The Managing Director of Kenya’s leading credit only microfinance, Jijenge Credit Limited, Mr Peter Macharia Kamau has taken a moment to wish all Kenyans well ,ahead of Christmas festivities.
Mr Kamau, who has steered Jijenge Credit Limited to greatness, is a highly respected captain of the industry.
No other microfinance extends logbook loans in minutes apart from Jijenge Credit Limited.
“Do not worry about giving your loved ones a treat this Christmas. Just walk into our offices or dial us and you be rest assured to get a loan in minutes. This will ensure you treat your loved ones with a feast. Christmas comes once a year so it’s wise to enjoy it to the fullest,” Mr Kamau advised.
He at the same time urged Kenyans to enjoy the festivities with care especially those who will be sitting on the driver’s seat to drive safely to avoid road carnage.
Finally Peter Macharia Kamau wished all Jijenge Credit Limited family, clients, stakeholders, et al and all Kenyans in general a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous blessed Year 2024 !!
Rural Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) on Wednesday issued a 7 day notice of stop to accept use of NHIF cards in private hospitals. It is now 8 months, NHIF has failed to pay for services rendered. At other times, they underpay for services rendered, paying very minimal percentages of valid claims. Even payments for outpatient services have not been remitted as well. Private hospitals are no longer able to guarantee crucial services such as outpatient, maternity and cancer to NHIF beneficiaries.
Government is accusing private hospitals of causing NHIF to lose up to 50% of their collections due to scandalous claims. This is despite the fact that only 100 private hospitals out of 8,000 hospitals have been receiving funds from NHIF. But according to RUPHA, there are other causes: a) Medical schemes for teachers and police was removed from NHIF to A O Minet. This resulted in NHIF losing 25 billion Shillings as income. b) Corrupt practices within NHIF. Private hospitals are recommending cash basis to replace NHIF in private hospitals as a solution. Doctors are hereby admitting that NHIF is dead.
Measures to be implemented as from December 2023: a) NHIF patients requiring admissions for medical cases will be requested to pay theatre fees. b) NHIF patients requiring surgery will be requested to pay theatre fees. c)NHIF patients receiving cancer care will have to pay consultation fees. d) NHIF patients on Linda Mama Scheme will have to pay procedure fee for normal delivery. e) RUPHA member facilities will continue to attend to NHIF beneficiaries in emergency and critical situations.
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in partnership with Twiva today announced a new project dubbed Twende Digital Project, which is being funded by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) to oversee the creation of work opportunities for young digital content creators while supporting SMEs in adopting the use of technology through intensive capacity building and technical assistance on the use of digital skills and platforms, which will eventually help these businesses to scale up. This Project majorly focuses on addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment in Kenya where the recent statistics by the Kenya National Bureau Statistics indicated that over 50 percent of the 2.97 million jobless Kenyans are in the ages of 18 to 29 years of age. The Twende Digital Project is guided by the CFYE’s goal of fostering youth employment initiatives in Africa. Hence, the Project will provide significant work opportunities to both rural and urban setups in the country such as Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, Nyeri, Machakos, Kiambu, Garissa, and Kakamega. The selected businesses will enjoy digitization services and tools for free for the next 12 months including influencer marketing service credits, content creation credits, access to business digital coaches, access to influencers or resellers to help resell the SMEs’ goods, linkage to logistics and fulfilment partners, digital marketing training, and the digital marketing advisory services. “A great lesson we have drawn in executing employment projects in Kenya is the fact that meaningful youth participation is a key factor in attracting and retaining youth in employment. The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment plans to create 230,000 jobs for young people in Africa by 2026. These jobs should be dignified and fulfilling work as per the African strategy of good jobs and good salaries. We have also learned that it is very crucial to support the private sector, especially in measuring the impact of youth employment initiatives. This is why digitizing the SMEs will not only help expand these businesses but also ensure the creation of jobs” said Paul Ngugi, Deputy Country Lead of the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment. The absence of sufficient employment opportunities has been a huge hurdle in Kenya especially where recent reports have shown that over 2.97 million Kenyans are jobless. Out of these numbers, 50% are between the ages of 18 years to 29 years. Hence, with the limited employment opportunities in the formal sector, and the challenges that are there in starting a business, there is a need for rethinking alternatives to work opportunities for Kenyans, especially