The Africa-France Summit 2026, hosted in Nairobi, represents a significant diplomatic engagement between African nations and France, raising important questions about African agency in international relations. While critics argue that such summits may perpetuate colonial-era power dynamics and create situations where African leaders appear subordinate to European counterparts, supporters emphasize that Africa's collective bargaining power as the world's largest trading block provides strategic advantages. The summit's focus on investment, innovation, climate financing, and global financial system reforms demonstrates Africa's capacity to engage with major powers on terms that prioritize its own economic development and sovereignty.
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Heavy security deployed across major roads and key installations in Campala, Uganda ahead of this morning's swearing in of President Yuer Museani. Security personnel have intensified patrols in the city center while access to some roads remains restricted as preparations for the inauguration enter the final phase.
Back home, we enter the second day of the Africa Forward Summit 2026 here in Nairobi. Bringing together more than 30 Africans, African heads of state, global institutions, and private sector leaders. Discussions are focusing on investment, innovation, climate financing, and reforms to the global financial system.
A very good morning to you and welcome to the 12th day of May 2026. So good to have you this morning join us on the show. This is TV 47 breakfast. My name is Anida. Good morning.
>> My name is Fredd. Yes. The second Tuesday of this month of May. A lot we can talk about including the rains that are all over Jana. Mhm.
>> I started sleeping at 6 6 p.m.
yesterday.
>> I wish I could do that because the rains and remember the Met Department issued a warning. Yes.
>> An advisory of uh increased rainfall across many areas of the country including Kiambu and Nairobi as well as Mount Kenya region and the Lake Basin region as well. And this advisory stands till Thursday. So do expect that.
Meanwhile, preparations for bi-elections in continue. That'll be happening on Thursday. But in the city, advisory Ilia traffic still remains. Yes. Parliament Road, City Hallway, >> Harambe Avenue.
>> Harambe Avenue, Natifa Road in town.
They remain closed to traffic and members of the public advised not to use those roads. They're only u um reserved for those who are attending the Africa Forward Summit and they have to have a special pass for that. So do expect a bit of traffic um issues within the CBD but other than that we'll be looking at the traffic elsewhere and linking up with our reporter Money Brenda on the streets later on.
>> All right, it is >> it is also International Nurses Day uh today and we'll be having that conversation later on in the course of this show. It's also international day of plant health and in international day for chronic fatigue syndrome awareness um TDA being the 12th of May.
>> Chronic fatigue syndrome.
>> Yes. When I say imagine waking up feeling like you ran a marathon in your sleep.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. You're just waking up so tired.
But it's never about just being tired.
>> You're always tired.
>> You're always tired >> and you can't The doctor says there's nothing wrong with you. You're just tired.
>> Yeah. So lambda window checked >> chronic fatigue awareness day. All right. #TV47 breakfast uh remember across all uh um social media channels TV47 Kenya on Facebook, YouTube where we're streaming live and also on Instagram on X it's at TV47 digital you can tag us as well my handle is at trendy de >> my handle is at an let's take a look at the state of the weather >> all right Kajed is raining this morning.
It's 17° and highs of 24 degrees expected in Kaja County today. Kakamega is also raining and there will be thunderstorms later on in the day. It's 19° this morning. Highs of 25° expected in the Kakamega County today. We take a look at it's raining as well this morning. It's 21° highs of 27°.
That's as far as Kajado Kakamega and aolo counties are concerned.
We take a look at other areas. Naro County, it's raining this morning and it's 14 degrees. Highs of 21 degrees expected in Naro. Nakuru, it's 14° as well. Highs of 21° today. And thunderstorms will be experienced later on in the day. Nakuru and Kimu. It's raining. Pier 17° this morning. Highs of 23° expected today. And that's the state of the weather to go Kimu. And we can confirm that it's raining this morning.
Yes.
Let's take a look at the video.
Without questioning our choices, beliefs, and actions, life loses meaning. True fulfillment arises from self-reflection, conscious growth, and understanding our purpose in this world.
>> Right? So, you're encouraged to self-reflect every once in a while.
>> Very important to understand your purpose >> so that you can know what direction you're taking going forward. Very nice quote to begin the morning.
>> Yep.
>> Right. Let's come back and take a look at the newspapers today.
All right, the Daily Nation has a totally different story away from what we've been seeing uh this past week, even the weekend. Uh they've decided to go with a crime story on the front page.
And this has to do with the killing of u a a priest.
>> Yeah. They call them a priest.
>> Preacher.
>> A preacher from the Presbyterian church.
uh Reverend Julius Dumia. So they say CCTV phone data to nail priests killers.
On the night of May 3rd, a gang broke into a church compound and murdered Reverend Julius Dumia of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Taboga Parish in Akuru. This is very close to where my home is.
>> 5 days later, signal from his stolen mobile phone led detectives to two suspects during the cleric's burial.
Yesterday, speakers demanded that police make public CCTV footage that reportedly captures the gang and which detectives told a quote is still being reviewed. I wonder doesn't really help detectives much.
They say they're still reviewing CCTV.
There's someone who showed me clear clear picture of CTV which marks even captures someone's facial um features properly. They said the detectives couldn't use it. They could not use it in court. I don't know why. So sometimes you wonder >> it's very disturbing. So they say forensic detectives are also probing suspicious financial transactions in the days following the crime.
Preacher.
>> Wow.
Of course, the summit also features prominently on the front page of this paper. Macron's plea as France seeks new ties in Africa. A lot of criticism. I don't know if you've come across this Africa.
Many people are saying, okay, what business do we have talking to France anyway?
>> A lot of questions.
>> I don't know if you share in those in that kind of skepticism.
>> Well, um, you know, I've also I I don't if I do share in the same you know sense of skepticism I I'm not sure cuz >> um maybe there's some goodies that will come out of this but t I do understand the questions um coming in Sabu they're saying that France are going into elections next year just like us here in Kenya so maybe if President Macron is going to be replaced or maybe President William Rut is going to be replaced then how long will these deals you know there like 11 MUS that have been signed then how long will will they be sustainable in the long run even if they would be in office after next year. There's also questions like there are other franophhone countries in Africa then why Kenya we have countries like Cameroon uh DRC kivoir uh very coast then why why Kenya angophone country >> because clearly if you look at um the hospitality industry >> it's a boom >> yes >> boom in business 30 heads of state and that's not all the number of senior officials and you can imagine every every president or every head of state akija >> the entourage Yes, >> it's at least 20 25 30 people.
>> So, thousands of people are in Nairobi and of course uh hotels are recording booming business plus other sectors of entertainment and you know >> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> So, >> we have to keep the visitors happy.
>> Absolutely. I I think we might get some goodies out of this.
>> Yeah.
>> So, yeah, we'll be seeking uh views of our panelists on state of the nation especially on this matter >> even as we continue discussing finance bill and it's there on the front page.
Somebody pegs tax cuts for low income earners to Iran,000 and below 50,000,000.
>> Yes.
I feel like this is the least that they could have done now that election is just 15.
>> That's not enough. And one wonders then then why did you make that promise? Was it necessary to make that promise?
Why promise such a thing? Because it's huge for people who earn 30,000 shillings.
That's huge.
>> Other quick highlights church pastors in bitter fight for ti branches and land.
And it's not just one church, land, tithe, and branches. Now is because if you open a church, we have gashagua and kandiki clashing on R's call to doctor. This is a case continuing at the Supreme Court. Um, a fresh courtroom showdown has erupted between Deputy President Kur Kindiki and his predecessor Yadi Gashagua over claims that President Ruto called a kiologist to inquire about Gashagua's health condition during the 2024 impeachment proceedings. So these are the stories on the front page of the Daily Nation and the picture they've used today is that of President William R and his guest.
Yes.
Well, but uh I don't know. Does he Does he speak fluent English? Probably he does.
He He does. He does.
>> Okay.
Um France loses loses grip in West Africa.
Quotes Anglophone. So they're quoting angophone countries now that's why probably >> yeah Africa right on the back page R African youth can dominate sports globally it's there on back page once again a picture of the two presidents Emanuel McRo and William R at Tyer Hall in the University of Nairobi mambi okot shines on her debut for Atlanta Dream in WNBA that's uh Kenyan basketball star.
That's the Daily Nation today.
>> All right, let's take a look at um you know this is Africa Forward Summit, but you're making it. Okay, it's also Africa France summit.
>> Actually, it's what they you know there's a Russia Africa summit. Yes.
>> There's a I think um US Africa summit.
>> Yes.
Africans Africa Africans.
Africummit.
Yeah, >> it's rare we see that kind of uh do we call it brosamarader camarader when he arrived initially president had wanted to extend his hand then he realized no >> it's interesting anyway >> yeah so also captures that story on the front page West Africa I think that is also something that we should be should we be focusing on that really >> well the the Daily Nation talks about France losing grip there >> but it's because of this wave you remember a year or two ago when there was a lot of there were a lot of coups in West Africa >> yeah So many of those regimes that were friendly to France were toppled.
