Author: David Indeje

Qatar Airways is celebrating fifteen years of flying direct flights from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and Doha. The national carrier to the State of Qatar currently operates double-daily flights between Nairobi and Doha serviced by its modern fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner, featuring 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. “Over the past 15 years, Nairobi has demonstrated its importance as a business and leisure market becoming one of our most popular destinations with global travelers,” Qatar Airways Vice President Commercial Africa, Hendrik Du Preez, said at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during the celebrations. “Famed for its…

KCB Group has received accreditation of the United Nations (UN) Green Climate Fund (GCF).  The accreditation was validated at the 27th board meeting of the GCF, which was held virtually this year. With accreditation, the lender will receive all Green Climate Funds amounting between $50M-$250M coming to Kenya.  “The Bank will supervise the implementation of these projects in line with its governance guidelines and policies that are in place as an implementing entity,” KCB Group said through its official Twitter feed. KCB is the first lender in Kenya and the private sector entity to receive the accreditation, cementing the sustainability…

SafeBoda, a community of entrepreneurs and motorcycle drivers Monday said that it will halt the company’s operations in Kenya. In a statement, the company says it will pause rides & send services from the 27th of November 2020 citing the difficult operating environment. “While Nairobi is seeing some economic recovery from Covid-19, Boda transportation has been hit hard. This has meant our business cannot sustainably operate in this environment and unfortunately, the timeline for a full recovery is not certain,” read part of the statement. SafeBoda launched in Nairobi in August 2018. “In Nairobi, we set out to professionalize and…

Kenya’s Ministry of Education has said all schools will reopen on January 4. According to the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, the first term will end on March 19.  “In compliance with the directive, the Ministry of Education has met with all stakeholders to deliberate on the current preparedness for full resumption of learning of all learners in all basic education learning institutions on January 4,” said Magoha.  “Pre-Primary 1 & 2; Grade 1, 2 & 3; Class 5, 6 & 7; and Form 1, 2 & 3 learners will start their Term 2 on 4th January 2021 and end…

Quick Mart supermarket expects to lure new customers with its fresh food concept at its newly opened 35th store in Nanyuki. The Kenyan homegrown retailer riding on its strategic investor Adenia Partners, a private equity fund management company based in Mauritius, will be the anchor tenant at Nanyuki Mall taking up space left behind by the Tuskys. Adenia Partners bought a controlling stake in Tumaini Self Service Limited through its special purpose vehicle Sokoni Retail Kenya Limited in 2018 for an undisclosed amount. https://twitter.com/QuickmartKenya/status/1324697596061954050?s=20 Market analysts state that the investment is supported by positive demographics with Nanyuki having a population of…

I&M Holdings PLC has sought shareholder approval to acquire a 90 percent stake in Orient Bank Uganda. Shareholders will consider the proposed USD 33.6 million (KSh3.6 billion) transaction during an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for  2 December 2020. If approved, the lender will buy the shares from Hemlata Karia, Jay Karia, Morka Holdings Limited, Zhong Shuang Quan, Cornerstone M8 Limited, and the bank’s founder Ketan Morjaria. Dr. Morjaria holds a 7.91 percent stake, will only sell part of his shares, and will retain a 5.5 percent equity in what will become I&M’s subsidiary. Mr. Alemayehu Fisseha will retain a…