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  • 190-year-old British-based global development organisation operating in 86 countries moves part of its strategic leadership operations into Kenya

    190-year-old British-based global development organisation operating in 86 countries moves part of its strategic leadership operations into Kenya

    The British not-for-profit international development organisation Crown Agents, which supplied locomotives to Kenya’s very first railway lines, has unveiled a strategic change in its Kenyan operations, with the opening of new offices in Nairobi to put Kenyan experts in charge of parts of its global operations.

    The development company implements programmes for governments, donors and agencies worldwide. Crown Agents has had offices in Kenya since 1965 supporting the Government of Kenya in delivering programmes in procurement reform, health and government staff training. However, in the last year, it has tripled its staff in Nairobi, appointing Kenyan experts to manage parts of its global strategy and programmes. Crown Agents is now managing global recruitment from Nairobi, as well as its global fund management strategy.

    This follows from Crown Agents Kenya taking a leading role in tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases by facilitating the administration of 8.5 million treatments against Schistosomiasis (Schisto) and Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) across the world. The treatments were funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Children’s Investment Foundation (CIFF) as part of their effort to eradicate NTDs globally.

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    Last year, Crown Agents Kenya collaborated with philanthropists and the Irish and Japanese Governments to deliver over 4.5 million pieces of assorted PPE, ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other medical equipment to hospitals around the country to support Kenya’s fight against COVID-19.

    Crown Agents Kenya is currently working closely with the Governments of Kenya and Jersey to reinvest three million pounds of looted funds hidden in Jersey into the Kenyan health sector. Through the Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK), an asset recovery programme signed by the Governments of Kenya, Jersey, the UK and Switzerland, Crown Agents Kenya is leading in the procurement of medical equipment and the training of health workers, with the aim of providing enhanced health service delivery as part of the universal healthcare initiative.

    To accommodate its increased staff, Crown Agents Kenya is now moving to larger offices in the Green House on Ngong Road.
    The move follows a few years after the appointment to Crown Agents’ global Board of Directors, in 2021, of Non-Executive Director David Mureithi, former Unilever Managing Director for Kenya, East and Southern Africa, and board chairman of Starehe Boys Centre and School.

    “Crown Agents exists to enable governments and society in resolving some of the most onerous barriers to development. To do that most effectively, we need strategic and programmatic leadership that understands the causes, and the specific circumstances, that we face across the developing world,” said David.

    Opening the new offices, with now eight global Kenyan managers, alongside the Kenyan implementation team, recently appointed Country Director for Crown Agents in Kenya, Loise Kinyanjui, said: “We now have part of the company’s global strategy being driven by those who have lived, studied and worked in Africa, working alongside country-level staff engaged
    in detailed procurement and logistics challenges.”

  • Bottneuro uses Samsung Technology to provide Bottneuros digital diagnostic solutions for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

    Bottneuro uses Samsung Technology to provide Bottneuros digital diagnostic solutions for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

    With medical technology continuing to evolve and offer the latest solutions and treatments to patients, Samsung Electronics Switzerland has been aiding the advancement by developing its products.

    Samsung collaborated with Bottneuro AG, a Swiss MedTech startup dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and to bring an innovative and enhanced diagnostic and treatment solution to patients. Bottneuro AG has chosen Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ Enterprise Edition hardware to store and record therapy data in the Bottneuro Solution.

    Powerful Therapy through Innovative Technologies

    Bottneuro AG’s technology identifies areas of the brain affected by the disease through 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging data. Once identified, these regions can be targeted and electronically stimulated with Miamind® neurostimulator technology. The Galaxy Tab S8+ Enterprise Edition simplifies handling the Bottneuro solution via a graphical interface.

    Patients who suffer from dementia often experience reduced cognitive function in the early stages of the disease, making the need for finding a device that is easy to operate and understand imperative for Bottneuro AG. With its intuitive interface and usability, the Galaxy Tab S8+ provided the optimal hardware for the Bottneuro solution.

