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The Kenya Red Cross on Sunday, April 28, responded to Kenyans seeking to join the organisation noting that there were vacancies for all interested. 

This comes at a time when most parts of the country are experiencing floods necessitating immediate response. 

Kenya Red Cross has been partnering with key government agencies to rescue close to 20,000 households which have been displaced by the heavy downpour. 

“Visit the nearest Kenya Red Cross branch and sign up,” Kenya Red Cross told Kenyans seeking to join the rescue team. 

Kenya Red Cross team rescuing Sultan Hamud residents swept away by floods on April 26, 2024.

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Kenya Red Cross

It should be noted that the rescue team is a volunteer position and does not come with monthly remuneration. 

“One of the most important traits of a volunteer at the Kenya Red Cross is being selfless and having no desire to gain anything from their actions,” Kenya Red stated. 

Kenyans who sign up for the program are expected to support the organisation's humanitarian work by contributing towards improving the lives of those in need. 

Requirements to join Kenya Red Cross Rescue Team as a Volunteer

Kenya Red Cross does not discriminate on nationality when applying for the position and as such, it is open for everyone. 

The volunteers have a responsibility to behave in accordance with the Kenya Red Cross Society code of conduct.

“Must conduct themselves with integrity and honesty and display a committed and positive attitude while performing their assigned tasks,” Kenya Red Cross states on the requirements. 

Volunteers will be also required to participate in any necessary training provided by the society.

Lastly, volunteers will also be required to respect the rights, beliefs and opinions of beneficiaries. 

A minibus submerges at JKIA on April 27, 2024.

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The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on Saturday, April 27 explained why its officers removed number plates from vehicles.

In response to queries by Kenyans, NTSA noted that the number plates are usually removed from vehicles which are deemed to be mechanically unsound.

Further, the Authority explained that there were various checks done on vehicles to determine if they were safe to be on the road.

According to NTSA, the check is usually done by experts who then give the green light for the number plates to be removed.

NTSA removing a number plate from a vehicle as a police officer monitors in Mombasa County on April 8, 2024.

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NTSA

"How do you ascertain that a vehicle is not mechanically sound without having ridden in it?" Janabi Sativa questioned NTSA.

"We only remove the plates if the vehicle is not mechanically sound. We have mechanical engineers who are mandated to undertake the inspection to ascertain that," NTSA responded.

Additionally, the removal of number plates from a vehicle prevents motorists from using the vehicles until the issues are fixed.

According to the Traffic Act Cap 403, no vehicle can operate on the roads without having a number plate.

"No motor vehicle or trailer registered under this Act or driven under the authority of a general dealer’s licence shall be used on a road unless there is fixed thereto in the prescribed manner the prescribed number of identification plates of the prescribed design and colour on which is inscribed the identification mark of the vehicle or of the general dealer’s licence," reads the Act in part.

According to the law, a motorist who drives a vehicle without number plates faces four demerit points. The points are usually used in the suspension of a Driver's Licence (DL). 

Notably, NTSA has been undertaking a crackdown on various roads in the country alongside traffic police. During the recent exercise, officers have been photographed removing number plates from some vehicles.

The recent enforcement was informed by the rising cases of accidents in the country.

Traffic police officers and a team from NTSA during a road check along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on Wednesday, March 27, 2024

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NTSA

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has mandated the use of 100 per cent biodegradable bin bags for organic waste collection starting July 8, 2024.

This directive aims to combat plastic pollution in the country by replacing plastic bags with more eco-friendly alternatives. However, our analysis reveals that this transition may come at a significant cost for Kenyan households upwards of Ksh3,000 on the bio-degradable bags.

The directive encompasses various types of waste, including kitchen scraps, garden waste, and household waste. To comply, households will need to switch to biodegradable bin liners, as recommended by NEMA.

NEMA offices in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Wkimedia Commons

Following the government's ban on plastic shopping bags in 2017, retailers swiftly adapted by implementing charges for carrier bags, creating a new revenue stream for supermarkets and food sellers. This move marked a significant shift in consumer behaviour and highlighted the potential profitability of environmentally friendly alternatives.

