Opinion: The IMF doesn’t understand the BBI

The proposed constitutional amendments are an outcome of the Building Bridges Initiative, a cross-party endeavor to promote unity through wide-ranging legislative and institutional reforms, including a more broad-based and inclusive executive structure, enhanced judicial accountability, and increased devolution to local governments” (IMF – ‘IMF Country Report No. 21/72’ P: 4, April 2021)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows its ignorance and lack of understanding of what purpose and what means the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) really has. That is evident when they are dropping a footnote like this in the middle of IMF Country Report on Kenya. Where they are planning to loan more money and start a modern twist of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP).

The IMF is clearly still believing in the SAP and its mechanisms. Since the proposed ideals of the strings with the IMF loans is seemingly so. That of privatization of State Owned Enterprises and other measures to cover the deficits. While the government still takes up more loans to cover that.

This with the huge debt burden and rising amounts of loan, which has been steadily issued during the reign of Kenyatta. The IMF isn’t worried that the state is paying huge percentages in interests of the old loans. This is deficit financing and the state is supposed to restructure itself. Meaning, in a state of poverty levels are high. The state is supposed to be able to retain new tax-bases and domestic revenue. When 7 out of 10 is living in poverty. That is really infuriating.

IMF clearly just wants to loan out funds and use that put strings on the nation taking it. They will control both the legislation, budget priorities and how the state operates. The IMF Country Reports states this. That’s why its weird that they are not more focused on the BBI. As that legislation would change the finances, state expenditure and giving more power to the Executive (Head of State).

The IMF should study the texts and the constitutional changes in the BBI. Because, if the Kenyan government changes accordingly to these stipulations. Than the President will have more power and he can do more with his office. The BBI is made for the elites and it seems like IMF is catering to that.

That is why its disappointing. If the IMF cares about legislation and laws. They should dig a bit deeper into the effects and what the BBI possibly affects the state. Not just a minor footnote. Though the IMF only cares about Economic and Financial Mechanisms. That is natural, as these folks is most likely Political Science Majors, but auditors and accountants. Since, they use most part on these implications, but not on caring on about the Constitutional Amendments in the BBI.

The IMF doesn’t even care enough about the growing debt burden by adding more debt to cover the deficit. While expecting the state do several of actions to not only scrap government services, restructure state owned enterprises and create new financial mechanisms. Therefore, the acts of the IMF is not without other “costs”.

We know the state and the government is known for corruption and kickbacks. The President and all of his elites have been eating without any issues during his reign. There been scandals upon scandals. There been one scandal leading to another. It is not like the Kenyan authorities doesn’t have a Judiciary, Police Force and other agencies to look into graft, grand corruption and other white-collar crime. If the state wanted to take it seriously. They could easily cease it and go after the heads who commits it. However, these activities are usually happening as political assassinations and not a criminal investigation. Therefore, the idea of IMF to make more laws will not stop. Then they are naive and foolish.

But then again, it is the same IMF who clearly haven’t dwelled into the BBI properly. If the IMF had looked into the BBI. They wouldn’t have made it into a footnote and made it so unimportant. When all political gambits before the 2022 elections have been invested into it.

That’s why the IMF clearly values their own additions and strings on a loan more than the already legislation, which is into the works. A legislation and constitutional reform, which will not be less costly, but add more additional expenditure on the state. Not only be a “favourable” spread of domestic with the counties of the Republic. That is such a distorted view of what the BBI represents and does.

The IMF, if anyone seriously work there and cares about political science. This is hack-work and hack-job. Where they have either eaten everything served and believed it. If not they have been tricked and not understood it. Lastly, they have understood it, but doesn’t care about the implications it does have. As long as they follow the reforms and adjustments they want to achieve with the granting of the new huge loan their way. Peace.

Somalia: National Economic Advisors (NEA) – Open Letter to Somali Political Leaders “on Peace, Security and Election” (06.04.2021)

Opinion: Akon doesn’t know who he is dealing with…

The first time I heard about Akon was when I heard the single he had with Styles P “Locked Up”. A lot has happened since then and now suddenly making deals with a dictator and doing business at any cost. Clearly, moral values doesn’t add up to possible profit. The entrepreneur and music mogul wants to earns currency and doesn’t care how. That is why his suddenly seeking the graces of the old man with the hat.

Aliane Damala Badara Thiam aka Akon and wife Rozina Negusei. He and his wife is now a business trip to Uganda. Where they are in the presence of the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni. They even got an army chopper to fly them to Rwakitura, the President’s farm.

Akon knows how to play many cards and take advantage of opportunities around him. Just like he was able to profit on the lacking trust or ability to promote Lady Gaga. He has been able to sell other businesses too.

He has sold music and been a music mogul with Konvict Music. Also sold clothing apparel, which is common for musicians doing it big. Akon also bought a diamond mine in South Africa back-in-the-day too.

In Senegal the serial entrepreneur is planning to build Akon City. Akon has also the Akon Lighting Africa and Akon Lighting America. That is his solar electricity enterprise, which have been working since 2014.

