Hello and welcome to the Friday edition of the Evening Brief Newsletter where Kenyans have been warned of price hikes for bread and cooking oil.
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Bread and Cooking Oil to Become Gold
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has warned of an imminent increase in prices for bread and cooking oil should the proposed Eco Levy pass through in the Finance Bill 2024.
Speaking during an interview, Job Wanjohi, who is the head of policy research and advocacy explained that the two commodities will increase owing to the levy that targets the plastic used to package the products.
As detailed in the Finance Bill, the government is seeking to impose a Ksh150 levy for all plastic packages per kilogram.
Therefore, owing to the additional costs that will be incurred in the production and packaging of cooking oil and bread, manufacturers will be forced to pass down the costs to the consumers.
For instance, a 400-gram loaf of bread is projected to increase by Ksh9. Currently, most bread brands retail at Ksh65. Therefore, with the levy, Kenyans will soon be buying bread at Ksh74.
The Ksh74 projection for bread could also rise further should the 16 per cent VAT proposal pass through. However, the government is set to reverse its decision following a public outcry.
On the other hand, cooking oil will increase by Ksh16 per litre.
"This eco levy is likely to increase prices for all plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products.
"For example, the Ksh150 levy per kilogram of plastic packaging will increase the cost of a 400-gram loaf of bread by Ksh9 from Ksh65 to Ksh74; increase 1 litre of cooking oil by Ksh16.81 from Ksh300 to Ksh316.8," the KAM official stated.
Ripple Effect: With the increase in the price of cooking oil, other commodities could soon increase in price. This includes bread, chapati, mandazi and chips. This is because cooking oil is used to prepare these foodstuffs.
About Eco Levy
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Eco Levy is a form of environmental Tax that was introduced in the Finance Bill 2024. The levy is charged at a different rate for various products that are perceived as harmful to the environment.
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Some of the products that have the levy imposed on them include batteries, diapers, garbage bags and smartphones.
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"The eco levy shall be paid to the Commissioner at the rate specified in the Fourth Schedule in the case of imported goods, by the importer at the time of entering into the country" read the Finance Bill 2024.
Guess Who?
Can you guess who said these words?
"Honestly speaking, a shoe worth Ksh150,000 for the President is not anything to complain about. Let us stop this aggravated foolishness." Who said these words?
To find the correct answer, simply scroll down as you read this newsletter.
Citizen TV on a Poaching Spree
Citizen TV has embarked on a poaching speed as it seeks to strengthen the newsroom following the exits that have been witnessed at the station in recent months.
Through its sources, Kenyans.co.ke, established that four journalists would be joining the Kilimani-based station in the coming weeks.
Among those joining the station from KTN include political reporter Emmanuel Too. It was revealed to us that the leading TV station had monitored Too for months.
Too took the internet by storm in recent weeks following his report on President William Ruto's plane that was used for the state visit to the United States.
Also set to join Too at Citizen TV is Francis Odee, an investigations reporter from KTN as well as former KTN political reporter Willy Lusige.
From NTV, Citizen TV is poaching Melita ole Tenges. Tenges has been a senior reporter at the Nation Media Group (NMG) since 2017.
Our source revealed that the four were called in this week for face-to-face interviews during which letters of offer were given to them.
The four journalists are expected to replace crime and investigative journalist Hassan Mugambi and senior political reporter Chemutain Goin who left the station for government jobs.
In March, Mugambi joined the Ministry of Defence as the Communications advisor to Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale while Goin joined National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula's office as the principal media relations officer.
Madowo Returns to The Trend Show
In other news, CNN journalist Larry Madowo is set to make a return to The Trend show as a host.
In a special edition dedicated to media personality, Jahmby Koikai who succumbed to Endometriosis, Madowo will host the Friday entertainment show at 8 pm.
He will also be joined by panellists Ciru Muriuki, Jeff Mote and Anita Nderu among others.
“I’m back hosting The Trend live for one night only to celebrate the life of Jahmby Koikai,” he stated.
Weekly Kenyans.co.ke Quiz
Do you think you are a news guru? Every week, the newsletter team brings you a 10-question quiz testing your knowledge of the top news topics for the week.
Take our quiz and test how well you understood the week's most important stories.
Here are the top stories for the day:
- Nation Media Group (NMG) to reduce its workforce as the economy bites.
- Court acquits Oscar Sudi in academic papers forgery case. Here’s why.
- Read why you will soon be forced to leave a nightclub at 11 pm on Fridays.
- Victims of torture at Nyayo House sue the government over non-compliance.
- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua uses the bottom-up line in response to Ruto and his allies.
Guess Who Answer
The answer is Nelson Havi. Havi tweeted out the remark on Tuesday in response to a public attack on President Ruto's choice to wear Ksh150,000 Zegna sneakers while flying to South Korea.
This newsletter was written by Washington Mito and edited by Brian Muuo.
Derrick Kubasu contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo and Ronnie Mbugua.