>> So say they need to make fresh friends, new friends in West Africa.
It's easier to make friends in East Africa. Okay.
Uh shilling 310 billion shillings.
Oh wow.
>> It's like half the budget.
>> Half the budget of education. 310 billion shillings.
There's a main story here. We'll be back to take a look at it.
You know there's a requirement in the labor laws in Kenya that uh you cannot commit through taxation and all other deductions more than 2/3 of a person's salary.
>> But then again with the introduction of affordable housing uh the housing levy sh and increased NSSF reductions now people are taking home 1/8 and not a third.
>> Mhm.
>> Which is against the labor laws.
>> Yeah. Now that we have this information now, what is the government doing about it?
I know somebody that information.
But now the main story on the front page of this morning talks about Ed I listen to that clip by CS around his voice to that level because you're a sister talk about belong to a family.
You know, we have a party where someone because she's sister of a party leader, she thinks she can also order us around.
You cannot.
We have supported this party. I know Baba has been a very solid leader. WE MUST NOW MANAGE the transition. BABA IS NO MORE. THIS IS postera era. We must be candid. We must be forthright and we must chart our way forward. You cannot keep us back. Baba said this. BABA DID NOT SAY THIS. WHERE is that baba now? To give us the evidence whether he said or he did not say.
>> Where?
>> Where is that baba? Where is that baba now?
>> It's his agitation for me.
>> Do you think he crossed the line?
>> He did. He did. That's not even a question of whether you think or not. He did evidence work.
>> But you know, now he's an expert. He's no longer just a mere member of parliament or a chairman of the party.
He's a CS. And I'm sure with that comes uh some level of power. He may feel that he has the authority or the gravitas to speak that way to party members. Don't you think?
>> No, that's that's out of order.
>> Let's stay guided. Let's be guided.
That's right.
Gazeti la the star. Unfortunately, we do not have a physical copy. And today being a Tuesday, the star is not for sale. They focused on a story about growth of some sectors. So they say the main headline says and told story of housing, fisheries, and coffee boom. The country's economy expanded by 4.6% last year according to this paper. So they say coffee production went up uh from 49,500 to 51,400. But I don't know if those those are tons or what. Maze went up 45.8 million bugs.
Demand for LPG went up. Catflour exports went up. Eh, tourism over 2 million visitors went up 5%. Rice, the tons, now I don't know if it's tage for importing or tonnage for production. Fisheries went up 12.3%.
Construction went up due to affordable housing 6.8%.
Now this is according to the star.
>> Yeah. Front page.
I don't know.
Of course they must it must be based on some data somewhere. The story is on pages four and five. Unfortunately we do not have a physical copy today. M >> and based on what data >> other highlights on the front page, fears of bribery in 2027 election as campaign funding rules stall campaign funding I don't know because the ideal restriction if you're running for president you should not spend this much or beyond this much if you're running for governor you cannot spend beyond this much and we are supposed to know Anyway, containers minor wins as court overturns dismissal and awards him 600,000 shillings after accident. That's to a minor. That's interesting. Nepali Jew football star Shem Lumumba aka coach Oti. It's a a special feature. He didn't let an injury cut short his dream living it through others. And this paper being a Tuesday comes with a complimentary pull out of my GV for government tenders and job opportunities. So grab yourself a copy of the star which is not for sale today.
>> Fresh independent different.
>> Yes, that one.
>> All right, let's take a look at the standard now.
very different.
They call it a secret battle that a purported Mumbai based businessman Nagendra Sakenna, a ghost figure without a trace and who immigration says has never stepped into Kenya occasioned a secretive Christmas Eve auction of Milwani sugar.
Now, there's a push from powerful state figures to hand over 9,394 acres of communial Milani land to Crossley Holdings, a private company.
Now, Suba MP Karoli Mundi says upon being questioned by Parliament, company directors claimed they could not remember to whom they paid 752 million shillings to acquire the land. Now, investigations done by this newspaper has uncovered internal letters, missing court files, forge documents, and anti-corruption findings pointing to an attempt to privatize public land. And that letter has also been attached here on the front page of the standard this morning. H the ghost of Nagendra Sakenna is also here.
You can take a look at that. photo there on the front page of the standard this morning. This story has been captured on page four and five vast land became the target of a billion shilling shadow battle members.
>> Yes.
>> So they link in the cabinet to that bold paper.
>> Yes, bold paper.
Page two, they talk about 250 deals on the table as France expands Africa investments push. At the Africa Forward Summit has positioned Kenya the center of France Africa strategy. Hundreds of business and government meetings target new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and infrastructure. So we expect to see more today and all that. But today now we're going to see more you know conversations and hear more maybe page six kony rattles opposition leaders with uhuru and gashaga warning that's another story in page six IBC ready for bi-elections once against electoral malpractices this is ahead of a murad care bi-election on Thursday the 14th of May. Uh rout signs sweeping economic reforms reform laws that's another story captured on page 7. They say income tax act uh seeks to rationalize the administration of capital gains tax and special economic zones act seeks to enhance uh Kenya's competitiveness back page the whole back page >> Arsenal glimpse title glory >> Arsenal CC Arsenal as we are earthquake rocks Premier league that Ghana are within touching distance of EPL title after 22 years waits will be crowned champions if they win their last two matches.
>> Mhm.
>> Yes. So remaining fixtures fixtures uh May 18th uh Bley at 10 p.m. and May 24th Crystal Palace 6 p.m.
Manchester City. Mhm.
Champions League final.
>> Yes.
>> Budapest Hungary.
>> That's the standard finally CSS between loyalty and political survival. They've put eight of them there on the front page. Alien for William.
So they say as a 227 succession battle gathers momentum politically connected CSS are battling growing regional rebellion succession rivalries performance pressure and fears of fading into oblivion. Actually these CSS look more concerned about their own survival than anything else because okay fine >> one >> whether or not President William comes back are they guaranteed that they will still be appointed to the cabinet >> it's no guarantee >> so they're trying to be as loyal as they can what do I do exactly that's people daily because of people daily >> all right business daily care identity or crypto to traders in tax cheats per sweep that's show on page two. Africa France summit has also been given prominence on the front page. It's here on page 12 to 13 as well. State eyes AI traffic lights with 1.8 8 billion shillings and Iran war on the t three billion shillings whole deemed pay slips tax cut that's talking about tax cuts and apartment prices fall as supply surges and that's the business >> right all right let's take a look at the regional ones and we start off with Tanzania today I'll tell you why the citizen in Tanzania talks about government's 11 priorities in 1.8 8 trillion shilling health budget. So people are now talking more and more about the budget. Remember the budget process in both not just both Tanzania and Kenya even Uganda in a same time >> around the same uh period. So usually even uh the presentation in parliament is on the same date. So the citizen focuses on that.
Uganda day.
>> Finally after the elections in February, he's set to be sworn in as president today and president um retired president huru kinati is actually in Uganda attending that event. So the new vision looks at the tasks ahead for President Musevveni uh 2026 to 2031. Our oil and gas uh developed uh succession, planning, youth unemployment, managing debt, fighting corruption, infrastructure, poverty reduction, national unity. That's a new vision just looking ahead.
>> I remember he's been president for 40 years since 1986 and uh now he is in his seventh term. And on the front page of the daily monitor they say 40 and counting inside the presidential oath taking and family of three generations have been born under government. Yeah.
Since 1986 till now three different generations.
>> They don't know anyone else.
>> Yeah. So seventh term for presidenti swearing in happening today in Kala.
Those are the regional papers. Let's come back and take a look at the caricatur on the star and sorry not sorry to grade 10 apparently she sexualized in Senate. So your apology didn't >> I saw I saw her reading the apology. Uh this apology has been drafted for me. I do not agree with it uh necessarily agree with its entirety. There are sections of it I do not agree with but because it's a requirement I'll read >> the same thing Senator Roba said you remember when she was ordered to apologize. Same same script.
>> That's a cartoon on the star as you can see.
>> All right. Uhhuh. The next cartoon.
>> The one on the standard.
>> The one on the standard staircase Europeans Africa France summit. Same criticism. It's like we're just after aid.
France remember last time France Africa summit enough African presidents rushed to France >> for the summit they've done the same to Japan and elsewhere this time around you can see the interest from even the Africans African heads of state 33 countries >> 30 countries heads of state heads of government that's a standard All right.
>> Hunter virus billion Kenyon shillings.
Trust me, that virus needs the billions.
And there's a commentator here and I make reference to billions millionaires from millionaires to hunter millionaires.
