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The highly anticipated World Rally Championship (WRC) roared to life on Wednesday, March 27, with the shakedown heralding the start of the 72nd Safari Rally Kenya. 

For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of this exhilarating motorsport event, here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the rally, from understanding the drivers and stages to how winners are determined.

Intense Competition and Excitement

The WRC is the pinnacle of rally racing, featuring drivers, co-drivers, and hybrid-powered production-based cars facing some of the toughest terrains across the globe.

Established in 1973, it spans 13 rallies across four continents and 13 countries. The battle unfolds across multiple categories, including the Drivers', Co-Drivers', and the Manufacturers' Championship.

Support Championships and Contests

In addition to the main championship (WRC), there are support championships such as WRC2 and WRC3. The Junior WRC is contested on selected events of the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.

Notably, the Safari Rally Kenya marks the third event of an increasingly thrilling WRC season, with only three points separating the top two drivers, Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans, in the provisional standings.

French rally driver Adrien Fourmaux and Safaricom’s Chief Finance Officer Esther Waititu in a race car on Wednesday, March 27.

Kenyans.co.ke

Emmanuel Korir

The battle in WRC2 will see Carl Tundo, driving a Ford Fiesta, contesting for the title one more time. However, he faces a stern test from the likes of Oliver Solberg, Gus Greensmith, Nicolas Ciamin, and Kajetan Kajetanowicz, all vying for victory.

KCB-sponsored Karan Patel should also not be ruled out, and nor should FIA Junior WRC regular Diego Domínguez, who will make his WRC2 debut in a Citroën C3.

Other Kenyans in the mix include Safaricom-backed Hamza Anwar, Andrew Muiruri, and Aakif Virani, who will also be contesting for the top prize.

Rally Line-Up and Teams

The Safari Rally Kenya witnesses the participation of three formidable teams, each fielding three cars. 
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team leads the charge with Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Esapekka Lappi.

Meanwhile, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team boasts Adrien Fourmaux, Grégoire Munster, and Jourdan Serderidis. 

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, spearheaded by Elfyn Evans, also features Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä, the 2022 Safari winner.

Return to Tradition and Challenges Ahead

Traditionally held during the Easter weekend, the Safari Rally Kenya returns to its iconic slot in 2024, marking the first gravel-based round of the year. 

The event coincides with Kenya's rainy season, adding an extra layer of challenge for drivers as they navigate the rugged East African terrain.

Rally Dynamics and Points System

Each rally comprises timed special stages on closed roads, with drivers aiming to complete them as swiftly as possible while adhering to their co-driver's pace notes. 

Points for drivers and co-drivers are awarded based on their performance throughout the rally, culminating in a perfect score of 30.

The route consists of 19 stages covering a distance of 367.76 kilometres, largely unchanged from the previous year.

Rally Timetable and Structure

Rallies follow a structured timetable, starting with reconnaissance and shakedown before the official start on Thursday night. The competition spans four days, concluding with the rally-closing Power Stage on Sunday.

Notably, the rally features a mix of new and familiar stages, providing a rigorous test for participants.

Service Park and Penalties

Competitors visit the service park for mechanical work at predetermined intervals during the day. Strict regulations govern service time, with penalties imposed for exceeding allotted durations.

Moreover, time penalties are incurred for late arrivals at control points, ensuring fair competition throughout the rally.

Retirements and Second Chances

Competitors facing mechanical issues or accidents may restart the following day, subject to safety considerations.

However, missed stages result in time penalties, further challenging teams to maintain consistency and resilience amidst the demanding conditions.

The Safari Rally Kenya promises to deliver thrilling action and intense competition as drivers battle the elements and each other for supremacy in one of the most challenging events on the WRC calendar. 

The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team vehicle engineer, Josh Harbour, explaining details of the rally car March 2024.

Kenyans.co.ke

Emmanuel Korir

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a deadline of March 31, 2024, for the registration of businesses on the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS).

As per the authority's records, as seen on Tuesday, March 26, only 186,566 businesses have been successfully onboarded onto the platform. 

KRA also disclosed that the anticipated total number of businesses expected to utilise the system is 915,000. This leaves a significant number of 728,434 businesses yet to complete the registration process, prompting concerns about compliance.

In March, KRA unveiled the user-friendly system, to ease the transmission of tax invoices to the taxman, for both large and small businesses in the informal and formal sectors. 

Kenya Revenue Authority offices

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KRA

"Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) would like to remind the public that all persons carrying on business including those in the Informal Sector and Small Businesses are required to electronically generate and transmit their invoices to KRA via the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS)," KRA stated in March. 

