Kilimo General News

Tana River County receives first fully equipped land registry
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU)

I won’t tolerate corruption – Uganda’s new Agriculture Minister
The new Ugandan Agriculture Minister has vowed to deal with corruption as he took office.

Ethanol smuggler using maize arrested
Two traders have been intercepted while trying to smuggle 6200 litres of ethanol while concealed in maize and wheat bran bags. Stephen Njuguna Kironji, owner of goods and Kenneth Karanja Kimaku who was the driver of a motor vehicle registration number KCG 865K. The driver was arrested on 13th June 2021 in Kinangop area along Nakuru Nairobi Highway and the owner was arrested at Mugumu Police Station where the vehicle was detained. The customs duty of the goods is Kshs 2,571,924. The 30 drums of ethanol were concealed inside their Isuzu lorry using 46 bags of maize and 37 bags of wheat bran which were neatly arranged at the rear and side doors. Before their arrest, the two failed to produce importation documents, a licence or registration by KRA, and which are a requirement to import excisable goods such as ethanol. The suspects were charged with three counts relating to tax evasion on Tuesday 15th June 2021 before Engineers Law Court Resident Magistrate Hon Rawlings Musiega. They faced charges of; fraudulent evasion of payment of duty, importation of Excisable goods without a licence or being registered and that of conveying uncustomed goods. The charges are offences under various sections of the East African Community and Customs Management Act 2004, the Excise Duty Act No 23 of 2015 and Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System Regulations 2017. They denied the charges and were released on a bond of Kshs 300,000 and a surety or a cash bail of Ksh 150,000 each. In order to import excisable goods such as ethanol into Kenya, importers are required to pay customs duty for the

Opinion: Kenya is hurtling towards starvation on agricultural policy set by non-experts
By Okisegere Ojepat, CEO Fresh Produce Consortium Kenya It is hard to remember any decision

Veterinary training in Nakuru
Nakuru County is hosting the first cohort of 25 veterinary officers for a months training

A cup of tea… or cha?
Did you know that most of the world uses the same two words for tea?
Rice trader loses appeal
The Tax Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) has dismissed an Appeal filed by Jhulay LAL Commodities Ltd on grounds that the firm had failed to prove that Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) assessment was excessive.Jhulay LAL’s principal activity is the wholesale and retail sale of rice sourced from Pakistan. Jhulay LAL Commodities Ltd appealed the decision of KRA contesting that the entire tax of Kshs. 1,456,433,604.00 demanded. The main grounds of the appeal was that the Commissioner determined the taxable income on the basis of its gross bankings against the basic accounting principles and tax law.KRA successfully argued that it made the assessment after an investigation revealed several irregularities including unexplained bank deposits and that the sales of the rice exceeded the amounts imported.The Tribunal reviewed the evidence as presented by both parties and held that KRA exercised its powers judiciously to make the decision based on the material before it. The Tribunal held that the Jhulay LAL Commodities Ltd failed to prove that the assessment was excessive and dismissed the appeal.

Global demand for tea increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
Global demand for tea has seen a remarkable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a

Opinion- Europe taking on the world to lockout agriculture
By Eric Kimunguyi In the months surrounding the birth of our own republic, from 1961

Partnering to educate farmers on soil testing
Soil testing is an important process for farmers who are serious about getting returns from

Farmers begin trading maize on Electronic Receipt System
Maize farmers from Tuiyotich KCEP – CBO in Mauche Ward, Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County become

For this Karatina couple, agriculture is a solution to their bakery venture
By Kimuri Mwangi People venture into agriculture due to various reasons. Some out of passion,

Traders charged with smuggling 350 bags of maize into Kenya
Three businessmen have been charged before Busia Law courts Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. Phoebe Kulecho with counts relating to smuggling of 350 bags of maize worth Kshs 800,000 in taxes. Joseph Kiprono and Mugisha Moses were charged both jointly while Issa Abuneri Ingati separately faced similar charges of being in possession of uncustomed goods contrary to section 200(d)iii as read with section 210 and 211 of the EACCMA,2004 and that of conveying uncustomed goods contrary to section 199 (b) as read with section 199(c|) EACCMA,2004. Joseph and Mugisha were intercepted by Adungosi Police Station Officers while transporting 200 bags of uncustomed maize worth Kshs 460,000 in taxes on 9th March this year at Among’ura- Amaase Murram road Teso South within Busia County. The accused persons denied the offences and were each released on bond of Kshs 200,000 or bail of Kshs 100,000. Their case will be heard on 6th May 2021 and mention on the 25th March 2021.

Cereal Millers Association raise a concern about aflatoxin
The Cereal Millers Association (CMA) in Kenya has raised concern on the increase in the

Rice farmers in Uganda praised
Rice farmers in Bugiri and Bugweri districts in Uganda have been praised for living up

Uganda develops new kiln for the fishing industry
Scientists at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in Uganda have come up with a

DCI nets stolen Kenya Seeds Company maize seeds worth over Kshs. 7 million
Detectives from the Serious Crimes Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) yesterday recovered

Tea prices dip 13% as high volumes persist
Average tea prices for factories managed by Kenya Tea Development Agency have dropped by 13.3%

Making a case for migrants’ originating households in Malawi
According to research, migration for employment is a key feature of youth mobility in certain

KPLC under fire after giraffes are electrocuted
Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) faced the wrath of Kenyans on social media after

Oceans and climate change: it’s time to talk
Oceans are an essential part of our planet. They provide us with food to eat

GIZ donates motor vehicle and equipment to Turkana County
Turkana County Government has received a motor-vehicle donated by the GIZ organization. Also donated were

Government investing in fishing
Agriculture CS Peter Munya has said that the Government has invested in Bandari Maritime Academy

WFP cuts refugees’ food rations in Rwanda as funding declines
The World Food Programme (WFP) announced it would reduce food assistance to refugees in Rwanda

Illegal milk importers warned
Agriculture CS Hon Peter Munya has put on notice unscrupulous traders who are illegally importing

Nakuru setting up a Kshs. 2M zero grazing demo unit
The County Government of Nakury in partnership with AgriFi is setting up a modern 10-unit

FAO donates vaccines
Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) of Livestock and fisheries Madam Linah Jebii Kilimo officiated the handing

Food prices rise sharply in January
Global food prices rose in January for the eighth consecutive month, led by cereals, vegetable

New Zealand contributes NZD 6.8 million to facilitate market linkages for smallholder farmers in Rwanda
The Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA) has welcomed the Government of New Zealand as a

UN report shows climate litigation on the rise
Climate litigation cases have spiked in recent years, making the courtroom increasingly relevant to efforts