Author: David Indeje

Kenya’s private sector activity experienced a modest recovery in August following disruptions caused by anti-government protests in July. The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 50.6 in August from 43.1 in July, indicating a slight expansion in business conditions. “The PMI suggests a mild recovery as the impact of protests waned, enabling firms to resume normal operations,” said Stanbic Bank Kenya. The July PMI reading of 43.1 reflected the effects of the protests, which disrupted business activities. In June, President William Ruto discarded the government’s proposed finance bill, which contained tax hikes, leading to protests. While output…

Are you looking for a powerful and stylish smartphone with a focus on camera capabilities and speedy performance? Then, the Oppo Reno 12 5G series might be the perfect choice for you. OPPO launched its premium smartphone lineup in Kenya, the OPPO Reno 12 5G series, which includes the OPPO Reno 12 5G and the OPPO Reno 12 Pro 5G in August. Marketed as “a suite of industry-leading GenAI features that are set to unlock new realms of productivity and creativity,” is designed to enhance daily life, we put the OPPO Reno 12 5G to the test to see if…

Emirates has expanded its global connectivity, offering access to nearly 1,700 additional cities worldwide through strengthened partnerships and collaborations. The Emirates Group has expanded its footprint across Africa, offering connections to over 210 regional points through codeshare and interline partners. Its partnerships enable access to unique destinations, such as the Maldives and safari adventures in Zambia. In an emailed statement, Emirates says it has doubled the number of cities accessible to its passengers through partnerships with over 162 airlines, rail services, and helicopter operators. As a result, travellers can now enjoy greater flexibility, single-ticket itineraries, and a host of benefits,…

Bolt, a leading ride-hailing platform in Kenya, has announced a 10% increase in base fares across all ride categories in response to growing driver discontent over low earnings and rising operational costs. The base fare for the Economy category has increased from KSh 200 to KSh 220. Bolt aims to improve driver earnings and working conditions through this fare adjustment. Linda Ndungu, Bolt’s General Manager for Rides, emphasised that: “This fare adjustment is not just a price change but also a step towards acknowledging the value our drivers bring to the platform every day.” “We believe that this move will…

Kenya’s fiscal landscape has deteriorated significantly, with global credit ratings agency S&P downgrading the country’s sovereign credit rating to “B-” from “B.” This marks the third such downgrade since June, following similar actions by Fitch and Moody’s. Moody’s downgraded Kenya’s credit rating to junk status in July, while Fitch downgraded Kenya’s sovereign rating to “B-” from “B” in August. Kenya’s Credit Ratings Rating Agency Previous Rating Previous Outlook Current Rating Current Outlook Meaning Date Released Moody’s Rating B3 Negative Caa1 Negative Substantial credit risks 8th July, 2024 Fitch Ratings B Negative B- Stable Highly Speculative 2nd August 2024 S&P Global B Negative…

Kenya’s biggest telecom company, Safaricom, is urging regulators to require satellite internet providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink to partner with local mobile network operators. Safaricom sent a memo to the Communications Authority (CA) in July 2024 expressing concerns about granting independent licenses to satellite internet providers. The telco argues that satellite providers operating without a physical Kenyan presence could: evade local regulations, cause harmful interference within Kenyan borders and offer services illegally. “Granting a license to an entity that will typically operate in Kenya without having a physical presence in the country (via third-party partners/resellers only. This would mean negligible…