Political economist, Billow Kerrow, has urged the government to genuinely consider opinions from the public and professionals amid public participation on the Finance Bill, 2025. The former Mandera Senator criticised an old trend where sittings to gather views of the public are conducted as a mere formality to meet constitutional requirements. 

This, he added, blocks solutions to widespread concerns around the budget, such as its potential to further raise the already high cost of living.

“Sometimes, there is complete disregard for all the submissions. We saw in 2024 when hundreds of institutions made thousands of submissions, but they pushed it aside and went on with whatever they had. That engagement is critical,” said Kerrow on Spice FM on Wednesday, June 4. 

“If you look, for instance, at the submission of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, they outline the impact every measure contained in the Finance Bill is going to have. They disregard this, then in a year or two, they see the impact and start backtracking.”

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  State impunity: Lawyers, activists protest cyber law used to prosecute Njeri 

According to the National Treasury, this year’s tax laws will not result in any increments, but experts have warned that re-categorisation of some products from zero rating to tax-exempt status may lead to higher prices as manufacturers pass their input tax to consumers. 

“The devil is in the details. Some of the measures will have a significant impact on the lives of Kenyans and the cost of living. The simple desire to raise more revenue, however small, means more taxes through that Finance Bill,” warned Kerrow.

The National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee has been collecting submissions from organisations concerning the government's planned revenue-raising measures and tax regime to be applied in the coming Financial year. 

While the sittings have mostly happened within Nairobi, the remaining sessions are scheduled to be conducted in the counties following Tuesday’s public hearings in Busia and Migori. Today, similar sessions will be held in Trans Nzoia and Nandi.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi will present his first budget next week on Thursday, described as a friendly one after the 2024 version met resistance and led to the deadly Gen Z protests. By Dennis Omondi | The Standard

Former Somalia’s Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Mahad Mohamed Salad, has been re-appointed to the same position. 

The re-appointment comes following an emergency Cabinet Meeting held on Saturday evening that resolved to replace the country’s head of state's intelligence agency.

His reinstatement is viewed as a strategic move by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to reassert control over Somalia’s embattled security apparatus, amid escalating domestic unrest and emerging regional tensions. 

According to the Cabinet, Salad’s re-appointment is crucial in countering a growing internal threat posed primarily by the militant group Al-Shabab.

Salad takes over from Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, popularly known as Sanbaloolshe, who was appointed to the position in April 2024.

This marks Sanbaloolshe’s third term as NISA director, having also served in 2014 and 2017. 

The Al-Qaeda-linked group, which has waged an insurgency against the federal government in Mogadishu for more than 16 years, has recently intensified its attacks, targeting senior security officials and key state installations.

“Salad’s return to NISA headquarters comes at a time when Somalia is grappling with a worsening diplomatic crisis and a highly politicised security and intelligence apparatus,” read part of a communique from the cabinet. 

The latest development unfolds just days after Mogadishu had a diplomatic flare-up with Kenya, following Nairobi’s decision to allow Somaliland to open a liaison office.

The inauguration, presided over by Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Abdillahi, has drawn criticism from Mogadishu, which considers Somaliland part of Somalia and rejects any move interpreted as recognising its independence.

Somalia’s cabinet expressed strong support for Salad’s leadership, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Somalia’s security institutions while acknowledging Sanbaloolshe’s contributions during his latest tenure. 

Salad was first appointed as NISA Director General in August 2022 by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a close political ally, shortly after the President assumed office.

At the time, he vacated his parliamentary seat, as required by Somalia’s constitution, to take up the intelligence role in which he served until April 2024, when he was removed from office without any explanation offered by the cabinet.

Following his removal, Somalia is said to have experienced heightened security threats, most notably the attempted assassination of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on March 18, 2025, when Al-Shabab militants targeted his convoy with a roadside bomb in the heart of Mogadishu.

Salad is credited with significant reforms during his previous tenure, including modernising NISA’s operations.

A major milestone was the passage of the National Intelligence and Security Agency Law in 2023, which replaced outdated legislation inherited from the defunct National Security Service.

The new law clarified NISA’s mandate and introduced accountability measures aimed at protecting citizens’ rights while safeguarding national security.

The new spy boss is also recognised for cultivating strong international intelligence partnerships. In 2023, he visited the United States for talks with the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon on counterterrorism cooperation.

He has also fostered working relationships with Ethiopia’s and Kenya’s intelligence agencies, two critical regional allies of the Somali government.

In November 2022, Salad signed a counterterrorism and intelligence-sharing agreement with Ethiopia’s intelligence chief, Temesgen Tiruneh.

His tenure was also marked by enhanced domestic coordination, particularly in counterinsurgency efforts in Mogadishu and Somalia’s southern regions.

He is widely credited with dismantling several Al-Shabab sleeper cells embedded within key state institutions.

Before joining the intelligence leadership, Salad held several senior government positions, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2014 and State Minister for Presidential Affairs in 2015.

He also represented Dhusamareb in the federal parliament for more than a decade, resigning to accept his appointment to NISA. By Patrick Vidija | The Standard

The High Court has ruled that the Inspector General of Police cannot withdraw security from public officials without a written notice.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi, in his verdict over the withdrawal of bodyguards for governors Ochilo Ayacko, Gladys Wanga, James Orengo, Anyang Nyong’o and Simba Arati, said that security details are benefits afforded by the government to its officers and cannot be taken away whimsically.

According to the court, the security personnel are assigned to office holders owing to their job and the risk that comes with their office. 

He asserted that it is unfair and illegal to be denied the essential service. 

“A declaration is hereby issued that provision of protected security detail to persons performing public duties is based on merited assessment that arises from the nature of the public duties and any withdrawal or removal of security without prior written notice, an opportunity to be heard and written reasons for the decision being given to the affected person(s) violates Article 47(1) & (2) of the Constitution and the applicable policy hence unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void,” said Justice Mugambi. 

He ruled that the police bosses cannot act against their internal policies to protect the government, its offices, assets, and officials.

Jacjohn Owino had sued the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General and named the five ODM governors as interested parties.

According to Owino, the security of the governors was recalled for being vocal against the government’s unconstitutional excesses. 

In response, Commissioner of Police Peter Nyaga argued that the National Police Service Act does not impose a specific duty on the police to provide protective security to VIPs and other government officers.

He said instead, a 2016 government policy provides conditions under which those entitled to security are to be denied or withdrawn. 

The officer asserted that security is not an absolute right. He said the guards can be recalled if one breaches the conditions set.

According to Nyaga, no constitutional violation was cited or raised in the case.

On the other hand, the Attorney General argued that the case was misconceived, driven by rumours, speculations, unfounded hearsay, and fears without any factual evidence from the governors. The government’s legal advisor also contended that other events had overtaken the case. 

Governor Ayacko, through the County Secretary Oscar Olima, told the court that his police security was withdrawn on July 18, 2023, without notice or explanation.

Wanga argued that the withdrawal was illegal and discriminatory, as all governors are entitled to security. She said there was no evidence that she had breached any law or conditions. 

According to the Homa Bay County chief, all government employees are entitled to a fair administrative process, and cogent reasons should be backed up for the officers’ withdrawal.

According to the ODM chairperson, the police bosses were in breach of their own policy, adding that she expected to enjoy her security just like any other governor.

Governors Orengo, Nyong’o and Arati did not participate in the case and did not file their responses or submissions before the court. By Kamau Muthoni, The Standard