Author: Martin Mwita

It has invested Ksh100 million to grow its fleet Pewin Cabs has officially rebranded to PTG Travel in a bid to increase its market share by offering diversified service in the Kenyan market. The firm, which is now moving beyond cabs after 10 years, was among the first to launch its cab-hailing App in 2013, a move that contributed significantly to corporate transport solutions in Kenya. Speaking at the launch of PTG Travel, Managing Director Justus Kirigua, said: “We are excited about the opportunities the new brand offers us.  The transition to PTG Travel is anchored on a three-year growth strategy…

The economy generated 840,600 new jobs compared to 787,800 in 2017 Kenya’s economy expanded by 6.3 per cent in 2018, the economic survey released on Thursday indicates, a notable comeback from a 4.6 per cent growth recorded the previous year. This came as the country recovered from the effects of the persistent drought experienced in 2017, coupled with uncertainties associated with general elections held in the same year. READ:Kenya’s economy falls below Tanzania and Rwanda, records 4.9% growth The growth has principally been attributed to increased agricultural production, accelerated manufacturing activities, sustained growth in transportation and vibrant service sector activities.…

The venture is keen to achieve food security, income generation, healthy living and environmental awareness It is early morning in the outskirts of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. A group of three young people are working in a field, using hoes to remove plastic bags and other solid waste from the soil in preparation for crop planting. Together with other youth, they are raising seedbeds of vegetables such as kale, cabbage, spinach, carrots, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and other commonly consumed vegetables in Kenya. The seedlings will later be transferred to gardens and irrigated for several weeks before the vegetables are supplied…

Joel will manage Tell-Em PR’s operations and client portfolio Tell-Em Public Relations, one of Kenya’s leading Public Relations firms, has appointment veteran PR practitioner Joel Chacha as the agency’s new General Manager effective April 1, 2019. Joel brings over 10 years of experience in developing and implementing successful communications and digital strategies. “We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Joel Chacha as Tell-Em PR’s General Manager. Joel’s broad mix of strategy, crisis communication and media relations experience will be a fantastic addition to our agency’s Top Executive Team,” said Tell-Em PR’s Managing Director Elizabeth Cook. Mutahi Kagwe, Tell-Em…

The factory can produce about 7.8 billion pellets of chewing gum annually US headquartered Mars Wrigley Confectionery has cemented its business in the East and Central Africa region with the new state of the art Ksh7billion (USD68.9 million) manufacturing plant in Athi River, Machakos County, Kenya. The plant was officially commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday. The President was represented by Industry, Trade and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya. Kenyatta has since hailed Mars Wrigley for putting up the new factory citing the need to invest in additional manufacturing capacity to create more jobs for Kenyans. The investment gels…

Delivery has become the in-thing in the market. Customers nowadays don’t have to go to the shops but can just order, make a payment (either before or on delivery) and receive their orders at home, in the office or have them delivered wherever they want. The Exchange spoke to Glovo, a startup founded in 2015 in Barcelona, and launched in Kenya in February this year. The service is present in over 20 countries and more than 100 cities. With over 10 years in business development, seven of which have been in the tech world, Glovo Market Lead (Sub-Saharan Africa) Priscila…

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has hit a technical snag in its efforts to collect taxes amounting to more than Ksh2.7 billion (USD26.6 million) per month, accruing from betting wins. This follows a court order issued by a magistrate’s court barring the taxman from accessing the monies. The orders issued by Senior Resident Magistrate D.M. Kivuti sitting at the Milimani Commercial Courts (Nairobi) have stopped the operations of crucial Income Tax Act sections (Sections 2, 10, 34 and 35), effectively rendering KRA unable to collect the levies,  earmarked for national development projects. This is per the budget  for the current financial…

Loans from China closed 2018 at USD6.2 billion (Ksh 627.1 billion) Kenya will be keen to secure additional funds from China for construction of Phase 2B of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), as the World meets for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing. The forum which takes place this week is expected to attract a high number of Heads of States from Africa and across the globe, with thousands of delegates from over 100 countries. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration is seeking a Ksh370 billion (USD 3.67 billion) loan to extend the rail project which…

Majority of the deals are tier 1 banks going for struggling tier 2 and 3 lenders Kenya’s banking sector is on an evolution path evidenced by the high number of mergers and acquisitions being witnessed; a trend the government is hoping will realign and strengthen the sector. The most recent is last week’s offer by the country’s largest bank by asset-KCB, which has made a move to acquire a hundred per cent (100%) of the ordinary shares in National Bank of Kenya (NBK). This is the sixth deal in the last nine months (between August 2018 and April this year)…

Farmers could soon start pocketing 80% of gross earnings from Coffee President Uhuru Kenyatta is committed to revive the country’s coffee industry if latest indicators are anything to go by. One of the biggest initiatives announced by the government is the rehabilitation of 500 pulping stations (factories) in 31 coffee-growing Counties across the country. Coffee farmers are also set to benefit a Cherry Advance Revolving Fund being set by the government; a kitty President Kenyatta says will be operational from July 1 when the 2019-2020 financial year commences. The current financial year (2018-19) ends on June 30. In the coming…