Author: David Indeje

Equity Bank Group emerged as the most stable banks in the world in terms of Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), a measure of the bank’s financial stability according to the Top 1000 World Banks 2018 ranking. The lender was ranked 35th globally and first in Kenya ranking at 799 with KSh84.8 billion ($848 million) in Tier 1 capital. This shows that it has moved seven places up, compared with the 806th position it was placed last year. The lender was also categorised position 11 on profit and loss assets, 35th on the bank’s capital risk-weighted assets, and 44th on profits on…

Kenya is among Sub-Saharan African countries leading in the transparency of the real estate market according to JLL & LaSalle’s 10th edition of the Index Global Real Estate Transparency Index. “The Sub-Saharan Africa region has seen limited progress over the last two years, with improvements led by the regional hubs – Nigeria and Kenya.” Kenya was ranked under ‘semi-transparent’ at number 53 with a score of 3.29 points out of 100 nations and 158 cities. Nigeria was ranked at position 67. The report observes that “Government data initiatives have been important in raising transparency levels, with Kenya and Rwanda digitising their…

Kenyans opinions of US President Donald Trump are rising according to the latest international survey. The Pew Research Center found out that  compared to its first Global Attitudes survey in 2002, “In sub-Saharan Africa are largely positive, with Kenyans, Nigerians and South Africans expressing mostly favorable opinions in this year’s poll.” The report further states, “In five countries, there has been an increase in positive sentiment toward the U.S., most notably in Kenya (+16 percentage points), Spain (+11), Japan (+10) and Tunisia (+10).” “Publics in sub-Saharan Africa also tend to see their relationship with the U.S. as improving. More than…

Veronica Wroe,34, driving a 1934 Rolls Royce Boattail emerged the winner at the 48th CBA Concours D’Elegance title. She trounced Sati Gata Aura with his 1977 Nissan 160J with only one point to clinch the title. In 2017, she emerged third overall last year.  “Last year I emerged third overall, promising myself to improve my Rolls. With new paintwork, varnish, a chrome upgrade, and an exquisite interior, I was sure to impress the judges,” said Veronica. Overall Winners in the Cars Category Veronica Wroe – 1934 Rolls Royce Boatail (270 points) Sati Gata-Aura – 1947 MG TG (269 points) Sati…

Central Bank of Kenya has retained the base lending rate at 9.0 percent arguing that there’s a need to “monitor the 2nd-round inflationary effects arising from the VAT on petroleum products” and more time to benefit from the limit set in July. “The committee noted that inflation expectations remained well anchored within the target range, but concluded that there was need to monitor the second-round inflationary effects arising from the VAT on petroleum products and any perverse response to its previous decisions,” said Patrick Njoroge, Chairman, Monetary Policy Committee. The Monetary Policy Committee, however, projects inflation will remain within the…

The High Court in Nairobi has suspended the ban on Rafiki film for seven days to allow the lesbian-themed film a chance to qualify for the Oscars. https://twitter.com/katibainstitute/status/1043062364793393152 Justice Wilfrida Okwany said she is not convinced that Kenya is a weak society whose morals will be weakened by watching the movie. “I am not convinced that Kenya is such a weak society that its moral foundation will be shaken by seeing such a film. Gay theme or the practice of homosexuality did not begin with Rafiki.” Wanuri Kahiu sued the Kenya government after the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) banned…