President William Ruto nominated 20 individuals to form part of his new cabinet. These Kenyan leaders were vetted and declared a total net worth of Ksh 10.76 billion.
Besides former Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, the newly appointed CS for Mining who declared his net worth as Ksh 2.36 billion, the other nominees’ net worth ranged from Ksh 31 million to Ksh880 million.
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President William Ruto appointed 19 Cabinet secretaries after their nomination was approved by the National Assembly on Wednesday, August 7 following rigorous vetting exercise by the committee on appointments.
The Cabinet secretaries comprising of leaders from the ruling Kenya Kwanza faction and the opposition were sworn in at State House, Nairobi on August 8, 2024.
While speaking during the swearing in ceremony, President Ruto said the formation of a broad-based government will help in unlocking the country’s potential.
“With the formation of this broad-based government that brings together former political rivals into one selfless, patriotic team, we will unlock the potential of our country that has long been denied to us by factional and sectarian competition,” noted Ruto.
As such, the head of state officially gazetted the appointment of 19 CSs in their respective dockets in line with Article 152 (2) of the Constitution.
Tough Luck for Gender CS Nominee Stella Soil Lang’at
The National Assembly Committee on Appointments rejected the nomination of Stella Soi Lang’at as the CS for the Ministry of Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage.
The committee noted that Stella Soi failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of certain issues and lacked requisite abilities and qualities to be approved for appointment as CS.
“THAT Ms. Stella Soi Lang’at did NOT demonstrate adequate knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on the portfolio to which she had been nominated; and lacked the requisite abilities, and qualities to be approved for appointment to the office of Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, The Arts and Heritage,” read part of the committee’s report.
Following the report tabled to the National assembly, MPs voted to approve the rejection of Stella Soi as CS for Gender on August 7 and approved the nomination of the other 19 nominees.
Nane Nane Protests
Kenyan Youth comprising of Gen Zs and millennials rallied online under the hashtag #NaneNaneMarch to show up in the streets on Thursday, August 8.
The march was meant to demand the resignation of President William Ruto, whom they accuse of being negligent in his administration’s response to pressing national issues.
Gen Zs convened at Nairobi’s Central Business District waving placards demanding for Ruto’s resignation.
Police officers arrested several protestors, injuring some journalists in the process in Nairobi while other places like Kisumu’s protests prone areas like Kondele remained quiet with not much activity.
The Nane Nane March was a continuation of the youth-led protests that have gained momentum over the past weeks.
The protests which began on June 18 were instigated by the now withdrawn Finance Bill 2024 and later evolved to a rallying call for the resignation of the Ruto administration.
CBK Updates Banknotes
In business news this week, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) made changes to all currency banknotes.
The changes as noted by the CBK affect the fifty shillings, one hundred shillings, two hundred shillings, five hundred shillings and one thousand shillings notes.
“The Bank has made some changes to the denominations of the Kenyan currency banknotes. The changes affect the fifty shillings (KES 50), one hundred shillings (KES 100), two hundred shillings (KES 200), five hundred shillings (KES 500) and one thousand shillings (KES 1,000) currency banknotes,” noted CBK.
Changes Made on the Banknotes
The updates include signatures, year of print, and Security Thread.
The banknotes will now bear the signature of the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Dr. Kamau Thugge and that of the Principal Secretary, National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo.
Besides, the year of print will now be 2024. The notes will also have a new security thread with colour changing effects that are specific to each denomination
However, CBK explained that the current bank notes will still remain in circulation together with the news notes.
“All banknotes currently in circulation remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the released banknotes,” CBK said.
Paris 2024 Olympics
Paris 2024 Olympics have been on with Kenyan athletes taking part in different categories.
Kenyan star Faith Kipyegon was, however, dethroned in the women’s 5000 meters.
Kipyegon was disqualified from the podium for committing an obstruction offense during the Women’s 5000m race, but the decision was reversed after an appeal from Kenya.
The Women’s 5o00 meters World Record holder had her silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics reinstated after several twists and turns.
She, however, received a disciplinary yellow card which would carry throughout the remainder of the Games according to the jury.
Beatrice Chebet carried the Kenyan flag high in the race after coming first and winning the gold medal
Standard Group Woes Deepen
Standard Group shut down several TV stations, taking them off air in a bid to stay afloat amid financial struggles.
The media giant has shut down KTN news, KTN Farmers TV among other brands.
These stations have now been merged with KTN Home, which aired entertainment and lifestyle content.
Other Top Stories of the Week
- Did you know the newly appointed 19 CSs will begin enjoying the benefits assigned to their dockets including a cumulative monthly salary of Ksh.924,000. Here is more of the salaries and benefits attached to the roles.
- The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on August 6 asked Kenyans living in Lebanon to leave the country immediately following the recent violence.
- On other international news, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country after thousands of protestors broke into her residence
- The University of Nairobi (UoN) Council installed Prof. Margret Hutchinson as acting Vice Chancellor (VC) following the suspension of Prof. Stephen Kiama.
- Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s 9 lives could be running out after Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) impeached her on August 8.
- Mobius Motors Ltd, the company behind the production of Kenya’s pioneering branded car, announced closure of business operations through liquidation.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
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