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  • Naivas To Open 82nd Store At Katani Along Mombasa Road

    Naivas To Open 82nd Store At Katani Along Mombasa Road

    Kenya’s leading retailer Naivas supermarket is set to open the doors of its 82nd outlet and newest store at Katani along Mombasa Road.

    The new outlet a Foodmarket covering 34,299 square feet is the 3rd of its format along Mombasa Road, with the other two being Naivas Foodmarket Capital center and the just-opened Naivas Foodmarket Imara. It is however the 9th outlet in the larger Mombasa Road Region.

    The store focuses on everyday fresh produce that guarantees value for money and it is also stocked with a wide variety of products to choose from. The retailer promises a world-class shopping experience crowned by Kenyan hospitality.

    Commenting on the development, chief commercial officer Willy Kimani stated that this new development serves as a way of providing greater convenience to the populous Katani area and relieving the long queues experienced at other Naivas outlets.

    “This new store is a testament to that, the people asked for a convenient and through research, we proved its viability and delivered a store that we are sure will meet needs that even they did not know needed meeting. As our Mantra has always been, we exist to make other people’s lives better and being a homegrown brand, we will remain focused on the

    Kenyan consumer” remarked Willy Kimani, Naivas Chief Commercial Officer. The next stores lined up for opening include Kiambu mall, Naivasha, and Meru

  • Pesapal takes contactless payment solutions to bars and restaurants

    Pesapal takes contactless payment solutions to bars and restaurants

    Pesapal has presented its contactless payment solutions to the bar and entertainment industry which it says will boost the overall profitability of the sector.

    Pesapal Kenya Head of Sales Mercy Kanini said the innovative digital solution is already helping restaurant owners and managers to run their businesses more efficiently and sustainably whilst safeguarding against instances of theft.

    “Our innovative technology solutions have helped restaurants and bars transform how they operate not just to survive, but thrive, in this new connected and contactless era. In the last two years, the growth in the bar and entertainment industry has entirely been driven by off-premise consumption. As customers resume physical dining experience, using technology is not just about improving operations and service delivery, but also reimagining restaurants,” said Kanini.

    Speaking at the event, Pubs, Entertainment & Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK) Chairperson Michael Kiragu said tech innovations have helped solve some of the bar industry’s challenges, including monetary and inventory-related theft, high staff turnover, pilferage, and wastage.

    These have been some of the long-running challenges in the bar industry, with adverse effects on the profitability of businesses as they result in huge costs.

    “Most of our operators have identified the need for technology adoption to help achieve efficiencies and save time and money. Over the past few years, we have seen our members increase their investments in back-of-the-house technology such as point-of-sale systems to help seal leakages and improve operations,” said Michael Kiragu.

    Since the COVID-19 outbreak businesses have opted for online ordering, self-checkouts, and touchless payments to delivery and pick-up in a bid to maneuver through the pandemic and remain afloat.

    “We have strengthened our online distribution to serve more customers. We started by launching Party Central, then partnered with e-commerce platforms. Through these platforms, we have enabled customers to order their drinks from the comfort of their homes and enjoy delivery right to their doorstep,” said Anne Joy Michira, Acting Marketing & Innovations Director, Kenya Breweries Limited.

    According to PERAK, internal theft and pilferage are common challenges in the industry which cause considerable harm to the overall profitability of the business.

    Despite tight checks and measures, there is always a likelihood of theft occurring in these outlets.

    Pesapal now targets to expand its solutions which include Pesapal Sabi POS terminal, Reserveport, Invoicing, Payment Links, and Ticketsasa by focusing on the entertainment industry.

  • 16 arrested for sexually assaulting female motorist along Forest Road

    16 arrested for sexually assaulting female motorist along Forest Road

    16 bodaboda riders have Monday been arrested over the Forest Road assault on a female motorist.

    The Traffic Commandant in Nairobi Area Joshua Omukata says operations are ongoing as the police appeal for more information from the public.

    The 16 riders will be arraigned in court on Tuesday.

    Through a release, Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna noted that the Boda Boda industry plays an important role in Kenya’s economy as it employs many people.

    He however called on the Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK) and the Police Service to take action and root out the bad elements in the sector.

    Oguna further urged anybody who witnessed the harassment of the said victim to assist in identifying those who were involved.

    “Kenya operates within a set of rules and regulations that should be observed by all road users without infringing on the human, property, and road user rights,” he added.

    Earlier on, Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi condemned the incident and called for immediate arrest of those involved.

    Matiang’i termed the incident as disgusting even as he expressed his commitment to bringing to book those involved.

    “I am shocked and disgusted by a viral video clip of a female motorist being molested by suspected bodaboda riders along Wangari Maathai /Forest Road,” he said.

    Matiangi said the government must protect the road users from such vile and reprehensible acts of aggression.

