In September in Kenya’s remote Narok County, 150 kilometres west of Nairobi, authorities noticed a dramatic surge in wheat purchases. Separately, at a car dealership in the bustling capital, a man purchased a luxury car worth Dh272,000 in cash. What unites these two disparate transactions is the payment method: stacks of now defunct 1,000 shilling notes. Because on October 1, on orders from the central bank, Kenya’s largest note became worthless.
In July, authorities announced that all 217 million 1,000 shilling (Dh35) notes in circulation had to be returned and exchanged for new ones. The so-called demonetisation was designed to tackle corruption and flush out millions of shillings held overseas, under mattresses and in bunkers by corrupt officials, criminals, tax evaders and shady businessmen, bringing the cash back into the formal economy.
The policy has, for the most part, done its job. Some 96 per cent of old notes have been exchanged for new legal tender, causing far less economic and social disruption than similar drives past in India and Nigeria. And yet the policy has not nearly stamped out corruption in Kenya. Rather, with a four-month grace period to swap their notes, some Kenyans found new and innovative ways to bank their illegitimate fortunes.
Nothing constrains development in sub-Saharan Africa quite like corruption. Even in east Africa, which encompasses war-ravaged Somalia and fiercely authoritarian Eritrea, graft is the biggest hindrance to growth. Successive leaders have promised to untangle the complex webs of kickbacks in resource-rich African nations, which have emerged almost across the board following independence from colonial powers. Almost all have failed.
One of the most recent anti-corruption warriors was Uhuru Kenyatta, president of Kenya and the son of its first leader. With its large, young population, port city of Mombassa, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant capital, Kenya is establishing itself as a regional investment hub. With the exception of terrorist attacks, including the January Al Shabab attack in Nairobi that killed 21 people, Kenya is mostly free of conflict. Already, it is a hub for east Africa-focused aid organisations and journalists and boasts some of the continent's most luxurious hotels.
Yet there has long been a thriving underground economy in Kenya. According to Transparency International – which ranks Kenya 144th out of 180 in its list of most corrupt nations – 67 per cent of Kenyans think corruption has increased over the past 12 months. Most damning, perhaps, seven in 10 think the government is doing a bad job in tackling it.
It should come as little surprise. In July, Kenya’s sitting finance minister, Henry Rotich, was arrested on corruption charges relating to a $610 million hydroelectric dam project, alongside his number two at the treasury.
Six years since Mr Kenyatta entered office promising to rid the country of graft, scant progress has been made.
The demonetisation drive is widely viewed in Kenya as a direct response to that criticism. “You don’t wait until the house is burning before you use the fire extinguisher,” said the softly-spoken central bank governor Patrick Njoroge, reflecting the severity of the problem as he announced the plan.
Between June 1 and September 30, anyone holding 1,000 shilling notes could exchange them for new legal tender. Anyone depositing more than one million shillings had to submit detailed paperwork, while deposits exceeding five million shillings required people to deal directly with the central bank. Most Kenyans simply swapped their bills at high street banks. The Kenya Revenue Authority, meanwhile, waited in the wings to pounce on those with unexplained wealth.
In the four-month period, there were no arrests. Of those converting notes, 99 per cent were holding less than one million shillings. As Mr Njoroge put it, “There are not too many people with too much money.” That might sound encouraging but it is not. With plenty of time to offload of their cash, people appear to have found ways to break up their fortunes and launder small amounts, avoiding detection all the while.
Sports cars and wheat are the tip of the iceberg. According to Agence France-Presse, some small businesses in Nairobi began cleaning other people’s money through their tills, for a cut. Meanwhile, within weeks the new notes were targeted by crooks. In July, three people were arrested with 100,000 shillings worth of forged notes. Two months later, a group of crooks, among them a Nigerian and a Congolese, were arrested in the small city of Yatta, 122km from Nairobi, with fake bills.
To be truly successful, demonetisation needs the support of the wider population. But the new notes sparked a backlash, because the design features a statue of Mr Kenyatta’s father, Jomo, despite Kenya’s 2010 constitution stipulating that coins and notes should not feature portraits.
Read More from Charlie Mitchell
To be clear, Kenya’s demonetisation was well-managed. It did not create an economic shock or send inflation rocketing. Billions of shillings are now back in circulation. Some of the now-worthless $74 million that was not returned will have been in the hands of corrupt officials and criminal groups – many of them in other east African nations, where the 1,000 shilling bill is used like the US dollar to sidestep local currency fluctuations. Some of the notes, meanwhile, will have been held for sentimental value, or by those in rural areas. Importantly, the targeted demonetisation did not hit the poorest hardest.
The same cannot be said for India, which in 2016 declared 500 and 1000 rupee notes void overnight, causing immeasurable disruption. Unlike Kenyans, with their four-month grace period, millions of Indians were forced to queue for hours to swap their notes at overburdened and cash-short banks.
In 1984, Nigeria introduced a new currency and scrapped old notes, under then military ruler – now democratically-elected president – Muhammadu Buhari. Back then, it caused chaos in the streets and mass inflation, which eventually crashed Nigeria’s debt-ridden economy. Two years earlier, Ghana had ditched its 50 cedi note, birthing a booming black market for US dollars, as Ghanaians lost faith in their own currency. Many, fearing reprisals, burned their cash, reducing the supply of cedis in the economy.
Clearly Kenya has learned from the experiences of other nations that dabbled in demonetisation. Unlike in India, Kenya’s policy did not create hysteria. Unlike in Nigeria, the macroeconomic shock has been negligible. But above all, this ambitious project has simply demonstrated how deep the rot of corruption goes in east Africa’s economic powerhouse.
Because the will of authorities to crack down on embezzlement has been matched – if not eclipsed – by the determination of a contingent of crooks and thieves to retain their ill-gotten gains.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
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Spider-Man%202
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Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
BMW%20M4%20Competition
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