Similarly, apartments in Nairobi and other towns began charging tenants a monthly fee for garbage collection services starting from as low as Ksh100 per month.

However, with the transition to biodegradable bags, landlords are expected to raise the garbage collection fee to offset the higher cost of these eco-friendly alternatives. This adjustment could further strain the finances of already burdened families, especially those with limited disposable income.

NEMA's directive requires waste to be collected separately and transported to designated material recovery facilities for further processing, underscoring the importance of proper waste management practices in mitigating environmental damage.

Prices

The price of the soon-to-be outlawed plastic bags varied depending on factors such as size, quality, and place of purchase.

Our analysis of online retailers revealed a wide price range, with plastic bags retailing anywhere from Ksh700 to Ksh1,500 for 50 pieces.

Some supermarket stalls offered plastic bags for prices ranging from Ksh400 to Ksh2,000.

However, the shift to biodegradable bags is expected to come at a higher cost. Our analysis of available biodegradable bags in the market suggests that Kenyans may need to spend upwards of Ksh3,000 to purchase a supply of these eco-friendly alternatives.

In our search for more affordable options, we found that Kenyans could purchase 15 biodegradable bags for Ksh629.

For those in need of larger quantities, such as 100 pieces of the 4-litre bags for kitchen countertop bins, the cost could be as high as Ksh6,239.

Importing biodegradable bags may offer slightly lower prices, but additional shipping and delivery costs need to be factored in.

For example, compostable trash bags suitable for 4-8 litre small trash could cost around Ksh1,700 for 150 bags, while a heavier-duty import of 30 bags could cost approximately Ksh3,000, excluding shipping and delivery fees.

Despite the high prices attributed to limited supply and high demand, it is anticipated that prices will stabilize as the market adjusts to meet the growing demand for biodegradable bags.

History of plastic bag bans

The history of plastic bag bans in Kenya is marked by a series of attempts to address the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. However, these efforts have often faced significant challenges and met with limited success.

In 2007, an attempt was made to clean up the country by banning the manufacture and import of bags up to 0.03 millimetres (30 microns) in thickness. Unfortunately, this initiative failed to achieve its intended impact, as plastic bags continued to be widely used and distributed.

Four years later, in 2011, NEMA declared a ban on plastic bags below 0.6 millimetres in thickness. Despite this regulatory action, little progress was made in reducing the proliferation of plastic bags, highlighting the limitations of enforcement and compliance.

The failure of these early bans can be attributed in part to opposition from industry lobbyists, who argued that implementing such measures would result in significant job losses.

Additionally, the sheer scale of plastic bag usage in urban centres like Nairobi, where millions of bags were issued daily by supermarkets and grocery shops, posed a formidable challenge to enforcement efforts.

In 2014, the Nairobi City County proposed the Plastic Carry Bags Control Bill, which aimed to ban polyethene bags, non-biodegradable plastic bags, and containers made from virgin plastic above a certain thickness and size. Despite the pressing need to address plastic pollution, the bill never materialised into law, underscoring the complexities of policymaking and stakeholder engagement in addressing environmental issues.

The culmination of these past efforts came in 2017 when the Cabinet Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources issued gazette notice number 2356, banning the use, manufacture, and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging.

This comprehensive ban represented a significant step forward in Kenya's efforts to combat plastic pollution, reflecting a growing recognition of the urgent need for decisive action.

Plastic garbage bags in Kenya

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Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome will be empowered to revoke exemptions granted to Kenyans for the payment of the 1.5 per cent Housing Levy, as outlined in the draft Affordable Housing Levy Regulations 2024.

Under the proposed regulations, the CS will have the authority to revoke exemptions under three specific circumstances. One of the primary reasons for revoking exemptions is if individuals obtain them fraudulently.

Furthermore, individuals who provide false information when applying for exemptions under the Housing Levy scheme will also face the revocation of their exemption status.

Thirdly, should the CS be informed that the exempted Kenyan does not meet the requirements outlined in law, the benefit will be revoked.

President William Ruto laying a stone at an affordable housing project in Laikipia, April 13.

