Day: May 9, 2023

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has asked Members of Parliament to re-look at the proposed taxation in the Finance Bill 2023/2024 being fronted by the National Treasury.

Speaking to members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Decentralised Funds in his office today, Governor Barasa called on the MPs to mobilise their counterparts in the August House and ensure a win-win balance for all Kenyans when the Bill is tabled.

Governor Barasa said there was need for engagement on the proposed Bill, saying if implemented in the current form, it will overburden the already overtaxed Kenyans.

‘We wish to prevail upon the MPs to re-look at the Finance Bill 2023/2024 in which the National Government proposes various taxation measures,’ he said.

The six MPs led by Getrude Mbeyu, who is also the committee’s vice-chair person undertook to mobilise their counterparts in the August House and ensure a win-win for all Kenyans when the Bill is tabled.

The Bill proposes a raft of tax changes which are geared towards expanding the tax base and raising revenues to meet the government’s ambitious budget of Sh3.6 trillion for the year 2023/2024.

Among the taxes proposed include, 5 percent excise duty to be levied on wigs, false beards, eyebrows, eyelashes, artificial nails, and human hair, per diems for public and private servants will now be fully taxable as gains from employment and imported cell phones to attract a 10 percent excise duty.

Other proposals include individuals earning Sh500, 000 or more per month will have their PAYE graduated to 35 percent and Digital Assets Tax has been introduced among other highlights.

Many Kenyans have however expressed their misgivings, saying the move will overburden many Kenyans hard hit by the current economic meltdown.

In the recent past, the government has struggled to meet its expenditure requirements, a move that has forced the government to seek to increase taxes to bridge its fiscal deficit.

Source: Kenya News Agency

It’s a relief for Naibunga residents in Laikipia North after benefitting with a 30 million electric fence to tame human-wildlife conflict in the area.

The 40-kilometre (km) fence is funded by Italian donors and will shield residents from the marauding elephants and other dangerous wild animals.

Naibunga Conservancy covers 466 km square of Laikipia North sub-county, bordering Isiolo County to the north.

Naibunga is also surrounded by Ol Gaboli lodge, Koija Starbeds, Lewaso Cottages, and Lentile Sanctuary which boost tourism in the area and create employment to locals.

Naibunga community chairperson Kaparo said elephants had been a major threat to many families and school going children in the area, however, with the electric fence, it was a sigh of relief to them.

‘This fence surrounds settlement areas and it was an appeal by the community to get the fence since some were being killed by wild animals especially elephants. We have been experiencing a lot of destruction from elephants,’ said Kaparo.

With the recent prolonged drought situation in Laikipia, he noted, elephants invaded homesteads in search of pasture and food, hence risking lives of the residents.

He noted, earlier, children skipped attending school due to fear of marauding jumbos and with the fence, they believed that their children will post good academic results this year.

‘With the fence, children have been attending schools normally and we expect to record good results for the same,’ he noted.

Tom Putonio said that an elephant killed her mother near their homestead back in 2014 and that is when they started an initiative of preventing human-wildlife conflicts in their community.

Mary Nyanduma said elephants had trampled on fences and water tanks as they sought water to drink.

Another resident, urged KWS to drive away one elephant terrorising them within the Naibunga conservancy.

Laikipia North Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warden Rathima Kolan revealed that since 2000 to date, a total of 15 deaths caused by wildlife and 18 injuries were recorded in Laikipia North.

Naibunga which has nine group ranches of Koija, Il Motiok, Tiemamut, Musul, Nkiloriti, Kijabe, Morupusi, Il Polei and Munishoi, the warden noted human-wildlife conflict had declined since the fence was erected.

‘This fence has greatly helped us and I am thankful because as per the data we have, they say, all elephants should be contained within the ranches and not in the community neighbourhoods,’ said the warden.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Vincent Aboubakar returned to Besiktas in January from Al-Nassr, and has so far been one of the Turkish side’s most impactful players.

With 13 matches played since his arrival, the 31-year-old has scored 10 goals with one assist. He netted a brace on Saturday as Besiktas defeated Antalyaspor 3-1.

Aboubakar parted ways with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League to provide space for Christiano Ronaldo, who was arriving from Manchester United.

“When Christiano arrived, coach Rudi Garcia called me into his office. He told me that normally an international player has to leave…I told him that I already wanted to leave before and honestly, as Christiano was coming, my playing time would be reduced” the Garoua native said before leaving.

His contract was mutually terminated in compliance with Saudi football laws, which restrict clubs from registering more than 8 foreign players.

Christiano Ronaldo who has faced criticism on several occasions for average performance at the club, has scored 12 goals in 13 matches.

Vincent Aboubakar scored 12 in 34 matches between 2021 and 2023 with the Saudi club.

His return to Besiktas in January, constituted a third stint with the team. The 2017 AFCON winner earlier played with the Black and Whites from 2016 to 2017 (on loan from FC Porto) and 2020 to 2021.

Besiktas are currently third on the classification table after 32 days of play.

Source: Cameroon News Agency