I see now the people who are looking to benefit or to virus >> to profit from hunter virus >> whether or not it's a real threat because I've seen the said already angling hoping like yeah typical African be that's the people daily >> yes finally the daily nation Now Daily Nation what the president said east or west >> I like facing forward forward summit Africa sorry >> east or west we face forward >> with France >> anyway yeah that's the daily >> all right once again a reminder of the traffic situation in the CBD because for the second day the summit continues France Africa summit or if you like Africa a forward summit. Uh Parliament Road remains closed. Harambe Avenue, Tyer Road and City Hall Way remain closed uh to the general public. Only those attending the summit will be allowed access and they need a special pass for that. Members of the general public have been advised to use other routes and follow police instruction.
police instruction. Yeah. And uh we'll be looking at the traffic situation. I mean we understand that uh um Money Brenda will be giving us an update later on. For now probably we just take a look at the traffic situation across Nairobi including the CBD.
So I'm looking at the major highways and um all the way from Rueru a bit of traffic at Kahawa Sukkari Guray Kasarani Garden City Mall and then a long stretch of yellow all the way from all soaps utali then it gets a dark maroon color meaning there's a lot of traffic on thicker road uh the other major road traffic near eastern bipass the entire stretchala Siokuzuri and once you get closer to the KQ headquarters it's also getting very busy outer ring road also building uh slowly Jor road usual trouble sports palm macadara nothing out of the ordinary and because of what's happening in the CBD you'll realize that even Machakos bus station pal Maduro it's getting busy even getting into high salasi avenue traffic is backing up so but all that because of the Africa for summit in Aisha mjali from tomorrow we're back to normal traffic masa road is looking greenong road a of traffic at Junction Mall, but all other major highways into the CBD are not so bad this morning. That's a traffic situation. Meanwhile, get interacting with us on our social media pages on uh Facebook, Instagram, and on YouTube where we're streaming live. Our handles there are TV47 Kenya. On X, it's TV47 digital. Use the hashtv47 breakfast # story.
Uh my handle is at an_wish to tag us so we can be able to sample your feedback in the course of this broadcast.
>> My handle uh on X is at Fred.
>> See you after the break.
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Heat.
at 8:30 p.m.
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Can I order now? Do you ship? Can I get blinking ones?
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No, you won't entertain divas. No, >> I'm not dealing with a manchild.
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So for the last time I'm the first time.
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>> We might fail. Blue Africa's innovative ecosystem was loaded during the first day of the Africa Ford summit at the University of Niger Bay with President William Rut. and his French counterpart Emanuel McRo committing to support youthled enterprises, digital innovation and the creative economy.
>> Africa must not stand at the margins of this global industry. Africa must stand at its center.
>> The French president however lamented that Africa and Europe face similar challenges in reducing technological dependence on major global powers like the US and China. Relationships are changing and thanks and this is a good thing. For 25 years, France has been present in Africa and this is very normal and it's a positive thing. France is present because for too long too many people and we need to say this in large companies uh have thought that we are French and therefore we have entitlement to everything. We have the arrival of the Chinese, the Turks, the Americans, many others and others Africans.
>> This even as United Nations Secretary General Antony Gutz speaking at the UN offices in Nairobi pointed out that the African population needs a fair ground to showcase its potential.
>> Just borrowing costs and crushing depth burdens to a deeply unequal international system that reflects last century's power relations.
All right. So yes, one of the biggest discussions this week has to be the Africa forward summit or if you like France Africa summit uh being hosted for the first time in Nairobi. Many would have expected that once it comes to uh Africa probably uh one of the West African franophhone countries would play host but this was Nairobi's chance and advantage was taken by the host President William R. Allow me to uh introduce my panelists this morning. On my immediate uh left, we do have James Gakuya who's MP in Bakasi North, Karibana Bonaguya after a long time away from the show.
>> Thank you.
>> And former NC Fora, political analyst is also with us this week. You are with us last week as well. It's always a pleasure having you in studio.
>> Good morning Fred and good morning viewers.
>> Yes, we do expect one more person will be joining us as we move along. But um there's a lot of criticism uh Buakuya of this kind of events. We've had so many of them where African heads of state are invited by major world powers for a summit and usually it's um it forces most of the heads of state to travel like the Japan Africa summit, Russia Africa summit and others. Um France Africa Summit is one of those. Uh but many people and the critics are saying that um these are usually just mere talk shops um with very little consequence that yes it may look big on paper and uh many African heads of state may be able to secure their own individual personal uh interests but uh at the end of the day it rarely benefits um African countries. Do you agree with that kind of criticism?
>> Thank you. Allow me to salute to you wherever they watching us watching this morning show. Uh and coming to the matter to the uh France African uh ties that uh uh commenced yesterday.
uh what I would say uh on the onset is that uh uh it depends on u uh which areas that each and every partner is looking for and especially when uh we come to what we call bilateral uh trade agreement. Beautiful to the agreement uh really matters to the interest of a particular country and what you want to reap from a particular uh destination and especially last year but one uh I think the parliament approved um a bilateral trade agreement uh with the European Union uh which uh uh if you could have checked about it, it has a lot of benefits uh from within because areas of hot cultural uh products and uh even what you call manufacturing products got their way into uh into that particular package and uh if that particular window can be spent well uh by those who understand uh what is intended to that particular uh agreement. It is purely uh very good uh and and a big plus to uh big gains to the locals here but that ply it's those who understands issues matters to do with exports and even in this particular uh negotiations that actually the France has come uh uh through it. Uh I uh uh yesterday I uh didn't witness that part of the uh rip that we can leave from them is that remember that destination uh we are not largely uh part of uh um our local uh productions export export most of our local production and especially areas like tea and uh if we can open up uh uh what you call uh tea export uh destination in France and those are the products that can be allowed by that that particular nation.
I think it's a plus but what matters is in in what we call a trade is what you call trade balance because uh in in business you need to have what you call u uh balance of trade because you don't require to uh be always uh importing and you are not exporting >> and especially where I I do site matters to do with China where most of our traders take dollars to China and they go empty-handed and they come back with what you call heaps of goods. Sometimes you realize that those containers comes here but they exit empty and that tells you that balance of trade is not very well taken care of. Uh so each and every trade agreement you require to as a country to have sat down have assessed yourself have known this particular destination what is our interest so that uh in that particular loom when it comes it is not just in papers but in reality it's nowhere. So you need to know what is your take, what do you want to uh gain from this particular uh uh uh trade and uh what are your objectives then what in in this in in this one I would say uh yes the France is trying to open into Africa and I would say that as as a nation as a Kenya we were not part of uh the France colony but you have seen even South Korea um and uh uh many other many other uh developed countries are trying to find their stake in Africa and therefore you cannot uh tell France also to look for a stick but as you commit yourself it is very important to have done your study known exactly what you want to to earn from that ed so that by comparison with what they also want to earn from this side then you can have a balance of trade I I I overhandard that that probably they would want to venture in what we call commuter railway within the city and uh that expansion of a little within the city to me is a big plus. You know the the city we are in is quite congested and uh any big plus that can uh give us a plus of congesting the city is uh can be well taken care of. So what we need to see is how those particular uh agreements and uh pro promises are going to be uh to to to to be yielded. So we going to wait and see because many many agreements had been signed. Remember they are in books but they are not in existence. Yes.
Remember you have a in America uh where uh that particular window as a nation we are not utilizing very well you trading is about 12% of it and it's quite wide so it depends uh after that signing of particular that bilateral trade what is is is your momentum how and how what do you expect to earn out of that >> there are those who are more concerned about the optics of having one leader from Europe or anywhere else Asia summoning or inviting let's say let's use that word inviting African heads of state into one forum um just to talk to them and people wonder okay fine each of these comes or is a representative of a sovereign country why should they appear to be paying homage to one leader from uh Asia or Europe um do you see any validity in this kinds of discussion uh given the fact that um they tend to appear more domin ering uh an example is being given of u that session at Taifahol yesterday where the French president uh talked about lack of respect from those attending the event uh because our mamas in the crowd imagine if this was in France uh what kind of treatment would they go through it's not happening for the first time but there's something very special about this summit I would want to compare it with the bending conference of uh 1955 where countries from Africa and Asia came together but they came together on the basis of political independence and uh fighting for sovereignity at that time there was that kind of cold war there was the eastern block and western block so for their own advantage and agitation towards getting independence and getting uh free they established some kind of relationships interestingly today I want to give credit to President William Rut for having this high-profile diplomatic venture cuz unlike the bend down conference h this conference this summit in particular is focused on Africa's interest and Africa's economic development like we are talking about agriculture which is uh said to be the backbone of our economy we are talking about collective interest as African countries for example we've seen situations whereby uh international loans or debts to Africa are considered high risk >> yet we are the biggest trading block that anyone can ever engage with.
Therefore, this advantage of uh being in a some situation of being unaligned of sorts gives us advantage in terms of uh competitive competitive advantage because we can engage with the China as far as our interests are concerned and engage with France or the United States.
Uh so that there's no monopolization of interest. There's no situation whereby one country can think that it can over domin the interest of Africa. So we have a higher bargaining power and then there's also that advantage that uh France facing challenges within West Africa especially with the country like Na Mali and Bkinaaso they find uh now this new situation that uh they'll have to engage other countries. So for us we have an advantage whereby we are dealing with the the west the traditional allies like the United Kingdom and the United States. Then we are also having China as a trading partner. Remember when you talk about the belt and road initiative.
