KRA FULL YEAR RX The FY 2020/2021 revenue target as re- fl ected in the 2021 Budget Policy State- YOUR ADVERTISIMENT NEEDS ment was Kshs. 1.652 Trillion which For any news you would wish us to publish, email us: [email protected] KRA surpassed with a surplus of Kshs. For Adverts & Sponsorship email us: [email protected] 16.808 Billion. Page 18 The Where Investors Get Returns MT. KENYA TIMES themtkenyatimes Monday, July 5, 2021 No. 00380 www.mtkenyatimes.co.ke mountkenyatimes Economy>>MUDAVADI CALLS FOR SUSPEN- SION OF THE FINANCE ACT, 2021 P. 8. Amani National Congress leader, Musalia Mudavadi has called on President Uhuru Ken- yatta to suspend the Finance Act I want to be the 2021 that came into eff ect on 1st July. President so that I can achieve my vision of transforming Kenya for the betterment of all Kenyans,” Muturi said. Motivation>> Look beyond their opinion to see what is good for you P. 12. What will other people say if their hear about my actions? Should I attend guidance and counselling sessions. Religious leaders pray for National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi at his Kanyuambora rural home in Embu County on July 3, 2021. STORY ON PAGE 9 Business>>Ecobank By: Kamande Muchiri front-runners to succeed President book on ascending to power, Raila Group named 2021 Uhuru Kenyatta after the high stake is the only formidable opponent and @mountkenyatimes 2022 general elections. has to be kept in check all the time. African SME Bank of ............................................................ The duo once sat in the Orange The former Prime Minister on (L-R) ODM leader the Year Raila Odinga & DP Deputy President William Ruto and Democratic Movement’s (ODM) Saturday directed his not so subtle William Ruto P. 16 The African SME Bank of the opposition leader Raila Odinga have Pentagon in the run-up to the infa- salvos at DP Ruto’s donations to Year award 2021 recognises the bank renewed their political rivalry. mous 2007 elections, later fell out. which has signifi cantly contributed STORY ON PAGE 13 to the development of theSME sector The two politicians are considered Pundits say, in DP Ruto’s strategy 2 | NATIONAL Monday, July 5, 2021 | The Mt. Kenya Times News >> He said the county government will provide farmers with new varieties of bananas that are good for export. GATUNDU IRRIGATION PROJECT TO CHANGE FARMERS’ LIVES By: Jane Njoki @mountkenyatimes ............................................................ The government has launched construction of a Sh111 irrigation project that will cover Gituamba, Chania and Mang’u wards in Kiambu County. The Kamwamba Irrigation project, which will cover 84 hectares, is expected to be a game changer that will benefit 4,000 households covering 11 villages in the three wards. It will involve channeling water through pipes from Githobokoni river into local farms and ensuring farmers grow bananas for both the local market and for export, among other crops. The project, funded by the national government and the World Bank and implemented by the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth project, will be completed by June next year. Kiambu Governor James Nyoro while commissioning the project, said focus will be on planting bananas as the area is favourable for their growth. He said in a couple of years, the Kiambu governor Dr. James Nyoro commissioning the project on Friday July 2,2021. Sub County will be a banana basket ................................................................................................................................................................................................. enough to feed several parts of the country and improve the living export. adding that they will train local importance of this project being a administration. standards of the residents. “We have a ready market for youth on banana trade. life changer. We have the funds to The four agendas included The governor said farmers will bananas, especially special varieties He added that they will be forced ensure it doesn’t collapse this time. affordable housing, manufacturing, also be encouraged to intercrop of South Korea. Our focus will be to to start banana value addition in In a few years, the Sub County will food security and universal to complement banana proceeds, provide farmers with high yielding order to earn better prices. be a food basket and locals will be healthcare. thereby giving the farmers better varieties. We have a big market The project had been started in earning huge from farming,” said The President had said that food income to drive out poverty in the locally and internationally,” said 2018, but collapsed due to a myriad Nyoro. security in the country would bring region. Nyoro. of challenges, but