The Star 04/19/2017

Maize traders at the Kenyan boarders are complaining that they are still being charged 50 per cent import duty despite the government zero rating imports two weeks ago. Traders told the Star that Kenya Revenue Authority officials are demanding the fee, saying they are yet to be informed about the scrapping of duty. Last month, National Treasury CS Henry Rotich announced the zero rating of maize imports from Ethiopia and Mexico to ease maize shortage which was effective immediately. But a gazetted notice to this effect was only issued on Thursday last week. The gazette notice No 3575, stated that in pursuit of powers conferred on the Cabinet Secretary under section 114 ( 2 ) of the East African Community Customs Management Act 2004 and in consequence of the declaration…

The Gazette notice says yellow maize shall not be genetically modified in accordance with the standards in the European Union; it will have a moisture content not exceeding 14.5 per cent; and it will be accompanied by a certificate of conformity issued by a company appointed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. It will also be taken directly to a factory for the manufacture of animal feed immediately it arrives. The maize should have been imported on or before August 31, while white maize should have been imported on or before July 31.…

NAIROBI CITY Global firms want to invest Nairobi is the leading destination for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods giants looking to expand into Middle East and Africa. The goods include soft drinks, toiletries, over-the-counter drugs, processed foods and other consumables. Nairobi tends to be the top choice for organisations looking to service Eastern Africa. See page 15 NAOMI SHABAN Back to the Jubilee Party Taveta MP Naomi Shaban has returned to JP days after she ditched the party. Shaban will on Friday face Mike Banton in the nominations. She said she resigned because she was protesting against foreseen irregularities in primaries. Shaban says another candidate named ‘Naomi’ was entered in the ballot to confuse voters. It has now been rectified. See page 9 A POLICE OFFICE Two missing cops found dead Two…

An 18-year-old girl whose medical condition was highlighted by the Star newspaper and later admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital has been diagnosed with Rhabdomyosacorma. This type of cancer is made up of cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles. “The biopsy result done last week confirmed my suspicion that she has Rhabdomyosacorma, the alveolar type,” Oral cranio and maxillofacial surgeon Edwin Rono said. The alveolar type tends to occur within skeletal muscles and is postulated to derive from precursor cells within the skeletal muscle. It typically affects all age groups equally. It contributes to a larger portion of this type of cancer in children and teens than in younger children. Muansia Lenjoye was admitted to KNH on April 6. Rono said she will be taken through two cycles of chemotherapy,…

IS National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale a master of doublespeak when it comes to defending Parliament’s independence? Duale and the majority of MPs have been attacking the courts whenever judges issue orders stopping or directing that they legislate particular laws. Last month, Duale led the House in bashing a High Court judge for directing the MPs ensure the contentious two-thirds gender rule is legislated within 60 days. The outspoken, no-nonsense Garissa Township MP told off the judge that he cannot dictate what Parliament should do. He even threw the ball to the next Parliament to implement the gender principle law. What is shocking is his sudden change of mind. Bowing to pressure from the executive, he now says the House will prioritise the gender rule debate when they resume…

THE SENATOR HAS INSISTED HE WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR. LET JUBILEE PEOPLE DECIDE WHO BETWEEN THE TWO SHOULD BE THE GOVERNOR CANDIDATE Senator Mike Sonko has dug in his heels and refused a Cabinet post dangled in exchange for quitting the Nairobi governor’s race in favour of Peter Kenneth. The popular lawmaker says he’s going for the top job, aiming for the Jubilee Party ticket in primaries on Friday. Sonko and Kenneth will face off. Multiple sources close to the presidency yesterday told the Star that a Cabinet position has been offered and rejected several times. If Jubilee wins on August 8, Sonko could have been CS for the Nairobi Metropolitan Region, a new post created for him. He would oversee Kiambu, Kajiado, Murang’a and Machakos counties. “We have given…