Author: David Indeje

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is urging dialogue with the government to mend a fractured relationship impacting critical reporting on national issues. This follows accusations of media bias, particularly in coverage of ongoing demonstrations. Erosion of Trust: From Perception to Conflict MCK CEO David Omwoyo identifies a critical issue: a lack of trust between media and government. He highlights a troubling shift: while politicians have found common ground since the 2022 election, the media is increasingly viewed with suspicion and hostility. A statement issued by MCK paints a stark picture: “What began as a perception of bias has escalated…

The East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc)  Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) agreement will officially enter into force on July 25th, 2024. With 14 out of 29 member states ratifying the pact, the TFTA creates a single market encompassing East, Central, and Southern Africa. This was announced during the 37th Tripartite Task Force Meeting held on the margins of the AU Mid-Year Meeting. This free trade zone aims to boost intra-African trade by eliminating tariffs and trade barriers. “Malawi, Lesotho, and Angola are the latest member states to ratify the agreement, making it 14 countries.…

The rollout of Kenya’s new digital identity cards, the Maisha Cards, has generated debate, particularly regarding their 10-year expiry date. On the other hand, civil society organizations (CSOs) have expressed concerns about a potential link between the expiry and manipulation in the 2027 elections. “What has been christened the Maisha number has an expiry date. IDs are critical in matters to do with voting. We want an explanation. It raises a lot of suspicion, and one can see it is a scheme to rig elections in 2027,” the CSOs expressed during a press conference Sunday. Understanding the 10-Year Expiry Julius…

Stanbic Holdings Plc channelled over KES 100 billion in 2023 towards projects, solutions, and initiatives promoting sustainability, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and trade across Kenya and South Sudan. According to the bank’s 2023 Sustainability Report “Creating Shared Value by Living Our Purpose,” the impact aligns with its commitment to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into its core operations. “Our sustainability report highlights the progress we’ve made in green lending, housing initiatives, financial inclusion, and diversity. These are the pillars of our sustainability strategy,” Dr Joshua Oigara, Chief Executive Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, stated during the launch.…

Uncover, a Kenyan-founded women’s skincare brand focused on melanin-rich skin, has successfully closed a $1.4 million Seed II funding round. This investment will fuel further development of their tech platform, product launches, and expansion into new markets. Focus on Data and Personalization Founded three years ago, Uncover utilizes data-driven insights and K-Beauty technology combined with African botanicals to create personalized skincare solutions. They prioritize testing products on women in Africa, a market often overlooked by global brands. The funding round was led by EQ2 Ventures and IgniteXL Ventures, with participation from African venture capital firms Chui Ventures, Samata Capital, and…

A Kenyan court has issued a temporary suspension order halting the ban on protests in Nairobi and surrounding areas. The Milimani High Court issued the ruling on Thursday afternoon in response to a petition filed by the Katiba Institute, a human rights organization. The petition challenged the ban imposed by Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, arguing it violated the right to peaceful assembly. Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered the suspension until a full hearing can be held. “Pending the inter-parties hearing of the Application dated 18/07/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Inspector-General of Police and…