    “We were looking for a simple and reliable solution for our application. We found it with the Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G Enterprise Edition and Samsung is giving us great support in the development,” said Julius Klaas, CTO of Bottneuro AG.

    Seamless Solutions in a Single Galaxy Tablet

    The Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G Enterprise Edition offers a plethora of features and capabilities. It comes with a high-resolution Super AMOLED display providing brilliant clarity for both patients and healthcare providers and offers reliable long-lasting battery life.

    The Miamind® neurostimulator is also directly powered by the Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G Enterprise Edition, and once treatment is complete, the Galaxy Tab S8+ automatically transmits diagnostic and treatment information contained within the Bottneuro solution to Bottneuro AG via 5G data connectivity, allowing patients to stay in the comfort of their home. Additionally, the Galaxy Tab S8+ 5G Enterprise Edition can be individually configured through Samsung Knox, keeping sensitive data and medical records private and protected.

    Partnerships for the Future

    Groundbreaking innovations such as these would not be possible without partnerships, and Samsung is proud to have been supporting and working with Bottneuro AG since its founding in 2021.

    “We are pleased to offer Bottneuro AG a reliable, safe and simple solution with Samsung Knox and to support their novel therapy approach,” added Daniele Casella, Head of MX B2B Mobile at Samsung Switzerland.

    The effectiveness of Bottneuro AG’s new therapeutic treatment will be tested in several clinical studies this year. While the treatment is not commercially available yet, Bottneuro AG and Samsung remain optimistic about the progress that can be made to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

    For more information on Bottneuro AG and Samsung’s partnership, visit Samsung Newsroom Switzerland, www.bottneuro.com or www.miamind.com.

  • Billions of chickens suffering unnecessarily in fast-food supply chains, according to the Pecking Order Report

    Billions of chickens suffering unnecessarily in fast-food supply chains, according to the Pecking Order Report

    The Pecking Order Report released by World Animal protection earlier today has revealed that majority of companies in the food industry are failing to implement meaningful changes to improve the welfare of chickens in their supply chains. Companies’ inaction is not only an animal welfare issue but also a threat to human health, with antibiotic overuse in farming fuelling a deadly superbug crisis.

    The report calls on companies to raise welfare standards to reduce the need for routine antibiotics used to prevent disease amongst animals kept in appalling conditions.

    Dr Victor Yamo, Farming Campaigns Manager at World Animal Protection said, “The Pecking Order is committed to shining a light on the chicken meat industry and encouraging companies to improve their animal welfare policies. While progress has been made by some companies, others must be held accountable for their shameful lack of consideration of animal welfare.

    The Pecking Order 2022 highlights the need for fast-food companies to take urgent action to address animal welfare and human health concerns. Consumers are increasingly holding companies accountable for the treatment of animals used in their supply chains, and companies must recognize that there is no justification for profiting from the pain of sentient beings.”

    Every year, billions of chickens endure chronic pain, skin lesions, and even heart failure caused by selective breeding, with little environmental enrichment in their cramped living conditions. This is the reality for many chickens in the fast-food industry, who are subjected to inhumane treatment by companies who refuse to take their welfare seriously.

    The report’s key findings

    Kenchic is the leading company in Kenya in broiler chicken welfare with an overall percentage of 42%. In Commitments and Targets they managed an 83% score placing them in Tier 2 (good Progress). However, just like most of the global food companies they are yet to start reporting on their commitments. They are followed by Carrefour with a 17% overall score and a 33% score in Commitments and Targets.

    Most of the local companies assessed were performing poorly and very poor in their approaches to broiler chicken welfare in their supply chains and they lacked any animal welfare policy or commitments.

    For the global fast-food brands despite their franchises in other geographical regions having Animal welfare policies and having made commitments to improve broiler chicken welfare the same did not apply to their franchises in Kenya. This highlights the double standards of the brands globally.

    The report recommendations

    The report recommends four actions to improve welfare for animals on farms.

