Author: David Indeje

The Government of Kenya has announced plans to divest a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom Plc, valued at KES 240.5 billion, as part of a broader strategy to mobilise non-tax revenue and fund national infrastructure priorities. Transaction Overview Vodafone Kenya Limited (VK) will acquire 609,840,200 ordinary shares, equivalent to a 10% stake, from the Government of Kenya (GoK). This acquisition forms part of an internal reorganisation of Vodafone Kenya Limited. GoK, which has held its Safaricom stake since the 2008 IPO, will reduce its holding by 10% post-transaction, retaining a 25% strategic stake. VK already holds over 1.6 billion…

Safaricom PLC has announced a major restructuring of its shareholding structure following a proposed acquisition by Vodafone Kenya Limited. The move involves Vodafone Kenya acquiring 35% of Safaricom’s issued share capital from the Government of the Republic of Kenya, a transaction valued at KES 254.1 billion (approx. USD 1.65 billion). This acquisition will increase Vodafone Kenya’s holding in Safaricom to 40%, consolidating its position as a key strategic stakeholder. The transaction also includes an internal reorganisation, whereby Vodafone Kenya will transfer its entire shareholding in Safaricom to Vodafone International Holdings B.V. (VIHBV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc,…

Agriculture is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing about 22.5% of GDP in 2024 and employing over 40% of the total population and more than 70% of the rural populace, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Despite this central role, farmers have long struggled with limited access to reliable and profitable markets, often relying on middlemen who erode their earnings. Stanbic Bank Kenya is rewriting this narrative through its OneFarm digital marketplace, a platform that connects farmers directly to buyers, integrates financing and insurance, and streamlines value chains across the country. By bridging the gap between production…

President William Ruto has renewed his push for private investment in Kenya’s road network, saying the country can no longer rely solely on the national budget or costly borrowing to deliver major infrastructure. Breaking Away from Traditional Funding Speaking at the launch of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit and Nairobi–Maai Mahiu–Naivasha dual-carriageway projects, Ruto said traditional funding models had slowed development and left Kenya “trapped between options that held back progress.” A single modern highway can consume nearly half of the annual development budget. Borrowing more would worsen Kenya’s debt burden. Raising taxes would “suffocate families.” “We must build differently, and we…

In Machakos, Kenya’s High Court has delivered a landmark judgment striking down punitive sections of the Seed and Plant Varieties Act (2012); the court has affirmed that saving, sharing, and exchanging indigenous seeds is no longer criminalised. For millions of smallholder farmers, this ruling is more than a legal victory. It is a reclaiming of heritage, resilience, and sovereignty in the face of decades of restrictive seed laws that favoured corporate interests over community traditions. Farmers Celebrate a “Great Victory” Across Kenya, small‑scale farmers sang and celebrated after the verdict. Farmer Samuel Kioko, watching the ruling online from Nairobi, called it…

Safaricom PLC has unveiled the first tranche of its KSh 40 billion Domestic Medium Term Note (MTN) Programme, offering up to KSh 15 billion in Fixed Rate Green Notes. The landmark issuance is already generating strong investor interest, positioning Safaricom as a leader in corporate‑backed environmental financing in Kenya. Key Highlights Programme Size: Up to KSh 40 billion Tranche I Target: KSh 15 billion, plus a KSh 5 billion greenshoe option Tenor: 5 years Interest Rate: 10.40% fixed per annum Minimum Subscription: KSh 50,000 (in multiples of KSh 10,000) Note Type: Senior, unsecured, green Listing: Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Safaricom’s…