Author: Lynet Awino

Safaricom unveiled Ziidi Trader, a mobile-first platform that allows Kenyans to buy and sell shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) directly through the M-PESA app. The innovation is designed to democratize access to capital markets by eliminating traditional barriers such as CDS accounts and broker intermediaries. “We wanted to make savings and investing simple. When things are simple, it builds confidence. When you are confident, you are able to try, experiment, and do a lot more,” said Esther Waititu, Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom on Business Redefined. How ZiiDi Trader Works Ziidi Trader streamlines investing into four steps:…

Meet Zander Adika, a performer whose talent stretches far beyond acting. Trained at South Africa’s prestigious AFDA film program, Zander is a triple threat: he sings, dances, and commands the screen with magnetic energy that transforms every role into a masterclass. His credits already shine with global productions: The Woman King alongside Viola Davis, Apple TV’s Invasion, MTV’s Shuga Down South, and Sky Girls: Born to Fly. Now, he takes center stage in Reuben Odanga’s telenovela Lazizi on Maisha Magic Plus, sharing the spotlight with veterans Mwaniki Magerian and Helen Keli. In this exclusive, Zander opens up about fame, fear,…

Kenya’s private sector activity expanded in January 2026, but at a slower pace, as weaker demand in construction and wholesale and retail sectors weighed on overall momentum. The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 51.9 in January from 53.7 in December, marking a four‑month low. Readings above 50.0 indicate growth, while those below signal contraction. Sectoral Divergence Stanbic Bank noted sharp differences across industries: “Sectoral differences were marked, with sales growth most often recorded among manufacturing firms. Conversely, those in the construction and wholesale and retail sectors saw demand fall outright,” the survey commentary stated. Manufacturing firms…

Koko Networks, the clean‑cooking startup founded in 2013, has shut down operations after laying off its entire workforce of 700 employees. The closure follows the Kenyan government’s refusal to issue a Letter of Authorisation (LOA) that allowed the company to sell carbon credits, an essential pillar of its subsidised fuel model. Without the LOA, Koko’s business of selling bioethanol at half the market price through more than 3,000 dispensers collapsed. Households in low‑income areas such as Nairobi’s Mathare slums now face higher costs and health risks as they revert to polluting charcoal and kerosene. Thousands of agents who relied on…

UK‑based fast‑food operator Chicken Cottage has unveiled its latest outlet at Shell Thome on Thika Road, marking its ninth store in Kenya. The move underscores the brand’s aggressive expansion strategy along Nairobi’s busiest commuter corridors, where rising residential and commercial activity is reshaping eating habits. The new outlet, located near Mountain Mall, is part of Express Kitchen’s wider plan to embed food outlets within service stations and high‑traffic zones. This approach reflects a shift in Kenya’s fast‑food market: prioritising accessibility and convenience over destination dining. “Thika Road is one of the fastest‑growing areas in the city, with people constantly moving…

US pizza chain Papa John’s, operated in Kenya by Express Kitchen, has embarked on an expansion drive two years after entering the local market. Papa John’s is strengthening its visibility and accelerating growth across Nairobi, anchored on its global promise “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” The brand is leveraging a growing store network and a convenience‑first retail strategy to appeal to the city’s fast‑paced, on‑the‑go consumers. The expansion is highlighted by the opening of new outlets at Shell service stations in Lavington and along Thika Road—high‑traffic locations designed to meet customers where they already are. “This marks an important phase of…