Donors urge JK to ‘act wisely’ on cybercrime

President Jakaya Kikwete 

By Katare Mbashiru,The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

• The European Union and development partners add their voice to the Cybercrimes Act debate and urges President Jakaya Kikwete to listen to those who are opposed to the new law and decline to sign it.
• The EU call comes barely a day after Ikulu communications chief said the President would soon sign the Cybercrime Bill into law

Dar es Salaam.  The European Union yesterday joined the Cybercrimes Act debate and urged President Jakaya Kikwete to listen to those who are opposed to the new law and decline to sign it.

Speaking with The Citizen yesterday, EU Delegation Head Filiberto Sebregondi and Development Partners Chairperson Sinika Antila told the President to make “wise decisions”. They did not go into details.

No end in sight for Dart project

Section of the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit project infrastructure after completion at Manzese Tip Top in the city. The multi-million dollar project is marred with various challenges including vandalism which is threatening its timely completion. PHOTO | EMMANUEL HERMAN      

By Henry Mwangonde, The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

If that is to happen, they are required to work day and night despite all the challenges surrounding the multi-million dollar project. 

Dar es Salaam. One big question now hangs in the minds of authorities managing the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (Dart) project -- will they be able to complete it in time to allow President Jakaya Kikwete to launch it before he leaves office come end of October?

JK presides over Mbita’s send-off

President Jakaya Kikwete pays his last respects to Brig Gen Hashim Mbita at Lugalo Military Barracks in Dar es Salaam before his burial at Kisutu Cemetery in the city yesterday. Second left is First Lady Salma Kikwete.  PHOTO|VENANCE NESTORY 

By Bernard Lugongo, The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

A sombre mood engulfed Lugalo Military Barracks where the national send-off for Mbita was held before his burial at Kisutu Cemetery in the city.

Govt moves to save free-falling shilling

MPs Lorensia Bukwimba (left) and John Chiligati read their budget review speech handouts as they follow Finance minister Saada Mkuya’s presentation in Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO|ANTONY SIAME      

By Veneranda Sumila, The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

Finance Minister Saada Mkuya Salum said yesterday that the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has intervened in the foreign exchange market by issuing US dollars to commercial banks as a way of increasing the amount of the vehicle currency in circulation.

Donor dependence to be slashed to 8.4pc

“It’s important to target being independent in budget funding to avoid risks in implementing projects. Donor funds come with conditions and sometimes they are not reliable, a trend that disrupts our plans,” Ms Saada Mkuya Salum, Finance Minister      

By Alawi Masare, The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

Finance Minister Saada Mkuya Salum said yesterday that the government wants to strengthen revenue from domestic sources to avoid risks associated with condition-bound foreign aid.

Budget rises to Sh22.5tr

Finance Minister Saada Mkuya  

By Veneranda Sumila, The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

The amount, presented to Members of Parliament in the city, is Sh2.68 trillion more than the Sh19.8 trillion 2014/2015 budget that was approved in June last year.

What 60pc local content means for Kenyan music

Members of Elani Bryan Chweya (left) Maureen Kunga and Wambui Ngugi during the Nokia exclusive party at tree house on April 4, 2014. PHOTO| CHARLES KAMAU 

In Summary

• The Music Policy Bill is a very positive thing to Kenyan arts, if followed to the letter.
• The industry stakeholders are our Moses on Mt Sinai while the policy is like the commandments.
• Sticking with the analogy, the music consumers are like the Israelites, who got accustomed to Nigerian music and decided they would worship the Caros and Johnnys.

By GEORGE OMONDI
More by this Author

There have been stories doing the rounds on social media about a Kenya Music Policy draft Bill stipulating that  radio stations  “play 60  per cent  local music”. It led to a heated debate among Kenyans, with some saying that if the 60 per cent rule becomes law, it would be tantamount to forcing people to listen to Kenyan music.