1. Airtel May be Forced to Sell 15% Under New Rules

India’s Bharti Airtel must sell 15 per cent of its stake in Kenya’s second largest telecoms operator to a local to avoid getting into trouble with the regulators. The mandatory share sale is to bring the firm in full compliance with ownership regulations that require telecom companies to maintain at least 20 per cent local shareholding.

2. Kenya May benefit From IMF Gold Reserve Sale

Kenya is among low-income countries that are set to benefit from a distribution of $1.1 billion profit (Sh93.5 billion) realised from the sale of IMF gold reserves. The cash will be lent to poor International Monetary Fund (IMF) member countries such as Kenya to help them ride out effects of the current global economic crisis caused by high indebtedness of major European countries.

3. Top Officials Line Up for New top Positions in TSC

Senior education officials have been lined up for top positions at the newly reconstituted Teachers Service Commission. The Kenya Institute of Education director Lydia Nzomo is to be interviewed on Tuesday for possible appointment as the first chairperson of the more independent commission. She will be competing for the post with the director of policy at the Education ministry Kirago wa Magochi and top TSC official Simon Kavisi. The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Cleophas Tirop will also be interviewed for one of three positions of member of the commission.

4. Hitch in Meat Exports as KMC Workers Go On Strike

Over 800 Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) workers have gone on strike, seeking better pay and a change of management. The strike, which started on Friday, has delayed scheduled export of meat to Middle East countries. The meat processor exports about 11 to 15 tonnes of meat a day to five companies in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE). “We have signed a three-year contract with UAE companies. Our clients will be adversely affected,” said Mr Ibrahim Haji Isaak, KMC managing commissioner.

5. E.U Have won the Nobel Prize, Did NATO Deserve it More?

The Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to award an ailing E.U. the Peace Prize has caused many to question whether the Brussels-based grand project of European integration deserves the full credit for transforming “most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace.”

Indeed, critics argue that the post-war peace was delivered by collaboration of several major players, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “If they want to give the prize for preserving the peace in Europe they should divide it between NATO and the E.U.,” former British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind said. “Until the end of the Cold War, it was NATO more than anyone else that kept the peace.”

6. Construction Firm Wins 2012 Top 100 SME Award

Atlas Builders and Plumbers ltd, an engineering firm on Nairobi’s lower Kirinyaga Road, led construction enterprises in reclaiming their glory this year’s survey of Kenya’s fastest-growing medium-sized enterprises. The first-time entrant in Kenya Top100 SMEs competition was crowned the winner of the Fifth Edition of the annual competition at a colourful ceremony held at Nairobi’s Carnivore Restaurant grounds on Friday night.

7. KQ and Fly 540 Win License for Budget Carriers

Kenya Airways has won regulatory approval to launch a low-cost subsidiary, opening a new battle front with budget operator Fly540 that has also been granted a licence to operate an Airbus fleet. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) announced Friday that KQ was free to launch its budget arm, Jambo Jet, which will ride on low fares due to its leaner costs structure compared to those of international airlines.

8. MPs False Sense Of Importance

Star Columnist Andrea Bohnstedt looks at MPs and why they may not be as important as they think they are.