Author: staff reporter

Local manufacturers in the country are making an appeal to the government to facilitate them with incentives in a bid to enable them enhance their production and consequently contribute to bottom up economic growth.

Catherine Kathure is the Managing Director of Homelink Mabati Factory which is the Market leader in the production and delivery of all your roofing solutions.

‘we have lipa pole pole plan for all our clients because we are Cognizant of the hard economic times and therefore we try to ease their construction hustle. We have also created direct employment to many others, therefore we hereby asking for support and incentives that support local manufacturers. Taxation is usually a challenge and our prayer is favorable taxation that speaks to the day to day realities of our businesses. The rising cost of electricity and foreign exchange have also contributed to increased costs of production.

The Managing Director expressed optimism with the administration of His Excellency The President Dr William Ruto for the elaborate plans he has put in line to boost local manufacturers. The push for affordable housing as a government agenda will also go a long way in enhancing the sustainability of Smes in the construction sector.

“What gives me the greatest satisfaction is to see over fifty employees under my care earning a decent livelihood and supporting families behind them through the employment we have provided. “she added.

Homelink Mabati Factory offers free delivery country wide and they are reachable on the telephone contact 0794800000.

Kiambu Woman Representative Ann Muratha has shown commitment to save the boy child especially in the Mount Kenya Region.

Her efforts correspond to the Governments initiative to stem illicit brew in the counties of Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Kiambu.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua established a 20-member committee to steer drafting of a law to regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol in the five counties.

Upon adoption, it will provide a legal framework for ending illicit brew and drug abuse in the Region, which is the most affected in the country at 14%.

Wa Muratha Thursday morning met some religious leaders from Kikuyu, Ndeiya and Kamangu who sought the help to boost the boy child from their respective areas.

The core of the community revolves around the Africa man.

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. Hence

The strength of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special exertions but by his habitual acts.

Kenneth Wangari who is the Senior Vice Chairman for Association of Professional Societies of East Africa on Tuesday the 25th April 2023 met with the Majority Leader in National Assembly Hon Kimani Ichungwa.

They discussed on the need to mainstream the Professional Associations legislative AGENDA into National Assembly in a bid to fast track such legislations and afford the Professionals opportunity to perform Professional duties in a duly regulated environment.

Majority leader applauds APSEA for remaining as the EPITOME of PROFESSIONALISM and urged APSEA to be at the forefront of ensuring Professionalism is upheld across the spectrum of Governance in Kenya and the region.

Senior Vice chairman Mr Kenneth reiterated the commitment by APSEA to focus on utmost professionalism as a recipe to good governance both in a private and in government circles.

The discussion also highlighted the role Professional bodies can play in the ongoing and expected bipartisan deliberations within political circles where APSEA presents its professional infrastructure as key towards this process if talks where to include non parliamentary participation.

APSEA Professional Association MIX includes the below Professional bodies:-
. Architectural Association of Kenya – AAK

2. Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya – ACEK
3. Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch) – CIARB
4. Environment Institute of Kenya – EIK
5. Geological Society of Kenya – GSK
6. Institute of Certifted Investment and Financial Analysts ICIFA
7. Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya – ICPAK
8. Institute of Certified Secretaries – ICS
9. Institute of Clerks of Works of Kenya – ICWK
10. Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya – IQSK
11. Institution of Engineers of Kenya – IEK
    Among others.
    The senior Vice Chairman mentioned plans in place to expand the scope and the MIX by inviting other Professional bodies to join APSEA after a rigorous vetting process is undertaken.

Majority leader welcomed Professional bodies to work with parliament towards achieving desired Professional involvement and conduct moving forward.

This meeting happened in a day where National Assembly was discussing in the floor of the house the appointment of an Auditor to the Auditor General. The requisite Professional body ICPAK who is a member of APSEA featured prominently in the debate it its role towards vetting and licensing auditing firms.

This meeting therefore is timely as it will become increasingly Necessary to embed and interlace Professional bodies into the accountability and governance processes moving forward.
[8:53 AM, 4/26/2023] James Waithaka Media Safaricom: Bishop Thagana views on Shakahola Massacre

Bishop David Munyiri Thagana is the Secretary General of the Federation of evangelical churches of Kenya. He is also the founder and Presiding bishop of Glory Outreach Assembly. He shares with us his thoughts pertaining the shocking events of massacre in Malindi.

“We need to have the conversation because the things we are seeing now are not new to us. Only the magnitude is much higher. One of the things we as Kenyans we are very reactive instead of being proactive.

If we were more proactive in looking at things before they happen, we could save a lot of lives.

I want us to go beyond the conversation and go beyond the system and structures. Not just religion but we have other agencies .

About regulation this is an overdue.

The question has been how. And not just churches or religious organizations.

