1.Rivalry brings down Thika Road fares

Bitter rivalry between public transport companies and the completion of the Thika Superhighway has seen fares plunge by as much about a third to the relief of consumers. Fares for commuters between Thika and Nairobi fell from mid-July as a result of stiff competition between established matatu and bus operators and Kenya Mpya Bus Company, a new entrant on the route.- Business Daily

2. Co-op Bank, airtel to partner in mobile money

Co-operative Bank and Airtel have entered into a partnership that will enable   Bank’s mobile money subscribers to deposit and withdraw money directly from their phones using their Airtel lines.

The service will also enable the customers to pay their utility bills, receive bank transaction alerts and check account balance. They can also receive mini statements among other services. The service will be available to all registered Co-op Bank Mobile Money subscribers with Airtel lines.  - The Standard

3. Councillors push for inclusion of Sh3.6 billion send-off in Budget

More than 3,600 councillors are lobbying Parliament to be paid a gratuity of Sh1 million each when their term ends. The pay-off for the civic leaders in 175 local authorities would cost the Exchequer Sh3.6 billion, just months after an outcry and subsequent rejection of a similar proposal for MPs.- Business Daily

4. Firm in plan to issue more secure payment cards

Payment services company, Paynet, has announced plans to start issuing new generation payment cards which have higher anti-fraud technology features with the help of VISA International.  Bernard Matthewman, Paynet’s group chief executive officer, yesterday said the company will be launching Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) enabled debit, credit and other payment cards in the Kenyan market next month.

The new generation cards are expected to replace the old black-strip ones.- Business Daily

 5. What becomes of CCK’s 2.5m e-waste phones?

What will happen to the 2.5 million counterfeit phones that the Communications Commission of Kenya will switch off in a month? Is the country walking into an environmental crisis that regulators appear to have overlooked? CCK, the industry regulator, has passed the baton over to the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) saying it is mandated to deal with waste management.- Business Daily

6. The Less You Drive, the Less You Pay

 Gateway Insurance Company has unveiled a new service that lets vehicle owners pay their premiums depending on how much they use their cars. he product, dubbed, Pay As You Drive (PAYD), allows policy holders to choose Drive Plans which act as insurance bundles used to estimate their annual cover.- Pesatalk

 7. Vandals frustrate Thika Highway completion
The issue of vandalism is proving to be a thorn in the side of contractors putting finishing touches on the Thika Superhighway that is nearing commissioning in a few months.

Though the highway has done a lot to ease traffic congestion for motorists, the roads’ fixtures that is meant to aid the flow and safety of cars on the road, has been targeted by unscrupulous vandals. - Capital Business 

8. Treasury’s new plan to insure State vehicles

Treasury has announced plans to start insuring government vehicles in what promises to hand the insurance industry billions of shillings in annual premiums.

Finance Minister Njeru Githae said that it is time for the government to use reputable insurers to underwrite its cars.

“Time has come to insure the state’s vehicles through underwriters who have knowledge and skills when it comes to these matters.  Through this we will be able to observe professionalism and prudence in maintaining the risks involved,” Mr Githae said during the launch of a new motor insurance cover by Gateway Insurance.- The Nation