Author: Martin Mwita

A lobby group consisting of organizations that advocate for sustainable agriculture is pushing for the immediate withdrawal of harmful pesticides in Kenya.

These are pesticides containing active ingredients that are toxic to human health and the environment, and that threaten food security and affect food safety in the country.

According to the group, at east 32 per cent of pesticide active ingredients that are currently registered and being sold in products in Kenya, have been withdrawn from the European market, due to their serious potential impact on human and environmental health.

The group comprises the Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA-K), Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) and Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI).

READ ALSO:Obstacles to food tourism development in Tanzania

Informed by a White Paper on pesticide use in Kenya that was commissioned by the RTFI, the organizations are calling for the withdrawal …

The East African Business Council (EABC) has secured US$ 3.2 million financing from TradeMark East Africa Africa (TMEA) to support trade initiatives mainly addressing barriers in the region.

This will support  implementation of a three year programme,“Integrating Public-Private Sector Dialogue (PPD) for Trade and Investment in East Africa Community (EAC) Programme”.

The partnership will support  EABC’s advocacy efforts of improving coordination, reporting and resolution of  Non- Tariff Barriers along the corridors; harmonization and adoption of East African Standards, Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, improve adoption and harmonization of customs and  domestic tax-related policies and trade facilitation in the EAC.

To strengthen and sustain EAC’s trade and investment, it is critical that an enabling environment is in place to guarantee growth and predictability.

Public‐Private Dialogue plays a crucial role in addressing constraints, providing short‐term stimulus with long‐term impact and contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.

The project will enhance advocacy …

Hong Kong is targeting investment and trade deals in Kenya in renewed effort to deepen its relations with the East Africa’s economic power house.

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) this week led a delegation to Nairobi and Mombasa, eying investments in the Kenyan market.

It is keen to tap on investments under the government Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, in a close collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).

The delegation which included ten leading companies held talks with the Kenyan business community and government in Nairobi and Mombasa, with KNCCI playing host during the six days visit that commenced on Monday.

Hong Kong companies are eying investments in Export Processing Zones (EPZ), export market, Special Economic Zones, logistics, real estate and trade.

READ ALSO:What Kenyatta secured at China Belt and Road Summit

Speaking during a Nairobi forum, KNCCI President Richard Ngatia encouraged …

Diageo has committed to invest £180 million (US$217million) in renewable energy resources across its African sites, the British multinational alcoholic beverages company has announced.

According to the world’s second largest distiller, the move is to ensure its breweries are the most carbon and water efficient.

This commitment represents Diageo’s largest environmental investment in a decade confirming its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and addressing climate change.

READ ALSO:How KBL’s water savings are quenching communities’ thirst

The investment will touch 11 of Diageo’s African brewing sites where it will deliver new solar energy, biomass power and water recovery initiatives.

It is also targeting to bring new infrastructure designed to improve the long-term sustainability of Diageo’s African supply chain in seven countries.

“We believe this is one of the biggest single investments in addressing climate change issues across multiple sub Saharan markets. It demonstrates the strength of our commitment to …

Nairobi Security Exchange’s top share index-NSE 20 shed some 43.09 points or 1.67 per cent to stand at 2543.59 on Friday, even as volumes rose from the previous trading.

The index that tracks blue chip companies at the bourse has been on a downward streak in recent weeks, affecting other indices, amid a continued decline in large cap stocks.

READ ALSO:NSE dips as 2018 ends on a bear market territory

During the last day of the week trading, All Share Index (NASI) shed 0.28 points to stand at 148.05. The NSE 25 Share index ended 9.25 points lower to settle at 3572.56, market data shows.

Market turnover for Friday however stood at Ksh332 million (US$3.2 million) from the previous session’s Ksh179 million (US$1.7 million) as the number of shares traded rose to 12.5 million against 9.9 million posted the previous day.