Accountability structure. If someone deviates then you have a redress mechanism. I guess our major concern as churches is for us to be regulated by the government .

Some of them may not draw the line between regulation and curtailing the freedom of worship. The church should clearly be heard championing self regulation under their umbrella.

“in my view there is corporate blame starting with the whole system of internal security all the way from nyumba kumi, to the chief to the entire system..parents are to blame. The church is to blame

But above all, the government is the one that should be taking care of all of us.”

Newly unveiled new Boxing promoter Maurice Odera(, second from left) addresses the media after being unveiled at a Nairobi Hotel. He is flanked by KPBC president Reuben Ndolo and Director Ben Bottelberg sitting right

By Fred Maingi
The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) has licensed Ultra Fight limited founder Maurice Odera as a fully accredited promoter.
Odera who has been promoting martial arts is the first boxing promoter to be licensed this year.
He was officially unveiled by the KPBC president Reuben Ndolo where he was officially given his license in a function held at a Nairobi hotel.
While welcoming Odera in the ring, Ndolo said they gave him the nod since he has promoted 9 fights since 2018.
Above all, Ndolo credited Odera for having a fully functional Gym at Kilimani and a Boxing ring
“As a commission, we are looking for good promoters. We shall protect both the boxers and promoters since they are capable of putting Kenya on the right track” Ndolo observed.
Odera promised to take Boxing to another level adding that Kenya has talented boxers both locally and internationally.
Odera said he is targeting 3-4 high profile fights in a year and thanked KPBC for maintaining and keeping Boxing active and vibrant.

By irene mwende

WPP Scangroup PLC has today released its results for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Speaking during the event
Miriam Kaggwa, Chief Financial Officer, said they have recorded improved performance in 2022, with YoY profit after tax up by 298% per cent across their WPP agencies and delivered
increased value to their shareholders with an EPS growth of 450%. While market pressures led to relatively reduced client margins, we navigated these challenges by leveraging on our
footprint and our expertise to build our client portfolio, recording net new business of KES 386 million in 2022

Kaggwa added that they are making strides in driving bottom up growth by transforming their capabilities and investing in technology

Speaking during event chief executive officer Patricia Ithau noted that macroeconomic shocks are likely are impacting business growth and they have invested in tools and effected strategies that aims at cushioning the group while providing share holder value

” We recorded increased pass-through costs but still delivered strong
fundamentals with KES 2.2 billion gross profit.’’ said
Patricia Ithau, Chief Executive Officer, said: “WPP Scangroup PLC continues to deliver high client value driven by innovative, inclusive and impactful creative work across all our
agencies adding that this year their agencies win top industry awards regionally and globally including
the Cannes Lions where Ogilvy Africa was named Creative Agency of the Year.

“We have strong momentum for 2023 backed by exceptional talent, world class technology and supportive clients who continue to inspire and channel our creative drive. ” Said CEO

She further added that they will continue to
implement their strategy, invest in technology and to deliver superior value to their clients,
employees and communities.
Summary financial performance

The following figures are in comparison to the year ended 31 December 2022.
· FY reported gross revenue KES 7.3B, – 3.67 %
· FY gross profit KES 2.2B, -6.7%
· Operating expenses increased by 3.3% per cent owing to provision against old Value
Added Tax receivables deemed not recoverable.
.
Profit after tax KES 75m, +297%
· Reported EPS up 450% to KES 0.14
· KES 386 million of net new business won in FY22.
· The company’s board has recommended no dividend payout shareholders

Empower New Energy, a leading renewable energy investment company, in partnership with Corks Energy Ltd, a Ghanaian company in the energy sector, is pleased to announce the opening ceremony of their recently commissioned fourth solar investment in Ghana. The 600KWp ground-mounted solar PV installation was developed in partnership with Corks Energy as project lead developer and Stella Futura as the EPC was installed on the premises of Ghana Nuts Company Limited, Techiman, a leading agro-processor in Ghana.

Ghana Nuts is a major manufacturer and exporter of a wide range of edible oils, including shea and soya value chains and animal feed meals. The new solar installation will help the company to reduce its energy costs and cut carbon emissions, while also providing a reliable source of clean energy.

The new solar installation built in 6 weeks, will help Ghana Nuts reduce its energy costs and cut carbon emissions, while also providing a reliable source of clean energy. The solar PV system is expected to generate 738.096KWh electricity in the first year, offsetting approximately 22% of the factory’s total energy costs. The energy generated is equivalent to supplying grid electricity to 992 local households. The PV plant is estimated to avoid 9 864 tonnes of lifetime CO2 carbon emissions. This reduction in carbon emissions is equivalent to planting over 2,500 trees, which would take 20 years to absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide. The solar PV system has enabled the company to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and decrease its energy costs, making the company more competitive in the market.
The installation of the solar PV system  also enabled Empower New Energy and Stella Futura be part of women empowerment and “women in solar” by creating 40 job opportunities for men and women in the local community during the construction phase and will continue to provide employment during the operation and maintenance of the system.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana H.E Ingrid Mollestad, representatives from the European Union delegation in Ghana, the Norfund team, Empower New Energy, Corks Energy, Stella Futura, Ghana Nuts, and other local dignitaries. The event marked an important milestone for the project, which is expected to generate significant benefits for the factory and the local community.