China counts on Kenya as a main entry point into Africa.
>> So we are actually at the center of many operations from different countries. So we're like the the most prestigious uh client on the market. Therefore that gives us a very strong competitive advantage against other countries or against those people that we're engaging with. Mhm.
>> Therefore, I think President William R has made a very good move in ensuring that Kenya hosts this and again he has also been on the forefront fighting for Kenya to be to have a permanent seat at the United Nations uh uh security council and that means a lot and by engaging one of the five strong powers of the United States United Nations Security Council which is France you have an advantage of someone who is likely to fight for you to get that seat. Mhm.
>> Because Africa is talking about having two seats and obviously if those two seats are given then there's a likelihood that Kenya will get that seat and it's very advantageous to us as Africa and particularly to us as Kenya.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Let me welcome Harrison Kanju to this conversation Karibana and I'm sure you your idea about this kind of relationship with Europe and other countries is something we'd want to hear. Um because there are critics who see this as just another attempt at uh imperialism uh the patronizing nature of this heads of state from let's say first world countries the way they look down on Africa and uh calling this group into one room and ordering them around telling them it's lack of respect when you mama around and I'm speaking um should do you see this as an advantage to Kenya that we get to host this summit?
>> Absolutely not. Excuse me. I'd go beyond um um that and say the attitude is condescending and any African who does not study the history of colonization stands the risk of what fora is there applauding uh the likes of William R. a typical puppet of the colonizer in the spirit of neo colonialism that France is engaged in.
>> Why do I say that? Lo Benula, he of Matabelland Zimbabwe was duped by Cecile Roads by means of an agreement. And Cecile Roads was very crafty. and he comes over to uh Robenula and he says that look all that we want to do and they came with gifts similar to Macron here who comes and says that we have deals and I want to remind R and his advisor that there is a loan that we have called treaty making and ratification act you cannot engage in committing the country in a manner that is commensurate with a treaty and you haven't followed that law and you haven't involved the Kenyan people and you commit the Kenyan people to long-term commitments of a financial nature of a business nature that they haven't even been consulted about. And let's remember Macro is exiting in a year just like R is. So both have something in common. They don't have the future of Africa in mind let alone their respective countries. And so um having say that it seems to me that the same pattern that was used and employed by the colonizers during ceil roads and the invasion of metabolan what now today is uh Zimbabwe is the same same script.
Look at the uh politicization of language. Cecil roads comes to an agreement that is written in English and Lengula had absolutely no idea what it was. who is relying on the translators who of course had been bought by settle just like R is here and look at the condescending attitude Macro comes with his uh band of uh colon neo colonizers who are oh you know we will have AI is the same thing that you are at this point of disadvantage you don't have much input on this demonic thing called AI and that's not my language that is Elon Musk who says that that AI is summoning a demon it is them who say that that's their own language. So before anybody judges me, I'm using that. So they come with that and the African here uh is being duped that we're looking at the future of Africa and and he even dares saying that you know I'm not looking east or west. I'm going to look into the future. Come on.
This is what the African Union should be having as a conversation with Africans African leaders. Ask yourself why would Mali Nar and Sagon Korea coast sever and completely cut away from the militarization that France has has had in West Africa and they're coming here to negotiate with you about a similar agreement. There must be something wrong with you. Mhm.
>> These hypocrites come and tell you that you know we are environmental friendly and we are going to be zero greed you know and stuff like that. Ask the nijar people what did France do to the environment?
The human cry is that Nijar comes and extracts the nuclear uh sorry the uranium for its nuclear facilities in France and those uh people of Nijar are left to clean up the environment they don't clean up and they have absolutely no electricity they themselves so this is a self uh uh enrichment it is the same same spirit of extraction and look at the uh attitude of Macron and his people and they come there and they want to speak French. This is no different from Loenula.
So and and and and R is there applauding and look at the shame of having a dinner and they're having bow ties and tuxedos.
Excuse me. I I thought we were supposed to be in Africa and having surely should we start wearing >> No. No. I'm saying you >> you're in a very good suit as well.
>> Absolutely. No, no, no. I'm not I'm supposed to be like this because of the formality of the court. I mean but look given the chance I would you know don African tire.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But but let me finish by saying this >> the tragedy that we are accosted by is having brainwashed so-called African leaders who just seeing a script that they are given because they have failed to appreciate what it is to be in positions of leadership to lead their people. And here we are talking about sports >> AI and you're sitting on minerals that these people are eyeing. That's what they want.
>> I'm the optics even as you give me your feedback uh for because the way it looks. Wouldn't it be better if at all African leaders met through the ambit of the >> African >> African Union and probably send one representative to go have this meeting with the French president instead of having the French president as a god somewhere and everyone else all African leaders are uh going towards him don't you think that it looks bad even if we get to host it in Africa >> first I'll get back to what Ky has tried to say you know >> I'm not trying to say I say >> what he's saying is uh actually majoring on minors and minoring on majors because historically if you're looking at Roben and those circumstances of that time these people are not even able to read and write but today we are dealing with the people who are well exposed the society is very different from even the 1950s and 1960s when France was colonizing or stopping colonizing the western African countries with very bad deals around that time. Right now Kenya as a country we refer to as a medium economy country is is developing in its own in its own right and the world is generally very well exposed. Therefore there's no point at which we can sign a deal that is counterproductive to our country. Therefore I also want to look at the advancement of technology. You saw the president mention that Kenya is now manufacturing uh phones and it's not the first time that information is coming out only that for the ignorant and the uninformed they always look at what is said and unimaginable as something that is impossible. But that's happening. If you go online and just Google how many phones Kenya has manufactured, you'll see that there's something called COP something that those phones I think in 2024 it they indicated that about 1.5 million phones had been manufactured here in Kenya but people laughed at it and thought it was lies. So we are a dynamic society. We are not where we were. Remember like in 1981 when America was launching the the space shuttle Colombia, some members of parliament from Kenya went there uh and others from Japan and other countries were present when that launch was happening. And to them it was like magic those days. You know for to a lay man science and technology is like magic or demonic or uh those other terms that are used about those people who do not know what exactly is happening. But different from those times at least right now when you talk about technology when you talk about AI we also have an idea of what is happening. We might be not so much advanced like the United States or other countries that claim to be first world but we know exactly what is happening and we know that if we are on the right journey we are doing the right things right now at some point we'll also develop and we cannot live like an island you know all these bilateral engagements are based on uh understanding each other it's a give and take kind of situation so you cannot just resign to your fate and say that since you are in Africa you have your minerals underground you do not want to engage with another country because you're suspicious of everybody. If you're suspicious of anyone who's coming to engage you what what agreements develop what is in those agreements >> those agreements are done they are done by the experts. You cannot say that every person here and there should know or should understand what is there because we do not have equal capacities of understanding what's in those agreements and therefore that's the reason as to why we go to elections to elect people to lead us. they supposed to make decisions on the basis of the mandate we have given >> and you've clearly avoided my question so I'll direct it to here and I I hope will give me the answer because it's in the format of this uh uh conference or summit you may call it that that it looks a bit off a bit off balance that yes you talked about the bilateral agreements and everything but uh many people watching are wondering why should we go the way we are going as a group to France or to Japan or to any other country because we still have an opportunity to have those bilateral uh discussions at um state-to-state level uh Kenya and France. It's the optics of it and how this format looks that one leader appears uh elevated and these other people have to come to him and I don't know why people are avoiding this question. Uh in fact what I would quickly respond to to a question is that uh it is not casted on a stone that you must negotiate a bilateral agreement in Apuru. Uh it is acceptable to negotiate because like now the bilateral agreement that we signed with Europe we signed Europe was as Kenya but not even as an East Africa not even as an Africa but as an individual country. So it's doable.
uh it's only that uh the nature of this particular erh uh conference uh and the manner it was reached uh probably the French wanted to win a big number of uh African leadership and uh therefore when they are in a pool probably uh it's less cost uh but I would say uh personally that uh as I said there before it is a choice of every single uh reader because it depends with what is on the plate because when you move to uh this kind of serious discussions what you need to put on on the table first is your interest because you cannot just lash to sign things before you know what you are going to leave from the other side and that's why I said in business there is that what you call u um uh balance of trade you must assess what is my gain on the other side so that I agree the entry of of the other the other part to my side and that way before you sign anything you must ask yourself where do you start do you start to be the to to to be the loser or do you start to be the gainer in in this particular game because it is not casted on a stone and it's not by force >> go so therefore at any stage that in fact these kind of negotiations are put on table I think the genius uh countries must put their interest first and before you cast any single vote, you must assess the the deal and be convinced that the deal is doable and has value.
It looks like the assumption is that all Africans are the same problems and we share all the problems in one pool.
Allow me allow me.
>> I'll come back to you, but let's take a short break. You're watching TV47 breakfast. We'll continue this conversation and others after the break.