Week on week turnover however retreated to Ksh1.16 …

Little Ride Kenya has launched the first Health Insurance covers for its drivers in the Kenyan market in partnership with APA Insurance and MicroEnsure, a leading provider of micro insurance in emerging markets.

The cover will cater for costs such as payment of their medical bills, transport to hospital, compensation for lost income, in addition to cover for funeral expenses.

Little Ride drivers who are unable to work due to being hospitalised claim a daily benefit of up to Sh2,000(US$19.41).

In addition, the product also covers up to Sh50,000(US$485.20 ) personal accident benefit and funeral expenses up to Sh50,000 upon death of the insured.

Speaking during the official launch of the automated insurance solution, APA Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Karimi said:“Through our partnership with MicroEnsure and Little Cab, APA Insurance is bringing affordable healthcare and funeral cover to Little Cab drivers.  By offering access to these services, we improve the …

Leading electronic financial services company NilePay PLC has partnered with Zain South Sudan to launch the first licensed mobile money service in South Sudan.

Dubbed ‘NilePay Mobile Money’, the service is expected to deepen financial inclusion in the country.

The partnership is geared towards eliminating significant barriers that have hindered consumers in the country from taking full advantage of global eCommerce.

“NilePay Mobile Service’s partnership with Zain South Sudan is part of the company’s long-term strategy to enable eCommerce and digitize financial services across the country,” said Darius Mobe, Director, NilePay Mobile Money.

Most people in South Sudan’s capital have been relying on unlicensed mobile operators to transfer money through platforms created by MTN Uganda and Kenya’s M-PESA.

“We are excited to have partnered with NilePay PLC to bring the mobile wallet services to the South Sudan market, which makes it more convenient and secure for users to withdraw …

Pewin Group has inked deals worth Ksh7.3 billion(US$70.8million) with business firms from Belarus during a Belarus Kenya Business Forum in Nairobi.

The firm signed an MoU to distribute tractors and set up an assembly plant with a Belarusian firm, Afttrade DMCC. They also signed an MoU to distribute fish feeds and set up a processing fish plant for the local and export market with BelinterBox.

The memorandum which is funded locally by Family Bank and the Government of Belarus will see Kenya benefitting from the new technology, exchange programmes and access to best practices in agricultural industry.

“This is a historic day for Pewin Group and Kenya. The Belarus tractors are globally renowned for their performance in general agricultural work including sowing, harvesting and transportation. In support of the Big 4 Agenda, this MoU means that small scale farmers can now access reasonably priced tractors with the latest technology and …

Kenya has reaffirmed its continued push for the closure of all ivory trade markets across the world.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta says the country will continue with its campaign against the reopening of markets for animal trophies especially ivory.

The campaign is being supported by 31 other African states grouped under the African Elephant Coalition (AEC).

The First Lady spoke at an ivory burning site inside the Nairobi National Park where she presided over the official launch of the CITES CoP18 Awareness Campaign.

READ ALSO:How eBay and IFAW ban on African Ivory stood for a decade

CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora while CoP18 is the acronym for the Conference of Parties to the CITES.

The CITES CoP18 global conference is scheduled for this month in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Today we are lobbying and petitioning for the closure of all …

Kenya’s Equity Bank has been named Africa’s Best Digital Bank for 2019 at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, validating its role in delivering simple, fast, convenient and affordable banking products and services to customers.

Equity has been recognised for being a bank that shows true leadership in its digital offerings, both in corporate and retail banking, and uses technology to benefit both clients and the efficiency of the institution, placing digital at the heart of its business.

Digitisation has seen 93 per cent of loans disbursed by the bank, being accessed through the mobile channels, while 97 per cent of all cash-based transactions are happening outside Equity Bank branches, with mobile and agency channels taking the lion’s share.

READ ALSO:Fintech drives Equity Bank’s diaspora remittances to Ksh100Bn

Digitisation of the customer journey has eased customer experience leading to growth of digital payment transactions by 94 per cent in the …