Equity Bank has set aside KSh3 billion loans for the next five years with the aim of reaching 100,000 food crop farmers through its Kilimo Biashara project. This is in line with the bank’s effort to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The bank has invested over KSh1.1 billion to improve market access, capacity building and expansion of agricultural production value chain as of end of this year’s first quarter. This has seen at least 638,522 small-scale farmers transformed to agribusiness entrepreneurs through eight of its agricultural projects and partnerships within the review period ending March 31, 2019. “Up to…
Author: Khusoko
Khusoko
Khusoko provides market insights into Africa's business investment as well as global trends that impact East African businesses.
Kenya’s government has issued an apology to the flower industry for the delayed fertilizer clearance process and assured to streamline it’s investments and commitments to the sector. Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary, State Department of Trade while speaking at the seventh edition of the International Flower Trade Expo that opened in Nairobi on Wednesday, said, “Following consultations between the government and the industry players we have reduced the inspection of the fertilizer process and left that to four agencies to fast-track clearance.” This follows complaints from the industry last year after the government introduced new regulations to have all imported…
James Githii Mburu has been appointed as Commissioner General of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for a period of three years. He takes over from John Njiraini. “In exercise of the of powers conferred by Section 11 (1) of the KRA Act, the CS of National Treasury and Planning appoints James Githii Mburu to be the Commissioner General of KRA for a period of three years, with effect from 1st July 2019,” a Gazette Notice from the Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Henry Rotich. Before his appointment, he was the Commissioner for Intelligence and Strategic Operations who led investigations.
The market for luxury homes in Nairobi slid by 6.5% in the 12 months to March 2019 due to oversupply and fewer transactions according to the Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index (PGCI) for the first quarter. This is the most significant reduction in values in a 12-month period that Nairobi has ever recorded since the index commenced recording data. In the three months to March, luxury home prices softened by half a percentage point, continuing a trend that has seen prices drop or remain unchanged in the city for the eighth consecutive quarter since the second quarter of 2017.…
DusitD2 Nairobi on Riverside Drive in Westlands area is set to reopen in August after the terror attack on January 15 that left 21 people dead, forcing its closure. The hotel in a statement said currently, “The complex has since reopened for tenants and business owners on 28th January 2019, with additional measures to bolster the internationally-certified security systems and procedures already in place.” “We are now delighted to announce that the hotel shall be re-opening in August 2019,” it said. The boutique hotel and lifestyle hub stated that it has enhanced security measures. “During the time of our closure,…
Brenda Wairimu, Kenyan actress and model has announced the launch of her new fashion label ‘Brendish’. “I started making my own clothes! Stuff that fits my style and I would wear, sweaters, hoodies, dresses, I even made stuff for my guy friends too! And when I wore them, I got some real good reviews, I had two crop sweaters literally bought off my back. I should have given them for free, but the world invented this thing called school fees ??♀️,” she posted. Brendish is still in its early stages and most of the attires posted online are just prototypes…