By Jackson Okoth - The Standard

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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Digital News

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By Jackson Okoth

Devolution dilemma as confusion reigns over public service delivery

All senior civil servants attached to the former ministries of Co-operatives, Health, Trade or the Livestock and Fisheries dockets are still retained by the national government.

By By JACKSON OKOTH and NICHOLAS WAITATHU 9 years ago

Devolution dilemma as confusion reigns over public service delivery

Central Bank pushes for food, fuel buffer stocks

Central Bank pushes for food, fuel buffer stocks

By By Jackson Okoth 9 years ago

TSC gets Sh161b for hiring new teachers

TSC gets Sh161b for hiring new teachers

By By Jackson Okoth 9 years ago

Former building societies’ quarter one earnings soar

Former building societies’ quarter one earnings soar

By By Jackson Okoth 9 years ago

TransCentury seeks nod to sell subsidiaries

Listed investment firm TransCentury Limited is seeking shareholder approval to sell off three of its subsidiaries.

By By Jackson Okoth 9 years ago

TransCentury seeks nod to sell subsidiaries

Inside bank vaults: The story behind industry’s super profits

Kenya’s top five banks made enviable returns last year from every person who walked through their doors to make a deposit.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Inside bank vaults: The story behind industry’s super profits

World Bank pumps Sh17.5 billion into Kenya’s transport sector

The World Bank has approved new funding for the emergency reconstruction of Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which suffered a major fire disaster last August.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

World Bank pumps Sh17.5 billion into Kenya’s transport sector

Weak subsidiaries weigh down Equity Bank’s performance

A volatile political environment in South Sudan has slowed down business for Equity Bank Group, forcing the institution to make a Sh700 million provision to cover possible losses from the subsidiary.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Weak subsidiaries weigh down Equity Bank’s performance

Tough laws loom as counties seek to enhance revenue collection

A person or company found conducting business within a county without a trade licence could soon face a court fine of up to Sh100,000.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Tough laws loom as counties seek to enhance revenue collection

Expectations, fears as 2014/15 budget looms

The National Treasury has been asked to set out clear guidelines on what taxes, levies and fees are to be charged by the National and County Governments.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Expectations, fears as 2014/15 budget looms

South African financial services group acquires stake in Cannon Assurance

South African-based Metropolitan International (MMI Holdings) is set to merge its business with that of Cannon Assurance.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

South African financial services group acquires stake in Cannon Assurance

Excitement over KQ’s low-cost carrier plan

It might soon become more attractive for a business or leisure traveller to take a flight from Nairobi to Kisumu Mombasa or Eldoret rather than use road transport.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Excitement over KQ’s low-cost carrier plan

Anxiety grips Karuturi workers over job losses

Karuturi Ltd, the Kenyan subsidiary of an international flower giant has been placed under receivership.

By By Jackson Okoth and Antony Gitonga 10 years ago

Anxiety grips Karuturi workers over job losses

Lobbies pile pressure on Parliament to review VAT Act

Parliament is expected to discuss amendments to the VAT Act, 2013 when it resumes sittings this month.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Lobbies pile pressure on Parliament to review VAT Act

Policy makers want State to account for resource wastage

Policy makers want Parliament to use its muscle to ensure wastage by the government is also contained.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Policy makers want State to account for resource wastage

Changes looming in dairy industry as French giant eyes stake in Brookside

Plans are in advanced stages for French dairy giant Danone to acquire a minority stake in Brookside Dairies Limited.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Changes looming in dairy industry as French giant eyes stake in Brookside

State to spend Sh132b to promote industries

The Government plans to spend Sh132 billion to promote industrial development which includes setting up special economic zones, a free trade area in Mombasa and an industrial park in each of the 47 county governments.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

State to spend Sh132b to promote industries

JKIA in tender wrangles after Muhoho exit

While heavy smoke is still bellowing over a tender to construct a standard gauge railway linking the Port of Mombasa to the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ministry of Transport is caught up in yet another looming controversy.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

JKIA in tender wrangles after Muhoho exit

New levy to push up cement prices

The season of declining cement prices is fast coming to an end. This follows a decision by the ministry of Mining to impose a levy on cement manufacturers.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

New levy to push up cement prices

Crisis as TA orders counties to stop recruiting new staff

A showdown looms between the Transition Authority (TA) and county governments over recruitment of staff for the devolved units.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Crisis as TA orders counties to stop recruiting new staff

Ministry unveils tough rules to tame matatu madness

All passengers boarding public service vehicles (PSV) will soon be required to be issued tickets or receipts for fare paid.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Ministry unveils tough rules to tame matatu madness

State aids dairy farmers with coolers to up milk production

The Government plans to put up milk cooling plants in several counties across the country.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

State aids dairy farmers with coolers to up milk production

Interest on domestic borrowing falls

The cost of government borrowing funds in the domestic market continued to drop marginally. This is as interest in this week’s auction fell by 0.027 basis points.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Interest on domestic borrowing falls

Devolution of health services opens new battlefront in drugs procurement

County governments will no longer have to buy their drugs and other essential medical supplies from state-controlled Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Devolution of health services opens new battlefront in drugs procurement

Bulk of Asian tourists eye African market

The Asia Pacific region will be the leading tourist source market for African destinations next year. This is according to Visa’s Sub Saharan Africa Global Travel Intentions Study for 2013.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Bulk of Asian tourists eye African market

Bye Bye Nairobi Securities Exchange

There is an interesting trend emerging from companies bidding farewell to the Nairobi Securities Exchange when strategic investors acquire them and take them private.