    1.     That local food companies endeavour to work with World Animal Protection to develop the requisite Farm Animal Welfare policies that are aligned to the Farm Animal Responsible Minimum Standards (FARMS) and make their commitments to improving farm animal welfare throughout their supply chain. The policy and commitments should then be placed on their website and launched publicly for accountability.

    2.     That global fast-food companies, liaise with their headquarters and franchises in other geographical locations which have developed the farm animal welfare policies aligned to FARMS and made commitments to improve on farm animal welfare within their supply chain to help them develop the same to eliminate the double standards within their supply chain.

    3.     That leading local food company in broiler welfare in Kenya start reporting on their performance in delivering the farm animal welfare policy to improve on their rating in 2023.

    4.     That animal resource industry in collaboration with the government (Directorate of Veterinary Services, Directorate of Livestock Production, Kenya Bureau of Standards among others) review the Food Animals’ Welfare – Code of Practice DKS 2829:2018 to align it to the globally recognized FARMS.

  • Bishop Kieru Welcomes Appointment of Clergy in Public Office

    Bishop Kieru Welcomes Appointment of Clergy in Public Office

    Kenya Assemblies of God Nyahururu District Bishop Simon Kieru has expressed support for the step that his excellency the President took in appointing men of God in leadership positions.

    On Friday, his excellency Dr. William Ruto announced the appointment of ex-CITAM presiding bishop David Oginde as Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission.

    Bishop Kieru termed this as a step in the right direction saying:

    “Indeed his excellency the President has been forthright in settling for nothing less other than the best capable people to form his government.

    The appointment of Bishop Oginde is quite welcome at a time when corruption has become a big monster bedeviling the progress of our Nation.

    Bishop Kieru concluded by wishing Bishop Oginde the very best in his new appointment and also thanked His Excellency The President for calling upon the Church to participate in Governance.

  • KTDA Chairman David Ichoho mourns Yasin

    KTDA Chairman David Ichoho mourns Yasin

    Kenya Tea Development Authority Chairman David Muni Ichoho has taken a moment to mourn Yasin.

    In his condolence message he notes

    “I have this morning received the sad news of the passing of Mr Haji Mohamed Yasin the chairman Vital group Pakistan with sadness. Yasin and Vital Group have been partners with KTDA in tea business.I wish to convey my condolences , Board KTDA, Tea Fraternity on the passing of Yasin. I pray to Almighty God to grant the Yasin family, Vital group, peace and grace during this period of mourning.

    May Almighty grant His soul eternal peace.

    Rest In Peace Brother Yasin.”

  • Hawkers decision to Clean Eastleigh’s rotten market

    Hawkers decision to Clean Eastleigh’s rotten market

    Nairobi City County Environment team and informal traders in Eastleigh 1st Avenue have vehemently combined forces to remove illegally dumped waste on the median.

    The joint exercise entailed street sweeping and garbage collection to attain the city’s ‘Let Nairobi Work.” Motto.

    According to Eastleigh Hawkers Chairman David Kinuthia he said that they want to lead by example in implementation of Nairobi’s  Governor Johnson Sakaja to achieve development blueprint of making NAIROBI work.

    “We want Nairobi to lead by example, the county must be clean, we want a conducive living area and working conditions adhered to.”

    Different areas of Nairobi City continues to experience rot as the county is on with the moves to make the city clean.

  • High Token Prices Raises Eyebrows

    High Token Prices Raises Eyebrows

    Kenyans have been complaining about the high cost of tariffs with the government being called upon to cushion Kenyans from such.

    Isaac Ndereva is the Executive Director Electricity Consumers Society of Kenya. and he has lamented the high prices that continue to impoverish Kenyans.

    Mr Ndereva also called upon the government to explore newer energy sources such as wind power or solar.

