Kenya’s position as an aviation hub is at risk due to some of the highest air travel taxes in Africa. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”; } else if (now >= saleStart && now <= saleEnd) { paywallEl.style.display = “none”; var diffToEnd = saleEnd – now; var totalSeconds =…
Author: By Brian Ngugi
Aurelien Glay, Caetano Kenya, Managing Director and Dr Sylvia Agani Caetano Kenya Commercial and Marketing Director during the unveiling of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro. [Courtesy, Caetano Kenya] Chinese automaker Chery launched in Kenya on Thursday, introducing a range of SUVs as it seeks to gain a foothold in one of Africa’s most competitive car markets, with plans to start local assembly next year. The arrival of Chery, part of a wave of Chinese brands expanding in Kenya and the rest of Africa, intensifies the battle for market share, particularly in the fast-growing sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment. Follow…
Times Tower Building in Nairobi which hosts Kenya Revenue Offices (KRA).[FILE] The government will enforce a minimum 15 per cent tax on large multinational corporations from next year. This is in line with new Treasury regulations targeting rogue foreign companies accused of reducing their local tax bills by making payments to overseas affiliates. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML…
Joseph Sheikh sorts out tomatoes at Riosiri Market in Kisii County. Prices of numerous daily essentials have surged, offering no respite to consumers. [File, Standard] Kenyans are ending 2025 significantly worse off than a year ago, with the cost of a basket of essential goods from food to transport having risen sharply, according to official data. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `;…
President Willam Ruto.[FILe,Standard] Kenya lost at least Sh15 billion as a direct result of adverse commentaries and rating actions by Moody’s Ratings, a confidential African Union policy brief has calculated. The revelation highlights a vulnerability that has pushed President William Ruto’s to seek reforms of the global credit rating system. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;…
The comment that cost Kenya Sh15b after Moody’s misstep Published Date: 2025-11-02 07:15:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
President Willam Ruto.[FILe,Standard] Kenya lost at least Sh15 billion as a direct result of adverse commentaries and rating actions by Moody’s Ratings, a confidential African Union policy brief has calculated. The revelation highlights a vulnerability that has pushed President William Ruto’s to seek reforms of the global credit rating system. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;…
From left: Equity Group Non-Executive Chairman Isaac Macharia, CEO James Mwangi, and Equity BCDC Non-Executive Chairman Meti Mabanza, during the Q3 2025 investor briefing in Nairobi, on October 30, 2025. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] Kenya’s largest bank by customers Equity Group has reported a 32.66 per cent surge in its third-quarter net profit, which climbed from Sh39.2 billion in the previous year to Sh52.1 billion, powered predominantly by its thriving regional subsidiaries. The performance, which offers a ray of hope for the broader financial sector and the larger Kenyan economy amid a corporate slowdown marked by losses in key sectors, was anchored…
Visiting Chinese Chefs prepare food during the inaugural Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine. [Courtesy, Chinese Embassy] Kenya on Thursday hosted the inaugural Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine, an event officials said would strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties between China and African nations. The competition, held at the Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi, brought together 40 teams from across the continent. It is a key event in the ongoing China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season, initiated after President William Ruto’s state visit to China in April. Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp In a statement, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan…
An open sewer mixed with ‘flying toilets’ in Nairobi. [David Njaaga, Standard] For Catherine Nduku, a mother of three in Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Njenga informal settlement, the onset of evening used to bring a familiar dread. The family’s only toilet was a shared pit latrine across a dark, muddy path, a perilous journey she feared for her children. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in…
An open sewer mixed with ‘flying toilets’ in Nairobi which has forced residents to consider ‘flying toilets’ as an alternative way to ease their urge. [File, Standard] For Catherine Nduku, a mother of three in Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Njenga informal settlement, the onset of evening used to bring a familiar dread. The family’s only toilet was a shared pit latrine across a dark, muddy path, a perilous journey she feared for her children. “At night, I feared letting them go alone,” Nduku said. “We mostly used plastic bags as a substitute for toilets. I would then discreetly discard the bag as far as…
Treasury CS John Mbadi during the 2025 Budget reading, on June 12, 2025. The budget watchdog has raised concerns over the Treasury’s revenue forecast of Sh3.4 trillion for the 2025/26 fiscal year. [File, Standard] The Kenya Kwanza administration’s fiscal outlook for the coming year faces significant risks from what the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) terms as “overly optimistic” revenue targets, an increased dependence on domestic borrowing that could squeeze private sector credit, and persistent growth in mandatory spending. In its latest Budget Watch report, the independent PBO, which advises lawmakers, expressed serious doubts about President William Ruto government’s ability to…
Former HF Group Chief Executive Frank Ireri during a past interview. [File, Standard] Frank Ireri, the former soft-spoken HF Group chief executive who played a pivotal role in expanding Kenya’s young mortgage market through innovative products that transformed the sector before the company later stumbled, has passed away. He was 63. Ireri died on October 26, 2025, at Nairobi Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for cancer, according to his friends and family. His passing marks the end of a distinguished career driven by a vision to make home ownership accessible to more Kenyans in a market where mortgage…
The National Treasury building in Nairobi. Sovereign wealth funds are designed for longer-term strategic objectives, such as stabilising the national budget against revenue volatility [File, Standard] The Kenya Kwanza government’s draft legislation to create the country’s first sovereign wealth fund (SWF) is drawing criticism from financial experts who question its economic rationale, governance structure and vague operational rules. This has attracted scrutiny of the President William Ruto’s government’s ambition to manage future resource revenues. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly…
