Genocide suspect Venant Rutunga consults with his lawyer during his appearance before Kicukiro Primary Court on August 12. / Dan Nsengiyumva
Kicukiro Primary Court, on Tuesday, August 17 remanded Genocide suspect Venant Rutunga, saying there is enough reasonable ground to suspect him of having committed the crimes for which he is being prosecuted.
Rutunga, 72, is charged with three counts: Genocide, complicity in committing Genocide, and extermination as a crime against humanity.
He was extradited last month from The Netherlands.
He is said to have committed the alleged crimes mostly between April 26 and 30, 1994 in Butare (current Huye District) where he was working as the Regional Director of the Rwanda Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR-Rubona).
During a hearing held last week, prosecutors outlined to court a number of actions by the defendant during the genocide that led to loss of many lives – especially former employees of the institution he was leading.
Among these, they accused him of having participated in the killing of Epaphrodite Kalisa and George Ndamaje, two Tutsi employees at ISAR, when he instructed the Gendarmes (policemen) to hunt for them and kill them.
The prosecutors also pinned him on, among others, an incident where he allegedly drove a car and went to meet the then Prefect of Butare, to request him for armed policemen to assist in killing the Tutsis who had successfully defended themselves against the Interahamwe.
In his defence, Rutunga denied the charges.
He said that while he knew Ndamage and Kalisa, he never took part in their killing, arguing that those that killed them were tried and sentenced.
He admitted that he went to meet with the Prefect of Butare and requested for policemen, but the aim was not to kill Tutsis, but rather, “to defend ISAR from attacks by intruders” because he had learnt that there was an imminent attack that would happen.
In fact, he argued that, while he was away, the attackers came in, killed people and destroyed property, including his own house.
During the bail ruling held on Tuesday, presiding judge Dorothee Yankurije declared that the court has found enough reasonable ground for suspecting Rutunga for the crimes, since, among other things, he admitted that he knew the two employees who were killed, though he denied having taken part in the crime.
In addition, Yankurije said that Rutunga also admitted that he went to the Prefect of Butare to request for policemen, though he argued that it was not aimed at killing people.
“He said he brought the policemen to protect ISAR’s campus against an attack. However, witnesses say the policemen killed people. And, he did not showcase to court that he did anything to calm the situation,” she said.
With that, among other observations, Yankurije remanded Rutunga, so that the case will proceed while he is in jail.
He is the third person to be extradited from the European country. - Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times
While the vast majority of employers pay their employees at least the National Minimum Wage, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has today released some of the most absurd excuses used for not paying the legal minimum.
Last year (2020 to 2021) HMRC helped more than 155,000 workers across the UK recover more than £16 million in pay which was due to them, and also issued more than £14 million in penalties.
Some of the most ridiculous excuses for flouting the law included:
“She does not deserve the National Minimum Wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors.”
“The employee was not a good worker, so I did not think they deserved to be paid the National Minimum Wage.”
“My accountant and I speak a different language – he does not understand me, and that is why he does not pay my workers the correct wages.”
“My employee is still learning so they are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.”
“It is part of UK culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their ‘worth’ first.”
“The National Minimum Wage does not apply to my business.”
“I have got an agreement with my workers that I will not pay them the National Minimum Wage; they understand, and they even signed a contract to this effect.”
“I thought it was okay to pay young workers below the National Minimum Wage as they are not British and therefore do not have the right to be paid it.”
“My workers like to think of themselves as being self-employed and the National Minimum Wage does not apply to people who work for themselves.”
“My workers are often just on standby when there are no customers in the shop; I only pay them for when they are actually serving someone.”
Steve Timewell, Director Individuals and Small Business Compliance, HMRC, said:
“The majority of UK employers pay their workers at least the National Minimum Wage, but this list shows some of the excuses provided to our enforcement officers by less scrupulous businesses. Being underpaid is no joke for workers, so we always apply the law and take action. Workers cannot be asked or told to sign-away their rights.
“We are making sure that workers are being paid what they are entitled to and, as the economy reopens, reminding employers of the rules and the help that is available to them.
“HMRC reviews every complaint made about the minimum wage, so if you think you are being short-changed, or are a business that is unsure of the rules or needs help to get things right, get in touch and we will help you. But any employer deliberately or unapologetically underpaying their staff will face hefty fines and other enforcement action.”
The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:
£8.91 - Age 23 or over (National Living Wage)
£8.36 - Age 21 to 22
£6.56 - Age 18 to 20
£4.62 - Age under 18
£4.30 - Apprentice.
HMRC is reminding workers to check the hourly rate of pay they are actually getting, and to also check any deductions or unpaid working time, as part of the Government’s commitment to build back fairer from the pandemic.
Anyone not being paid what they are entitled to can complain online at https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint. If they want to speak with someone, in confidence, they should phone the Acas Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100, who can transfer the call to HMRC.
3. National Minimum Wage hourly rates (from 1 April 2021) are:
Age 23 or over (National Living Wage): £8.91
Age 21 to 22: £8.36
Age 18 to 20: £6.56
Age under 18: £4.62
Apprentice: £4.30.
4. By law workers must be paid at least the minimum wage for their age. Information about how to complain or raise concerns can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint
5. Employers who do not pay the NMW can be publicly ‘named and shamed’. The most recent list was published by BEIS on 5 August 2021. Those who blatantly fail to comply can face criminal prosecution, but most employers pay up when they realise mistakes have been made.
