AAK CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF THE NAIROBI COUNTY E-PERMITING SYSTEM

The Architectural Association of Kenya has received multiple complaints from members regarding the prolonged outage of the Nairobi Planning & Development Management System (NPDMS), which has reportedly remained non operational for several weeks, including the greater part of July.

It remains the primary platform through which planning and development applications are submitted, processed, paid for and approved, its continued downtime has effectively disrupted a critical public service relied upon by professionals, developers, investors, contractors and property owners.

In a statement to newsroom the body says Nairobi City County processed an average of 169 development applications every month,generating approximately KES 113 million in development approval fees from projects valued at an average of KES 18.7 billion (SBE, 2025) These figures indicate the critical role that the development approval system plays in facilitating investment, supporting economic activity, and generating revenue for the County.

The County's e-Permitting platform was intended to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, strengthen development control, and promote compliance. However, the prolonged unavailability of the e-Permitting System is now undermining these gains and disrupting the very ecosystem it was designed to support.

The Association has formally written to the County and continues to follow up to ensure that the matter is resolved urgently. The system has long experienced operational challenges, including delayed approvals and difficulties in processing invoices. However, the complete inaccessibility of the system presents a far more serious challenge, particularly as it limits the ability of users to report incidents, seek assistance, and follow up on applications. Professionals cannot effectively serve their clients, developers cannot deliver projects on schedule, investors face increased uncertainty, the city loses opportunities for growth, employment creation, revenue generation and orderly development. 

 prolonged system downtime risks perpetuating non-compliance as project proponents come under increasing pressure to meet project timelines and contractual obligations.

The current situation also highlights a gap in stakeholder communication and complaint redress mechanisms. When system downtimes occur, users require timely, accurate and consistent information. The County Government must establish a clear communication protocol through which stakeholders are informed of service interruptions, the nature of the problem, actions being taken toresolve it, and realistic timelines for restoration. This allows stakeholders to adjust project schedules,manage client expectations and plan appropriately. Silence during prolonged service interruptions  only creates uncertainty, frustration and speculation. 

AAK's  Advocates for a One Stop Shop (OSS) for development approvals. Such a platform would strengthen transparency, improve stakeholder communication and complaint resolution.Ot further demands that the Nairobi City County restores the e-Permitting System immediately, as its  continued downtime is eroding public confidence in the development approval process it is intended to safeguard.

KSh 336 MEDICAL COVER FOR DOMESTIC AND INFORMAL WORKERS NOW ACTIVE ACROSS KENYA

Kenya’s nearly 2 million domestic workers, together with many others who make up the over 15 million employed by the informal sector, can now access a medical cover specifically designed for their income level, following the launch of Bima ya Wafanyikazi by Britam and distributed by Minet Kenya.

From as little as KSh 336 a month, the cover can be purchased by individual domestic workers, their employers or registered worker associations, widening access to healthcare protection for a segment that has traditionally had limited access to insurance. It will provide inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental and optical services in Britam’s 600 partner facilities across the country, in addition to last expense benefits.

The domestic sector is one of the country's largest sources of employment outside agriculture and small scale trade. Many also work in informal or semi formal arrangements, often without written contracts or adequate financial protection, leaving them particularly vulnerable when illness or medical emergencies strike.

Britam Connect CEO and Principal Officer, Evah Kimani said the launch reflects the company's commitment to designing insurance solutions around the everyday realities of underserved communities citing illness, injury or even a few days away from work that result to  pressure on household finances. Bima Ya Wafanyikazi is anchored on holistic healthcare, bringing together outpatient and inpatient care, maternity, dental and optical benefits, as well as annual health check-ups, so workers can seek care earlier, stay healthier and face fewer financial shocks when illness strikes.

Speaking during the event at a Nairobi hotel Minet Kenya Deputy Director Commercial Gideon Bii said the partnership combines Minet's distribution capability with Britam Connect's expertise in inclusive insurance to deliver a solution that addresses a genuine market need. In partnership with Britam the two giants have combined  strengths to create a solution that not only expands access to affordable healthcare, but also advances financial inclusion by protecting workers from the financial impact of unexpected medical expenses

Bima ya Wafanyikazi aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by promoting access to quality healthcare and strengthening social protection for Kenya's informal workforce.

This forms part of Britam’s and Minet’s shared ambition to help increase the penetration of insurance in Kenya, which currently is  2.4% falling below continental peers like South Africa at over 11.5%.

AFRICAN UNION AND PARTNERS LAUNCH NEW CONTINENTAL INDEX TO MEASURE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN AFRICA'S AGRIFOOD SYSTEM

 The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), AGRA and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), will officially launch the Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index (YAPI) on 28 July during the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week in Abuja, Nigeria

Africa is home to more than 400 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35, making youth employment and entrepreneurship one of the continent's greatest development priorities. While agrifood systems offer enormous potential to drive inclusive economic growth and create decent jobs, progress has historically been measured largely by counting the number of agricultural jobs created. 

