Author: David Indeje

Kenya’s private sector closed 2025 on a strong footing, with the Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI®) posting 53.7 in December, signalling robust expansion in business conditions. The reading, alongside November’s 55.0, marked the highest PMI levels in four years, underscoring resilience in demand, employment, and purchasing activity despite rising cost pressures. PMI Momentum Business output rose sharply in December, supported by stronger order books, improved tourism, and promotional pricing. Firms reported higher sales volumes, citing “advertising, affordable prices, better cash flow, and increased travel” as key drivers. Employment growth was particularly notable, with staffing levels expanding at the…

Credit Bank PLC shareholders approved a Sh4.5 billion capital‑raising plan, positioning the Tier III lender to meet the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) progressive capital requirements. The authorization was granted during an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on December 19, 2025, ensuring the bank stays ahead of the Sh3 billion core capital deadline set for December 31, 2025. “19.7 million or 99.9 percent of shareholders voted in favour,” the bank confirmed, authorizing the issue of up to 45 million ordinary shares at Sh100 each. Innovative Asset Swap and Supplementary Capital Growth The capital plan includes a Sh1.2 billion asset‑for‑shares swap, through…

Starting January 2026, buying shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) will be as simple as paying your electricity bill or sending money to a friend from your M-PESA wallet. The new platform, Ziidi Trader, is wrapping up its pilot phase and promises to change how Kenyans access the stock market. Breaking Down Barriers to Investing For decades, investing in shares meant finding a stockbroker, filling out know‑your‑customer forms, opening a trading account, and navigating a process that felt designed to keep regular people out. Ziidi Trader eliminates most of that friction: Browse listed companies directly on your phone. Place…

The festive season is a time of joy, family, and travel. It is when we pack our bags for road trips, book flights to see loved ones, and gather for celebrations that create lasting memories. However, with all the excitement comes added risk, including accidents on busy roads, sudden illnesses during reunions, and unexpected expenses that can strain even the best-planned budgets. That is where Absa Life Assurance Kenya, through Absa Bank, steps in to ensure you celebrate comfortably with peace of mind. Personal Accident Plan: Your Holiday Safety Net During the holidays, life gets busier: crowded shopping malls, long…

Safaricom’s Shangwe @25, a nationwide promotion marking 25 years of connecting and transforming lives. The campaign is designed not only to reward customers with exciting prizes but also to extend celebrations into communities across Kenya through shared impact initiatives. “For 25 years, Safaricom has been at the heart of Kenya’s transformation, connecting people to people, people to opportunities and people to knowledge. As we mark this milestone, we celebrate not just our journey but the millions of customers, partners and communities who have made it possible. ‘Shangwe @25’ is our way of saying thank you and ensuring that when one…

Sidian Bank has joined Kenya’s mid‑tier lenders after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) confirmed its upgrade to Tier 2 status in late September 2025. This is a milestone for the bank, which has steadily grown its market share from 0.7% in December 2024 to above 1% by September 2025, meeting CBK’s classification threshold for medium‑sized lenders. The upgrade was fueled by a Sh3 billion rights issue and a total Sh6 billion capital injection from shareholders, alongside onboarding large corporate accounts, particularly from government institutions. Tier 2 Banks in Context The Kenya Bankers Association’s State of the Banking Industry Report…