    “98% of our power comes from hydroelectric and this is risky. For example during the dry seasons we have to undergo constant rationing and the high cost of Electricity which has continued to soar

    He spoke in the sidelines of a public participation of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority

    Laikipia woman representative Jane Kagiri In a notice motion, Kagiri says that the Kenya Power and Lightning Company (KPLC) has been buying large quantities of power from IPPs at exorbitant prices.

    Instead, she argues that charges would have been lower if the utility company had bought electricity from the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).

    “Kenya Power has in the past procured a larger quantity of power from the IPPs at a greater cost, rather than from KenGen, leading to higher cost of power; cognizant of the fact that, there is need to put in place policies, strategies and regulatory measures for better planning to moderate the cost of electricity and enable access to energy by all particularly in the manufacturing sector to ease the cost of production and doing business,” Kagiri says.

    KPLC has proposed a new tariff for domestic consumers that will see power charges rise by between 13 and 20 percent.

    Consumers with a life-line consumption band of below 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month will pay Sh20.5 per unit, up from the current Sh18.14, representing a 13 percent jump.

    Out of the Sh20.5, Sh14 is the consumption charge, meaning Sh6.5 is on taxes and levies.

    The MP wants the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy to investigate Kenya Power’s agreements with IPPs and stop new IPP contracts, among others.

    “The Departmental Committee on Energy undertakes an inquiry into the operations of Kenya Power in relation to agreements entered into with IPPs, factors affecting the cost of electricity, including over-reliance on IPPs against available renewable and other energy sources, and measures to reduce it and submits a report to the House within one hundred and twenty (120) days.”

  • Pastor Sue: Let’s Not Go Against The Order of Nature

    Pastor Sue Mûnene, popularly known as the Twa Twa pastor, has added her voice in total condemnation of any purported move to show leniency to the LGBTQ community.

    Only recently, the Supreme Court shocked many and left tongues wagging when the Apex Court okeyed LGBTQ to have the right to association.

    Pastor Sue notes:

    “It’s very wrong to go against the order of nature. By design, the posterior part of our body is designed for exit only. We have a good example when we visit supermarkets or shopping malls. You cannot be allowed to access the shop from the exit area. You have to use the entrance,” Pastor Sue said adding that homosexuality and lesbianism is an abomination in our African and Christian Teaching.

    All eyes are now on Parliament to try and pass legislation challenging the Supreme Court ruling.

  • STANBIC HOLDINGS PLC REPORTS KES 9.1 BILLION PROFIT IN 2022 AND A 55% DIVIDEND PAYOUT

    STANBIC HOLDINGS PLC REPORTS KES 9.1 BILLION PROFIT IN 2022 AND A 55% DIVIDEND PAYOUT

    • Profitability grew by 26% bolstered by double digit growth in revenue and customer loans, increased operational efficiencies and judicious risk management.
    • Newly appointed Chief Executive signals a new business growth strategy phase.

    Stanbic Holdings Plc has announced a KES 9.1 billion after-tax profit for its financial year ended 31 December 2022.

    The listed financial services provider, a member of Standard Bank – the leading African Financial Services Group – attributed the 26% after-tax profit growth to strong revenue and balance sheet growth.

    Stanbic Kenya and South Sudan’s Chief Executive, Mr. Joshua Oigara said the firm’s strategic plan formulated and adopted three years ago continues to facilitate growth and organizational resilience. He noted that the strategic plan founded on digital innovations for service delivery, enhanced consumer experience and increased operating efficiencies had translated to an accelerated balance sheet growth.

    “Despite the uncertain and challenging operating environment last year, the business delivered strong results, thanks to focused execution across our strategic plan. The plan is anchored on catalytic growth pillars such as customer service excellence and technology integration to boost operating efficiencies. We can see the payoff whilst providing a good launchpad for the next three-year strategy to be unveiled later this year,” Oigara said.

    Buoyed by a diversified portfolio of corporate, commercial, investment and retail banking financial solutions, the lender posted a 28% revenue growth to close at KES 32 billion in the period under review. Customer deposits increased by 12% to stand at KES 272 billion, while loan and advances to customers were up 27% to close at KES 236 billion, highlighting the Bank’s commitment to supporting economic growth and development.

