August 19, 2024: Top news events to look out for today

Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Kawira Mwangaza’s impeachment hearing

Embattled Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza returns to the senate for the third time today, August 19, 2024, to fight her impeachment by MCAs, an event that is expected to be among the top news of the day.

Mwangaza was impeached over charges of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence.

Senators are expected to sit today and tomorrow to hear the case against Mwangaza after they shot down an attempt to have a select committee determine her fate.

The governor and the MCAs had until yesterday to submit their responses to the matter ahead of today’s session in line with Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s directions last week.

Mwangaza is accused of illegally revoking the appointment of Virginia Miriti as Secretary of the Meru County Public Service Board, without a vote of not less than 75 per cent of all the members of the County Assembly and in the usurpation of the powers of the County Assembly contrary to sections 58(4) & (5) and 59A of the County Governments Act.

Aoko in court

Controversial social media personality Scorphine Aoko Otieno is set to appear in court this morning following her arrest and detention on Friday, August 16, 2024, over a series of inflammatory posts on her online platforms.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Aoko will be charged with publishing false information on social media.

Her arrest has ignited a wave of public outcry, with the hashtag #FreeAoko trending as a majority of people demand her release.

Police reportedly stormed Aoko’s residence, seizing her phones and laptop before taking her to the DCI headquarters for questioning.

Reactions to govt’s planned taxes

The government’s plan to reintroduce about 49 amendments that were in the rejected Finance Bill, 2024, aimed at raising more revenue, will continue to spark reactions from Kenyans.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has announced plans to bring back the Eco Levy with amendments.

Speaking to a local TV station on Sunday, August 18, 2024, Mbadi noted that the Eco levy, which was part of the controversial Finance Bill 2024, had some meaning and ought to be revived through proper amendments.

However, Mbadi told the local TV station that contentious products like sanitary pads will be left out of the new proposal. Moreover, he clarified that its introduction will not affect normal citizens.

“Eco Levy has some meanings; we will just make sure that they are levied on those items that pollute the environment,” Mbadi stated.

“Issues that are contentious, like sanitary pads, those we will leave out,” he added.

The Eco Levy was among the contentious tax-raising proposals that were contained in the dropped Finance Bill 2024. It was set to affect various products, including plastic packaging, car batteries, diapers, sanitary towels, and rubber tyres.