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  • Manufactures launches 6th edition of Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival

    The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has today launched the 6th edition of the Changamka Shopping Festival set to take place in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), with a focus on amplifying local manufacturing within the country.

    The festival, set to run from 31st October to 4th November 2023, will bring together local manufacturers to showcase high-quality Made in Kenya products, in line with the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Strategy. The strategy was formulated to address the gap in the consumption of locally manufactured goods compared to imported products.

    The launch was presided over by Nairobi County Governor, H.E. Johnson Sakaja who stressed the importance of supporting local manufacturers through policies and incentives that will catapult them to effectively compete with their peers from other parts of the world.

    “Changamka Festival is a great initiative to improve manufacturing in Kenya. As stakeholders, we know the challenges facing the manufacturing sector, including accessing local markets. The County Government of Nairobi will work with the National Government to ensure that local manufacturers within and outside the county get the support they need. Initiatives such as these by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers are worth every support if we want to double the contribution of local manufacturing to Kenya’s GDP,” added Governor Sakaja.

    Speaking during the launch, the KAM Chief Executive, Mr. Anthony Mwangi, said the Changamka Festival is a driving force in helping local manufacturers access local markets in showcase their abilities and capabilities. He says the drive is pegged on addressing the gap in the consumption of locally manufactured goods compared to imported products.

    “Local manufacturing is the backbone of Kenya’s economy. It currently contributes about 7.8 percent to Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP). There is no doubt that the manufacturing sector in Kenya employs the highest number of wage earners, with 352,000 people. The value of manufacturing in Kenya should never be underestimated and we should all work together to address the challenges facing the sector,” said Mr. Mwangi.

    Also at the launch event, KenInvest Managing Director, Ms June Chepkemei, representing Principal Secretary, State Department of Investments, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, reiterated the role the government is playing in making sure that investors get the support to set up projects and grow the economy.

    “As a government, we appreciate the need to support investments in Kenya. The government has already kicked off the setting up of industrial parks that will help add value to the products that we produce, especially agricultural products. We have also established Special Economic Zones where investors will enjoy among others tax exemptions,” noted Ms Chepkemei.

    Changamka Festival offers manufacturers an opportunity to showcase the quality and diversity of locally manufactured goods made for local, regional, and international markets, besides being able to meet their customers and sell their goods. It also gives an opportunity to Kenyan customers an opportunity to purchase various products right from the manufacturers at a discounted price.

    KAM has been at the forefront of pushing for the consumption of locally manufactured goods and breaking the long-standing myth that local products are more expensive as compared to those that are imported. Through initiatives such as the Changamka Festival, KAM hopes to boost production among manufacturers and spur Kenya’s economic growth.

    The festival has been sponsored by the Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), KCB Group, NCBA Bank, GIZ – support on behalf of the Republic of Finland and the Federal Republic of Germany, Price Kata/Integral Media, Eco Bank, Nairobi City County, Smart Expo and Amonex Enterprises Limited.

  • Naivas closes It’s road to 100 with the 99th Outlet in Tudor

    Kenya’s number one retail chain, Naivas Supermarket today opened the doors of its newest outlet in Tudor, Sabasaba, Mombasa City. The new store will be the supermarket chain’s 11th branch in the coastal region and 99th branch countrywide officially marking the close of the #RoadTo100.

    The next outlet that Naivas opens will be it’s 100th branch making it the first supermarket chain in the country’s history to hit triple digits in branch network.

    “This is not us just expanding our branch network to hit a high store count, but a very calculated and strategic move leading the way in meeting customers right where they are. As always, our commitment is to Kenya and this new development is informed by the needs of the Tudor shoppers as informed by research and insights into the region. It’s about providing new avenues for customers to get what they need, whenever and wherever they need it. With modern retail having very little penetration, the opportunities are immense, and we shall continue trailblazing in filling these gaps. The new store is designed to make shopping quick and easy for area customers and even beyond as it is strategically located within an area that is served by several matatu stages,” said Andreas Von Paleske, Naivas Chief of Strategy.