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So for the last time and the first time, welcome to Connect in the best experience in Eastern Central Africa, MP Embassy North, political analyst for NCAA and Wakil Harrison Kenyan. to finalize that conversation about how it looks that France even if we're hosting uh the president in Kenya it would appear is summoning everyone else all African leaders into one port and you sh because uh probably we share our problems and uh that's a question I directed to you first and you ignored >> briefly my perspective Fred is that it's much better beginning together you know for so many years in the past Africa has been taken so much for granted so when you come together as heads of state. Uh you have a higher bargaining power and negotiation power and authority when you are dealing with these other >> but when we agree that these are the problems we face as African leaders so that they can be presented and we can negotiate as one that's the question >> it's important that all those heads of state are around so that they have firsthand information on how to deal with all these countries. So it's an advantageous arrangement as opposed to just one person going and being pressed down to giving concessions that are not beneficial to our people.
>> All right, I I I I don't know how uh for can justify this intrusion into the sovereignty of African nations by a tiny European country called France. really I mean this is a shame of the African that he's still having this inferiority complex and you could see R was there it's like a scorecard that he was giving the colonizer the neo colonizer called France and it's like and I'm sure in today's meeting he's going to be out there spewing the same uh sort of stuff that he's been given the scripts to say about oh we want a change in the international financial infrastructure and tomorrow and and the IMF is seated there and he will not lambast the IMF and look the shameful bit of it is that the G20 and he's he's supposed to be there in uh replacing uh Sel Ramaposa from South Africa because the US saying that look Ramaposa you're doing genocide of white people in South Africa the farmers and therefore we don't want you in this meeting. Oh, oh, you know, Rud, you you need to show up. And he's out there, you know, very happy. For what?
For what? He should have said, if if Rama is not showing up, I'm not going to show up. He should have the medal of the African leader and take the African pride to those international forum. But he >> he was the biggest critic of this kind of format.
>> Absolutely. And then you could see there was a time that they were invited in London. What happened? They were shuttled in a bus and it was so shameful that embarrassing I should say and he was out there criticizing that was that a lesson he seems never to have learned and you go to the US in those mittens and they are you know stuck in some place there's no red carpet and there's nothing this is the embarrassment time after time unrelenting that the African leaders are subjected to what do they think that the African nations the African themselves terms of the they the they the lead field and he's out there projecting oh we want to be like Singapore in France France is depending on Africa to thrive 30% of the uranium that feels the electricity in France comes from Africa nijar is right now asserting its muscle economic muscle and saying that look we don't want you here but look at Koras for instance is Koras a first world because France took cover is Central African Republic of First World. France needs an expansion of space because it's Frank CF Frank the the the monetary unit there is being rejected in West Africa and so they need the expansion of space and this is what these people are blind to and then they have been told you know the cloak of you know technology development and all of that is what is being used to pedal these lies neoc colonization is at the face let's strip that mask off and tell France no no no no no we have our dignity and look we don't if I were the president I would be telling this macro look you need to pack up and go you cannot come to the University of Nairobi and denigrate my people and behave as though this is your domain look we are not an outpost of friends but look what does he do instead oh you know oh we have talent stadium oh we will have the sports and all of the same stuff. The cor shells that the slave trader came and gave the African chief to sell off the African wealth.
And like I said, lo Bengoula is a lesson that R has never learned.
>> The problem in West Africa is historical >> and therefore it would be wrong for us to compare the problems in West Africa to the current situation.
>> How is it?
>> You cannot ignore the fact those are not enjoying that kind of the relationship between France and those West African countries. How is it historical?
>> We were colonized by the the by the British. They were colonized by the the French and they had those conflicts based on the colonial background including their money being uh being centered in Pari as opposed to >> okay >> our own economy here that is independent of that.
>> All right. And uh that's where we talk at least for that on that conversation about the ongoing Africa forward summits. Definitely a boom for the hospitality industry with thousands of uh dignitaries and other guests and entouragees that have accompanied their heads of state uh to Kenya. Um enjoy the hospitality that we offer here in Kenya.
But criticism nonetheless on uh this format of meetings between superpower leaders and uh African leaders all in one forum. Uh we'll continue that conversation even as we continue to unpack some of the deals that have already been signed. um at the summit.
Now yesterday the National Assembly and uh and I want us to move to discussions around the budget making process. The National Assembly issued a twoe window uh through which members of the public can share their memoranda and comments, opinions and reactions to the proposed finance bill of 2026.
Uh let's watch this story just to set the stage on uh that discussion. Monday afternoon, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Madi sought to clarify on what government says has been misunderstood.
>> And let us engage constructively.
I hope this year will not be a repeat of last year where I was asked so many questions on fake bills. Among the loudest concerns, the proposed taxations of Mitumba imports that has sparked backlash under the proposal. 5% of the customs value of imported Mitumba goods would automatically be treated as taxable income at the point of importation. Now traders warning of rising prices and shrinking profits. We deem 5% of custom value of imported goods whether clothes or whatever it is as profit 5% as profit and then we tax that 5% at 30%. To give you 1.5% and it becomes a final tax. No one chases these business people again for other taxes.
This came from the Mumbai people. It was their request. Also of concern has been the proposal of tighter taxation and monitoring of betting platforms, crypto transactions and digital payments online. This has been seen as government widening taxation while the cost of living remains painfully high.
>> There are people who buy property in this Nairobi. They buy property elsewhere in this country. They have income that they cannot even explain.
But because they're hiding around Zeba data protection, what what what a lot of ha now they force mamaboga to pay for them taxes to drive their four-wheel drive cars on those roads. It is not fair.
>> According to Treasury, this are rapidly growing sectors that must begin contributing more revenue to government coffers. The problem with this amendment which has been fought over the years are these people we call we call money launderers.
They are the ones who are fighting this thing because they cannot justify their income.
>> Proposed 25% excise duty on mobile phones has been interpreted by many as yet another blow to already strained households. You are only going to be able to start paying tax on a phone that you are using, not phones that are kept in stores by business people.
>> And as debate over the finance bill 2026 intensifies, parliament has opened the finance bill 2026 for public participation, setting the stage for national debate over proposed tax changes. Sheila Chelangat for TV 47.
>> Yes. Yes indeed we are in that period that season where we discuss issues budgeting and uh by 30th of April the national treasury had already submitted uh full budget estimates to parliament including detailed revenue estimates expenditure estimates and of course the finance bill that's a tax measures of which now it's opened the window for scrutiny of the same and for memoranda to be sent. We have a member of the National Assembly with us. Um, Bonagua, the past two years since 2024, we've seen um, heightened awareness or increased awareness around budget, the budget making process. Um, yet the focus on the finance bill still remains. Maybe not to the level that we saw in 2024, but even right now people are not looking at the budget estimates as much.
Uh, people are not really concerned about that. They're just focused to the taxation measures. uh do you believe that um awareness or knowledge about the budget making process is at that level where we had it back in 2024 or have we simply gone uh and forgotten about the budget because we know we can't change anything either way on the let me say that uh the budget making process has those two areas because uh one uh you have uh your budget uh proposals and your budget targets. And number two is that the finance bureau is is there to guide you where uh to get those uh uh targets from. And uh what I would say is that uh I have not seen a serious uh uh uh education on to how to deal with these processes. uh in the every uh financial year there is always a public perspective that it is now this session now and I think Nairobi will be tomorrow uh and uh the public persp uh very short and does not give enough uh people and time to read these particular uh proposals and understand and therefore you are able now to responded to in the right time. And also number two is that the manner in which the public prostitution sometimes is held is that uh views that comes from the people uh are not taken uh uh in in what you call um uh uh uh on a on a on a wholesome because what the manner and uh the reason why this publication is to give people time and uh time to respond and and also give their view and if that particular loom is not spent to the manner that it's supposed to be it means you have robbed the public their their chance. So I would wish that uh this time around those the the areas because uh the the treasury has already tled the estimates they have also tippled the proposals of finance bill. uh if Kenyans are ready enough, they will ought to have gone through uh these uh uh proposals so that by the time of this public prosperation whatever because it is taken to to to the regions then they can be able to respond and what should be done is that the voice of the people should be taken serious because if the people says this is not acceptable I believe it should not be be forced to the people to the role of people Once you go the election and tells that you force the throne the you force the throne of the people but when they say no then it it beca it becomes chaotic and therefore I think time enough is supposed to be given so that people can be able to respond well to any particular procedure which is on place so that you know uh like areas that of taxing like now element of people should stand is where are we coming in? Is it another another route of hiking the prices?
because to the level of where we are uh in terms of u uh uh life the the the the living standards that we in it's that the economy is very very very hard and people are living in hardship and you to strain them more uh even a bit of a coin it means that you are totally killing them economically therefore I do not expect that in fact uh we should push an inch to where people are in terms of taxes. Taxes should come to to narrow down but not cry anyhow and and that's but public is their turn because they given a room and I would expect that in their public opposition they will air their views and number two is that those who will collect the views should implement the views as they should be.
