Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has weighed in on the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to toll Thika Super Highway and other major roads in the country.
In a statement, Sifuna wondered how the Authority would come up with policies to put tolls on roads built by Kenyans.
He vowed to invite the KeNHA team to the Senate to explain the proposal and its reasoning.
“I don’t know how KeNHA justifies the proposal to start tolling roads built by taxpayer money years ago. Build new toll roads mchukue pesa but you can’t start charging us for using Thika road,” said Sifuna.
He added, ” Wacha tumalize na Kawira niwaite pale Senate mjieleze,”
On Tuesday, KeNHA announced there is an ongoing discussion on the development of a Road Tolling Policy.
The authority said the policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure all ideas from members of the public are heard.
“The Authority assures the public that this Policy will be developed with extensive public participation to ensure that all voices are heard. Once the Policy is finalized, it will guide which roads will be tolled,” KeNHA stated.
Some of the highways that are being considered for tolling include the Nairobi Southern Bypass, Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, Thika Superhighway, Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, Mombasa Southern Bypass and Dongo Kundu Bypass.
The authority assured that it will remain committed to transparency and inclusivity throughout the process and will continue to engage with the public at every stage. By Ezra Nyakundi, KDRTV
A new report from Duplo, the leading provider of payment, spend, and vendor management solutions for African businesses, is predicting that changing global trade patterns and the emergence of new payment solutions will drive significant growth in cross-border B2B payments in Africa and unlock the full potential of intra- and extra-continental trade.
The report, titled “The State of Cross-Border B2B Payments in Africa and its Impact on Trade,” is the third in an annual series of B2B payment reports from Duplo, and it examines a wide range of issues, including key drivers of intra- and extra-African trade, the current state of cross-border B2B payments in Africa, and the outlook for the future.
The report reveals that the value of intra-African trade reached an estimated $193 billion in 2022, accounting for 13.8 percent of total African trade. This figure, while significant, likely understates the true scale of intra-African commerce, as a significant proportion of cross-border trade is informal and underreported.
According to the report, 40 percent of cross-border trade payments between East and West African countries are made in cash, with underreporting ranging from 12 to 76 percent. At the same time, traditional banking channels still dominate large-value formal cross-border B2B payments, despite the high transaction fees and lengthy processing times. These realities underscore the critical need for B2B cross-border payment solutions that can accurately capture and efficiently facilitate these transactions.
Interoperability between different payment systems is also a major challenge, especially when it comes to cross-border transactions. According to the report, out of 32 instant payment systems spread across Africa, less than half are able to work together seamlessly. This is why initiatives like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), although still in its early stages, are crucial for streamlining and formalizing trade across the continent.
When it comes to extra-African trade, Africa’s share of global trade value has remained stagnant at 3%. However, new global trends such as the emergence of various Asian countries as economic powerhouses, the new multi-polar world order fronted by the US and China, and other trends point to a shift in global trade patterns. These developments present opportunities for effective B2B cross-border payment solutions that will not only support more trade across and outside the continent but also enhance transparency, improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs, and offer other benefits.
Commenting on the report, Yele Oyekola, CEO and co-founder of Duplo, said, “As businesses navigate new opportunities and challenges that come with changing global trade patterns, there is an increasing need for efficient and cost-effective cross-border payment solutions. Our report highlights the critical role technology can play in overcoming traditional banking limitations. We believe that by embracing these new technologies, businesses can unlock the full potential of intra- and extra-African trade, driving economic growth across the continent."
Duplo offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to simplify and optimize financial management for mid-sized and enterprise businesses. Duplo’s expense and vendor management solutions, combined with its robust payment capabilities, help businesses manage all their financial operations from a single, integrated platform, reducing complexity, gaining visibility, and improving efficiency.
Duplo’s payment infrastructure enables businesses to make and receive instant local and international payments, saving costs and time while streamlining transactions and boosting their bottom line.
