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South Sudan's parliament speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba- Courtesy 

As South Sudan approaches its 14th Independence Day on 9 July, uncertainty persists over the reopening of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).

Lawmakers have been on recess since December 2024, with no clear return date, raising concerns over delays in approving the 2025-2026 budget.

Unlike fellow East African Community (EAC) members Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, which have already submitted their budgets, South Sudan remains the only country in the region still operating under last year’s financial plan.

When Radio Tamazuj asked about the reasons for the delay, TNLA spokesperson Oliver Mori Benjamin said government officials were preoccupied with Independence Day events.

“Not yet. Now people are busy with preparations for Independence Day on the 9th. So, people are occupied with that,” Mori said.

Bol Joseph Agau, chairperson of the Constituency Development Fund and a member of the economic committee, expressed frustration but acknowledged that reopening parliament requires coordination among government branches.

“As an MP, I wanted the session to resume immediately, but there’s little we can do alone. Reopening requires collective action—it’s not something one branch can force,” Agau said.

He stressed that passing the budget must be the priority once parliament reconvenes.

“The budget is critical. If parliament opens, discussions should begin immediately to ensure the 45-day budget process is completed by July or August. Other legislative matters can follow,” he added.

While Independence Day preparations are the official reason, financial constraints appear to be a key factor. In June, Oliver Mori Benjamin, chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Information and Communication, cited “circumstances beyond our control” for the delay.

Agau also highlighted the country’s cash shortage, noting that despite a push for digital payments, physical currency remains scarce.

“The issue isn’t that there’s no money—it’s that cash is being hoarded. People are storing money at home, disrupting the flow in markets, customs, and government operations,” he said.

Daniel Juol Nhomngek, a national lawmaker, said the delayed reopening of South Sudan’s parliament was due to a lack of funds, dismissing claims that preparations for Independence Day were the cause.

“The problem is that they’re avoiding the fact that there’s no money. Parliament was supposed to reopen on April 1, but they cited logistical problems,” he said.

According to Nhomngek, lawmakers were recently told that parliamentary officials were working with the finance ministry to secure funding before sessions could resume.

“This has nothing to do with Independence Day preparations. You can prepare while parliament is sitting. Sessions can resume even as other activities continue,” he added.

Ter Manyang, a South Sudanese civil society activist advocating for good governance, claimed unpaid lawmakers and salary arrears—not Independence Day preparations—are the real reason for the delay.

“The country is in total confusion. Even officials don’t know what’s happening,” Manyang said. “The Speaker told me parliament hasn’t reopened because of a lack of resources. MPs are waiting for their allowances.”

He said TNLA administrators submitted a budget request to the Finance Ministry but have yet to receive funds.

Officials at the National Ministry of Finance and Planning could not immediately be reached for comment. Radio Tamazuj

The outspoken constitutional lawyer Willis Otieno has unleashed a blistering attack on President William Ruto and his allies over the controversial plan to construct a Ksh1.2 billion church within State House Nairobi, branding the move as a constitutional travesty and a dangerous blurring of church and state.

In a scathing statement on his official X account on Friday, July 4, 2025, Otieno dismissed the explanation that Ruto is using his own money for the extravagant chapel, calling it an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. 

“Kenya has lost direction. Completely. We are being told with a straight face that a man whose official salary is Ksh1.4 million a month is building a Ksh1.2 billion church out of his pocket? Let’s be serious. Even if he never ate, never travelled, and never paid a single school fee or tithe, it would still take him over 70 years to save that money, net of tax,” he said.

The proposal for the ultra-modern, multi-faith church to be built at State House was unveiled by President Ruto, who framed the project as part of a personal vow to God made during the 2022 elections.

Statement by lawyer Willis Otieno on President Ruto’s plan to build a church in the State House.PHOTO/ A Screengrab taken by People Daily digital posted by@otienowill/X

According to Ruto, it is not public money. It is my money. I made a promise to God, and I am keeping it. But Otieno, known for his sharp constitutional analysis, scoffed at the justification, calling it a thinly-veiled attempt to Christianise the state and misuse public infrastructure for personal religious expression.

“Since when did personal vows to God become binding on public institutions funded by taxpayers?” he asked.

“You say the military has chaplains. Yes. But the military also has imams, Hindu spiritual leaders, and psychologists. And their services are provided within a pluralistic framework, not by building one giant church in the name of God and Commander-in-Chief.”

President William Ruto with members of the clergy and other leaders during an interdenominational church service at Nanyuki Stadium. PHOTO/William Ruto (@WilliamsRuto)/Twitter

Otieno’s roar 

Otieno also aimed at Ruto’s defenders, who have pointed to Bishopbourne—the former Anglican clergy residence used during colonial times—as precedent.

“Are you seriously using a colonial-era Christian structure as constitutional justification for embedding religion into modern state operations? Have we regressed from the 2010 Constitution back to a British protectorate mindset?” he posed.

