MPs cannot interact freely with the grassroots,” Thang'wa said.
4. Nation Today
Kiswahili newspaper reported that nine years ago, the Council of Elders of Njuri Ncheke, led by the late Paul M'Ethingia, together with political leaders and experts, endorsed Kindiki as deputy president in the 2022 general election.
On January 31, 2015, at the sacred temple of Mt Kijege in Tharaka Nithi, Kindiki was ceremoniously appointed as the official spokesperson of the Ameru community during a two-hour cultural event.
Although the elders' declaration did not come true in 2022, Prof. When Kindiki lost to Gachagua, his recent inauguration has fulfilled their long-term vision.
As the Majority Leader in the Senate, Kindiki stood as an influential politician among American leaders.
With former ministers Margaret Kobia and Jacob Kaimenyi not being very interested in politics, Kindiki was identified as the main candidate to represent the area in the presidential campaign.
Kindiki was decorated with a traditional crown and dressed in a cowhide robe by former Minister of Education Jacob Kaimenyi and former Head of Public Service, Francis Muthaura.
He was then seated on the traditional seat that symbolizes authority, before receiving a blessing from the elders, led by the late Phares Rutere, who was the secretary general at the time.
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