    “I have asked our security agents to ensure that all the perpetrators of this dastardly act are swiftly apprehended and suitably punished for their heinous act,” he said.

  • Probe into helicopter supplying ammunition to bandits launched

    Probe into helicopter supplying ammunition to bandits launched

    Investigations on claims by locals in Baringo County of a mysterious helicopter alleged to be supplying ammunition to bandits in the area have been launched.

    Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mohammed Maalim assured the residents that the matter was being looked into and appealed to them to maintain calm as the investigators get to the bottom of the issue.

    Speaking in Kajiado town Thursday, while on a familiarization tour of the area, Maalim noted that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has a manifest of all aircraft leaving any airport at any given time and the details of the helicopter would be probed to ascertain the claims.

    “We are investigating the claims raised by residents about a white helicopter seen flying in the bandit hit areas, so far we do not have any confirmation but the Kenya Civil Aviation has the manifest of all aircraft leaving the airports and we will know for sure,” he said.

    During a peace meeting held at Mochongoi, Baringo South on March 9, the residents claimed that a white helicopter was spotted flying over areas most affected by banditry attacks.

    The helicopter is said to have landed at Korkon Hills where armed bandits are known to graze their livestock raising fears that powerful individuals were supplying ammunition to the bandits.

    Locals demanded that the government makes public the registration details of the helicopter, its owners, and its mission in the area saying, each time it is spotted, attacks occur after a day or two.

    The helicopter was first spotted in January, a few weeks after illegal herders suspected to be from the neighboring Laikipia County arrived in the area.

    The Korkoron Hills is a hideout for dreaded armed bandits who have been terrorizing residents for years.

    The bandits are reported to have moved to the area in December 2021, with thousands of livestock in the guise of looking for water and pasture, but ended up staging attacks and raids against locals, resulting in deaths and displacement of locals.

  • Kenya Healthcare Federation celebrates its Heroes in the Pharmaceutical Industry

    Kenya Healthcare Federation celebrates its Heroes in the Pharmaceutical Industry

    Nairobi, Kenya, 9th March 2022
    The Kenya Healthcare Foundation to host an inaugural event to celebrate and recognize the health sector
    professionals who have had an outstanding contribution to the industry.

    The Kenya Healthcare Federation will host an inaugural event that marks the start of annual celebrations and recognition of Healthcare Professionals who have had an outstanding contribution to, and social impact, in the Sector over the years.

    The heroes celebration event will bring together various players including the Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (KAPI) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK). For the inaugural celebrations, the Kenya Healthcare Foundation in partnership with Surgipharm and Imperial Logistics (Healthcare Market Access business) will celebrate and honor Dr. Vijai Maini, the outgoing Managing
    Director of Surgipharm Ltd.

    Dr. Vijai, who is also one of the founding members of KAPI, has been instrumental in the growth of the Pharmaceutical industry both through his company Surgipharm and through his leadership and mentorship contributions at KAPI.

    Surgipharm Ltd through its branches in Nairobi and Mombasa is one of the largest and most efficient pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics firms in Kenya, accounting for 30% of the market share.

    The Cabinet Secretary of Health, Hon. CS Mutahi Kagwe, KHF Chairman, Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, and Imperial Logistics Executive Vice President ( Market Access)- David Pritchard.

  • Sonko and family members banned from entering America

    Sonko and family members banned from entering America

    Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been banned from entering the United States over his alleged involvement in “significant corruption.”

    The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in addition said that his wife Primrose Mwelu Nyamu Mbuvi; their daughters Saumu Agnes Mbuvi and Salma Wanjiru Mbuvi; and his minor child are also ineligible to enter the country from now on.

    In a statement, the US Department of State accused Sonko of receiving bribes and kickbacks in exchange for the award of government contracts.

    “His actions undermined the rule of law and public’s faith in Kenya’s democratic institutions and public processes,” the statement read in part.

    “This designation is made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021.  Under this authority, designated officials of foreign governments involved in significant corruption and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States,” added the U.S. Department of State.

    Blinken further stated that the designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to combatting corruption and supporting the rule of law while strengthening democratic institutions in Kenya.

    “We will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for corrupt actors in this region and globally,” he said.

    Sonko was impeached on December 4 2020 and is facing numerous criminal charges including several corruption cases, assault and terrorist-linked offences which he denies.

  • Government Develops Comprehensive Maritime Security Strategy

    Government Develops Comprehensive Maritime Security Strategy

    The national government has embarked on developing a national maritime security strategy to address maritime security challenges to bolster efforts to harness the Sh500 billion worth blue economy.

    The strategy intended to midwife the national maritime security committee and the national maritime security risk register is a high-level strategic policy framework and shared vision for securing a country’s maritime domain, including its ports and territorial waters.