YAPI introduces a broader, systems-based approach that measures whether young people have the skills, resources, opportunities and enabling policy environment needed to succeed across agrifood systems.

Developed under the leadership of the African Union Commission in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD, YAPI was made possible through the partnership of AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation under the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) programme, with technical collaboration from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the University of Ibadan and other continental stakeholders. Together, these partners have supported the establishment of YAPI as an African Union-led instrument to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, accountability and the intentional inclusion of young people in Africa's agrifood systems.

Fully aligned with the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and the African Agribusiness Youth Strategy, YAPI provides African Union Member States with a practical framework to identify barriers to youth participation, prioritise investments and strengthen accountability for commitments made towards youth empowerment across agrifood systems.

The framework was developed through rigorous research and pilot-tested across 11 African Union Member States representing all five regions of the Continent: Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Eswatini, The Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda. The pilot has helped validate the framework while generating valuable insights to inform its continental rollout.

YAPI measures national performance across five interconnected domains: Education, Skills and Technology; Productive Resources and Services; Economic Opportunities; Policy Engagement and Governance; and Sustainability and Resilience to Shocks. Together, these provide governments with a comprehensive picture of the factors that enable young people to participate meaningfully and succeed in agrifood systems.

Beyond measuring performance, YAPI is designed to help governments identify policy gaps, better target public investments, strengthen accountability under the CAADP Biennial Review process and support evidence-based decision-making. It provides a common framework that enables governments, development partners and other stakeholders to align efforts towards creating more inclusive and resilient agrifood systems for Africa's young people.

The official launch at Africa Agriculture Science Week will bring together policymakers, researchers, development partners, the private sector and youth leaders to discuss the findings of the pilot and chart the next phase of YAPI's rollout across African Union Member States. As countries adopt the framework, YAPI is expected to strengthen data driven policymaking and accelerate progress towards Agenda 2063 and the CAADP Kampala Declaration.

WIPER PATRIOTIC FRONT REAFFIRMS ITS UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR H.E. DR. STEPHEN KALONZO MUSYOKA AND THE UNITED ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT

The Wiper Patriotic Front has noted with concern the recent wave of misinformation, 

personal attacks and politically charged propaganda directed at our Party Leader, 

H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. These sustained attacks are intended to 

diminish his credibility and distract Kenyans from the pressing economic, social 

and governance challenges confronting our nation.

The party wish to state, unequivocally, that H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka remains 

one of Kenya's most distinguished statesmen. His decades of public service have 

been marked by integrity, patriotism, diplomacy and an unwavering commitment to 

constitutionalism, peace and democratic governance. Attempts to distort this record 

through misinformation will not succeed.

The repeated claim that H.E. Dr. Kalonzo Musyoka has "nothing to show" for his 

years in public service is both misleading and unfair.Equally misleading are claims that he lacks the capacity or resolve to lead. H.E. 

Kalonzo Musyoka has demonstrated time and again that leadership is not measured 

by insults, political theatrics or endless campaigns of self-promotion. True 

leadership is measured by character, wisdom, consistency, courage and the ability 

to unite people behind a common national purpose.

The Wiper Patriotic Front further reiterates that H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka remains 

firmly committed as a Principal of the United Alternative Government working 

closely with his fellow Principals in a spirit of mutual respect, consultation and 

shared purpose to build a credible, inclusive and united leadership capable of 

offering Kenya a better future. The strength of this alliance lies not in individual 

ambition but in the collective determination to provide an alternative founded on 

constitutionalism, accountability, economic justice and national unity.

The WPF  urge  members and supporters not to be distracted by online misinformation, 

propaganda or personal attacks. Those who seek to divide us underestimate the 

resilience of our movement and the determination of Kenyans to demand better 

governance. Our focus remains firmly on engaging citizens, strengthening our unity 

and preparing to offer the country a credible alternative leadership said a statement to newsroom signed by the party SG.

The Wiper Patriotic Front has absolute confidence in the leadership of H.E. Dr. 

Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and in the collective leadership of the United Alternative 

Government and will continue to work tirelessly to secure a government  that upholds the rule of law, protects constitutional freedoms, restores public trust, creates economic opportunity and serves every Kenyan with dignity and fairness according to Secretary General of the party 

Wiper  calls upon all political leaders and their supporters to uphold civility, respect 

democratic values and allow political competition to be guided by ideas, policies and 

service to the people rather than misinformation and personal attacks.

EABC AFDB BUSINESS CLINIC DRIVES EAST AFRICA'S PUSH INTO AFCFTA MARKETS

Dr. Vimal Shah Calls for Stronger Regional Value Chains to Unlock AfCFTA Opportunities

 The East African Business Council (EABC), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), under the project "Accelerating Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialization in the East African Community (EAC),” kicked off the two-day Business Clinic on Market Access under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for the textile, leather, and edible oil value chains in Kenya.

