Odinga has become a Jubilee Stooge: Proof? Praising ODM MPs for voting “Yayes” on added Taxes!

You knew the handshake between Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta would have ramifications, as the Jubilee and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have gone into partnership with that. This might have de-escalated the tensions, but also killed all real opposition. As the Wiper Democratic Movement (WPM), Forum for the Restoration of Democracy – Kenya (FORD-K) and Amani National Congress (ANC) have to figure their place, as the shift of power within the ODM have been apparent. That was also shown with ODM taking the Senate Minority Seat for Sen. James Orengo instead of NASA Co-Principal Moses Wetan’gula.

While you know the Thirdway Alliance are fishing for relevancy too, but however, this piece isn’t about the death of NASA (National Super Alliance), as that died on the Building Bridging Initiative. As them as an official opposition went gone in the wind. The shake between Kenyatta and Odinga settled this, therefore, he has gotten off the hook. Odinga are now really showing his loyalty to the handshake, as he wants to help the Jubilee, even when it costs for all citizens. The pains of these taxes will not hurt the elite or the ones in Parliament. The proof of that, is shown by his statement to his own ODM MPs for voting for and being loyal to Jubilee. Just read this statement!

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, the former Prime Minister lauded the MPs who stood by the party’s position during the session that was marred with controversy. “Raila Odinga wishes to thank all Orange Democratic Movement members of Parliament who observed the principle of party discipline and stood by the Party and NASA’s resolutions to back the Finance Bill in the National Assembly on Thursday. “Mr Odinga, therefore, thanks those members who, despite different concerns, were able to honour their word and commitment to the party and looked at the larger picture in line with the party and the coalition’s dream of finding longer-term solutions to the country’s ages old problems,” the statement read in part” (Michael Musyoka – ‘ODM Leader Raila Odinga Thanks ODM MPS Who Passed Tax Law’ 22.09.2018, link: https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/33352-odm-leader-raila-odinga-thanks-odm-mps-who-passed-tax-law).

This ages old problems are newly created and amplified by the coalition and by the Jubilee government, which has created the shortfall and the deficit. Odinga are now not caring or can say words against corruption. Since he has turned the blind eye to the loans, the Eurobonds and the corruption scandals, as they are financed by these new taxes and overseas funding. Kenyatta knows this and must be giddy. He has a loyal stooge who will follow the needs of the government without any cost. Which is officially opposition, but acting as loyal as the Cabinet or Government.

These ODM people could now just become Jubilee, as there is hard to see anything significant different. They are just from other wards and represent other constituency. The Finance Bill will really hurt the public and make life more expensive, even close more of the poorer parts of society from banking services. As they cannot afford the Mobile Money or the Transfer of cash in general. This is what is happening and Odinga, said to his people: “well done, showing discipline and following orders, as you are now apart of the ones overtaxing the public”.

The ODM and Odinga is because of the handshake, just showing contempt of their trust in him. As he seemed like someone who would be a contrast to Kenyatta, now he just seems like another 50 Shades of Grey version of him. The only difference is the suits and the way of addressing the press. The rest is just the facade and not the reality. As the handshake is really bitter now, and the ones that pays the cost is the citizens.

NASA is dead, the Opposition is marginalized and worthless, the waiting game for 2022 will feel like forever. Odinga could just another fellow in the Jubilee, because he acts like it, when he doesn’t act against the vile taxation and actually praise the ODM MPs for rallying behind that. Peace.

Irish Exporters Association calls on all parties to prevent a no-deal Brexit scenario (21.09.2018)

Dublin, 21st September 2018, The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) acknowledges, with great concern, UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s statement on the current state of play of negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. To ensure that Irish exporters continue to be able to trade with the UK as frictionless as possible after 29th March 2019, we call on all negotiating parties to prevent a no-deal scenario.

On Mrs May’s statement, Simon McKeever, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Exporters Association commented: “The Irish exporting industry heavily relies on our long-standing strong and open trading relationship with the United Kingdom. The UK remains one of our largest trading partners, source of investment and provides a vital land bridge for Irish exports to the European continent.

