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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Digital News

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Macharia Kamau

Man of steel: Devki boss' iron hold on Ruto's government

For some, Narendra Raval appears to live up to the name that he popularly goes by, Guru.

Man of steel: Devki boss' iron hold on Ruto's government

Multinationals on the spot for steep rise in illicit financial flows

Multinationals on the spot for steep rise in illicit financial flows

Jubilee Health Insurance doubles net profit to Sh910 million

Jubilee Health Insurance doubles net profit to Sh910 million

Business confidence hits decade low despite private sector growth

Business confidence hits decade low despite private sector growth

Business confidence falls to 10-year low despite private sector growth

Kenya's private sector activity registered growth in March, but it was also marked by a deterioration in confidence among businesses, which dropped to its lowest level in a decade.

Business confidence falls to 10-year low despite private sector growth

State edges KPC out of cooking gas plant deal for Nigerian firm

State-owned firm will now bear the costs of the work it had done in preparation for construction.

State edges KPC out of cooking gas plant deal for Nigerian firm

Tourism industry raises concerns over ETA system delays

Kenya introduced the ETA system last year, requiring visitors to obtain authorisation before entry.

Tourism industry raises concerns over ETA system delays

How Nairobi-Addis deal is fuelling surge in Kenya's electricity imports

Kenya's northern neighbour accounted for 10.48 per cent of all the power that was consumed in the country over the six months to December.

How Nairobi-Addis deal is fuelling surge in Kenya's electricity imports

Smaller lenders lead in cheap loans as costs fall marginally

Citibank Kenya tops list, with its loans averaging 12.78 per cent in February this year, down from 18.47 per cent in September 2024.Others, like KCB Group, however, saw their rates go up.

Smaller lenders lead in cheap loans as costs fall marginally

Treasury to borrow more locally in a bid to tame rising loan costs

Households and businesses could be further squeezed out of credit as the National Treasury plans to crank up borrowing from local banks in coming years.

Treasury to borrow more locally in a bid to tame rising loan costs

Will fresh blood at helm of KTDA turn the tide for tea farmers?

After losing twice in the elections, Chege Kirundi was third-time lucky when he finally won the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) chairmanship in January this year.

Will fresh blood at helm of KTDA turn the tide for tea farmers?

Kenya to restart licensing of 10 oil and gas blocks in September

Over 10 highly prospective blocks have been identified and selected based on geo-scientific data.

Kenya to restart licensing of 10 oil and gas blocks in September

Equity boss roots for African businesses as top US varsity visits

Equity Group Chief Executive James Mwangi says despite market competition and challenges, Africa has immense business potential and opportunities.

Equity boss roots for African businesses as top US varsity visits

Chinese firm to aid agency's plan for Kenya's first nuclear plant

The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) has inked a partnership deal with the China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation (CNECC) International Engineering Co.

Chinese firm to aid agency's plan for Kenya's first nuclear plant

NSSF doubles contributions to sh59.14 billion for year ending June 2024

Contributions to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) more than doubled to Sh59.14 billion over the year ending June 2024 following the higher rates that came into effect early 2023.

NSSF doubles contributions to sh59.14 billion for year ending June 2024

Trump offers a flicker of hope for Kenya's oil project

Locally, there is a feeling that the policy shift by the Trump administration could alter the thinking among investors and unlock funding that could see investors pump money into Kenya’s oil sector.

Trump offers a flicker of hope for Kenya's oil project

Fuel prices remain unchanged, three months in a row

Fuel prices remain unchanged in latest EPRA review; Petrol to retail at Sh176.58, Diesel at Sh167.06 and Kerosene at Sh151.39 per litre in Nairobi.

Fuel prices remain unchanged, three months in a row

KPC remits Sh7b in dividend to Treasury as profit rises to Sh10b

KPC has reported Sh10 billion profit before tax for the 2023/2024 financial year, a 32 per cent increase from Sh7.6 billion achieved in the previous fiscal year.

KPC remits Sh7b in dividend to Treasury as profit rises to Sh10b

Oil marketer Ola Energy to lay off staff in latest restructuring

Ola Energy, the fourth largest oil marketing company, said it has commenced a restructuring of its local unit in a move that would see some of its employees declared redundant.

Oil marketer Ola Energy to lay off staff in latest restructuring

How Epra plans to increase fuel prices

Fuel prices are set to rise by as much as Sh7.80 per litre in the coming months as Epra implements recommendations for a new petroleum pricing regime.

How Epra plans to increase fuel prices

Mbadi defends State measures on the economy

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi attributes the low inflation to government interventions including stabilising of the Shilling, lower fuel prices and fertiliser subsidy programme

Mbadi defends State measures on the economy

Eurobonds: Easy way out of economic woes but with huge repayment challenges

High interest rates and the cost of issuing them could push Kenya's debt towards unsustainable levels. Government last week said it had issued yet another Eurobond and raised Sh194 billion.

Eurobonds: Easy way out of economic woes but with huge repayment challenges

Treasury to use Sh42b from road kitty to pay contractors

The National Treasury said it would spend Sh42 billion from the road maintenance kitty to pay money owed to road contractors.

Treasury to use Sh42b from road kitty to pay contractors

Treasury issues new Sh194b Eurobond to repay old debt

The government has raised Sh194 billion ($1.5 billion) from the issuance of a new Eurobond in a move that could raise concerns about the government’s borrowing appetite.