>> Yes. But are Kenyans interested in this process? because that's my concern. Of course, in 2024, there's a lot of interest, especially in the taxation measures from the Gen Z, but last year we did not see as much interest. Coming to this year, there's very little conversation even online about the budget making process. Uh it's only the media trying to highlight one or two things here. The mitumba mobile phones and probably even reminding Kenyans that uh the Treasury CS had actually promised some tax relief for people earning below 30,000 that is not contained in the finance bill. uh do you think that uh probably there's a gap in as far as understanding this process by the common moni 2010 as superated the constitution that we are using right now uh there's some progress that has been made as far as the issue of public participation is concerned as I suppose of the constitution under values and principles of good governance and to make a very specific point uh since the coming in of uh of honorable bad as minister for finance. There's been some level of awareness around the budget making process, taxation and uh generally the physical health of the country because him having that political background has uh made him to be very well versed with the kind of expectations one want. Uh for example, you remember last year it was seen at TJ Vanji Gardens engaging the people something that has not been happening in the past and people are not so much agitated right now because they have some kind of exposure and level of involvement and level of trust that not exist in the past. Like right now what we have just seen on the screen right now we've seen him breaking down the details including the the agreements they had with the people of uh the Mutumba traders about u the percentages of the profit and the taxation based on the profits and that was based on public participation.
So the reason as to why there's no much agitation right now is because Kenyans have been involved in the process and I want to agree with the honorable Gakuya that going forward we need to have a more elaborate way of uh public participation especially on the issues concerning Kenya's uh welfare for example the issue of taxation we need to have a greater window of public participation in the budget making process uh until the time the budget is read uh again I would want to talk about this much concern about people saying okay there are challenges here and there economic challenges at the person at a very personal level they are there yes but you know at the end of the day we have to raise the taxes the only thing that needs to be done and I think the minister has explained and is working on that is uh we need to live as per the principles of public finance articulated in article 201 of the constitution that it must be equitable fair to everyone and that is why every person who is involved in this process is supposed to have an innovative mind so that you do not hurt those ones who are already so much afflicted by taxation and then give a lot of uh open space for those ones who are enjoying.
So the equitable approach like what he has just mentioned on the screen here is uh very important and very comforting to every Kenyan whether you are at the high level or at the low level because ultimately for us to run our country the first point of revenue is tax collection.
>> All right there's the issue of debt and a lot of these things many Kenyans don't get to understand. And you just hear there's debt, there's debt, there's debt. That is part of the discussion here because uh there are fiscal deficits uh given the kind of revenue K collects and the expected estimates in the budget estimates uh from Treasury.
Do you feel like um this is intentional that the lack of interest from Kenyans is because they understand very little about even issues around debt? A lot of these decisions are made and some of them are not through the budget making process and very few people get to understand this.
>> I agree. I mean this is the point that I was making earlier that R goes and sits on uh a desk privately in some secret room probably in state house with Macron or whoever is representing them and they sign off agreements and we hear that oh you know Kenya has a loan of such and such an amount owed to uh France they are in parliament they don't interrogate like now what I've expected for instance that R's 11 agreements that he has signed with France should be table before parliament for us to know and interrogate. So the budget making process is more like plugging those holes than seeking or um securing the development of this country. You tell me when they have taken the climate change religion and now brought it to the Kenyan people and told you that look you have a plastic item we'll charge you 10%. Now in this B in this in this taxation bill 10% meaning that that woman in Corugosho or in Matare on Kira that poor person who buys that bucket for 1,000 shillings will have to add 100 shillings more.
>> Mhm.
>> Under this bill. Now they tell you also in this bill that you have to shorten the period of your tax declarations from June. Now they bring it to April. What are you telling me? Do they want to make it difficult for you so that then what can happen? These sort of changes should be interrogated by the honorable members of parliament and you tell me you you you have a 25% increase in the taxation of mobile phones, electronic gadgets and they tell you that we will tax you this 25% the moment you activate this gadget.
So you as a consumer you will have to pay 25% more but who is a collector I have to wonder is it the telecommunications company the telecommunications company now become an extension of K I don't know if that is intendment or that is where we are headed but the finance bill just to disabuse fa and they who are of this mind the Kenyans are not interrogating this because you know there there's exposure and we hear that the PS uh in charge of the portfolio has been going around and exposing all these people. I mean >> he was at Jivani >> once last year last year last year but he's been in different places >> last year but but look the Kenyan people are so oppressed I mean financially economically they they they're like excuse me I mean what more and you look at the uh home that has resulted in uh uh the uh disposable income uh visav what has to be paid in terms of uh the public debt accent accentuated, made worse by the uh oil uh problem, the the fossil fuels. Uh the straight of hormuz has resulted in this domino effect and uh the government had a crisis about the energy and all of that and they had to ensure that at least the increment is not commensurate with the market forces. So they tell us that they have had they were forced to reduce the V18. But look at the increment in the VAT. For instance, I've said about plastic products uh 10%. And they have the cheek to tell you that between 14 shillings and 15 shillings per liter, we will add and impose on your fruit juices.
>> 14 shillings to 15 shillings per liter.
That means that if you've buy if you've been buying your your fruit juice at probably 500 and then you now have to add you know by that amount for every liter what are you telling the average Kenyan person who has been enduring this economic hardship that they will not be able to afford those. So you're driving a larger swath of Kenyans to the edge of these economic press because you tell him or her that and they depend on mitumba used clothes, used shoes and there's now attacks at the point of uh entry of that uh uh product mitumba or used items that this person has to pay and the the the spread is larger. That's what they want to do to cushion themselves against the uh oil difficulty uh sorry the oil the income that they had hoped to get uh from the sale of fuel. So in a nutshell, the quote unquote lack of interest that FA is talking about uh is because Kenyans know I I I I wholly disagree.
It's simply because that you know people are fed up and tired and they see like you >> what do you think changed between 2024 and now because there was a lot of interest there were young people who are even uh translating >> yes >> uh this uh bills into vernacular to enable other people understand um all that seems to have stopped.
>> No part of it is victimization. You saw this lady who was actually uh you know arraigned in court from what for offering an email address that Kenyans could express themselves on and say in in furtherance of their right to public participation in furtherance of their right to you know governance. This is a direct involvement of the Kenyan people.
And so there are those who now feel threatened and feel that very apprehensive. that the moment I do this expose, the moment I say this sort of thing, the government will come uh you know for me and so they are there but withholding that ex expose because they become targets direct targets and no one wants to risk their lives and their families and their abduction uh as a result of that. But let me let me let me finance by by saying this that there is so much that is hidden in this uh finance bill that unless Kenyans wake up and see uh really between now and 2027 life will become unbearably hard for more and more people. What is the domino effect? We see an increase in crime >> of a violent nature and we see more and more people becoming unemployed.
>> All righty. Um this lack of interest could also be blamed on the national assembly. Um the fact that even the finance bill of 2024 which was rejected by the president um we came later to learn that most of the provisions still made their way through some other bills in parliament and at the end of it Kenyans wonder okay fine even if we give our opinion and say we don't want this it will still find its way through.
Don't you think that uh that could in itself be a reason why people are no longer interested in the budget making process? After all, our views will not be taken anywhere.
uh uh edi what I would say is that uh uh the major and the major the the major cause of uh youth not very uh concerned in uh this particular element is that uh remember the government came out in a very strong uh bang and uh youth faced a lot of uh uh uh uh A lot of pain and uh remember abductions and also uh kidnaps also and also deaths occurred and uh every human is a human and uh has to uh when the fear is sold on that manner uh most of them can buy that fear and I would say uh that that pressure and force from the national from the from the state is the major uh fear to youth because everybody fears for his life and when you come out and as Wakir has explained very well uh you come out to take the public uh through then you are targeted. those targets are very clear and >> do you feel as a member of parliament that if at all you came out and talked about something that you feel should concern Kenyans that you would also experience the same kind of >> what happens is that that sometimes uh this country if this country we had no committed forcible and fearless men even the coroner couldn't be this country and therefore you need those people who are who are fearless Yes. Uh people like ourselves we are at a state where there's nothing you fear goes the next thing is death and nothing that you have done you were part but uh not everybody can be able to wear that shoe uh also it's a painful route and remember uh this government even though it gives a lot of assurance that uh that kind of witch hunt is going to come to come to a stop it is still happening. You still find that in Yandaro like a week ago they all kidnapped a politician from that end who ended up at Susua uh facing a um a lot of uh a lot of painful pressure. So it still it is still there and uh it's only those few who has uh are strong enough can sustain that otherwise uh I would say uh what the national government has been doing to uh these youths is to silence them and make sure that they are they are not anywhere and target and directly targeting them and if this >> still has not answered your question your question to him is now him Has he read the finance bill 2026 and he takes the podium?
>> Yes.
>> Are you concerned that if at all as a member of parliament you or your colleagues that if at all you went out and try to explain to Kenyans some of the concerns you have about this budget that you'd still be fearful for your own security.