    “The new outlet, though an express store format, has a well thought out product range offering, an assortment of farm fresh produce, dairy and meats, fast moving consumer goods and general merchandise and delivering it all with the unmistakable Kenyan hospitality,” concluded Andreas von Paleske.

    As has been the culture of every branch opening, Naivas intends on living up to its brand promise; saves you money, by ensuring shoppers enjoy exclusive sales offers to residents of the greater Tudor area.

    The next branch opening is #The100 a moment of victory not just for the brand but Kenya at large.

  • Breaking Language Barriers: Developing localized Artificial intelligence (AI) That understands local languages like Swahili.

    Breaking Language Barriers: Developing localized Artificial intelligence (AI) That understands local languages like Swahili.

    Jennifer cotter-Otieno, CEO and founder, Edtech East Africa, which convened the Summit
    Jennifer cotter-Otieno, CEO and founder, of Edtech East Africa, which convened the Summit

    By Melissa Mongina.

    Education technology experts from East Africa have convened in Nairobi to explore strategies for advancing digital learning in the region, including Kenya. The gathering brings together digital technology innovators, software developers, engineers, and others to exchange insights on overcoming the challenges hindering access to digital learning tools and technologies.

    Speaking during the Edtech Summit 2023 Wednesday, Mark Irura a technical advisor at FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All, suggested the need to develop a localized Artificial intelligence(AI) that will be able to understand local languages such as Swahili. According to him, AI has been around for more than 50 years but it became a new thing due to a lot of open AI and chat gpt.

    “So AI has been with us for more than 50 years probably. But it all grew up sometime at the end of last year when we had a lot of open AI and chatgpt. So then it became like this new thing, but it’s something that has been with us throughout,” noted Mark.

    He also addressed concerns about students using AI, like ChatGPT, for their assignments, referring to this as natural language processing. Mark emphasized its relevance to Africans and their need to build models capable of comprehending and generating text like humans.

    “I think many of us, especially the people in academia have spoken about students who are now turning out assignments using chat GPT. So it’s a large number of models, typically, and we have had the controversies around this,” he adds, “It’s an area I call natural language processing, and I think this is very relevant to us as Africans. So in this particular field, we build a model that can understand, it can compass, and it can generate text as if it were a human being.”

    According to Mark, the tools they have now predominantly come in Western languages such as German Spanish, and English. Their challenge right now is Swahili since it is underrepresented in technology yet it has over 400 million speakers in Africa.

    “And particularly, the tools that we have right now, predominantly, are coming to us in what we call Western languages. So again, German, Spanish, and English. Swahili is spoken by more than 400 million speakers in Africa but it is underrepresented in in technology and many other languages that we speak. So this is one of the challenges that we have,” explained Mark.

    Providing an overview of the summit’s second year, Jennifer Cotter-Otieno, Founder and CEO of EdTech East Africa and the event’s organizer, emphasized the collective effort required to build sustainable and effective solutions, ensuring that no one is left behind.

    “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It will take all of us, along with the community, to create sustainable and effective solutions, ensuring that no one is left behind.” Said Jennifer Cotter- Otieno.

    According to Lydia Mureithi, Deputy Director of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMESTEA), the purpose of the meeting was to share ideas and explore ways of making learning globally competitive, integrate information technology in schools and the policies to strengthen or establish to make digital education more sustainable in line with global goals.

    “We are meeting to share ideas and explore ways of how to make learning globally competitive; how to integrate information technology in schools and the policies to strengthen or establish to make digital education more sustainable in line with global goals,” said Lydia Mureithi.

  • Habitat for Humanity Kenya To Build 200 houses in Kenya By 2024

    Habitat for Humanity Kenya To Build 200 houses in Kenya By 2024

    Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFH Kenya) is targeting to build 200 houses in the next 12 months as part of its ongoing commitment to address the pressing housing needs in the country.

    The development follows the organization’s announcement of the construction of its 73rd home in Homa Bay County’s Kagan South Sub-location as part of the global observance to mark World Habitat Day 2023.

