BY ANTONY MUTUNGA Urbanization has been rising across Africa – most people are moving to urban places to improve their living standards. And the trend points to a need for housing, which continues to be elusive, especially to those with low buying power, who are constantly forced to stay in informal settlements and slum areas. In Kenya alone, there is an estimated need for over 350,000 units every year to accommodate the growing population in urban areas. That is why the government turned to an affordable housing strategy to increase the number of units. But, barriers still exist. Information asymmetry…
Author: NBM CORRESPONDENT
Agribusiness is a viable economic avenue that can empower our farmers if done correctly By Chris Flowers Agriculture holds the key to the economic transformation of Kenya and the East African region. The challenge, however, lies in practicing agriculture sustainably to unlock its true value from food production to agro-processing. Ahead of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) to be held from November 6 to 18, 2022, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, we have many challenges ahead. Some are brought on by climate change, population pressure, and political or financial instability within our economic and geopolitical space. Still,…
By Dr. Echey Ijezie Even after coronavirus exposed glaring flaws in the world’s collective ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, we are seemingly back to the old ways, as evidenced by the global response to the now endemic monkeypox. The world may once again lose a chance to control a pandemic. The zoonotic viral disease only drew attention after affecting people in rich countries in the Global North. Even after the disruption caused by Covid-19, wealthy countries’ self-destructive unwillingness to cooperate for the benefit of the entire global population is evident again. This year, there have been dozens of…
BY TERESIA KING’ARA This book will stay with you, long after you are done reading it. It is a roller coaster of emotions based on cultural undertones that still manifest in one way or another, to date. Set in Nigeria, West Africa, it brings to life and light, salient, yet unspoken and unquestioned cultural beliefs that continue to set the tone for marriages. It highlights the frustrations, both men and women undergo in marriage as they chase an illusionary perfect marriage. Based on two characters, Yejide and Akin who have been married since they met and fell in love at…
To save workers from old age poverty crisis, the NSSF needs more hard reforms than money By Ephraim Njega The ongoing debate about social security and retirement savings is timely. In Africa, social security systems were guaranteed because of social norms that ensured that the old members of the society were taken care of by the young. It has always been a communal responsibility where the young takes care of the old—the financially well-heeled help out the struggling relatives. For today’s right-thinking members of society, the approach is not feasible anymore – with cases of financial instability on the rise,…
A move by the government to raise National Social and Security Fund (NSSF) monthly contributions should worry Kenyans. Let’s draw attention to how the fund is run. First, the audited accounts for the year ended June 30 speak volumes – the organisation had Sh223 million deposited in the already grounded Chase and Imperial Banks, and only Sh103 million has been recovered so far. NSSF had also invested Sh667 million in a bond offered by the two lenders. In both cases, the amounts were not recovered. The company let out Hazina Towers in 2010 for 10 years. The tenant defaulted and…
By Grace Wandera The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) marked the taxpayers’ month celebrations last month (October) – and it was about how to improve their customers’ experience and what makes the KRA brand excellent. This year’s theme, “leaving no one behind,” provokes exciting thoughts. Given that the payment of taxes is a civic responsibility of every citizen, the question of who can be left behind lingers. The framers of the Constitution of Kenya, promulgated in 2010, anticipated this factor when they rightfully placed the citizen at the centre of governance. The constitution acknowledges patriotism, national unity, sharing and devolution of…
A ride-hailing firm, Uber, has received a transport network licence to operate in Kenya from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and with immediate effect has adjusted its service fee from 25% to 18%. Besides the service fee, which is the amount that drivers pay the company per trip, drivers on the platform continue to enjoy the benefit of safety features such as In-App Emergency button, 24/7 in-app support and Ride Check. “We are committed to Kenya and will continue to find workable solutions that benefit both riders and drivers using the platform as well as the business,” says…
By Jenny Coetzee and Angelica Ouya When considering the quality of a child’s education, one of the chief motivating factors is the likelihood that a specific school will allow a child to perform at the highest possible level. However, parents should not only evaluate the school’s academic track record, but also its commitment to instilling and developing crucial transferrable skills which will help students to become empowered and self-actualised in future. Do you really need education skills to become successful? Success in education and life requires more than just academic performance. That is why schools must also strategically be focused…
BY NBM Writer Jeremy Awori, the outgoing CEO of Absa Bank Kenya, now has his sights set on the pan-African market as he heads to Eco Bank Group as chief executive, after his formal departure from Absa at the end of October. Mr Awori will replace Eco bank’s current CEO Ade Ayemi who will exit the lender after attaining the retirement age of 60 years. “I am delighted to have led Absa Kenya to great commercial milestones while making a contribution to our society over the last decade. I am optimistic that Absa will reach greater heights in the future,”…