>> What I can what I can tell I told you and I repeat that that me have nothing to fear.
>> Okay.
>> I can take that mentor who can explain it anywhere. uh like tomorrow I'm in the public partation I will do so because it will be Nairobi and I partipate I will be able to express myself and therefore fear nothing >> right and and I think honorable Gakua answer has answered it it so well that MPs are approaching it the way they're approaching it without fearing anything because it's their mandate as elected elected leaders to do that and I want to emphasize on the reason as to why there's no kind of agitation like there was in 2024 Because at that time >> not necessarily agitation it's just the the need to understand the process and probably even share the knowledge.
>> The difference the difference is this at that time there was poor communication from the minister from the treasury.
There was poor communication and several uh versions of the bill came out in the name of inciting people. There are people who deliberately wanted to incite people against the government. So they created different versions of the bill to incite the people against the government and therefore for that reason for that reason >> when we have uh the new minister the honorable bombadi you've seen him communicating and saying this is the only version of the bill that is available to the public to read. So the difference is in the leadership of the treasury as far as I'm concerned.
>> So they've communicated better now and Kenyans understand this.
>> Yes. And I think what we should be focusing on is on whether because paying taxes is a must and all countries pay taxes to run their affairs. So it's not wrong for the government to ask for the taxes to be paid. We should be concerned about whether these taxes are being used well or not. I think that should be the main point of concern. We cannot complain that people being taxed is wrong. What for as long as it's being done in a fair and equitable manner as provided for in the constitution. For example, for example, there's a fuel levy of 25 shillings a liter and now the proposal is to have an extra 5% uh of that a further five shillings of that uh security for another loan.
>> Do you think Kenyans know understand this and what impact it has?
>> No, I don't think so. You see the >> because says they understand it better because of better communication from uh Treasury.
>> He's he's speaking for you know his benefactors. So he there is no way he's saying that there's a different minister. Therefore, this minister has minister. That's all right. I mean you they are defending him. I wouldn't defend him because he has not told you about the tax policies that he's bringing all that he did when he was introducing you know just about mitumba.
How about the plastics for instance?
Plastics that we use all over. And then you know we have you know in if you look at the memorandum in the finance bill 226 you see now the tax of 10% they said there is because of you know climate change mitigation come on climate change mitigation and like I said that they who are preaching the climate change mitigation are not they themselves mitigating to the degree that you're mitigating your own uh people are in engaging this self-destruction. So the tax policies that he's supposed to by law to have now told the Kenyan people you by the way you know this 25% tax on your gadgets will be imposed because we want to do this he said we want to do that and this is the endgame this is what we want to achieve >> believes that communication has been made >> it hasn't been made it the tax policies on on all those areas >> he has to communicate we don't have it >> in the layman's language >> has he that's a question >> and that's what he did yesterday oh he was communicating in a language that is understood by every person on the on the news bulletin that we just watched. But by by the way again why are we so much concerned about this taxation regime under President William R yet in 2003 when President Maki took over it was a patriotic duty in fact the call was so our during that time the country and that's the kind of patriotism that we need to encourage there was no looting you cannot quantify and justify what is rooting and what is not there was angles during Kbakist time so why do we have double standards that we want to collect taxes during Kbak's time >> understanding the budget because time you are and saying that you don't want to pay tax right my my conversation is about the level of understanding of the budget making process are you saying that Kenyans should not bother >> I have not said that finding out what happened >> I've not said that I've said Kenyans are getting to levels of understanding because of the kind of communication from the government that is happening that never happened in the previous arrangement so there's a difference so based on that kind of trust Kenyans are confident that we are moving towards the right direction because budget making process not just done by every Tom Dick and Harry it is done by experts and explained it to one to understand what is inside the >> right so as a moni do you understand the budget estimates of the year 2026 2027 have you bothered uh to find out what taxation measures are being proposed through the finance bill 2026 what is your feeling the national assembly has invited uh Kenyans who have opinions on this to send the memorandum between yesterday and uh the 25th of this month as at least in as far as the finance bill is concerned on the taxation measures also public participation on the budget estimates Bonagua says is ongoing yes have you given your memoranda or your comments or opinions on the same >> that's what should be interrogated >> that's the question we asking today my my my conversation was about the level of awareness by Kenyans it's a question you need to ask yourself as a civic duty do you understand the budget making process especially in this year's process As we wrap up this state of the nation uh debate, I want us to talk about some politics. On Thursday this week, we're going to have the first of uh two parliamentary um bi-elections and two uh I think civic level bi-elections comes up on Thursday. DCP recording impressive numbers um where they did not expect uh but uh the one in Kala after the party primaries this past weekend creating even more discussion. Um what is the feeling on the ground at least from the side of DCP uh following the the kind of debate you're having in Amura ahead of the bi-election on Thursday and what happened with the party primaries?
What I would say is that uh um remember this country and not only this country the country is led led by what we call leadership and uh in this country we have what we call multi-party democracy and multiarty democracy tells that the multi came replaced a single party uh those days when it was just a single party can which had a sea and uh uh the power to decide the power to choose is power based on the uh what we call the the people. Therefore, we uh we we say the first challenge is that the people are the key because they're the soft and the right to choose a candidate is theirs. So as we move to these two bi-elections, it is true that uh uh if you will give uh people of emo decree uh freedom to choose and give them free, fair and verifiable election where no league mechanisms will apply. I think they do their they make their case and they will choose their candidate very democratically. And I think as of now uh depending on the indicators, the indicators have been clear that uh um the competition is is quite quite uh quite impressing and uh uh the the chances are that uh uh if people of memory are given free fair uh level printout they they make their next choice of of a candidate. The same case appears to uh what you call um our crow. We uh witnesses two uh nominations. first on Friday led by the UDA and uh we found this the the numbers how they came out to uh make their choices and we realize we all of us we were able to witness that the first day the the the um uh the queue was too short and small and therefore the the the the people didn't uh came out in numbers and uh by the date of uh Saturday the cues were too long and the numbers also were very pressing and you realize that over 23,000 voters came out to nominate their candidates. That tells you >> the DCP candidate.
>> The DCP candidate that tells you uh it tells you what the ground is is because uh our ours is to assess and never the ground through those kind of kind of uh forums and uh it can tell you that people of color were still there on Friday but they decided to keep uh keep off and stay. So you're very confident about the prospects of DCP both in >> it's not me but actually >> based on that data >> based on that data the data is telling us there there's high chances that the people of Oraro will decide already they have decided a candidate through DCP and I can't tell you if things will go as they are without any state influence things will resort to DCP candidates as arena the same case in a moral decade.
>> There's something that come came out in this debate and this is the fact that uh these bi-elections they do not necessarily produce what the voter wants that a bi-election midterm is more usually about the national contests. Uh it's about UDA and the presidency and DCP and the United opposition what they want as opposed to what would happen during a a general election where focus is on individual constituencies. Do you agree that this contest both in Amur and Kalao is a contest for the big titans at the national level and they don't even get to discuss the issues at the constituency?
>> Yes and no. But first of all, I would want to react to what honorable Gakuya just said.
>> Even as you react that yes or no, I'll need you to uh expound on it as well.
>> Yes. In such a way that people use that as an experimental ground. different political forces go to the ground to to fight. In fact, all politicians from uh both divides usually get involved in such processes. Midtown uh uh bi-elections like they did uh in Ber North. The attention of the whole country including media houses like TV47 will be covering such events more seriously than and very specifically from a national perspective than uh they'll do during a general election.
and no because even locally there there are competitions sometimes it will be dependent on the candidates's own strengths and weaknesses now going back to honorable Gakuya's point which I I really want to react to is that there has been information that the processes of nomination have not been free and fair some of these positions have been predecided here in Nairobi and if you look at the nomination process of UDA and DCP you see that UDA was doing things exactly the way IBC would do. But if you look at what DCP was doing, they were doing the things the kind of style the old styles including stuffing ballot boxes so that you end up having a lot of numbers of alleged voter turnout which is not true. You see that's the case that that has been the news everywhere and all of that including including some uh some some acts of uh of drama around some of the politicians like honorable GA mentioned one of the politicians kidnapped himself typical of uh most of the DCP people. So such kinds of things are supposed to inform people that there is no transparency on the side of DCP in terms of the nomination process as opposed to UDA. So you cannot say that the numbers of UDA were lower because he he was an interested party.
He wanted he wanted publicity around that area including wanting to be known. You know politicians do a lot of things especially within the DCP ranks. to what consequence because he says he's not a candidate.
>> I I think he intends to run for a seat in future. So he wants to be known and now we are discussing him.
>> How is that assisting with credibility of an election or the coming out of I I'm just trying to exemplify the kind of drama around it including that kind of balloting because it was pre-planned.
You remember the conversation that their numbers were going to be higher than the UDA ones was was projections. They did projections on the bas of what you hear.
>> So you're saying that the DCP by the DCP party primaries in Kalao there was ballot staffing.
