Author: staff reporter

By Steve El Sabai

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Richard Ngatia has continued with his efforts to bolster the trade environment with a series of meetings with different stakeholders.

Yesterday, Ngatia held talks with the senior leadership from Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) who paid him a courtesy call even as the Chamber president continues with his efforts to ensure the trade environment in Kenya has been propelled.

Ngatia hosted Dr. Kennedy Nyakomitta, the Diamond Trust Bank Director of Sales, and Ms.Joan Keke who is the Bank’s Business Development and Asset Finance Manager.

The visit follows the recent event where DTB hosted a delegation that traveled to Kinshasa, DRC for a Pre-briefing breakfast session.

The deliberations centered on areas of collaboration and partnership between the KNCCI and DTB Group Bank that will include among others Investor Inbound missions, Special Tailored Programs that will target MSME, SME, and Women as well as the area of Sponsorship of Signature Events, and Business Networking Forums.

The key sectors which were identified for collaboration include the health sector infrastructure, equipment, education, agribusiness including manufacturing, Processing, farmer solutions, and value and ICT and technology.

Working teams will be created to support the implementation of activities to ensure the realization of benefits to entrepreneurs countrywide.

Earlier in the week, Ngatia led the KNCCI top brass in holding trade talks between Kenya and Bangladesh.

Accompanied by the KNCCI second Vice President Ms. Fatma Elmaawy, the chamber leaders were hosted by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh H.E. Tareque Muhammad at the High Commission of Bangladesh.

The purpose of the visit was to boost the existing trade relations between the two countries whose trade statistics indicate that for the past years, the exports of Kenya to Bangladesh have increased at an annualized rate of 21.3% from $ 31.3k in 1995 to 3.9m in 2020.

The trade gap can be achieved by improving the export capacity of horticultural products from Kenya to Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh is today one of the world’s largest garment exporters, with the ready-made garment (RMG) sector accounting for 84 percent of Bangladesh’s exports. This comes on the back of the sector’s rapid growth and modernization over the past decade as well as the strides it has made in improving conditions for the country’s approximately four million garment workers,” Ngatia said.

The key sectors of collaboration between the two countries are; pharmaceuticals, textile, agriculture, education, ICT, and the blue economy.

KNCCI is keen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) to establish a working relationship to promote business in both countries by organizing industrial delegations, seminars, symposia, trade fairs, exhibitions and to receive any business delegation from both countries together with the undertaking of research.

“We look forward to engaging the high commission in facilitating and coordinating the business community in trade development,” Ngatia added.

Meanwhile, Ngatia also hosted a delegation composed of leaders from the Asian- African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) led by the President of its Kenya Chapter Ms. Selamawit Zemene Mwewosha.

The meeting between Ngatia and the AACCI was aimed at building sustainable cross-cultural collaborations for Africa.

The Asian- Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry officially launched its Kenyan chapter in December 2022 with a vision to be recognized as an essential driving force for international business between Asian and African organizations.

KNCCI and AACCI will collaborate to support businesses especially start-ups through capacity building in terms of training and joint ventures.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is integrated with a market size of $2.3 trillion and 600 million people through regional economics.

By Bernard Mulwa

A Kenya Airways owned subsidiary airline company, JamboJet have come into partnership with a major paint manufacturer Company, Crown paints to give support to Kibos School for the blind in Kenya Kisumu, Kericho County as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The two giants have invested over Sh.1million with an aim to transform the lives of 183 visual impaired children in this institution through a donation of 3 brail machines at a cost of Sh. 90,000 for each machine, brail papers for writing and food stuffs.

The buildings of this institution have remained without painting for the last six years but since these two companies came up with this program, have managed to give it a new face through painting.  

At a news conference today in crown Paints Company, the Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rakesh Rao told journalists that blind people have a “sixth sense” that, in some ways, could function similarly to sight and this will give them energy and a  positive outlook. “Many people don’t see the need to paint an institution for the blind” both Dr. Rakesh Rao and his counterpart Mr. Karanja Ndegwa the CEO Jambojet said are focused on children and youths who are disadvantaged for some reasons, “we want to look at things we can continuously give back to the Society” Mr. Ndegwa said this is a long term program and they both want to make sure that the students are able to learn.

In a joint statement, Dr. Rakesh said they will give support to these needy children and they will take care for children who cannot afford to pay their school fees and wherever job opportunities are available they will give them.

The head Principle Kibos School for the blind Mrs. Caroline Templer who was also present, thanked both the CEO Jambojet Mr. Ndegwa and CEO Crown paints Dr. Rakesh even as they plan to move to other Schools giving support.

by Ronald Njoroge

ZETECH University on Friday conducted training for Gatongora ward based businesses in a bid to improve the financial literacy in Ruiru constituency.