Non-Compliance Fines 

Following the fast-approaching deadline, business owners have been warned of major non-compliance fines that will be imposed on those yet to be onboarded.

For businesses that fail to comply, KRA will consider it as tax evasion and fines will be imposed based on The Tax Procedures Act. The fines will amount to double the amount of tax evaded.

"If you don’t onboard it makes it difficult for the businesses to do business with you," eTIMS Chief Manager Hakamba Wangwe stated. 

Personal Information to Remain Confidential

KRA has also declared that the invoicing system will not take up any confidential information from customers while generating the invoice.

Contrary to previous concerns of data breaches between service providers and their customers, the eTIMS online portal or USSD code does not request any personal identifiers of the customers.

The business owner will not be mandated to share the names, PINs or any personal information of their customers.

How to Onboard 

There are three ways to onboard one's business on the system. These include dialling the USSD code *222# to acquire various services. 

Treaders and business people can also use the eCitizen platform, through which all government services are paid. The simplified system can be accessed through the www.ecitizen.kra.go.ke. 

Service-based businesses have been advised to use the eTims portal service. The taxman has provided a guide for people applying through the service portal, which can be accessed through their official website.

"Upon successful application, an authorized KRA officer will verify and approve the application," KRA notes. 

A file image of the reception area at KRA offices in Nairobi.

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KRA

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has listed institutions where KCSE 2023 students can review and revise their applications for suitable degree, diploma and artisan-based programmes. 

The placement body advised the students who needed guidance to visit one of the listed institutions located within their region.

KUCCPS detailed 51 institutions based on the regions across the country.

In Nairobi, students are advised to visit the Nairobi Technical Training Institute while in Murang'a, they can head to Mathioya Technical and Vocational College.

Kenyatta University School of Public Health Students in Class.

Photo Kenyatta University

In the Mt Kenya region, here are the listed institutions; Jeremiah Nyaga Technical Training Institute (Embu), Kiambu National Polytechnic, Thika Technical Training Institute (Kiambu), Mwea Technical and Vocational College (Kirinyaga), Nkabune Technical Training Institute (Meru), Nyeri National Polytechnic (Nyeri), and Tharaka University College (Tharaka Nithi).

The list of approved colleges and universities in the Coast region includes Likoni Technical and Vocational College, Technical University of Mombasa, Lamu East Technical and Vocational College, Kinango Technical and Vocational College (Kwale) and Pwani University.

In the Western region, the approved institutions are Kisiwa Technical Training Institute, Alupe University, Tom Mboya University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Shamberere Technical Training Institute (Kakamega), Nyakach Technical and Vocational College (Kisumu), Ramogi Institute of Science and Technology, Siala Technical Training Institute, Kitutu Masaba TVC and Friends College Kaimosi (Vihiga).

The students were advised to revise their courses before April 4, 2024.

According to the Placement Body, the first revision targets applicants who have not secured any of their choices submitted between February and March 2024 and KCSE candidates with C+ and above who did not apply for Degree programmes during the application period.

The application window also targets Kenyans who sat for KCSE from 2000 to 2023 and are yet to join a TVET institution.

The revisions are to be done by accessing the student's portal: students.kuccps.net

If their application is not successful, they can apply for another course based on their KCSE results as well as cutoff points.

The KUCCPS students portal.

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KUCCPS

The digital platform, Facebook which is owned by Meta announced that Kenyans will be able to monetizate their content beginning June 2024.

Green listing of Kenya as one of the countries that qualify for monetisation has left many questions on Kenyans’ minds on how to monetize their content.

According to Meta’s policies, the following are some of the criteria that one has to follow to have their page monetized.

First, one must have 500 followers for at least 30 consecutive days as explained in the policy document.

File Image of Facebook Logo

Facebook

For a Facebook profile to be monetized the account should be from an eligible country, for which Kenya is.

Additionally, one’s page must be public either through Facebook pages, profiles in professional mode, events or groups.

Another eligibility criterion requires that the Facebook profile follow community standards, such as avoiding hate speech, avoiding sexualized content and inauthentic content.

Further one has to follow monetisation policies set up by the platform within their business partners programme.

The monetisation policies prohibit certain content types from being monetized.  

First, Static videos which are defined as content that contains one static image and little to no motion are not eligible for monetisation.

The second is static polls, which are content that is posted for the sole purpose of creating engagement, such as asking questions to the audience.

Another prohibition includes slideshows of images with no motion alongside looped videos. Looping content can include GIFs and content of varying lengths.

