Author: David Indeje

Kenyans opinions of US President Donald Trump are rising according to the latest international survey. The Pew Research Center found out that  compared to its first Global Attitudes survey in 2002, “In sub-Saharan Africa are largely positive, with Kenyans, Nigerians and South Africans expressing mostly favorable opinions in this year’s poll.” The report further states, “In five countries, there has been an increase in positive sentiment toward the U.S., most notably in Kenya (+16 percentage points), Spain (+11), Japan (+10) and Tunisia (+10).” “Publics in sub-Saharan Africa also tend to see their relationship with the U.S. as improving. More than…

Veronica Wroe,34, driving a 1934 Rolls Royce Boattail emerged the winner at the 48th CBA Concours D’Elegance title. She trounced Sati Gata Aura with his 1977 Nissan 160J with only one point to clinch the title. In 2017, she emerged third overall last year.  “Last year I emerged third overall, promising myself to improve my Rolls. With new paintwork, varnish, a chrome upgrade, and an exquisite interior, I was sure to impress the judges,” said Veronica. Overall Winners in the Cars Category Veronica Wroe – 1934 Rolls Royce Boatail (270 points) Sati Gata-Aura – 1947 MG TG (269 points) Sati…

Central Bank of Kenya has retained the base lending rate at 9.0 percent arguing that there’s a need to “monitor the 2nd-round inflationary effects arising from the VAT on petroleum products” and more time to benefit from the limit set in July. “The committee noted that inflation expectations remained well anchored within the target range, but concluded that there was need to monitor the second-round inflationary effects arising from the VAT on petroleum products and any perverse response to its previous decisions,” said Patrick Njoroge, Chairman, Monetary Policy Committee. The Monetary Policy Committee, however, projects inflation will remain within the…

The High Court in Nairobi has suspended the ban on Rafiki film for seven days to allow the lesbian-themed film a chance to qualify for the Oscars. https://twitter.com/katibainstitute/status/1043062364793393152 Justice Wilfrida Okwany said she is not convinced that Kenya is a weak society whose morals will be weakened by watching the movie. “I am not convinced that Kenya is such a weak society that its moral foundation will be shaken by seeing such a film. Gay theme or the practice of homosexuality did not begin with Rafiki.” Wanuri Kahiu sued the Kenya government after the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) banned…

Kenya’s National Treasury has cut this year’s fiscal spending budget by Ksh 55.1 billion from  June 2017 aimed at reducing the overall fiscal deficit and debt accumulation. “The government is pursuing a fiscal consolidation policy that is aimed at reducing the overall fiscal deficit and debt accumulation,” Henry Rotich says, adding that the expected outcome is a reduction of overall expenditure and net lending from 26.3 per cent in the fiscal year 2018/19 to an average of 23.2 per cent in the medium term. However, economists have been wary of such. “The much-needed restoration of the country’s fiscal space may…

The International Monetary Firm and the World Bank “are extremely excited by the emerging crisis” within Kenya after the country’s  $1.5 Billion Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF came to an end on Friday. “The program has ended. We will continue engaging the fund going forward” Kenya’s Finance Minister Henry Rotich was quoted by Reuters. “We continue to build our reserves. We did not draw down on the IMF programme. It definitely says Kenya has come of age about reliance on IMF programmes, but we will continue to engage on new facilities or arrangement that suits Kenya going forward,” he said.…