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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Digital News

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Macharia Kamau

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

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

Equity boss roots for African businesses as top US varsity visits

Equity boss roots for African businesses as top US varsity visits

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro set to pocket Sh16.7 million in KPLC dividends

KPLC grew profitability 30 times in six months to December 2024, allowing it to pay its first interim Sh390 million dividend in nine years.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro set to pocket Sh16.7 million in KPLC dividends

Kenya to lose tax revenue from US giant companies

The National Treasury could face a dilemma in implementing some of the taxes introduced late last December by the Tax Laws Amendment Act.

Kenya to lose tax revenue from US giant companies

Gulf of death: Saudi deaths double, casting long shadow on State jobs drive

Reported deaths grew 10% in 2023 to 29 in 2023, up from 13 in 2022.The Gulf nation, one of the countries that have bilateral labour agreements

Gulf of death: Saudi deaths double, casting long shadow on State jobs drive

Devolution scorecard: The sectors driving counties

Nairobi was the biggest contributor to Kenya's economy, thanks to its diversified economy, with manufacturing among the key sectors.

Devolution scorecard: The sectors driving counties

Households defy rising gas prices as consumption surges

The usage of cooking gas among Kenyan households increased 15% over 10 months to October last year to 341,340 metric tonnes from 296,840 tonnes over a similar period in 2023.

Households defy rising gas prices as consumption surges

Local ISPs now feel the heat as Starlink doubles market share

New industry data shows the firm commanded a 1.1 per cent share of the fixed data market as of September last year, up from 0.5 per cent in June.

By 2 months ago

Local ISPs now feel the heat as Starlink doubles market share

How new Trump order on foreign assistance will hit your pocket

The US disburses billions of shillings to Kenya annually through agencies and direct to government. Agoa which allows countries to export goods to US will also be affected.

By 2 months ago

How new Trump order on foreign assistance will hit your pocket

Kenya's mining risks hitting rock bottom amid declining trend

Kenya’s mining sector has been on the decline over the last two years, casting doubt as to whether it will ever live up to the hype.

By 2 months ago

Kenya's mining risks hitting rock bottom amid declining trend

New KRA boss Muriithi wants outdated annual Finance Bill scrapped

Muriithi says the practice of having new tax measures every year makes it difficult for businesses to plan as experts want KRA to expand the tax base rather than increase the burden.

By 2 months ago

New KRA boss Muriithi wants outdated annual Finance Bill scrapped

Directline insurance moves to repair image amid shareholder wrangles

Directline Assurance is making efforts to repair its dented image following recent shareholder wrangles that have threatened to disrupt its business.

By 2 months ago

Directline insurance moves to repair image amid shareholder wrangles

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