Author: David Indeje

The government of Kenya may be able to contain its budget deficit to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022/23 (FY 2020/21) in the Third Medium Term Plan according to the National Treasury. “We expect the budget deficit to reduce to 3.5 per cent of GDP in 2022/23 from a high figure of 7.7 percent of the GDP in 2018/19,” said  Amb. Ukur Yatani, Ag. Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury & Planning during the launch of the Fy2020/21 and the Medium-term Budget preparation process on Thursday. The First Medium Term Plan covered the period 2008-2012 The Second Medium…

Kenya has become the third country in Africa after Ghana and Malawi to roll out malaria vaccine to young children below five years in selected areas of high malaria transmission. The launch of the phased introduction of malaria vaccine took place on Friday in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County targeting about 18, 000 children.  In Kenya, the Ministry of Health through the National Vaccines & Immunization Program will perform a phased introduction of the vaccine in parts of the country where malaria transmission is highest and the malaria vaccine is expected to provide the highest benefit. Areas targeted include Kisumu , Migori,…

The Kenyan Cabinet on Thursday approved a KSh6.9 billion ($69 million) budget for the development of an Inland Container Depot at Naivasha. The funds will support the development of the Naivasha Special Economic Zone and the impending completion of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) phase 2A. The special Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi said the billions will be used to develop an inland container depot, railway marshalling yard, logistics zone, and public utility area. “It will also fund other core enabling infrastructure to support the development of the Naivasha Special Economic Zone and the impending completion of SGR phase 2A,”…

Beer maker Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has launched a new alcoholic beverage – Sikera Premium Apple Cider in the market in response to consumers changing tastes and preferences. The launch follows the introduction of Kenya’s first locally-produced cider, Tusker Premium Cider three years ago. “Sikera’s launch is the result of a recently-conducted consumer study on the trends driving the alcohol beverage market in our industry. These consumer insights then informed our innovation efforts extending our cider category, to provide a broader variety to our consumers,” said KBL Managing Director Mrs. Jane Karuku. Cider is an alcoholic beverage typically made from…

Standard Chartered in partnership with iLabAfrica and Strathmore University on Wednesday launched KSh20 million 2019/2020 Standard Chartered Women in Technology Cohort 3 which will see five entrepreneurs win KSh1 million each. The SCWomen in Technology Incubator Kenya is Africa’s leading women in tech incubator, aligning with calls for more diversity in technology and for more opportunities for women to develop entrepreneurial and leadership excellence. Through the Women in Tech Incubator, 10 businesses will benefit from mentorship and seed funding. The program combines world-class startup support with local and international experience to provide Africa’s most competitive and attractive startup incubation program…

Universal health coverage means that all people can use the health services they need while being protected against the financial hardship often associated with paying for them. – WHO The Kenyan Government plans to roll-out the pre-payment of healthcare as a means of reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Dr. Rashid A. Aman, Chief Administrative Secretary Ministry of Health said investing in UHC is ‘likely to reap 10 times of the benefits’. “In this regard, financial sector experts, banks and investors play a key role in the provision of innovative financing solutions that are geared towards pre-payment…