Ruto’s sovereign fund plan draws scrutiny over governance gaps Published Date: 2025-10-28 07:10:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
EABL Chief Financial Officer Risper Ohaga says the decision to return to the debt market was a strategic one, driven by a significant shift in the interest rate environment. [File, Standard] East African Breweries PLC (EABL) is seeking to raise Sh11 billion through a medium-term note, which is a type of corporate bond. This is the first phase of its new Sh20 billion bond programme which has been approved by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing…
Capt Jaanus Hannes of the cruise ship HS Diana, which docked at the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, is received by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, on October 26, 2025. [Robert Menza, Standard] American families spend an average of Sh1 million ($8,052) on travel annually, with Kenya outperforming traditional Caribbean favourites such as Jamaica to capture the tourism dollars. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log…
International Monetary Fund Director for African Department Abebe Aemro Selassie says discussions were continuing but offered no timeline for a breakthrough. [File, Standard] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed reaching a new funding deal with Kenya, even as fresh concerns emerged about currency stability and the Kenya Kwanza government’s debt management strategy. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;…
International Monetary Fund Director for African Department Abebe Aemro Selassie says discussions were continuing but offered no timeline for a breakthrough. [File, Standard] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has delayed reaching a new funding deal with Kenya, even as fresh concerns emerged about currency stability and the Kenya Kwanza government’s debt management strategy. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”;…
An illustrative photo of the new African Export-Import Bank President George Elombi. The new president of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), George Elombi, on Saturday pledged a strategic pivot away from financing raw material exports and toward building factories and jobs within Africa, while launching a fierce defence of the lender’s sovereignty against what he termed “increasingly hostile” external attacks. In his inaugural speech after assuming office, Elombi outlined an ambitious plan focused on financing local processing zones, developing a pan-African stablecoin, and mobilising domestic capital, even as he hit out at unnamed critics for what he described as a…
Incoming Afreximbank President Dr George Elombi (right) presents a commemorative coffee table book to his predecessor, Professor Benedict Oramah, during the bank’s farewell and investiture ceremony. [Brian Ngugi, Standard] Cameroonian banker Dr George Elombi has formally assumed the presidency of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Using his inaugural speech to laud his predecessor Professor Benedict Oramah for building a multi-billion dollar “development supermarket” for the continent, Elombi acknowledged the monumental task of closing Africa’s vast trade finance gap. The leadership transition at the Cairo-based bank comes at a pivotal moment. Afreximbank, a multilateral financial institution founded in 1993 to finance…
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Transport,Infrastructure,Housing,Urban Development & Public Works James Macharia speaking during inauguration of new Kenya Roads Board chairperson.[Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard] Sidian Bank has appointed veteran banker and former cabinet secretary James Macharia as its new Chairman as part of a board overhaul as it seeks to transform into a leading market player, the fast-growing lender said on Wednesday. Macharia, who has over four decades of experience in finance and served in two high-profile ministerial roles for 10 years during the Uhuru Kenyatta administration, takes over the role from James Mworia, the Group CEO of major shareholder Centum Investment Company Plc.…
Ms Gwen Mwaba Managing Director Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking at Afreximbank. [Brian Ngugi, Standard] African bankers are not insulated from global crises and must build capacity to respond to external shocks, a senior official at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) said on Thursday, pointing to the continent’s delayed access to COVID-19 vaccines and HIV therapies as a stark warning. Gwen Mwaba, Afreximbank’s Managing Director for Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking, said the pan African bank was spearheading training to ensure African financial institutions can navigate a volatile global landscape, from the Ukraine crisis to ongoing Middle East tensions. “We…
Insurance policyholders are poised to receive stronger protections as the industry regulator cracks down on widespread practices that have continued to be used to deny motor and health claims. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”; } else if (now >= saleStart && now <= saleEnd) { paywallEl.style.display = “none”; var diffToEnd = saleEnd…
John Mbadi Cabinet Secretary, The National Treasury and Economic Planing chats with The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o during 2025 medium term debt management strategy (MTDS).[Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard] Kenya is now spending more money to service its public debt than on education, health and social protection combined, a new report has shown. This pattern is evidence to a dramatic squeeze on public services which is affecting the ordinary citizens the most. The report, titled “The People’s Audit: Reclaiming Kenya’s Fiscal Sovereignty” and produced by the Okoa Uchumi coalition of civil society groups, uses official data to track the fiscal trade-off. It found that…
Fresh data by the United States government shows that a record number of Kenyans are seeking a route out of poverty and unemployment through the US Diversity Visa lottery, as a deepening economic crisis in the country dims job prospects for millions of young people. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”;…
Why Kenya’s manpower is turning to US lottery Published Date: 2025-10-21 08:20:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Fresh data by the United States government shows that a record number of Kenyans are seeking a route out of poverty and unemployment through the US Diversity Visa lottery, as a deepening economic crisis in the country dims job prospects for millions of young people. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”;…
