A Week to Rectify: President Ruto’s Urgent Call to Action on Passport Crisis

Passport
Passport

In a swift turn of events on Friday, June 30, President William Ruto faced a stern ultimatum. This challenge, handed down by the Thirdway Alliance and its Party Leader Ekuru Aukot, addressed an ongoing passport crisis. The escalating issue, affecting countless Kenyans, demanded an immediate solution.

Escalating Issues and Mounting Frustration

Thousands of citizens remain in limbo, their travel plans stalled due to a backlog of passport applications. Passport booklet shortages and printer issues have caused the delays.

“Kenyans deserve a prompt response, not excuses,” declared Aukot, voicing the mounting frustration. The inability to promptly verify, approve, and print passports has left citizens discontented. Even those who fulfilled their responsibilities, from taxes to passport fees, await action.

Facing the Consequences of Delayed Passports

The brunt of this backlog isn’t minor inconvenience. Several Kenyans reported missing crucial opportunities, including job prospects and other economic ventures. One aggrieved citizen waited for his passport for over a year, despite settling the charges in May 2022.

Passport crisis

An Emphatic Call for Legislative Measures and Automation

The Thirdway Alliance pressed for definitive legal timelines for passport issuance and renewal. It suggested the urgent need for automation in the system, similar to the successful model employed by Business Registration Services.

“Each application should receive a response within 2 hours,” Aukot argued. He further pointed to advancements in the country’s ICT sector as evidence that solving the crisis is entirely feasible.

Solutions Proposed: Enhanced Accessibility, Efficiency, and Accountability

To ensure officer accountability for delays, they suggested improving IT systems and creating an audit trail. The government has also improved its services by digitizing eCitizen services.

Aukot and his party also advocated for the devolution of passport issuance to county headquarters, which would greatly improve accessibility and efficiency. They urged President Ruto to eradicate any form of discrimination in the immigration office, ensuring all Kenyans receive their passports promptly upon submitting their biometric data.

Promises of Reform and Quick Turnaround

As of May 31, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured citizens that the processing and issuance of passports would henceforth take only one week. He confirmed that they repaired the faulty printer to expedite the process.

Kindiki pledged, “All new passport applications will be processed in seven working days, with emergency requests fulfilled in 48 hours.”

In the face of escalating frustrations and missed opportunities, the Kenyan public eagerly awaits the fulfilment of these promises, hopeful for a swift resolution to the ongoing passport crisis.

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Prime Suspect in Kware Murder Case Escapes from Police Custody

Kware murder suspect escape
Kware murder suspect Collins Jumaisi

A key suspect in the Kware murder case, Collins Jumaisi, has escaped from Gigiri Police Station. Jumaisi, along with 12 Eritrean nationals, managed to break out of police custody, sparking concerns over security lapses.

Jumaisi recently made headlines during a hearing at Makadara Law Courts, where he claimed to have been tortured into confessing to the alleged murders. Represented by his lawyer, John Ndegwa, Jumaisi strongly denied involvement, stating that the accusations were based on falsehoods. He described his arrest as brutal and insisted that he urgently needed medical care due to the harsh treatment.

“Nothing concrete has been produced before this court in respect to the accusations leveled against my client. Much of what has been adduced is mere speculation,” said Ndegwa.

Despite his lawyer’s defense, Makadara Magistrate Irene Gicobi granted the DCI a 30-day detention order to allow further investigation into the murders.

Grim Details Emerge from Investigation

The DCI had identified Jumaisi as the prime suspect in a series of murders after allegedly confessing to the crimes. Officers claim they tracked him down to a hideout in Kayole, where he was allegedly preparing to lure another victim. The raid on his residence unearthed several suspicious items, including ten mobile phones, seven identity cards, multiple SIM cards, a panga, gloves, ropes, and sacks resembling those found at the Kware murder scenes.

“We believe we have a key and prime suspect in the murder of people whose bodies have been found dumped in the Kware area,” said a source familiar with the investigation.

In addition, detectives traced funds linked to the suspect, withdrawn from the accounts of recent victims, further tying him to the gruesome crimes.

Escape Sparks Urgent Manhunt

The escape of Jumaisi and the other detainees has triggered a nationwide manhunt, with law enforcement under pressure to recapture them. The incident also raises serious questions about the security protocols at the Gigiri Police Station, especially considering the high-profile nature of the case.

