Airtel’s Sh2.1bn licence renewal fee splits CA board

Telecommunications firm Airtel’s quest to get its frequency licence renewed without paying the required Sh2.1 billion fee has split the Communication Authority Kenya (CA) board, adding a new dimension to the seven months battle to get Kenya’s second-largest operator on a firm footing in the market. Matters came to a head during the CA’s board meetings held on Monday and Tuesday last week after the Treasury and a number of non-executive board members insisted that Airtel must pay the Sh2.1 billion fee for the licence [...]

KQ board minutes spark dispute at Senate probe

A heated exchange of words ensued Thursday at the Senate after the Kenya Airways management failed to submit documents in an ongoing inquiry into airline’s difficulties. The Senate Committee probing the woes had asked for board minutes and management letters of the past 10 years. Kenya Airways (KQ) reported a Sh25.7 billion after-tax loss in the year ended March 2015, a corporate Kenya record. Committee chairman Anyang’ Nyong’o noted what the management had submitted were excerpts as opposed to the actual minutes [...]

Del Monte suit to be heard in Nairobi

The Nairobi High Court has declined to transfer to Nyeri a simmering dispute pitting plantations company Del Monte against Murang’a and Kiambu counties over land leases, giving a first round victory to the food processor. The judge ruled that the ownership or lease granted to Del Monte is not in dispute, and that the food processor has only challenged the lawfulness in Murang’a and Kiambu’s refusal to renew its leases [...]

CBK moves to freeze former Dubai Bank chairman's assets

The Central Bank has moved to court to freeze the assets of former Dubai Bank chairman Hassan Zubeidi over his suspected irregular borrowing from the bank. The companies associated with Mr Zubeidi are Africa Energy, Kamp General Engineering Company, Maestro Properties, Suleiman Enterprises and Kemu Salt Parkers Production Company. Justice Ogola will hear the case on October 19th and has ordered Mr Zubeidi to file his responses before then [...]

Turkana banks on Juba road link to boost trade

Turkana leaders are counting on the planned rehabilitation and upgrade of the Kitale-Juba road that links Kenya and South Sudan to open up the region as well as boost security. A section from Lokichar to Juba, which forms part of the largest Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor, would see pastoralists in the regions diversify their sources of livelihood by venturing into cross-border trade [...]

Supermarkets warned over issuing sweets for change

The Central Bank has warned supermarkets and banks against issuing alternative products as change instead of currency on a false excuse of shortage of coins. The law requires that all monetary obligations or transactions entered into or made in Kenya be settled, Kenya currency unless otherwise provided for by law or agreed upon between the parties [...]

Student-built solar motorbikes hit the road in Kenya

Pfoofy Solar manager Achoge was awarded $100,000 by the United States African Development Fund and Power Africa for the ingenious innovation. It is this money that they are now using to upscale the solar project. The students will lease the bikes to 40 riders who they have trained in road safety. Shem Wandiga, a researcher at the University of Nairobi, said air pollution can damage residents' health in highly polluted areas [...]