Nairobi County Government headquarters. Firm claims the county had purportedly claimed ownership of the property, and it intended to send its officers to take over its ownership.[File, Standard] A firm owned by the family of the late former powerful Cabinet Minister John Michuki has accused the Nairobi County Government of orchestrating the forceful and illegal takeover of two of its prime parcels of land in Nairobi. The prime land is situated next to Windsor Golf and Country Club along Eastern Bypass, which is owned by the family of Michuki, who served in various influential positions in former President Mwai Kibaki’s…
Published Date: 2025-10-21 00:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Published Date: 2025-10-17 06:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Dorothy Chemutai shops for shoes for Christmas at Bata Tom Mboya Mega in Nairobi, on December 24, 2021. [File, Standard] Business leaders in the country are confronting weak consumer spending and persistent cash flow crises, a Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) survey has shown, even though most are banking on a Christmas season sales boom to salvage the year. The CBK’s September 2025 CEOs’ Survey, a key barometer of private sector sentiment, reveals a corporate sector squeezed by muted consumer demand and liquidity challenges, even as macroeconomic indicators show cause for optimism. The core challenge lies with the average consumer, whose purchasing power…
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Taxpayers are facing a Sh243.2 million legal bill, nearly 20 times the original budget, for the controversial and ultimately cancelled plan to hand control of the nation’s main airport to India’s Adani Group, according to an internal government document seen by The Standard. The massive bill, detailed in a September 25 advisory letter from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to the Ministry of Transport, exposes the financial fallout of the botched privatisation that could if awarded cost the public dearly in legal fees, even though the botched multibillion shilling deal was scrapped by President William Ruto…
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Taxpayers are facing a Sh243.2 million legal bill, nearly 20 times the original budget, for the controversial and ultimately cancelled plan to hand control of the nation’s main airport to India’s Adani Group, according to an internal government document seen by The Standard. The massive bill, detailed in a September 25 advisory letter from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to the Ministry of Transport, exposes the financial fallout of the botched privatisation that could if awarded cost the public dearly in legal fees, even though the botched multibillion shilling deal was scrapped by President William Ruto…
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Taxpayers are facing a Sh243.2 million legal bill, nearly 20 times the original budget, for the controversial and ultimately cancelled plan to hand control of the nation’s main airport to India’s Adani Group, according to an internal government document seen by The Standard. The massive bill, detailed in a September 25 advisory letter from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to the Ministry of Transport, exposes the financial fallout of the botched privatisation that could if awarded cost the public dearly in legal fees, even though the botched multibillion shilling deal was scrapped by President William Ruto…
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Taxpayers are facing a Sh243.2 million legal bill, nearly 20 times the original budget, for the controversial and ultimately cancelled plan to hand control of the nation’s main airport to India’s Adani Group, according to an internal government document seen by The Standard. The massive bill, detailed in a September 25 advisory letter from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to the Ministry of Transport, exposes the financial fallout of the botched privatisation that could if awarded cost the public dearly in legal fees, even though the botched multibillion shilling deal was scrapped by President William Ruto…
Treasury CS John Mbadi before the Senate’s Finance at County Hall, Parliament, Nairobi. March 18, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded two weeks of critical talks with the Kenya Kwanza government, signalling progress in discussions for a new financial programme but stopping short of announcing a staff-level agreement. This leaves the cash-strapped Ruto administration in a tense waiting game. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted…
Treasury CS John Mbadi before the Senate’s Finance at County Hall, Parliament, Nairobi. March 18, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded two weeks of critical talks with the Kenya Kwanza government, signalling progress in discussions for a new financial programme but stopping short of announcing a staff-level agreement. This leaves the cash-strapped Ruto administration in a tense waiting game. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted…
State calls for advisers as it moves to open pipeline jewel to investors Published Date: 2025-10-10 06:30:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Kenya Pipeline Company storage facilities in Nairobi. [File, Standard] The Kenya Kwanza government has officially launched the process to privatise the state-owned Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), setting an ambitious completion deadline of March 31, 2026. This move, coming just days after Parliament gave its final nod, initiates one of the country’s most significant and closely watched privatisations in a decade. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a…
Ms Gwen Mwaba, Afreximbank’s Managing Director of Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking. [File, Standard] African trade experts including from Kenya will gather in Abidjan next month for a key seminar aimed at tackling the continent’s $100 billion trade finance gap, with a special focus on designing financial instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), organiser Afreximbank said on Wednesday. The 25th African Trade Finance Seminar (ATFS2025), scheduled for November 4-6, will concentrate on trade finance structures—complex financial solutions that use a company’s assets, like inventory or receivables, as collateral to secure loans and guarantees often deemed too risky under standard…
Central Bank Of Kenya(CBK) on Haile Selasie Avenue in Nairobi.PHOTO:[Wilbrforce Okwiri,Standard] Only one of Kenya’s 38 commercial banks has so far sought regulatory approval for a new, transparent loan pricing model, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge revealed on Wednesday. The slow uptake deals a blow to a flagship reform championed by the banking regulator, intended to make lending rates more responsive to monetary policy. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money…
