As President Ruto digs in on finance bill, protesters say there’s no turning back
President Ruto and members of the ruling Kwanza coalition say the matter of the finance bill is done. Ordinary Kenyans are just getting started. On Thursday, a lethal police response failed to break the resolve of OccupyParliament protests in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. Thousands of Kenyans walked between rows of buildings on Kenyatta Avenue, chanting anti-government slogans. “Be gentle on our pockets,” said one person’s placard. “The fear is gone! Clouds are gathering,” read another. From the ribald to the stern, their state of mind is on these signs. They’re demanding the rejection of the 2024 Finance bill, braving police tear gas and water cannons. Despite the large turnout and the tide of public opinion, the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition insists the new taxes will secure the country’s future. Their votes ensured the bill sailed through a second reading. “The matter of the finance bill is now over,” said Moses Wetangula, the speaker of Parliament, to other MPs. But Kenyans whose lives will be affected by those taxes disagree. “It won’t be business as usual. This time we will refuse to be slaves,” said Purity Kahumbi, a 26-year-old nursing graduate. She was passing around water to help other protesters wash tear gas. For her, this protest goes beyond the controversial bill. It’s a political awakening for a generation ignored by the ruling class. The involvement of young Kenyans, some as young as 14 has led to one publication branding the protests a “Gen Z March.” “We can do this for 365 days until they (MPs) learn to respect the people who sent them to parliament,” Kahumbi said. Police water canons block road leading to Kenya’s Parliament. PHOTO | TECHCABAL True to form, the protest will continue Tuesday, June 25 despite attempts from the police to break up the demonstrations. Instead of capitulating, more Kenyans from 17 regions are joining the wave. “I know the people here are more than the government expected. It’s because the finance bill affects all of us. The politicians and their families have all these nice things provided to them by the government: luxury cars, houses, and health insurance. For us, we have to work hard to survive,” said Inea Odhiambo, a 28-year-old insurance agent who lost his job in April. It’s playing out quicker than anyone could have predicted and what started as anger on popular social media platforms, X and TikTok, is morphing into calls for a revolt. Some say the President Ruto government is trivialising a serious political struggle. Next milestone ni Gen Z organising themselves and voting as a block. Watakuja kwa table na some strategic party kama Zuma. This week could be a turning point in our political landscape. Funny thing is very thick MPs still think these kids are joking & it is business as usual! — Mohamed Wehliye, MBS (@WehliyeMohamed) June 21, 2024 “If our elected leaders can’t represent us, we’ll represent ourselves. There’s no turning back. We can’t afford to sit back when a lot is at stake,” Kahumbi said. For Stephen Kimanzi, a 22-year-old IT graduate, the events of the past two months have been an eye-opener. “Sitting and doing nothing is like staying in a crumbling house expecting someone else to rescue you. There are no jobs, and yet Ruto is overtaxing us,” he said. Several people who spoke to TechCabal insist the government is overburdening them while they struggle to put food on the table. The government is unmoved. Ruto’s administration wants to raise $2.7 billion from the new taxes. It has put the government on a collision course with a young, educated but unemployed youth. OccupyParliament protesters on Nairobi’s Kenyatta Avenue. PHOTO | TECHCABAL President Ruto promised on the campaign trail in 2022 that he would reduce the tax burden on millions of Kenyans. The protesters argue that he has not kept the promise, and has doubled their tax burden. Despite introducing new taxes passed in 2023, the government missed its revenue targets by about $2.3 billion (KES300 billion). “My father is a potato farmer. He has been complaining how the new tax demands like e-tims and brokers have made business difficult for him,” Kimanzi said while ducking for safety from an incoming tear gas canister. “Do you expect me to sit back when people are out fighting for a better future?” he posed. Members of Parliament argue that some of the proposed taxes including a VAT on bread, a wealth tax on car owners, and excise duty on edible oil, have been scrapped. A plan to give the Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) unfettered access to people’s mobile money and banking details without a court warrant has also been paused. But only a complete stop to the bill will satisfy protesters The protests will resume next week on Tuesday when the bill is scheduled for a third reading. If it passes, it will be sent to the president for assent and become law. The protesters believe next week will rally more people as those who have been wishy-washy about the issue join. “I think from here it can only grow bigger. We know what we want. We are going for it,” Odhiambo said.
