When the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) World Congress in collaboration with the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) held the 8th ILFA African convention at the Safari Park Hotel, it was clear that multi-sectoral approach is important on the question of long term or short term sustainability cities. The recent AAK congress, themed “emerging interaction,” was founded on the need for architects to at least look beyond their professional and cultural boxes, and learn how to develop holistic solutions to the current challenges facing cities such as design compexities, landscape, and sustainability. Speaking at the convention, representative of the…
Author: NBM CORRESPONDENT
The Government has unveiled Central Securities Depository Dhow (DhowCSD), an infrastructure that allows traders in government securities in local, regional and international financial markets to transact electronically. President William Ruto said at the Central of Kenya (CBK), Nairobi, during the launch of the digital platform that deliberate access to opportunities will create wealth and improve people’s lives. “The development of DhowCSD cements the Government’s plan to eliminate barriers to trade,” said Ruto. He argued that the platform will deepen the domestic capital market, and promote savings and investments. “It will also foster the growth and stability of our financial market.”…
Deal commenced last month (September) and targets the redemption of up to 36.5 million REIT units currently trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange from non-professional investors at Sh11 per unit The NSE listed real estate investment trust ILAM Fahari Real Estate Investment Trust is seeking to redeem up to 36.5 million units on the Nairobi bourse to ensure its sustainability and improve its ability to generate returns for unitholders. The ILAM Fahari I-REIT has invested in a portfolio of high-quality investment real estate properties that provide sustained returns and operating performance, including Nairobi’s Greenspan Mall, Highway House, a three-storey industrial building…
By David Wanjala Africa loses more to illicit financial flows than the annual Official Development Assistance (ODA) that the continent receives. According to the Economic Development in Africa Report 2020 by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Africa is estimated to lose about $88.6 billion, or 3.7% of its GDP, annually in illicit financial flows, with corruption being one of the four key contributors. This was revealed recently by the Auditor-General, Ms. Nancy Gathungu, while addressing partners in the anti-corruption fight and the media at the launch of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Strategic Plan (2023 -…
By Edwin Okoth The morning of Thursday, September 21, was not easy for top government officials gathered at Kenya School of Government in Kabete for hours of dress down on a deep vice rattling the principal offices in the Kenya Kwanza administration: corruption. President William Ruto’s right-hand man in the civil service, Felix Koskei, was in a foul mood. In a meeting that brought together 35 Principal Secretaries, more than 200 chief executive officers of state corporations and their board chairs, heads of internal audit functions, and heads of major regulatory watchdogs, like the Auditor General and the Controller of…
By Njeri Wagacha Sometime in August, the Competition Authority came down heavy on steel manufacturers engaging in anti-competitive behaviour and restrictive trade practices, in what is the toughest action yet against such offences. Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), previously seen more as a barking dog, appears to be sparing nothing to bite businesses that run afoul of competition regulations and guidelines. The punishment was as shocking as it was deserved. Nine steel manufacturers being fined Sh338 million cumulatively could not have gone unnoticed in an economy where a good number of businesses thrive on breaching the law, frustrating competition, anddodging…
By Karim Anjarwalla While the curtains for the Africa Climate Summit 2023 closed in Nairobi on a very high note last week, the Government of Kenya deserves commendation for conceiving and hosting the Summit and placing the global discourse on climate change firmly on the international stage. If this event serves to expedite the shift towards a fair climate transition, considering the substantial concerns of Africa and the Global South, it could signify the inception of a significant movement. The Nairobi Declaration might well be remembered as the launch of a worldwide re-evaluation of climate, sustainability, and the fair allocation…
By Sola Adegbesan Africa, the second-largest continent and home to 1 billion people, has long captured the imagination of the world. Today, different thinkers, political and business leaders are preoccupied with a single question – what does it take to grow Africa’s economy so it can trade with the world on better terms? The answer is simple: Africa needs to craft its own solutions to solve its problems. It starts with the promotion of a mindset of self-reliance. There’s no better way of expressing that self-sufficiency than creating innovative financing solutions to fund projects that could lead to sustainable economic…
UBA Foundation seeks to re-ignite reading culture On September 22, 2023, the UBA Foundation through UBA Kenya visited Miritini Complex Secondary School and Miritini Junior Secondary School, located in Mombasa County. Its executive director for Kenya, Mary Mulili says, the foundation, which is dedicated to education and literacy, presented 250 setbooks from notable African authors. She said ‘Segu’ by Maryse Conde and ‘The Kaya Girl’ by Mamle Wolo setbooks are not just a source of knowledge, but also a portal to new worlds and opportunities for the students. With a mission to rekindle the dwindling reading culture amongst African youths,…
Did you know one can send money directly to your Airtel Money wallet from M-Pesa without a withdrawal code? Did you also know you can easily load money on your Airtel Money wallet directly from M-Pesa? To send money to an Airtel customer, the receiver was previously given seven days to withdraw the money at the sender’s agent network. The process was not only inconvenient to the receiver, but also expensive for the sender as they were charged more to transfer money outside their network. Today, mobile money interoperability has allowed customers to make (real-time) direct payments to any business…