We have always known that these negotiations would be tough, complicated and ongoing until the final straight. With a final deal required within the next 4 – 6 weeks, negotiations have reached an impasse – significantly increasing the chances of the EU and UK missing their negotiating deadlines. In addition, the ongoing political rhetoric and uncertainty in the UK, is further increasing fears whether a deal can be reached, and, even if a deal were to be reached if it could pass in the House of Commons.

As the voice of the Irish exporting industry, we call on all negotiating parties to reach an ambitious, comprehensive and legally enforceable Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future relationship in the remaining weeks to provide businesses with certainty. For that, the transition period agreed to earlier this year is vital.

In light of the increasing risk of a disorderly exit, we welcome the Irish Government and EU’s no-deal preparations. In particular, we welcome the announcement for hiring up to 1000 additional personnel to facilitate the expected increase in customs requirements.”

Statement by President Donald Tusk on the Brexit negotiations (21.09.2018)

Brexit: Theresa May is playing a game she cannot win!

Anything which fails to respect the referendum or which effectively divides our country in two would be a bad deal and I have always said no deal is better than a bad deal” – Theresa May (21.09.2018).

What today’s statement or speech from Prime Minister Theresa May has revealed is that the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in coalition cannot be able to configure an agreement, which all parts of the Tories, even all in the coalition combined are agreeing on putting forward. As the European Research Group (ERG) of MPs are blocking several ideas, while the DUP has their ideas and the PM has others. That is why the speech of her is revealing this. This has been shown over time, as the United Kingdom has simplified the implicated criteria without working within the framework of the revoking Article 50 from the European Union. All of that is a graceful disaster.

However, what the speech is showing, is lack of skill, lack of conduct and even lack of negotiating tactics within own realm, before meeting the counter-party of the EU. Which will be much harder to please, considering they have Union Protocol to consider and not loose face for the current Member State and keep the Single Market intact. Therefore, UK could have played this smarter, if they thought it through, they we’re invaluable asset and a needed force within EU, but now they are a fringe state in a limbo.

The proof is when the PM stated this:

First, there are over 3 million EU citizens living in the UK who will be understandably worried about what the outcome of yesterday’s summit means for their future. I want to be clear with you that even in the event of no deal your rights will be protected. You are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues. We want you to stay. Second, I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that in the event of no deal we will do everything in our power to prevent a return to a hard border” (Theresa May, 21.09.2018).

It’s like the Piccadilly Line straight to heaven when it comes to this woman. You just get your Oyster Card and rumble into the pearly gates. Because, the way she puts things forward, is blatantly arrogant and without real concern. Since, if she really feared the hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. She would actually have ensured that in the negotiations, as the preliminary agreement with the EU said. Which was the basis for all further negotiating. However, she really tries to play high stakes and hopes for reward, but right now she is just loosing.

What is worse is that she would not lose alone at this point, because she is playing with a house of cards. The PM is supposed to bridge the gap, but instead she asks the workers to make it further between the shores of Calais and Folkestone. If it was PM orders, she would have bombed the tunnel and ordered the HM Government to make ferries available. Because the deal of trade and movement between the EU and UK cannot cease to function in this manner. That is initially what it sounds like. That is what Europe is hearing and achieving out of this. If the Industry and the British exporters hear her, they should be worried about the warehouses and the stocks, as the piles should be shipped out before a no-deal. To ensure funds for the rainy-days of no-deal bad-trading agreements and longer time Customs Arrangement with WTO standards between EU and the UK. It is like she doesn’t care for the working places of the people who needs this. That is really magical indifference.

So, it is like the PM are playing a game she cannot win, as she either loses support within the Tories, DUP or with the EU Standards. Peace.

After Chaos in the Parliament: Massive Taxes been levied on the Public!

