Good morning,
Kenyans are today bracing for a full day of uncertainty with six major protests from different sectors lined up, likely to cause large-scale disruptions across the country.
Azimio la Umoja Coalition, Public Service Vehicle(PSVs) Operators, app-based taxi operators, People Living With Disabilities(PLWDs), Long distance drivers and boda boda operators are some of the six groups expected to join Wednesday’s demonstrations to air their grievances.
Vowing to push on with his call for civil disobedience, ODM Party leader Raila said their grievances on the high cost of living and punitive taxes were non-negotiable.
Taxi operators announced a nationwide strike for today, over alleged insecurity, escalating fuel prices and pay rates by their respective digital companies.
PSVs issued a 21-day strike notice that also lapses today to protest the mandatory re-testing conducted by the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTSA).
However, by Tuesday evening Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Suspended re-testing of drivers after the threat to strike.
Do you think a large number of Kenyans are going to participate on Wednesday’s call for Maandamano by Raila Odinga?
Meanwhile, here are news stories making headlines on Opera News today;
Bank Account, M-Pesa, Social Media – Acting KRA Boss Rispah Simiyu Reveals How The Taxman Is Watching You
KRA Acting Commissioner General Rispah Simiyu has divulged the company’s capacity to access personal information in its mandate of tax compliance.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer Show on Tuesday, Simiyu said that the law enables the company to access personal information on individuals’ financial transactions in a bid to curb revenue breaches even though it is yet to have its systems integrated with banks.
Top State Official Says Iran’s President Is Banned Visiting Kenya, Reveals Consequences Kenya Faces
The visit by President Raisi of Iran caused a crisis meeting in the State House. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the failure of the Iranian President to visit Kenya yesterday as it was scheduled was because the MOUs were not yet finalized.
However, fresh details have emerged concerning the visit. Iran has been sanctioned by the West following its engagement with Russia in the Russia-Ukraine War. The West has stated that any country that deals with Iran economically or politically faces similar sanctions.
A top state official has disclosed that it is these sanctions that the West has placed on Iran that led to a crisis meeting in the State House. The official argued that Kenya’s decision to engage with Iran may have raised an eyebrow in the West considering that Kenya is one of the strategic countries in Africa in propagating Western ideas.
Stand-off looms over Raila’s plan to lead protests
President William Ruto yesterday issued a stern warning against any form of violence during protests called by Azimio la Umoja across the country today.
Ruto said the government would not tolerate deaths or destruction of property, adding that any form of violent protests as witnessed previously will not be condoned.
He was responding to Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s call on Kenyans yesterday to attend rallies in all Kamukunji grounds in the country to protest the high cost of living. He promised to launch a campaign to collect 15 million signatures to force the government to step down.