Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL), a Pakistani commercial bank, will close its Nairobi representative office effective May 15, 2025, following approval from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) on April 30, 2025. Strategic Closure and Regulatory Compliance The closure aligns with the Banking Act (Cap. 488, Laws of Kenya) and CBK’s Prudential Guidelines. It follows a strategic review by BAHL’s Board of Directors as part of a global restructuring initiative to consolidate international operations and enhance efficiency. “BAHL hereby notifies its customers, the general public, stakeholders, and all interested parties that BAHL shall close down its Representative Office in Kenya…
Author: Muindi
Muindi
Experience working on communication and marketing departments and in the broadcast industry. Interested in sustainable development and international relations issues.
EV Explorers has made history as the first team to enter a zero-emission electric vehicle (EV) in the Rhino Charge, a renowned annual off-road 4×4 competition in Kenya. This milestone marks an advancement in sustainable mobility, demonstrating the capability of EVs in extreme off-road conditions while supporting the conservation efforts of the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust. A Historic First for Rhino Charge The inclusion of an EV in the Rhino Charge’s 35-year history underscores the growing interest in climate-smart technologies. The event raises funds for conservation and has amassed over KES 2.4 billion ($18.56 million) since its inception. These funds…
The High Court in Nairobi on April 2, 2025, ruled President William Ruto’s 2023 National Climate Change Council appointments unconstitutional due to insufficient public participation and lack of transparency. Justice Lawrence Mugambi nullified the appointments of Emily Mwende Waita, John Kioli, Umar Omar, and George Odera Outa, ordering fresh nominations within 90 days in compliance with constitutional requirements. The court found that the selection process violated principles of good governance, accountability, and competitive recruitment mandated by the Climate Change Act of 2016. Court Upholds Need for Public Participation Justice Mugambi emphasised the absence of evidence demonstrating stakeholder engagement or public…
Land prices in Nairobi’s suburbs remained steady in the first quarter of 2025, recording a quarter-on-quarter growth of 1.7%, identical to the rate posted in the previous quarter. According to Hass Land price indices for the first quarter of 2025, this stability contrasts with the continued contraction in property sale prices across these areas, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of declining property prices. Nairobi Suburbs Performance Overall Growth: The Nairobi Suburbs-18 Land Index rose by 1.7% in Q1 2025, maintaining the same pace as Q4 2024. Top Performers: Spring Valley led all suburbs with a 3.7% quarterly increase, followed by…
Everstrong Capital, a US-based infrastructure investment firm operating in Kenya, has confirmed that construction of the 440-km Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway will begin in Q1 2026. The announcement was made by Senior Advisor Kyle McCarter on April 25, following a meeting with former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, where they discussed the critical need for enhanced African infrastructure. McCarter revealed that Everstrong Capital will submit a feasibility study to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for approval in May 2025, aiming for financial closure by year-end. Update on delivery: submitting feasibility study in May, looking for on time approval from Kenha &…
Kenya’s betting industry is characterised by widespread low-stakes gambling, with a minority of high-stakes bettors spending significant amounts each month. According to GeoPoll’s 2024 Betting in Africa survey, 82.8% of Kenyan respondents reported having placed a bet, maintaining Kenya’s position as a leading betting market in Sub-Saharan Africa, ahead of South Africa (73.9%), Ghana (73%), Uganda (71.4%), Tanzania (71.1%), and Nigeria (65.3%). Betting Frequency and Demographics The survey, which sampled 3,070 youth across six African countries, found that the majority of Kenyan bettors are young and urban, with 72% male and 28% female respondents. Age distribution was 40% (18-24), 46%…