Today, will be the day of “nayes” and “yayes” of the Kenyan Parliament. As there was report of lack of quorum, meaning, lacking the need of 2/3 of the Parliament to vote, as it needs to be to enact a bill. However, that was a none issue for the Parliament and the chaos that has happen today proves it. As the Speaker couldn’t manage the House and neither the voting. As dozens of MPs left the Parliament and the chambers during the first vote, but however, the second vote enacted it. Even if the reports of lacking amounts of MPs are there.

The national assembly has 290 elected MPs; 47 women elected from each of the 47 counties and at least 12 members nominated to represent women, youth and the marginalised. These add up to 349 members but only 215 were present for the vote, but you need about 230 votes to have needed MPs to pass a bill. Therefore, someone has rigged the numbers as the 134 MPs left the chambers today or even didn’t show up to cast their votes. Not just the Presidential Elections are now rigged, but the votes inside the Parliament. Meaning, the state doesn’t care how they follow the needed orders of the Executive and not the laws of the Republic.

Here is the taxes that is enacted today, as the people will pay more taxes at a staggering rate, as the state has damaged themselves with high rates of loans, sky-rocket levels of corruptions and investments that isn’t profitable. Therefore, because of the deficit created by the loans and corruption, the taxes are coming now to pick that up. This is damage created by the politicians and covered by the public. The Representatives are thieving and the ones covering for them is the public.

On the financing of the Supplementary|Estimates, 2018

The Committee was informed that;

To ensure the budget is fully financed, the President, through a memorandum on the Finance Bill 2018, proposed a raft of measures for re-consideration by Parliament. These as follows:

a) Reduction of VAT on petroleum products from the standard 16% to 8%.

b) Re-Introduction of excise duty on fees for banks and financial services at 20% from the current 10%.

c) Telephone and data services at 15% from 10%.

d) Mobile Money transfers services from 10% to 20%.

e) Excise Duty on fees charged by financial institutions from 10% to 20%.

f) Re-Introduction of tax on sugar confectionary.

g) Re-Introduction of tax on exportation of copper waste and scrap at 20%.

h) Contribution of 1,5% of basic pay each for employee and employer to be paid into the National Housing Development Fund.

I) Reduction of gambling taxes from35% to 15%.

j) Introduction of anti-adulteration levy on the importation of illuminating kerosene” (Report on the Supplementary Estimates for FY 2018-19, 19.09.2018).

You can really see that the MPs and the President is punishing the public for their reckless behavior in power, as the growing debt are now hurting the citizens. It is not hurting the MPs and the Parliament itself. As the public will pay more for transferring money, using cellphone services, garbage, higher direct PAYE for the ones working and so much more. Therefore, the cost of living will go up, the prices on the commodities and less money into the formal system will happen to. As people will save their money and they will use less of mobile money, as they rather transfer money in other ways to save and use the informal ways. The same way with other things, as the prices of this goes up. These taxes will surely take the money out of the system and ensure less fiscal funds within the Republic.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with his memorandum clearly didn’t care much for the ramifications, as the MPs actually just rubber-stamped it. This is all for the excuse of closing in the deficit, but these MPs knows why there been growing debts and lack of fiscal funds, as the state are making to big budgets to handle or to find funds. That is why they are in this predicament in the first place.

Kenyatta should try to repay all the grand corruption scandals and get his cronies to do the same, as that is one of the reasons for shortfall and lack of fiscal funding. Therefore, this funds could fix the lack fiscal responsibility, but the President will not do that. That is why these taxes are levied. Peace.

The 200 Shillings of Doom: Millionaire MPs complain about possibly paying 400 shillings daily for OTT Access!

It is a disgrace, the best paid representatives with all sorts of benefits, even not even taxed for their salaries, these Members of the Parliament (MPs). That these MPS are complaining about the OTT Tax. These MPs who are earning approximately earning about 26,000,000 Ugandan Shillings ($6,852) monthly. MPs are complaining that they have pay 400 shillings a daily. Because they have to pay OTT on their personal Cellphone and also on their Ipads. So lets say a month is 30 days we add that with 400 shillings (Ipad + Cellphone) that is total 12,000 shillings ($ 3.1). That is why it is insulting, that ones earning giant fortunes are complaining about paying possible for one more gadget. This is a tax they enacted in Parliament not long ago. They should have the courage and the funds to pay this sums, but seemingly that is too much for them. How about the people then, who doesn’t earns millions of shillings a month?