By BY JACKSON OKOTH AND EMMANUEL WERE 10 years ago

Bye Bye Nairobi Securities Exchange

Growing demand stirs up competition in luxury car market

In a market dominated by heavy commercial vehicles and pick-ups, competition for a share of the luxury segment of the new car market in Kenya is slowly taking shape.

By BY JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Growing demand stirs up competition in luxury car market

The reality of doing business with government

If you own a business, and are a woman, aged below 35 or are living with a disability, then you know by now that the government wants to do business with you. But what does this really mean?

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

The reality of doing business with government

Clock ticks for bleeding State corporations

It is high noon for parastatals that have lost money, been involved in incorrupt practices or with unsupported expenditure on their books.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Clock ticks for bleeding State corporations

EAC citizens yet to benefit from regional integration

It will take a while before citizens of the five East African Community (EAC) member states can experience the benefits of free movement of labour, capital, and goods and services within the region.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

EAC citizens yet to benefit from regional integration

VAT helps taxman to exceed target by Sh3.6 billion

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) exceeded its first quarter collection target by Sh3.6 billion.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

VAT helps taxman to exceed target by Sh3.6 billion

Kenya seeks investors to build coal, natural gas power plants

Kenya has invited bids from investors for the development of two power plants with a combined output of up to 1,800 megawatts (MW) from coal and natural gas, according to details from Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Kenya seeks investors to build coal, natural gas power plants

Changing face of Kenya’s public transport system

Kenya Railways is racing to meet a tight deadline. The groundbreaking ceremony for a new railway line is just over a month away.

By By JACKSON OKOTH and NICHOLAS WAITATHU 10 years ago

Changing face of Kenya’s public transport system

KRA smokes out audit firms and multinationals in Sh4b tax evasion scheme

Kenya’s chief taxman John Njiraini has put local audit firms on the spot for their role in helping multinational firms evade paying billions of shillings in taxes.

By By JACKSON OKOTH and EMMANUEL WERE 10 years ago

KRA smokes out audit firms and multinationals in Sh4b tax evasion scheme

KRA audit recovers Sh4 billion from tax cheats

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has recovered some Sh4 billion in unpaid taxes.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

KRA audit recovers Sh4 billion from tax cheats

CBK holds key rate at 8.5 per cent, cites stable inflation

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has maintained its hold on the Central Bank Rate (CBR) for the second consecutive time, all in a bid to put a tight lid on inflation.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

CBK holds key rate at 8.5 per cent, cites stable inflation

Medical underwriting leads in fraudulent claims

Medical insurance, which posted the highest growth in 2012, is also the most affected sub-sector by fraudulent claims.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Medical underwriting leads in fraudulent claims

Firm eases way for those without accounts to acquire credit cards

It is now possible for those without bank accounts or not in formal employment to make purchases at selected retail outlets using a credit card. This is if a card holder is able to repay the credit.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Firm eases way for those without accounts to acquire credit cards

Budget office cautions against extravagance

The high number of job vacancies in counties is likely to put pressure on an already overstretched wage bill, the Parliamentary Budget Office has warned.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Budget office cautions against extravagance

Nine insurance firms swim in losses on back of under-cutting

Nine insurance companies found themselves in unfamiliar territory after posting huge losses in 2012. This is as a combination of fraudulent claims and low penetration of products took a toll on their earnings.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Nine insurance firms swim in losses on back of under-cutting

Fund managers bet on risk free property investments

Kenya’s booming property market is proving to be a popular investment option for most pension fund managers. It now rivals returns from the equity market.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Fund managers bet on risk free property investments

NBK cleans house to court new investors

Turn-around strategies at the State-owned National Bank of Kenya (NBK) suggest that it could be angling for a strategic investor to acquire a stake or the entire bank.

By By JACKSON OKOTH and NICHOLAS WAITATHU 10 years ago

NBK cleans house to court new investors

Corporates use predatory tacts to crash rivals

It is not unusual to find a company or a close-knit clique of firms with their wings spread all over the market place, blocking out all the forms of competition or rivalry.

By By Jackson Okoth 10 years ago

Corporates use predatory tacts to crash rivals

Local sugar sector faces tough times as Comesa deadline looms

A new report by Trade ministry says the millers are ill-prepared to deal with competition.

By By JACKSON OKOTH 10 years ago

Local sugar sector faces tough times as Comesa deadline looms

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