Prof. Njenga Munene Vice Chancellor ZETECH University said that the day long event attracted small and medium size entrepreneurs who gained knowledge in business management.

“One of the things  that we have seen is that most businesses start and collapse within  a year or two,” Munene said.  

He revealed that the reason for the capacity building is to empower different business groups in the immediate neighborhood of  ZETECH  Ruiru campus.

“We want to ensure that when Kiambu County extends funds to SMEs, they don’t collapse,” Munene added.

ZETECH is collaborating with the central government and the Kiambu county government to ensure   that businesses in Ruiru are not disadvantaged in terms of not having knowledge on running an enterprise.

“We have a strong department from ZETECH to ensure that businesses can thrive,” the Vice Chancellor said.

He noted that the Ruiru area like the rest of the country is facing a serious people.

“We have a lot of compassionate borrowing where people don’t use loans for businesses and a lot of people are money listed on CRB and so financial management is critical area,” he observed.

About 2 week ago ZETECH   held   a similar event in its Mang’u campus to empower SMEs.

Felix Kosgei, the  Head of Public Service and Chief of staff on Monday urged ministries and , parastatals to develop procurement plans in order to eliminate corruption.

According to Kosgei, consolidated annual procurements plan will have to be approved by respective boards of directors in order to enhance transparency of procurement by government.

“These are areas that must be enforced by KRA. We will hold officials accountable for each and every mistake that is made intentionally with motives o to misdirect government funds to other uses not planned for,” Kosgei said during a working tour of the  Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Offices in Nairobi.

Kosgei noted  PPRA’s overarching role in relation to public procurement, makes it a critical entity in supporting the government’s good governance objectives through facilitating policy and administrative intervention oriented measures, to secure ‘quick wins’.

The chief of staff that PPRA needs to implement  appropriate  strategic preventive actions that will catalyze the anti-corruption efforts that are required to curb the vice in the prevalent procurement sector, with a cascaded effect across the government.

Andrew Musangi Chairman of  PPRA said that government is prioritizing the transition from manual procurement systems to e-procurement.

“E-procurement will also make auditing of procurement of public bodies much easier,” he added.

by Maximilla Wafula

Three people dead following the collapse of two neighbouring goldmine shafts that happened yesterday on Thursday, 9th February, 2023 in Shinyalu Sub-County, Kakamega County.
The first shaft is alleged to have collapsed at 1:00am while the second shaft collapsed at midday. On receiving the sad news, the County’s Disaster Multisectoral Team led by two Executive Members in charge of Natural Resources and Health Services quickly converged at the sites and immediately started rescue operations.
The concerted efforts by this team managed to rescue nine (9) people alive and rushed them to our health facilities; six (6) at the County General Hospital and two (2) at Shieywe Hospital and one (1) at Mukumu Mission Hospital.
Addressing the media, H.E Fernandes Baraza, Governor Kakamega county stated that three (3) fatalities have been confirmed, two at the shafts’ sites and one (1) at the General Hospital while receiving specialized medical attention.
It is believed that there were at least thirteen (13) people inside the two shafts at the time of the accidents, with the main shaft holding eleven (11) people. Only one (1) person was rescued from the shaft that had two (2) people as the other artisan succumbed while inside the tunnel.

Two (2) people are feared to be still trapped in the main mine adit, however rescue efforts are ongoing. So far seven (7) people have been treated and discharged from the health facilities while two (2) who were critically injured are still under examination.
“It has been observed that buildings adjacent to the main shaft have developed notable cracks and pose further risks to people as well as property.” Said Baraza
“It has also been brought to my attention that artisanal mining activities in Ikolomani and Shinyalu Sub-Counties have not been licensed and therefore inspection of shafts has not been undertaken by the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy.” He added
In a view of this unfortunate tragedy, the governor directs as follows:

1. The Artisanal Mining Committee together with the County Disaster Multisectoral Team, within 14 days, to conduct an audit on the status of shafts and adit and inform on all artisanal mining activities in Ikolomani and Shinyalu Sub-Counties for further deliberations with the Cabinet Secretary for Mining on issues licensing of Artisanal mining activities in the said areas and the entire County;
2. Multi sectoral enforcement and compliance operations to ensure strict adherence to this directive; and
3. The County Departments for Public Service and County Administration; and Water, Environment, Natural Resource and Climate Change to immediately upscale sensitization and capacity building of Artisanal miners on health, environmental and occupational safety.

The Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET) on Sunday castigated the Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC) for their unfair treatment of their members.

Lawrence Otunga National Chairman of the KUNOPPET said that there is currently an inhumane, unfair and illegal job evaluation and salary structure for the Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers in Kenya.

” We have noted that the commission has instructed all governor’s to ensure that the teachers’ salaries are reduced to around 7000 shillings,” Otunga said.

Otunga noted that no employee should be paid below the gazetted minimum wages levels prescribed by the employment act.

