The story is told of the old wise woman in the village and the naughty young boy who was intent on embarrassing her. The young lad decided he would ask her a trick question that would fulfil his devious scheme. With a live butterfly in his palm, he would approach the woman to ask her if it was alive or dead. If she answered in the affirmative he would crash it. If she said it was dead, he would let it fly. On the material day, she approached the lady in a public platform and posed his question. “It all…
Author: Editor
We are living in the age of Social Media. Anything that happens – or doesn’t happen – to an organisation will be found on a social media platform – Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Reddit, Instagram, Friendster, etc. Therein lie potential pitfalls for corporates. Because every employee these days has at least one smart device – smartphone, tablet, even just the good old laptop – the chances of corporate information finding its way to the internet via social media are exceedingly high. Many corporates are finding that social media is an excellent way to increase their reach. Many companies use it to…
Tablets and smartphones vying for a top spot in the business and productivity space For years the tablet has been the undisputed king of business. But smartphones are fast threatening the dominance as they dish out more or less the same features. Manufacturers have taken such features like large touch screens, memory card slots that allow for more storage space, internal GPS and digital compass –all endearing factors among tablet users – and incorporated them in smartphones. Some have even thrown in value-added features like dust and water resistance, ultra-power saving modes, fast internet connectivity as well as high definition…
Is it a disease or choice? Alcohol drinking is a popular activity in Kenya. Many social events are incomplete till alcohol is poured and shared. Direct alcohol marketing and adverts depict glamorous, youthful and good looking models endearing viewers to be like them. Indirectly, alcohol companies influence movies and TV programmes to show drinking as appealing and sophisticated. Drunkenness is portrayed as funny and humorous; we seldom see movie actors experience hangovers (except in a comical way), injuries and deaths from accidents, legal, financial and health problems. Many alcohol users ultimately get addicted or dependent on alcohol. This is…
Developers are equipping homes with sun-powered water heaters to cut cost of power as grid electricity tariffs hit the roof All homeowners and tenants want to have a hot shower with plentiful water but even in some upmarket properties in Kenya, the experience of showering leaves a lot to be desired. Hot showers can be costly, with the electricity used to heat water accounting for more than one-third of the average household electricity bill. Indeed, in a household of five, where the monthly electricity bill is Sh5,000, at least Sh1,650 goes on heating water. But this need not be the…
Property developer Home Afrika has reported a 13% growth in revenues for the six months to June this year. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firm expanded its revenues to Sh550 million compared to Sh486.6 million over a similar period in 2013. The firm’s assets also grew 29% to Sh1.086 billion up from Sh839 million last year. Of particular note was the growth of bookings reported in deferred income from Sh313million to Sh662million. “The company’s business is anchored on a significant long term growth trajectory,” said Mr Njoroge Ng’ang’a, Chief Executive Officer Home Afrika, speaking at an investor briefing. The…
Regional government banking on support of international donors to finance projects Taita Taveta county government plans to leverage on the support of international donors including Commonwealth countries in the rollout of its $ 500 million (Sh43 billion) county development plan.It began by hosting the ongoing international commemoration for the World War I centenary celebrations in August. Speaking when he confirmed the plans to seek the support of international commonwealth donors in the Taita Taveta Development plan, governor Eng. John Mruttu said the county will be seeking to harness existing ties with international partners. Already, TaitaTaveta County in conjunction with the…
September looked as the official Nairobi Securities Exchange bull kick-off; well it was indeed a bull market. The NSE 20 share index went above 5,200 points, after staying below this level for over three years. The NSE self listing was done, which had over 600% oversubscription and, as one would expect, made demand for the shares at the bourse shoot to high levels. Having had its debut at Sh9.50, it now ranges between Sh24.50 and Sh27.50. Several stocks touched their all-time highs including Centum Investments Ltd, NIC Bank, Britam, Equity Bank and NSE. Others that rose significantly were HFCK and…
Kenya’s growing financial services sector will be boosted by investments worth Sh9 billion from a new fund announced by LeapFrog Investments. The fund will invest in high growth businesses in Africa and Asia. Kenya is a priority country for the firm. LeapFrog is a dedicated equity investor in emerging markets financial services, with partner companies serving 22.7 million people across 16 countries. “This is a highly attractive market, with strong fundamentals, including stable interest rates, currency and inflation; and an appealing investment environment,” said Dominic Liber, LeapFrog partner. Kenya is the gateway to the East African region which, with its…
LIFE INSURER CFC LIFE has launched an innovative retirement savings plan that allows small and medium enterprise (SME) clients to choose how the funds are invested. Known as Boresha Maisha Umbrella Retirement Plan and targeted at SMEs and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it gives clients a direct say in how the saved funds are to be invested. It is the first such scheme run by an insurance company in Kenya. Under the plan, the employer is required to make up a certain monthly contribution, at a minimum of six per cent of the salary, which is matched by the employee’s…