Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan has agreed to establish a vehicle manufacturing plant in Kenya. President William Ruto announced the signing of the deal in Tokyo. Toyota has pledged an initial investment of 800 million Kenyan shillings (equivalent to $4.9 million) in Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM), a car manufacturer located in Thika, approximately 25 miles northeast of Nairobi. According to Ruto, this initiative is expected to reduce the import of secondhand cars by providing more affordable, locally-produced vehicles. “We must have a balance between the number of imported and newly manufactured vehicles,” he said. In 2023, Toyota Tsusho announced…
Author: Korir Issa
Korir Issa
IK, a Masinde Muliro University grad, tackles social justice through journalism. He analyses news and writes on women's rights, politics, technology, law, and global affairs.
Over the past decade, Kenya’s economy has undergone significant political and economic reforms, resulting in sustained economic growth, social development, and political stability gains. However, the country still faces key development challenges such as poverty, inequality, youth unemployment, transparency and accountability, climate change, continued weak private sector investment, and the vulnerability of the economy to internal and external shocks. Challenges and Opportunities in the Kenyan Economy In 2021, for instance, the economy staged a strong recovery, with the economy growing at 7.5%, although some sectors, such as tourism, remained under pressure. The growth, however, declined considerably in 2022, registering a…
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is wide open after a stunning round of 16 that threw up major upsets and eliminated traditional powerhouses. South Africa’s dominant 2-0 victory over heavily favoured Morocco stands as the biggest shocker, sending ripples through the tournament and setting the stage for an unpredictable quarter-final stage. Hosts Ivory Coast booked their place after a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over defending champions Senegal, adding another layer of intrigue to the knockout rounds. They will now face Mali in a West African showdown, with both teams aiming to reach their first AFCON final in decades. On…
Naivas Supermarket has solidified its position as Kenya’s leading supermarket chain with the opening of its 102nd outlet on Mwanzi Road in Westlands, Nairobi. Naivas Foodmarket Mwanzi is officially 🎉open at Mwanzi Market along Mwanzi Road – Westlands. Ukiwa Westgate, walk/drive a few metres on Mwanzi Road na utaliona duka letu jipya! 🤔Utapitia saa ngapi kuchangamkia offers?#MamboTick ✓ pic.twitter.com/gZBam7LyxB — Naivas Supermarket (@naivas_kenya) January 25, 2024 The retailer’s rapid expansion comes just a month after the opening of its 101st outlet in Kakamega County. “This establishment signifies the retailer’s market dominance ahead of competitors such as Carrefour and Quick Mart,…
Uganda-based motorbike hailing service SafeBoda is revving its engines for a comeback in Kenya, three years after hitting the brakes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “SafeBoda is coming to Nairobi,” the company said on its website. Na tulisema tunaondoka Nairobi? Ah makosa ni yetu! 🫣 https://t.co/ruz1NpD77N — SafeBoda Kenya (@SafeBoda_Kenya) January 22, 2024 SafeBoda closed its operations in Kenya in November 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. SafeBoda launched in Nairobi in August 2018. “In Nairobi, we set out to professionalize and improve the Boda industry, building a community of over 4,000 SafeBodas that followed road safety rules,…
The Kenyan Ministry of Health has unveiled a comprehensive five-year plan to tackle tuberculosis (TB), leprosy, and lung diseases. Dubbed the “National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Lung Health” (2024–2028), the initiative aims to ensure equitable access to quality care for all Kenyans suffering from these preventable conditions. The plan aims to address cases of misdiagnosis, which have led to preventable deaths. In addition, the plan represents a significant step toward a TB-free Kenya by prioritizing quality care, accurate diagnosis, and community engagement Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni expressed concern about rising TB cases,…