    Shareholders at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firm will, subject to approval at the next Annual General Meeting, enjoy KES 4.98 billion in dividends, being 55% of the 2022 profit after tax and representing a 40% increase in total dividend payment from previous year’s KES 3.56 billion.

    Stanbic Holdings Chief Financial and Value Officer Mr. Dennis Musau noted that the significant progress on its strategic plan and requisite measures made by the Bank over time have cumulatively contributed to its strong growth momentum.

    “Over time, we have made investments to drive faster customer acquisition, efficient and convenient service and internal operational efficiency. The outcome of these efforts is evident in our Cost to Income ratio which reduced from 50.9% in 2021 to 46.7% in 2022, boosting our Return on Equity to 15.3%, up from 13.3% in 2021.” said Mr. Musau.

    “Along the same grain of customer focused investments, as the East African region continues to thrive as one of the fastest growing regions on the continent, Stanbic launched borderless banking in 2022 which enables customers to transact seamlessly and real-time across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan. To date, this platform has facilitated more than USD 800M worth of transactions across the countries and contributed non-funded revenue to the bank” Musau added.

    Stanbic has been intentional in its focus on diversity and inclusion, with a specific focus on women. Through the Dare to Aspire Dare to Achieve (DADA) platform, the Bank has committed KES 20 billion (approximately USD 185 million) to finance women. Since its launch 3 years ago, the platform has attracted more than 53,000 new to bank ‘Dadas’ and disbursed loans amounting to KES 7.7B.

    Stanbic has consistently funded Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). As at end of December 2022, the Bank issued a cumulative of KES 33 billion to these entities under its Business and Commercial Banking business segment. In addition, through the Stanbic Foundation and strategic partners, the Bank disbursed KES 76 million in grants and catalytic funding to over 400 MSMEs in the country.

    The Bank continues to change and transform the community through their Social, Economic and Environment (SEE) initiatives aligned to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Stanbic Bank’s SEE initiatives are championed by the Stanbic Kenya Foundation and are focused on economic empowerment, financial inclusion, promotion of education and health. The Foundation’s Accelerate Program has been instrumental in positioning Kenyan businesses for success by addressing digital skills gaps, boosting entrepreneurship and enhancing employability of beneficiaries through digital literacy and upskilling, career development, and access to grant funding and job markets. The milestones achieved have been as a result of working together with partners in the development, public and private sectors.

    As a trusted financial institution, the Bank’s contribution has been recognized through various awards such as Kenya’s Best Investment Bank, Best Trade Finance Bank, KEPSA Gender Mainstreaming Award (The Women on Boards Network, 2022), Financial Leadership Award Winner (Women Business Awards 2022) and Overall winner of the Financial Reporting Awards (FIRE Awards, 2022).

    In December 2022, Stanbic Board of Directors appointed Mr. Joshua Oigara as Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Kenya, and South Sudan, following the retirement of Mr. Charles Mudiwa, after two decades of illustrious service to the Standard Bank Group. Mr. Oigara’s leadership will be instrumental in driving growth and development of the Bank, as he steers its growth momentum, investment in digital transformation, and contribution to the prosperity of the communities it serves.

  • LG Empowers Social Groups in Nairobi And Makueni To Promote Growth And Self-Reliance Of Local Communities

    LG Empowers Social Groups in Nairobi And Makueni To Promote Growth And Self-Reliance Of Local Communities

    ·         The empowerment is courtesy of the 3rd edition of LGs Ambassador Challenge which will see three finalists walk away with Ksh.1,000,000 million that will go towards solving social issues in the communities in which they reside.

    ·         This year’s challenge was part of LG’s overarching vision that sees various aspects of society working together to achieve a better life for all

    Three social groups based in Nairobi, and Makueni counties have emerged as the 2023 winners of the LG Electronics Ambassador Challenge that seeks to promote the growth and self-reliance of local communities.