young people. Leveraging innovation, technologies, and other emerging skills has been one way to help reduce the transition shocks of young people into the labor markets. “Enterprises stand to have a great chance of unlocking the wealth of opportunities and building a global competitive advantage through adoption and prioritizing digitization. As the benefits of digitization become clearer for businesses where they stand to benefit from access to wider markets, more efficient processes, increased productivity, better stock management, and reduced costs; hence the adoption of digitization cannot be ignored. Besides providing solutions for the growth of these businesses, digitization has brought about new and more exciting work opportunities for the young people in Kenya” said Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Director of Youth and Jobs at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance. As a social commerce platform that gives micro, small, and medium enterprises digital access to markets through content creators, Twiva will play a pivotal role in supplying experienced social media influencers and resellers as well as the social commerce platforms to market and resell goods and services on behalf of these SMEs. This will then see the creation of work opportunities for the influencers while at the same time boosting the productivity of the SMEs through the integration of digital technologies. “The anticipated impact of the TwendeDigital project is not just a statistic; it’s a transformation. As we aim to elevate the average income of employed youth from less than Kes 10,000 to approximately Kes 25,000, the project becomes a catalyst for change, injecting vitality into the lives of young individuals. Job satisfaction rates among the youth are not merely a metric; they represent a shift in the narrative of what it means to find meaningful work,” said Peter Kironji, CEO & Co-founder, Twiva. Addressing challenges and fostering inclusivity, the project allocates 60% of opportunities to women-led SMEs and focuses on building digital skills among SMEs. At the same time, through the indirect work opportunities that are digitally enabled, the Project will provide start-up opportunities for youth without formal experience or capital, especially in areas of logistics and shipping of products to clients. The project envisions expanding its reach to serve more youth and women by enlisting additional social influencers, through the use of the Twiva platform, fostering economic growth, and contributing to a sustainable future beyond the CFYE project. Also expressing his insights and expectations about such opportunities for digital content creators, Philip Karanja, the CEO of PhilItTV explained that it is important for businesses to look for an influencer that they can connect with and can help elevate their business to the next level. He said that branding requires a 360 approach from image and logos to the customer experience. He challenged the businesses present at the forum to involve influencers who can ensure improved visibility to their potential clients while they concentrate on other core functions of the business. In addressing the challenges of limited capital and formal job opportunities, TwendeDigital doesn’t just provide solutions; it pioneers a new approach. By leveraging digital technologies and harnessing the power of social media influencers, the project opens doors for youth- owned agribusinesses and scalable enterprises. It’s not just about creating jobs; it’s about fostering an ecosystem where businesses thrive and individuals flourish. “Looking beyond the immediate impact, the sustainability of the Twende Digital Project is rooted in its holistic approach. By empowering youth and women economically, we envision a ripple effect that contributes to the growth of the economy and poverty reduction. This is a commitment to building a sustainable future,” continued Dr. Ehud. In a world grappling with challenges, Twende Digital emerges as a beacon of hope, illuminating a path toward economic empowerment, inclusivity, and a future where every young individual has the opportunity to thrive. The partnership is also a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and innovation. Twende Digital is a roadmap towards a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.
Over the last decade former workers of Barclays Bank of Kenya-now Absa bank Kenya, have lost half the value of their purchasing power due to inflation, poor management of their savings and unfair treatment of pensioners across different markets.
The pensioners say consultants Joanna Combrink and Colin Southey have told Absa Bank Kenya the purchasing power of the Absa Staff Pension Fund beneficiaries had decreased substantially (around 50 percent over the last 13 years).
The former staffers of Absa Bank say their decades-long savings have not been earning them a decent enough return to beat years of inflation which has made it difficult to cope with the high cost of living.
The lender claims the market has not been generating higher returns during the good years, and worse still, has signaled even lower returns this year blaming it on the economic slowdown. As pensioners we hold that the poor performance of the fund is attributed to lack of monitoring by the trustees to engage with their investment manager and poor investment decisions by the fund managers.