Parliament has clarified that members of parliament can access free Social Media services on their IPADs only when transacting parliament business. The Principal information officer at Parliament Moses Bwalatum, says according to the contract signed between Parliament and the Ipad Service providers, legislators can only use them for the legislative roles unless the contract are reviewed. This means that legislators have to pay OTT tax on their personal phone to access the other social media platforms” (NBS Television, 14.09.2018).

They should be capable to spend these meager sums of money. As the MPs should be able to pay 3 US Dollars a month for the OTT on both Cellphone and Ipad, as they are earning close to 6800 US Dollars. It is insane, that they whose earning such fortunes in a country, where civil servants aren’t earning that much. They are high-ranking and huge salaries which should cover everything, especially another 200 shillings, which is apparently to much for these rich MPs.

That the MPs cannot manage to spend a total of 3 dollars a month on OTT Taxes are insane, when they are earning over 6000 dollars a month, are they that lavish on their side-dishes, that they cannot mange to pay this? But they said the ordinary citizens and that this would not discriminate people, as this was a luxury. Is this now a luxury that the millionaire MPs cannot manage?

Are 400 shillings a day to much to ask for the ones who are already tax-exempt on their salary? Are you that greedy? 

Seriously, the MPs who enacted the OTT Tax should be able to pay for it, just like everyone else. They are having a giant salaries, housing, cars and whatnots covered. They are surely able to do this, but are stubborn and greedy, as sleazy salesmen, they expect to be…

They are certainly not showing confidence, but a more a mockery of the people. Since they have wealth and the general public doesn’t. Peace.

President Kenyatta promise more austerity measures!

The Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta have today pushed for a lower VAT on Petroleum, not showing why it gets cuts in half, but still will charge the public more in taxes. While state is promising more cuts in all arms of government. This from a government that has borrowed more spent more and been more corrupt, than any other I can think off. The Jubilee government have a ten-fold of corruption scandals since its inception. Therefore, if the government would clear its yearly shortfall quickly, the embezzlement, frauds and tender scandals has to stop. Also, the open looting by the high-ranking officials and their cronies, which for some reasons skates by, while the funds are running short. That why it is further insult to injury of the public, that the Wealthy President and his rich cronies are asking for a sacrifice. How could he?

Here is his statement:

“Fellow Kenyans, I have spent the last few days listening to a wide cross-section of views. It is clear that you are all troubled by the effect of the rise in the prices of petroleum products, and its impact on the cost of living. I have heard and understood your concerns, which is why I have proposed, as part of my memorandum, to cut VAT on petroleum products by 50% — from 16% to 8%. Should Parliament accept this proposal, the price of super petrol will drop from KSh 127 to about KSh 118, and the price of diesel will drop from KSh 115 to about KSh 107. Just as business owners took the new VAT rate as an opportunity to increase the cost of goods and services, I expect them not to take advantage of weary citizens, and to lower their prices commensurately and without delay. But we still face a financing gap. This measure will not suffice to balance our budget, as required by law. Therefore I have also proposed wide-ranging cuts in spending as well as austerity measures across all arms of government. The cuts target less essential spending, such as hospitality, foreign and domestic travel, training and seminars, and similar categories. These budget cuts ask of us in government that we tighten our belts. It also ensures that the sacrifices made by tax-compliant Kenyans are matched by discipline from all of us in the public service” (Uhuru Kenyatta – ‘STATEMENT BY HE THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES, UHURU KENYATTA C.G.H., ON FINANCE BILL 2018/2019 ON 14TH SEPTEMBER, 2018’ (14.09.2018).

This here shows how he thinks and manoeuvre, instead of thinking directly how the elites, the cronies and the central leadership to pay for the shortfall, the added debt and growing corruption will cost the public and not them. The austerity and the lack of service providing, even salaries and lack of needed services will come with time. As the defaulting debt and the restructuring that is programmed through the IMF will hurt the communities.