Further content that will not be monetised within the platform is misleading medical information, engagement bait and content about tragedy or conflict.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Announcing Change of Company's name on Thursday, October 28

The Verge

Since taking office, President William Ruto has introduced a raft of far-reaching tax measures that he insists will be the catalyst for economic reforms in the country.

The downside of these reforms casts a burden on Kenyans who are grappling with the high cost of living. 

In contrast, President Ruto has defended these tax measures, indicating that his administration has evaded a financial crisis that has befallen other African countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia which have plunged into debt distress in the past.

On the other hand, the head of state has promised to either lower or eliminate several tax policies following concerns raised by the public. Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at these four tax policies.

Corporate Tax

Definition: tax applied to profit made by a company over a specified period. It includes gross income minus the gross expenditure.

Current Effect: For investors seeking to enter into the Kenyan markets, high rates of corporate tax discourage foreign direct investments, hence causing them to seek other markets.

In some cases, the high rates cause reduced compliance by taxpayers, which results in a decline in income tax as a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Proposal: In the Budget Policy Statement released in February 2024, the National Treasury would lower the corporate tax from existing 30 per cent to 25 per cent.

VAT on Building Materials

Definition: Value Added Taxes are applied to all taxable goods and services that are not zero-rated. In this case, this is applied to building materials needed for the Affordable Housing program.

Current Effect: Owing to the VAT, the cost of constructing the houses has shot up. This essentially hampers the target instituted by President Ruto's administration to construct 250,000 housing units per unit. He aims to have constructed 1 million houses across the country by 2027.

Proposal: While launching the Affordable Housing Program in Mombasa in November 2023, Ruto promised to eliminate the tax on building materials.

Taxes on Packaging Materials

Definition: Currently, packaging material imported in Kenya is taxed, hence affecting products meant for export.

Current Effect: In the tea sector, investors have lamented over the increased cost of production hence affecting their sales. Overall, this affects Kenya's ability to export tea as it ranked as the second largest tea export in the world, generating an estimated Ksh200 billion in revenue.

Proposal: Ruto promised that he would remove the taxes on packaging materials imported into Kenya. He, however, noted that his administration was concluding the necessary approval before rollout.

Farm Produce Tax

Definition: This is a tax on every farmer's produce who will be required to pay Ksh5 for every Ksh100 obtained from the sales. In new tax measures, the government has proposed to increase the taxing measures, insisting that the agricultural sector is undertaxed.

Effect: The government seeks to capitalise on the sector, which it insists contributes an average of 21 per cent of the GDP. The measures have elicited an uproar from farmers who lamented that it would lead to diminishing returns as the majority rely on the profits as their daily income.

Proposal: Following the uproar DP Rigathi Gachagua promised to look into the matter and promised the farmers to implement policies that improved their fortunes.

President William Ruto speaking in Tokyo, Japan on February 8, 2024.

PCS

Cars have been there since 1886 and were invented by Carl Benz from Germany to ease in transportation from one place to another in the shortest time possible.

Over the years, manufacturers have built on Benz's and others' work to improve the vehicle and make it as efficient as it can be.

Currently, electric vehicles are the newest kids on the block. Inventors such as Elon Musk are working to save the environment and create a better version of the early idea of a car.

In the midst of the renovations and improvements to the vehicle, manufacturers have introduced a wheel with a flat bottom. This design serves a useful purpose for the driver.

An Audi with a flat bottom wheel

Photo

Tag Motorsports

This design was introduced by Ford in 2006 and quickly gained popularity in the car industry.

One of the reasons is to give the driver more legroom. This creates space between the wheel and the seat allowing the driver to get in and out easily.

Notably this feature is most useful in race cars which are usually small in size requiring the driver the extra leg room from through the flat bottom wheel.

Another reason for this feature is to inform the driver if the car wheels are properly aligned. While this might appear obvious, manufacturers incorporated the feature to assist drivers.

Furthermore, an additional advantage of this feature is that it enhances the vehicle's aesthetic appeal, giving it a sporty look. As manufacturers refine this feature, the wheel design contributes to the car's overall elegance.

Moreover, this feature distinguishes the vehicle from others on the road.

However, the flat-bottomed wheel also comes with disadvantages. It complicates manoeuvres such as making a three-point turn or navigating narrow roads.

Several brands, including Audi, Volkswagen, Ferrari, and Porsche, have implemented this wheel design in select vehicles.

If you are considering switching to a car with a flat wheel, do a test run to ensure you are comfortable before making the purchase. It is also good to note that this feature mostly comes in sporty vehicles.

