Equity Group Holdings has reported a 12 percent increase in profit after tax, reaching Sh48.8 billion for the financial year ending December 31, 2024, up from Sh43.7 billion the previous year. The Group’s profit before tax rose by 17 percent to Sh60.7 billion, while earnings per share (EPS) increased by 11 percent to Sh12.3, reflecting its solid financial performance. Regional operations played a significant role, contributing 49 percent of total assets and 54 percent of profit before tax. As part of its commitment to shareholders, Equity Group proposed a dividend of Sh4.25 per share, representing a payout ratio of 34.5…
Author: David Wafula
The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended its summons against members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and chosen dialogue to resolve the matter. In a statement on Wednesday, Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) Chairperson Charles Orinda announced the decision, citing ongoing efforts to facilitate discussions, mediation, or negotiations with the JSC. “The suspension follows a request by the Chief Justice and aligns with Article 159 (2) (c) of the Constitution, as well as Regulation 23 of the Commission on Administrative Justice, 2013,” Orinda stated. The summons, issued on February 28, 2025, had required ten JSC commissioners to appear before…
Kisumu County has confirmed an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea, resulting in three deaths. In a statement on Thursday, March 27, 2025, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Medical Services, Public Health, and Sanitation, Ganda, said there has been a surge in cases across the region. “The Department of Public Health and Sanitation wishes to inform the public of an ongoing upsurge of acute watery diarrhea cases in Kisumu County,” Ganda stated. The first cases were reported at Ahero Hospital in Nyando Sub-county on March 19, 2025. Initial laboratory tests identified pathogens linked to the outbreak, including Aeromonas spp.,…
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has cautioned against public discussions on the ongoing legal battle between Dari Limited and the East African Development Bank (EADB), urging all parties to allow the courts to handle the matter. In a statement, the JSC emphasized that the case remains before competent courts and should not be litigated in the media or on social platforms. The commission cited the sub judice rule, which prevents public discussions on ongoing cases to uphold the rule of law and the due administration of justice. The warning follows recent comments made by former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju during…
The Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism, chaired by Senator Issa Boy Juma, has summoned Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui for failing to attend a scheduled committee meeting on Wednesday. The CS had instead delegated the session to Industry Permanent Secretary Dr. Juma Mukhwana, who also failed to appear. “The committee has, on numerous occasions, invited the CS to appear before this committee, but the invitations have not been honoured. The committee has resolved to summon the CS to appear before the committee on April 10, 2025,” said Senator Issa Boy. The committee was in Mombasa…
The Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee, chaired by Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi, has raised concerns over the persistent audit queries flagged by the Auditor General regarding the management of decentralized funds. During a report-writing workshop, the committee noted that recurring issues related to the management of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) suggest incompetence among some Fund Accounts Managers. MPs cited repeated cases of misappropriation of funds, incomplete and stalled projects, unapproved reallocation of funds, and failure to submit required documents during audits. Vice Chairperson Gertrude Mbeyu emphasized, “There should be…
The Public Investment Committee on Education and Governance, chaired by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, has criticized universities and colleges for failing to comply with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) policy, which requires that no ethnic group should constitute more than a third of an institution’s workforce. The committee raised concerns over ethnic bias in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as the appointment of vice chancellors, principals, and university council members. Lawmakers observed that in many cases, institutions dominated by one ethnic group often had a leadership structure reflecting the same trend, particularly when the…
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, led by Nelson Makanda, has completed interviews for 11 candidates shortlisted for the position of chairperson ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Makanda announced the conclusion of the first phase of the recruitment process, paving the way for interviews of IEBC commissioner candidates. “All 11 shortlisted candidates participated in the interviews, which began on Monday, March 24, and concluded today. The panel will now proceed with interviews for the commissioner positions, which will start on Thursday, March 27, and run until Friday, April…
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has confirmed receiving President William Ruto’s list of nominees for various Principal Secretary positions, clearing the way for parliamentary approval hearings. In a gazette notice dated March 20, 2025, President Ruto submitted 14 names to the National Assembly for vetting. Speaking on Wednesday, March 26, Wetang’ula directed the relevant parliamentary committees to begin the approval process. The decision follows a resolution made on February 13, 2025, allowing the Speaker to forward nominees for State or public office appointments to the relevant committees, even when Parliament is in recess. Wetang’ula emphasized that the committees have until…
The Committee for the Release of Steven Bertrand Munyakho, a Kenyan sentenced to execution in Saudi Arabia, has responded to claims that an institutional benefactor has paid Sh129.5 million blood money required for his release. Committee chair Joe Odindo, in a statement on Wednesday, said: “If accurate, this information will be an answered prayer for the many well-wishers supporting the Save Stevo Campaign.” He, however, clarified that the committee had not received any official confirmation. “We have contacted government officials in Kenya and Saudi Arabia and will notify the public of the latest developments.” Odindo said that he had heard…
President William Ruto is set to embark on a five-day tour of the Mt Kenya region starting Tuesday, April 1, 2025, where he will launch and commission various development projects across multiple counties. The tour will begin in Laikipia County, where Ruto will flag off projects in Rumuruti in the morning. In the afternoon, he is expected to commission the Gikamba last-mile electrification program in Kieni, Nyeri County. On Wednesday, April 2, the president will visit Meru County, where he will commission the Nkuene sub-station in Imenti South in the morning. Later in the evening, he will head to Kirinyaga…
A new report by the Digital Financial Services Association of Kenya (DFSAK) has revealed that Kenyans are borrowing Sh500 million every day, amounting to Sh15 billion monthly. The report highlights that over eight million Kenyans, representing about 16 percent of the population, actively take digital loans each month. DFSAK chairman Kevin Mutiso attributes the high borrowing rates to the widespread use of smartphones, which has made digital loans more accessible. He noted that the digital lending industry did not exist in 2010, but in 2025, members of DFSAK, formerly known as the Digital Lenders Association of Kenya, are now disbursing…
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management, Justin Muturi, has defended his record as Attorney General, highlighting key achievements during his tenure. His statement comes just hours after President William Ruto publicly criticized him, calling him “fairly incompetent” in handling legal matters. Muturi served as Attorney General from 2022 until June 2024, when he was dismissed alongside all Cabinet Secretaries following the Gen Z protests. In his exit report, he detailed his accomplishments, emphasizing the role his office played in safeguarding government interests in legal disputes and policy formulation. During his tenure, Muturi said his office successfully defended…
The government has outlined a systematic approach to eliminate False Codling Moth (FCM) in rose flowers to comply with new European Union (EU) regulations. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced on Tuesday, March 25, that Kenya has already begun implementing measures to eradicate FCM in fresh-cut roses and ensure continued access to the EU market. The move follows a study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that identified rose flowers as being at risk of FCM infestation. In response, the EU introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/2004 in July 2024, imposing stricter pest management measures, including increased sampling rates and rigorous…
Members of the National Assembly have reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) as the 2026 deadline for its cessation approaches. During a working retreat involving the National Assembly Select Committee on NG-CDF, the NG-CDF Board, and senior management, lawmakers cited a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld the legality of the NG-CDF Act of 2015. The ruling stemmed from a case filed by the Senate in 2019, challenging 23 laws, including the NG-CDF Act, over claims that the National Assembly had bypassed the Senate during their enactment. However, the Supreme Court’s seven-judge bench found…