Read MoreUS lawmakers visit detained Binance executive in Kuje prison
Two US lawmakers, French Hill and Chrissy Houhalan have called for the immediate release of detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan after visiting him in Kuje prison on Wednesday, demanding that all charges against him be dropped. Gambaryan, a US citizen who has been detained since February, is facing charges of money laundering, and engaging in unlicensed financial activities. Last week, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) dropped the tax evasion charges brought against Gambaryan and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla who escaped detention in March, making Binance the sole defendant. “We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, he’s being denied access to adequate medical attention,” Hill wrote on X. The call for the release of the American citizen heightens political pressure surrounding his trial in Nigeria. Sixteen American lawmakers accused Nigerian authorities of holding the American citizen hostage. On June 6, Axios reported that a group of former prosecutors and federal agents in the US wrote to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, urging him to “step up” efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release. Although the tax evasion charges have been dropped and Binance made the sole defendant, Gambaryan will remain in custody as the money laundering charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are still pending, with a court ruling on the matter yet to be delivered. Through his lawyers, the Binance executive has petitioned an Abuja Federal High Court to order the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay compensation costs for his prolonged detention in the country. “It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and let my innocent husband go,” Gambaryan’s wife, Yuri was quoted to have said by her spokesperson.
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New Google Pixel camera update 2024
Google has rolled out the Pixel Camera v9.4 update. This update delivers several significant enhancements to devices such as the Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Fold. Here, we outline key features and improvements brought by this update. You can expect a clear understanding of what to envisage from the latest Google Pixel update. Key features of Pixel camera 9.4. update. 1. Pro Lens selection One of the standout features of the Google Pixel update 2024 is the Pro Lens selection. This allows users to manually choose between Ultra-Wide (UW), Wide (W), and Telephoto (T) lenses on their latest Pixel devices. The new lens selection gives users greater control and clarity over photo captures. This feature can be accessed within the “Pro” tab, now conveniently located next to the “General” tab in the camera interface. 2. Improved HDR+ Frame selection The update also improves HDR+ by enhancing the frame selection process. This feature now automatically selects the best frame from a burst of photos. As such, the final image captures the best possible moments, such as subjects with open eyes and genuine smiles. This enhancement aims to improve the overall quality and appeal of photos taken with the Pixel camera. 3. Changes to RAW/JPEG picker Another significant change in the Google Pixel update 2024 is the integration of RAW/JPEG photo settings into the Pro tab under Settings > Advanced. This update makes it simpler for users to switch between photo formats. However, it is noteworthy that this update does not include resolution preferences available in previous Pixel models. Availability of the Google Pixel camera update The new Pixel Camera v9.4.103.641377609.23 update is being gradually rolled out through the Play Store. Users may only experience the new features after the update being available. Full access to the enhancements this Google Pixel update brings may require the June Pixel Feature Drop or additional server-side updates from Google. Final thoughts on the new Google Pixel camera update 2024 The Google Pixel update 2024 for the Pixel Camera v9.4 brings several noteworthy features and improvements that enhance the user experience. With the addition of Pro Lens selection, improved HDR+ frame selection, and streamlined RAW/JPEG settings, this update is poised to deliver more control and better photo quality for Pixel users. However, users will need to stay patient as the full suite of features might take some time to be fully accessible due to staggered rollouts and necessary feature drops.