An aerial photo of a traffic jam along the Thika Super Highway in August 2021.

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Ma3Route

Since President William Ruto took office, his clarion call has been to reduce the economic burden on Kenyans; resulting in the formation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Sceptics questioned whether his formula would work as the majority questioned whether he would make an impact because he deputised his predecessor former President Uhuru Kenyatta in two successive terms.

On the other hand, others expressed optimism that Ruto's plan to transform the economy would come to fruition during his tenure.

One year and five months in office, Ruto has received praise and criticism in equal measure over his policies. Some observers have heaped praise on Uhuru's tenure, noting that the cost of doing business has become difficult in the current regime.

Kenyans.co.ke gives a breakdown of how Ruto has fared in his tenure and draws comparisons with Uhuru during the same timeframe.

To calculate the inflation rate, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is guided by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This compares the retail prices of household goods and services during a period and analyses the changes in cost.

Comparison

When Uhuru took office in April 2013, the inflation rate in the country stood at 4.14 per cent. The data rose to 9.2 per cent when he left office, averaging a rate of 6.35 per cent during his two terms.

In contrast, former President Mwai Kibaki took office when the country's inflation rate was 2 per cent and averaged 10.98 per cent throughout his tenure.

At the onset of Ruto's regime in September 2022, the rate had peaked at 9.2 per cent, signalling a ripple effect in the high cost of basic commodities.

From the graph above, Ruto's inflation rate has dropped to 6.3 per cent as of February 2024. However, throughout his tenure, the rate had peaked at 9.23 during the first three months of 2023.

The variance in inflation rate can be attributed to policies instituted by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in mitigating the cost of living.

USD Exchange Rate

From 2013 to 2023, the shilling has lost an average of 30 per cent of its value, indicating the steep depreciation of the Kenyan currency. 

The shilling dropped from the initial Ksh84.70 in 2013 to the current Ksh133.07 as of March 21, 2024, according to data from the CBK. 

In contrast, the dollar was trading at Ksh77.35 when Kibaki became president and depreciated to Ksh84.70 by the time he left office in April 2013. 

For the better part of President William Ruto's regime, the majority of Kenyans of different political leanings have raised concerns over different tax policies tabled in Parliament.

Ranging from Housing Levy that affects all Kenyans to taxes that concern a particular niche such as the Export and Investment Promotion Levy, the measures have gone beyond the normal Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Value Added Tax (VAT).

With a worker's income reduced, this has forced them to cut back on consumption of items to make ends meet. Others have also lost their jobs as companies seek to cut on costs and stay afloat.

Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at taxes introduced since Ruto took over office;

List of taxes introduced during President William Ruto's regime.

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Kenyans.co.ke

Finance Act 2023

In July 2023, President Ruto implemented the Finance Act 2023, lining up several tax measures to raise an additional Ksh211 billion.

Housing Levy

Ruto's government introduced a 1.5 per cent levy paid by employees which is matched by employers.

Background

One of the President's legacy projects, the Housing Levy came into effect amid legal hurdles, including a High Court ruling in July 2023 that declared the levy illegal due to lack of public participation. After nearly a nine-month battle, the Affordable Housing Bill was drafted and tabled in Parliament.

The proposal was passed in both houses and took effect on March 19, 2024, when the Head of State assented to the bill.

It has however been challenged in court again.

Impact

Following several amendments to the bill, all Kenyans will be required to pay 1.5 per cent of their gross monthly pay.
 

This also includes Kenyans working in the informal sector and also those not earning salaries.

Doubling of VAT Tax

The Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on petroleum products was doubled to 16 per cent.

Background

The provision was introduced in the Finance Act 2023, as the government sought to raise an additional Ksh50 billion from fuel taxes.

This was criticised by the opposition members who questioned the impact the amendment had on the cost of living. 

On the other hand, Kenya Kwanza MPs argued that the amount would be channelled toward rehabilitation of road networks across the country.

Impact

The provision saw a hike in fuel prices at the time, with a litre of Super petrol rising by an additional Ksh10 in a month. Lower-income households were among the most affected by the amendment due to the rise in the inflation rate.

Turnover Tax

Background

A levy was introduced for all businesses at a standard rate of 3 per cent whether a business made a profit or not.

Impact

The levy was initially charged at one per cent and affected only businesses whose turnover amounted to Ksh1 million or more. With the new provision, all businesses would be affected by the provision.

Expanded PAYE

Background

One of the provisions within the Finance Act, PAYE was expanded by introducing two forms in addition to the current rate of 30 per cent.