 

Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Vimal Shah, Chairperson of the EABC–AfDB Project Steering Committee and Chairman of BIDCO Africa, called on East African businesses and governments to unlock the region's industrial potential by building more integrated regional value chains to effectively tap into the AfCFTA market of 1.3 billion consumers.

 

Dr. Shah noted that despite the region's abundant production potential, East Africa continues to rely heavily on imports of value-added products.

 

In 2023, EAC Partner States imported raw hides and skins worth USD 6 million while exporting USD 33 million. Meanwhile, global trade in finished leather grew from USD 57 billion in 2005 to USD 99 billion in 2024, yet the EAC captured less than 1% of global leather exports and imported USD 49 million worth of leather goods. In 2023, Apparel exports stood at USD 165 million against imports of USD 338 million, while vegetable oils and fats recorded exports of only USD 277 million compared to imports of USD 1.5 billion.

 

He commended the African Development Bank for partnering with EABC to strengthen the competitiveness of East African businesses and prepare them to take advantage of opportunities under the AfCFTA.

 

The textile, leather, and edible oil value chains continue to face challenges including low value addition, limited processing capacity, high production costs, skills gaps, regulatory misalignment, and constrained access to finance.

 

He called on East Africa's textile, leather, and edible oil value chain actors to strengthen collaboration and forge a common action plan to improve the business environment, accelerate industrial integration, and enhance access to opportunities under the AfCFTA.

 

Speaking on behalf of EABC Executive Director Mr. Ahmed Farah, Mr. Adrian R. Njau, EABC Trade & Policy Advisor, noted that EABC as the onboarding agent for the Afreximbank Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), will support companies to join the platform enabling access business-to-business matchmaking opportunities, market intelligence, and trade finance solutions to facilitate trade under the AfCFTA.

 

The Business Clinic is designed to move businesses from market intelligence to market access by providing practical training on AfCFTA market opportunities, tariff concessions, Rules of Origin, product standards, customs procedures, and export requirements. Participants will also receive one-on-one advisory support on market entry strategies and practical export processes.

 

The Business Clinic has convened together more than 50 enterprises from the textile, leather, and edible oil value chains in Kenya to enhance their understanding of AfCFTA market access requirements. Entreprises will be equipped with practical knowledge on Rules of Origin, tariff concessions, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), customs procedures, trade facilitation instruments, and export readiness to enable them to expand into African markets.

 

The EAC Industrialisation Strategy 2012–2032 seeks to increase the local value-added content of resource-based exports from 8.6% to 40% and raise intra-regional manufacturing exports from 5% to 25% by 2032 through stronger regional value chains. The region presents significant investment opportunities, including the need for at least 93 additional weaving mills to meet growing textile demand, while the leather sector captures less than 1% of global leather trade despite the EAC accounting for 4% of the world's cattle and 6% of its small ruminants. Global trade in raw hides and skins fell from USD 6.2 billion in 2005 to USD 3.3 billion in 2024, and semi-processed leather declined from USD 22 billion to USD 12.4 billion over the same period, while finished leather grew from USD 57 billion to USD 99 billion. According to the ITC Export Potential Map, East African businesses also have substantial untapped export opportunities worth USD 298 million for apparel and textiles in South Africa, USD 63 million for vegetable oils and fats in India, and USD 17 million for leather products in Uganda.

 

 

ODM SG DOWNPLAYS LINDA MWANANCHI WESTERN TOUR

The outspoken firebrand Busia women representative and Orange Democratic Movement Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has watered down the highly hyped Linda mwananchi western tour which saw the ousted Secretary General Edwin Sifuna been crowned the Mulembe Nation kingpin from his Bungoma home county.

Speaking in a TV morning show the ODM SG has backed the former kakamega governor and Cabinet secretary Wycliffe Oparanya as possible deputy president running mate in the ODM and  UDA broadbased partnership in forming the next government.Omanyo sited the long experience of Oparanya in politics and his closeness with the former ODM supremo Raila Odinga placing him as the best bet for the upcoming general elections.

Oparanya fronting by ODM SG complicates the Mulembe unity matrix ahead of the highly charged general elections with elusive Luhya community unity put to test once again a move seen by pundits as calculative to downplay the Sifuna wave which  has gained momentum nationally.

TENI ANNOUNCES NEW EP, THE WELLNESS AWARD-WINNING NIGERIAN ARTIST USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF GROWTH

Award winning Nigerian singer, songwriter and

entertainer Teni is set to release her highly anticipated new EP, The Wellness Package, on 24 July 2026.

Teni enters one of the most intentional chapters of her career with a project that reflects growth, healing and finding joy in everyday life.

