BACK FROM HIATUS

I’d like to first apologize for taking my hiatus for too long a period. Too long has it been since I indulged you into some of the typical student experiences I’ve had. Amongst these are the royal wedding (which I attended courtesy of Dstv), a divisive national budget and a Kshs. 1,200,000 dowry fairy tale. The royal wedding was a wave of change and a much needed breath of fresh air for the world’s youth populace. Youth representation always makes me feel like my opinions have been heard no matter how far away I am. As for our national budget, I only refer to it as divisive because of the pre and post conflicts that it came with; ranging from date of reading to claimed miscalculations. The Kshs. 1.2 million dowry statement made a few weeks back has been (and still is) a topic worth having a heated debate. I found myself in one last week…and I loved it J Truth is, arguments bring out an individual’s real traits and values.

Most shocking of all is the ongoing tax mess. The suggestion to have employers file tax returns for their employees is quite noble. Its implementation within a fortnight however, is where the complications lie. The KRA (Kenya Revenue Authority) and Treasury differ in their opinions as to when employees will stop individually filing their tax returns. Even more shocking is the debate as to whether Members of Parliament should pay taxes. It’s been going on for almost a week now. The underlying issues regard an allowance by the old constitution to exempt them from tax and the new constitution which does not exempt them from it. Attempts to refer the matter to the newly appointed Chief Justice Dr. Mutunga W. have hit what I’d call a titanic iceberg. Our Lord met with senior officials of KRA as he sought to put in force an order in which Judiciary staff conform to the new constitution by paying their dues. A sneak peek into yesterday’s prime time news showed some MPs making their way to the tax collection arm of government to pay their dues. Some are calling it a PR tactic, a campaign measure…etc. All I know is that they’re starting to pay their levies, and I appreciate it. 
For a copy of the budget speech and related documents, download a copy from the link below
www.finance.go.ke
 

……VIVA LA CONSTITUTION…...