The bank has disregarded our input and we have lost our representation at the Board of Trustees after two of our members were not replaced when they retired but the Bank introduced more employees of the Bank as Trustees contrary to the Retirements Benefits
Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets limited, which trades in Kenya under the brand name Carrefour has been sanctioned for abusing its superior bargaining position over two of its suppliers – Pwani Oil Products limited and Woodlands limited.
This comes even as the Competion Authority of Kenya pursue to investigations a total of Ksh. 1,108,327,873.60 by the powerful buyer obtained terms of supply outside the scope of normal business practices, which is unfair and detrimental to a supplier.
The Authority has also ordered Carrefour to refund the Woodlands and Pwani Oil a total of Ksh. 16,757,899 in rabates deducted from their invoice as well as Ksh. 500,000 that was billed as marketing support – store opening or listing fees.
Woodlands processes and supplies retail store across the country with refined natural bee honey from Kitui County, while Pwani Oil processes and supplies Fast-Moving consumer goods and washing soap products.
The Authority acting Director General, Dr. Adano Wario said that Abuse of Buyer Power is typically meted out on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises who accept adverse conditions from their powerful buyers who control critical infrastructure and access to consumers, such a country wide network of branches.
SME’s account for 98 percent of all business in Kenya, contributing up to 40 percent of GDP and are the source of livelihood for millions of Kenyans, directly or indirectly . However, their centrality to economic progress, SMEs in the country contend with various challenges leading to closure of many businesses in infancy.
“At the core of the Authority’s mandate execution is promotion of inclusive economic development, Abuse of buyer power defeats this aspiration by crippling suppliers, who are mostly SMEs and whose contribution to our economy cannot be overstated” said Dr. Wario.
Investigation also determined that Carrefour’s supplies are required to provide free products and pay listing fees for every new branch opened as well as post payment to the supermarket’s branches. These practices amount to transfer of the retailer’s costs to suppliers, which is prohibited by the Company Act.
“while appearing to enable an offender to offer lower prices to consumers, this apparent benefit is short-term and unjustifiable when placed against the long-term damage caused to the upstream supplier market, including forced exit, especially by SMEs in the manufacturing sector,” whereas business have the freedom to enter into contracts with each other, these agreements should not unjustifiably disenfranchise the weaker party and must facilitate negotiations without reprisal, Dr. Wario added.
The Authority’s board Chairman, Mr. Shaka Kariuki said the ACK aligns its interventions with the government’s agender of promoting growth of SMEs and the manufacturing sector, while ensuring that its actions positively impact as many Kenyans as possible, he said, “ our role as a regulator is to promote healthy competition in our markets with the overall objective of creating a conducive business environment for attracting investment into the national economy and to the benefit of consumers” he said.
WAMA International has opened its third Aldo Store at the Hub Mall in Karen. WAMA International is licenced to operate ALDO stores in Kenya and creates a unique shopping experience by bringing global brands like ALDO to the Kenyan market. It offers a unique shopping experience for customers in terms of trending fashion and footware.
According to WAMA International Group, Kenya has a friendly business environment to not only foreign but also local investors due to the growing influence of the middle class. This is despite the presence of other challenges such as high taxation rates and a weakening shilling against the dollar.
The ALDO Store has other stores, Sarit Centre and Westgate Mall Finally the third has been opened at the Hub Karen Mall. The first and second stores had some incredible progress in terms of growth, leading to the expansion to the third store. Founded in 1972, ALDO is an established brand that has left a mark in the fashion industry, not only in Kenya but also worldwide.
Customers did enjoy 50% discount for all products on the opening day as well as the rest of the opening week. It’s all about creating an exciting shopping experience with the aim of further penetrating the Kenyan market.
Elizabeth Thande, Chairperson – East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP)
By NJOKI KARANJA
The East Africa Women in Business Platform (EAWIBP) in collaboration with GIZ Business earlier today hosted a dynamic capacity building workshop that aims to empower women in agribusiness and as well teach them about branding, digital marketing skills, e-commerce and provide them with knowledge on how to manage e-commerce platforms. The workshop, facilitated by respective experts, includes practical exercises and case studies tailored to the agribusiness sector. The workshop is facilitated by EAWiBP Officials, GIZ Business.