Galana Energies Ltd officials distribute reflerctive jackets to bodaboda riders during customer week engagement. [Brian Ngugi, Standard] Kenyan-owned oil marketer Galana Energies Ltd, is celebrating a quarter-century of operations with a week of customer appreciation events, highlighting its local ownership in a competitive market. The campaign, said it aims to reinforce the company’s connection with its customer base. Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp The festivities include direct engagement from senior leadership, with Chief Executive Officer Anthony Munyasya serving customers at a fuel station in Ruaka on Tuesday. “As a Kenyan-owned OMC, we believe our story isn’t just ours,…
KCB Group commits Sh53b to green finance projects Published Date: 2025-10-08 08:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Kenya Bankers Association Chief Executive Raymond Molenje (left) Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno and KCB Group CEO Paul Russo during the release of KCB’s 2024 sustainability report on October 7, 2025.[Brian Ngugi/Standard] Tier one lender KCB Group has allocated Sh53.2 billion to green projects in a move that places sustainable finance at the heart of its strategy as climate pressures mount across East Africa, where it operates. Kenya’s largest bank by assets said green loans now constitute 21.32 per cent of its total portfolio, edging closer to its 2025 target of 25 per cent, according to its 2024 Sustainability…
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has cut its benchmark lending rate, delivering a smaller reduction than commercial banks had sought to stimulate sluggish credit growth, highlighting a growing tussle over the cost of borrowing as the economy slows. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”; } else if (now >= saleStart…
Central Bank of Kenya in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Banks are pushing for a further cut in the Central Bank’s benchmark lending rate at its meeting Tuesday, arguing that low inflation and a stable Shilling provide room to stimulate sluggish private sector credit growth. In a research note, the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the industry lobby, said the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) should lower the Central Bank Rate (CBR) from its current 9.50 per cent when it meets today to enable banks to lend cheaply. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access…
East Africa Portland Cement. Tanzanian tycoon Edhah Abdallah Munif’s Kalahari Cement Ltd wants to acquire a 29.2 per cent stake in EAPC for Sh718.5 million. [File, Standard] A parliamentary committee probing the proposed sale of a substantial stake in East Africa Portland Cement (EAPC) has uncovered alarming irregularities, primarily surrounding a massive share discount and critical regulatory omissions. Among the troubling concerns unearthed by the National Assembly’s Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives is the glaring absence of approval from key government agencies. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited…
Central Bank of Kenya in Nairobi. [File, Standard] Banks are pushing for a further cut in the Central Bank’s benchmark lending rate at its meeting Tuesday, arguing that low inflation and a stable Shilling provide room to stimulate sluggish private sector credit growth. In a research note, the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the industry lobby, said the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) should lower the Central Bank Rate (CBR) from its current 9.50 per cent when it meets today to enable banks to lend cheaply. .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height:…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to announce later this week whether it has reached a new financial agreement with Kenya. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”; } else if (now >= saleStart && now <= saleEnd) { paywallEl.style.display = “none”; var diffToEnd = saleEnd – now; var…
Co-operative Bank of Kenya strategy moves beyond traditional lending to create a digital and financial ecosystem for small businesses. [File, Standard] Tier one lender Co-operative Bank of Kenya (Co-op Bank) has been recognised for its pioneering work in small business finance, winning the “Product Innovation of the Year (Africa)” award at the Global SME Finance Awards 2025. The award, hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the SME Finance Forum, endorses the lender’s strategy for empowering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The bank was honoured at a ceremony in Johannesburg for its “Full-Spectrum Approach to MSME Growth.” The strategy moves…
Parliament has launched a landmark effort to free millions of Kenyan borrowers from the grip of the debt yoke, following a public petition that calls for new legislation to curb predatory lending. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in `; } else { teaserEl.innerHTML = “”; } activeEl.innerHTML = “”; paywallEl.style.display = “block”; } else if (now >= saleStart && now <= saleEnd) {…
Inside MPs’ plan to free Kenyans from clutches of rogue lenders Published Date: 2025-10-05 00:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Treasury CS John Mbadi at Parliament Buildings. [File, Standard] Kenya is borrowing billions of dollars to pay off old debts in a high-stakes financial strategy that economists warn may only postpone a deeper fiscal crisis while increasing the nation’s overall debt burden. The National Treasury on Friday announced a successful $1.5 billion (Sh193.5 billion) Eurobond issue, celebrating it as a demonstration of “managing debt more wisely.” Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money…
Treasury CS John Mbadi at Parliament Buildings. [File, Standard] Kenya is borrowing billions of dollars to pay off old debts in a high-stakes financial strategy that economists warn may only postpone a deeper fiscal crisis while increasing the nation’s overall debt burden. The National Treasury on Friday announced a successful $1.5 billion (Sh193.5 billion) Eurobond issue, celebrating it as a demonstration of “managing debt more wisely.” Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money…
Kenya’s debt crisis deepens as Treasury secures fresh Sh193.8b Eurobond Published Date: 2025-10-04 00:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Suspended Kenya Reinsurance Corporation Group MD Dr Hillary Wachinga. [File, Standard] Kenya Reinsurance Corporation has announced the extension of Managing Director Dr Hillary Wachinga’s suspension for an additional 21 working days, effective from Thursday. In a public notice issued on Friday, the state-owned reinsurer said the decision was made “in accordance with the Capital Markets Act and its Regulations.” “The board of directors of Kenya Reinsurance Corporation Ltd wishes to inform the public that it has extended the suspension of the Managing Director, Dr Hillary Wachinga, for 21 working days from October 2, 2025,” the statement read. Nicodemus Gekone, the…
