IEA                                                                           13/06/2012

The institute of economic affairs (IEA) in their budget has called on the government to spend within its means. Speaking during the launch of the citizens Alternative Budget 2012-2013, the chief executive officer Kwame Owino says that the proposal by the county government devolution bill to construct houses for the 47 county commissioners and governors is unnecessary saying that the government would rather pay the commissioners sufficient salaries to live in decent houses in their work stations. He says that the move may heavily weigh down on the estimated national budget of shillings 1.462trillion to be read in parliament tomorrow.

Owino pleads o the government to come up with austerity measures by focusing   public spending on areas of priority such upgrading health facilities infrastructure and access to clean water for the benefit of the poor. Responding to a question on how the government is going to meet the deficit of 0.5 trillion from last years estimated national budget, he said that in addition to austerity measures, bilateral, multilateral donors available to the government and grants are some of ways of meeting the deficit.

MWATELA                                                                    

EDUCATION assistant Minister Calist Mwatela now says that the idea of funding schools directly is a new concept and that with the new constitution those found guilty of embezzling public funds will be dealt with according to the law. Mwatela says that teachers will now have a reason to smile as their retirement benefit payment will be enforced according to the law. The assistant Minister made the remarks after presiding over the launch of the nestle healthy kids programme in Kenya at the St. Georges primary school in Nairobi

The Minister further added that education material suppliers who threatened to take schools to court for lack of payment over materials supplied have been paid and that those who are already in court will withdraw the cases and handle them locally.

KNUT                                                      

EDUCATION minister Mutula Kilonzo has given the treasury until the end of today to release the free primary education funds bringing to an end the looming teachers strike. This is after the treasury asked for one more weeks to release the cash. Speaking during a meeting with members of The Kenya National Union of Teachers, The minister further added that the 6 billion shillings allocated to the Ministry will used to employ 10,000 teachers before 30th June this year.

The Minister also regretted that the Kenyan National examination council had to cancel the results of many students in the last years Examination adding that a bill is ready to be presented to the parliament to address the issue

                                                     

ATTORNEY GENERAL                                         

ATTORNEY General Prof. Githu Muigai has termed as baseless sentiments attributed to the International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Loius Moreno Ocampo claiming that the government has been reluctant in cooperating with the court over cases facing the four post election suspects.  Prof. Muigai says such sentiments risk straining the cordial relationship between the country and ICC. He made the remarks earlier today while officiating a stakeholders and policy maker’s sensitization workshop on witness protection. The two day progranmme is meant to sensitize the government officials and all the participants on their roles in the agency and work effectively on its policies implementation .He said that through such programmes the government acknowledges the need for security for witnesses as a basic human right and that his office has been co operating with the court in witness protection issues.

He spoke as Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa lauded the establishment of the Witness Protection agency which he says will go a long way in dispensing criminal justice in the country. Key among the agency's mandate is to offer protection to witnesses. Wamalwa says that the success of the programme depends on the co operatrion and collaboration of different government agencies, the office of the attorney.

WILLY MUTUNGA                                                          

Its time to transform this country and empower our youth and women to participate in political parties to have a free, fair and peaceful elections. This was said by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga during the launch of Tuvuke initiative held at Serena Hotel. Tuvuke is an inclusive transition that aims at transforming the politics of this country and targeting the social change to enhance peace co-exist between the citizens during the election period. Mutunga urged youth to elect leaders of their choice and not to be bribed for that’s their right.  Jeniffer Odiria the chairperson of the initiative added that the initiative was meant for people in the grassroots since they are the most affected in times of crisis and also urged youths to be patriotic in order to have a better Kenya.

KASARANI                                                                         

A woman and a security guard were last night shot dead in a carjacking incident in Kasarani here in Nairobi. The two were captured by two gunmen from a residence near safari park hotel before they were driven towards Lakisama.They were later shot dead and their bodies thrown off the road. The gangsters then left the car a few kilometers ahead and escaped on foot.