The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya has raised concerns Over Proliferation of questionable Real Estate Stakeholders Associations.

In a press briefing, the Surveyors noted:

“Evidently, the very entities that have fleeced Kenyans in the past have or will, most likely join these mushrooming associations. The attempt by the said entities at hoodwinking Kenyans that they can tackle fraud in the land Sector is misleading and an attempt at sanitising their past activities.”

“While ISK acknowledges the importance of freedom of association, the Institution is calling caution in its exercise to prevent potential abuse and infringement of other rights such as the right to property. It is crucial that appropriate regulations and oversight mechanisms are put in place to curb any potential misuse of this right.”

Institution of surveyors therefore demands that the registrar of society deregisters real estate associations run by non-professionals. They also demand the Attorney general wind up all land buying companies involved in land fraud in the past, among several other recommendations aimed at bringing sanity in the sector.

The institution of Surveyors of Kenya is under the wise leadership of the President Mr. Abraham Samoei.

Dance Centre Kenya (DCK) is proud to present its first-ever full-length musical, Oliver, which will take place from June 9th-11th. This internationally acclaimed musical takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England, following the story of young, orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates

London’s underworld of theft and violence in search of a home, a family, and most importantly, love.

Based on the novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, the book was adapted for the stage by Lionel

Bart, who also composed the music and wrote the lyrics. The musical premiered in London’s West

End in 1960 and became a huge hit, winning several awards including the Tony Award for Best Original Score. It has since been performed all over the world and has been adapted into a successful film and television series. The timeless story of Oliver Twist and his journey to find love and family continues to captivate audiences of all ages.

With live music by Safaricom Youth Orchestra led by Musical Director Levi Wataka, and guest performers like John Sibi-Okumu, David Mwenji, and Njeri Kiereini, Oliver promises to be a must-see show. Cooper Rust directs the show, with Caroline Slot and May Ombara serving as assistant directors.

The lead role of Oliver will be played by Abdoulaye Diebate, with Benji Mudondo as the Artful Dodger, Mazuruni Khan as Nancy, and Alex Stow as Bill Sykes.

DCK is Kenya’s leading dance school, with over 500 students taking classes in three studios and 1,000 more taking DCK-taught classes in 20 schools throughout Nairobi. Founded in 2015, DCK has grown to offer a range of dance classes and performances, including annual productions of The Nutcracker. DCK is committed to reaching into the Kenyan community to find talented students, irrespective of their ability to pay for training, and its sponsorship program has already affected the lives of many future dancers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Oliver is a show that will inspire all of us to dream bigger and believe that absolutely anything is possible. Don’t miss this exciting performance! Tickets are available for purchase at the DCK studios or online.

For more information, please contact Dance Centre Kenya at info@dancecentre.co.ke or visit their website at www.dancecentre.co.ke

Farmer’s party has reviewed the finance bill as presented to parliament on 04^th May 2023 the party has noted that the bill proposes amendments to the country’s tax alongside proposed changes to other acts.

The party says that it has appreciated the bill as it sets an agenda geared towards economic turnarounds and inclusive growth with the aim of increasing investments in at least five sectors with agricultural transformation.

The party has stated that the expected implementation of the interventions will stimulate the economy with a projected 6.1% GDP growth against the estimated 2022 GDP growth of 5.5%.

Farmers party still decries the paltry 1.39% allocation to agriculture in the current budget against the Maputo declaration where Kenya is a signatory requiring a minimum allocation of 10% to agriculture.

Party Leader, Irungu Nyakera has said that the proposed reclassification from zero to exempt will have significant impacts on the agriculture sector and the overall economy saying that it will increase the cost of production for the suppliers passing the cost of farmers, which will ultimately lead to an increase in the cost of food.

In the subsidized fertilizer program any input VAT incurred in supplying the fertilizer will become a cost to entities supplying to the government.

Higher farm input costs including fertilizer would be a setback for the government fighting a myriad of challenges around food and nutritional security including a spike in inflation and the effects of a raging drought, which had gripped the country for most of the past two years.

Further Nyakera says that suppliers will not be able to claim input VAT, VAT levied on farming inputs hence manufacturers will be forced to absorb or pass on the cost of unrecovered input in taxes of farmers which will worsen Kenya’s position as the most expensive nation for farmers in the region.

The Bill changes the status of the supply of maize flour, wheat or meslin flour, and maize flour containing cassava flour by more than 10 percent in weight from exempt to standard rated.

Nyakera says that purposely they submitted the request that the agricultural items that have been moved from Zero rated to exempt or from exempt to standard-rated taxation be reverted to their current status.

Hon Irungu Nyakera believes the tax loss from the proposal would be recovered by reversing some proposals such as VAT exemptions for people buying helicopters and light aircraft, among other benefits that go to wealthy Kenyans at the expense of the average mwanachi.

The proposal will allow farming to remain competitive and maximize the high costs that farmers will otherwise have to bear.