Kenya Bureau of Standards. [Courtesy] Rogue manufacturers and traders in the country face up to a decade behind bars and fines exceeding Sh20 million for dealing in substandard goods. This is according to a tough new government Bill that threatens to wipe out margins for counterfeiters. The draft Standards Bill, 2025, which aims to repeal and replace the existing Cap 496 law, ramps up the enforcement powers of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and introduces a stringent new penalty regime to safeguard consumers and protect legitimate trade. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the…
African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato Mataboge, (in headscarf) addresses the Africa Coordination Meeting at the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal. [Courtesy, AU] Africa secured its strongest-ever voice at the top of global aviation after all eight of its candidate nations were elected to the governing council of the United Nations’ air transport body, a victory that officials say will accelerate the continent’s push for a unified single air market. The success at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 42nd Assembly in Montreal gives Africa nearly a quarter of the seats on the…
Annstella Mumbi, General Manager at Tala. [File, Standard] Financial technology firm Tala has introduced operations in Guatemala as part of a Latin American expansion push, with plans to enter the Dominican Republic and Panama by year-end in a bid to tap the region’s underbanked population. The move marks the latest international expansion for the global fintech, which is deploying its proprietary ‘Tala in a Box’ software platform to quickly establish operations in new markets where it sees potential to provide credit to consumers overlooked by traditional banks. Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp The expansion comes as the company,…
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga. [File, Standard] The Kenya Revenue Authority missed its tax collection target by Sh20.1 billion in July alone, the National Treasury has revealed, dealing a severe blow to President William Ruto’s economic plan. This also raises doubts on Kenya Kwanza administration’s ability to fund key promises as the President races against time to deliver on his flagship Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda before the 2027 polls. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters…
Ketraco technicians repair one of the six electricity towers that was vandalized along the Olkaria-Lessos-Kisumu powerline, in Kayole estate, Naivasha. [File, Standard] The Kenya Kwanza Government faces a fresh transparency challenge over new multibillion-shilling power transmission projects, as regulators seek limited public input months after the cancellation of a controversial $736 million (Sh94.9 billion) deal with India’s Adani Group. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log…
Prime Cabinet Secretary in the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya Musalia Mudavadi During the occasion of Bastille Day. [File, Standard] The cash strapped government of President William Ruto is racing to secure Chinese financing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to the Ugandan border and to build the Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway, projects seen as vital to unlocking Western Kenya’s economy, before the 2027 election deadline. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government is in advanced talks with Chinese firms to unlock the mega infrastructure projects along the western corridor stating the goal is to “enhance the efficiency of trade” with Uganda and the Great…
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan speaking during a past press briefing in April 2025. [Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard] China has pledged to work with Kenya to ensure the swift implementation of zero-tariff trade treatment, a crucial move that offers Kenyan exporters a potential new lifeline and market access just as uncertainty clouds the future of a key trade pact with the United States. The commitment was made by Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan during a National Day reception in Nairobi on Monday, where she promised to work with Kenya to ensure the zero-tariff measures take effect “at an early date so that…
Co-operatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya. [File, Standard] As part of a stringent crackdown on poorly managed savings and credit co-operatives (Saccos), the Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives has declared a moratorium on new registrations and banned the use of loans to pay dividends to members. The move, the government reckons, will curb “unhealthy financial competition” and protect millions of depositors in a sector that holds over Sh1.08 trillion in assets. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa,…
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga has invited public comments on the draft Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence Tax) Regulations, 2025. [File, Standard] The taxman is poised for a sweeping crackdown on the fast growing digital economy under new regulations that establish a broad-based tax on non-resident companies, directly targeting the income of global giants like Netflix, Airbnb, and OpenAI like Google’s ChatGPT from Kenyan users. The Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence Tax) Regulations, 2025, published by the taxman on Monday, formally replace the 2020 Digital Service Tax (DST) with the more comprehensive levy. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today…
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga has invited public comments on the draft Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence Tax) Regulations, 2025. [File, Standard] The taxman is poised for a sweeping crackdown on the fast growing digital economy under new regulations that establish a broad-based tax on non-resident companies, directly targeting the income of global giants like Netflix, Airbnb, and OpenAI like Google’s ChatGPT from Kenyan users. The Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence Tax) Regulations, 2025, published by the taxman on Monday, formally replace the 2020 Digital Service Tax (DST) with the more comprehensive levy. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today…
PASER Hub, inaugurated at Tom Mboya University, aims to create a new model for data-driven research to shape policy. [File, Standard] A Princeton University-linked initiative has launched a major research hub in western Kenya designed to directly address the critical skills gap hindering economic growth across Kenya and Africa by connecting local challenges with global academic expertise. The Princeton–African School of Economics Research (PASER) Hub, inaugurated at Tom Mboya University (TMU), aims to create a new model for development where municipalities and devolved governments use data-driven research to shape policy, train a new generation of professionals, and attract investment. The…
