Hundreds Kenyans protest: parliament panel urges govt to scrap some new taxes

NAIROBI, June 18 (Reuters) - A Kenyan parliamentary panel recommended on Tuesday that the government scrap some new taxes proposed as part of next year's budget, as hundreds of protesters angered by the measures took to the streets in the capital Nairobi.

The tax hikes, including new levies on cars and bread, are the latest effort by President William Ruto's administration to boost revenue and reduce borrowing, but they have triggered widespread opposition.

Last year, the government introduced a housing tax and increased contributions to the national health scheme in moves that also sparked protests.

Kimani Kuria, chair of the Kenyan parliament's finance committee, said the committee recommended amending the government's funding bill for the 2024/25 fiscal year to remove a new tax on car ownership, higher taxes on financial and mobile phone charges and the imposition of value-added tax on bread.

As he spoke, Reuters witnesses saw police fire teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters demonstrating near the parliament building.

"We can't even afford diapers for the kids anymore ... we need this government to do something," protester Muthoni Wanjiku told Reuters.

Human rights groups and the country's media council, which accredits journalists, accused police officers of using excessive force to stop the protests, including briefly detaining journalists covering them.

Amnesty Kenya said 201 people were arrested during Tuesday's demonstrations, including journalists, observers from human rights groups and protesters.

We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters and observers. We call on the (police) to uphold its duty to protect and respect the rights of Kenyan citizens to assemble peacefully," it said on its X account.

Adamson Bungei, Nairobi County Police Commander, did not answer phone calls seeking comment.

NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Storing Cooked Food in Refrigerators for More Than 3 Days

The Southern Post

News

By  Mike Peterson

1min. Reads

Published June 18, 2024

NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Storing Cooked Food in Refrigerators for More Than 3 Days

The Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Adeyeye, has issued a warning to Nigerians against storing cooked food in refrigerators for more than three days.

Adeyeye emphasized the potential risks associated with prolonged storage of cooked food, which can lead to contamination by disease-causing pathogens. This, in turn, can result in foodborne illnesses and even death.

The warning was made known in a statement released on Tuesday by the agency's Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola.

The 2024 World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7th with the theme "Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected," serves to raise awareness and advocate for measures to prevent, detect, and manage public health risks associated with unsafe food practices.

Adeyeye stressed the importance of a robust food safety culture throughout the food supply chain to effectively mitigate hazards and risks. She emphasized that food safety is not only essential for public health but also crucial for economic development and food security.

The statement further read, "She however, urged Nigerians to refrain from storing cooked food in the refrigerator for more than three days, warning that cooked food stored in the refrigerator for days is susceptible to contamination by disease-causing pathogens, key agents of foodborne diseases that can lead to death."

According to global health statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 600 million people worldwide fall ill each year due to consuming contaminated food, resulting in approximately 420,000 deaths annually. This widespread issue also imposes significant economic burdens, with an estimated $110 billion lost annually in productivity and medical expenses in low- and middle-income countries due to unsafe food practices.

Highlighting the collaborative efforts required to address food safety challenges, the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, emphasized the preventability of foodborne diseases through proper food handling and hygiene practices.

"Let's all play our part in promoting the culture of good hygiene practices in our homes, communities, and food establishments. Together, we can ensure a safer and healthier food supply for everyone," Edwards stated.