South Sudan Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga speaking during the last funeral rite of Minister Manawa Peter Gatkuoth Gual. [Photo by Sudans Post]
Speaking on Saturday during a thanksgiving event for veteran politician Alfred Lado Gore, who recently returned from a medical mission abroad, Igga claimed there is evidence against Lado and offered to disclose a video containing the alleged proof.
JUBA – South Sudan’s Vice President James Wani Igga has denied allegations that his office was involved in the detention of former Juba Mayor Kalisto Lado, who was arrested by the National Security Service (NSS) in March.
Speaking on Saturday during a thanksgiving event for veteran politician Alfred Lado Gore, who recently returned from a medical mission abroad, Igga claimed there is evidence against Lado and offered to disclose a video containing the alleged proof.
“If you want to confirm the charges and the evidence that we found against him, we will present this evidence to you in a two-hour video,” Igga said.
“We spent two hours watching the video, so finally we were told to inform the Bari community that your son is being held by the government because he has committed a crime and we will produce him in court,” he added.
Lado was arrested at his home on March 31 by the NSS. The police were reportedly unaware of the arrest until Lado’s wife filed a case at a local police station in Juba on April 1, according to then police spokesman Daniel Justin.
“He is not being detained by the police service. I think he is being detained by the NSS, and his wife came and opened a case for the arrest of her husband. So, the people who are detaining him are not the police, they are the National Security Service,” Justin said at the time.
Following Lado’s detention, allegations emerged suggesting Igga orchestrated or facilitated the arrest as part of a broader political strategy against upcoming Equatorian politicians.
These claims, along with Lado’s detention, have raised concerns about potential government overreach and the misuse of power, serious accusations against any government official. Sudans Post
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has urged community members to report illegal activities by law enforcement agents. File Picture: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned incidents where serving members of the SA Police Service (SAPS) have been implicated in corrupt activities, coupled with kidnappings, assault and extortion.
IOL reported on Tuesday that four Joburg-based police officers attached to the Crime Intelligence Unit and two civilians have been arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (also known as the Hawks) for alleged corruption, extortion, kidnapping and assault.
A civilian, who allegedly acted alongside the four police officers accused of attacking and robbing a Joburg resident of R180,000, is apparently an employee of First National Bank (FNB).
Mchunu said the incident is deeply concerning, as the accused police officers are members of the specialised Crime Intelligence Unit.
Four police officers, an FNB employee and another civilian were arrested by the Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. Picture: Supplied / Hawks
“Let me be unequivocally clear: corruption within our police service will not be tolerated. The actions of these individuals are a betrayal of the public's trust and a violation of the very principles that the SAPS stands for - honour, integrity, and service. The worst thing is that these are members of the Crime Intelligence unit. We condemn their criminal activity in the strongest terms they deserve,” said Mchunu.
“Such conduct is not only criminal but deeply dishonourable. We will not allow any further erosion of confidence that the public has in law enforcement agencies. As a matter of urgency, internal disciplinary processes will be instituted against the police officers.
“As the Minister of Police, I assure the public that we will continue to root out corruption wherever it may exist within our ranks. We remain committed to building a police service that is trusted by the people it serves, and we will not rest until justice is served,” said Mchunu.
Four police officers, an FNB employee and another civilian were arrested by the Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. File Picture: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The minister has commended the investigating officers who worked diligently on the case. He also saluted the Joburg man, the victim, who had the guts to report the police officers.
“I would also like to commend the affected member of the public who reported this matter. The fight against corruption is a shared responsibility, and we urge the public to continue reporting any suspicious or criminal activities, particularly those involving law enforcement officers,” said Mchunu.
“This incident poses a challenge to us, to scrutinise the recruitment of police officers, since these officers are constables.”
Four Joburg-based police officers were arrested for allegedly robbing a resident. File Picture: SAPS
In the incident, the Hawks said the Joburg man was confronted by four police officers who attacked him at his home, accusing him of committing fraud, before robbing him.
Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Lloyd Ramovha said a case was registered at Honeydew police station in February, after it was reported on January 30.