Professor Leonard Wantchekon of Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs speaks at the inauguration of a new innovation hub in Homa Bay. [File, Standard] A Princeton University-linked initiative has launched a major research hub in western Kenya designed to directly address the critical skills gap hindering economic growth across Kenya and Africa by connecting local challenges with global academic expertise. The Princeton–African School of Economics Research (PASER) Hub, inaugurated at Tom Mboya University (TMU), aims to create a new model for development where municipalities and devolved governments use data-driven research to shape policy, train a new generation of…
A nurse checks a patient’s blood pressure during the free medical camp at AAR Hospital in Nairobi on September 6, 2025. [Courtesy] High consultations at a recent free medical camp in Nairobi suggest a significant reproductive health burden, highlighting a strong public demand for accessible and affordable care. Nearly two-thirds of the women who attended the camp at AAR Hospital on September 6 consulted gynecologists, according to data released Tuesday, underscoring that reproductive health services are a top concern for women in the country. A total of 116 of the 180 attendees sought out gynecological care, while breast surgery and…
From left: PZ Cussons EA Managing Director Sekar Ramamoorthy (centre), Africa MD Oghale Elueni and Head of Marketing Hafsa Arthur (left) showcase the new Venus skincare products in Nairobi, on November 22, 2024. [File , Standard] British consumer goods company PZ Cussons, the maker of Imperial Leather soap and Carex hand wash, has launched a strategic review of its operations in Kenya, raising concerns over the future of local jobs and its longstanding presence in the East African market. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free…
Nyansiongo Tea Factory Director Monica Orwochi picks tea in her Ribwago farm, Borabu, Nyamira County, on May 6, 2024. [File, Standard] More than 250 Kenyan tea farmers and workers are calling on the UK government to introduce new mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) legislation. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Nyansiongo Tea Factory Director Monica…
The John Mbadi-led National Treasury’s strategy to navigate the country’s severe debt crisis is facing a critical examination from international markets and economists. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Login Already a subscriber? Log in Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Published Date: 2025-09-21 00:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
Treasury CS John Mbadi before the Senate Devolution Committee on county governments’ commercial bank accounts at Bunge Towers, Nairobi. July 17, 2025 [Elvis Ogina, Standard] Global credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings has cast doubt on Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s strategy to navigate Kenya’s severe debt crunch, questioning whether the country’s ambitious liability management operations can be successfully implemented. The agency’s assessment, reviewed by The Standard, joins a growing chorus of concern over the country’s fiscal health, putting Treasury mandarins in the spotlight. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited…
Vipingo Special Economic Zone is a 2,000-acre industrial hub designed to lower costs, streamline operations, and maximize profitability. [Courtesy] KCB Group and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed an $800 million (Sh107 billion) joint funding agreement to operationalize the Vipingo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a mega project aimed at positioning the country as a manufacturing and export hub. Under a memorandum of understanding announced on Thursday, the pan-African lender will provide an initial $500 million (Sh67 billion) while Kenya’s largest bank by assets will contribute $300 million (Sh40.2 billion) in financial and trade facilitation support to investors setting up operations in…
Treasury CS John Mbadi before the Senate Devolution Committee on county governments’ commercial bank accounts at Bunge Towers, Nairobi. July 17, 2025 [Elvis Ogina, Standard] Global credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings has cast doubt on Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s strategy to navigate Kenya’s severe debt crunch, questioning whether the country’s ambitious liability management operations can be successfully implemented. The agency’s assessment, reviewed by The Standard, joins a growing chorus of concern over the country’s fiscal health, putting Treasury mandarins in the spotlight. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited…
US President Donald Trump during an address from the Oval Office. [AFP] The US Trade Representative (USTR) is soliciting comments from American businesses on trade barriers they face in Kenya, according to a public notice in the US Federal Register, even as the future of a key trade pact for Nairobi remains in doubt. The move comes as officials in Washington and Nairobi remain tight-lipped on the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provided duty-free access for most Kenyan exports to the United States and lapses this month. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now…
Standard Chartered Kenya Board of Directors Chairperson Kellen Kariuki and Managing Director and CEO Kenya & Africa Kariuki Ngari during the launch of the bank’s Sustainability Progress Report in Nairobi.[Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard] Tier one lender, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd, has projected at least a 25 per cent fall on its 2025 full-year net profit, attributing the decline to a significant financial provision linked to a pension dispute that is estimated to require a Sh7 billion payout. The Nairobi-based subsidiary of UK’s multinational Standard Chartered Plc, specified in a regulatory filing that the net income for the year ending December 31, will decline due to…
Moody’s has sounded an alarm that the Kenyan government is currently battling sharply high borrowing costs. [iStockphoto] Moody’s has sounded an alarm that the Kenyan government is currently battling sharply high borrowing costs, which are worsening fiscal strains and limiting credit availability for private businesses. This development confronts President William Ruto’s government with a new challenge, as it struggles to fulfil promises to boost employment and incomes, with the economy still fragile and a general election now two years away. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all…
Old Mutual building in Nairobi. Old Mutual Securities carries a deep legacy in Kenya’s capital markets. [File, Standard] Kenyan investment firm, Kweli Capital, has acquired a majority stake in brokerage Old Mutual Securities Ltd (OMS), the companies said in a statement, marking the technology-driven company’s strategic expansion into regulated financial services. The acquisition will see Kweli Capital take over the Nairobi-based brokerage from the Old Mutual Group. The move positions the firm at a place where it will build a full-service investment bank targeting East Africa’s growing capital markets. “Kweli Capital Limited, an East African technology-driven investment company, has acquired…