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Code to share data on Airtel 2024
Airtel’s data sharing feature comes in handy when you need to share data with another Airtel user. Here’s how you can use USSD code to share data to help out your fellow Airtel users in 2024. Steps to sharing data with Airtel Me2U Follow the next steps to share your Airtel data with friends and family, using the USSD code and prompts as follows: Step 1: Dial code to share data on Airtel Start by dialing the *312# code to transfer Airtel data on your phone. This will open Airtel’s self-service menu. Step 2: Navigate the menu after dialling code to share data on Airtel Look for the “Gift” or “Share Data” option in the menu. If you don’t see it immediately, keep selecting “Next” until you find the right section. Step 3: Select data Me2U In the “Share Data” section, choose “Data Me2U.” This is the feature that allows you to transfer data to another Airtel subscriber. You may be asked to enter your old PIN and maybe create a new one. Your default PIN should be 1234, but you can change it later. Step 4: Choose your data sharing option You can either share data from your existing bundle or transfer a specific amount. Select the option that works best for you. Step 5: Enter the recipient’s number Input the Airtel number of the person you want to share your data with. Double-check the number to ensure it’s correct. Step 6: Specify the data amount Decide how much data you want to share. To avoid any issues, be mindful of Airtel’s data transfer limits. Step 7: Confirm with your transfer PIN To finalize the transfer, you’ll need your Airtel transfer PIN. The default PIN is 1234, but it’s wise to change it for security reasons. You can manage your PIN by dialling *321#. Step 8: Complete the transfer Once you’ve entered the correct PIN, the data transfer will go through. Your friend will receive a notification, confirming the data has been shared. Final thoughts on code to share data on Airtel 2024 With the USSD code to transfer Airtel data, sending data to other Airtel users is simple and efficient just like on other networks like MTN.
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👨🏿🚀TechCabal Daily – Anonymous joins Kenya’s fight
In partnership with Share this newsletter: Lire en Français اقرأ هذا باللغة العربية TGIF, really, TGIF Zone in partnership with TechCabal Insights has released the first edition of the Nigeria Payments Report The report gives a deep dive into Nigeria’s payment industry and offers: A comprehensive analysis of the evolution of payments in Nigeria An overview of key trends that have defined the current state of Nigeria’s payment ecosystem, and An examination of the challenges faced with digital payments. To learn more about Nigeria’s payment sector, download the report here. In today’s edition Kenya’s Finance Bill passes second reading despite protests Hacktivists Anonymous joins Kenya’s fight Ilya Sutskever, who tried to oust Sam Altman, launches new AI startup Funding tracker The World Wide Web3 Job openings Regulations Kenya’s Finance Bill passes second reading despite protests Kenyans are facing a tough choice: shrinking wallets or even heavier tax burdens. The proposed Finance Bill 2024, currently debated in Parliament, has sparked outrage with its plan to raise taxes on essential goods and services. Hundreds of young Kenyans, under the banner “OccupyParliament,” have taken to the streets, their placards and signs a stark contrast to the government’s seeming indifference. President William Ruto’s administration is pushing for the bill’s passage, aiming to raise KES 3.9 trillion ($23 billion) to finance government projects. However, citizens, stakeholders, and organisations vehemently oppose the bill. Why the controversy? The bill proposes a value-added tax (VAT) on bread, a staple food for many Kenyans. It also includes a 25% excise duty on vegetable oils, a 2.5% motor circulation tax, and a 5% increase in excise duty on financial transactions like bank transfers and mobile money payments, crucial tools in Kenya’s digital economy. Additionally, the bill grants the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) sweeping powers to enforce tax collection, including access to citizens’ bank and mobile money accounts. Facing the protest: The “OccupyParliament” movement has seen determined protestors occupy streets, forcing police to resort to water cannons and tear gas for dispersal. The lack of central leadership among the protestors has made it difficult for authorities to negotiate. Facing mounting pressure, the government has conceded on some controversial aspects. The proposed VAT on bread, taxes on mobile money transfers, bank charges, car ownership, and cooking oil have been removed. However, Kenyans are calling for the bill’s complete rejection, fearing a domino effect leading to higher prices across the board on top of existing inflation. The Bill’s future: Despite protests, petitions, and opposition from various groups, the bill passed its second reading with 204 votes in favour and 115 against. It now faces committee review, a third reading, and finally, presidential