PCS

"The Cabinet Secretary may, in writing, make a recommendation to the Cabinet Secretary responsible for the National Treasury for the revocation of an exemption granted in accordance with section 6 of the Act where the Cabinet Secretary has received information that disqualifies the person from further being exempted.

"Revocations will be done where the CS determines that the person who has been exempted omitted material information when making the application under regulation 5 and that if such information was submitted, that information may have affected the eligibility of the person or the income from the exemption," read the statement in part.

Who Will Be Exempted

Following President William Ruto's assent to the Affordable Housing Bill, all Kenyans are obligated to pay the 1.5 per cent Housing Levy.

The 1.5 per cent levy will be deducted from the gross monthly salary for employed Kenyans and gross income for Kenyans in the informal sector.

Among those exempted will be Kenyans whose income is derived from the pension or gratuity paid to a person upon termination of a contract.

"An income or a class of income may be exempted from the Levy where the income is reimbursement of medical expenses or travel and accommodation expenses for a work-related activity or derived from an insurance compensation" read the proposal in part.

The Housing Levy is currently being effected on payslips following a directive by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

As per the late, the deductions are required to be remitted to the authority by the 9th day of every month.

President William Ruto filing his taxes at the KRA offices on May 26 2023

PCS

The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has initiated the process of compensating farmers who unknowingly bought fake or substandard fertiliser from their stores.

In a statement, the board revealed that the farmers will be required to lodge formal complaints by filing in a claim declaration form which will be available at the depots where they purchased the fertiliser.

According to the NCPB, the farmers will then be required to drop the forms after filling in their details.

Besides filling the forms, the farmers will also be required to provide proof of purchase from the national subsidy programme.

Kenyan farmers harvesting their crops

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Farmers will also be required to present their original national ID cards while submitting the claims.

Additionally, farmers will also be required to provide the exhibits where applicable for those who are yet to use the fertiliser.

For farmers who have already utilised the fertiliser and had their claims verified by NCPB, they will be issued with an equivalent amount of the top-dressing fertiliser.

NCPB however cautioned that farmers presenting their documents must match their claims with the existing records at NCPB's silos or depots.

The board further confirmed having distributed 3 million bags of top-dressing fertiliser to registered farmers just in time for the 2024 long rains.

“Farmers are continuing to receive e-voucher messages for top dressing fertilizer and are encouraged to visit the nearest NCPB depot or selling centre to purchase quality fertilizers under the Government Subsidy Programme (GSP),” stated NCPB.

The compensation comes after the government confirmed that one company contracted to supply fertiliser to the Board had distributed substandard input.

The company, however, has pleaded its innocence.

Maize silos and driers at the Eldoret National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot.

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The Kenyan Shilling on Wednesday recorded a drop in value for the fifth consecutive day despite recording resurgent performance against the US dollar in the past month. 

According to the Central Bank of Kenya, the Shilling continued to rally against the Dollar, as the currency surged to Ksh127 in the previous week. 

The value has, however, seen a drastic drop with the currency oscillating between Ksh130 and Ksh132 this week showing a decline in growth in the foreign exchange market. 

As of Wednesday, the Shilling was trading at 132 units against one green buck. 

A look at Factors That Caused the Kenya Shilling to Gain/Lose Against the Dollar

A Review of Significant Events From 2020 to 2024

(Scroll to interact with the graphics)

This has thus caused uncertainty among investors over the volatility of the Shilling culminating in dollar outflows by businessmen seeking to invest in other countries exhibiting more stability. 

What Caused the Dollar to Fluctuate? 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Governance expert Ben Mulwa explained that the strengthening of the Shilling in the past month was attributed to the Eurobond buyback, which he pointed out was not sustainable over the long haul. 

"There was the issue of the regularisation of the Eurobond. It played a major factor in restoring investor confidence. 

"You realise it's not sustainable because what ultimately would stabilise the Kenyan Shilling and make it possible for it to be predictable is to stabilise our exports," he stated. 

"Unfortunately, our exports have been on the decline to an extremely large extent and as long as we remain a net import economy and continue to import products that we were not importing before, then we have zero control over the Shilling."

