Author: Muindi

The world’s second-largest mining company, BHP Group (BHP), has invested $40 million in Tanzania’s nickel project owned by UK-based private company Kabanga Nickel. It was initially owned by Canadian miner Barrick Gold and the commodities group Glencore.  Under the deal, BHP will invest $40m to accelerate the development of the Kabanga deposit and a further $10m in the hydrometallurgy refining process.  Subject to certain conditions and milestones being achieved, BHP will invest a further $50m, ( an 8.9 per cent equity) giving it an 18 per cent stake in Kabanga Nickel. That will value the project at about $650m. In…

Cargo operations from Kenya’s Kisumu International Airport were formally launched on Saturday opening up new markets for farmers from the Western region. Kenya Airways Chief Executive and Managing Director Allan Kilavuka said they have the capacity to transport 6 tonnes daily and 42 tonnes per week. “The role KQ plays in this initiative is important as we are supporting trade efficiency by connecting the fresh produce industry from this region to the rest of the world,” Kilavuka said during the inaugural flight ferrying 16 tonnes of cargo destined for the United Kingdom. This follows the expansion for cargo handling and…

Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is targeting 4.5 million new voters are targeted in the second and final phase of voter registration from Jan. 17 to Feb. 6. Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of IEBC, said Kenyans in Diaspora will be eligible to obtain a voter’s card. Voter registration exercise for Kenyans living in the diaspora will commence on Jan. 21 to Feb. 6 at the country’s embassies abroad. “The registration exercise will be conducted during the official working hours at the Kenyan Embassies, High Commission and Consulates in the respective countries,” he said. The exercise was previously carried…

Kenya’s Energy Ministry has cut electricity tariffs for consumers by 15 per cent stating that it will boost economic growth by reducing the cost of living and reduce the cost of doing business.  In a statement on Friday, the Ministry said the first tranche of 15 per cent has been effected upon gazettement. This will be reflected in bills covering the end year of 2021.  The Gazette notice covers the period from January 2022 to December 2022 and will therefore commence in reflecting bills covering the December 2021 period. “We are working hard at ensuring the next 15 per cent…

KCB Group has set aside at least Ksh 800 million to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and cooperatives in Nakuru County, Kenya’s 4th City. This is through a partnership with the Nakuru County government which has also set aside KSh52 million as interest subsidy and credit guarantee. In this case, the County Government will pay part of the interest (5 per cent) while business owners and/or cooperative societies will pay the balance of 7.5 per cent. KCB will in turn provide affordable facilities to the enterprises and cooperative societies that have been affected by the pandemic. “We want to…

Kenya Railways and the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) have entered into a partnership that will see KTDA managed factories transport their produce via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Nairobi to the Port of Mombasa for onward export. Under the partnership, tea from KTDA-managed factories will be transported from the tea-growing counties to the Nairobi Freight Terminal where it will be loaded onto Kenya Railways wagons and subsequently transported to the Port of Mombasa. The maiden trip from the partnership saw KTDA transport 31 containers of packed tea which translates to 800 tonnes via the SGR. Speaking in…