Smart Times

PHOTO: Archbishop Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, addressing the media during a briefing at All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi.  NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 27... The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) led by Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit says that they reject Religious Organizations bill 2024 before the senate seeking to regulate churches in the country. "The mission of the church is clearly spelled out by respective religious organization's constitution and any attempts to enact a law that interferes with the operations of church is unacceptable". Said Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit. Similarly the Anglican Church of Kenya has reiterated that it rejects the bill and has demanded immediate withdrawal. In addition they stated that the introduction of taxes to churches, NGOs and the agricultural sector are disincentives and will not provide revenue to the government as envisaged. "We demand that the government review such taxes and recognizes these institutions as providers of services that wo...

PHOTO: CS Labour Dr. Alfred Mutua, PS Higher Education and Research Dr. Betrice Inyangala with UASU and KUSU officials after signing return to work formula at Ministry's headquarters. NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 27..The Nationwide strike, involving university lecturers, non-teaching staff and various workers’ unions, was resolved after a day-long meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection headquarters led by CS Dr. Alfred Mutua, Labour PS Shadrack Mwadime, Higher Education and Research PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala among other senior government officials. The agreement was brokered between the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).  "As part of the return-to-work formula signed with UASU, the strike has been called off im...

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 25...Ahead of Social Health Authority (SHA) roll out in October 1 2024, Government says its BETA Agenda prioritizes Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans regardless of their financial status. The Government Spokesman Dr. Isaac Mwaura says there have been a challenge under the National Health Insurance fund (NHIF) which primarily relies on contributions of employed individuals adding that the process has hindered broader health financing which is essential for providing equitable healthcare services to all kenyans. "Social Health Authority (SHA) aims to include all kenyans in contributing to a sustainable fund that covers a wide range of health services unlike NHIF which mostly required additional community fundraising efforts, SHA ensures every citizen can access quality healthcare through enhanced government financing" said Government Spokesman, Dr. Mwaura.   Subsequently the shift from NHIF to SHA aims to provide comprehensive, quality an...

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 24... The staff from University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) have vowed to continue with their strike despite orders by Employment and Labor relations courts temporarily suspending it. UASU National Secretary General Constantine Wasonga expressed his frustration to the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba of not taking them seriously and addressing them. "We don't want any promises, we made our proposal on September 4 2020 and we are civil servants and we want 7-10 per cent that other civil servants have been given to". Said Dr. Wasonga. Furthermore University staff grievances include low and delayed salaries, non-remittance of statutory deduction and government failure to implement a comprehensive medical scheme. UASU and KUSU had earlier threatened to down their tools over non implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bergaining Agreement (CBA). "The 7-day notice which lapsed, we had...

PHOTO: During the COP29 press conference in Nairobi. NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 19...Ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan, African negotiators have been urged to seize the moment to secure equitable climate finance for the continent. The Greenpeace Africa and climate justice movements have presented a document to the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) demanding a push for an ambitious, needs-based climate finance framework. Among the key demands presented to African negotiators are calls for a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) that prioritizes increased public climate finance, backed by a Climate Damages Tax (CDT) on fossil fuel extraction to generate the necessary funds. The campaigners further demanded for public and debt-free financing which would avoid further burdening Africa and economies while rejecting support for fossil fuel production and other dangerous distractions that prolong the climate crisis. Amos Wemanya, Responsive Campaigns Lead at Greenpeace Africa, said “Climate negotiations...

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 18... The Cabinet Secretary Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki has said government is committed to the realisation of peace and security across the country. Kindiki added that it is as a conditional precedent for the social economic transformation of the Country.  The CS held discussions with political leaders from Marsabit County to build consensus on priority interventions for improving the security situation and a coordinated implementation of Government development projects in the County. "Realisation of this objective requires constant harmonisation of initiatives and interventions by the National and respective County Governments as well as the involvement of the public through their elected representatives". said CS Kithure Kindiki.  Among those in attendance were Governor Mahmoud Ali, Senator Mohamed Chute, Woman Representative Naomi Waqo, MPs Dido Rasso (Saku), Guyo Wako (North Horr), Jaldesa Guyo (Moyale), Jose...

PHOTO: Civil Society Organizations under Uchaguzi platform addressing the media during a joint press conference in Nairobi.   NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16...The Civil society Organizations under Uchaguzi platform in a joint press conference have called on urgent  Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reconstitution as the world mark International day for democracy. They said that the delay in recruiting IEBC commissioners has continue to undermine the constitutional functions of  the commission and fundamentally impacts not just democracy but citizens in the constituencies and wards that do not have representatives.   "Uchaguzi urges that every Kenyan has the right to representation and therefore the continued uncertainty on when to conduct the above by-elections may lead to the disenfranchisement of the respective residents of these electoral areas".they said in a statement. Uchaguzi platform brings together, six civil society organi...