More than just an EP, The Wellness Package is an

invitation into Teni's world. Inspired by her personal journey over the past few years, the project embraces wellness not as perfection, but as community, love,laughter and choosing yourself every day.

Rather than following a traditional album rollout, The Wellness Package extends beyond the

music into a series of experiences designed to bring fans closer to the world behind the

project.

The rollout includes a cinematic teaser campaign introducing the themes of The Wellness Package.

The Wellness Package Run Club, promoting movement, wellness and community.

The Wellness Package Treasure Hunt, giving fans the opportunity to discover exclusive

wellness boxes and surprises.

An immersive EP listening experience designed to feel like stepping into Teni's personal

space rather than attending a conventional listening party.Musically, the EP blends Teni's signature storytelling with rich collaborations, featuring Olamide, Chike and The Cavemen, while introducing records including "Zion" featuring

Olamide and "Wuru Maya" featuring Chike Wise featuring The Cavemen.

The announcement follows the success of "Zion" featuring Olamide, which has become one

of Teni's biggest releases in recent years.

"Zion" Highlights

20 Million+ Streams

500,000+ TikTok User Generated Videos

#1 YouTube Nigeria

Top 5 Spotify Nigeria

Top 10 Apple Music Nigeria

 

SME AWARD WINNERS UNVEILED FOR DRIVING INNOVATION

A total of  18 entrepreneurs and 11 outstanding SME Ecosystem enablers have been recognized through the KEPSA Annual SME Awards for demonstrating exceptional innovation, business excellence, resilience, and impact in their respective sectors. 

Held as part of the Annual SME Conference under the theme “Beyond Survival: Building Smart and Resilient Businesses,” the two-day summit gathered over 1,500 delegates to address structural barriers in trade and equip local MSMEs with smart capital, digital skills, and cross-border expansion support.

The award is designed to drive enterprise growth while elevating national competitiveness, the awards honour achievements across two core pillars:

The Innovation Challenge, Celebrates SMEs that have commercialized smart solutions to navigate market demands, drive operational efficiency, and boost Kenya’s performance on the Global Innovation Index.

The Enabler Challenge, Honors outstanding organizations and institutions actively creating an enabling business environment through impactful initiatives, flexible capital, and dedicated support for private sector growth.

 

The full list of winners across the 2026 award categories includes:

Biashara Green Innovation Awards

Winner - Narropil Honey Enterprises Ltd

1st runners up - Seta Farm

2nd runners up - Fibertext Green Paper Ltd

Binti Chipukizi Business Innovation Award

Winner – Ecorich Solutions

1st runners up – SautiYetu - Sightra

2nd runners up – UMIHAZ Enterprises

Chipukizi Business Innovation Award

Winner - Mara Youth Agenda

1st runners up – Blesteire Beauty Kenya

2nd runners up – Obote Mixed Farm

Imara Business Innovation Award

Winner - Seven Twenty Holdings Ltd

1st runners up – Mathenge Maisha

2nd runners up – Eisen Industries Ltd

Malkia Business Innovation Awards

Winner - The School Box Limited

1st runners up – Zerobionic

2nd runners up – Alpharise Network Ventures

Biz Mashinani Innovation Awards

Winner – Kayce Crafts

1st runners up – Aupwal rabbits

2nd runners up – IkoBiz

 

SME Ecosystem Enabler of the Year

Winner: Sisters Blended Value Project, Strathmore Business School 

1st Runners Up: Capital Connect

2nd Runners Up: Effulge Consulting Group (EGC)

 

SME Inclusivity and Sustainability Champion of the Year

Winner: Hashash Weavers Center for Women and Girlchild Empowerment

1st Runners Up: Sustainable Kenya

2nd Runners Up: B Lab Africa

 

SME Market Access & Trade Facilitation Champion of the Year

Winner: Ethical Trade Services

1st Runners Up: Tunza Trade

SME Innovation & Incubation Champion of the Year – Mt Kenya University Rep

Winner: Eldo Hub

1st Runners Up: Afrifortified

2nd Runners Up: Nakuru Box

 

Beyond cash prizes, winners of the KEPSA SME Innovation Excellence Awards will receive technical assistance, market access opportunities, and strategic financial linkages designed to help scale their solutions and thrive in dynamic economic conditions. This ecosystem support comes at a critical moment for the nation. Kenya’s performance in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 provides both a reality check and an opportunity for reflection. Ranked 102nd out of 139 economies, Kenya is outside the world’s top innovators but remains competitive within its income category and regional context.

The country ranks 17th among 37 lower middle income economies and 9th out of 32 Sub Saharan African countries. While these rankings place Kenya respectably in Africa, the trend over time is concerning: Kenya ranked 86th in 2020, 85th in 2021, 88th in 2022, 100th in 2023, 96th in 2024, and 102nd in 2025. This gradual decline reflects the need to strengthen innovation ecosystems, particularly through investment in research, education and digital infrastructure.

