KQ projects Sh8.4bn savings from sale of B777s National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) estimates that it could make operational cost savings of more than Sh8.4 billion annually from the sale or sub-leasing of its Boeing 777 planes. KQ has recently been cutting capacity on long flights,…

Tuskys signs finance deal with DTB for upfront payment of suppliers Tuskys Supermarkets has signed a financing facility that will see its suppliers get payments from the Diamond Trust Bank even before their invoices are due. The deal will also enable small and medium sized companies (SMEs) that supply the…

Centum eyes Rea Vipingo land for property Centum Investments is crafting a master plan for its recently acquired Rea Vipingo land at the Coast that could see some of the farmland converted into real estate. The Vipingo land is also ideal for Centum’s plan to invest…

NSE welcomes pro-investor budget measures Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) officials have applauded three of the measures proposed in Treasury secretary Henry Rotich’s budget statement Thursday. For example, exemption of shares from Capital Gains Tax (CGT); plans to introduce mobile-based bond purchases. Exemption from stamp duty of…

Ecobank eyes commodity traders, farmers with loan product Ecobank Kenya is set to introduce financing for commodity traders and farmers secured through warehouse receipts. The product is being rolled out by Ecobank as part of improving its trade financing offers given Kenya’s strength in commodities such as maize and wheat…

CBK spends Sh51bn in four months to prop weak shilling The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) foreign exchange reserves have contracted by Sh51 billion ($545 million) in the past four months as dollars were used to shore up the shilling and for debt servicing. The shilling exchange rate has already…

Rea Vipingo plans diversification into power generation Agricultural firm Rea Vipingo will invest Sh1.3 billion in power generation and expansion of vegetables production after delisting from the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Rea Vipingo is expected to use the electricity generated to power its factory, potentially reducing its operating expenses. The surplus…

Centum signs deal with UK brothers for Rea Vipingo Investment firm Centum has reached a multi-billion shilling  deal with two British brothers that will see it withdraw its hostile takeover bid for Rea Vipingo, an NSE-listed agricultural firm majority owned by the UK citizens. The deal will see Centum acquire 10,546…

We deliver a summary of important business news in Kenya to you this morning: Uchumi acquires Dar supermarket in growth drive Uchumi supermarket has acquired a store in Tanzania as part of its expansion plan in that market. Chief executive Jonathan Ciano said acquisition of the outlet from Dar es…