Author: David Indeje

Kenya’s fiscal deficit is likely to remain elevated at an estimated 9.00% of Gross domestic product (GDP) with an ambitious target to cut it to 7.5% in the 2021/22 financial year. “Efforts to restore fiscal space will be complemented by the ongoing debt restructuring with a focus on spreading the sovereigns liquidity needs and reducing the overall cost of debt,” NCBA Market Research notes.   “Even then, fiscal discipline will be crucial for sustaining confidence in overall fiscal management,” they add. On the other hand, National Treasury’s statement of actual revenues and net exchequer issues as at 31st January 2021, total…

Tourist arrivals through all points of entry to Kenya dropped by 71.5 per cent to 439,447 visitors last year from 1.54 million in 2019. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the country recorded a near-total collapse of international arrivals occurred between April to July due to travel restrictions. However, Kenya recorded a gradual growth in arrivals since the resumption of international flights on Aug.1, registering 14,049 arrivals in August, 26,018 in September, and 39,894 in October respectively.   According to the data, the total number of international arrivals through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Moi…

Kenya Airways Cargo has resumed direct freighter flights between Nairobi and New Delhi.  The airline said its first uplift from New Dehli included pharma, machinery, and general merchandise.  “We are pleased to keep your cargo moving once per week from India to Africa,” KQ said Monday. https://twitter.com/KenyaAirways/status/1363743493387149314 “The resumption of direct weekly cargo flights from Nairobi to New Delhi, is an indication of the integral part KQ plays in providing logistics solutions to our customers based on our robust world-class handling infrastructure and strong network footprint in Africa,” said Dick Murianki KQ Cargo Director adding that  KQ Cargo will continue…

The United Kingdom parliament has warned that the British government’s new bilateral trade agreement with Kenya could undermine the East Africa Community (EAC) regional integration initiative. According to the Parliament’s International Agreements Committee report , the deal will have disruptive political and economic impacts on the EAC trading bloc. As a result, it resolved to delay ratification of the agreement – initially scheduled for February 10 – for another three weeks to allow for a deeper scrutiny. “Kenya’s divergence from the EAC’s common external tariff could have political and economic implications for the coherence of the EAC as a regional…

Elsa Majimbo has become a partner with a top Italian fashion company where she will collaborate with the fashion house on a special project.  Maison Valentino, the Italian fashion house on Friday said it will collaborate with the 19-year old Kenyan in a ‘special project’. “Valentino is proud to announce a special project with writer, actor and comedian Elsa Majimbo (@ElsaAngel19), culminating into a soon-to-be-released collaboration,” the company announced on its social channels.  https://twitter.com/MaisonValentino/status/1362794321305497605?s=20 The Maison Valentino plays a major role in the luxury division through tradition and innovation, a necessary combination for a creative industry that generates a sense…

WPP Scangroup’s board of directors has suspended CEO Bharat Thakrar and the Chief Finance Officer, Mr Satyabrata Das facing allegations of irregularities. In a statement, the Board said the duo will be investigated on allegations of gross misconduct and possible offences in their capacity as senior executives and employees of the company’ In the interim, the Board has appointed Mr Alec Graham as Chief Operating Officer to ensure the continued management of the company. Alec has over 25 years of experience in the advertising and communications business working with various companies in the WPP plc group. “In due course, the…