So, he has already done a lot of business moves. That is not shocking at all. The latest before he was trying the waters of Uganda. He made a deal for a venture into mining in the Haut-Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That was only made official this February 2021. Akon is moving forward and trying to make himself a big man in many fields.

Now his sweet talking the old man and being honourable at his ranch. That is just typical when celebrities and wealthy foreign patrons arrives in the Republic. Last time it was like this… Kanye West and Kim Kardashian showed up with their sneakers and the state promised more tourism as a result. A result that never delivered and proven.

We don’t know what sort of deal Akon is seeking. Neither does we know what his Wife wants either. Even if she is such a grand supporter of Museveni and wants his reign to continue. That is showing how little they know of the plight of the citizens and the despotic ruler he is. They are just hearing and seeing the perspectives the state is serving them. Akon is only seeing the good side and doesn’t even get close to touch the dark-side.

Akon should prepare to offer “Presidential Handshakes” or fancy “kickbacks”. The musician should even look into how Patrick Ho dealt with Ugandan counterparts. Heck, the Konvict Music label head should emulate Sudhir Ruparelia, if he wants to earn any good fortunes in the Republic. Because, getting through honest means and with his investments will not go far.

Museveni must know that catering to Akon is a risk for him too. Akon has deals in Senegal and in other parts of Africa. However, Akon is estimated wealth of US$80 millions, which isn’t bad by any stretch. However, Akon isn’t a Dangote, but surely he can chase some ends there as well.

Akon must clearly be on a fishing expedition. If he thinks this is wise and viable. He doesn’t care about the human rights violations, the lack of freedom or liberty of peers. Akon couldn’t have performed or been vocal like he is, if he was an musician in Uganda. However, since his an American investor. The red carpet treatment is there for him and he get the positive brigade served to him. He gets the words of wisdom and gets options to invest. Akon will be served a favourable pitch and opportunities. The President will enjoy that and pocket some goodwill from abroad. A man like the President always needs that.

Akon is maybe offered a business deal, but his also a nice PR Stunt. The President can bash in the greatness of an American musician. Just like he could with Kanye West. He just get a moment of glory with a foreigner. Kanye didn’t deliver anything, but Akon has a history of doing so.

He has been selling music, clothing, diamonds, solar electricity, building a city in his name and now the newest is another mining enterprise in the DRC. Now he visits the neighbours to the east and pops by the President there.

Akon wants to dwell into it all. Nevertheless… maybe this is the deal or the offer he should refuse. Unless, he wants to be known as the guy that does deals with dictators. That is his decision and conscience to live with. If profits matters more than ethics. If coins matters more than morals. That is all up to him.

We can just wonder, if he is being tricked or if he is tricking the President. Akon could do that and just be testing the waters. There is nothing fruitful or insightful to the possible enterprises shown to the grander public. There is no direct-investment or project of Akon. Only that his visiting the Presidential farm. That is really not saying much.

Akon… your a fool for this one. This is a bad move. Unless, this is your new crowd and what you aspire to be known for. Peace.

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Opinion: Priti Patel’s expenses raises some eyebrows

The Conservative Member of Parliament and Home Secretary Priti Patel isn’t new to controversy or scandal. She has been in the wind before and had to resign as late as in 2017. The then International Development Secretary held 12 secret meetings with Israeli Prime Minister, Other Government Figures and Conservative Lobbyist. All of this secrecy and breach of ministerial code lead to her resignation in then Prime Minister Theresa May’s time.

Now, in the middle of a downturn economically in the United Kingdom. Not only the economic hardships that has the world as a result of the global pandemic. However, also as a result of the Brexit and Withdrawal from the European Union (EU). The UK is facing much more harder financial and economic realities in the near distant future and even in present time.

That is why a Conservative and a Minister should uphold the highest standard and not misuse its office. As it is a privilege to already be representing the constituents and later get the honourable office of a Secretary position in the Cabinet. That is what Patel should have considered and even thought. However, her own actions just last and the revelation of spending. Shows that she is reckless and doesn’t value her station.

During the last year she has already been saved by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he has kept her. In the middle of the scandal, in which, she was alleged to have bullied her staff in the Home Office. There was even a supposed cover-up of a report in which it stated her breaches of Ministerial Codes. This have yet to be released, but shows how far Johnson goes to defend her and keep her in the cabinet.

Priti Patel can clearly do whatever she sees fit. There is other standards for the Windrush Generation and the ones who caught in the scandals concerning them. These folks are just chavs and can easily be replaced. Nevertheless, a prestigious and honourable like Patel deserves her role and office.

That is how it seems. Now she can spend money willy-nilly without any consequences. Can pamper herself. Buy expensive stuff and just use the Home Office for personal perks. There are so many benefits and these wouldn’t even be spent on the ones suffering on Benefit Street. No, she can have luxurious eye-lashes and whatnot. It will be spent on the public’s dime. Because, she deserves it. While school-kids cannot even get a lunch-meal worth eating. Patel on the other hand can go a pub in Oxford and other posh restaurants. It must be splendid to live the life of Priti Patel.

A person who can cause so much self-inflicted damage and still be saved by the Prime Minister. A person that can breach the Ministerial Code time and time again. While others have to take their cross and go. She on the other hand can use a small fortune treating her hair. If not, just have a bargain of a tasty cupcakes.

