Author: Lynet Awino

The African Film Press (AFP), a pan-African alliance of independent film platforms, has unveiled the AFP Critics Prize, a new award designed to spotlight African critical voices and enrich the continent’s festival culture. Debut Set for Surreal16 Film Festival in Lagos Inspired by the globally respected FIPRESCI Prize, the AFP Critics Prize will make its debut at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16) this December in Lagos, Nigeria. The inaugural winner will be selected by AFP’s founding editors: Tambay Obenson (Akoroko) Jennifer Ochieng (Sinema Focus) Ikeade Oriade (What Kept Me Up) Future editions will expand to include a wider pool of…

Sidian Bank has announced a strategic expansion of its small and medium enterprise (SME) lending portfolio in the Mt. Kenya region, following the opening of its 49th branch in Gilgil, Nyandarua County. The move underscores the lender’s commitment to financial inclusion and comes on the back of a robust first-half performance in 2025. Bringing Banking Closer to Biashara The Gilgil branch launch marks a significant milestone in Sidian’s regional growth strategy, targeting underserved agribusinesses and entrepreneurs. “Establishing our presence here is therefore not only strategic; it is purposeful,” said Chege Thumbi, Sidian Bank CEO. “It reflects our commitment to bringing…

Flying to Tanzania will become significantly more expensive from November 1, 2025, as the government introduces a new Passenger Facilitation Fee (PFF) aimed at funding advanced airport security systems. According to the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), the fee will apply to all international travellers entering or leaving the country, with airlines expected to incorporate the charge into ticket prices. $45 (Ksh5,814) for one-way tickets $90 (Ksh11,628) for round-trip journeys The levy will appear as a separate line item on tickets and will be refundable in cases of cancellations or unused bookings. Who’s Exempt? Infants under two years, airline crew on duty,…

Veteran radio queen Cess Mutungi is stepping into the hot seat as host of the highly anticipated two-part reunion of The Mommy Club NBO, streaming exclusively on Showmax on 29 August and 5 September 2025. The announcement comes just days after the show dropped its season finale, wrapping up an 11-week run that saw The Mommy Club NBO dominate streaming charts and ignite online conversations across Kenya. “I have always believed in women speaking their truth – loudly,” said Cess. “We’ll be tackling everything everyone is thinking but too afraid to ask. My role is to hold everyone accountable and…

Three visionary Kenyan design houses—Sevaria, Epica Jewellery, and Kisero Nairobi—took centre stage at Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2025, held at Space House, London. Their participation marked a bold step into global fashion markets, unlocking new opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, ethical production, and creative enterprise. Representing Kenya’s vibrant fashion ecosystem, Jamie Bryan Kimani (Sevaria), Sharon Wendo (Epica Jewellery), and Kevin Abwova (Kisero Nairobi) showcased collections that blend heritage, innovation, and sustainability. Their presence was supported by the British Council under the Creative DNA programme, a fashion accelerator championing emerging designers across Sub-Saharan Africa. Fashion Meets Culture, Enterprise, and Innovation The…

Kakuzi Plc has posted a half-year profit of Ksh 295.5 million for the period ending June 30, 2025, demonstrating resilience amid global market shifts and the success of its crop diversification strategy. Although this reflects a decline from Ksh 347.5 million in the same period last year, the company attributes the dip to lower future crop valuations in its avocado segment. Diversification Driving Growth Kakuzi’s macadamia business delivered a standout performance, recording a profit of Ksh 319 million—up from just Ksh 32 million in 2024. The blueberry segment also turned profitable, posting Ksh 13 million compared to a Ksh 17…