International
Kenya’s top court suspends judgment nullifying 2023 finance law
Kenya’s top court on Tuesday suspended a lower court’s ruling that the 2023 finance law was unconstitutional, saying it was important to preserve stability in the budget until the merits of the government’s appeal are heard next month.
The finance bills, presented to parliament at the start of every financial year, are the main vehicle for the government to set out its revenue-raising measures including tax hikes.
The Court of Appeal’s judgment late last month that last year’s Finance Act was unconstitutional was a blow to the government of President William Ruto, who withdrew this year’s finance bill in June in the face of youth-led protests, the biggest challenge of his two-year presidency.
Ruto has been caught between the competing demands of Kenya’s hard-pressed citizens and lenders such as the International Monetary Fund.
He has argued that tax increases are necessary to help fund development programmes and pay off a heavy public debt load.
“We find that public interest tilts in favour of granting conservatory and stay orders to … maintain stability in the budget and appropriation process pending the determination of this appeal,” Kenya’s Supreme Court said in its ruling.
The Supreme Court will hold hearings on Sept. 10 and 11 on whether the 2023 law is constitutional.
The government, which has been relying on the 2023 finance law to continue collecting taxes after Ruto withdrew this year’s bill, did not immediately comment.
The 2023 version was challenged in court following a round of violent street protests last year led by opposition parties.
Ruto’s government used the 2023 law to double the value-added tax on fuel, introduce a housing tax and raise the top personal income tax rate.
…..As court Orders Return of Seized Oil Vessel
The Supreme Court has nullified the Court of Appeal’s ruling that permitted the seizure of an oil vessel belonging to General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) to settle a contractual dispute with First Bank of Nigeria (FBN).
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, the apex court ordered the immediate return of the seized vessel and the proceeds from the sale of its contents to GHL, its rightful owner.
The Supreme Court dismissed the case instituted by FBN, declaring that the dispute was purely contractual in nature and did not qualify as a maritime matter. It therefore held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit from the outset.
The apex court faulted both the trial court and the Court of Appeal for assuming jurisdiction over the matter and proceeding to determine it.
The ruling effectively ends the long-running legal battle, delivering a major victory to General Hydrocarbons Limited against the bank.
International
South Africa Anti-Immigration Peaceful Protests To Continue Weekly Till Demands Are Met
A senior reporter, Channel, Africa, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, reported that the anti-immigration protests held across several South African cities remained largely peaceful despite isolated incidents of violence and attempted looting.
The organisers of South Africa anti-immigrant protest have announced that come next week, from Thursday, every Thursday, they will be taking to the streets until the government heeds to their call and ensure that all undocumented nationals leave the country.
A senior reporter, Channel, Africa, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, reported that the anti-immigration protests held across several South African cities remained largely peaceful despite isolated incidents of violence and attempted looting.
She also revealed that organisers intend to continue with weekly demonstrations from next Thursday until their demands are met.
Mahlangu further reported that an inter-ministerial committee comprising ministers within South Africa’s security cluster commended the largely peaceful conduct of the protests while condemning isolated incidents of violence reported across the country.
International
Cut Petrol Prices Now, Trump orders Retailers
Trump warned that his administration would not tolerate price gouging, describing the practice as illegal and cautioning retailers that those who ignore the call to lower prices could face “big problems
United States President Donald Trump has directed gasoline retailers across the country to reduce pump prices without delay.
Trump issued the directive in a post on his Truth Social platform, accusing fuel retailers of keeping prices unnecessarily high despite crude oil trading at about $68 per barrel.
“Gasoline retailers must get their prices down immediately”, the president declared, urging companies to “do what they know is right” by passing lower costs on to consumers.”
He argued that declining global crude oil prices should translate into immediate relief for American motorists.
Trump warned that his administration would not tolerate price gouging, describing the practice as illegal and cautioning retailers that those who ignore the call to lower prices could face “big problems.”
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