Top stories making headline today in Kenya

State agencies defy Ruto’s austerity directive with tenders

Several government agencies controlling multibillion-shilling State contracts continue to defy President William Ruto’s order to slash hospitality budgets to curb wastage.

A spot check by The Standard shows several State agencies are still engaging in non-essential spending on such goods and services as the provision of cut flowers and lunches, against the President’s directive through the National Treasury.

“The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency invites eligible bidders to submit sealed tenders for the provision of hospitality services for Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency for a period of two years framework Agreement (Conference facilities, outside catering and accommodations services),” says one such tender seen by The Standard, which closes on November 29.

KRA to set up new Nairobi CBD office to nab tax cheats

The taxman wants to open a new office in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to improve taxpayer service and tax administration.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) says in internal documents seen by Financial Standard that it is seeking to lease a fairly new building within the CBD for the next six years.

“KRA wants to lease office space for Kenya Revenue Authority within Nairobi CBD for six years. The building must be located close to the public transport system,” says KRA. “The building should be easily accessible by staff and customers during day and night.

10 times Mike Sonko rushed to the rescue of Kenyans in need

Hate him or love him, former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has a way of touching the lives of the less fortunate. His kind acts, controversies notwithstanding, have earned him a popular reputation amongst the majority of citizens. Solomon Koko looks at some of the many instances that the former county boss has shown acts of kindness to Kenyans.

One is the rehabilitation of Conjestina Achieng. The iconic female boxer had sunk into a shadow of herself, a situation that led her to move to her rural home with her mental health in decline.

No Christmas cheer as Kenyans feel inflation squeeze

Local businesses are bracing themselves for a tough festive season as hard-pressed Kenyans contend with a worsening cost of living crisis by cutting back on spending.

With the most profitable season of the year for many businesses approaching, one survey underlines the extent of the squeeze on household budgets caused by Kenya’s near double-digit inflation rate.

The findings of the WorldRemit Cost of Christmas Study published last week show Kenyan families are expected to spend 17 per cent less on Christmas celebrations this year compared to last year.

Era when powerful chiefs reigned over villages in terror

History seems to be repeating itself and Kenyans should brace themselves for a new dawn where an all-powerful chief will superintend proceedings in every village. This follows a government directive to allocate each chief six police officers.

At the height of their notoriety, the chief was a symbol of the government’s authority and was so powerful that he could banish one from his home or location.

It was during their reign of terror in the 1980s that a chief could saunter into a village and demand money for harambee. In the event the head of the household had no cash, the chief would help himself with a chicken, a goat or even a bull all in the name of the government.