assent to become law. OccupyParliament protestors remain resolute, maintaining that the bill will further cripple purchasing power and worsen poverty in Kenya. As of June 20th, the stand-off continues with police using force to disperse protestors and journalists in Nairobi. The protesters are also receiving some help from a hacktivist group—more on that in the next blurb. Process payments smoothly with Moniepoint And we’ll have processed almost 5,000 more by the time you’re done reading this. Your business payments can be one of them. Click here to sign up. Cybercrime? Anonymous threatens to expose Kenyan officials over 2024 Finance Bill Africa has seen its fair share of attention from the global hacktivist group Anonymous. Last year alone, the group set its sights on Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Tunisia where it launched cyberattacks against several companies. Now, the hacktivist group is Kenya for some civil justice—fighting the Kenyan Finance Bill. Just before protests erupted in major cities, a leak exposed the phone numbers of Kenyan government officials. Anonymous, known for its Guy Fawkes mask and online activism, capitalised on this development. In a 57-second video, the group threatened to expose “corrupt deals involving members of parliament” if the 2024 Finance Bill passes. This echoes the public outcry against the bill’s proposed tax hikes. Anonymous expressed solidarity with the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, further demonstrating their global reach. Their message is clear: reject the bill or face the consequences. “There will be an uprising of hackers… Your secrets may no longer be safe,” warns a masked figure in the video, circulating widely online. Anonymous is known for launching digital attacks like DDoS campaigns, overwhelming government websites with traffic and rendering them inaccessible. As Kenyan youth continue their protests and the bill nears its third reading on June 25th, the world watches with bated breath. Will the government cave to public pressure and protestors, or will Anonymous make good on their threat? Issue USD and Euro accounts with Fincra Create and manage USD & Euro accounts from anywhere. Fincra allows you to issue accounts to your users, partners & customers to collect payments without the stress of setting up and operating a local account. Get started today. Big Tech Ilya Sutskever, who tried to oust Sam Altman, launches new AI startup In November we were treated to an episode of drama at the world’s largest AI company, OpenAI, when Ilya Sutskever, the company’s Co-founder tried to oust CEO Sam Altman. Sutskever, who was responsible for some of the biggest breakthrough research at OpenAI, argued that Altman was moving swiftly to commercialise OpenAI at the expense of potential safety concerns. After a round of voting on whether or not Altman should remain with the company, Sutskever, alongside the board fired him around. Altman’s departure led to revolt within the company leading to many high profile resignations. While the battle ended with Altman returning as CEO of the ChatGPT maker, and Sutskever leaving the company, Sutskever is finally getting to do things his own the safe way. On Wednesday, Sutskever announced that he was launching a new AI company, Safe Superintelligence (SSI) which would develop safe and responsible AI systems. “We plan to advance capabilities as fast as possible while making sure our safety always remains ahead,” Sutskever wrote announcing the company’s launch. Sutskever launched the startup with former OpenAI researcher, Daniel Levy and startup
Read MoreParis-based Breega is the latest European VC to close an Africa-focused fund
Two years after its launch, Africa Seed I, the Africa-focused fund of Paris-based VC firm, Breega has reached first close with $50 million in funding secured. The fund which aims to raise $75 million is led by Tosin Faniro-Dada, former CEO of Endeavor, and Melvyn Lubega, the founder of edtech unicorn, Go1. The fund received backing from institutions like Bpifrance and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank. Breega plans to invest between $100,000 and $2 million in at least 40 across Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and the DRC. Breega, self-described as one of the fastest-growing VC firms in Europe, joins TLcom Capital and Partech—major European VC firms—that closed their Africa-focused funds this year. This signals continued VC interest in Africa’s tech ecosystem despite increased investor cautiousness as indicated in the 36% decline in VC funding in 2023. Africa Seed I wants to lead pre-seed and seed rounds in the continent’s agritech, edtech, health tech, fintech, logistics, mobility, energy, and climate tech sectors but also promises to support potential portfolio companies in other ways. “Our goal is to be the investors we wished we had while building our businesses,” Lubega said in an interview. The VC has previously backed nine African startups: Numida, Klasha, Socium, Coachbit Kwara, Sava, and Hohm Energy—its most recent investment. The firm also recently opened offices in Lagos and Cape Town.