“We are proud to be partnering with Corks Energy Limited on this important project for the Ghana Nuts factory,” said Terje Osmundsen – CEO at Empower New Energy.  “Empower New Energy’s investments aim to support businesses across the region transition to sustainable and affordable energy, and today’s commissioning is an important step in achieving that goal.”

“We are excited for the commissioning of this solar installation, which will significantly reduce our energy costs and carbon footprint. This project is an important step towards achieving our sustainability goals. We look forward to continuing to work together with Empower New Energy and her partners to deploy renewable energy in Ghana” said Obed Asante, Founder and CEO – Ghana Nuts Company Limited.

“We are pleased to see a Norwegian company working with companies in Ghana deploying renewable energy, and we hope to see more projects like this in the future. Norway remains committed to supporting Ghana in its efforts to transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy.” – H.E Ingrid Mollestad – Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana.

“This solar investment project in Ghana is a great example of how renewable energy can benefit both the environment and the local businesses. We are proud of the positive contribution to the increase of renewable energy part in Ghana, thanks to our EU ElectriFI initiative”, says Paulina Rozycka – Head of the Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Section of the EU delegation to Ghana.

“As the lead developer, we are excited to see this project take shape right from origination to execution and operation phases. This project is a testament to the potential of partnerships created to harness the renewable energy in driving sustainable development and economic growth in Ghana.”, said Prince Awudu – Executive Chairman of Corks Energy, the developer of the Ghana Nuts project.

” This project is an important example of how renewable energy can help transform Africa’s industrial platforms, such as Ghana Nuts, to be sustainable, competitive, and environmentally responsible.” Francis Asante – CEO of Stella Futura (Africa), the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner.

Empower New Energy is backed by a unique blend of public and private impact investors. Following the initial fundraising in 2019, the largest shareholders were ElectriFi, Norfund and 12 private mostly Norwegian impact investors. In November 2022, Empower New Energy completed its Series B capital raise, with Climate Fund Managers representing Climate Investor One becoming our lead investor. 

By Jeff Kizzilah

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)has come out to criticise the sharing of graphic and disturbing audio visual that went viral on the social media platforms.

Speaking to journalists in Nairobi,Mr Christopher Wambua acting CEO of KFCB has said that the vise has not only become rampant but its also unsafe to our children and the other vulnerable members of the society.

“Social media users who increasingly misusing digital apps to host such contents or videos is violations of privacy law and the will face the law”,he says

Mr.Wambua also said that this activities happens on the face of children who are heavy users of Internet and social media.

The National Assembly’s Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee, in a Session chaired by Bobasi MP Hon. Innocent Obiri held a meeting with the Fund Account Manager from Sabatia Constituency.

The agenda of the meeting was to review the Auditor Generals financial reports of the constituency’s financial accounts for FY 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.

Among the issues that the Auditor Generals reports had pointed out were, the use of emergency funds to purchase land for Vokoli Girls Secondary School and the purchase of land for Ursula Chamakanga Girls High School without following due process.

In his response to the committee, Mr Tom Gimonge, the Fund Accounts Manager informed the committee that the land for Vikoli Secondary was purchased for the school expansion as there was risk of losing the land to another buyer due to the owner urgently needing to sell.

The committee was however not satisfied with the response provided hence questioning whether land purchase qualified to be deemed an emergency.

“Does the allocation fit in with section 12 (3) of the NGCDF act which states what qualifies to be considered an emergency?” Asked Hon Obiri.

Webuye West MP Hon. Martin Wanyonyi on his part questioned why public funds were being used to necessitate individual interests and needs.

On the issue of purchase of land for Ursula Chamakanga Girls High School, the committee questioned the office for not following due process. The members also doubted the validity of the sale as funds were paid before an agreement was signed.

The Fund Account Member was pressed to answer the committee on the sale as he could not produce the sale agreement nor supporting documents for the payment of funds.

In her closing remarks the Vice Chairperson Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu faulted the constituency office for failing to follow procedures. She further urged the committee members to visit the constituency in order to investigate the matter extensively.

By Irene mwende

Today Nairobi Kenya- OPPO, the leading global smart device brand, is set to open its biggest customer experience shop in Nairobi, Kenya. The opening of the shop reaffirms the importance of Kenyan market to OPPO’s global strategy as it takes a customer centric approach to deliver top quality service to its consumers.
OPPO’s new Customer Experience Shop will get access to product service, repairs, and user guide on OPPO’s broad range of audio, mobile, and computing products. Consumers who visit the experience shop will get to experience top level one on one consultation with OPPO’s technicians on their repairs reducing phone repair wait time to under an hour with genuine OPPO spare parts and warranties.