Treasury issues new Sh194b Eurobond to repay old debt

Amsons Group to squeeze out Bamburi minority shareholders

Tanzania’s Amsons Group is seeking to force out minority shareholders of Bamburi Cement following its successful acquisition of 96.5 per cent of the cement producer.

Amsons Group to squeeze out Bamburi minority shareholders

Cooking gas consumption rises to reduce kerosene use by 32pc

The consumption of cooking gas in Kenya increased by 15 per cent in 2024 as households continued to ditch dirty fuels such as kerosene, whose usage dropped by 32 per cent.

Cooking gas consumption rises to reduce kerosene use by 32pc

Why you are yet to feel impact of lower fuel, power prices

Fuel and power prices have dropped significantly over the last year. Consumers are yet to feel the ripple effect of a reduction in the two critical factors of production through cheaper goods.

Why you are yet to feel impact of lower fuel, power prices

Why you may not escape paying toll fees on major roads and highways

The Transport Ministry will conduct public participation on the draft Road Tolling Policy that seeks to pave the way for the reintroduction of toll roads.

Why you may not escape paying toll fees on major roads and highways

Tanzania seeks nod to import Ethiopian electricity through Kenya

Tanzania has sought approval from local energy authorities for the import of electricity from Ethiopia using the Kenyan power grid.

Tanzania seeks nod to import Ethiopian electricity through Kenya

How skills training, mentorship are helping unlock SMEs potential

While access to finance is seen as the major challenge that many local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face, the problem is usually coupled with limited technical know-how and mentorship.

How skills training, mentorship are helping unlock SMEs potential

State's appetite for short-term loans grows by 18.6pc

New National Treasury data shows that short-term loans maturing in less than one year increased and accounted for 18.6 per of the country’s stock of public debt as of June 2024.

State's appetite for short-term loans grows by 18.6pc

Loans: Banks fail self-regulation test

Banks have over the last week been falling over themselves to reduce their lending rates but only after the CBK threatened to penalise them.

Loans: Banks fail self-regulation test

Reality check: Treasury cuts KRA cash target as economic slump bites

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the reduced revenue targets consider the current economic situation.

Reality check: Treasury cuts KRA cash target as economic slump bites

Parliamentary budget think tank wants fuel subsidy cash used for power connections

The Parliamentary Budget Office wants money collected from motorists through the Petroleum Development Levy to finance electricity connections in off-grid areas.

Parliamentary budget think tank wants fuel subsidy cash used for power connections

Cost of living: Mbadi defends policy stance

The National Treasury on Thursday defended government policies that it said have had the effect of putting money in the pockets of Kenyans.

By 2 months ago

Cost of living: Mbadi defends policy stance

Budget lobby wants fuel levy to fund electricity connections

The parliamentary think tank has recommended that 30 per cent of the funds collected through the PDL be allocated to the expansion of electricity infrastructure in rural areas.

By 2 months ago

Budget lobby wants fuel levy to fund electricity connections

Treasury raises spending by Sh199.9 billion in mini Budget

The government plans to increase its spending for the current FY by an additional Sh344.8 billion, eroding the budget cuts that it had made last August as it sought to reduce spending.

By 2 months ago

Treasury raises spending by Sh199.9 billion in mini Budget

The true impact of pending bills on businesses, economy

In different polls, firms have cited different factors, including high taxes, poor infrastructure, and high cost of electricity as among the factors that have made it difficult to operate in Kenya.

By 2 months ago

The true impact of pending bills on businesses, economy

Why KQ and Airtel are on watchdog's radar over consumer rights violations

The Comesa Competition Commission has in recent weeks said it will probe Airtel and Kenya Airways for what it said was unconscionable conduct when dealing with customers.

By 2 months ago

Why KQ and Airtel are on watchdog's radar over consumer rights violations

Truckers face mandatory use of planned Sh352b Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway

Heavy commercial vehicles could be compelled to use the planned Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway, where motorists will have to pay tolls to use the road.

By 2 months ago

Truckers face mandatory use of planned Sh352b Mombasa-Nairobi Expressway

Suez Canal disruptions cost Kenyan fresh produce exporters

The time it takes for fresh produce from Kenya to be exported to Europe by sea has gone up significantly due to the logistical challenges shippers face following the Suez Canal's blockage.

By 2 months ago

Suez Canal disruptions cost Kenyan fresh produce exporters

Epra, Kebs say local petroleum meets required standards

Kebs and Epra have said fuel sold in the country is of the highest quality, following recent concerns about some petroleum products including Shell V-Power.

By 2 months ago

Epra, Kebs say local petroleum meets required standards

Freeze on power purchase deals sparks fresh fears of rationing

Kenya Power warns rising peak demand, which stood at 2,304MW mid-January, unsustainable with no new plants coming into the pipeline in the last two years.

By 2 months ago

Freeze on power purchase deals sparks fresh fears of rationing

Why Kenya Power-Ketraco Sh20b assets transfer deal may be off

The plans to transfer some of Kenya Power’s assets to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) may have been overtaken by events and may no longer be necessary.

By 2 months ago

Why Kenya Power-Ketraco Sh20b assets transfer deal may be off

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