Read More2024 Finance Bill passes second reading despite OccupyParliament protests
Kenya’s parliament has voted for the controversial Finance Bill 2024 to enter the committee stage despite spirited demonstrations by OccupyParliament protesters, civil society groups, and opposition lawmakers. 204 MPs voted yes to the bill, while 115 voted no. The bill will now move to the committee stage and a third reading. If it passes the third reading, it will be sent to President William Ruto for assent. Majority of MPs from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and a few from the opposition Azimio coalition voted for the bill, approving the tax hikes that the national treasury argues the country badly needs. The government claims those taxes will help raise an extra KES 346 billion to pay the country’s debt and fund development projects. “Honorable members, the matter of the financial bill is now over. The House will reconvene on Tuesday morning to proceed with further business,” said the speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula. Protestors who blocked major roads in Nairobi maintained that the new finance bill will push more Kenyans into poverty, especially coming at a time when many are struggling with high cost of living. “I think Ruto is gambling with our future. This bill is meant to collect money for a few people in government to loot, when out here we can barely make ends meet. We want our MPs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a solution,” said Edna Matiri, a 21-year-old tourism and hospitality student in Nairobi. On Monday, the national assembly’s finance committee scrapped some taxes, including VAT on bread, excise duty on mobile money and banking fees, motor vehicle tax, and levies on edible oil, but Kenyans demanded that parliament reject the whole bill. Protests against the new taxes spilled to other major towns and cities, including Ruto’s hometown of Eldoret, as Kenyans stepped up pressure on lawmakers to reject the bill.
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eClat, Interswitch’s health subsidiary, snags second government partnership in one year
eClat, the health-tech subsidiary of Nigerian payment giant Interswitch, has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Health to launch a cloud-based platform, Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), that will manage and transmit data for all state-owned healthcare facilities. This is the second government partnership eClat has secured in about a year. The Lagos state government believes the platform will improve the efficiency of the state’s health ministry and resources. “When the data are in one place, we can then use that data and collect trends on the health-seeking behaviour of Lagosians,” Akin Abayomi, the health commissioner, said on June 18, during the signing of the concession between the Office of Public Private Partnership and the Digital Health Platform Limited (a special purpose vehicle) entailing the state’s Ministry of Health, Interswitch and eClat). Image source: Interswitch This partnership will digitise the paper-based data management and sharing system of all the state-owned hospitals and consequently put a significant amount of data from Nigeria’s most populous city, in the control of eClat. General hospitals in Lagos alone generate data from over 7 million persons, according to Abayomi. The state’s over 256 public healthcare centres generate and manage a significant amount too. This is eClat’s second government partnership since Interswitch acquired it to expand its payment services in the healthcare sector. In May 2023, the health tech partnered with the Ogun State government and launched eClat’s core service, eClinic to digitise data management at one of the state’s teaching hospitals. The long-term goal, for eClat, is to create an “API-enabled digital platform that allows all health ecosystem platforms to collaborate and securely share data,” a spokesperson told TechCabal. The partnership, which will facilitate digital bill payment for those hospitals, is a direct positive for Interswitch’s payment business. The payment giant told TechCabal that it validates the reasoning for Interswitch’s 2019 acquisition of eClat which is to “position the Interswitch group as a health-tech solution and payments provider of choice to the healthcare industry.” Climate tech startup, Downforce Technologies raises $4.2 million to build soil fertility measurement tools for Africa Government partnerships of this nature are part of Interswitch’s overarching goal to increase the adoption of digital payment in Nigeria’s cash-dominated economy. “ There is tremendous value, financial and otherwise, locked up in sectors and areas where government is a key player, particularly in the aspects of healthcare, transportation, and other basic social services,” Mitchell Elegbe, founder and CEO of Interswitch, said at the concession signing event. Before its acquisition by Interswitch, eClat’s electronic health record platform was used in over 250 public and private healthcare facilities in Nigeria. The new government partnership will see that number increase significantly.