He added that Kenya should not be importing basic commodities that the country has the potential to make. For net importers, the government is forced to borrow to fund the imports which are denominated in Dollars and hence the increase in sovereign debt. 

This hence causes a ripple effect on the purchasing power of the commodities and subsequently leads to a rise in the inflation rate. Importers will thus purchase the commodities in dollars and place further strain on the Kenyan currency. 

"For instance, a basic commodity such as onions; for the past year, the prices of onions have been on the rise and for some strange reasons we are unable to produce onions to meet our consumption," he explained. 

"This is a product that was not in the computation of our dollar reserves. Those who have access to the product can control the prices and by effect, have a say on the value the Shilling is placed to the dollar. The ripple effect cuts across so many commodities that we have previously not been importing."

William Irungu, a senior research associate and economic expert shared Mulwa's sentiments and noted that the Shilling will depreciate further and settle at Ksh160 should the government not find a lasting solution. 

"Soon, we will see the Shilling on a free fall unless the government intervenes hence investing in the country is a risky affair," Irungu remarked. 

Mulwa noted that the fake fertiliser scandal will subject the agricultural sector to further crisis with the farmers unable to capitalise on the rainfall season experienced across the country. 

"The farmers were expecting fertiliser as it is the planting season and if they cannot access the government subsidy, they will acquire it from the private sector, the farmers will have to get the product and may end up buying it at higher prices."

"All indicators are we're going to see the downward fall of the Shilling in the coming weeks."

Our analysis has revealed the government, under the leadership of President William Ruto, has incurred losses amounting to over Ksh9 billion due to employees wielding counterfeit academic certificates.

This revelation emerged following President Ruto’s announcement that over 2,100 employees joined the public service sector with fake academic papers.

To put this colossal figure into perspective, it surpasses the equitable share received by all but seven counties in the financial year ending June 2022.

The specter of counterfeit credentials has long haunted Kenya's bureaucratic corridors.

However, President Ruto's administration has taken a decisive stance by calling upon individuals within the public service possessing spurious certificates to resign and reimburse the government for earnings accrued under false pretenses.

The brunt of this crackdown is poised to affect thousands of support staff, constituting a significant portion of Kenya's expansive public service workforce.

Casual workers and public servants wielding fraudulent academic qualifications are set to bear the initial repercussions as the government grapples with the ballooning public wage bill.

This revelation surfaced following the culmination of the 2024 National Wage Bill conference, where pivotal resolutions were reached, poised to reverberate throughout Kenya's public service sector if implemented.

Foremost among these resolutions is the mandate for all national and county government agencies to conduct comprehensive reviews of their staff establishments, ensuring alignment with legally stipulated skillset requirements.

At the heart of this controversy lies a comprehensive audit initiated by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in October 2022.

This audit unearthed a staggering tally of 2,067 counterfeit academic and professional certificates utilised to secure positions within government institutions over the past decade.

Leading the pack is the Ministry of Interior, topping the charts with the highest incidence of staff possessing dubious qualifications. The audit, encompassing 331 institutions, including ministries, state departments, agencies, state corporations, semi-autonomous bodies, and public universities, demanded stringent compliance.

However, despite concerted efforts, only a fraction of institutions adhered to the audit's directives. Of the 58,599 cases scrutinised, a substantial 1,280 were flagged as forged, underscoring the pervasive nature of this malpractice.

Moreover, a distressing revelation emerged regarding 787 officers across ministries, state departments, and agencies who secured appointments and promotions through the use of falsified documents.

How we arrived at Ksh9.25 billion

To ascertain the magnitude of the financial losses incurred by the government due to employees with fake certificates, a meticulous analysis of expenditure was undertaken. This analysis hinges on two pivotal figures: the average remuneration of civil servants in the highest and smallest job grades.

The government disburses an average of Ksh12,997 to civil servants in the highest job grade, while those in the smallest job group receive approximately Ksh434,442. Utilising these figures, coupled with the Public Service Commission's revelation of 2,067 individuals holding fraudulent credentials, a stark reality emerges.

