Author: Lynet Awino

KCB Group is telling customers to pay merchants, bills and government fees from the KCB Mobile Banking App instead of moving money to a mobile wallet first. The bank says the extra step costs customers about Sh26 for every Sh1,000 they spend. Kevin Matthews Okeyo, a senior manager for digital experience in KCB’s digital financial services unit, explained the Common Cents campaign on TV47 Breakfast. He said KCB studied customer behaviour and found that many people move money from their account to a mobile wallet before paying, even though the app can make the payment directly. Where the Sh26 comes…

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) says visitors do not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Uganda. In a press release, the board said the certificate “is not currently a mandatory requirement for entry into the country.” It added that tourists are not required to present one as a condition of entry. UTB urged travellers and tourism stakeholders to rely on official Government of Uganda channels, including @GovUganda, for current immigration and entry information. The immigration clarification behind the notice The board’s statement follows a clarification from Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, issued through the Directorate of Citizenship and…

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has gazetted rules that bring every lender outside existing financial laws under its supervision. The Central Bank of Kenya (Non Deposit Taking Credit Providers) Regulations, 2026, appear as Legal Notice No. 191 in Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 234 of 29 September 2026. They replace the Digital Credit Providers Regulations, 2022. Who falls under the new rules The regulations apply to non deposit credit businesses that no other law regulates. They exclude banks, microfinance institutions, Saccos, co-operative societies, hire purchase arrangements and lease finance. They also exclude firms whose lending is incidental to selling goods…

Café Barbera, the Italian coffee brand founded in 1870, has opened its first Kenyan café on the first floor of Altura Building in Upper Hill, Nairobi. Kenya is the brand’s 23rd market. The café sits at the junction of Ralph Bunche Road and Argwings Kodhek Road, opposite The Nairobi Hospital complex. It opens daily from 7am to 11pm. A Brand Built Over Five Generations Domenico Barbera founded the company in Southern Italy in 1870. It began as one coffee house and now runs franchises in 23 countries. The Barbera family still owns it, across five generations. The brand says every…

The Embassy of Italy in Nairobi used a gin evening and a classic car show last weekend to promote music, design and trade links with Kenya. GinItaly ran on Friday 25 September at Shamba Events. Two days later, the 54th Africa Concours d’Elegance took place at Ngong Racecourse. The embassy supported both events, and the first set the terms for the second. GinItaly pairs gin with live jazz The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Nairobi hosted GinItaly. Italian saxophonist Lorenzo Simoni performed with Kenyan musician Mackinlay and his band. Mixologist Riccardo Marinelli served his signature gin…

The Standard Chartered Foundation has awarded KES 9 million in grants to seven startups founded by women. The funds come through the Women in Tech Kenya Accelerator. The Foundation announced the winners on 29 September 2026 in Nairobi. Each startup receives KES 1.29 million, about USD 10,000, for product development, business growth and expansion. Judges scored the applicants on business model, market opportunity, innovation, growth potential and social or economic impact. The Foundation named the winners at the Cohort 9 Award Ceremony and Graduation at Standard Chartered in Nairobi. The event also marked the graduation of 15 founders from a…