Read MoreClimate tech startup, Downforce Technologies raises $4.2 million to build soil fertility measurement tools for Africa
Downforce Technologies, a London-headquartered climate tech startup that provides farmers with technology tools to measure soil fertility, has raised $4.2 million to build new products focused on Africa and expand into new markets. The funding round was led by Equator VC, an African early-stage climate tech-focused venture firm. Tiverton Agriculture Impact Fund, Dragonfly Enviro Capital, Perivoli Innovations, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), whose investment is managed by Virescent Ventures, remain existing shareholders in the company. “This funding allows us to democratise access to the technology and empower a wider audience to make data-driven decisions for soil health and climate action,” the company’s CEO Professor Jacquie McGlade said in a statement. Launched in 2020, Downforce Technologies led by Professor Jacquie McGlade offers cost-effective remote sensing software that helps farmers measure soil health in record time. The company also provides tools for planning and executing verified carbon projects, collecting and reporting farm emissions data as well as implementing soil health improvement projects. Africa contributes only a small fraction of global food production. In 2021, total food exports in Africa was just over $60 billion while the U.S. exported $177 billion worth of food in the same year. While the continent has the capacity to produce more given its uncultivated arable land, the inability to measure its soil fertility also poses a great challenge. Measurements are usually expensive, time-consuming, and have a high risk for errors. Downforce Technologies is part of a growing group of climate tech startups—AgroCares, SoilSense, Regen Technologies, and EcoPeanut—offering various solutions for soil carbon measurement, farm management, and climate sustainability for African farmers. “Downforce has successfully introduced a compelling software platform which should act as a catalyst for increased investment in soil organic carbon globally, and particularly in Africa, to ensure food security, promote climate mitigation, and ensure resilience to climate change,” said Nijhad Jamal, Managing Partner at Equator.
Read MoreAnonymous threatens Kenyan officials ahead of vote over unpopular 2024 Finance Bill
One week after unknown persons leaked the phone numbers of Kenyan government officials online, hacker group Anonymous has threatened to expose “corrupt deals involving members of parliament (MPs)” if they vote to pass the 2024 Finance Bill on Thursday. Founded in 2003, Anonymous seeks “mass awareness and revolution against what the organization perceives as corrupt entities while attempting to maintain anonymity.” The group has been linked to Distributed Denial Of Service (DDoS) attacks on websites belonging to the Tunisian and Zimbabwean governments. “There is a chance that all these secrets will be exposed to show how corrupt and unjust members of parliament are, embezzling funds for personal gain,” Anonymous warned MPs on X. The 2024 Finance Bill, criticised for proposing tax hikes on commodities like bread and sanitary towels, is deeply unpopular. Many Kenyans, already struggling with a spike in living costs, say the new taxes will worsen their already difficult situation. While many of those complaints began online, it soon spilled to the streets as hundreds of Kenyans attempted to gain access to the Parliament in Nairobi. It brought to mind the 2023 protests over living costs. MPs who support the bill say the taxes that attracted public ire, including motor vehicle and eco-tax, have been removed. However, opposing lawmakers and the Anonymous Group want the Bill scrapped altogether. “We do not want you to amend the Finance Bill; we want you to reject it,” the group posted on X. On Tuesday, hundreds of young Kenyans led protests nationwide. Kenyans in other major cities like Kisumu, Mombasa, and Eldoret—one of President William Ruto’s strongholds—have joined the movement. Police have surrounded Nairobi’s parliament buildings, where the second round of #OccupyParliament protests are focused. The debate on the bill resumed Thursday morning. Amendments are due by the afternoon and must be voted on before Thursday evening. MPs will discuss and vote on amendments for the third reading on June 25.
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