    State Department for East African Community Principal Secretary, Dr Kevit Desai stated that the national maritime security strategy has been developed for effective coordination and management of risks and threats in the maritime sector.

    “Maritime security is necessary to create a conducive environment at sea that supports the vision 2030 and the 3rd Medium Term plan which is driven by the Big 4 agenda,” added Desai.

    He was speaking Monday in Mombasa when he officially opened a two day National Maritime Security Strategy Workshop at Sarova Whitesands Beach hotel.

    He revealed that the blue economy, as 8th sector of the economic pillar of vision 2030, currently contributes a paltry Sh178.8 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

    He said that the country is well poised to play a key role in enhancing the security of navigation in the Western Indian Ocean with its strategic location along the major shipping trading route.

    Desai further noted that there is a need to protect the maritime space from external and internal threats to safety of life at sea, property and free movement of goods through maritime transport which account for 90 per cent of the trade in the region.

    He said that can be achieved through robust establishment of a comprehensive maritime security governance framework and close collaboration and coordination among agencies mandated to secure the territorial waters.

    “Proper governance of maritime space within the Kenyan waters will only work through formulation and establishment of a collaborative framework and joint, comprehensive and coordinated policies and enforcement actions that will ensure protection of critical infrastructure, services, economic activities and resources at sea,” added Desai.

    He said the vast resources within the blue economy has exposed it to various crimes and threats including terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, terrorism, wildlife, drug trafficking, unregulated and unreported fishing.

    “The advancement and protection of Kenya’s national interests through joint and active management of risks and opportunities in and from the maritime domain is necessary in order to strengthen and extend Kenya’s prosperity, security and resilience,” added Desai.

    The PS further revealed that the country has implemented several regional and international protocols governing maritime security to support sustainable development of the blue economy including the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) code and Djibouti Code of conduct.

    He added that the government is particular enhancing maritime security and safety for efficient and affordable global trade, connectivity to enable business to thrive unhindered and unfettered, combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, take collective measures to enhance security and safety of its territorial waters and implement the Eastern and Southern Indian Ocean regional accord on operation, coordination and information exchange.

    The PS commended the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for technical guidance in helping the government towards establishing a comprehensive, holistic and inclusive maritime security governance framework.

    IMO’s Djibouti Code of conduct Project Management, Kiruja Micheni hailed the national government for entrenching the National Maritime Security Committee (NSMC) into law and jumpstarting the establishment of the National Maritime Security Strategy.

    “We are cognizant that Kenya is steadily developing strides to become a strong maritime nation and must be commended for the various steps it has taken in building her capacity in this multi-faceted sector,” Micheni added.

    He added that the maritime security and blue economy have moved a notch higher with the launch of a sustainable blue economy, establishment of Kenya Coast Guard Service (KFS), development of policies, regulations and laws and collaboration with other development partners.

    Micheni assured that IMO will continue to support the national government with technical support to develop effective national maritime security for the benefit of the entire region to promote a safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable shipping sector.

  • Government Condemns Uncouth Boda Boda Riders

    Government Condemns Uncouth Boda Boda Riders

    The Boda Boda Association of Kenya and the Kenya Police Service have been called upon to take action on the Boda Boda riders who assaulted a woman on Monday along Forest Road in Nairobi.

    Government Spokesperson Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna in a press statement to newsrooms said the government conveys its sincere compassion with the lady affected during the incident, which he termed inhumane and deemed unacceptable by all Kenyans.

    “We are concerned that such incidences have been on the rise, one in Kisii and Nairobi among others in parts of the country. We cannot allow such acts to continue,” said Oguna.

    The Spokesperson appealed to all members of the public who witnessed the incident to identify those who were involved to enable the police take the necessary action.

    “We assure Kenyans that necessary measures will be taken to ensure that justice is served on all the victims of such harassments,” he stressed.

    Oguna said to avoid such uncouth and inhumane behaviour, the Boda Boda Association should root out all the bad elements within the industry, while urging all road users to observe and operate within the set of traffic rules and regulations of the country without infringing on the human, property and road use rights.

    The Spokesperson said the government acknowledges the important role the Boda Boda Industry plays in the growth of the country’s economy through creating employment for the young people, but however, it will not condone bad elements to spoil the industry.

  • Equity Group Holdings Announces It’s Recovery Plan

    Equity Group Holdings Announces It’s Recovery Plan

    The Equity Group has announced its strategic ‘Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan’, articulated in a three-part document, which is aimed at achieving the social and economic transformation of Africa.

    Speaking at the event held today at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi, Equity Group Holdings Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr.

    James Mwangi disclosed that the strategy comprises five strategic pillars that will be operationalized through a collaborative and ecosystem-centricecocentric eco-system-centric approach.

