Author: David Indeje

Diageo PLC, the multinational beverage alcohol company, has agreed to sell its 80.4% stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited to Castel Group for US$81 million. The deal, structured as 5.15 Ghanaian cedis per share and payable in US dollars, is expected to close in 2025, pending regulatory approvals. This move aligns with Diageo’s “flexible and asset-light” business model. The company has been strategically divesting from certain African markets while retaining ownership of core brands like Guinness. Similar divestitures include the sale of Guinness Nigeria to Tolaram in September 2024, the exit from Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia, and the sale…

Mandera County received a significant boost to its digital infrastructure on Thursday with the handover of 150 computers, a joint initiative by the UK Government and KICTANet. The donation, part of the UK’s Digital Access Programme and the Strengthening Digital Communities Project, aims to bridge the digital divide and empower local communities. The computers, valued at KES 15 million, will be distributed to digital hubs across the county, providing access to technology and internet connectivity for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. “Young people are the future, and I am particularly optimistic that the young people of Mandera…

Cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge in Kenya, with 10 women dying from the disease every day. Experts emphasise that this burden can be significantly reduced through early diagnosis, screening, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 10-14. Kenya ranks among the top 20 countries globally with the highest burden of cervical cancer, with approximately 5,845 new cases and 3,591 deaths reported annually, according to Globocan data. Dr. Jean-Paula Bor, Head of the National Cancer Control Program, stressed the urgent need to ramp up awareness campaigns for cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. “There is a need for…

The Kenyan government will launch a Mpox vaccination campaign targeting high-risk individuals, including children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni announced this during a press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the need for vigilance. “Mpox is transmitted through close contact and poses a significant risk to vulnerable populations,” she stated. The vaccination drive will prioritize individuals who have come into contact with confirmed Mpox cases. Muthoni acknowledged the crucial role of the media in disseminating accurate health information and combating misinformation. “We call on the media to play a pivotal role in communicating the…

The Kenyan Treasury has proposed a significant shift in government debt management, seeking to assume the role of issuing and managing government bonds and treasury bills currently held by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). This move, outlined in the 2025 Medium Term Debt Management Strategy, aims to streamline debt operations and enhance accountability while seeking to lower interest rates below the current 11% level. “Support for legal amendments to empower PDMO to perform its functions as Principal in issuance of Government securities,” the government said in the 2025 Medium Term Debt Management Strategy. Currently, the CBK acts as the…

The National Treasury projects that Kenya’s economy will grow 5.3% in 2025, slightly lower than the Central Bank of Kenya’s December 2024 prediction of 5.5%. On December 5, 2024, the Central Bank of Kenya projected economic growth of 5.5% in 2025 and 5.1% in 2024, primarily driven by the resilience of key service sectors, agriculture, and improved exports. The draft 2025 Budget Policy Statement notes that Kenyan economic growth slowed in the first half of 2024, with real GDP growth averaging 4.8% compared to 5.5% in 2023. Third-quarter 2024 GDP growth was 4.0%, a significant slowdown from the 6.0% recorded…