Author: Lorine Otamo

Kenya’s recent implementation of an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system has led to a decline in its ranking in the 2024 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI).  Visa openness refers to the ease with which travellers can obtain authorization to travel and enter a country, pending final determination by the destination country’s immigration officials. The country has dropped 17 places to 46th out of 54 African nations, marking its lowest position since the index’s inception. In 2023, Kenya ranked 29th with a score of 0.396. However, the 2024 score of 0.113 places it behind regional peers like Tanzania (20th), Uganda (26th),…

Kenya’s tourism sector witnessed a decline in visitor arrivals in September 2024. 144,996 tourists visited the country, representing a 17.2% decrease compared to the previous month. This downturn can be attributed to several factors, including the end of summer holidays, global economic challenges like inflation, and operational disruptions caused by strikes at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). However, on a year-on-year basis, the sector demonstrated resilience with a 7.2% increase in arrivals compared to September 2023. This positive trend results from:  Visa Policy Relaxation: The government’s decision to ease visa restrictions for visitors from various countries contributed to the…

Kenyan businesses experienced a slight uptick in operating conditions at the start of the fourth quarter, an S&P Global survey shows. The headline Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 50.4 in October from 49.7 in September, indicating a marginal upturn in the health of the private sector. A PMI reading above 50.0 signals growth, while below that level indicates contraction. According to the survey findings, output and new orders expanded, driven by rising sales and client interest. However, challenges like cash flow constraints and economic uncertainty persisted. Subsequently, firms added to their workforce for the first time in three months,…

Kenya Railways has reported an 8.8% drop in passenger numbers on the Madaraka Express, the country’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), in the first nine months of 2024. This decline is attributed to a 50% fare hike implemented in January. As a result, passenger numbers declined by 171,803 to 1.8 million from 1.9 million recorded in 2023. While the fare hike led to a 36.2% increase in passenger revenue to KSh 2.91 billion, it also discouraged many passengers, especially during off-peak seasons. The sharpest decline was in September, with a 32.7% drop to 296.4 million from 440.6 million in August. Freight…

Java House, a restaurant chain in East Africa, plans to expand its regional presence to 100 branches by the first quarter of 2025. This strategic move aims to bring its services closer to customers and enhance accessibility. The company recently opened three new outlets: one at Thika’s Vivo Energy, another at Java Express in Kenol, Murang’a County, and a third at Kisumu Airport. With these additions, Java now operates 96 branches in the region. Priscilla Gathungu, CEO of Java House Group, highlighted the company’s commitment to community engagement. She emphasized that each new branch creates employment opportunities for nearly 30 residents.…

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced a ban on macadamia harvesting from November 2, 2024, to March 1, 2025. This move aims to prevent the export of immature and low-quality nuts, which has tarnished Kenya’s reputation as a reliable supplier. “A ban on macadamia harvesting will take effect from 2nd November 2024 until 1st March 2025 to curb the export of immature nuts. Dealers must submit their current stock for inspection, verification and clearance by 15th November 2024,” Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja said in a circular. Quality Control Measures To ensure quality standards, the government will…