In an effort towards fostering the empowerment of women in the agribusiness sector, EAWIBP and GIZ Business for Development today collaborated to host a dynamic capacity-building workshop. The workshop brought together aspiring and established women entrepreneurs eager to enhance their skills in branding, packaging, digital marketing, and e-commerce.
The training insightful sessions delivered by prominent figures in the industry, including Elizabeth Thande, the esteemed Chairperson of EAWIBP. Thande’s expertise provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the agribusiness landscape, inspiring participants to leverage their potential and overcome barriers.
Edda Otieno, representing GIZ Business Scouts for Development in Kenya, brought a wealth of knowledge to the table. Her engaging presentation delved into the intricacies of digital marketing and e-commerce, shedding light on strategies that women in agribusiness can employ to thrive in the ever-evolving market.
Participants had the opportunity to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, and network with like-minded individuals. The collaborative spirit was evident as women exchanged ideas on effective branding techniques, innovative packaging solutions, and the transformative power of digital platforms in expanding market reach. The organizers expressed their commitment to fostering a supportive ecosystem for women in agribusiness, emphasizing the need for continuous skill development to navigate the competitive landscape successfully. The workshop’s success was attributed not only to the expertise of the speakers but also to the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants.
Edda Otieno, Advisor – GIZ Business Scouts for Development
Therefore,the objective of the workshop, which runs from 13th to 14th December, 2023, is to consider strategies for enhancing women participation agribusiness and mainstreaming gender in the implementation of the AfCFTA.
The East African Women in Business Platform (EAWiBP) is a forum that brings together business-women from across the East African Community (EAC). Its membership and Steering Committee comprises of; national apex bodies/ associations/ networks of business-women (including associations of women formal and informal cross-border traders); professional women associations; and civil society organizations working to promote business-women and women’s socio-economic advancement.
In conclusion, the platform works in each East African country through national business and professional associations across the region and by virtue of this currently represents over 20,000 business and professional women in the region. The platform also works closely with the EAC Gender Community Development and CSOs Department to design gender inclusive positions on a variety of issues.
Leaders drawn from the Ilchamus Community in Baringo county have officially joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)party , signaling a shift from their previous allegiance to the Azimio coalition. The community members, who were vocal supporters of Azimio during the elections, announced their decision to align with UDA at the party headquarters.
The announcement took place at the UDA party headquarters, where the Ilchamus community representatives were warmly welcomed by the Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, on behalf of the UDA leader. This move comes as a significant development, considering the community’s previous stance of not supporting the government during the elections.
The decision to switch alliances suggests a reevaluation of political affiliations within the ilchamus community and their willingness to collaborate with the government they once opposed. The Secretary General expressed optimism about the newfound partnership, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving common goals for the benefit of the community and the nation at large.
Political analysts are closely monitoring the situation, anticipating potential ripple effects on the dynamics of political alliances in the region. As the ilchamus community joins forces with UDA, questions arise about the implications for both the coalition they abandoned and the ruling government they are now willing to work with. Only time will reveal the impact of this unexpected shift on the political landscape.
Akshay Yadav, Research Associate, Chair on Consumer Law and Practice, National Law School of India University Bangalore during the 2023 Consumers International Global Congress which opened in Nairobi, the Kenya capital.
The leading Indian Consumer right scholar has decried the lag in consumer protection measures in digital sphere globally.
Akshay Yadav, Research Associate, Chair on Consumer Law and Practice, National Law School of India University Bangalore said that there is a pressing need for increased transparency and adherence to key standards was a central theme of the discussions.
Yadav made the remarks during the 2023 Consumers International Global Congress which opened in Nairobi, the Kenya capital, Wednesday to promote consumer rights across the world.
The three day conference that was held under the theme of “Building a Resilient Future for Consumers,” brought together delegates from more than 100 countries composed of senior government officials, international organizations, consumer rights advocates and scholars to review the status of consumer protection across the world.
The conference underscored the transformative potential of new technologies while emphasizing the need for urgent and dramatic changes to protect consumers and prevent the collapse of trust in the online world.
The key takeways from the conference
Trust in the Online World: The conference emphasized the urgent need for transformative measures to avert the collapse of trust in the online world. New technologies, while offering unprecedented opportunities, also bring significant risks,particularly in areas like Buy Now Pay Later, mobile money, and cryptocurrency.
