Infobytes

Kenyans got some relief after the government made changes to some of its tax proposals contained in the Finance Bill 2024 after listening to suggestions from the public. President William Ruto said the changes to the Finance Bill have taken into account the views of the people and other stakeholders during public participation sessions. The amendments include the removal of the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions as well as the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax. Read more

The National Treasury on Thursday presented the country’s Sh 3.9 trillion Budget for the financial year 2024/25, which seeks to enhance economic growth after a positive surge in 2023. Prof. Njuguna Ngung’u, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, said the Budget prioritises expanding the economy by 5.5 per cent, driven by continued support for agriculture, the digital economy and small businesses.

The Commission for University Education (CUE) is holding its 4th Biennial Conference on Universities Research and Innovation from June 12 to 14 in Nairobi. In this edition of InfoBytes, we break down for you what the 4th Biennial Conference is all about and how it would benefit the university sector.

The roar of engines and the thrill of competition awakened the sleepy Torosei area in Kajiado County, as the 2024 edition of Rhino Charge took place on June 1. The Rhino Charge is a unique event that combines off-road driving expertise and strategic navigation as participants seek to raise fund for various environment conservation activities.

Kenya is set to become a major digital hub in the region and across Africa following the signing of various strategic deals with the US during President William Ruto’s State Visit from May 20 to May 24, 2024. The agreements involve leading American technology companies as well as the US government and are expected to significantly boost investments in the country’s digital infrastructure. We highlight the tech deals and how Kenya will benefit.

President William Ruto is on a four-day State Visit to the United States at the invitation of his host, President Joe Biden, the 46th President of the US. The visit is of major significance as it marks the first State Visit by an African leader to the US since 2008 and it celebrates the 60th anniversary of US-Kenya diplomatic relations. In this InfoBye, we break down for you the gains from the visit.

In its latest weather forecast, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has warned that various parts of the country will experience heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. So what should you do? In this edition of InfoBytes, we highlight the affected regions, potential dangers, the safety precautions you need to take and explain the role of Tropical Cyclone laly in causing the rains. Stay informed, don’t be caught unawares and take the necessary precautions.

Populations and development are intricately linked when it comes to the progress a country makes. Take Kenya for instance, in 1950, the population was around six million. By independence in 1963, the number had grown to around 8.6 million. Some 60 years later in 2023, the number stood at about 52 million. That’s massive growth, and there is nothing wrong with it if resources grow at a similar rate. But they usually don’t. So, as the population rises, the government is finding it challenging to take care of the huge numbers with the limited resources collected. This calls for careful planning. The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) is tasked with managing Kenya’s population growth and trends Find out more about NCPD and their new plan.