Nyoro said they President Uhuru Kenyatta in to an end the perennial food scarcity He said the county government The governor noted that the life have enough funds to complete the 2017 launched the Big Four Agenda in the country that for a long time will provide farmers with new changing project will benefit 11,000 project. that was aimed at steering the has been affecting Kenyans. varieties of bananas that are good for people indirectly through trade, “We cannot underscore the country’s economy under the Jubilee The Mt Kenya Times is a Kenyan Newspaper that provides a unified view of Kenyan news, entrepreneurship, events, opinions, analysis, and a historical background to current affairs in a way that is both creative and innovative. It is published by Exponential International Limited, a Private Limited Liability company incorporated in Kenya to provide Communications and Media services. Group Executive Chairman M. Danson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mwangi-1b47446b/ Our Contacts P. O. Box 101 675 - 00101 Nairobi, Cell: 0700 161 866, 0705 215 262 Editorial Desk: [email protected], Adverts: [email protected], News Desk: [email protected], Web: www.mtkenyatimes.co.ke Facebook: Mt. Kenya Times, Instagram: Mt. Kenya Times , Twitter: @mountkenyatimes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mt-kenya-times-a07999115/ Monday, July 5, 2021 | The Mt. Kenya Times 3 | AD News >> ........................... ................ ..... By: Alexander Stanley Nduati Pastor with Lifespring Chapel .............................................. ............... .......................................................................................................................................................................... ....................... Monday, July 5, 2021 | The Mt. Kenya Times 4 OPINION ARE UHURU ALLIES SCUTTLING RAILA COALITION TALKS? I have read the latest media reports that some of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s allies were opposed to the ongoing Jubilee-ODM merger talks. The change of tack comes in wake of the perceived rebellion against the President being staged by members of his Kikuyu community. By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga The Jubilee party had earlier [email protected] initiated separate talks with the .............................................. leadership of the former ruling party KANU and other affiliates of National Super Alliance [Nasa] coalition that culminated in signing of similar political pacts. During that period, the Kikuyus would not take on Uhuru head-on. For Raila, they perceive him as the Worth Noting: first among equals. This is where the fears emanate from. • His sentiments were The ‘revelations’ suggesting that plans were under way to form a immediately echoed by Jubilee-ODM alliance originated Odinga’s ally, Junet Mo- from Jubilee Secretary General hamed, and Tuju’s deputy Raphael Tuju. He said that a team Joshua Kutuny. The latter comprising five members from each stated: As Jubilee, we are in side has been set to spearhead the the process of convening a process. meeting that will bring to- His sentiments were immediately gether all the elected leaders, echoed by Odinga’s ally, Junet including MPs, Governors Mohamed, and Tuju’s deputy Joshua and MCAs. Kutuny. The latter stated: As Jubilee, we are in the process of convening a • This meeting will meeting that will bring together all take place immediately after the elected leaders, including MPs, the Kiambaa by-election. The Governors and MCAs. main agenda will be to dis- This meeting will take place cuss and ratify the proposal immediately after the Kiambaa by- to strengthen our ties with election. The main agenda will be ODM. This is by either form- to discuss and ratify the proposal President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM Leader Raila Odinga. ing a coalition, cooperation to strengthen our ties with ODM. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. or merging with the Orange This is by either forming a coalition, party. cooperation or merging with the would be. The President was yet and Gideon Moi candidatures. the time comes. Many Kenyans Orange party. • But two days later, to make up his mind. He has been Raila has done a lot for Kenya believe they would front the most But two days later, Kutuny made working closely with Raila and One in terms of furthering the cause Kutuny made an abrupt suitable candidate to face the DP at an abrupt U-turn, calling for caution. Kenya Alliance and his allies from of democracy and civil rights. the ballot. U-turn, calling for caution. For now, we are not planning to Mt Kenya, who were positioning However, we grew up while being For now, we are not plan- strike any