    Commenting on the new development, HFH Kenya Chairperson, Frank Ireri said that the organization’s objective is to continue making a substantial difference by not only constructing more homes but also amplifying efforts to address the pressing housing needs within communities. “Today, on World Habitat Day, we stand committed to our mission of providing safe and decent housing for all. This endeavor reflects our unwavering dedication to creating lasting, positive impacts in the lives of families in need. Together, with the support of our partners and the community, we will continue to work towards a world where everyone has a place to call home,” Ireri stated.

    The latest development brings to a total of 362,000 homes constructed globally by the organization since its inception, underscoring Habitat for Humanity’s dedication to addressing housing challenges and aligning with the theme of this year’s World Habitat Day celebrations: “Resilient Urban Economies – Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery.”

    On his part, HFH Kenya National Director, Anthony Okoth, affirmed the organization’s commitment to the cause stating: “We believe that strong, resilient urban economies begin with safe and stable homes. Habitat for Humanity Kenya is committed to empowering individuals and communities to break the cycle of poverty through housing, access to finance, and disaster resilience. World Habitat Day is a pivotal moment to reflect on the critical role of cities and homes in promoting economic growth and recovery, and we are honored to be a part of this global movement.”

    Since its establishment in 1982, HFH Kenya has remained unwavering in its mission to provide low-income families with access to safe and affordable housing solutions. Over the past four decades, HFH Kenya has positively impacted the lives of more than 360,000 families across 12 counties in Kenya through innovative housing micro-finance programs and direct construction initiatives

    HFH Kenya’s commitment to resilient urban economies goes beyond bricks and mortar. The organization focuses on different approaches to enhance the economic well-being of communities and individual households.

    HFH Kenya warmly invites all stakeholders, partners, and supporters to join in commemorating World Habitat Day 2023 and to stand together in the mission to create resilient urban economies that benefit all residents.

  • Kenyan Doctor wins La Roche-Posay Dermatological Research Grant

    Kenyan Doctor wins La Roche-Posay Dermatological Research Grant

    By Steve Sabai

    Doctor bags Ksh 4 million to advance her research project on quality of life of eczema patients in Kenya.

    La Roche-Posay has announced a Kenyan Doctor – Dr. Winnie Njenga, a dermatologist at the Kiambu Level 5 Hospital as the first African to winner of its annual Research Grants. Her project on “The quality of life in children, teenagers and adults diagnosed with eczema in Kenya,” satisfied the grants’ high-ranking jury of dermatologists drawn from around the world as one that will provide valuable data and insights on how skin conditions affect the quality of life of patients in different parts of the country.

    Dr. Njenga will receive a grant of Ksh 4 million to carry out her research, together with membership to the French Chamber of Commerce. “La Roche-Posay partners with dermatologists worldwide to stay at the forefront of skin science research and to formulate safe and effective products that are dermatologist developed and tested. We’re proud that this year’s winner is a Kenyan doctor who also happens to be the first African to win the grant to further her research project which shows immense potential for improving the lives of dermatological patients in Kenya,” L’Oréal East Africa Managing Director Yassine Bakkari said.

    In its 28th edition, the La Roche-Posay Research Grants is a global initiative to support research in dermatology worldwide, with more than 200 leading researchers around the world already benefitting from the grants. This year, hundreds of dermatologists leading research in quality of life of patients competed to win the prestigious grants, from the four big regions of the world – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America. “These grants aim to address the impact of dermatological issues on the quality of life of patients and as La Roche-Posay we are heavily committed to fueling the next generation of dermatologists in Kenya and Africa who form an integral part on how we develop products.

  • Lands Ministry enrolls Ardhi pay, goes cashless Nationwide

    Lands Ministry enrolls Ardhi pay, goes cashless Nationwide

    The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning has commenced a nationwide initiative to roll out the Cashless Revenue Collection policy, a significant step towards eradicating cash transactions within Land offices, ultimately reducing embezzlement.

    Speaking Monday morning during the flagging off of the program, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Zachariah Njeru said the Ardhipay system is not only going to make work efficient but also easier and faster.