>> In fact the numbers in fact the person who won that seat he is said to have been working with the gashagua directly. So he was predecided. He was known to the to the leader of the party and those other fellows.
>> Do you have any fact?
>> That information is in public from those areas have been shared information. They have been saying they have been saying that individual who won the seat who won the nomination.
>> So the numbers in the DCP primaries inflated inflated >> they're not true.
>> The the UDA one was electronic just the way we do with IBC.
>> This other one had no measures of credibility at all. But but I would like to say very very short that in fact even in the general election. Remember we have uh what we call gadgets just to make sure that the gadgets is able to establish your your name and of water but you have to take from a bar and stuff a bar to a bar box. Have we changed that format >> so that in in discipline or nominations we did it uh opposite. We did it exactly the same was you use what you call uh uh register IBC register versus now that uh paper ballot voting >> but the identification of voters was electronic >> of course >> the winner was preddecided the numbers and projections were >> you're saying it in absolutes and I'm wondering do you have any proof >> there's information all over everywhere including >> that cannot that cannot be that cannot be pro >> including those people who are in doubt that's all I'm saying >> anybody anybody we are in we in the state of burgers which can broke anything.
>> Yeah.
>> Yes.
>> It's very unfortunate. It's very unfortunate that you he owes an apology to the Alcala people because you could see the people showed up. They turned up in their tens of thousands.
>> Yes. You by by comparison in contrast the UDA uh polling stations were empty.
Empty. I mean like look he he all he needs to do is just go and review that evidence.
>> It depends on the time. Hold on, hold on, hold on. I mean, I let you speak.
You see, so so and don't get stung.
>> The the whole issue is that the UDA brigade is unable to accept the fact that its popularity on the ground has faded. It it's withered and probably >> the ground we talking about ground.
>> I let you speak even though I wanted to let my horses on you. the the the the whole um episode of the uh nomination uh exemplifies the failure of UDA among the electorate. I mean this is something in it. You cannot force the uh electorate to like to love your party even though you're ruling. I mean >> so you do agree that uh that that contest is more about the national level politics and not really about the constituency because I say largely and there's a an element of the local politics because uh the local politics for instance is all color you will see that the people who elected the DCP person had this array of choices and they were able then to demonstrate that this is the most popular >> there are nine candidates who are competitive Absolutely. Absolutely. You you see, so the array of candidates gave the electorate the local quote unquote choice while at the same time the uh voices contrasting between UDA and DCP were you know visibly uh heard and seen and you know I mean just hold your horses. Let me finish. I let you speak and you had >> I'll give you a chance. I'll be >> uh the the the lessons of uh Baronov appear in my view not to have been learned by DCP or they who are in the opposition because uh if I were them I would be on the lookout you know real lookout why because in a more am there there there have been these voices that there is campaigning being done at night and in fact the IABC came out yesterday and say that look we have timelines for you to campaign. It is between 6:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. And then there are those on the UDA front saying that look we let people work during the day and then at night we go to excuse me doortodoor at night you are campaigning.
What if you are actually there getting their IDs and giving them money? We don't know. So that is illegal and I think the DCP people who are you know confident that their candidate is out there high and dry and probably given the buoyance in Okala and what they saw is that the figures over there but remember you have a wounded UDA totally annihilated and they feel the sting because this is near to 2027 than uh enough and because of that it has absolutely more significance to them the loss in both constituencies. It will have a larger impact and so therefore they will go full-fledged to ensure that they do not lose. So if I were a DCP I'd have my eyes on the ground and I would ensure that is absolutely no shenanigans being played out. I even ensure that I have all the materials ready for any legal contest if need be because the people are speaking there and the UDA people go into those camps and you see them you know they're leaving and then showing you you know that that that is one and they're dawning the UDA uh attire. So as I conclude, so you can see on the ground and this is to affirm your position is still that voice because you see when when you have a murill uh or even in Okala the you know the dawning of that one finger or the flashing of the one finger in they say one term the one it's no longer about >> it's not about the constituency. So, so let's agree about that. And so the the local politics, excuse me, is being subsumed and merging with the national politics to the point that the the local elector wants to send a voice resounding, excuse me, to the uh they the powers are being that look, we we want to announce to you that your candidate is sending a message to you that we still are one term. And I have about four minutes on just accept that final comments have the wrong perception that every time we talk about the ground the likes of honorable Gakua and Kyanu here think about mount Kenya they don't think any >> no no no please don't accuse me and I've been tutored very well by the leader honorable ask him to retract that apologize I'm very nationalist I'm very nationalist I agree that you're nationalistic but when it comes to projections and mentions about the ground you are referring to Mount Kenya >> no No, no, no, no, no.
>> When the election come in 2027, >> I think that should be retracted. That's not fair >> at all. Retracted, but uh Okay.
>> No, no, no, no. You cannot qualify. You just retract it because that's not fair.
>> He's a nationalist. He's a nationalist.
>> But my argument is that every time the mention of the ground is put across is in reference to Mount Kenya. How about it was by the way and when they make projection remember the other day the other day of this perception that when you talk about no correct a certain village a certain village supporting a certain presidential candidate you assume that the whole country is thinking that way now here is the experiment that if you talk about oral in the coming bi-election it should be assumed that for DCP to look like it's making sense they're supposed to get 100% of the vote because I've been claiming to have the mountain on their back. So if they fail to get 100% of the vote, it means that everything they have been saying is hot air and that is very dangerous to the arrangement of the opposition because the assumption is that the so-called ground which is Mount Kenya in particular the assumption by their camp is that it will go to the opposition. So if UDA manages to get any vote and so far through the credible election nomination of UDA of over 8,000 votes in Ocala >> if that is to go by then it means that whatever the opposition is relying on in Mount Kenya is hot air >> right >> uh I would completely distance myself from his sentiments and I would want to want to understand that even in Kisumu when Baba was alive there is always votes for a contestant whether a presidential candidate or whether who and we have seen even those areas other parties winning from those regions purported to be the so baba areas and in this particular case I would like to tell you in is no difference because we are in a multi party era and you're going to find many other many parties not only the DCP in the contest and those other all those parties are campaigning to a win. So you cannot tell us that we should win in 100%. You leave you have to leave to the people to make their choices and a win over one vote is a strong win. And I would just a a failure by a single vote is a failure.
So let us agree that we cannot come to to demonize Mount Kenya region as if Mount Kenya is quite special. It's not part of Kenya. It is part of Kenya and we are saying even though because last time you you remember we were able to secure an MCA candidate in Ara that was not >> but that's the argument that's the argument with an ethnic >> we were I have a minute and I we were also able to secure an MCA in western region they did it still let us not sometimes be miding that >> all right unfortunately unfortunately in the political realm They engage in this sort of personal ad hominum attacks when they lack the ideas and you can see the president gets on on the rooftop uh of his vehicle every other day and he's repeating the same same story and the same same accusations. You know these are fools these are people without brains these are people without ideas everywhere he goes that's what he does and launching a market and he says he's launching a market for the eenth time when the road that he's supposed to have done I don't know to wajir to whatever you know it it is stuck even the bare maintenance of it so that it is passable it's not something being done so for him it is out there and this is the problem that we have with our politics that we need to deliver results that are tangible to the Kenyan people other than promising I would rather that he didn't promise anything to the Kenyan people look at the Kbaki regime the Kbachi regime Kbaki was able to articulate ideas more in a practical sense that the Kenyans found resonating with them and that's why they were a patriotic just to answer the farmer because he's wondering why aren't Kenyans you know acting that way Kenyans cannot act that because you're selling politics that is dead >> right >> redundant >> come on I mean you need to get to the people and know that this is what they want. They're not asking you to try and convince them. You already have that podium. What will you do new for them in 5 years that you haven't done for them in these four years that we are facing?
I mean, this is the twilight of your tenure the wind up right uh let me let me take a sample sample some of the views of people because we asked online um on Facebook. Do you think these mini polls the bi-elections are a true test of public mood ahead of the next general election? And uh people are saying Nicodemus Miwana says whether true or not the voter who voted in the 2022 election is totally different from the one who will vote next year. Awareness levels are too high coupled with technological advancement. Woni Sa says nope. It seems as though the true participants only come out on the actual voting day. The participants in the mini polls always show anti-government trends until the same government remains in power after the general election and leaves us wondering. Mutuyama says not really. Those are very minimal spots. Lazar says, okay, I didn't get that one. Mali says not at all. Waves always change within no time. Those being elected now risk not being reelected within those few months.
Probably we agree. Moira says no. Like Mar it was stolen. I don't know. Adam 60% yes on election and uh means Shabban says nope Fab Fabiano says yes. Well, thank you so much for your feedback and continue watching TV47 breakfast and interacting with us on all our social media pages.
Once again, thank you gentlemen James Gakuya MP Bakasi North Fora NC Fora political analyst and wili harrison Kenya jewie for your time at TV47 asanti after the break we switch gears and will be having another conversation including on matters health so do stand by for that my name is Freddy dei good morning
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