1. Kibaki Appointed To Petition National Land Commisioners
The Land Sector Non-State Actors lobby group has petitioned President Mwai Kibaki to urgently appoint the National Land Commission. The group’s Executive Officer Odenda Lumumba said the land commission should be in place not later than Wednesday, which coincides with the nation’s 49th independence anniversary, to deal with land issues including double allocation, absentee land lords and allocation to investors.
2. Ghost in the Machine: Appliances That Can Eat Into Your Electricity Bill
Did you know that appliances continue using up electricity even if you turn them off? In fact, they account for about 10% of your monthly consumption. Some people think it’s a myth but scientists at the Lawrence Berkley National Library beg to differT. According to their research, which dates back to 1996, plugged-in devices can use up to 20 watts of electricity per appliance. The Consumer Energy Center backs this data and states that the consumption of electricity increases by a few watts each hour.
3. There’s No Winner in Court Ruling on KQ Labour Dispute
The jury is back and the verdict is in. On Monday December 3, 2012, Kenya Airways’s retrenched staff won the battle, but not the war. This sordid labour relations dogfight will trundle along as both sides dig in their heels, lick their festering wounds and strategise on what steps to take next to entrench their respective positions.
In Carol Musyoka’s view, there was no clear winner or loser who emerged from Industrial Court Justice James Rika’s judgment. What has resulted is a mish mash of the good, the bad and the ugly side of industrial relations.
4. Shilling Faces Pressure From Election Spending
The Kenya shilling is seen likely to close the year at a low against major world currencies, by which time the impact of election spending will start being felt. Election spending is likely to start in earnest by end of December, increasing the amount of money in circulation in the economy, and may force the Central Bank to offer a higher repo rate to mop-up liquidity.
5. Nelson Mandela Reported to Have Stopped Speaking
South African leaders issued assurances about the health of Nelson Mandela on Sunday after the 94 year-old was airlifted to hospital having reportedly stopped speaking. The former president spent a second day at the Pretoria hospital after being flown from his rural home in the Eastern Cape.
He is said to be undergoing tests following a “troubling” deterioration in his health. A source close to the family of the former president said: “He has not been talking . . . he is not looking good. It’s clear that something is troubling him.”
6. Mutunga: All Counties to Get a High Court
A sub-registry of the High Court is to be set up in Lodwar Town in Turkana County as part of the judiciary’s mobile court strategy to improve access to justice in marginal areas. Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga said the frequency of mobile courts sittings will be reviewed so that the court sessions can be held more frequently.
Dr. Mutunga however said the mobile courts arrangement is a stop gap measure by the judiciary to enhance access to justice in the marginal areas but added that magistrates’ courts have to be built in all districts and a High court put up in each of the 47 counties.
7. President Mahama wins Elections in Ghana
thousands of Jubiliant Supporters of the victorious National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Sunday Night Poured onto the streets to celebrate the election of President John Dramani Mahama in the 2012 presidential poll.
8. Bank Profits Hit KES 90 Billion to Surpass Last Year’s Earnings
Commercial banks’ profits have soared to KES 90 billion in the 10 months to October, surpassing the lenders’ performance for the whole of last year and putting the industry within reach of the KES100 billion mark.
The strong growth in the bank’s profitability underlines their resilience and ability to ride out harsh economic times characterised by high inflation and interest rates.