Author: Korir Issa

Nairobi City County has unveiled a draft Development Control policy, open for public participation, that proposes significant changes to building height limits across the city. The policy aims to modernize urban development and provide a clear regulatory framework. Key Proposals High-Density Zones: Areas like Upper Hill, Uhuru Highway, Tom Mboya, Haile Selassie Avenue, and University Way could see buildings up to 75 stories. Mid-Density Zones: Westlands CBD and Museum Hill are proposed for a 30-story limit. Riverside, Parklands, and Ngara West would be capped at 20 stories. Residential Zones: Muthangari, Kileleshwa, and Kilimani face a 15-story limit. Umoja, Kayole, and…

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, will provide $100 million in Tier 2 capital to KCB Bank Kenya Ltd. This funding will enhance KCB’s lending capacity for climate-focused projects and women-led businesses across Kenya. The investment is strategically designed to address systemic barriers faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly those in the informal sector, including discriminatory policies and cultural limitations that impede access to credit. The capital injection will bolster KCB’s ability to finance businesses adopting innovative climate technologies within renewable energy, green mobility, and sustainable agriculture value chains. This aligns with KCB’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development…

Oppo has unveiled its Find N5 foldable smartphone, aiming to “redefine foldable excellence” with its thin and light design, large inner screen, impressive battery life, and AI-powered performance.   But does the Find N5 truly live up to the hype? As Pete Lau, SVP and Chief Product Officer at Oppo, states, “Find N5 unlocks the potential of folding phones, putting tablet and laptop experiences in our hands. It’s impossibly thin and light, and ColorOS 15 is precision-tuned to do more across two immersive displays, with AI-powered tools, and advanced integration with Macs. Find N5 doesn’t close doors, it opens them, unfolding…

Africa’s air cargo industry is poised for growth, driven by expanding trade, e-commerce, and the continent’s vast potential. Industry leaders convened at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi for the Air Cargo and Transport Logistics Africa 2025 conference, focusing on multimodal transport solutions. Kenya Airways CEO and MD, Allan Kilavuka, urged the need for collaboration and innovation to grow the industry and African economies. He highlighted the conference theme, “Primed for Growth Against all Odds,” emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges to achieve growth. Kilavuka also stressed the critical role of sustainability, noting that in Africa, it encompasses economic, social,…

Safaricom has announced an interim dividend of Ksh 0.55 per ordinary share (totalling Ksh 22.04 billion) for the year ending March 31, 2025. The decision was made by the board on February 12, 2025, and announced by Ag. Company Secretary Linda Wambani on February 13, 2025.   “The Board of Safaricom PLC is pleased to announce that at its meeting held on 12th February 2025, it was resolved to approve payment of an interim dividend of Kshs 0.55 per ordinary share for the year ending 31st March 2025,” said Wambani. This announcement comes despite a 17.7% drop in Safaricom’s half-year profit…

The Central Bank of Kenya’s latest Market Perception Survey signals a significant weather-driven impact on upcoming food prices. The survey, conducted between January 13 and 17, 2025, found a sharp increase in the proportion of respondents citing weather conditions (floods, drought) as a key price driver, rising from 62% in November 2024 to 86% in January 2025. “This was influenced to a large extent by the higher temperatures in January 2025 relative to the long-term mean for the month,” said the CBK in its Agriculture Survey for January. In January 2025, price increases were observed for several food items compared…