The Kenyan economy experienced a significant slowdown in the third quarter of 2024, with GDP growth decelerating to 4%, marking the slowest pace in four years. This figure fell short of the Central Bank of Kenya’s forecast of 5.2%, raising concerns among market observers. The slowdown was primarily driven by contractions in key sectors such as construction (2.0%) and mining and quarrying (11.1%). Global economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty may also have contributed to the slower-than-expected growth. Growth Drivers Despite the overall slowdown, some sectors exhibited positive growth, including agriculture, forestry, and fishing (4.2%); transportation and storage (5.2%); financial and…
Author: Lorine Otamo
Lorine Otamo
Lorine Otamo is a science journalist who covers health, technology, agriculture, and climate change. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a knack for simplifying complex scientific topics.
Kenya’s private sector activity showed marginal improvement in December 2024, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edging down slightly to 50.6 from 50.9 in November. Readings above 50.0 signal an improvement in business conditions in the previous month, while readings below 50.0 show a deterioration. Inflationary pressures intensified in December, as reflected by the sharpest increase in output prices in a year. According to the survey, new orders, output, and employment levels increased for the third consecutive month. Similarly, input and output prices rose sharply, driven by higher input costs and increased demand. “Positively, this is the first quarter of…
Safaricom PLC has announced revised M-PESA transaction fees for 2025. These changes aim to simplify pricing and enhance user experience. Key Changes Harmonized Inter-network Transfer Fees: Sending money to Airtel Money and Telkom’s T-Kash now incurs the same charges as Safaricom-to-Safaricom transfers. Discontinuation of Unregistered User Transfers: To mitigate fraud and money laundering risks, transfers to unregistered mobile money users have been discontinued. Revised Transaction Limits: Maximum single transaction: Ksh250,000 Maximum daily transaction and balance limit: Ksh500,000 Transaction Charges M-PESA to M-PESA, Pochi la Biashara, Business Till to Customer Ksh1-49: Free Ksh50-100: Free Ksh101-500: Ksh7 Ksh501-1,000: Ksh13 Ksh1,001-1,500: Ksh23 Ksh1,501-2,500:…
The Kenyan government has initiated a review of its Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system following concerns raised by stakeholders and a decline in the country’s ranking in the Africa Visa Openness Index. Kenya’s ranking on the Africa Visa Openness Index, by the African Development Bank, fell 17 places this year to rank 46th out of 54 countries. This decision, approved by the Cabinet during a meeting chaired by President William Ruto on December 17th at State House, Nairobi, aims to enhance Kenya’s tourism competitiveness and accommodate a growing influx of visitors. The Cabinet statement emphasizes the importance of this review in…
Kenya’s music scene is experiencing a dynamic shift, with Arbantone emerging as a captivating new genre that’s captivating the nation. Rooted in the energetic spirit of Gengetone, Arbantone blends diverse musical styles, pushing creative boundaries and captivating audiences of all ages. “Arbantone is a cultural movement reflecting the aspirations and creativity of Kenyan youth,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “We’re thrilled to see the 93% rise in local music consumption in Kenya, and Arbantone is undoubtedly a significant contributor to this growth.” A Fusion of Old and New Nostalgia plays a crucial role in Arbantone,…
Human Mobile Devices (HMD), a leading smartphone innovator, concluded its successful two-day esports tournament, “The Ultimate Gamer,” at The Waterfront Karen. The event showcased Kenya’s burgeoning esports scene, drawing gaming enthusiasts, professional players, and spectators. The tournament highlighted the performance capabilities of HMD’s latest smartphone, the HMD Fusion, through competitions in popular mobile games including FIFA, Tekken, and Call of Duty. Over 70 players from Nairobi competed for a top prize of KES 75,000. Qualifiers occurred on Saturday, culminating in a thrilling grand final on Sunday. Spectators watched live gameplay on large screens, enjoyed commentary from prominent gaming influencers, and…