Author: Muindi

The Katiba Institute (KI), a leading advocate for constitutionalism in Kenya and the region, has appointed Nora Mbagathi as its new Executive Director. Mbagathi brings a wealth of experience to the role, boasting over ten years in human rights advocacy and strategic litigation. She has a strong background in human rights and technology, with a particular focus on issues of non-discrimination and equality.  Prior to joining KI, Mbagathi served as a senior lawyer with the Open Society Justice Initiative, a prominent human rights organization. She also brings experience working with Reprieve, a London-based charity dedicated to abolishing the death penalty.…

Airtel Africa’s robust performance in East Africa was significantly bolstered by the strengthening Kenyan shilling, coupled with a growing customer base for both data and voice services. Key Highlights: Data Services: Data customer base surged 12.1% due to expanded 4G network and infrastructure upgrades. Data revenue soared to US$335 million in the second quarter. Data usage per customer increased to 5.9 GB per month. Airtel launched the “Data Imedata” campaign, offering 50% more data for specific denominations, to capture a larger market share. Voice Services: Voice revenue reached US$439 million, driven by increased network coverage and reduced interconnect rates in…

Ruaka, a rapidly growing satellite town of Nairobi, has seen its land values surge, surpassing prime suburban areas like Karen, Runda, Ridgeways, Kitisuru, and Langata. According to Hass Consult’s Q3 Land Price Index, an acre of land in Ruaka now averages Sh110 million, significantly higher than other satellite towns and even Kitisuru, where an acre costs Sh99.7 million. Nairobi’s Most Expensive Land Upperhill: Remains the most expensive area, with an average land price of Sh506 million per acre. Westlands: Follows closely at Sh479.6 million per acre. Driving Factors Behind Rising Land Prices Increased Demand for Development: The demand for apartments…

New data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reveals a significant increase in personal loans and digital lending. Over half of these borrowers use the funds for daily expenses rather than investments or long-term projects. Economic Pressures and Rising Debt The rising cost of living, fueled by inflation, has eroded the purchasing power of many Kenyans. Needs like food, fuel, and housing have become increasingly expensive, particularly for low-income households. Economic challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, global commodity price increases, and adverse weather conditions, have further exacerbated the situation. Even middle-income earners are struggling to make…

Capital A Investment Bank, formerly known as Securities Africa Kenya Limited, unveiled a new brand identity, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This rebranding follows the firm’s recent upgrade from a licensed stockbroker to an investment bank by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The new brand reflects Capital A’s expanded capabilities and unwavering commitment to providing exceptional investment solutions and fostering financial consciousness. As a regulated entity under the CMA and an authorized trading participant at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Capital A has consistently demonstrated its expertise in the financial services industry.   Capital A has solidified its position as…

Jumia, the e-commerce giant, exits South Africa (Zando) and Tunisia to focus on core markets, citing low growth and competition. Jumia will concentrate on its core, high-growth markets in Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and Nigeria to achieve pre-2019 profitability. The closure will result in job losses (around 110) in both countries. Jumia will attempt to relocate some employees. “After a thorough analysis, we made the difficult decision to close down our operations in South Africa and Tunisia. Both businesses account for negligible portions of our overall operations,” said Francis Dufay, Jumia CEO.  “Decisions like these are never easy and we are extremely grateful…