Why IEBC is Not Fully Ready For 2022 Elections – LitKenya

As you start your day, you need to power your mind with some relevant and useful information.

We have picked for you the Top 10 stories making the headlines on this day, 24th June 2021.

Why IEBC is Inadequately Prepared For 2022 Elections

The electoral commission has revealed that it is facing numerous challenges that could prevent it from delivering a credible poll next year.

Appearing before the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati said limited budget and cases in court were some of the issues adversely affecting preparations for the poll.

He said the commission has pending bills running into billions of shillings.

“We, therefore, appeal to Parliament and National Treasury to provide funds for electoral activities throughout the electoral cycle,” Chebukati said.

Kalonzo: 2022 Election Date Can’t Changed

Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka has warned against an alleged plot to change the date for the 2022 General Election, saying such would be unconstitutional.

The former Vice-President said the poll date can only be altered if the country is at war and with the approval of Parliament.

Another IMF Loan?

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has hinted that Kenya could soon receive another loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Yatani disclosed that the government has applied for a Ksh40 billion loan to finance part of the 2021/2022 Ksh3.6 trillion budget. He expressed optimism that the international lender will approve the credit.

This comes months after Kenyans tried to petition the Bretton Wood Institution from loaning Kenya, claiming that most borrowed money ends up in people’s pockets.

Treasury Releases Funds to Counties

The National Treasury has remitted Ksh43.5 billions to county governments, just a week before the end of the 2020/202 fiscal year.

Treasury boss Ukur Yatani asked governors to prioritise paying of pending bills.

Last week, county bosses threatened to freeze operations due to lack of funds.

Taxing Medical Oxygen

The National Assembly has rejected a proposal by the Treasury to exempt medical oxygen from taxation.

In the amended Finance Bill 2021, the lawmakers included Value Added Tax (VAT) to the item.

The Treasury had argued that medical oxygen was in dire demand due to Covid-19 and patients needed to be cautioned.

Chebukati Affirms That Aspirants Must Have Degrees

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukari has maintained that those wishing to contest for various elective seats in next year’s election must posses degree certificates from recognised institutions.

His assertion comes against the backdrop of an uproar from a section of aspirants, who say that the requirement is discriminatory. Several people have moved to court to challenge the must-have. Parliament is also expected to amend or push the implementation of Section 22 of the Election Act.

Meanwhile, Chebukati has said civil servants with political interests must resign by 9th February 2022.

Gathoni Wamuchomba Joins DP Ruto Camp

Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni Wamuchomba has decamped from President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp to Deputy President Willam Ruto’s “hustlers nation”.

The lawmaker said she switched camps after realising that the President was longer popular in Central Kenya “because residents are frustrated”.

Wamuchomba further claimed that more defection to Ruto’s camp are imminent, as many politicians from the Mt Kenya region feel that the Head of State has lost touch with the ground.

Speaker Rejected House ‘Gift’

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura shocked ward representatives yesterday after he turned down a Ksh35 million house “gift”.

Mutura said he was content with what he has, adding that accepting the house could trigger a conflict.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has prohibited county governments from renting houses for their leaders, but it has allowed them to build or buy homes.

Demand For Herbal Drugs in Kakamega Increases

Following the introduction of new measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in 13 Western Kenya counties, herbalists in Kakamega have all the reasons to smile.

A herb by the name Mwonyi is in high demand after claims that it can prevent and cure coronavirus. Herbalists revealed to the People Daily that they have run out of stock.

Kakamega Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda even alleged that she used Mwonyi on her relatives who had contracted the respiratory illness and they recovered.

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