Priti Patel have a knack for this sort of behaviour. Where she gets into trouble and someone else has to save her. I wonder if Boris Johnson will be able to downplay or even get her out of this. Now it might be different.

Still, I doubt this will cost her the Office. She will be the Home Secretary. When he could bury a report. The same man can easily let her off the hook her too. Peace.

Sudan: Council of Ministers – Press Statement (26.03.2021)

OAG Report states that 356 Town Council lacks funding

In the February 2021 Office of the Auditor General Report it states a very simple fact. The state has created more local government entities than it can manage to pay for. They have in this instance created to many Town Councils and therefore, they cannot afford to operate them. It is a total of 356 Town Councils, which they cannot afford to pay for.

The Auditor General Report says this:

Government has over the last years created a Local Governments particularly Town Councils which should be financially independent from the Districts from which they were created in line with Section 79 of the Local Governments Act. Records reviewed indicated that Government had created a total of 584 town councils by June 2019/2020 out of which only 228 have been approved by MoFPED for direct access of resources from the national budget. As explained last year, it requires on average UGX.1.8bn to run a Town Council. This implies that the balance of 356 town councils would require approximately UGX.640.8bn for both development and operational costs. Failure to fund Town Councils significantly affects the ability of these Town Councils to Operate and deliver services. It appears that Government is increasingly finding challenges to provide the required funding for the newly created Town Councils” (Office of Auditor General (OAG) Report – February 2021).

It is telling that there is existing 584 Town Councils in the Republic, but there is lacking funds for 356 Town Councils, which is about 60% of all of them. That says how mismanaged the Local Government organization is. They are just creating more constituencies for the elections, but not thinking of how to cover the costs of actually having them. That is why this is so prevalent.

This little passage of the OAG is only about Town Councils, but is a part of a bigger problem of the gerrymandering. Where the state is creating local government bodies without any considerations of the costs. This is why 60% of them lacks funding and cannot afford to be operational. This says it all.

This is how the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is “securing your future” or delivering “steady progress”. Peace.

East Africa Law Society: Public Statement on the Ban of Maize Imports from the Republic of Tanzania and Uganda into the Republic of Kenya (09.03.2021)

South Sudan: National Revenue Authority (NRA) – Re: Suspension of Withholding Tax on Pension Fund/Social Insurance Fund (02.03.2021)

Brexit: Will the Tories tap-out the Bottled Water Industry?

The UK currently has 86 recognised sources which can be used to bottle mineral water and they are located in 61 locations across the country, from St Ives in Cornwall to the remote Northmaven peninsula in the Shetland Islands. Although it is difficult to find out how much this type of bottled water is worth in the UK, it is estimated that the total worth of the sector is £2.7 billion” (Alexandre Nobajas – ‘HOW BREXIT COULD DRAIN BRITAIN’S BOTTLED MINERAL WATER INDUSTRY DRY’ 21.02.2021, Keely University).

The recent letter from 14 Members of Parliament from the Tories are really telling. They have over the weekend on the 27th February 2021 prosed a “Bottled Water” Ban across the Channel. Do a trade-war-esque move. They sent this to Lord Frost, the newly appointed Brexit Minister and Chief Negotiator with the European Union. It is deliberate act to show some force in concern with the hurting shellfish industry.

However, the United Kingdom and Tories could easily see the ramification of leaving the EU. They could have studied and known what happens to trading parties who becomes a third country. What happens to certain industries and how these operates in concern to Brussels. Still, the Tories didn’t think of this, even if they were warned by industry ahead of the withdrawal. Because, the principals was more important than the reality on the ground.

The same is here with the Water Bottle Industry too. The Mineral Water and Distilled Water will hurt a billion pound industry. A industry with mostly rural bottlers will be hit by this. Just like rural producers and fisheries who made shellfish. If the Tories block EU Bottle Water like Evian. Who believes Brussels will care about bottled water from Scotland or Wales?

They will be banned entry too. The EU will not allow their own industries has a disadvantage. The member-states will not allow bottles entering from Wales to compete with French bottled waters in the Netherlands, but not being allowed to sell bottled water in London. That will not happen and the EU will strike back at London.

Therefore, if Lord Frost and the Tories are doing this. Then they will put the smaller bottlers dry. These who sells a lot of their stocks of bottled water to Europe will loose their profits and possible export market. That is just the reality here.

The European counterparts has a huge market to survive in anyway. They can compete there and get it through all of their member-states. The European Common-market is big enough for the producers. Yes, it is a loss to not sell in the UK, but that will not damage the bottled water industry at such an extent.

The rural bottlers in the UK will most likely have much more to loose, than the European exporters to the UK. Even if the Tories believes differently… the EU will not change their common-market rules and the UK as a third country have to comply. The bottled water industry is yet another looser, if the UK pulls this stunt.

The bottlers in Scotland and Wales will loose vital markets and the Tories will destroy another industry. That will make these water-wells run dry. If not they have to make the British drink more bottled water, instead of drinking it directly from the tap. Peace.