China Aerospace Construction Group (CACG) is partnering up with Kenya’s Ministry of Energy to construct the 40-km 400kV Isinya-Konza power transmission line, which will not only power Konza City but Kajiado, Makueni, and Machakos counties as well. The power project, which is to be completed within 30 months, will include the construction of four 250km high voltage power transmission and distribution lines. The project will also include the expansion of eight power transformation stations and will be funded by the China Exim Bank. According to Li Naihong, China Aerospace’s deputy general manager, the project is in line with their goals.…
Author: Nairobi Business Monthly Reporter
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) through its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has reduced the Central Bank Rate (CBR) to 8.5% from 9% for the first time in 17 months. According to the CBK, the reduction is due to the economy operating below potential. With the recent repeal of the interest rate cap, the CBK decided to lower the rate with the aim of compelling commercial banks to reduce their lending rates. The economy has been struggling as job layoffs increase as well as more businesses continue closing down due to high operating costs. In lowering the CBR rate, access…
Kenyans, Nigerians and South Africans have an overwhelmingly positive view on how their household situation would change over the next year. They consider themselves to be prosperous, even though their incomes are less than what is seen to be the average. This is according to PayU’s global survey on financial prosperity, the world’s first financial prosperity barometer. The survery investigated the concept of prosperity across multiple markets and global regions, focusing on the relationship between financial services and prosperity in high-growth markets. The report, which target Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa gathered insights from these high-growth African markets and established…
BY JULIEN FOURIOT Even though economic growth is slowing globally, technology innovation is unlocking unparalleled opportunities for countries all over the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa where developing economies are in a prime position to harness the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and leapfrog other more advanced nations. Thanks to the availability of sophisticated technology solutions at affordable rates, Africa can more effectively address some of the key challenges that have proven to be both its biggest bugbear and greatest opportunity. Things like infrastructure development, better education, improved healthcare, the list goes on. All…
Cardiff’s first black lord mayor, Dan De’Ath, says he is routinely mistaken for a security guard. This kind of racial bias is common for those of us in public service, says Labour MP Dawn Butle Iwas not surprised to hear that Cardiff’s first black lord mayor, Dan De’Ath, is often mistaken at official events for a security guard or a wine waiter. I experience this all the time, both in the House of Commons and outside. My white, male office manager is sometimes mistaken for the MP Dawn Butler. He goes really red and has to say: “I’m here with Dawn,…
BY BRENDA VIOLA Music speaks to the heart and perhaps the soul. It is a universal language that successfully unites those of different cultural and social backgrounds. Growing up, my parents listened to sounds of Oliver Mtukudzi, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Billia Bell, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Brenda Fassie, the list was endless. With the changing times, music changed too. A few years back and arguably even today, majority of the Kenyan population still prefer to listen to music by other artists as opposed to the local ones. Despite this disheartening truth, the Kenyan artists are yet to deter…
BY CYNTHIA WAIRIMU …Continued from last Issue Bleaching This is essentially the removal of colour using chemicals. It is more of concealing hair than removing it and is best used for the face area including side burns. It should be kept away from intimate areas as it can cause serious burns. Bleaching requires time and patience. The risk would be the chemicals irritating sensitive skin, other than that, it is painless and lasts up to two weeks. Electrolysis Here, a needle is used to blast an electric current into the hair follicle. This has to be done one follicle at…
You are the books you read, the films you watch the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these – Jac Vanek. BY ASHFORD GIKUNDA Not too long ago, a storybook by a local publisher sparked a national wide hullabaloo. Some unsuspicious schools had recommended the ostensibly provocative novel, Blood Ties, by Storymoja publishers for Std. 6 pupils. As is typical of Kenyan culture, there was public criticism of the book, noise was made on social media for a few days and we moved…
When a loved one dies, it is often hard to let go and many people try to maintain a connection any way they can. For some, it can be by visiting a grave, posting on a Facebook memorial page or even texting them. BY DHRUTI SHAH For six months, Ruth Murray had been finding comfort in text messaging the phone number belonging to her brother Mike – it was a way of staying close to him after he died suddenly. The 36-year-old from Minneapolis never expected a response but it was just her way of staying connected to her older…
Automation of processes for efficiency, voice driven commands, face recognition and reallocation of human capital costs, are key drivers for adoption of artificial intelligence Focus Softnet has launched its Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform, AIFA (Artificially Intelligent Futuristic Applications). AIFA is an advanced, automated platform meant to enhance business, increase productivity, and reduce investment in human training. “Businesses in the region are now ready to leverage digital technologies to improve efficiencies. Focus Softnet has developed AIFA that can be used by organizations to automate all types of functions. These could be from the front office, top executive, managerial, and back office.…