Gideon Muriuki, the long-serving CEO of Co-operative Bank of Kenya, has further cemented his position as the lender’s top individual shareholder after acquiring an additional 12 million shares worth Sh202.8 million in the first five months of 2025. This strategic purchase has seen his stake increase from 2% at the end of 2024 to 2.19%, reinforcing his belief in the bank’s growth prospects. The shares, which were bought at an average price of Sh17 each, marked Muriuki’s first major stake increase in two years, with his last significant acquisition coming in early 2023 when he bought 14.6 million shares to…
Author: Antony Mutunga
Antony Mutunga
Antony Mutunga holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce, Finance from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He previously worked for Altic Investment & Consultancy before he joined NBM team in 2015. His interest in writing ranges from business, economics and technology. He is also our lead researcher in matters business.
Centum Group has reported a decline in profit after tax to Sh812.82 million for the year ending March 2025, down from Sh2.60 billion in the prior period. This significant drop was primarily attributed to two key factors: reduced fair value gains on investment properties following an exceptional transaction in the previous year, and a substantial Sh1.2 billion deferred tax charge resulting from regulatory changes. Notably, the tax rate on land not held for sale increased from 5% to 15%, creating additional headwinds for the group’s financial performance. Despite these challenges, Centum demonstrated resilience in its core operations. The group achieved…
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has rolled out a major update to import regulations that will affect businesses across the board. This new mandate, which took effect from 1st July 2025, requires every single shipment entering Kenya to have a valid Certificate of Origin (COO)—no exceptions. Gone are the days when only goods under special trade deals needed this document. Now, whether it’s machinery, textiles, or electronics, importers must ensure their consignments carry this crucial paperwork, stamped and verified by a competent authority – a government agency or officially designated body in the exporting country authorized to issue these certificates.…
For decades, African businesses have been caught in a paradox. While the continent brims with entrepreneurial energy and untapped potential, its economic progress has been stifled by a fragmented financial system. The inability to seamlessly exchange currencies across borders has forced many into a costly dance with third-party hard currencies, siphoning billions in unnecessary fees and trapping capital in bureaucratic limbo. However, this is soon to be a thing of the past as the launch of the PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM) at the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s journey toward financial…
As Africa continues to focus on renewable energy, the push towards nuclear energy has been gaining momentum in Kenya as the country seeks to overcome its energy access challenges and transition to cleaner sources. There has been active exploration of the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro reactors (MRs) as viable solutions to its growing energy demands. In fact, this ambition was a key topic of discussion at the recent Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa held in Kigali, Rwanda, where experts and policymakers emphasized the need for innovative financing and regional collaboration to unlock Africa’s nuclear energy…
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has clarified its policy allowing the conditional importation of special-purpose motor vehicles that would otherwise be banned under normal circumstances. While maintaining its strict eight-year age limit and prohibition on left-hand drive vehicles for regular passenger cars, KEBS will now permit exceptions for customized work vehicles that meet specific criteria. The exemption comes with stringent requirements designed to ensure only legitimate special-purpose vehicles enter the country. Importers must provide documented proof of customization that demonstrates the vehicle’s unique purpose, along with comprehensive service records proving roadworthiness. Notably, even with these exceptions, KEBS maintains an…
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has issued a stern warning to real estate developers and estate managers engaging in anti-competitive practices with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). According to the regulator, several developers have been secretly rigging the market through exclusive deals with select ISPs — effectively holding residents digitally hostage. A CAK investigation uncovered systematic blocking of competing ISPs from accessing estates — a practice that not only violates competition laws but has also forced thousands of Kenyans to pay premium prices for subpar internet services with no alternatives. According to David Kemel, CAK Director-General, these illegal practices breach…
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has taken a decisive step to safeguard public health, protect farmers, and preserve the environment by banning 77 harmful pesticide products and restricting the use of 202 others across various crops. This sweeping regulatory action follows an extensive scientific review by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), which assessed 430 pesticide products on the Kenyan market. The aim is to eliminate hazardous chemicals linked to health risks, crop damage, and environmental harm. Among the restricted active ingredients and pesticides are 2,4-D Amine, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, Pymetrozine, and Chlordane. These now face limitations such as…
Betalab, Britam’s innovation hub, has invested millions in fintech start-up Oye, in a move poised to transform financial security for boda boda riders. The Sh5 million investment aims to bridge a glaring gap in protection for a community facing constant economic uncertainty and the ever-present dangers of the road. With this funding, Oye is set to expand two pivotal services: Britam’s Personal Accident Cover and a new fuel-on-credit product dubbed “Songa Na Oye.” The latter is a potential game-changer, allowing riders to refuel even when short on cash—ensuring their engines, and incomes, keep running even in tough times. According to…
Kenya and Finland have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, marking a significant step in fostering mutual cooperation across key areas of development. During the 13th Kultaranta Talks in Naantali, Finland, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, engaged in high-level discussions with several governing leaders including Elina Valtonen, Finnish Foreign Minister, building on the momentum of President Alexander Stubb’s state visit to Kenya in May 2025. The talks focused on the shared vision of both nations in advancing peace, sustainable development, and economic growth, with Finland pledging continued support in critical…
