Author: Martha Etale

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its flagship Tusker brand, has teamed up with Kenyan music star Bien-Aimé Alusa Baraza, known professionally as Bien, to unveil Base to Billboardz (B2B), a groundbreaking career accelerator designed to propel fast‑rising Kenyan artists to stardom. From Local Stages to Global Platforms Unlike traditional talent competitions, B2B is not a grassroots talent search or a winner‑takes‑all contest. Instead, it targets semi‑established artists who already show momentum — with released albums or EPs, live performance experience, at least one million streams, and a growing online audience of over 8,000. Christine Kariuki, Head of Mainstream Beer at…

Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure announced Thursday that it has signed an agreement with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) aimed at strengthening logistics collaboration between the two countries. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) officially operationalizes the KPA Liaison Office in Kigali, a milestone described by officials as key to enhancing bilateral cooperation and regional trade facilitation under the Northern Corridor. Kigali Liaison Office to Boost Regional Trade In a statement, the ministry said the MoU establishes a strategic framework to strengthen institutional and commercial linkages between Rwanda’s business community and Mombasa Port services. The liaison office is expected to enhance coordination,…

The Government of Kenya has unveiled the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030, a five-year strategy developed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO). The plan aims to accelerate prevention, early detection, and treatment of cervical cancer — one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya. Cervical Cancer Burden: Kenya and Beyond Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in Kenya, with an estimated 5,845 new casesand 3,600 deaths each year. Globally, it is the fourth most common cancer among women, causing 660,000 new casesand 350,000 deaths annually, with 90% of…

Ride-hailing company Uber, has discontinued Visa card payments in Kenya, a move that has disrupted a key payment option for business travellers and expatriates. The decision, which took effect in January, follows Uber’s global review of payment methods amid rising transaction costs. An Uber spokesperson explained: “Payment costs globally are on the rise, which impacts businesses and their consumers. We regularly review our payment methods on a market-by-market basis to ensure we’re keeping costs reasonable while balancing any potential impact on consumer experience.” While Visa cardholders are affected, other payment options such as Mastercard, American Express, M-Pesa, and cash remain…

Co‑working space provider Kofisi has closed two of its Nairobi locations—Karen and Upper Hill—after reporting a KSh 416.7 million (USD 3.2 million) loss in 2024, reversing a profit of KSh 2.3 billion (USD 16.3 million) in 2023. According to its annual report for the year ended December 31, 2024, the London-based company closed the two sites to concentrate on larger, higher-capacity centres in Kenya. The move is designed to enhance client experience through community spaces, hotel‑style services, and economies of scale. Kenya Remains Kofisi’s Largest Market Despite the loss, Kofisi’s revenues rose 24.5% to KSh 1.4 billion (USD 10.3 million) in 2024, supported…

Africa’s leading economists, policymakers, and private sector leaders have kicked off a three-day African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Research and Policy Summit, a high-level forum dedicated to shaping pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent. Hosted under the theme “A Renewed AERC for Africa’s New Development Priorities,” the summit brings together eminent scholars, central bank governors, and development partners to debate Africa’s evolving economic challenges and opportunities. Reclaiming Africa’s Economic Narrative Opening the summit, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, in remarks delivered by PS Bonface Barasa Makokha, urged delegates to redefine Africa’s development model: “Today, we must reclaim…