Author: Korir Issa

Kenya’s financial and telecom regulators have endorsed the Government’s decision to divest part of its stake in Safaricom, describing the transaction as competitive, market‑friendly, and aligned with national priorities. Competitive Pricing and Investor Confidence The Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), and the Communications Authority (CA) told MPs scrutinising the deal that the sale of a 15% stake to Vodacom at KSh34 per share was fair and strategically sound. “Divestiture of non‑core commercial functions allows the Government to concentrate managerial capacity and public expenditure on priority service areas, including infrastructure, health and education,” said CMA Chief Executive…

Safaricom PLC has once again been recognised as a global leader in climate disclosure, securing a place on CDP’s prestigious “A‑List” for the second consecutive year. The recognition positions the telco among the top 4% of companies worldwide that demonstrate robust transparency and accountability in environmental reporting. Why It Matters Global Benchmark: CDP is the world’s leading framework for measuring and disclosing environmental impacts. Safaricom’s inclusion signals strong governance and climate resilience. Data‑Driven Action: Safaricom’s 2025 Sustainable Business Report highlights the use of AI dashboards and advanced greenhouse gas management tools to improve emissions tracking and forecasting. Commitment to Net‑Zero:…

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has rolled out a new online financial reporting system for all licensed market intermediaries in Kenya. In a statement on Monday, 12 January 2026, CMA Chief Executive Officer Wyckliffe Shamiah confirmed that the system went live on 9 January 2026 and is accessible through the authority’s online portal. What the New System Does Risk-Based Capital Adequacy (RBCA) submissions: Market intermediaries must prepare and file RBCA returns and management accounts. Financial statements: Firms will submit complete financial statements within three months after the end of each financial year. Compliance assurance: The system strengthens oversight and ensures…

Kenya’s inflation rate stood at 4.5% in December 2025, unchanged from November and remaining close to its highest level since June 2024. Despite persistent food price pressures, inflation stayed below the 5% midpoint of the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) target range for the 19th consecutive month, underscoring continued macroeconomic stability. Key Drivers of Inflation According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Consumer Price Indices (CPI) report: Tomatoes surged 30.3% year-on-year. Sugar prices rose 12.5%. Sukuma wiki (kale) jumped 23.4%. More moderate increases were seen in maize flour-sifted (1.0%), potatoes (4.5%), and cooking oil (0.1%). Overall, food and…

On December 22, 2025, Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) licensed Safaricom Plc and Airtel Money Kenya Limited as Intermediary Service Platform Providers (ISPPs). This move allows the two telecom giants to connect millions of mobile money users directly with regulated capital markets products through their existing digital platforms. Safaricom and Airtel Market Shares According to the Communications Authority’s Q1 2025/2026 Sector Statistics Report: Safaricom leads with 65.3% of mobile subscriptions and an overwhelming 89.7% share of mobile money. Airtel holds 30.7% of mobile subscriptions and 10.3% of mobile money users. Kenya’s mobile money sector now counts 48.6 million subscriptions, with…

Advertising agency WPP Scangroup Plc has warned that its earnings for the year ending December 2025 will fall by at least 25%, extending a prolonged period of financial strain marked by client losses, management changes, and repeated restructuring. The company attributed the expected downturn to weaker client spending, the loss of a major account, reduced interest income, and one‑off restructuring costs exceeding KSh 160 million.  This marks the third consecutive year of profit warnings and the fourth in five years, following similar alerts in 2021, 2023, and 2024. Financial results have underscored the strain: profit before tax swung to a…