    “We are doing this because we want to improve service delivery to our Citizens. The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning has really worked to see that Kenyans are served fast and efficiently,” said CS Njeru.

    In his remarks, Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning Generali Nixon Korir said the program will ensure that no cash is involved in land transactions.

    “We want to go cashless in all our registries Nationwide in 14 days starting today. For the last three weeks, we have rolled out cashless at Ardhi House and it is working well,” said PS Korir.

    PS Korir added that the State Department has developed an Ardhipay system that is linked to the E-citizen which shall help in the implementation of the policy.

    He noted that the policy mandates the use of digital payment methods (MPESA or banks) for all services, fostering accountability, precision, and timely reporting in revenue collection. Implementation in the 18 offices has demonstrated remarkable improvements in revenue collection.

    The 18 stations where the Cashless policy is already in effect include Wundanyi, Kiambu, Muranga, Ruiru, Thika, Ngong, Kajiado, Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, Machakos, Gatundu, Naivasha, Survey of Kenya, Ardhi House, Yatta, and Kisamis.

    To expedite this nationwide transition, PS Korir noted that the State Department will embark on an extensive 14-day exercise to implement the policy in the remaining 76 Land offices. This initiative includes the provision of computers and essential ICT equipment, ensuring that all Land offices are well-prepared to implement the policy and embrace the future digitization of land services.

    Dedicated field office staff will receive specialized training in cashless revenue collection, ensuring a smooth transition.

    Public awareness campaigns will also be conducted, educating citizens on the straightforward steps to make payments. Additionally, a demonstration of how the public can conveniently utilize the Ardhisasa platform for seamless Land Rent payments will be done as well.

  • Cheers as Development Bank expands operations services at the Coast

    Cheers as Development Bank expands operations services at the Coast

    Development Bank of Kenya Chairman Ndungu Githinji (left) and the bank’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Johnson Kiniti (right) are joined by Mombasa County government County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economics Evans Owanda in cutting ribbon tape to officially open their new branch in Moi avenue , Mombasa on Thursday
    Development Bank of Kenya Chairman Ndungu Githinji (left) and the bank’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Johnson Kiniti (right) are joined by Mombasa County government County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economics Evans Owanda in cutting ribbon tape to officially open their new branch in Moi avenue , Mombasa on Thursday.

    By Fred Maingi

    The Coastal fraternity has every reason to smile after Development Bank of Kenya(DBK) opened its newest branch in Mombasa County.

    The colorful ceremony was graced by Evans Owanda who is the Mombasa County Government Executive committee member for Finance and Economics along with Ndungu Githinji who is the chairman of the Bank.

    Also in attendance were the Banks top cream from the management.

    The strategic move aligns with the Bank’s strategy to enhance their customers base and further solidify the Bank’s presence in the ever growing Kenyan banking sector .

    The inauguration of the new branch marks a significant milestone in the banks dedication to extending its reach across Kenya and to meet the diverse needs of its valued customers.

    The bank is driven by the desire to guide their customers in all their financial ventures, and have continually broken new ground in advising their clients on strategic projects and providing new opportunities for individual and institutional investors.

    In his speech, Githinji said “On this momentous occasion, the opening of this new branch in Mombasa County marks another significant stride in our strategic expansion across Kenya. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to serving our customers and fulfilling their diverse needs. ”

    He went on” We aim to provide integrated banking products and solutions especially to unbanked individuals, in alignment with the central Bank of Kenya’s endeavors to foster financial inclusion “.

    The Bank Managing Director Johnson Kiniti emphasized their commitment to expand their services to other counties

    “Equally important, he added, is our mission to offer sustainable integrated financial services that respond to the needs of consumers, businesses, enterprises and communities”

  • New platform to enable businesses serve customers on multiple digital channels launched in Kenya

    New platform to enable businesses serve customers on multiple digital channels launched in Kenya

    By Maurice Momanyi.