INTERRELIGIOUS YOUTH LEADERS MEET TO STRENGTHEN “COMMON GROUND” FOR PEACE IN KENYA

Youth leaders from Muslim and Christian communities gathered last Thursday at the Argyle Hotel in Nairobi for an interreligious dialogue forum hosted by  Youths for Muslim  and  Phyllis Muema in partnership with Search for Common Ground.

The meeting brought together religious youth, faith actors, and civil society to discuss how to build peace, counter hate speech, and protect vulnerable communities through collaboration. Themed “Safeguarding Supporting Process” and “Together for Religious Freedom”

Speakers emphasized the role of young people in bridging religious divides. Organizers said the forum aimed to equip youth with tools to identify early warning signs of conflict, report cases safely, and promote unity ahead of elections and public demonstrations.

Phyllis Muema addressing the media noted the importance of safe reporting mechanisms and interfaith solidarity. Search for Common Ground backdrop underscoring the organization’s support for safeguarding and reporting processes within faith communities.

The dialogue followed Search for Common Ground’s model of bringing different faith groups to find shared values. Participants discussed:

 Countering manipulation of religion for political or violent ends,Protecting youth and women from radicalization and GBV ,Strengthening reporting channels for incidents that threaten peace and Promoting religious freedom and mutual respect across communities.

Leaders agreed that  “peace is built when communities choose cooperation over division”  a message echoed in recent interfaith engagements in Nairobi.

Kenya’s religious leaders have increasingly warned against polarization and the weaponization of faith. Recent national meetings have called on churches and mosques to expand interfaith training for youth.

The Argyle Hotel meeting adds to that momentum by placing youth and Muslim-Christian collaboration at the center of peacebuilding efforts.

Organizers said follow-up activities will include community dialogues, training on safeguarding, and a joint campaign on responsible social media use during election periods

AIRTEL KENYA DEEPENS ITS COASTAL FOOTPRINT WITH FOUR NEW RETAIL STORES IN MOMBASA

Airtel Kenya has strengthened its presence at the Coast with the opening of four new retail stores as customer experience hubs across Mombasa County, reaffirming its commitment to bringing its products and services closer to customers.

The new customer retail stores located at Sabasaba, Airport Centre Mall, Nyali Bazaar and Likoni are the latest additions to Airtel's growing retail network in Mombasa, building on the company's expansion plans to further extend Airtel's reach into more communities across the county.

The new outlets will offer a full range of Airtel services, including SIM registration and replacement, Airtel Money support, customer onboarding, device support, and voice and data solutions for both individual and business customers.

“Our customers are at the centre of everything we do. As we continue to grow across Kenya, we are focused on making our services more accessible and more convenient. These new customer care shops are another step towards our goal of bringing Airtel closer to customers while delivering the quality service they expect from us. We will continue investing in our retail network alongside our ongoing investments in network infrastructure and digital innovation to ensure customers enjoy a seamless experience wherever they are,” said Airtel Kenya Managing Director Djibril Tobe.

Airtel Kenya Customer Experience Director Goldermier Opiyo noted that the new customer care shops will help Airtel to respond more effectively to the needs of customers across Mombasa County.

“Every new shop brings us closer to our customers. By expanding our presence across Mombasa, we are making it easier for customers to access personalised support, resolve their queries quickly and enjoy a better overall experience whenever they visit an Airtel shop,” added Goldermier Opiyo.

The expansion forms part of Airtel Kenya's nationwide plan to double its customer service footprint by the end of the year. Airtel Kenya now operates 90 retail stores countrywide. This continued investment further strengthens Airtel Kenya's growing retail network and enhances access to customer support and services.

KENYA TAKES MAJOR STEP TOWARDS AWARENESS OF NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

 Aga Khan University's Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) and Newcastle University, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, begin development of a national roadmap to tackle stigma surrounding neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

The policy is expected to improve access to care and support for millions of people living with neurological conditions. With recent studies showing that up to 9% of Kenyan children experience neurodevelopmental disorders, while epilepsy alone accounts for nearly 40% of neurological DALYs in rural populations. The initiative brings together policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, advocacy organisations, caregivers and people with lived experience to co-develop a shared roadmap that will guide efforts to reduce stigma around neurological conditions.

This is in line with Kenya’s efforts to implement the World Health Organization's Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders, which calls on countries to establish national awareness and advocacy programmes by 2031.

Ministry of Health Director of the Division of Mental Health, Dr Mercy Karanja, said reducing stigma is fundamental to improving brain health in Kenya because fear of judgement often prevents people from accessing the care and support they need.

