Author: Khusoko

James Mburu, Commissioner General of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), has been given an extension for another two years, to June 2024. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani approved the extension of Mburu’s term through a gazette notice published on Wednesday. He will now serve at KRA’s helm for five years, after recently completing his three-year term. Githii Mburu was appointed to the post on June 6 replacing John Njiraini who had served on the role since March 2012. “The board felt three years are not enough to work effectively. Again, we are doing what regional countries have. Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda’s…

More than a third of small businesses on Facebook in Kenya have been forced to shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Global State of Small Business Report released by Facebook in collaboration with the World Bank and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The report indicates that only 62% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) on Facebook sampled in Kenya remain operational or are engaging in any revenue-generating activities. The report derived from the Future of Business Survey was conducted between January and May this year and sampled 30,000 small business leaders in over…

Beatrice Gachenge, seasoned integrated marketing, and communications professional is the new Novartis head of Communication for Sub-Saharan Africa. Novartis is a global healthcare company based in Switzerland that provides solutions to address the evolving needs of patients worldwide. Beatrice brings extensive experience in strategy in media relations, corporate communication, public relations, and issues management. Other areas of specialization include Business Development, Change and Stakeholder Management, Media Relations, Training and Engagement as well as Events, Brand, and Content Development. Before her position in Novartis, the Beatrice Gachenge managed McKinsey’s External Relations for Africa.  She was also IBM’s Communication leader for East…

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has extended KSh500 million ($50 million) to Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Limited (DTB) for working capital and trade-related lending to its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients. The funds are being provided under IFC’s global $8 billion fast-track COVID-19 facility, launched in March to protect jobs and support businesses with working and trade-related capital as economies grapple with the challenges of the pandemic. “As an SME bank, we are aware that these businesses are among the hardest hit by the fall-out of the pandemic. This facility will enable us to support SMEs to address their…

A lot of people would love to venture into agriculture profitably but do not know-how. Many shy away from the idea of giving excuses that range from lack of enough farming land to having inadequate knowledge of pursuing the lucrative venture.  “Agri-business is the future of this country’s economy,” …This is a belief held by Diamond Velji and Rita Velji, the Quality Meat Packers, a Kenyan firm, The couple is on a mission to pass on the knowledge that they have acquired over the years to any Kenyan who share the same ideals about Agri-business.  Quality Meat Packers has grown…

Beatrice Elachi, Nairobi County Assembly Speaker announced her resignation on Tuesday citing that her tenure was untenable due to ‘life-threatening incidents’. “It has been tough and I can’t hold any longer. I, therefore, tender my resignation and thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for giving me this opportunity to serve under his Jubilee administration,” she said a televised address. “For the last few days there have been life-threatening incidences. I did not have to wait to see somebody die in this office. I’m a mother,” she added. She handed over to her deputy John Kamangu, the Ruai Member of the County Assembly…