Author: Khusoko

It can indeed be done; malaria can be eliminated. Countries are declared malaria-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after reporting zero indigenous cases for at least three consecutive years. On June 21, 2023, Belize, a small tropical Central American country, was declared malaria-free by the WHO, becoming the 43rd country to achieve that status since 1955.  In Africa, only three countries have achieved a similar outcome: Mauritius in 1973; La Réunion in 1979; and Algeria in 2019.  Sadly, there continues to be an increase in malaria cases across the world, with 247 million cases of malaria having been recorded…

Tala has appointed Annstella Mumbi as the general manager for its Kenya unit.  She takes over from Munyi Nthigah. Mumbi, who has a decade of experience in fintech, EdTech, and venture funding across various African markets, previously served as Tala’s Global Director of Growth and Interim General Manager of Kenya. In her new role, Mumbi will lead a team of 130 and oversee Tala’s transition into a full-service financial services provider in the coming year. Her appointment is a significant milestone in advancing women’s representation in leadership roles within Kenya’s technology sector. Jori Pearsall, Tala’s Chief Business Officer, commended Mumbi’s…

Every year on October 19th, gin lovers worldwide raise their glasses to honour the timeless combination of gin and tonic-International Gin & Tonic Day. This global celebration has been taking place annually since 2012 and is often marked by various events, promotions, and celebrations in bars, restaurants, and among gin enthusiasts. The day presents a wonderful opportunity to gather with family and friends to enjoy one of the most delicious, popular, and historic drinks, and to celebrate the gin distillers and tonic producers around the world. International Gin and Tonic Day is significant for Gin enthusiasts as it holds rich…

Samsung Electronics and Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications provider, have launched an exciting collaboration called ‘Jisort na Bonga’. This initiative allows customers to use their accumulated Bonga points to access exclusive deals and rewards until November 5, 2023. Mr. George Kebaso, Head of Product and Marketing at Samsung Electronics East Africa, stated that ‘collaboration represents their commitment to rewarding loyal customers in Kenya.  “By teaming up with Safaricom, a brand that shares our ethos of customer-first initiatives, we’re excited to unveil a rewards program that elevates the value of Bonga points for our shared user base.” The Jisort na Bonga with…

Food loss and waste have emerged as a global crisis that demands our immediate attention. Each year, approximately one-third of the world’s food production is lost or goes to waste, resulting in staggering economic losses estimated at $1 trillion. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Sub-Saharan Africa faces a dire situation with a staggering 37% rate of food loss and waste. This wastage not only deprives farmers of their deserved economic returns but also squanders precious resources such as water, seeds, fertilizers, energy, and land. Moreover, food loss and waste contribute significantly to deforestation, species extinction, and an astonishing…

In line with global trends, Kenya has seen a significant temperature increase of 0.3°C to 0.6°C per decade, impacting key sectors like agriculture and water resources. This rapid warming trend was a major focus at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS23) in Nairobi last month, which among others, highlighted the link between climate change, regional food systems and economic transformation. The ACS23 emphasized the consequences of inaction on food security and economic sovereignty, rallying Africa’s unified climate agenda ahead of the 28th UN climate change conference (COP28) in the UAE. Concurrently, the 2023 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum 23) in…