Consumer Protection Lagging: Participants highlighted the lag in consumer protection measures in the digital sphere globally. The pressing need for increased transparency and adherence to key standards was a central theme of the discussions.
Global Collaboration: The call for international collaboration resonated throughout the conference. Stakeholders stressed the importance of connection and collaboration to strengthen consumer protection standards, ensuring consistency across borders and sectors.
AI Impact: Generative AI’s potential impact on consumers, including misinformation challenges, took center stage. Delegates emphasized the importance of consumer-led regulation, ethical standards, and a global approach to address concerns surrounding AI.
Product Safety: The conference addressed the alarming persistence of banned or recalled products in online marketplaces. Speakers emphasized the necessity for better regulation and voluntary initiatives, with a focus on cross-border collaboration to protect consumers.
Digital Finance Initiative: The launch of the “Building the Consumer Voice into Digital Finance” initiative marked a significant step towards exploring models that enhance consumer protection globally. Ensuring consumer literacy and trust emerged as pivotal for the success of innovative finance models.
Data Governance: Discussions highlighted the need for harmonization of data governance frameworks globally and increased transparency in trade agreements. Collaboration was emphasized as the cornerstone of responsible data governance.
Consumer Literacy in Mobile Money, Tackling Scams, Honesty Around Algorithms, Sustainability were the other topics discussed during the programmes.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy East Africa class of 2023 graduated at Hermosa Gardens in Karen sending another crop of talented young and vibrant film and TV industry professionals to the industry.This year’s cohort comprised 20 students from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia – all talented, passionate creatives, ready to embark on the next phase of their careers making African content for African audiences.The MTF Academy is an industry-development training programme launched by MultiChoice across Africa in 2018 to develop the continent’s next generation of storytellers.
“We are dedicated to keeping East Africa’s storytelling tradition alive, in a way that is relevant to modern audiences. We do that by choosing the most talented aspiring filmmakers and empowering them with the latest cutting-edge skills. We are proud of this year’s graduates, and we know they will take the East African film industry to greater heights,” noted Victoria Goro, Academy Directory, MTF East Africa.Over the past 12 months, MTF graduates immersed themselves in a comprehensive program encompassing screenwriting, editing, producing, and directing. Practical skills were honed through a blend of training, study, and hands-on experience in TV and film productions.
As a culmination of their curriculum, students developed feature films set to broadcast in the coming weeks on MultiChoice local channels and showmax.Launched in 2018 by MultiChoice as an industry-development training program across Africa, the MTF Academy has already nurtured approximately 300 young professionals, equipping them with crucial industry skills to ensure high production quality, global competitiveness, and outstanding content tailored for African viewers.
Multichoice Talent Factory Academy Graduates class of 2023
The impact of MTF East Africa Academy graduates on the regional film and TV industry is evident. We are already seeing films by seeing films by MTF alumni from East Africa being recognized through awards across the continent. Engaito won Best MTF Film at the recent eighth AMVCA awards, Egna secured the Best International Award at the Kalasha International Film Festival in Nairobi, and Wavamizi received the Chairman’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival,” added Ms. Goro.“We are seeing production companies started by MTF East Africa alumni producing local films under Maisha Magic East channel, Showmax and Honey Channel. This is a great indicator for success and growth of the industry.
Our alumni are contributing to the continent-wide move towards inspired storytelling, keeping viewers and communities informed, entertained, and connected,” added Ms Goro.On his part, Nzola Miranda, Managing Director, MultiChoice Kenya noted: “MTF East Africa plays a pivotal role in growing the next cohort of African storytellers by providing a talent pipeline for local productions.
As we recognize this year’s cohort, we are passionate to produce motivated young individuals with the required skill set needed to create high quality African content for African audiences.“As Kenya’s most loved storyteller, we see MTF East Africa Academy as the crucial pathway to ensuring that we tell more African stories,” concluded Mr. Miranda.This year, outstanding graduates will have the opportunity to further enhance their skills through internships with leading MTF partner organizations and grow their skills through internships at industry leading MTF partner organizations.