Kenyatta knows this, but trying to deflect and finds ways to smoothing the hurt, but not initially changing the paradigm. The reality is that the state are struggling financially, have over-borrowed and secured massive debts, it now has to pay with interests, while also swiftly embezzled funds to the high-ranking elites, which are not paying for the short-fall, but the tab is put on the public instead. That is the insane reality and the swindle of the century.

There are usually two sides to ever story, and two side to every coin, but the man who has both created it the issue, are now trying to find ways to billing the debt on the public, without taking direct responsibility or going after the ones who created this in the first place. They are off the hook and off the books. While the public will be left with the costly back-payment and figuring out to pay it back. Day-by-day. Peace.

Parliament of Uganda: Clarification on OTT Tax remarks attributed to Hon. Kaps Hassan Fungaroo (14.09.2018)

European Parliament: Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition – European Parliament Resolution of 13 September 2018 on Uganda, arrest of Parliamentarians from the oppostion (13.09.2018)

President Lungu is making Zambia a Chinese debt-slave!

We can just wonder how and why these Executives, these Presidents are taking these high-risked loans on Infrastructure projects and other vanity institutions, without considering the implications, the cost of interests and the real time cost of the projects as a whole. As they are topping off one more loan with another. Creating a negative spiral and instead of gaining the income through proper taxations or donor aid. They are instead taking higher loans and hoping the future generations can pay it off. This while the Chinese government who borrows are awaiting return on investment and making sure the debt-slave, that they will repay their stocks and bonds, even as needed vital part of infrastructure, even mineral extractions if needed be.

There been warnings on the horizon that the aftermath of these jolly days loans would come to into the atmosphere. Now, that is a reality, as the Republic of Zambia are countering the Chinese and struggling to repay all the borrowed funds. It is really to the next level.

“Africa Confidential noted that although Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe announced that all Chinese projects below 80 per cent completion would be halted, President Edgar Lungu told Chinese nationals that all projects would go ahead as planned. “The Zambian government is supposed to be contributing 15% of its own money to the Chinese-financed projects. Meeting this commitment is testing government finances to the limit and taking precedence over social expenditure. Even though Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe pledged to halt all Chinese-backed projects that were less than 80% complete, on 11 July President Lungu publicly told Chinese officials in Lusaka that there would be ‘no disruption in the ongoing projects’ financed by China,” read the report.“Since President Edgar Lungu came to power, Zambia has signed off on at least US$8 billion in Chinese project finance. Over $5 bn. of this has not been added to the total because Zambia insists the money has not been disbursed, and more large loans are in the pipeline. Yet the finance ministry does not have the capacity, insiders say, to police, let alone stem, all the spending. In some cases, the financial penalties for halting disbursement on projects would outweigh the savings. Donor governments have offered technical assistance to bring the project debt mountain under control but have been rebuffed.”” (Lusaka Times – ‘China to take over ZESCO – Africa Confidential’ 04.09.2018).

When you read this and thinking, why did the President Lungu accept all this loans and didn’t he ensure that the state could arrange to pay it back somehow? Alternatively, did he just issue it without considering the implications, because he saw it as free money? Didn’t Lungu consider the refinancing and the costs of these loans?

Now there is reports that the Chinese will take certain infrastructure away from the Zambian government, as a way of repayment, an airport and even other things. That proves how dire the situation is, as the Chinese did the same in Sri Lanka and now does it Zambia. As it is proven, that if you don’t pay the bill-collector, something will be taken as collateral. That is evident in this case, as the rising debts and the spiral of negative sums are taking its toll. That because the President doesn’t care for the consequences and eats the defaulted debts.

Zungu is using the state to eat and the people are paying more, as they are working, but seeing the Chinese taking away their assets, because Zungu got “free” money to spend, while the results of these loans are not up to par. That is why this situation is dire. The costs are all put on the state, but the President don’t have to take any responsibility or care for the added costs. That is proven. Peace.