Kenyan money. [Courtesy] A critical financial lifeline for millions of Kenyans is drying up, with new government data confirming a sustained decline in overseas remittances, fanning fears of a deepening household crisis and mounting pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Fresh figures from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) show inflows fell again in August, with the year-on-year total dipping by 0.2 per cent; from USD427.2 million (Sh55.2 billion) in August 2024 to USD426.1 million (Sh55 billion) in August 2025. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth Now…
Kenyan money. [Courtesy] A critical financial lifeline for millions of Kenyans is drying up, with new government data confirming a sustained decline in overseas remittances, fanning fears of a deepening household crisis and mounting pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Fresh figures from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) show inflows fell again in August, with the year-on-year total dipping by 0.2 per cent; from USD427.2 million (Sh55.2 billion) in August 2024 to USD426.1 million (Sh55 billion) in August 2025. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth Now…
East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), the region’s leading alcoholic beverage company, is grappling with an unprecedented rise in counterfeit and illicit alcohol. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Access this article for Ksh5 only Already a subscriber? Log in Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Published Date: 2025-09-14 15:02:02 Author: By Brian Ngugi Source: The Standard
From left: KCB Group CEO Paul Russo, EABL Group Managing Director and CEO Jane Karuku, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa and Equity Group CEO James Mwangi. [File, Standard] Blue-chip companies are sparing no expense to retain and attract top executive talent, with lavish compensation packages for CEOs becoming the norm. This trend is highlighted in newly released annual reports, which show significant pay hikes and perks for leaders of the nation’s largest firms, including East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), major banks, and telcos. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth…
Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Pension Towers located along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi CBD on March 07, 2024. [File, Standard] A review by The Standard of the latest Central Bank data shows Citibank NA Kenya, part of US-based Citigroup Inc, offered loans at an average rate of 10.59 per cent in July—the lowest among 38 commercial banks in the country. It was closely followed by other foreign-owned lenders, Stanbic Bank Kenya, a unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group, at 12.30 per cent; Standard Chartered Bank Kenya at 12.81 per cent; and Ecobank Kenya at 12.87 per cent. The data reveals a pronounced competitive schism, with international operators leveraging parent-company balance sheets to price loans aggressively, while major home-grown banks, including listed giants Equity Group Holdings,…
Central Bank Of Kenya on Haile Selassie avenue in Nairobi.[Wilberforce Okwiri,Standard] Kenyan units of global banking giants are offering the country’s most competitive lending rates, using their expansive capital bases to undercut domestic rivals and capture prime borrowers in the country. A review by The Standard of the latest central bank data shows Citibank NA Kenya, part of US-based Citigroup Inc, offered loans at an average rate of 12.59 per cent in July—the lowest among 37 commercial banks in the country. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium…
Outgoing Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah after he delivered his final plea for African financiers to close the continent’s $100 billion trade finance gap. [Courtesy] In a stirring farewell address at the close of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, outgoing Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah issued an emotional appeal to African financial institutions and trade insurers to urgently support continental trade, declaring the lack of capital and risk mitigation the biggest barriers to integration. Speaking as the record-breaking trade fair concluded with $48.3 billion in deals signed, Oramah expressed particular frustration at the absence of African development banks, commercial lenders,…
Joseph Kibwott, Managing Director of Paratus Kenya and Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer of Paratus Group, at the official launch of Paratus Kenya in Nairobi. [Courtesy] African telecommunications firm Paratus Group has completed a major expansion into East Africa, positioning itself as a competitive alternative to regional giants like Safaricom by leveraging high-speed fibre infrastructure and satellite internet services. The Pan-African network services provider, which already operates in 15 countries across the continent, announced on Wednesday that it is now fully operational in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania as a licensed internet service provider (ISP). In Kenya and Rwanda, the…
Kenya’s microfinance banks (MFBs), once hailed as critical vehicles for financial inclusion, are now the weakest link in the country’s banking sector, with six consecutive years of losses. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth Now 》 Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted Already a subscriber? Log in to pay 5 for this article Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Follow The Standard channel on WhatsApp Published Date: 2025-09-10 00:00:00 Author: By Brian Ngugi…
CBK report shows 11 banks are operating with core capital below the new Sh3 billion threshold as of June 2025. [File, Standard] Up to a dozen Kenyan banks face mergers, acquisitions or collapse unless they raise a collective Sh19.8 billion in capital by year-end, a new report by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has indicated. The warning, outlined in the CBK’s latest Financial Sector Stability Report, marks the most significant threat to the country’s banking industry since the failures of Imperial Bank and Chase Bank in 2015-2016. Unlock the Full Story — Join Thousands of Informed Kenyans Today Subscribe…
President William Ruto and Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko interact with traders Florence Onyango (right) and Angela Ogolla during the inspection of the Sh47 Million Oria Fresh Produce Market in Uriri in the County on May 05, 2025. [PCS, Standard] African businesses including Kenya are losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year due to inefficient transit systems, a senior Afreximbank official said on Monday, urging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt a continental bond guarantee scheme to reduce trade risks and delays. Dr Gainmore Zanamwe, Director of Trade Facilitation and Promotion at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), said the African Continental…