The OPPO Customer Experience Shop will equally enable consumers to experience one on one interaction with various phone models of OPPO’s product line that cater to wide variety of mobile phone users such as social media users, business users, mobile photography enthusiasts, among others. Additionally, buyers will be able to receive on-the-spot software updates as well as guidance on how to make the most of OPPO’s smart ecosystem by leveraging the company’s various products, accessories and services.

OPPO Kenya Customer Experience Shop

“At a time when customer satisfaction is at the core of business growth and statistics indicating that 86%, good customer service turns one-time customers into long-term brand champions according to Khoros, OPPO is focused to giving the best experience it can offer to our customers. This is not just in our phones and smart devices but also in customer service,” said Fredrique Achieng, PR Manager OPPO Kenya.
For the next week, customers who visit the new customer experience shop located at Emperor Plaza, Koinange Street there shall receive amazing gifts from OPPO as the brand continues to appreciate its customers for their support.
In addition to opening the customer experience shop, OPPO Kenya is introducing OPPO Pad Air in the Kenyan Market for the first time. Customers who visit the shop will get to experience unmatched computing experience of the OPPO Pad Air.
With the 6.94mm ultra-slim body and weighing 440g, the OPPO Pad Air tablet makes it graceful to carry around. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 mobile platform, OPPO Pad Air has a 10.36-inch 2K display with quad speakers supporting Dolby Atmos and comes equipped with the new ColorOS for Pad system.
The OPPO Customer Experience Shop will offer the following services and will be open from 9:00am to 6:00PM Monday to Saturday;
Authentication & Warranty Checks
OPPO Care Product
Repair Tracking
Software Updates
UV Protection film installation (Free)
Dedicated Contact Centre 0800601171(Toll Free)
Original Spare Parts
Send-in Repair Service
10% discount on phone repairs & accessories during OPPO customer appreciation week (Monthly).
“The opening of this customer experience shop and addition of OPPO Pad Air into OPPO Kenya’s product line, continues to reaffirm OPPO’s commitment to the Kenyan Market as we seek to revolutionize customer experience for all our users,” she added.

About OPPO
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since its first mobile phone launch – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Education Development Trust (EDT) is announcing a celebratory event to showcase the
achievements of its girls education project in Kenya, Wasichana Wetu Wafaulu (Let Our
Girls Succeed). The project, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education,
Ministry of Health, and the Teacher Service Commission, has been instrumental in
improving education outcomes for girls in some of Kenya’s most vulnerable
communities.
Implemented for 10 years and supported by the UK Aid , the Girls Education Challenge
(GEC) programme reached over 160,000 girls in eight counties, including the arid and
semi-arid lands, and urban slum environments – Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Kilifi,
Kwale, Tanariver, Nairobi and Mombasa.
The celebratory event will take place on April 26, 2023, attended by various sector
stakeholders including government ministries, funders, partners, and beneficiaries to
celebrate impact, discuss project learning and identify recommendations about how
to sustain and scale such work across Kenya.
During the event, participants will learn that:
▪ The project has been able to reach over 160,000 girls in eight counties across
over 610 schools, representing the arid and semi-arid lands and urban slum
contexts.
▪ It has taken a holistic gender-responsive approach, working at the level of the
school, the home, the community and directly with girls themselves.
▪ It has also trained over 6,000 teachers, over 520 headteachers and nearly 1000
government staff working at county and sub-county levels, using a powerful
teacher coaching model for gender responsive pedagogy.
▪ As a result, the project has improved transition for girls from primary to
secondary, from 74% to 96%.
▪ It has also improved academic performance for girls, with an average increase
of 11% for literacy and 12% for numeracy

▪ It has helped shift perceptions of girls’ towards studying TVET and STEM subjects,
with a twofold increase in the number of girls saying they would like to pursue a
career in STEM and supported to transition to TVET.
▪ The project has also worked closely with the MoE and TSC to support stronger
policies to strengthen education outcomes for girls, and also boys, in the hardest
to reach areas.
“Being the only female electrician in the remote Wamba town, I am talk of the town.
…I will forever truly remain grateful to the project for changing my life when I almost
lost hope. I will continue working hard, motivating other girls to join TVETs as well. My
parents were also very happy for me.”
TVET Girl Graduate
EDT is incredibly proud of the success of the Wasichana Wetu Wafaulu project, which
has helped create better opportunities for girls in Kenya barriers to success. EDT
maintains its commitment to supporting education for all children in Kenya, including
girls, through its ongoing partnership with the MoE and other key education
stakeholders.