“The Ministry of Health remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that every citizen, including those living with mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders, receives the quality care they deserve. This is not just a health policy goal; it is a constitutional right under Article 43(1)(a) of our Constitution (2010). The creation of this roadmap encourages multisectoral collaboration, which is our only viable path toward ensuring people living with neurological conditions are understood, supported and able to access the care they need,” she said.

The roadmap builds on findings from the British Academy-funded Canvas for Change project, led by Aga Khan University's Brain and Mind Institute in collaboration with Newcastle University. The project used participatory theatre, documentary storytelling and community dialogue to understand how stigma affects people living with neurological conditions across Kenya. These findings will help identify priority actions, define stakeholder responsibilities and provide a coordinated approach to improving awareness and inclusion across Kenya. 

Neurological conditions are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, yet stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to early diagnosis, treatment and social inclusion. Many people continue to delay seeking care because of discrimination, myths and fear of being ostracised, making stigma reduction a critical public health priority.

Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute Director Prof. Merali noted that bringing together researchers, government, healthcare professionals, communities and people with lived experience creates the best opportunity for evidence to influence decisions that improve lives.

“Research should not end in academic journals. Its greatest value is realised when it informs policy and improves people's lives,” he said.

Since 2024, the Ministry of Health has led a series of national consultations under the World Health Organisation’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. Rather than starting a new conversation, the Naivasha meeting builds on priorities identified through those consultations. It combines them with fresh evidence from the Canvas for Change project to develop a practical roadmap for implementation.

“The stories we heard showed us that stigma can be as limiting as the condition itself. Seeing those experiences shape national policy is exactly what this project set out to achieve.” Said Aga Khan University Brain and Mind Institute Implementation Scientist and Canvas for Change Principal Investigator Dr Mary Bitta.

Over the course of the meeting, participants are expected to agree on the roadmap’s key priorities and establish the partnerships needed to drive implementation after review of the findings from the Canvas for Change study and having heard from the different stakeholders present.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAUNCHES 'LET'S OPEN THE DOOR' CAMPAIGN IN KENYA

Habitat for Humanity has launched its global Let’s Open the Door campaign in Kenya calling on governments, partners, and investors to recognize housing as a foundation for health, economic opportunity, and climate resilience.

The launch comes at a time when 53% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s urban population lives in slums, and the region faces a housing deficit of 56 million units.

Speaking at the event in Nairobi Abi Riak Vice President for Africa at Habitat for Humanity said the housing crisis is one of the most urgent development challenges of our time.“Housing matters because a home is the foundation upon which people build their lives, communities build resilience, and countries build prosperity,” Riak said. “Through Let’s Open the Door, we are calling for greater collaboration, innovation, and investment to help scale solutions that can reach millions of families across Africa.”

The campaign is part of Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary and is being rolled out in more than 60 countries. Recent data from Habitat’s Global Housing Continuum shows that one in three people worldwide lack access to safe and affordable housing.

The Kenyan launch is anchored on two programs designed to tackle interconnected challenges of health, poverty, gender, and climate.

Opening the Door to Women Building Resilient Manyattas is an initiative hat will work with Maasai women to improve traditional manyattas using climate resilient and healthier building materials. 

Manyatta construction has traditionally been led by Maasai women. The project aims to build on their existing skills while improving water access, indoor health, and structural resilience. It also seeks to preserve cultural heritage and strengthen women’s leadership and economic independence.

Opening the Door to Jigger Free Homes is a five year program targeting jigger endemic communities across Kenya. It aims to upgrade floors in 10,000 households by replacing unsafe earthen floors with durable, healthier alternatives.

Jigger infestation is directly linked to poor housing, particularly homes with mud floors. Habitat says the initiative will benefit about 50,000 people and lead to better health outcomes, higher school attendance, increased productivity, and restored dignity for vulnerable families.

“By addressing the environmental causes of infestation, we can create lasting improvements in health and wellbeing,” Habitat stated, “while showing the important role housing plays in breaking cycles of poverty.”

According to Eileen Mokaya, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Kenya the projects go beyond building structures “The Kenyan launch demonstrates how housing can address multiple challenges,Through these initiatives, we are not simply improving houses. We are strengthening women's livelihoods, improving health and learning outcomes for vulnerable families, preserving cultural heritage, and building resilience to future challenges.”

She added that Habitat hopes the models will inspire more investment and partnerships to scale similar solutions across Kenya.

Riak noted that Africa’s housing gap cannot be closed through isolated projects.  

“It requires partnerships, innovation, investment, and a shared commitment to solutions that can reach millions of families,” he said. “As we mark 50 years of impact, the next 50 years will require us to think bigger, partner differently, and place housing at the centre of development.”

