Flashy 'fake' Uhuru, Amina appeals for leftovers, Kenya budgets unrealistic: Your Breakfast Briefing

Good morning

Seven suspects accused of impersonating President Uhuru Kenyatta have challenged the prosecution to produce him in court as a witness.

The seven - Joseph Waswa, Duncan Muchai, Isaac Wajekeche, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja and Anthony Wafula told a magistrate the law does not bar Kenyatta from appearing as a witness or complainant in the case.

Here are the other stories making headlines in the Star this morning.

The flashy life of Uhuru mimic Waswa

He has been running charity initiatives, driving high-end luxury vehicles and flying in choppers; and to many unsuspecting Kenyans, cutting the image of an established philanthropist.

Not any more. 

The unmasked 33-year-old Joseph Waswa, who mimicked President Uhuru Kenyatta and conned businessman Naushed Merali of a cool Sh80 million, is a controversial and scandal-ridden fake millionaire.

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Robbery victim hospitalised in KNH for two years

A raid at his M-Pesa shop two years ago left Robert Wanyonyi paralysed, hospitalised and helpless.

He is detained in the hospital because he is unable to raise Sh4 million hospital bill. He was discharged six months ago but his family has been unable to raise the cash.

Wanyonyi was going about his daily routine at 6.30am on may 2, 2017, in Pipeline estate when three robbers stormed his shop. They stole Sh50,000, a phone, shot him twice and left him for dead.

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Amina appeals for budget 'leftovers' from other ministries to support 100 per cent transition

Education ministry is seeking 'leftover' funds from other ministries to address the high number of students admitted to secondary school this year.

The high numbers pose a new challenge on sustainability with the available limited resources pinched further and is now threatening to cripple teaching and learning.

The government wants all pupils who sat this year’s KCPE exam admitted through it much-touted 100 per cent transition.

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Farmers sell eggs at throwaway prices, burn trayloads as imports hurt profits

Poultry farmers are struggling to break even due to high cost of feeds and low returns as Ugandan imports shrink prices.

The price of a tray of eggs has gone down from Sh270 to a low of Sh150 since June last year.

So big is the problem that farmers operating at Wangige, one of the largest East African egg markets, demonstrated on February 5 against poor egg prices. 

The farmers say cheap eggs from Uganda have flooded the market and created an artificial glut. 

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ICPAK blames Treasury for unrealistic budgets

Accountants have accused Treasury of presenting over-ambitious and unrealistic budgets that end up pilling pressure on Kenyans as the tax collection agency strives to meet the targets.

This is proven by the Kenya Revenue Authority's increased failure to meet set targets over the last three financial years. 

In their submission to Parliament on the Budget Policy Statement 2019, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya said the unfeasible budgets are causing lack of balance in the economy.

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For more on these stories and others, keep browsing the Star website for the latest news making headlines across Kenya and around the world.