    Leading enterprise technology company, Beem, has today launched a unified communication platform that enables local businesses to sell and serve clients across multiple social media platforms and enhance lasting relationships with their customers.
    Beem’s flagship product, Moja, aims to revolutionize the way businesses interact with their customers by enabling them to effectively communicate, engage, and serve their clients on WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Business, Instagram and SMS simultaneously.
    Moja empowers enterprises with the capability to attend to their customer’s needs, regardless of time or place, fostering a new level of trust and loyalty.
    The new platform comes in the wake of today’s highly competitive business landscape where companies are constantly seeking innovative solutions to sell, support, and engage with their customers on digital channels.
    “The platform will ensure businesses are able to serve thousands of customers at a go and always deliver a great customer experience, allowing them to focus on growth.” Taha Jiwaji, CEO of Beem, said at the launch at a Nairobi hotel.
    With a focus on multi-channel engagement and self-service automation, Moja promises to provide a scalable and reliable platform for businesses to enhance their customer experience.
    Beem’s goal, he said, was to usher in a new era of innovation where businesses harness the potential of cutting-edge technology to enrich customer experiences, foster lasting relationships, and drive sustainable growth.
    Beem’s entry into the Kenyan market with Moja reflects the growing demand for advanced customer engagement and support solutions. With Kenya’s technology sector experiencing remarkable growth, businesses are recognizing the need to invest in robust platforms that can deliver excellent customer experiences.
    “Our launch in Kenya marks a significant step towards realizing our vision of a technology-powered Africa. We believe that technology should be an enabler, not a barrier. Thus, our platform is designed to empower businesses across Africa to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.” The CEO (pictured) added.
    Jiwaji told the media that currently, Beem has a presence spanning over 25 countries across Africa and is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between businesses and their customers, adding that it is committed to providing top-notch customer support and ongoing product enhancements, and supporting enterprises through their local team in Kenya.

  • Gathoni Paints a Bright Picture from Grass to Grace

    Githunguri member of parliament Gathoni wa Muchomba delivered an earthshaking, motivational, and inspiring speech during the inaugural launch of Queen Banking by Family Bank.

    Gathoni started off by painting a humorous picture of how she worked at Family Bank for just three days simply because she couldn’t be confined to a quiet space whilst her background is that of a continuity announcer.

    Gathoni who is pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Nairobi is not just a politician but a brilliant gifted scholar with tenets of law-making skills. She in her first term proposed two bills one of which is the Geriatric Bill 2019 which is now at the last stage to provide dignity to elderly persons of Kenya.

    “I owned two properties as a student at the University of Nairobi courtesy of the empowerment of Family Bank. This bank has made me who I am today. I happen to come from very far away. I came from a family where I couldn’t afford my school fees. I learned through well-wishers. Sometimes God can put you through those waves to make you who you are. So whenever you see some of us fighting the way we do, kindly understand where we come from. Fiends are like stars. They shine to you during your darkest moments. I thank Family Bank for what I am today. Family Bank has been one of my brightest stars and I’m still at home. Family Bank is my Home.” Motivating, Gathoni narrated.

    Gathoni is an independent thinker, principled, and stands her ground observing tenets of integrity, transparency, steadfastness, and unrivaled character.

    She left tongues wagging when she stood her ground in defense of the poor mwananchi christened “Wanjiku” from oppressive taxes and levies.

    Gathoni, donned with impenetrable armour didn’t mince her words when she rose on the floor of the House opposing the oppression

  • Eighth annual Africa Risk-Reward Index highlights the continent’s outlook amid growing geopolitical fragmentation

    Eighth annual Africa Risk-Reward Index highlights the continent’s outlook amid growing geopolitical fragmentation

    Specialist risk consultancy, Control Risks (www.controlrisks.com), and its economics consulting partner, Oxford Economics Africa (https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/), announced the launch of the eighth edition of their Africa Risk-Reward Index today, themed ‘Opportunity through adversity’.

    The Africa Risk-Reward Index is an authoritative guide for policymakers, business leaders, and investors.

    The report details developments in the investment landscape in major African markets and delivers a grounded, longer-term outlook of key trends shaping investment in these economies.
    The eighth edition of the Africa Risk-Reward Index is released at a time of geopolitical fragmentation and recent external shocks that will have a sustained impact on the African continent.