Afreximbank President Professor Benedict Oramah and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley toured the pavilions of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), in Algiers highlighting strengthened trade and investment ties between Africa and the Caribbean. [Courtesy] Gas-rich Algeria is intensifying efforts to boost trade with Kenya and other African nations as it positions itself to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). During the opening of the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, in Algiers last week, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune outlined measures aimed at enhancing Algeria’s appeal to investors and trading partners, including regulatory…
Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah (Centre) during the 5th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) conference. [Courtesy] The African Export-Import Bank, known as Afreximbank, will provide $2 billion in financing to sub-national governments such as counties, states, provinces, and municipalities to help drive economic development and trade, its president said on Friday. The move is aimed at addressing regional inequality and boosting cross-border commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a landmark agreement to create a single market for goods and services across 54 African nations. Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah announced the funding at the 5th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network…
A section of JKIA’s Terminal 1C in Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration is charting a high-stakes course to secure $1.63 billion (Sh206 billion) from international development lenders to overhaul the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The detailed confidential plan, according to a government briefing document seen by The Standard from the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, outlines a pivot to bilateral and multilateral financiers after the collapse of a high-profile deal with India’s Adani Group. Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Subscribe Today & Save! Unlock the Truth Now 》…
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and his Taita Taveta counterpart Andrew Mwadime join delegates at the 5th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) conference. [Brian Ngugi, Standard] Kenyan governors took centre stage at a major African investment forum on Saturday, making a direct pitch to international financiers for local mega-projects they say are crucial for unlocking economic growth and reducing the continent’s reliance on foreign aid. Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who is also Vice-Chairman of the 14-county Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), told delegates at the 5th African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) conference that strategic investment in regional infrastructure and industrialisation was…
ICT and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo takes oath of office during the swearing ceremony at State House, Nairobi. President William Ruto said that Cabinet Secretaries Mutahi Kagwe, Hon. William Kabogo Gitau and Lee Kinyanjui bring to the Cabinet the stamina and wealth of experience in public service that will accelerate service delivery to the people of Kenya.[FILE/Standard] The government has introduced a new tough set of competition rules that promise to reshape the country’s telecommunications landscape. They aim to break down long-entrenched market advantages and give consumers more choices and fairer prices, according to officials. The Kenya Information and Communications (Fair Competition and Equal Treatment) Regulations, 2025, which came into force this week,…
Outgoing African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) President Benedict Oramah. [File, Standard] Outgoing African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) President Benedict Oramah called for Africa to achieve full economic independence through increased trade and self-financing, as the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) opened on Thursday in Algiers. Addressing African and Caribbean heads of state, business leaders, and delegates, Oramah positioned the trade fair as a cornerstone of what he termed a “peaceful revolution” aimed at ending the continent’s reliance on external financing and commodity exports. “Political independence without economic empowerment is nothing but glorified servitude,” Oramah said in a strongly worded speech. “We are…
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki delivered Kenya’s address at the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, outlining national strategies to boost regional commerce and investment. Kindiki represented President William Ruto at the forum. (Photo: Courtesy) Kenya has urged fellow African nations to aggressively pursue private sector funding for critical infrastructure, as traditional debt avenues dry up, highlighting a strategic pivot towards public-private partnerships (PPPs) to drive continental trade and economic resilience. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking this week at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, said PPPs are essential to develop railways, roads, and digital networks needed to…
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki delivered Kenya’s address at the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers, outlining national strategies to boost regional commerce and investment. Kindiki represented President William Ruto at the forum. (Photo: Courtesy) Kenya has urged fellow African nations to aggressively pursue private sector funding for critical infrastructure, as traditional debt avenues dry up, highlighting a strategic pivot towards public-private partnerships (PPPs) to drive continental trade and economic resilience. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking this week at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, said PPPs are essential to develop railways, roads, and digital networks needed to…
Galana Foundation mentee works on Vision Board alongside Mentor at 2025 Galana Foundation Summit. [Courtesy] Kenyan fuel retailer Galana Energies said on Wednesday it would expand the work of its social foundation as it marks 25 years in operation, pledging to deepen its investment in education and community development programmes. The homegrown company said the commitment through its Galana Foundation would focus on scaling its scholarship programme, which has so far supported more than 80 students entering high school, and broadening its mentorship initiatives. Chief Executive Anthony Munyasya said the company’s anniversary was not just a business milestone but a…