Escalating the cost of essential household commodities, high fuel prices, rapid depreciation of the shilling and spiralling public debt were threatening to ground the economy. Our inflation figures have fallen from 8 per cent in May 2023 to 5 per cent in April this year. I am grateful to all the members of the National Assembly who voted yesterday affirmatively for the Finance Bill 2024 as amended on the floor of the House to incorporate the views generated in the public participation process. Following the passage of the bill, the country witnessed widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the bill as passed, regrettably resulting in the loss of life, destruction of property and desecration of constitutional institutions. Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the Finance Bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill.

PETALING JAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman plans to run from Muar in Johor to Parliament in protest over the lack of funding for Opposition parliamentarians. He intends to run 200km to raise funds under his "Langkah Muar" initiative, aimed at raising funds for his constituency's community service centres. "For more than a year, the Opposition constituencies have not received allocations. "Now, I am using my legs to raise funds in Muar and as a form of protest," he said. On April 18, the unity government secretariat supreme leadership council decided in principle to consider allocating funds to Opposition MPs.

Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria stated that Prof Njuguna Ndung’u single-handedly managed to turn around Kenya’s economy. Speaking during a funeral service for the burial of the late Mary Wanjiku Kimani sister-in-law to Prof.Njuguna Ndung'u, CS National Treasury & Economic Planning, Moses Kuria praised Njuguna Ndung’u citing that the country would have crumbled. “For the past two years, without fear of contradiction, I can say that Professor Njuguna Ndung’u has held this country. Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u addressing media on the budget for Financial Year 2024/25. The choice is upon you whether you want a united nation or not,” CS Moses Kuria stated.

Prisoners who sit for National Industrial Training Institute exams will soon be able to get certificates from the institution as the state seeks to clear debts that have blocked the same. Correctional Services PS Salome Beacco on Wednesday said they are nearing the completion of the payment of debts owed to Nita. The PS said the certificates will help the inmates once they get out of jail to easily get a job to fend for themselves and their families. She said their mandate is to ensure their clients are reformed, rehabilitated and are properly integrated back into society. The PS said they want to increase the number of workshops, equipments inside prisons and have requisitioned more equipment for rehabilitation.

People had been going on at me for years that I drank too much Diet Coke. So, that was it, no more Diet Coke as a straight drink and basically none at all Mon-Thu. I still missed my Diet Coke, but I wasn't craving it, and I found other ways to satiate my sweet tooth - with fruit! I found I had peaks and troughs before - perhaps the low after the high of the Diet Coke caffeine and fake sugar rush. Whether it was all down to the Diet Coke ban, or a combination of things - the numbers do not lie.

Netizens this morning have woken up to shocking posts from a few X bigwigs and activists who've been at the forefront of leading the Reject Finance Bill protests. Most of the big Twitter bigwigs are asking people to stand down and refrain from marching to the State House. Before the change of tune, most influencers had called on their followers and fans to show up in numbers as they marched to the State House. However, tales have changed with said activists claiming the demos have been infiltrated and would no longer serve their intended purpose. Below is a list of activists who've called for citizens to stand down and what they had to say;1) Khalif Kairo

Protesters in Nairobi on Thursday cheered the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers as they made their way into the Nairobi Central Business District. In videos seen by the Star, KDF officers who were aboard their vehicles made their way through Tom Mboya Street where they met the protesters. The KDF officers have been patrolling the City since Thursday morning. This comes after Members of Parliament on Wednesday morning approved the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces officers within the country to restore order after deadly protests. The soldiers will support the Kenya Police Service to restore normalcy across the country after anti-Finance Bill protests turned tragic on Tuesday.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures the price changes of goods at the producer level, increased by 1.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in May 2024, from 1.9 in the previous month, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). He also said that the water supply index went up 8.7 per cent, while the electricity and gas supply index increased by 1.5 per cent. "The electricity and gas supply and water supply indices remained positive, recording increases of 1.1 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively,” he said. The chief statistician noted that the average price of crude palm oil (CPO) was RM3,902.50 per tonne in May 2024. This marked a 2.8 per cent increase from May 2023 but an 8.3 per cent decrease from the April 2024 price.