KENYA'S NEXT GOLF STARS GET KES 6 MILLION BOOST AS ABSA BACKS SUNSHINE DEVELOPMENT TOUR

 

                  

Absa Bank Kenya has committed KES 6 million towards the 2026 Sunshine Development Golf Tour Series, backing three tournaments aimed at strengthening Kenya's pipeline of emerging professional golfers and growing the sport across the country.

The sponsorship will support three legs of the Tour at Nyali Golf & Country Club, Ruiru Sports Club and Kipipiri Golf Club, with each tournament receiving KES 2 million towards prize money and tournament logistics. This marks the second consecutive year that Absa has partnered with the Sunshine Development Tour, reaffirming the Bank's commitment to strengthening Kenya's golfing talent pipeline. The investment comes at a time when development tours are playing an increasingly important role in giving talented golfers regular competitive opportunities, helping bridge the gap between amateur golf and the professional ranks.

Speaking on the partnership, the Director, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Absa Bank Kenya - Mwihaki Wachira said the sponsorship reflects Absa's commitment to creating opportunities that enable talent to thrive.

"At Absa, we believe that talent reaches its full potential when it is matched with opportunity. Through our partnership with the Sunshine Development Golf Tour, we are investing in a platform that gives Kenya's emerging golfers the exposure, competitive experience and confidence they need to take the next step in their careers while contributing to the long-term growth of the sport."

The first leg of the series tees off on Tuesday, 7th July at Nyali Golf & Country Club, before moving to Ruiru Sports Club and Kipipiri Golf Club later in the season.

The three-day Nyali championship has attracted a strong field of 80 golfers from nine countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, India, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa. The field features seasoned professionals, rising amateurs, junior golfers and lady professionals, highlighting the Tour's role as East Africa's premier pathway to elite professional golf.

On his part, the Sunshine Development Tour - East Africa Swing CEO David Ndungu welcomed the sponsorship, describing it as another significant milestone in strengthening the Tour's impact across the region.

"We are delighted to welcome Absa Bank as the title sponsor of the Nyali, Ruiru and Mt Kipipiri legs. Partnerships such as this are critical in creating sustainable opportunities for our golfers and raising the standard of professional golf in East Africa. The Sunshine Development Tour is providing a clear pathway for players to earn ranking points, compete consistently and progress to the Sunshine Tour and beyond. Absa's support strengthens that vision and gives our players even greater confidence in the future of the game."

The Sunshine Development Tour has established itself as a critical pathway for golfers seeking to progress to higher levels of competition across Africa, with consistent tournament play providing players with the experience required to compete on regional and international stages. Since its introduction last year, the Tour has seen several players earning Sunshine Tour playing cards and advancing to the next level of professional golf. Among them are Njoroge Kibugu, who became one of the first East Africans to secure a full Sunshine Tour card, alongside Greg Snow, Dismas Indiza, and Rwanda's Celestin Nsanzuwera, all of whom have progressed through the Tour to compete on the main Sunshine Tour. Lady pro Naom Wafula also earned her card to play at the Sunshine Ladies Tour.

Beyond competing for a share of the tournament prize fund, players also battle for valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, which are crucial in securing progression to the main Sunshine Tour.

The sponsorship is part of Absa's broader commitment to supporting initiatives that create lasting impact through partnerships that empower individuals, strengthen communities and contribute to Kenya's long-term social and economic development, reflecting the Bank's purpose of Empowering Africa's tomorrow, together... one story at a time.

CAN YOUR SECURITY FIRM AFFORD TO SECURE YOU

By Everlyn Nandieki

What if I told you that the greatest threat to private security firms is not external, but financial?

This is a question that most in the industry are uncomfortable sitting with. We are trained to look outward, at the guard at the gate, the surveillance feed, or the rapid response unit on standby. These are the things clients point to during a site visit. They are measurable, visible, and reassuring. But they are only part of the big story.

Kenya’s private security sector is a significant industry, employing an estimated 800,000 people across more than 2,000 registered firms, generating over Sh 300 billion annually. It is one of the country’s largest employers and, for many businesses and households, the most immediate line of defence against a threat environment that keeps expanding. Yet the financial foundations on which this sector operates are more fragile than the industry typically acknowledges. The nature of threats has shifted, and the cost of keeping pace with that shift has not been fully reckoned with.

For decades, private security was defined largely by what could be seen and counted: headcount, patrol frequency, response times. Clients understood what they were buying, and firms understood what they were selling. That clarity is gone. Security breaches today do not always arrive through a broken fence or a compromised guard. They come through system vulnerabilities, lapses in access controls, and gaps in digital infrastructure that are harder to detect, slower to resolve, and far more expensive to defend against.

According to data from the Africa Cybersecurity Report 2025, Kenya lost Sh29.9 billion to cyber-related incidents in 2025 alone. Across the continent, cybersecurity investment runs at roughly 0.55 percent of GDP, and even this modest figure has not been enough to contain losses estimated at USD 5 billion. Part of the reason is structural: fewer than one in three cybersecurity professionals on the continent holds a recognised certification, meaning that even firms willing to invest in protection often cannot find the talent to deploy it effectively. The invisible threat is real, it is growing, and it is expensive to address properly.

