Author: KahawaTungu Reporter

Plans are underway to upgrade Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from diesel-power to electric by 2021. According to Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the government plans to invest Sh65 billion in the project. “We were not sure of electric power supply, that is why we started with diesel but provided a provision to upgrade it later to electric by 2021,” he said. The announcement follows the launch of inter-county train services between Mombasa and Nairobi which took place on Wednesday. Read: Madaraka Express Set For Inter-County Services Starting November “Since its launch five months ago, the Madaraka Express has endeavored to lower…

A recent annual county report released on Tuesday has revealed that Nairobi’s City Hall has fallen short of its intended revenue target for 2016-2017. According to the report, the county only managed to collect Sh23.7 billion in revenue compared to its projected revenue collection of Sh34.7 billion. As a result the Sh11 billion difference has delayed several projects planned to take place all across Nairobi. Read: Governor Sonko Breathes Fire After County Cash Officers Failed To Bank Revenue On Time Governor Mike Sonko has maintained his stance on meeting the 2017-2018 revenue projection and nominees are currently being vetted by the…

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has expanded health care services for all of its beneficiaries. Members will now be able to receive outpatient services from over 2,000 facilities accredited by the company. “I have come across several complains where a beneficiary traveled and became ill and he/she cannot be treated because they did not choose the nearby facilities,” NHIF chief executive Geoffrey Mwangi said. As a result patients will no longer have to seek outpatient services from specific health care facilities registered with the fund. The initiative which begins this month will help customers seeking treatment access various hospitals…

Mobile phone company Airtel has reported a Sh9.5 billion profit across from 15 operations in Africa. The use of Airtel data and Airtel Money saw revenues for the the mobile phone company reach Sh83.8 million in the quarter which ended in September. The company also saw an increase in customer base during this years quarter with over  81.9 million registered customers. During the same quarter last year the company recorded a 78.1 million customer base. Read: Airtel Kenya Removes Transfer Fees on its Mobile Money Services As a result, Airtel’s data customers now account for 21.7 million (26.5 percent) of the customer base…

Tanzanian authorities are under pressure after reports emerged that they sold cattle belonging to Kenyan Maasai. According to the reports, over 1,300 cattle had been auctioned for around Sh90 million over fear that they livestock would spread diseases. Tanzanian authorities insist that they are working to prevent outbreaks from animals. However, local veterinarians have questioned the move citing the wildebeest migration that takes place every year. “When it comes to cattle, they rush to claim there will be diseases, yet we have millions of other animals that feed on plants like the wildebeests that cross from Kenya to Tanzania and…

First Assurance Company has teamed up with taxi firm Uber to provide passengers with insurance coverage should they wind up in an accident or emergency. As a result riders will now be insured for any medical expenses, hospital costs, ambulance emergency along with compensation for injuries and death incurred while riding in the Uber licensed vehicle. According to reports the policy began on the 16th of October and is currently available to all Uber users. Read: Uber’s Operational License In London Will Not Be Renewed “We are excited about this new and innovative insurance policy. The insurance coverage goes hand in…

Nakumatt Holdings Limited have appointed PKF Consulting East Africa partner Peter Kahi as a possible replacement for Nakumatt CEO Atul Shah. This proposal comes just after Nakumatt is reported to have filed for bankruptcy. According to reports, the directors of the retailer chain have requested an administration order from the High Court and the application is scheduled to be heard by Justice Joseph Onguto on November 8th. The retailer is also seeking approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) over the possibility of a merger with Tuskys. Read: Nakumatt Under Fire Over Sh600 Million Outstanding Debts As Nakumatt aims to…

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Managing Director Waithaka Waihenya has exited the company following seven years of service. According to reports, Waihenya’s tenure ends October 31 and the MD will not be seeking an extension. He was praised by fellow KBC staff for his ‘oustanding leadership’ which led to the growth of the company. Read: Four Executives Exit Kenya Airways As Company Attempts To Bounce Back “The board of directors, during its meeting held on October 5, 2017, considered the managing director’s request to leave the corporation following the expiry of his contract, and after due consideration approved the MD’s exit from…

The Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA) had announced its plans to recover approximately Sh3.6 billion from cosmetics, non-alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and juices annually. As a result a gazette notice was issued on October 3 stating that all imported products would have to bear the regulator’s stamp. According to reports, the move was made in part to help enhance tax revenue. “Currently, revenue performance in this sector is at less than 40 per cent. The roll-out of EGMS to this sector is aimed at reversing this poor tax compliance,” commissioner for domestic taxes Benson Korongo said. Read: KRA Collects 10 Billion Rent Income Tax…

The government of Nairobi is seeking to hire 1,000 new staff member to help boost the security and disaster management sector. The 1,000 staff members would consist of 800 inspectorate officers and 200 firefighters. According to a memo issued by County Secretary Leboo Morintat, the last time the county recruited staff was almost 20 years ago. “The County’s Security, Compliance and Disaster Management Sector has been experiencing challenges in executing its core mandate of security, enforcement, compliance and disaster management due to shortage of staff. An analysis of the sector staff indicates that the last recruitment was done in the year…

Nakumatt Supermarket is in the hot seat once again after several of its land owners have moved forward to with their plans to evict the retailer chain and terminate its lease(s). According to reports, 19 land owners have filed a petition in court demanding that Nakumatt settle rent arrears. The group of land lords come from Nairobi, Kericho, Kakamega and Nakuru. Despite reports of a possible buyout by Tuskys supermarkets several mall owners have shown lack of confidence in the retailer and as a result have pushed forward with their demands. The owners have also expressed interest in replacing the…

WhatsApp instant messaging service has rolled out a new feature which many of its users have been eagerly awaiting. Users will now be able to unsend messages sent to a group or individual within seven minutes of sending the message. Those interested in deleting a message after sending will now be given an option called “delete for everyone”. This options removes the message from the sender and receivers phone. The message will then be replaced by another message that says “This message has been deleted.” Read: Kenya Airways Launches MTN Mobile Money Payment Option for Clients in Uganda “Deleting messages…

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has received approval from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for a Sh10 billion line of credit. According to reports, the AfDB Board of Directors approved the Sh10 billion which is set to go towards lending to small businesses and youth. The move comes as KCB looks to grow its loan book following the cut down on law capping interest rates. “The funding is aimed at supporting KCB’s lending operations in Kenya especially to corporate businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well as projects that are critical to the development of Kenya’s economy,” said AFDB in…

Kenyans are set to benefit more from the Madaraka Express following an announcement that the train will be offering inter-county services starting November 1. According to Kenya Railways (KR), the train will make stops between Mombasa and Nairobi while also offering express services from 3:30 pm. “Yes it is true we have plans to start these operations to cater for more passengers who want a more flexible timeline when travelling between the two cities,” said Transport Secretary James Macharia. The train will make stops at stations in  Athi River, Emali, Kibwezi, Mtito Andei, Voi, Miasenyi and Emali. Read: SGR Or Madaraka Express…

With a high level of uncertainty surrounding the presidential election tourists have been told to take all measures to ensure their security. As a result the government of the United Kingdom has warned against traveling west of Kenya during this time which has seen a lot of violence and protests. “Media report that the governors of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kakamega and Migori have said that elections won’t be allowed to take place in their counties on 26 October. This may trigger further protests. You should avoid traveling around these regions on and around days of planned protests including areas…