He added that the revised entry grades by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, for the ECDE courses has negatively impacted the preschool sector.

Samuel Opiyo, the Secretary General of the KUNOPPET said that his organizatiob is the only existing union for early childhood teachers.

“In all the stakeholder meetings, the government has never involved us,” Opiyo noted.

He revealed that the sector has been undermined and neglected ever since the introduction of the 8-4-4 system.

“Now under the new CBC system another problem is looming. We have information that our learners have been sent away to learn under trees in order to pace way for Junior secondary school students,” Opiyo added.

by Maximilla Wafula

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 3 – History was made at the Baobab course in Vipingo where top Kenyan amateur Naomi Wafula became the first Kenyan player to make a cut in the Ladies European Tour (LET).

Wafula, who teed it up in the company of leader Aditi Ashok and Alice Hewson of England, was among the 63 players who made the cut into the final two rounds.

The Kenyan went to bed with a two-day total of 9 over par 155 but her presence in the money bracket caught the attention of the highflying two-times Indian Olympian Ashok.
“Yes, she (Wafula) is a good player. I was just talking to her about her round. She played well, save for a few holes where she made some mistakes. We have had a good two days together and I believe Wafula can go far if she continues in similar spirit and fashion,” expounded Ashok.

Naomi Wafula in action at the 2023 Ladies Open
Naomi savoured her fairy tale experience: “It’s such a good feeling to make the cut in the Magical Ladies Kenya Open for the first time. I can’t say I played much better than Thursday, nonetheless, I had a great time on the course especially playing alongside competition leader Ashok”

Wafula wasn’t lucky to score a birdie but she was happy that her +3 round two score was better than the first day where she posted a +6.
“Since I came to Vipingo I have been doing lots of gym and the fact that I play here everyday has also contributed to my great knowledge of the course which was an added advantage on the pitch,” Wafula added..
Aditi Ashok of India follows her tee shot during the first round of the 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open.

Meanwhile, leader Ashok has vowed to hit the greens and fairways of the Par-73 PGA Baobab course in Vipingo with the much-needed precision and gusto heading into the weekend.

The two-times Indian Olympian fired a round of 70 to close day two proceedings on the summit with 9 under par 137.

Chanelle Wangari has so far won the Kenya Ladies Open Amateur Championship and Faldo Series Kenya Championship
16-year-old Chanelle Wangari will be the first Kenyan to tee off in the first round of the 2023 Magical Ladies Kenya Open, set to start at 8:00 AM at the par-72 PGA Baobab Course, Vipingo Ridge.

The groups of Helen Tamy Kreuzer (GER), Agathe Laisne (FRA), Clara Manzalini (ITA) off the first tee and that of Maria Hernandez (ESP), Louise Duncan (SCO) and Tereza Melecka (CZE) off the tenth, will get the first round underway.

Highly ranked amateur, Wangari, who has so far won the Kenya Ladies Open Amateur Championship and Faldo Series Kenya Championship, will get her round underway at 8:11AM from the first tee, alongside Lucie Malchirand of France and Sara Kjellker of Sweden.

The other four Kenyan players will all tee off in the afternoon with Naomi Wafula teeing off the first at 1:31 PM in the company of Alice Hewson of England who was ranked 19th in last year’s Race to Costa Del Sol, and Aditi Ashok of India.

Mercy Nyanchama, Jacqueline Walter and Nancy Wairimu will all tee off between 12:58 and 1:42 PM off the tenth. Botswana’s Nobuhle Dlamini, the only other African in the field, will also be teeing off within this time band, on the tenth.
Two-time winner Esther Henseleit will have Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden and Christine Wolf of Austria for company as she gets her campaign off to a start for a third Magical Kenya Ladies Open title at 1:20PM. Pia Babnik of Slovenia, who is the highest ranked player in the field, will get her round underway at 9:06 AM, from the tenth tee, in the company of Sanna Nuutinen (Finland) and Sophie Witt (Germany).

Highly ranked amateur Avani Prashanth (India), with 25 top ten finishes and ten wins, will tee off at 8:22AM on the tenth, with Felicity Johnson (England) and Lisa Pettersson (Sweden).
The field of 96 will be playing for a total prize fund of 300,000 Euros, with the field set to be cut at the end of round two.

Meanwhile, the Vipingo Ridge’s team of caddies received special mosquito repellant polo shirts from No Malaria Kenya (NoMAK) as part of their sponsorship of the 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open.

NoMAK, whose aim is to reduce the spread and effects of malaria in the country, manufactures mosquito-repellant-infused products including bedsheets and clothing, under the Mozzi brand, for everyday use.
Speaking during the ceremony, NoMAK CEO, Asher Owino, said; “At NoMAK, we are working towards mitigating the risk of malaria and mosquitoes in the country. To do this, we manufacture Mozzi, a mosquito repellant, which is infused in textiles, like the polos we are giving out today, that can last up to three years.”