6. You are entitled to the apprentice rate if you are an apprentice aged:
under 19
19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship.
If you are 19 or over and have completed the first year of your current apprenticeship, you are entitled to the minimum wage for your age.
9. The Acas Pay and Work Rights Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Calls are confidential, and the advice is free (0300 phone charges apply).
10. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice
If you asked the average Kenyan to name the country’s leading sources of forex, you would hear mention of tourism, tea, or horticultural exports. Few would mention diaspora remittances, even though money sent back home by Kenyans living and working abroad has now become the biggest source of forex in Kenya, surpassing traditional export earners like tourism.
Data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) indicates that the total inflows in the 12 months leading to June 2021 totaled a record $3.38 billion (Sh365.6 billion), a 20.3 percent jump compared to $2.81 billion (Sh303.9) billion same period in 2020. Using CBK data from the first five months of 2021, we look at the top 10 countries that account for the lion’s share of money sent back home.
The U.S.
The number one spot goes to the U.S. The intimidating long queues of people seeking travel visas at the U.S. embassy in Gigiri show the strong lure of the American dream.
There are an estimated 120,000 Kenyans in the U.S. They sent back home $839 million (sh91 billion) in the first five months of the year.
An interesting fact is that Kenyan immigrants working in the US have in the past been ranked as the third most industrious foreigners. They scored 73.4 percent to emerge third in the list of the hard-working and most skilled immigrant groups in the US, according to a 2018 Bloomberg report. The research ranks Ghanaians and Bulgarians at positions one and two, with 75.2 percent and 74.2 percent, respectively.
The U.K.
Kenya has a shared heritage with the U.K., given the colonial legacy of the European power. Many of the oldest companies and institutions in the country have their roots in Britain and it is no surprise that the island nation hosts a sizeable Kenyan community. Kenyans mainly go to the U.K. for work and study. Cumulatively they sent home $142.5 million (Sh15.4 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia depends heavily on migrant workers to drive its economy. Many Kenyans have moved to the oil-rich state in search of greener pastures in recent years. The country also serves as an international religious site, hosting millions of Muslims each year for the annual Hajj celebrations at Mecca, which is considered a holy city in Islam. Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia sent home $59.6 million (Sh6.4 billion) between January and May this year.
Germany
Germany is another important source of remittances for Kenya. Despite the language barrier, the European country hosts a significant number of Kenyans who immigrated to the country for work and study. As one of the most powerful countries in the European Union, Germany continues to lead Europe in terms of accommodative immigration policy, allowing many foreigners to leave and work without fear of deportation. Kenyans in Germany sent back $45.9 million (sh4.9 billion) in the first five months of 2021.
Australia
Australia, the country that is an island and a continent at the same time, has always been an attractive destination for Kenyans. Those that migrate there mostly do so for study and careers in respectable fields like medicine and engineering among others. Most Kenyans in Australia live in the urban areas of Sidney and Melbourne as most of the country is desert-land with harsh conditions. Kenyans in Australia sent home $43 million (sh4.6 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Canada
Canada enjoys the reputation of having one of the most relaxed and welcoming immigration policies among western countries. The Canadian government has been intentional about attracting skilled migrants and students given the country’s small and aging population – its citizens’ number 39 million in 2019, roughly the same size as the State of California. Notable Kenyans in Canada include firebrand lawyer Miguna Miguna. Kenyans in Canada sent back $40.4 million (Sh4.3 billion) between January and May this year.
Qatar
Another Gulf state with a sizeable migrant population in Qatar. Like Saudi Arabia, Qatar depends on migrant workers to drive its oil-rich economy, creating opportunities for people looking for opportunities to work abroad to move there. Kenyans living in Qatar sent home $29.5 million (sh3.2 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Switzerland
Fewer countries offer a higher quality of life for residents and migrants alike than Switzerland. Known for its fine watches, mountainous terrain, and long history of non-involvement in armed conflict, Switzerland offers one of the best lives abroad. Workers are guaranteed high wages, quality health insurance, and good pensions. The few Kenyans living there were able to send home $20.3 million (sh2.2 billion) between January and May this year.
United Arab Emirates
Perhaps the most popular of the Gulf states owing to the profile of Dubai as an international holiday and business destination, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosts a sizeable Kenyan population. UAE is also considered more tolerant than other gulf states. Kenyans in the UAE sent home $19.8 million (Sh2.1 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Tanzania
Among African countries, Tanzania tops the list of top sources of remittances, having displaced South Africa which for a long time accounted for most money sent into Kenya. Our neighbors to the South sent back $18.4 million (Sh1.9 billion) in the first five months of the year.
While this list may change for the remainder of the year, it is unlikely that the U.S. will lose its top spot. Industry experts also observe that technology and affordability are set to accelerate remittances, which defied the effects of Covid-19 in 2020. The uses of remittances are also expected to remain unchanged, with education and healthcare taking the lion’s share.
“Affordability and convenience remain the top priorities for most people sending and receiving money across borders. Over the past year, we’ve focused on meeting these priorities and ensuring an affordable service for our customers,” said Sharon Kinyanjui, Director Europe, Middle East, and Africa Receive Markets at WorldRemit.” “Education is likely to remain a key use of remittances, and this will only increase with the packed school calendar post-covid,” she added. Soko Directory Team
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