By Daniel Kamau Kenya Power will close all its remaining payment counters in banking halls by June 2027 as part of a plan to transition fully to digital payments and customer service channels. The utility says online and mobile platforms now facilitate more than five million customer engagements every month, reflecting a growing shift toward digital service delivery. Under the phased rollout, payment counters in Nyeri, Thika and Kisii will be closed by the end of this month. Counters in Nakuru, Kisumu and Eldoret will follow by the end of 2026, while the final phase will involve the closure of…
Author: NBM CORRESPONDENT
By Regan Oluoch Kenya’s tea industry could receive a major funding boost if proposed regulations by the Ministry of Agriculture are approved, introducing a new levy on tea exports and imports to finance sector development. The government estimates that the proposed tea export and import levy will generate about Sh1.42 billion annually to support key activities in the industry. Of this, approximately Sh1.38 billion is expected to come from exports, based on 2023 performance, while imports would contribute about Sh40 million. In 2023, Kenya exported more than 522 million kilograms of tea, earning Sh180.57 billion in foreign exchange. “Based on…
By Otieno Bildad The fertiliser subsidy programme has received the largest increase in the 2026/27 budget estimates, with its allocation more than doubling from Sh8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year to Sh18 billion this year. In addition to the increased funding, the government has already begun distributing 3 million bags of fertiliser ahead of the long rains, targeting a total of 12.3 million bags annually. The price of a 50kg bag remains capped at Sh2,500 to ensure affordability for farmers. On the other hand, the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) is among the programmes that recorded the…
By Otieno Bildad World’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer, Yadea, has entered the Kenyan market, marking a significant expansion in the country’s rapidly growing e-mobility sector. Unveiling its operations at Autoexpo Kenya 2026 in Nairobi on June 4, the Chinese company introduced five electric motorcycle models tailored for the local boda boda industry, personal commuters, and last-mile logistics providers. This move establishes Kenya as Yadea’s second foothold in East Africa, following a three-year presence in Ethiopia, where the company reports having sold over 48,000 units. Central to Yadea’s Kenyan launch is the KIFA, a commercial electric motorcycle designed for cargo transport…
By Regan Oluoch The decision to assemble Toyota Hiace vehicles locally marks a significant development for Kenya’s manufacturing ambitions, with industry players expected to benefit from new opportunities across the automotive value chain. The assembly line, launched at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) plant in Thika, is expected to increase local vehicle production while strengthening Kenya’s standing as an emerging automotive centre in East Africa. KVM currently assembles vehicles for several global brands, including Volkswagen, Tata, Mercedes-Benz and Sinotruk, producing both passenger vehicles and heavy commercial trucks for the local and regional markets. Speaking during the event, Investments, Trade and…
Kenyatta University’s Confucius Institute has begun developing a master’s degree program in Chinese studies as it seeks to position Kenya as a regional hub for Chinese language education amid deepening ties between China and Kenya. The institute’s local director, Leonard Chacha Mwita, said the proposed program will build on the recently launched Bachelor of Arts in Chinese language, currently the only full major degree program of its kind in the East African nation. The move marks a major expansion for the institute, which since its establishment in December 2008 has mainly offered certificate and diploma training in Mandarin to hundreds…
By Daniel Kamau Kenya’s public debt has crossed the Sh13 trillion mark for the first time, reaching Sh13.02 trillion by May 2026. Official data shows the debt rose from Sh12.29 trillion in December 2025, an increase of about Sh730 billion within five months. The rise has largely been driven by domestic borrowing. According to the Central Bank of Kenya, domestic debt stood at Sh7.24 trillion as at 15 May 2026, while external debt was Sh5.78 trillion as at February 2026, according to National Treasury figures. This brings total public debt to Sh13.02 trillion, with more than half a trillion shillings…
By Regan Oluoch Kenya lost 6,715 shares in the African Development Bank (AfDB) last year, valued at Sh11.9 billion, after failing to complete its annual subscription payments within the deadline. The country’s total share count fell to 180,161 as of the end of December 2025, from 186,876 a year earlier, reducing its stake from 1.16 per cent to 1.034 per cent. The lower percentage has reduced Kenya’s ownership stake and influence in the continental lender, potentially diminishing its role in the institution’s decision-making processes. The lost shares were acquired by financially liquid member states such as Egypt, Nigeria, and the…
By Otieno Bildad Every weekend, thousands of young Kenyan men gather in neighbourhood video dens and sports bars to follow the English Premier League, Serie A, and local football matches. For many, the experience goes beyond entertainment. It is closely tied to sports betting, which has become deeply embedded in everyday football culture. What is widely marketed as harmless entertainment or a potential path to quick earnings has, for some, become a source of financial strain, anxiety, and psychological distress. As global football events such as the World Cup approach, the visibility and intensity of sports betting advertising and participation…
You won’t believe what happened next. Mary Wambui was untouchable. Political connections, multi-million-dollar government contracts, and a gleaming 211-room luxury hotel worth Sh9.5 billion. She moved in corridors most Kenyans only read about. Then it all came crashing down. The May-June 2026 issue of Nairobi Business Monthly pulls back the curtain on one of Kenya’s most dramatic business meltdowns — and trust me, you need to see this to believe it. Inside this explosive 72-page digital edition, you’ll discover: 👉 How a little-known Kenyan marathoner wearing Adidas shattered the two-hour barrier — and triggered a multi-billion dollar war between the…