“Being in the Olympics is the greatest achievement because it is the biggest sporting event in the world and anyone qualified for it is arguably ahead of the rest. It means a lot to the whole squad as we only have two Olympians in the team. As a new generation it means a lot to us, and want to make a big statement there,” he noted.

Fresh details have surfaced regarding the dramatic events at Nairobi's All Saints Cathedral during Tuesday's protests, revealing a harrowing account of police aggression against peaceful demonstrators seeking refuge and medics who were offering aid. Canon Evans Omollo, Provost of All Saints Cathedral, disclosed on Thursday that the church became a sanctuary for over 3,000 protestors fleeing escalating clashes with law enforcement near Nairobi's CBD. Canon Evans Omollo, Provost of All Saints Cathedral, recounted a harrowing ordeal on Tuesday as police clashed with protestors seeking refuge within the church's walls. A tense moment after police fired tear gas at the All Saints Cathedral. Photo All Saints CathedralThe violence at All Saints Cathedral unfolded amid broader protests across Nairobi, culminating in a dramatic breach of the parliament buildings.

ADVERTISEMENTThis article offers practical tips on how to manage stress and maintain your mental health during these turbulent times. An AI-generated image of a man who is depressed (Hotpot.ai) Pulse Live KenyaUnderstand & accept your emotionsFirstly, it's important to acknowledge and accept your emotions. Stay informed but limit media consumptionWhile it's essential to stay informed about the protests and the developments surrounding the Finance Bill, constant exposure to news can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Connect with supportive peopleSocial support is crucial for mental well-being, especially during stressful times. ADVERTISEMENTLimit substance useDuring stressful times, it's tempting to turn to alcohol, tobacco, or other substances as a coping mechanism.

QUESTION: What is on the cover of R.E.M.’s Automatic For The People album? R.E.M.’s 1992 album Automatic For The People is considered by many to be their best, featuring classic songs such as Nightswimming and Everybody Hurts. Its cover features a black-and-white photograph of a star-shaped Neo-Lectra neon sign that once hung above the Sinbad Motel in Miami, Florida, near Criteria Studios where most of the album was recorded. The Neo-Lectra signs were designed and manufactured in the 1960s by Jim Henry of Oklahoma Neon, in Tulsa. came from Athens, Georgia, and the enigmatic album title came from the motto of a restaurant called Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods.

He shared photos of men carrying drinks looted from Timba XO, slamming the looters. Sasa tutapiga wapi sherehe na mnajua Timba XO ndio ilikuwa place ya kupiga sherehe. So where are we going to have a party now, you know Timba XO was the place to party. Some of the drinks included Hennesy VSOP, worth KSh 22,000; Martell VSOP, worth KSh 16,500; Martell XO, worth KSh 35,000; and Gordons Gin, worth KSh 5,000. All about Oscar Sudi's Timba XO clubProofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.kePAY ATTENTION: check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

THE Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and his band surprised regulars at a Scots pub after walking in and ordering dinner. The US rock stars weren't noticed at first when they sat down at Appin’s Old Inn on the west coast of Scotland. But there was no sign original members Dave Keuning and Ronnie Vannucci Jr, who have joined him on stage for for the shows on the tour this week. The couple asked which pub and they said the OVO Hydro.”The American rock band were formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by vocalist Brandon and guitarist Dave. And after going through several short-term bass players and drummers in their early days, both bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. joined the band in 2002.

[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]The battle pitting catholic nuns and a priest over St Mary's hospital has taken a new twist. A new case is filed before the High Court over the Sh153 million dispute. The Assumption Sisters of Nairobi want the High Court to reinstate a criminal case against doctor and priest Dr William Charles Fryda. She said they felt betrayed by Fryda's claim that he was the founder of St. Mary's. In the High Court case, Justice Jairus Ngaah ordered that the case should be transferred to the anti-corruption division of the High Court.