James Odede

Cofounder, CTO @AquarechLtd | Founder @LakeHub | Building next gen of techies via @Zone01Kisumu | @Acumen & @WashFellowship Fellow

[James Odede @odedejames]

Milestone! We have closed our seed round @AquarechLtd

I want to thank our investors @AquaSparkImpact @Acumen @katapultimpact & MercycorpsVentures for believing in and supporting our vision of creating sustainable food systems in Africa

Proud of our team lead by @DaveOkechOkech

[Techpoint Africa @TechpointAfrica]

Kenyan fish farming platform Aquarech has raised $1.7 million in funding to build infrastructure to enable further vertical integration of its technology and hire more staff.
https://t.co/6lJ2caaIkh

[James Odede @odedejames]

Why would the world economy “collapse” because of disruption of 20% of oil supplies? How important is the 20%?

[James Odede @odedejames]

Mimi 50 Bob ilinishinda kumaliza without looking like Pablo Escobar. The suspicion I drew made me too uncomfortable. I had to come clean. 😂😂

[➀（ ͜.人 ͜.） @Za_Kimotho]

Tukiwa watoi kuna day niliiba 200 ya mzazi, nikashindwa kuimaliza ikabidi nimetupa hiyo change😂😂

[James Odede @odedejames]

Hiyo pesa KPC IPO could get finished next month subsidizing #Diesel #Petrol pump prices.

[James Odede @odedejames]

Tukona goons.

[Wa Mso @orscrz]

Kenya tuko na missile defense system?!

[QhalaHQ @QhalaHQ]

Across the continent, CTOs are balancing speed, scalability, and talent in fast-changing ecosystems with limited resources.

But, how do Africa’s tech leaders innovate under obvious limitations?

Join us on 4th December at the #CTOmixer as we explore how companies are:
1️⃣ Building scalable systems with lean teams
2️⃣ Balancing quick wins with long-term growth
3️⃣ Attracting and retaining top tech talent

All the good stuff! Register here to secure your spot ➡️ https://t.co/5P1KmJAZGX

#CTOMixer #TechLeadership #InnovationEcosystem

[James Odede @odedejames]

Featured in this year’s @business top 40 under 40 men. Grateful for the honor.

[BusinessDaily @BD_Africa]

🚨 THE WAIT IS OVER
The Top 40 Under 40 Men 2025 list is officially out.

Meet 40 men redefining leadership, innovation, business, policy, sports, and culture in Kenya.

Grab today’s Business Daily or read it online at https://t.co/Z5Yo8LbsUm
only KES 400 for 5 editions.

#BDTop40Under40Men2025
#Top40Under40

[QhalaHQ @QhalaHQ]

Bold ideas, shared challenges and fresh collaborations; that is what an evening of CTOs and digital innovators will look like when they join us for a mixer next month.

On Thursday, 4 December from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM EAT Qhala will host an an exclusive in-person mixer designed to spark meaningful connections and conversations among CTOs and senior tech professionals.

Come expecting to :
1⃣ Network with like-minded innovators and peers
2⃣ Exchange insights on the latest tech trends and challenges
3⃣ Discover collaborations and thought partnerships for the future

We have limited slots, register here to attend: https://t.co/5P1KmJAZGX

#CTOMixer #TechLeadership #InnovationEcosystem #CTO

[🇰🇪 Graham Ingokho @GrahamIngokho]

Zone01, #BuildWithAI, #BuildWithAT Podcast Featuring Dorcas https://t.co/4TDhH1tz4c

[LakeHub 🇰🇪 @LakeHub]

Good Morning Barcelona 🇪🇸. We’re thrilled to be here for #MozFest2025.

If you are in Barcelona, stop by “Zone F” (Chapel area) and say hello to @MissOwino. We’d love to meet fellow changemakers. You can also drop us a message here for easier coordination.

#MozillaFestival2025

[CPA Peter Ndirangu @pitandirangu]

Tax Policy Proposal: Amendment to the VAT Act to Align Time of Supply with Payment for Government Transactions to Allow for Payment-Based VAT

I have been reflecting on the practical challenges faced by contractors and suppliers working with government entities in Kenya.

Under the current VAT framework, tax becomes due at the time of invoicing, even where no cash has been received. This requirement forces contractors to finance VAT out of pocket, exposing them to cash flow strain, penalties for non-compliance, and audit disputes with the Kenya Revenue Authority.