NoMAK Chairman, Chris Opar spoke on the brand’s association with the 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open; “We are proud to partner with the 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open to make an impact on young people and the community through sports. The caddies form an important part of the sport of golf and we are looking forward to partnering with this tournament for a long time to come.”

Speaking on behalf of the caddies, Joseph Odonde; “I want to thank NoMAK for this kind gesture, which will go a long way in helping us fight against malaria, which is quite rampant in these areas.”
Action at the 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open is set to start on the 2nd of February 2023 at Vipingo Ridge. Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament through the online platform www.ticketsasa.com which are retailing for KES 500 per day.

by Maximilla Wafula

Two-time Olympian Aditi Ashok of India took command of 2023 Magical Kenya Ladies Open on Day One at Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi with a score of six under par, 67.
The 2019 runners up hit birdies on holes 2, 5, 6, and 9 on the front nine. She added more birdies on holes 11, and 13 on the back nine, giving herself a 4-shot lead heading to the second round of the tournament on Friday.

“I hit some really good shots and got some good birdies which have helped put me in this position. I missed a couple of putts because I hit them really close, and so that’s what I am going to be looking to improve on in the next three days,” said Ashok.

Tied in second position are seven players including Italy’s Virginia Elena Carta and Ana Trivino of Spain, Kylie Henry (Scotland), Isabella Deilert (Sweden), Marta Sanz Barrio (Spain), Alice Hewson (England) and April Angurasaranee (Thailand) who finished on two under par, 71 each.
However, it was a bad day in the office for defending champion Esther Henseleit of Germany who is looking for her third title here in Kenya.

The German ended the day in 41st place alongside Kenya’s Chanelle Wangari on four over par, 77. Henseleit bogeyed holes 9, 14, 15, and 17 during her quest for the title defence.
Wangari was the best placed Kenyan on the day. She cruised well in the front nine but lost shots on holes 16, 17 and 18 to go over par. Wangari had birdies on holes number 2, 7, 9, and 15, but bogeyed holes 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18.
Despite the disappointment, Wangari is still optimistic that she will make the cut on Friday. Commenting on her round, she said; “I have been doing my practice and so I was quite confident going in to the round. The greens were faster than I thought they would be, but overall, I am happy about my performance. I am hoping to play better tomorrow and make the cut after round 2.”

Meanwhile, former Kenya number one Naomi Wafula finished her round on six over par, 79. She was followed by Mercy Nyanchama and Jacqueline Walter who both fired ten over par, 83 as Nancy Wairimu finished last in Kenya’s ranking order on 12 over par, 85.
Round Two of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open begins tomorrow at 8:00am. Spectators are encouraged to buy tickets via Ticketsasa and come to support the ladies on the second and pivotal day of the tournament.

The tournament is sponsored by among others, the Ministry of Sports, EABL through its Johnnie Walker brand, Safaricom’s Mpesa, Huawei, KCB Group and Visa.

by Maximilla Wafula

Making her third appearance at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, Kenya’s Naomi Wafula says she is wiser and better prepared for the third edition of this DP Tour leg compared to the previous times.

Ahead of this prestigious event at the PGA Baobab Golf Course at the Vipingo Ridge in Kilifi, Wafula says she has been putting an extra shift in training.
“I am looking forward to it…I am really excited. I’ve been doing a lot of practice; I have been going to the gym … five days a week. I have been with my coach who has been helping me through my daily routine. I am also grateful to Vipingo Ridge who have helped me in this journey to prepare for the Magical Kenya Ladies Open,” she said.

Wafula is one of five Kenyans who will battling 91 other competitors for top honour at the five-day event, the others including Mercy Nyanchama, Naomi Wairimu, Chanelle Wangari and Jacquelyne Walter.

She adds that she cannot wait to put into action what she has practiced in training, noting that she has noticed immense improvement in her game since last year’s edition.

“I am confident with (sic) my game at the moment. Since the last edition, it has improved very much so I believe this time I am going to perform better than last year so I am really looking forward to it,” Wafula said.

Mercy Nyanchama in past action.
On her part, Nyanchama, also making her third appearance in the tournament, hopes it will inspire more Kenyan female golfers to break into the top level of the game in the world.
“It is a significant step for Kenyan women golfers and provides a platform to showcase our talents at the highest level. I am confident the competition will inspire young female golfers to pursue their dreams,” she said.

Defending champion Esther Henseleit will be seeking a hattrick of titles when the competition proper tees off on Thursday, all through to Sunday.
The event boasts an overall prize fund of Kes 41 million (€300,000).
Spectators can purchase tickets to the four-day tournament through the online platform www.ticketsasa.com which are retailing for KES 500 per day.