Impact

Those earning between Ksh500,000 and Ksh800,000 would have to pay 32.5 per cent while those earning above Ksh800,000 would be required to pay 35 per cent. 

This impacted high-earning income households which had to part with more.

Export and Investment Promotion Levy

Background

President Ruto proposed an increase in the Export and Investment Promotion Levy on all imported goods to promote local manufacturing.

Impact

According to Ruto, the levy would be set at a ten per cent rate on the customs value of the imported goods. This was expected to raise Ksh10 billion in revenue.

A caveat is that goods sourced from countries within the East African Community would be exempted from the levy.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Tuesday, March 19, announced the recruitment of 1,500 cadets (assistant warden 1) and rangers. 

According to a notice from KWS, the recruitment exercise will be undertaken in various parts of the country from Monday, April 15, to Friday, April 19, 2024.

“KWS operates in remote environments and seeks to recruit 1,500 young and dynamic individuals as Cadets (Assistant Warden I) - 150 and Rangers – 1,350 who can endure the conditions for training and deployment to various conservation areas in response to the wildlife protection challenges currently being experienced in the country in a phased approach,” the recruitment notice read in part. 

Rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

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KWS

The exercise will be open for all qualified Kenyans free of charge. 

Requirements for Cadets

Applicants must be Kenyan citizens 28 years of age and below. Additionally, they must be in good health and have no criminal record. 

Academic qualifications needed include a Bachelor’s degree minimum of second class honours lower division in Wildlife Management, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Range Management, Veterinary Medicine, Criminology & Security Management, Tourism Management, Education, Sociology or Community Development from a recognised institution. 

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo mandatory paramilitary training for nine months before deployment. 

Requirements for Rangers

As with cadets, interested applicants for rangers must be Kenyan citizens and holders of a Kenya National Identity Card or passport. 

The applicants must be aged between 18 and 26 years as well as be physically and medically fit with no criminal record. 

Academic qualifications include a D (plain) in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. 

Unlike cadets, rangers must hail from the county of recruitment. 

“Successful candidates will be required to undergo mandatory paramilitary training for a period of six months and thereafter be deployed to the field,” KWS stated.

“National Youth Service (NYS) graduates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply.”

Kenya Wildlife Service rangers.

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KWS

How to Apply

Interested applicants for the positions of cadets and rangers are directed to obtain the prescribed application form free of charge from either the nearest KWS National Park/ Station or download it from the KWS website www.kws.go.ke

You must carry with you and present the filled prescribed application form together with the attached academic certificates, testimonials and National ID Card/Passport at the recruitment centre indicated in the application. 

“Applicants must also present original academic certificates, testimonials and National ID Card/Passport at the recruitment centre for verification,” KWS directs.

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has reopened the placement portal to allow KCSE 2023 candidates to review and revise applications made in February and March.

In a notice dated Wednesday, March 19, it was noted that the portal would also be accessible to students who had not made their applications during the first window.

According to the placement body, the portal will be open till April 4, 2024.

"The KUCCPS application portal is open for the First Revision of applicants’ choices for placement to Universities, TVET Institutions, Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

KUCCPS CEO Alice Wahome before a Parliamentary committee on February 20, 2024

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Parliament of Kenya

"The target is applicants who have not secured any of their choices submitted in February/March 2024 and 2023 KCSE examination candidates with C+ and above who did not apply for Degree Programmes during the February/March 2024 application period," read the notice in part.

Kenyans who sat for KCSE from 2000 to 2023 and are yet to join a tertiary institution have also been advised to take advantage of the application window and choose a course of their choice at TVET institutions across the country.

How to Check & Revise Applications

All students who made their applications during the first window have been advised to check on the status of their applications by accessing the student portal: students.kuccps.net.

Should a student find that their application to a particular course and university was not successful, they can apply for another course based on their KCSE results and the cutoff points.

On the other hand, those who are making their applications for the first time can also access the student portal to apply for the same.

Worrying Trends Reported During the First Applications

According to KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Mercy Wahome, very few students who qualified for TVET courses submitted their applications.

688,591 students attained mean grades between C and E and qualified for a course in TVET institutions. Many students were focusing on degree courses. 

"The CEO also observed that some programmes offered in some of the institutions were not up to date with the current trends. She cited Irrigation System Installation courses, which none of the institutions offered despite Agriculture being a priority sector in the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

"Media and communication courses in some of the institutions did not include drone photography or videography that many events require nowadays," read the statement dated March 8.

Candidates from St Anne's Girls High School, Lioki, in Kiambu County sit for KCSE papers on November 6, 2023.

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KNEC