    African nations are contending with the lingering repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions in global supply chains due to the conflict in Ukraine, and a tightening of global financing conditions. According to Oxford Economics Africa, these factors have pushed GDP growth down from 5.4% in 2021 to 3.5% last year.

    Some of this weakness has persisted into this year, but Oxford Economics Africa anticipates a steady, albeit uneven, pick-up in economic activity in the next 12-18 months.

    The report examines three key themes outlined below, summarising Control Risks’ and Oxford Economics Africa’s views on Africa’s trajectory in the year ahead.

    The profits and pitfalls in polarisation
    The report’s first theme is the impact of global geopolitical fragmentation on Africa.

    The conflict in Ukraine has upended the geopolitical landscape: Western countries are seeking alliances on their stance against Russia, while Russia is also looking to gain support for its efforts in Ukraine.

    Beyond the geopolitical heavyweights, other emerging geopolitical “middle powers” are taking an interest in Africa and its rich resource potential.

    As jostling for influence continues, the shockwaves from the conflict have rippled out in the form of macroeconomic uncertainty and higher inflation, deep anxiety over the interconnectedness of global trade and economic systems, and a desire among global geopolitical powers to distinguish friends from foes.

    Conscious of their growing geopolitical stock, Africa’s largest economies are seeking to balance their desire for neutrality and their need for external financial support, while at the same time seeking to amplify Africa’s voice in global debates. But their attempts at non-alignment are coming under ever greater pressure. Companies will be required to navigate the resulting regulatory complexity arising from global polarisation, including competing regulatory regimes, sanctions and export controls, and growing scrutiny on companies’ supply chains.

    African-led security interventions A collateral effect of the polarisation mentioned above is the upswing in African-led security interventions, which make the report’s second key theme.

    Global attention is split as the conflict in Ukraine continues, the US-China competition heats up, and countries in the Global North are increasingly focused on their domestic political concerns. The perceived inability of external forces to aid in bringing lasting security is leading African governments and institutions to gradually take on a greater role in responding to security crises on the continent.

    “These changes in tackling insecurity will present challenges for policymakers and businesses in Africa in the coming years. Businesses will be forced to navigate a more complex operating environment where military force, regional competition, and political and business interests are intertwined”, said Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director at Control Risks.

    It will require careful monitoring of rapidly evolving security dynamics, and heightened efforts to maintain neutrality and avoid the potential reputational fallout.

    Operators working in conflict zones will also potentially have to navigate interactions with foreign or private military forces.

    Financing for the future We anticipate that increased geopolitical competition will in the longer term translate into new opportunities for African countries, as geopolitical powers seek to extend their influence through financing and investment.

    However, in the short term, African economies will continue to contend with challenging economic environments, and this will deter the more risk averse investors.

    Rising inflation and supply-chain constraints have exposed the continent’s imbalances and economic fragilities.

    “The Russia-Ukraine conflict and a tightening in global monetary conditions have unnerved international investors. This has raised concern that economic development on the continent might pause or even regress. One area where this has not been the case is financial services, and more specifically, the expansion of access to financial services through innovation,” said Jacques Nel, Head of Africa Macro at Oxford Economics Africa.

    While foreign investors have somewhat retreated to the perceived safe havens of advanced economies, home-grown African champions are emerging to fill this funding gap and are steadily consolidating their dominance in Africa’s financial services industry.

    The continent still has a long way to go to reach financial inclusion to the extent seen in more advanced economies. However, financial institutions from regional economic powerhouses South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, and Kenya are stepping in to help bridge access and inclusion divides.

    While the sector is likely to remain attractive for investors, there are still significant risks, including exposure to governance issues, fraud, cyber threats, vulnerability to terrorism financing, and growing international scrutiny of illicit financial flows.

    The Africa Risk-Reward Index is defined by the combination of risk and reward scores that integrate economic and political risk analysis by Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa.
    Risk scores from each country originate from the Economic and Political Risk Evaluator (EPRE), while the reward scores incorporate medium-term economic growth forecasts, economic size, economic structure, and demographics.