Summary of The Business Daily Newspaper -July 18,2025
Page 1 : Business Daily Newspaper reports that the South Sudan government reduced Autoport’s cargo share from 80% to 20%, favoring Compact Freight after a legal directive. The decision stems from a dispute involving Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan’s family, who lost business privileges at Montana port.
Page 2 : Notes that Novartis developed Coartem Baby, the first malaria drug approved for infants under 4.5 kg, addressing a critical treatment gap in high-risk regions like Kenya.
Page 4 : Highlights that the Kenyan Treasury amended tax laws to exempt fees on property transfers held by KRA as security, aiming to boost tax collections and streamline debt enforcement. The changes, part of the Finance Act 2025, also remove administrative hurdles like stamp duty deadlines.
Page 5 : Reveals a surge in VAT fraud, involving collusion between traders and KRA staff, causing domestic VAT growth to drop to 2.3% in June 2025. The KRA is tightening identity checks and using digital systems like eTIMS to combat fraudulent refund claims and policy shifts.
Page 6 : Notes that Kenya plans to expand token-based LPG sales by licensing more dealers to boost consumer flexibility and reduce charcoal reliance. The move follows rising LPG demand (13.8% in 2024), with affordability key to national energy goals.
Page 7 : Reports that the High Court directed a Sh2.18 billion dispute between China’s North China Power Engineering and Kenya’s Ketraco to arbitration, rejecting restraining orders. Justice Peter Mulwa emphasized halting the project would harm public interest, with arbitration to be held in Kenya.
Page 12 : Highlights challenges in Kenya’s dairy sector, including milk spoilage (costing Sh79 billion annually) and unmet demand despite high consumption. Inefficiencies in post-harvest handling and disease management hinder growth, requiring strategic investments in infrastructure and cooperatives.
Page 13 : Notes that Kenya delayed its plan to shift coffee payments directly to farmers’ accounts, allowing Co-operative Bank to continue processing payments amid farmer concerns. Coffee earnings surged 48.6% to Sh129.8 billion in 2024, with no new guidance on the transition.
Page 14 : Reports foreign investors sold Sh2.5 billion worth of KCB Group shares in early 2025, while local institutions like NSSF increased holdings. Meanwhile, Mombasa Port’s cargo volumes grew 8.1% in H1 2025, driven by infrastructure upgrades despite Red Sea disruptions.
Page 19-20 : Highlights Yolanda Muyonga, Chief Engineer at Kenya Pipeline Company, as one of only 28 female consulting engineers in Kenya (4.5% of the field). A trailblazer and mentor, she advocates for gender equality in engineering.
Page 24 : Notes Kenya’s efforts to position itself as a green investment hub through reforms like the Kenya Green Finance Taxonomy (KGFT) and tax incentives. Initiatives like Acorn Holdings’ $42.5 million green bond aim to attract climate-focused capital and align with global sustainability goals.