1. New Laws To Transform the Country - Raila

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked Kenyans to elect leaders who believed in the new constitution to reap the benefit of the document after the polls. He told the electorates to carefully vet those aspiring for leadership during the coming polls to ensure that the implementation of the new laws was in the hands of those who supported the document at the referendum. Odinga who was on a campaign trail in Busia County cautioned residents to be wary that some politicians who rejected the new laws at the referendum were seeking leadership to undermine the full implementation of the constitution.

2. Parliament Team Rejects Plan to Tax Basic Goods

Members of Parliament are making moves to remove tax on basic goods such as foodstuffs, fertilizers, seeds and sanitary towels. The Parliamentary Committee in agreement with most of the proposals stipulated in the new Tax Bill but plans to discuss suggestions for improvement with other stakeholders. In light of these proposals, the Committee has met with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Price Water Coopers and the Kenya Dairy Board to further table the issue.

3. Earliest Known Dinosaur Discovered

Researchers have found evidence of what could be the earliest known dinosaur to walk the earth. A fossil specimen that was found  in Southern Africa’s Lake Malawi has been dated back to about 245 million years ago. According to archeologists, this is about 10 to 15 million years earlier than any of the previous fossils ever discovered. The fossil has been sitting in London’s Natural History Museum since the 1930’s.

4. World Bank Cuts Kenya’s 2012 GDP Growth Forecast to 4.3%

The World Bank said on Wednesday it had cut Kenya's economic growth forecast to 4.3 percent in 2012 from an earlier 5 percent due to the effects of high lending rates, before recovering to 5 percent in 2013. Growth slowed sharply in the first half to 3.5 percent, as key sectors like construction sagged under the weight of high commercial lending rates that topped 25 percent after policymakers raised the central bank's rate to 18 percent to fight inflation.

5. The African Lion Population is decreasing

The lions that roam Africa's savannahs have lost as much as 75 percent of their habitat in the last 50 years as humans overtake their land and the lion population dwindles, said a study released Tuesday. Researchers at Duke University, including prominent conservationist Stuart Pimm, warn that the number of lions across the continent have dropped to as few as 32,000 from 100,000 about 50 years ago.

6. Rea Vipingo to Build KES 11 Billion Coast Wind Farm

Listed Agricultural Firm, Rea Vipingo has announced plans to start producing a KES 11 billion wind power at the Coast to curb inconsistent supply of electricity and reduce its operating costs. The company intends to produce 48 megawatts of power from 24 turbines to be installed in Kilifi County. Rea Vipingo, which is involved in real estate projects at the Coast through its subsidiary, Vipingo Estates, is seeking regulatory approvals to undertake the project.

7. Tomato Prices Rise 14.2%

The price of tomatoes has shot up 14.2 per cent over the past one month, piling pressure on household budgets even as the overall rate of inflation continues on a downward trend. According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the food and non-alcoholic drinks’ index increased marginally between October and last month with the highest rise coming from a sharp spike in the price of tomatoes.

8. Government Urges Multinational Companies to Hire Kenyans Instead of Expats

The Government has warned foreign companies against hiring expatriates in top management positions if they want to succeed. Finance Minister Njeru Githae said multinational corporations should employ locals who understand the environment, behaviour, and traditions of the Kenyan people if they expect to succeed. Githae said key positions such as those of human resources and marketing should be reserved for Kenyans.