Summary of Business Daily : Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Pages 1–2
County officials have rigged tenders using proxies and shadow firms, with over 130 cases flagged by the Financial Reporting Centre. Fraud schemes exploit weak oversight to divert public funds, harming services and fueling corruption.
Pages 1–2
Airbnb rentals in Nairobi surged 10% as demand for short-term housing grows. Investors rush to supply apartments, pushing rents up and reshaping yields. Industry sees opportunity, but also affordability pressure in urban property markets.
Page 3
Kenya’s systems to track illicit financial flows flagged Sh6.97 trillion in suspicious transactions over three years. The Financial Reporting Centre monitors banks and firms for unusual patterns to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
Page 4
Expatriate workers in Kenya lose key income tax exemptions, raising employment costs. Employers warn this could make Kenya less competitive for foreign talent, while the government aims to boost local revenue and reduce tax privileges.
Page 4
Kenya’s Competition Authority is investigating digital lenders over high fees and unclear loan terms. Complaints target excessive charges, poor disclosures, and exploitative tactics on vulnerable borrowers, sparking regulatory scrutiny.
Page 4
New TSC policy will automatically promote teachers on good performance. Grade C2 teachers will move to C3 after three years of satisfactory work, aiming to motivate and retain talent while standardizing career progression in public schools.
Page 5
UN scrutiny grows over Kenya’s response to protests and policing, citing deaths and injuries from crackdowns. Critics say authorities violate assembly rights. The government defends security operations as lawful and necessary.
Page 5
Nairobi’s Kyuna estate residents won a court ruling blocking a private school project, citing traffic, environmental, and planning concerns. The judge ruled assessments were inadequate, halting construction in a win for local opposition.
Page 5
Kenya missed agreed targets to raise tobacco taxes, risking public health goals. WHO warns low prices keep smoking rates high. The Health Ministry cites complex politics and industry lobbying, while activists call for urgent reforms.
Page 6
Listed firm Kakuzi is free to escalate its fight over a disputed 72-acre golf club site in Makuyu after the Court of Appeal dismissed opposition. The ruling lets Kakuzi press ownership claims amid local tensions over land use.
Page 6
BangBet can keep operating as a trademark fight persists. The High Court declined to stop the betting firm from using its brand, ruling that ownership of the trademark remains in dispute. Legal battle continues over the rights to the name.
Page 6
Stanbic Bank was cleared to auction an edible oil factory over a Sh2 billion unpaid loan. Court found the borrower defaulted despite challenges, rejecting pleas to stop the auction. The ruling underlines lender rights in debt recovery.
Page 7
Laikipia wildlife conservancies won a tax fight against county land rate hikes. Court said rates must follow constitutional rules and be reasonable. The ruling supports conservation areas resisting sharp cost increases.
Page 7
Court blocked land dealings on property claimed by Rea Vipingo after rival developers tried to sell disputed plots. The judge issued orders stopping transactions until ownership was resolved, protecting Rea Vipingo’s interests.
Page 8
Trump’s tariff threats hurt South Africa’s rand while trade talks deliver no real endgame. Negotiators seek exemptions on metals, autos, and more, but uncertainty over US policy pressures African economies facing global headwinds.
Page 8
Protests in Kenya strain its fragile economic stability. Analysts warn that persistent demos risk deterring investment and growth. Calls for dialogue balance the need for order with safeguarding rights to demonstrate.
Page 8
Nigerian banks resume naira debit card use abroad after months of restrictions. The Central Bank move aims to ease forex challenges, restore investor confidence, and support citizens travelling internationally.
Page 8
A fire at a major Cairo telecom building killed four and knocked out internet service. Damage caused severe regional outages, highlighting vulnerability in infrastructure crucial for business and connectivity.
Page 8
US deports migrants from Djibouti to South Sudan in security move. Homeland Security says they pose risks, sparking concern about humanitarian conditions as African migration pressures grow.
Page 8
Football returns to war-torn Sudan as elite clubs resume competitions in the capital. Despite the civil conflict, teams reorganize local leagues, offering rare social continuity and hope to fans.
Page 9
Kenya’s political infighting is blamed for drowning economic solutions. Commentary argues leaders exploit cost-of-living crises for protest leverage but fail to address underlying structural reforms needed for growth.
Page 10
Calls to improve investor education in Kenya’s stock market. The push aims to expand retail participation and strengthen confidence, highlighting poor understanding of risk and returns among many investors.
Page 10
Proposal to expand Kenya’s credit guarantee scheme to help SMEs get financing. Argument says broadening coverage and simplifying processes could ease credit access and support economic growth.
Page 10
Kenya urged to establish an infrastructure development bank to fund critical projects. Example of successful global models shows the need to mobilize long-term local savings and reduce reliance on foreign debt.
Page 10
Debate on whether Kenya’s startups are built to fail highlights weak financing, poor business models, and regulatory challenges. Calls for realistic assessments of viability, not hype, to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Page 11
Protests test Kenya’s fragile stability as cost-of-living frustrations drive demonstrations. Analysts warn frequent unrest undermines investor confidence. Editorials call for inclusive dialogue to balance security needs with rights to assemble.
Page 12
Employers urged to rethink their role in supporting the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which replaces NHIF. Firms should integrate SHIF into health plans, not view it as duplication, to boost workforce wellness and control costs.
Page 13
Credit Bank faces pressure to raise capital after auditor flags doubts over its future due to Sh1.72bn deficit. Losses from bad loans and costs require urgent fundraising. Details include shareholder plans and stalled projects.
Page 13
Kenya’s push for electric cars and tuk-tuks faces hurdles from high battery costs. Imported batteries keep prices elevated, slowing green transport adoption as industry calls for government support to cut costs.
Page 14
60,000 dormant or incomplete share accounts were deactivated in a clean-up by the Central Depository. The move aims to improve compliance and data integrity but reveals low engagement among retail investors.
Page 14
Cargo agents face losses as the State fast-tracks clearance of goods, cutting demand for their services. The move aims to reduce port congestion and costs but threatens jobs and revenue in the clearing and forwarding industry.
Pages 19–20
Developers in Nairobi price luxury properties in US dollars to hedge margins and attract wealthy buyers. Trend helps manage forex risks but raises questions about affordability, legal compliance, and effects on local housing markets.
Page 21
Pandemic’s effects continue to disrupt youth careers with long-term scarring on skills, earnings, and mental health. Calls for overhauling Kenya’s youth labour market to address unemployment and precarious, low-quality jobs.
Page 22
Employers face challenges managing workplace theft fairly. Best-practice guidance urges thorough investigations, clear warnings, and adherence to procedures to avoid wrongful dismissal claims and uphold employment law.
Page 23
Managers urged to improve critical thinking and avoid ‘assembly line’ decisions that ignore nuance and feedback. Calls for reflective leadership to strengthen accountability and foster supportive workplace cultures.
Page 24
Kenya is urged to learn from Singapore’s fiscal discipline to balance its budget. Commentary calls for lean administration, transparent borrowing, and public trust to tackle persistent deficits and support long-term prosperity.