The calculation reveals that over the course of President Ruto's twenty-month tenure, the government has suffered losses amounting to a staggering Ksh9.25 billion. However, employing President Ruto's slightly higher figure of 2,100 individuals with fake certificates, the losses escalate to Ksh9.4 billion, underlining the gravity of the situation.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding, a scenario was envisioned where all 2,067 individuals were placed in the smallest job group. In this scenario, the government's losses are estimated at Ksh537 million during the same period. Conversely, if these employees were considered to belong to the higher job groups, the losses remain approximately Ksh9.25 billion.

Impact

The implications of these astronomical losses are profound and far-reaching. Notably, the sum lost surpasses the annual budget allocations of the majority of counties. Only seven counties received in excess of Ksh9 billion in the 2021/2022 fiscal year.

With Ksh9.25 billion at its disposal, the Ministry of Education could embark on a transformative endeavour, constructing over 30,000 classrooms to accommodate Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners.

Furthermore, the allocation of Ksh3.9 billion for the construction of 15,021 classrooms in December 2023 pales in comparison to the potential impact of Ksh9.25 billion.

Additionally, the funds lost could have been directed toward settling outstanding obligations owed to private hospitals by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). With Ksh6.1 billion owed to approximately 400 rural hospitals, the allocation of Ksh9.25 billion to the Ministry of Health could alleviate the financial strain on these vital healthcare providers.

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The revelation that Ksh9 billion could significantly dent the country's wage bill, as evidenced by the expenditure of Ksh19.61 billion in salaries by State Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in March 2024.

While the actual figure of how much the government has lost is unclear, what our analysis shows is if the employees serving with fake certificates pay the government back, President Ruto could have more money to redirect to some of his pet projects, like that of affordable housing.

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has re-opened the application portal for the second revision of courses for 2023 KCSE students.

According to the Placement Service, the opportunity targets previous applicants who have not yet secured courses or are yet to submit their course selections.

The application portal is open for KCSE students and Form Four leavers from 2000 to 2022.

The students will be allowed to submit their courses for placement in universities, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and TVETs (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).

The KUCCPS students portal.

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KUCCPS

The applicants are encouraged to revise their courses before the April 25, 2024, deadline.

How to Revise

Students will be required to access the application portal through www.student.kuccps.net

Key in your login details by entering your KCSE index number, KCSE year and password (First-time users are advised to use the Birth Certificate Number of the KCPE number as the initial password).

Click on the Applications tab in the upper left-hand tab to check the requirements.

Alternatively, search for the courses by their institutions by clicking on the institutions tab.

Scroll through the programs and either add or revise the courses selected in the bracket.

To either replace a course, click on the application/revisions tab and enter a different program code.

The program codes can be accessed from the course list.

Once you are done, click submit.

Candidates are not required to pay any placement fee as they are advised to submit the mobile money code used during the first revision phase.

The government has been keen on encouraging students to take up TVET courses to enhance the country's capacity to offer practical training,

According to President William Ruto, the courses will push the youth to positively contribute to the economic growth of a country.

In the current financial year, the government allocated Ksh28.3 billion to cater for TVET institutions. 

An invigilator distributes papers to Starehe Boys' Centre students sitting KCSE exams in 2021.

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Ministry of Education

Kenyans will be required to provide proof of earning an income before being allocated a house in the government's affordable housing programme.

As detailed in the Affordable Housing Regulations, 2024, it was noted that the provision of the proof was necessary given that it will help the Affordable Housing Board ascertain that one can pay their mortgage.

One of the proofs of income includes payslips issued to employees at the end of every month.

"In accordance with section 49(2) of the Act, an application for allocation of an affordable housing unit shall be accompanied by proof of income and ability to repay for the loan," proposed the regulations.

Affordable houses constructed in Ongata Rongai.

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Kings Serenity

On the other hand, applicants will also be required to provide identification documents such as a national identity card or passport.

Military identification documents are also listed as some of the documents that can be provided by applicants who served in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

A passport-size photo was also listed as a requirement needed before one is allocated a house.

"In accordance with section 49(2) of the Act, an application for allocation of an affordable housing unit shall be accompanied by proof the deposit payable at the rate specified in regulation 10," read the regulations in part.

