Connect with us

Politics

Kenya to spend Sh200 million in Ruto’s swearing-in

Published

on

The Kenyan government says it will spend the sum of Sh200 million ($1.662m) for the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect, William Ruto, scheduled for next week after the Supreme Court affirmed his electoral victory on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Treasury said has allocated the funds to the Assumption of Office Committee that is preparing for the transition of power from President Uhuru Kenyatta to Ruto who is his Vice President.

“The allocation of Sh200 million under the Executive Office of the President is provided for in the National Treasury for Assumption of Office activities,” the Treasury says in a report on the Pre-Election Economic Update.

The Kenyan Constitution stipulates that the President-elect will be sworn-in seven days after the Supreme Court upholds the election victory following an election petition.

The Assumption of Office of the President Act, 2012, also outlines the procedure that must be followed to ensure the winner of a presidential election ascends to power within specific timelines, with the Act establishing a 20-member Assumption of the Office of President committee chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet.

The Act also mandates the state to declare the day of the swearing-in as a public holiday, and also specifies the exact times for particular activities, indicating that the oath is taken between 10am and 2pm on the identified date.

Once the President-elect is sworn-in and he and his deputy take the oath of office, the incumbent President will be expected to hand over the instruments of power such as the Constitution and the sword of power to the new President and immediately vacate the State House, the Act states.

Politics

Botswana’s new president wants swift resolution of De Beers diamond deal

Published

on

Duma Boko, the recently elected president of Botswana, stated on Friday that he hoped to wrap up negotiations for a new sales agreement with the multinational diamond mining conglomerate, De Beers, as quickly as possible.

“The relationship with De Beers could have been damaged by the way the negotiations were handled,” President Boko said in a televised statement from Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. “The first thing that needs to be done is to engage the other party”.

 

The government’s portion of diamonds from the Debswana joint venture will progressively rise to 50% over the following ten years, according to a new diamond sales agreement reached last year by De Beers, a division of Anglo American.

Currently, De Beers purchases 75% of the production from Debswana Diamond Company, which is jointly controlled by Botswana and De Beers.

The agreement has not yet been signed, even though the Botswana government and the departing president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, praised its benefits Beers was “thinking about walking away, not signing at all… (a) very dangerous position to be in as a country,” according to Boko.

According to Boko, his new government wishes to communicate with De Beers to comprehend its issues.

“A proper negotiation involves compromise, where you get a bit of what you wanted, the other person gets a bit,” Boko said. “Then…you have a durable, sustainable agreement.”

As part of a larger reorganisation of its extensive operations, Anglo is developing a strategy to sell out De Beers. In July, Masisi stated that the Botswana government might increase its 15% stake in De Beers.A decline in worldwide demand has severely impacted diamond prices, just like it has for other luxury items. De Beers has been providing contracted clients with flexibility and limiting supply.

Continue Reading

Politics

President Maisi concedes as Botswana’s ruling party loses 58-year reign

Published

on

Following preliminary results showing his party lost its legislative majority by a landslide in this week’s election, Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, announced his party’s defeat on Friday, ending nearly 60 years in power.

The opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), held a sizable lead with over half of the constituencies reporting, placing its leader, attorney Duma Boko, in a strong position to win the presidency.

According to analysts, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has controlled the small southern African nation since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, was overthrown by growing socioeconomic dissatisfaction, especially among young people.

Botswana has always relied heavily on its diamond industry for revenue, but this year’s economic growth was severely hampered by a decline in the world diamond market, and unemployment increased to 28%.

According to results from 41 of the 61 constituencies up for election, the UDC had gained 26 seats in parliament, while the BDP had only three, according to state television. The president is chosen by the members of parliament.

Boko, who hasn’t made any public statements since the outcome, ran on a platform of increasing social grants and the minimum wage.

“Although I wanted to stay on as your president, I respect the will of the people and I congratulate the president-elect. I will step aside and I will support the new administration,” Masisi said at a press conference.

Small groups of supporters of the opposition celebrated in the streets of Gaborone, the capital, on Friday morning, which was peaceful.

“I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life,” said 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi. “The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana.”

After South Africa’s African National Congress lost its legislative majority after 30 years in power and was compelled to form a coalition government, the BDP became the second long-ruling party in southern Africa to lose at the polls this year.

Later this month, elections will be held in neighbouring Namibia, where the SWAPO party, which has ruled since 1990, is anticipated to face fierce opposition.

“The outcome of Botswana’s elections should serve as a warning to long-time ruling parties across southern Africa and beyond that without economic progress and employment opportunities, political dominance will falter,” said Zaynab Hoosen, an Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk.

 

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Tech3 hours ago

Mastercard partners Diamond Trust Bank to boost digital payments in East Africa

Mastercard has struck a strategic partnership with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) to boost digital payments in East Africa with specific...

Uncategorized3 hours ago

Zimbabwe bans police from using mobile phones while on duty

The Zimbabwean government has banned members of its police force from using mobile phones while on duty. The ban, which...

Metro4 hours ago

Zambia’s ruling party UPND warns against personal attacks on President Hichilema

Zambia’s ruling party, the UPND, has warned opposition politicians and critics against personal attacks on President Hakainde Hichilema as his...

Sports6 hours ago

Kenyan court jails killers of Ugandan Olympian Kiplagat for 35 years

A Kenyan court sitting in Nairobi on Tuesday sentenced two men, Peter Ushuru Khalumi, 30, and David Ekai Lokere, 25,...

VenturesNow7 hours ago

Zambian govt spends K16.6 billion in October on debt servicing, gulping K4.7 billion

Zambian Ministry of Finance and National Planning released K16.6 billion in October to assist Zambian development and public service delivery,...

Metro10 hours ago

Following backlash, Nigerian govt withdraws treason charges against minors

The Nigerian government has officially withdrawn the treason charges it entered against some minors who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest...

Sports1 day ago

Chepkirui leads Kenya to podium sweep at New York City Marathon

Kenya had a clean sweep of the podium at the 2024 New York City Marathon on Sunday as Sheila Chepkirui...

Tech1 day ago

AfriLabs to host ‘Annual Gathering’ in Cape Town

Pan-African innovation hub, AfriLabs, has announced Cape Town, South Africa, as the host of its “Annual Gathering” scheduled to hold...

Metro1 day ago

Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as...

VenturesNow1 day ago

South Africa: Petrol, diesel prices to rise on Wednesday. Here’s why

Following an increase in the price of oil due to the crisis between Iran and Israel, petrol and diesel prices...

Trending