Author: Muindi

The COMESA Competition Commission is investigating Airtel Mobile Commerce BV and MTN Group for potential violations of consumer protection laws within the COMESA region. The commission cites alleged discrepancies between displayed and actual charges for mobile money transfers. In addition, telcos fail to disclose crucial information to consumers, such as exchange rates, intermediary parties, and sender information. “In the case of Airtel Mobile Money Kenya, the charges displayed to the sender before confirming the transaction are, in some instances, different from the actual charges indicated in the final confirmation message, and details of the intermediary parties, as well as the…

Sri Lankan food giant CBL Group has announced its entry into the East African market with the establishment of a new distribution hub in Nairobi, Kenya. CBL Group has partnered with global logistics firm Expolanka Freight Limited and local distributor Peniel Acumen Distributors to bring its flagship brands, Munchee biscuits and Ritzbury chocolates, to the Kenyan market. “Kenya’s dynamic youth-driven market and the growing demand for high-quality snacks make it an ideal market for Munchee and Ritzbury,” said Kamal Geeganage, CEO of CBL Foods International. “Our commitment extends beyond simply offering delicious products to catering to the diverse food preferences…

The liberalization of Africa’s air transport market, as envisioned through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), is not just an aspirational goal—it is an economic necessity. A unified African sky, underpinned by the Joint Prioritized Action Plan (JPAP), promises to reduce passenger travel costs, enhance connectivity, and catalyze economic growth and cultural exchange across the continent. The success of this initiative hinges on the active support and collaboration of governments, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing. The need for SAATM stems from longstanding challenges in Africa’s aviation sector: limited intra-African connectivity, high travel costs, fragmented regulations, constrained aircraft…

The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, has launched a dedicated lipid disorders clinic to address the growing concern of heart disease in Kenya. This specialized clinic aims to provide comprehensive care for patients with abnormal cholesterol levels, focusing on early detection, prevention, and personalized treatment plans. “This is the first specialized lipid clinic in Kenya, and we started it because of the realization that heart disorders are on the increase as a result of our adoption of a Western lifestyle characterized by poor diet and physical inactivity,” said Rashid Khalani, CEO of the Aga Khan University Hospital. “We believe in…

Airtel Money slightly increased its market share from 6.6% in Q4 2023/2024 to 7.6% in the three months ending September 2024, according to the latest data from the Communications Authority. Despite this growth, Safaricom’s M-PESA maintained its dominant position, although its market share dipped marginally from 93.4% to 92.3% within the same period. In terms of mobile subscriptions, Safaricom continued to lead with a 65.7% market share, followed by Airtel at 29.6%. Finserve (Equitel) surpassed Telkom Kenya and Jamii Networks, capturing 2.1% of the market share compared to their respective 1.7% and 0.9%. In the previous quarter (Q4 2023/2024), Telkom…

Grant Thornton Kenya, a leading professional services firm, has merged with Devani-Devani & Company, a certified public accounting firm. Following receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, the merger, effective January 6, 2025, aims to provide enhanced solutions to clients in Kenya and drive innovation in the face of increasing digitization, including adopting AI and automation in risk management. Grant Thornton Kenya brings over four decades of experience in the Kenyan market, with a team of more than 300 professionals and deep ties within the business community. As part of the global Grant Thornton network, with 76,000 people in 156 markets and…