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How to Access and use Gava Mkononi App (eCitizen Mobile App) Offering 5,000 Govt Services in Kenya

eCitizen mobile app
Gava Mkononi App

The Launch of Gava Mkononi App

On the unforgettable day of Friday, June 30, 2023, Kenya’s President William Ruto made a significant leap towards ushering the country into the digital era. He introduced the groundbreaking Gava Mkononi, also known as the eCitizen Mobile App. Set to revolutionize over 5,000 government services, this innovative digital platform offers Kenyans a convenient way to access vital services from the comfort of their homes.

But President Ruto’s forward-thinking initiatives didn’t stop there. He also introduced the Gava Express, a perfect complement to the well-established Huduma Centers. This new service will ensure that even the most remote parts of the country can effortlessly receive services, bridging the accessibility gap that physical centers, which mainly serve urban areas, couldn’t fill. The government and the private sector have smoothly partnered to aim this ambitious project at setting up over 300,000 outlets nationwide, ensuring they include every citizen.

Bad government service delivery

The Ruto administration, with bold leadership, has cemented a strong commitment to digital transformation. The ultimate goal is to root out corruption by eliminating face-to-face interactions, dishonest brokers, and unnecessary middlemen. Moreover, this innovative platform aims to boost revenue collection by addressing the persistent problem of leakage that has long troubled manual tax collection processes. By curbing these leakages, increased revenue collection will open the door to new job opportunities through investments in creative projects.

Services offered by eCitizen Mobile App

The eCitizen Mobile App offers a broad range of exceptional services, meeting diverse needs. These include crucial functions like business registration, police clearance, civil registration, initial registration for foreign nationals, and immigration services. It also covers services provided by respected organizations such as the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Hustler Fund, National Transport and Safety Authority, and the Higher Education Loans Board, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

How to apply for services in eCitezen Mobile App

To tap into the enormous benefits of this revolutionary app, potential users must first download it online and set up an account. This process involves providing essential information like their name, phone number, National Identity Card, and email address. Users can choose to register as a citizen, foreigner, or resident, customizing the experience to their specific needs. Once registered, users can effortlessly navigate the wide range of government services available to them and conveniently make payments via mobile money or debit cards, simplifying the entire process.

The launch of Gava Mkononi realizes President Ruto’s unwavering determination to lead Kenya into the digital age. This impressive initiative not only improves convenience and accessibility for all Kenyans but also paves the way for a future filled with progress and limitless possibilities. The eCitizen Mobile App has emerged as a potent tool, propelling the nation forward by promoting transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity.

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The Inflation Rollercoaster: Kenya’s Ride with Price Hikes

A poor Kenyan begging for food
A poor Kenyan begging for food

Friends, it looks like Kenya’s been holding onto the tail of inflation like a mad bull. This past May, inflation leaped to 8%, not long after catching its breath at 7.9% from a peak of 9.2%. Our friends at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) have given the detective’s magnifying glass to food prices. They have found our beloved sugar as the prime suspect.

Brace Yourself: Unga and Sugar Prices are On a Wild Safari

We’re not fortune tellers, but with food prices soaring, it feels like we might need to pack parachutes soon. The choir of farmers and traders have sung it: brace for higher costs of ‘unga’ (maize flour) and sugar. Thanks to our fickle friend, forex, they’ve got their eyes on increased input and fuel costs, not to mention the quicksand of local production and surging import prices.

Sweet Nothings: Sky-high Sugar Prices

We thought sugar was sweet until May 2023 turned it sour, with a 2kg packet kissing the sky at KSh 450. Our CBK conductor, Patrick Njoroge, believes sugar prices, defying the reins of monetary policy, are running wild, stoking the inflation fire.

Inflation Drivers: Snippets from CBK’s Agriculture Survey

Between May 9 and 12, CBK went on a little treasure hunt. They came back with insights that paint a troubling picture of inflating food prices. The magnifying glass points to changes in food wholesale, retail prices, and production costs. Then there’s the duo of food and fuel prices hitting a new crescendo in May 2023, pushing inflation to jump a tiny 0.1% to reach 8%.

Unga Prices: The Mountain that Refuses to Bow

Even with the government pulling the ropes, ‘unga’ prices have decided to be the stubborn mule. A deep dive by kiongos.com shows that our favorite maize flour brands are on an uphill hike, averaging an average of KSh 215 per 2kg packet.

Finance Bill 2023: A Double-edged Sword?

The Finance Bill 2023, set to back President William Ruto’s lofty KSh 3.46 trillion 2023/24 budget, is a hot potato. Critics fear it might pinch our pockets even harder. Yet, the bill is en route for a second screening, with the government waving red flags at any rejection moves. Standing firm in his corner, President Ruto touts the bill as a golden ticket for economic growth and job creation. So, do we grit our teeth and hope for the best?

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