Author: Korir Issa

Kenya has eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem, the World Health Organisation announced on Friday. It becomes the tenth country to reach this milestone, joining Benin, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Togo, and Uganda. Disease Overview Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne disease endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Without treatment, it is generally fatal, as the parasite invades multiple organs, including the brain. The disease is transmitted through the bites of tsetse flies carrying the blood parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Rural communities reliant on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting face the highest exposure…

The East African Community (EAC) on Monday, August 4, officially launched the EACBond, a transformative customs guarantee mechanism designed to simplify the movement of goods across Partner States. Under this new system, importers will only need to secure one regional customs bond, replacing the costly and complex requirement of separate national bonds for each country. “The EAC is today launching the EACBond, a regional customs guarantee instrument that replaces the need for multiple national bonds when transporting goods across Partner States,” the EAC Secretariat announced. A customs bond acts as a financial guarantee that ensures goods in transit comply with…

Sanlam General Insurance Limited and Jubilee Allianz General Insurance (K) Limited have formally applied for regulatory approval to merge their general insurance businesses. The planned amalgamation, announced through a public notice dated August 1, 2025, is subject to clearance from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) under Sections 114 and 118 of the Insurance Act (Cap 487). According to the notice, Sanlam is designated as the vendor, while Jubilee Allianz assumes the role of purchaser.  The proposed transaction, scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2025, entails the transfer of all general insurance assets, liabilities, and obligations from Sanlam to Jubilee Allianz.…

The Cabinet has formally approved the partial privatisation of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), setting the stage for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) by September 2025. The decision, reached during a Cabinet meeting on July 29, reinstates KPC into the government’s privatisation programme and marks a shift in Kenya’s economic governance. “The KPC listing will democratize ownership, unlock commercial potential, and set a new benchmark for state enterprise reforms,” said President William Ruto, speaking earlier at the NSE. Strategic Shift Toward Private Sector-Led Growth KPC, a cornerstone of Kenya’s fuel and energy logistics, has long…

East African Breweries Plc (EABL) reported a KSh 12.2 billion after-tax profit for the year ended June 2025, marking a 12.2% increase from the previous year. The Kenya-based Diageo subsidiary credited the growth to foreign exchange gains, a revised excise duty structure, and lower borrowing costs. The Kenyan shilling, which reversed a 2023 depreciation, maintained stability through 2025, becoming Africa’s best-performing currency. A July report by Ebury Partners noted its continued strength is underpinned by “economic resilience and access to international funding.” Revenue and Operational Highlights EABL’s net revenue rose 4% to KSh 128.8 billion, with both beer and spirits…

Kenyans may soon face unprecedented limits on where and how alcohol is sold and consumed, following the unveiling of the 2025 National Policy for the Prevention, Management & Control of Alcohol, Drugs & Substance Abuse. The policy, launched by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, proposes a ban on alcohol sales in everyday outlets such as supermarkets, restaurants, online platforms, and residential areas, citing public health risks and rising youth addiction. “This is not a mere policy document,” said Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen. “It is a renewed commitment by the Government of Kenya to secure the health, safety, and future of every…