Notably, the regulations stipulate that Kenyans needed to pay a deposit of 10 per cent before being allocated houses.

However, there are provisions that Kenyans who are unable to meet the demands for the 10 per cent to get assistance.

"A person shall be eligible for deposit assistance if the person’s monthly income is below Ksh20,000 and the person demonstrates that the affordable housing unit to be purchased shall be their primary residence," the proposals read in part.

Additionally, the deposit assistance shall also be given to someone should the estimated monthly repayment for the purchase of affordable housing units be less than thirty per cent of the applicant’s monthly income.

Upon application, a decision on the allocation of houses will be made within 14 days.

President William Ruto (centre) holds the Affordable Housing Act, alongside Lands CS Alice Wahome (second from right) and Attorney General Justin Muturi at State House on March 19, 2024.

PCS

Since taking office, President William Ruto has embarked on numerous trips over the past 19 months, which has become a talking point among Kenyans amid the economic crisis in the country.

From his maiden trip to the United Kingdom to attend the burial of Queen Elizabeth II to various trips to the United States of America (USA), Germany, France, Brazil and Japan, the list has been long.

This year alone, the president has crossed borders six times, including a trip to Italy to attend the Italy-Africa Summit on January 28, 2024, as well as another trip to Ethiopia for the African Union Summit.

According to a spot-check by Kenyans.co.ke, the head of state has made a total of 40 trips. For an extensive analysis take a look at the graphics below.

Flights Taken by Ruto Since He Took Office

Tracking All Official and State Visits

The president's busiest month was May 2023, during which he travelled to four countries; United Kingdom, Netherlands, Israel and South Africa.

Kenyans.co.ke will be looking at the trips based on three factors; places travelled, cost implications and outcome of the trips. 

By The Numbers

The president's travel expenditure encompasses the recurrent cost incurred by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). This covers factors such as salaries, travel, accommodation and maintenance that are included in the reports.

According to the National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for the Financial Year 2022/23, the Office of the President spent over Ksh1.4 billion on travel.

The report covered the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

Of the total amount, Ksh1 billion was allocated to domestic travel and Ksh361 million was reserved for foreign travel.

In contrast, the figure represented an increase of over 30 per cent as opposed to the Ksh957 million allocated during the 2021/22 Financial Year.

Further, a spot check on the National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for the first six months of the Financial Year 2023/24, showed that the figure was drastically reduced to Ksh21.24 million for domestic travel and Ksh12.21 million for foreign travel.

The report covered the period from July 1 2023 to December 31, 2023.

It is important to note that during the same period, the Office of the Deputy President was allocated Ksh184.81 million for domestic travel and Ksh111.38 million for foreign travel, raising questions about the expenditure by the incumbent government at a time when the country's economy is not yet out of the woods.

Uhuru Kenyatta's expenditure for travel 

Comparison

In contrast, former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration gobbled up a budget of Ksh6.7 billion for both local and foreign travel during his two terms.

Out of this amount, Ksh1.66 billion was allocated for foreign travel while Ksh5.79 billion was channelled towards domestic travel.

Promises Made 

Critics have since raised concerns over the significance of the trips made by the head of state.

In a rejoinder in December 2023, Ruto claimed that he could account for every shilling he has used on foreign travel since he took over office. He noted that his mission was to salvage Kenya from plunging into debt distress as well as seeking job opportunities abroad for Kenyans.

1 Million Foreign Jobs

President Ruto reaffirmed that several international countries agreed to grant Kenyans one million jobs abroad. The countries in question include; Germany, Barbados, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

In February 2024, the first batch of 500 Kenyan workers were exported to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Germany, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Business Investment

The head of state has also wooed foreigners to invest in the country's manufacturing, agriculture and technology sectors to realise the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

He has also urged investors to explore the green energy sector, citing Kenya as possessing the largest energy reserves in solar, wind and geothermal.

Tax Reforms; Conducive Environment

In creating a win-win situation for the investors, Ruto also promised to review the tax reforms to create a conducive environment. In particular, he noted that a predictable tax regime attracts private sector players who prefer a stable environment to invest in.