1. Thousands of Toyotas Recalled Over Glitch

Three instances of steering 'problems' have been reported here, as Toyota recalls up to 34,500 Avensis and Prius models for inspection. It is part of a massive global recall in response to 20 reports of steering 'knocking'. But the cars are safe to drive, the company has insisted.

2. China Unveils New Leaders

China has completed its carefully managed power transfer on Thursday morning and unveiled a new pinnacle leadership for the next decade under the helm of Communist Party chief Xi Jinping, 59, and incoming premier Li Keqiang, 57. The duo headed a group of seven newly installed Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) members who walked out from behind a screen at a media conference - in hierarchical order reflecting their ranks - at the Great Hall of the People.

3. Lawyer Claims Kirima Had Written One Will

 A lawyer who drafted the will of former Starehe MP Gerishom Kirima told the court that he only became aware of the existence of second will following the tycoon’s death. During the hearing of a case where the former legislator’s family members are embroiled in a tussle over his vast estate, Ambrose Rachier said he learnt about another will when reading the initial one to the beneficiaries.

4. IEBC Briefs Kibaki On Kenya's Poll Preparedness 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Wednesday briefed President Mwai Kibaki on its preparations for the General Election scheduled for March 4 next year. During the meeting also attended by Bishops of mainstream churches in the country and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa, IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan reassured that his team was prepared to deliver free and fair elections.

5. SA Holds Diamond Smuggler Who Swallowed 220 Gems

South African police have arrested a man who they say swallowed 220 polished diamonds in an attempt to smuggle them out of the country. The man was arrested as he waited to board a plane at Johannesburg airport. Officials said a scan of his body revealed the diamonds he had ingested, worth $2.3m (KES 195.5m £1.4m; 1.8m euros), inside.

6. Petrol Prices Drop

Our predictions were right. Local fuel prices, as of midnight yesternight, dropped by KES 1.58, KES 0.26 and KES 1.14 for super petrol, diesel and kerosene respectively. Super petrol will now retail at KES 113.68 from KES 115.54 in Nairobi, diesel at KES 105.85 from KES 106.11 and Kerosene at KES 84.87 from KES 86.01.

7. UAP Calls Investors For KES 750 Million Public Offer

UAP Holdings Limited has made a Public Offer for the subscription of new ordinary shares in a bid to raise KES 750 million in equity capital. The company has offered a subscription for 12.5 million ordinary shares with a nominal value of KES 5 each at a subscription price of KES 60 per share.

8. Blue Chips Keep Wage Bills Low to Protect Profit

Blue chip public companies listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange have contained their wage bills at manageable levels to avoid eroding gains in revenues made.

A number of those that have recently announced their results, show either a marginal climb or reduction in their staff costs. KCB in its third quarter results saw a minimal 1.2 per cent rise in its wage bill. This was from Sh8.76 billion to Sh8.86 billion in the first nine months of the year.