“If this were a mosque, would you still be defending it?” Would the same apologists remain silent if the President promised Allah a minaret in the middle of the State House?”

 

He said the Kenyan Constitution recognises freedom of religion and expressly separates religion from state operations. He argues that constructing such a monumental religious structure in the seat of executive power undermines this foundation and signals a creeping theocracy.

“Kenya is a secular, pluralistic republic. Personal faith must never override constitutional boundaries. Let Ruto honour his promises to God but on his land, with his money, and without defiling public institutions.” 

Otieno stated that, still, with Kenyans facing rising living costs, unemployment, and a national debt crisis, the optics of a billion-shilling religious monument at State House are proving politically radioactive. By , People Daily

The government shelved a key part of its controversial Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill just 90 minutes before the vote.

Keir Starmer was dealt a significant blow to his leadership, despite winning the vote on his government's benefits cuts.. (Getty) (WPA Pool via Getty Images)

Sir Keir Starmer was forced into a humiliating climbdown in order to push through his government’s controversial welfare reforms in farcical scenes in the House of Commons on Tuesday night.

The government won by 335 votes to 260 after making a series of concessions, including one less than two hours before the vote took place.

Faced with the prospect of a humiliating defeat, the government confirmed at around 5.30pm it would shelve key changes to personal independence payments (PIP) until a review into the proposed changes had been completed sometime next year.

It means PIP claimants will no longer have to score four points or more in a single category of their assessment to qualify for the benefit until the review is complete. 

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall insisted the Labour Party was “100%” behind Starmer, but admitted there were “lessons to be learned”

Some 126 Labour backbenchers had previously threatened to vote against the legislation, enough to block its passage through the Commons, but in the end only 49 did so.

The full list of Labour rebels who voted against the bill are: Diane Abbott, Rosena Allin-Khan, Paula Barker, Lee Barron, Lorraine Beavers, Olivia Blake, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Irene Campbell, Lizzi Collinge, Stella Creasy, Marsha De Cordova, Peter Dowd, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Cat Eccles, Clive Efford, Mary Kelly Foy, Tracy Gilbert, Mary Glindon, Chris Hinchliff, Imran Hussain, Terry Jermy, Kim Johnson, Ian Lavery, Brian Leishman, Emma Lewell, Clive Lewis, Rebecca Long Bailey, Rachael Maskell, Andy McDonald, Navendu Mishra, Abtisam Mohamed, Grahame Morris, Margaret Mullane, Simon Opher, Kate Osamor, Kate Osborne, Richard Quigley, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Marie Rimmer, Cat Smith, Euan Stainbank, Graham Stringer, Marie Tidball, Jon Trickett, Derek Twigg, Chris Webb, Nadia Whittome, Steve Witherden.

Sir Stephen announced the climbdown in the middle of the debate on the legislation as the government faced the prospect of an embarrassing defeat, despite having majority of 165 and after just under a year in office 

He acknowledged “concerns that the changes to Pip are coming ahead of the conclusions of the review of the assessment that I will be leading”.

He said the government would now “only make changes to Pip eligibility activities and descriptors following that review”, which is due to conclude in the autumn of 2026.

MPs were openly critical of the government's last-gasp measures to win over critics, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branding it an "utter capitulation".

Labour’s Andy McDonald asked, “What are we supposed to be voting on?” as key reforms in the bill were shelved, while leading Labour rebel Rachael Maskell said the bill was "unravelling and is a complete farce".

The move will also cause a headache for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has seen a forecast £4.8 billion saving from the welfare budget whittled away, leaving her to seek extra money through spending cuts, tax hikes or borrowing to balance the books. By 

 

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin was on Thursday expected to appear in court to respond to a directive requiring him to produce missing blogger and activist Ndiangui Kinyagia, dead or alive.

The order was issued by Justice Chacha Mwita on July 1, 2025 who demanded Amin’s physical appearance after the DCI boss denied police were holding Kinyagia. The activist has now been missing for 12 days, with his disappearance coming shortly after he posted the itinerary for the June 25, 2025 protest anniversary on his social media platforms.

Amin had publicly stated that Kinyagia was a person of interest over his online posts and that officers who visited his home found him absent, claiming they had no knowledge of his whereabouts.

However, Justice Mwita dismissed this explanation as “pure drama,” insisting that “no one can simply vanish into thin air without the police knowing.”

All eyes are now on the Milimani Law Courts, where Amin is expected to walk a legal tightrope. Will he shed light on Kinyagia’s whereabouts? By Davies Ayega, Capital News

Explore the financial pressures faced by men and discover six practical strategies to enhance financial literacy and secure a stable future for your family. Image: Alex Green /pexels 

Men are often seen as the backbone of their families, expected to be the primary financial providers, breadwinners, and protectors who ensure their households never go without. But in fulfilling these roles, who supports them?

