Human Rights Committee raises concerns about past and upcoming elections in dialogue with Kenya
Format
Gender-based Discrimination, Anti-corruption Measures Also Among Issues Broached
The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the fourth report of Kenya on measures taken to implement the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Committee Experts inquired about measures taken to address the gaps in laws and practices governing elections, particularly the concerns highlighted by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights in its report on the 2017 elections. Had any steps been taken to address the misuse of public office by bribery and inducements, campaigns within and around polling centres, undue influence being exercised on voters, and logistical problems? The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights had meticulously documented allegations of excessive use of force by police officers against civilians both in the run-up to and aftermath of
Digital lending space ripe for firm regulation
Tuesday March 09 2021
Summary
Over time lending has become more sophisticated which led to the creation of banks which issue loans to borrowers at an interest.
The growth of the banking sector necessitated heavy regulation to protect and guide the sectors’ players and to balance risks and opportunities in loan transactions.
Modern day lending has moved away from the traditional mode where loans were mainly accessible through the banks to digital lending.
The concept of money lending has existed for millennia. Since the commencement of trade, human beings have, on occasion, found themselves on economically unequal situations where one cannot always afford to pay for what they need. It is for this reason that in early civilisations, farmers would borrow seeds and repay with grain after their fields yielded a harvest. They would also borrow livestock on the promise that it would be returned upon the arrival of a new calf.
THE STANDARD
FINANCIAL STANDARD
As information continues to become more easily available and accessible through various digital platforms, media outlets are increasingly controlling what is availed to major tech companies.
Last month, social network giant Facebook found itself in an international Public Relations nightmare after it blocked Australian users from sharing or viewing news content on the platform, including those offering Covid-19 updates and weather services.
Facebook was responding to a new law by the Australian government that compels tech giants such as Facebook and Google to pay Australian media outlets for news content on the platforms.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in so doing, Australia would become the first country to require Facebook and Google to pay for news content provided by media companies under a royalty-style system.
Australia sets the pace in taming tech firms, will Kenya follow suit? standardmedia.co.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from standardmedia.co.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
According to
Gadgets Africa, The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) believes both telcos failed to meet the minimum 80% threshold on quality of calls across 33 counties in 2020.
“Telkom Kenya scored an average mark of 73% while Airtel had 52% in the survey conducted last year. Meanwhile, Safaricom dominated with a 92% overall mark in the survey.”
In a recent report, the CA says that “as Airtel’s and Telkom’s performance did not meet the set target of 80 percent for voice services they were issued notices of non–compliance that require the firms to improve their quality of services in the country in compliance with the set threshold.”