    The three, Vonde Welfare, Kenya Women and Children Centre, and Little Voice Deep Within, emerged winners beating 52 applicants from across the country analyzed based on necessity, effectiveness, efficiency, concreteness and Manageability. This follows a rigorous application and selection process that kicked off in January this year in partnership with Korea Food For the Hungry International (KFHI)

    The three will each receive Ksh.1,000,000 million which is the main prize that will go towards solving social issues in the communities in which they reside.

    Giving his remarks, LG Electronics EA Managing Director, Lee Dong Won said, “Communities thrive when their members are empowered to take control of their growth and development. The success of the LG Ambassador’s challenge in promoting the growth and self-reliance of local communities is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. Congratulations to the winners for their inspiring solutions and to all participants for their dedication to building stronger, more resilient communities. It is my plea to all of us, that we continue to support and invest in initiatives that empower local communities to take charge of their destiny.”

    Of the three groups, Vonde Welfare seeks to offer solutions to water challenges facing Makueni residents from Vonde area in Mbooni Sub-County. Most of the affected residents are single mothers, school-going children and women whose husbands work far away from the area in such of greener pastures. The area is on top of a hill hence the water table is very low causing residents to walk kilometres away in such of water.

    “Through this capital, we intend to mitigate the challenge of scarcity of water in the area during dry seasons to at least 50-80 families, reduce the workload of fetching water from a long distance thus creating more time for attending to family chores and looking for support to feed families by mothers who are most affected in more than 60 families and finally increase the concentration of children by more than 200 in schools which has been a major challenge in the area since most of them spend time looking for water. We are elated to be a finalist and we look forward to making a difference”. Said James Kalulu Muthoka, Vonde Welfare representative.

    On the other hand, the Kenya Women and Children Centre based in Nairobi aim to use the funds to assist in reducing the raising cases of Gender-based Violence in the country by educating the public on how to respond and prevent the illness. “This will be done through capacity building, Economic empowerment, training, clinical, Psychosocial shelter and legal assistance in our facility in what we have dubbed as a one-stop centre”. Said Judy Nzioki, Kenya Women and Children Centre representative.

    As part of their solutions agenda, the social group seeks to leverage the capital to safeguard and protect the rights and well-being of communities through GBV prevention to 400,000 direct beneficiaries, reduce the risk of GBV reoccurrence by 40 per cent through economic empowerment and safe shelter, and finally improve access to GBV services (medical, psychosocial care and legal access) by at least 20 per cent of the number of GBV survivors.

    The third group Little Voice Deep Within based in Kariobangi South, Nairobi seeks to empower vulnerable children through environmentally friendly interventions. Currently, the group manages a small community library where vulnerable children from the vicinity with neither access to reading materials nor a place to be able to read are welcomed every Saturday to both borrow a book as well as read.

    In his submission, the group’s representative, Erick Wiclife Odhiambo said, “Our dream is to expand our community library model across other informal settlement and resource-limited contexts. We seek not only to nurture and revive a reading culture but also to create a child-friendly safe space within which the little voice deep within will be awakened, that little voice deep within that always tells you to do good. We also seek to nurture the nascent talents of targeted children by empowering them with environmentally friendly skills in arts and creativity train thus contributing not only to their integral development but an improved awareness of caring for mother earth. Some of the skills include knitting, weaving, perspective drawing, form drawing and handcrafting”.

    The group intends to use part of the funds to set up a digital library and accommodate more students, especially during the holiday season.

    The three groups are expected to execute their ideas in three months once they are awarded. To ensure due diligence, a follow-up will be made by the Programme manager and key partner of the challenge, KFHI.

    To bring the solutions to life, KFHI will plan, support, and implement customized project progress and monitoring according to the location of the project screening, project community selection, and the characteristics of the selected teams (including organization, operation, and capabilities) through the competition.