Who equips them with the financial literacy they need? Do they know how to invest, save, and budget effectively to keep their families stable, or are they left to shoulder these expectations alone? When occasions like Father’s Day or birthdays come around, do we truly honour men for the vital role they play in our families?

Or do we take the time to check in by asking if they’re coping, if they’re okay, and if they have access to the resources and support systems they need, such as financial education?

In recognition of July as Men's Month, here are six practical ways men can lay the groundwork for a financially secure future.

1. Set clear financial goals

As the head and leader of your household, you carry the responsibility of guiding your family toward a secure future. You have a vision and a clear picture of the life you want to build for yourself and your loved ones. To bring that vision to life, it is essential to set clear, realistic, and attainable financial goals. Without specific goals, it’s easy for money to be spent impulsively or mismanaged, leading to missed opportunities and financial stress.

Begin by categorising your goals into three main types:

  • Short-term goals: These are those you aim to achieve within the next year. These might include saving for your children’s school fees, paying off minor debts, or building an emergency fund. These are immediate needs that require focused budgeting and quick action.
  • Medium-term goals: They typically span one to five years. These could involve buying a reliable family car, renovating your home, or saving for a significant family holiday. Medium-term goals often require consistent saving over time and a bit more planning.
  • Long-term goals:  Such goals look beyond five years and include major milestones such as purchasing property, building a retirement fund, or securing your children’s higher education. These goals often involve strategic investments and a long-term financial plan. 

Write down your goals and make a habit of reviewing them every month. This consistent review process helps you track your progress, make adjustments when necessary, and stay aligned with your overall vision. When your goals are clearly defined and regularly revisited, they serve as a powerful source of motivation and discipline. They remind you why you’re budgeting, saving, and making sacrifices today for the security, comfort, and legacy of tomorrow. 

2. Create and stick to a budget

It's important for everyone to shift the way they view budgeting. Often, people associate budgeting with restriction or the denial of enjoyment, but in reality, budgeting is not about limiting your life; it's about taking control of it. A well-thought-out budget gives you the power to make informed financial decisions, rather than simply reacting to unexpected expenses or falling into debt.

This practice not only helps you identify wasteful spending but also reveals opportunities to save, invest, or work toward your financial goals. Tools as simple as a handwritten ledger or a spreadsheet can be just as effective for tracking compared to fancy software.

By consistently monitoring and adjusting your budget, you empower yourself to stay financially balanced and resilient, no matter your income level. 

3. Start saving, no matter how small

Discipline and consistency are two of the most important traits when it comes to building financial stability and long-term success. It’s not always about how much you save, but how consistently you do it. Even small steps, taken regularly, can lead to significant progress over time. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to start is by starting small, like saving just R50. While that may seem like a small amount, the key is in the habit. Over time, those small deposits accumulate and form a financial cushion.

This growing savings buffer can become a lifeline during emergencies, help with school-related expenses, or provide the foundation for seizing opportunities. The earlier you begin and the more consistent you are, the more powerful the compounding effect becomes because in the end, it’s not about how much you start with, it’s about starting, staying disciplined, and staying consistent.

4. Understand and manage debt wisely

One of the major setbacks many people face is not having a sufficient understanding of debt, which prevents them from managing it properly. Without a clear grasp of how debt functions, including the different types of debt, interest rates, payment schedules, and the consequences of missed payments, individuals can struggle to make informed financial decisions. This lack of knowledge can lead to accumulating unmanageable debt, falling behind on payments, and incurring additional fees or penalties. Moreover, misunderstanding debt limits the ability to create effective repayment plans to improve financial standing. As a result, poor debt management can cause long-term financial instability and stress. Therefore, improving education and awareness about debt is essential to ensure it is handled responsibly and efficiently. 

5. Build credit, don’t fear it

A good credit record opens doors to future opportunities. Pay accounts on time, avoid defaulting, and check your credit status annually. Having a positive credit profile can help you access better loan terms and grow your financial reputation. 

6. Invest in financial education

Knowledge is financial power. Understanding how money works equips you to make smarter decisions that can improve your financial well-being. Make it a habit to read up on money matters regularly, which can include books, reputable websites, articles, and financial news that cover topics such as credit scores, interest rates, retirement planning, and the latest savings products. Staying informed about current financial trends and tools helps you adapt your strategies to meet your goals effectively.

Another crucial step is to consult with reputable and accredited financial advisors. These professionals can offer personalised guidance tailored to your unique financial situation. Whether you need help managing debt, choosing the right savings accounts or investment products, or improving your credit health, advisors can help you navigate complex financial decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Ultimately, true empowerment starts with education. When you take control of your financial learning journey, you gain confidence and clarity, enabling you to make choices that secure your financial future.

In a world of rising costs and economic uncertainty, financial literacy is more than a skill; it’s a necessity. For men striving to lead secure and stable households, taking intentional steps towards managing money wisely can shape not only their futures but those of their families. By Thabang Pitso, IOL

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