This is where finance moves from the background to the centre of the conversation.

Defending against these newer, less visible threats requires sustained, planned investment, not just in technology, but in the training, systems maintenance, and internal controls that determine whether a firm’s security posture remains credible over time. That kind of investment does not happen without deliberate financial planning. And in an operating environment as demanding as East Africa, financial planning is not a given.

The pressures are many, unpredictable and immediate. Security firms operate fleets that run on fuel, a commodity whose price, in Kenya, swings with global events entirely beyond any firm’s control. As of mid-April 2026, super petrol in Nairobi stood at KES 197.60 per litre, a level that reflects both global energy market volatility and the limits of what domestic policy can absorb. For firms locked into fixed-price service contracts, those movements cannot simply be passed on to clients. The margin compression is absorbed internally, and something, somewhere has to give.

Currency risk compounds this further. Firms operating across multiple East African markets earn in different currencies but source equipment and technology in others. A weakened shilling does not only affect imports directly, it raises the effective cost of every upgrade cycle, system refresh and investment in the next generation of security capability. The firms that survive these pressures are not necessarily the ones with the best guards or the latest technology. They are the ones with the financial architecture to absorb shocks without compromising service delivery.

The stakes extend well beyond the firms themselves. When financial pressure forces a firm to delay a system upgrade, stretch its maintenance schedule, or cut corners on training, the vulnerability created is not visible on any dashboard, but it is real.

Clients in high-stakes sectors such as banking, aviation, healthcare, critical infrastructure, are beginning to understand this. The question they are starting to ask is not simply whether a security firm can put enough personnel on site, but if it has the financial governance to sustain its operations, invest ahead of emerging risks, and hold its service standard when the operating environment deteriorates. Financial strength, in this context, is not a proxy for trustworthiness, it is a direct measure of operational reliability.

For security firms, the implication is uncomfortable but necessary to confront, finance can no longer be treated as a support function that follows operational decisions. It must inform them. The need for dynamic pricing models that reflect real cost structures, currency risk strategies for firms with cross-border exposure, and cash flow frameworks that maintain liquidity through uneven revenue cycles. These are the baseline requirements for any firm serious about sustaining quality in this environment.

The private security industry in East Africa is large, growing, and increasingly essential. But size is not the same as resilience. The firms that will define this sector a decade from now are those building the financial discipline today to invest ahead of risk, rather than react after failure. Because if finance fails, security has already been compromised, long before the first alarm sounds.

Everlyn Nandieki is SGA Security Head of Group Treasury & Risk Management

AIRTEL KENYA APPOINTS DJIBRIL TOBE AS MANAGING DIRECTOR

The Board of Airtel Networks Kenya Limited has appointed Djibril Tobe as the Managing Director of Airtel Kenya, succeeding Ashish Malhotra who takes up a new role as the Chief Executive Officer of Indus Towers Africa.

Djibril Tobe is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience across various sectors, including telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods and consulting sectors across multiple African markets. He has a strong track record in impacting businesses through transformation, and commercial growth across African markets.

Prior to this appointment, Djibril Tobe served as the Managing Director of Airtel Congo B since May 2023. His previous roles within the group included heading Airtel Chad as Managing Director as well as serving as Commercial Director at Airtel Burkina Faso. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer at Expresso Guinea prior to leading business units at Ernst & Young and at Coca-Cola. 

Djibril Tobe takes over from Ashish Malhotra, who has served as the Managing Director for the past four years.

During his leadership tenure, Ashish Malhotra led Airtel Kenya to become one of Kenya’s fastest-growing telecommunications companies, with the largest network roll out in the company’s history with over 2000 sites rolled out, driving significant progress in digital and financial inclusion.

He championed the growth of Airtel Money, increasing its market share from 2% to 11% over the past four years. During the same period, Airtel Kenya doubled its revenues while expanding its subscriber base from 16 million to over 24 million customers.

He also drove several customer-centric innovations and digital solutions, including the rollout of 5G services, eSIM technology, fiber connectivity solutions, Spam Alert services, and the largest roll the Home & Office Smart Connect broadband platform.

“We welcome Djibril Tobe to his role and we are confident that his expertise will steer Airtel Kenya to the next level as we continue delivering innovative and relevant solutions. We would like to commend Ashish for his immense contribution to Airtel Kenya’s growth journey, and we wish him success in his new role,” the Board said in a statement.

The Board of Directors further expressed confidence that Djibril Tobe will lead Airtel Kenya into its next phase of growth, innovation, and customer-centric transformation, building on the strong momentum established over the past years