This situation has created unnecessary hardship for government contractors and suppliers and contradicts the fundamental principle that VAT is a consumption tax to be borne by the final consumer ; in this case, the Government.

The Problem with Delayed Payments – Illustration
-A contractor invoices Ksh 10 million plus Ksh 1.6 million (VAT). The Government delays payment for nine months.
-The contractor must still file and remit the Ksh 1.6 million VAT to KRA by the 20th of the following month without having received any payment.
Practically:
-The contractor carries the VAT burden since no payment has been received.
-This defeats the neutrality principle of VAT, which holds that VAT should not be a cost to businesses.

Proposed Solution- Legislative Amendment
To address this long-standing issue, I propose an amendment to Section 12 of the VAT Act to align the time of supply for government transactions with the actual date of payment by introducing a new subsection as follows:

(1A) Notwithstanding subsection (1), in the case of taxable supplies made to the national government, county governments, or any State organ or public entity as defined under Article 260 of the Constitution, the time of supply shall be the date on which payment for such supply is received.

Rationale for this Amendment
-VAT is intended to be a consumption tax, borne by the final consumer, not by the supplier.
-In government procurement, the Government is the consumer and should therefore bear the VAT burden upon payment.
-Aligning the tax point with payment will relieve contractors from cash flow strain, reduce non-compliance, and encourage the participation of SMEs in public tenders.

Countries that have Amended the VAT Rules for Government Transactions
1. Saudi Arabia (KSA) – An explicit change was made for government contracts. ZATCA amended the VAT time-of-supply rules (effective 1 November 2021) so that supplies to government agencies are accounted for at the earlier of:
(a) issuance of the official payment order under the Government Tenders & Procurement Law, or
(b) receipt of payment — not the invoice date.

Uganda – Amended its VAT Act effective July 2024. VAT on government contracts is now accounted for when payment is made, recognizing delayed disbursement realities.

Venezuela – For supplies to a public entity, the chargeable event occurs “when the payment order is issued.” This mirrors Saudi Arabia’s approach, where the tax point is linked to the government’s payment order ; not the invoice date.

-Adopting a payment-based VAT system for government transactions is a pragmatic and fair reform that reflects the realities of public sector payment processes.
-It will ensure that VAT obligations arise only when suppliers receive payment, promoting fiscal equity and supporting the financial sustainability of contractors and suppliers.
-This amendment will not only ease compliance challenges but also enhance the business environment by improving liquidity for suppliers, encouraging timely service delivery, and fostering greater participation of local enterprises in government procurement.

It is therefore necessary for the National Treasury and Parliament to consider this amendment as part of Kenya’s ongoing efforts to make the tax system more efficient, equitable, and responsive to economic realities as soon as possible

Peter Ndirangu, CPA (K), Tax Expert

#VAT
#Taxcompliance

[@peggent. @peggent]

Jinna sits down with Denise Aludo to talk about leaving Kenya for the UK — the hopes, culture shock, and faith that shaped her journey.

They also dive into Jinna’s film journey & how God’s timing guided it all.

Now on YouTube: https://t.co/uAdsQhgtg5

#JFOBPodcast #Podcast

[Naval @naval]

It's not the politicians, it's the voters.

[James Odede @odedejames]

Clearly a misguided move. Very unnecessary

[Faith Odhiambo @FaithOdhiambo8]

Holistic justice requires that as we seek accountability from perpetrators, we remain alive to the needs of Victims, and the difficulty of their lived realities. We have an opportunity to revolutionize how the state treats, deals with, and responds to victims. With unwavering fidelity to the rule of law, I undertake to guard this opportunity fearlessly and ensure no interests other than those of our most vulnerable are served.

[James Odede @odedejames]

@KennedyOdede @UN Congratulations, well deserved

[James Odede @odedejames]

@SamGichuru When did we leave really?

[Austen Allred @Austen]

Must suck being an unemployed software engineer and realizing that Soham Parekh has been hired 79 times in the past 4 years

[James Odede @odedejames]

Trump gets a new name, Baba 😃

[The White House @WhiteHouse]

🎶 Daddy’s home… Hey, hey, hey, Daddy.

President Donald J. Trump attended the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands.

[James Odede @odedejames]

A well meaning head of police ought to have resigned in the wake of a suspect being murdered in police custody. But here we are, leaders don’t are not used to accountability. #Justice4AlbertOjwang