    “The five pillars for the Strategic Plan are Food and Agriculture, Manufacturing and Logistics,

    Trade and Investment, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Social and Environmental Transformation which will promote socio-economic prosperity for Africa,” Mwangi explained.

    The CEO stated that the objectives of the plan are the inclusivity of 100 million households and banking of the entire value chain.

    Additionally, according to Mwangi, the employment of 50 million people, where 25 million direct jobs will be created as a business grows while 25 million indirect jobs will be created as value chains expand and deepen, will also form part of the set-out objectives.

    He added that Equity Group is launching a plan for like-minded people where they hope to make a difference to see Africa recover and thrive from what was lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “We gave a chance to 45 percent of our customers to make them feed for purpose after Covid-19 which we have noted a good survival rate,” said Mwangi.

    Mwangi also noted that they have transformed their social contract with the society, adding that they are currently advancing from the benefits of confidence of the society in their enterprise.

    At the same time, Equity Group Director of Strategic Partnership, Collaboration, and Investor Relations, Brent Malahay, elaborated on corporate philosophy in what has become the social and economic plan of Equity Group Holdings.

    “It is a plan and seed that speaks to bringing together both social and economic considerations in driving financial inclusion across businesses,” said Malahay.

    He mentioned that the vision of the Recovery and Resilience Plan is around social and economic transformation.

    “As Equity Group, you cannot have sustainable economic transformation without having the social consideration, that is why the seed we planted was aimed to industrialize Africa,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Equity Group Director of Communication, Polycarp Igathe, said that the plan will transform the lives and livelihood of the community by creating opportunities for young people.

    He appealed to Equity Group to present liquidity to business people whenever they need it, adding that a partnership with local institutions through sharing data will promote innovation.

    “The mandate of Equity Group is to work with their clients in delivering various services to all consumers,” Igathe stated.

  • FILM STAR EDWARD NORTON APPOINTED MAGICAL KENYA ELEPHANT NAMING AMBASSADOR

    FILM STAR EDWARD NORTON APPOINTED MAGICAL KENYA ELEPHANT NAMING AMBASSADOR

    Elephant conservation has received a major boost with the appointment of American actor, filmmaker, and producer Edward Norton as the Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival ambassador.

    Edward Norton who is a star in prominent movies will help raise the profile of the festival an annual activity to support the conservation of elephants in the country.

    Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala while announcing the appointment said that Edward Norton’s global appeal and passion towards the protection of nature and species will take the conservation efforts to the next level.

     “We have chosen to work with Edward because he has a passion for conservation and biodiversity and his social status will help us to realize our goals in raising awareness and solving the problems that face our wildlife. His interests extend to areas that include habitat loss, deforestation, species extinction, and the need for sustainable consumption patterns among people in industrialized countries. These are critical elements in conservation which are important to us,” said the CS.

    He added that the tourism sector will leverage Edward Norton’s global appeal to raise awareness about the festival to the international audience.

    Edwards in 2010, was appointed first Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity by the United Nations Secretary-General, a role which is meant to help improve people’s understanding of biodiversity and its importance to human wellbeing.

    The CS said his appointment will elevate the level of support for the Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival which was launched in 2021, a fundraising initiative that allows individuals and organizations to adopt and name an elephant after contributing to conservation efforts.

    The Inaugural Festival which was held in October of 21 saw a total of Sh16.5 million raised from individuals and corporates in the country. The Ministry of Tourism and wildlife targets to raise Sh100 million within the financial year 2021-2022.

     

    Edward Norton said “It is an honor to be named the Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival Ambassador which is an initiative geared towards the protection of the elephants.

    “I am passionate about conservation and the preservation of our environment which includes nature and wildlife as we know it. It is therefore encouraging to see such initiatives aimed at boosting the protection and conservation of species like the else” he said.

    Norton added “Kenya is a shining example of integration in the way life should be, we must be able to address sustainability within the context of human activity in the world, Kenya has led the way in showing this. A huge need for tourism in Kenya is the need for people to come and see which they don’t have in their countries”

    In 2021, the Ministry of Tourism and wildlife through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) conducted the first ever first-ever wildlife census geared towards understanding the number of wildlife resources in the country. Through the census, it was established that Kenya is home to a total of 36,280 elephants, representing a 21 percent growth from 2014 when poaching was at its peak. This increase has been thanks to the sustained government crackdown on poaching and the illegal ivory trade.

    The Kenya Tourism Board CEO Dr betty Radier said; “Today, conservation is an important element, it is encouraging to see that more tourist destinations have embraced the concept of sustainable tourism and are now implementing various initiatives in this regard. The aim is to promote sustainable tourism and find a balance between communities, travelers, and conservation to ensure that we sustain the wild for as long as possible. “Said Dr. Radier

    She added that the appointment of Edward Norton would be important in setting in motion the conversation around the conservation of wildlife and natural resources in Kenya and across Africa.