Constable Fhumulani Netsianda was arrested by the Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. Picture: Supplied / Hawks
“A victim was approached by the police officers dressed in civilian clothes. They drove with him and parked outside Fairlands police station and informed him that they were investigating a case of fraud against him,” said Ramovha.
The victim was taken to his house in Fourways, where he was assaulted.
The assailants took his phone and transferred R180,000 from his bank account into one of their bank accounts.
Constable Wisani Ngobeni was arrested by the Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. Picture: Supplied / Hawks
After the robbery ordeal, the assailants threatened the victim, before they dropped him off in Roodepoort.
“Macdonald Musundwa Nethavhani, 31, Ayanda Meya, 29, Fhumulani Netsianda, 31, and Wisani Ngobeni, 31, all constables attached to crime intelligence (unit) in Johannesburg were arrested over the weekend,” said Ramovha.
Constable Macdonald Musundwa Nethavhani was arrested by the Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. Picture: Supplied / Hawks
“Two civilians, Ramiel Singh, 37, and Mphoto Cyril Sehoene, 28, handed themselves over to the Hawks investigators (on Monday) morning.”
The six accused people appeared before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Constable Ayanda Meya was arrested by the Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. Picture: Supplied /Hawks
They were granted R3,000 bail each.
Ramovha said the matter was postponed to September 30, pending further investigations.
FNB employee Ramiel Singh was among six people arrested by Hawks in Gauteng after a Joburg man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of R180,000. Picture: Supplied / Hawks IOL
A man counting several one thousand Kenyan shillings bills.
Kenya's economy teeters on the brink of a currency crisis, with the shilling facing the potential to plummet to a historic low of Ksh170 against the US dollar within the next 19 days.
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has sounded the alarm, stressing the urgency of a capital injection from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to prevent this catastrophe.
This revelation comes after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge revealed that the country is expecting upwards of Ksh181 billion disbursement from IMF.
Speaking during an evening broadcast on Citizen TV, Kuria painted a grim picture of the nation's financial health. He emphasised Kenya's heavy reliance on international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, especially in the wake of the recent public backlash against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
The former CS pointed to the diplomatic manoeuvring required by President William Ruto to maintain Kenya's standing with these global lenders.
African Business
Kuria's remarks came with a stark warning: if the IMF fails to disburse the expected funds by the end of the month, the shilling's value could spiral out of control, reaching an unprecedented exchange rate of Ksh170 to the dollar.
"The president must invoke his political capital on the global stage, something he has been doing well," Kuria stated, stressing the delicate balance the government must maintain in its dealings with international financial players.
The spotlight is now on John Mbadi, the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, who Kuria identifies as a key figure in navigating this financial storm. According to Kuria, Mbadi's first major test will be to ensure the IMF remains engaged with Kenya. Failure to secure the anticipated $1.4 billion (about KSh 181.3 billion) from the IMF could lead to dire consequences for the nation's currency.
Kuria did not mince words about the gravity of the situation. "If IMF doesn't come through by the end of this month, in another 19 days, this shilling might hit Ksh170," he warned, adding that he would be praying for Mbadi's success in keeping the IMF on board.
He further advised Mbadi to meticulously manage the upcoming financial challenges, particularly the maturing loans that will need to be addressed in the near future.
Kenya is expecting a total of KSh 181.3 billion in disbursements from the IMF this financial year, according to Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Dr Kamau Thugge. These funds are crucial as the country grapples with the economic fallout from recent protests and the rejection of the Finance Bill. The IMF's support is seen as a lifeline for stabilising the shilling and preventing further economic deterioration.
Governor Thugge highlighted that Kenya is also expecting an additional $600 million (about KSh 77.7 billion) from the IMF following a recent review. "We still have roughly $1.4 billion of disbursements from the IMF between now and the end of the financial year," Thugge said during a press briefing, expressing hope that a board meeting would be convened soon to expedite the release of these funds.By SimonMwanaWaNjuguna, Kenyans.co.ke
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