CRDB urges renewable energy business persons to seek loans

By Beatrice Philemon

Small and medium enterprises engaged in renewable energy businesses across the country have been told to ensure the
ir projects are viable so that they can easily access loans from financial institutions.

Airtel, UBA launch new mobile financial services

By Prosper Makene

Bharti Airtel is partnering with United Bank for Africa (UBA) to provide mobile-based financial services in Tanzania and across African continent through Airtel Money.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed over the weekend, both companies will expand the range of innovative financial services to their customers in the 12 countries, where they are both present within Africa which include Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Chad and Zambia, Congo Brazzaville and Congo DRC.

Entrepreneurs in Iringa Region encouraged to participate in 'Wezeshwa na Safari Lager'

By Prosper Makene

Iringa region TBL sales manager Philip Kubecha (R) and Tanzania Association of Professional Business Development Service Providers (TAPBDS) Business Expert, Masudi Kandoro (2nd-L), brief journalists on TBL�s �Wezeshwa na Safari Lager� season four in Iringa region on Saturday.

The Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) in Iringa Region has called on small scale entrepreneurs in the region to take part in this season’s ‘Wezeshwa na Safari Lager’ programme, which seeks to boost small scale businesses.

MPs hailed on Tegeta escrow account scam, but

By Waryoba Yankami

Energy and Minerals minister Prof Sospeter Muhongo

A day after the National Assembly came up with eight resolutions recommending disciplinary and other measures against government officials and individuals implicated in the Tegeta escrow account scandal, the public has commended the House for a job well done.

Mwanza business college campus to receive infrastructure funding

By Correspondent

Deputy minister for Trade and Industries, Janet Mbene

The government plans to solicit funds to improve infrastructures of the Mwanza campus of the College of Business Education.

Oil search in Kilifi to go on after leaders agree

Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi at Chapungu Primary School on September 5, 2014. Oil exploration at Arabuko Sokoke in the county will continue despite protests from environmental conservation groups. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The leaders and officials further agreed that Biographical Gas and Petroleum, which has been sub-contracted to do the ground work, will restrict its activities in villages and avoid venturing inside the Arabuko Sokoke forest.
• Block L16, the section where the exploration will take place, is a world renowned wildlife habitat that has rare species such as the Clarke’s bird and the African elephant.

By NEHEMIAH OKWEMBAH
More by this Author

                     
Oil exploration at Arabuko Sokoke will continue despite protests from environmental conservation groups.

Governor Amason Kingi met officials of Camak Kenya, the firm licensed to conduct the exploration, and some community leaders in his office on Friday and they agreed that the work should go on as the company engages with the community.

UK pleads for renewal of deal to train troops

Wardens from Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service show their anti-poaching skills after a two-day training at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk), at Mt Kenya forest on December 5, 2013. Batuk has asked Kenya to renew an agreement that allows it to train about 10,000 troops annually in the country. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• For the past 40 years, the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) has been bringing soldiers to Laikipia and Samburu for combat training.
• Col Vallings said he hopes the two countries will agree on their future cooperation so that the troops can contribute to such community projects.

By MUCHIRI GITONGA
More by this Author

The British Army has asked Kenya to renew an agreement that allows it to train about 10,000 troops annually in the country.

Ignore curfew, coast leaders tell residents

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy during a press conference on October 22, 2014 where he spoke out against the curfew extension in the county. Governor Timamy and other coastal leaders have told Lamu residents to ignore resumption of a curfew on the island. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The curfew, which has been in force in Lamu since the June-July killings in the region, was suspended for four days to allow the county to conduct its annual cultural festival, which ended on Sunday.
• The governor asked the national government to completely lift it, saying, it had gravely affected tourism, fishing and trade, which are the backbone of the county’s economy

By KALUME KAZUNGU
More by this Author

Political leaders from coastal counties have told Lamu residents to ignore resumption of a curfew on the island.

Traders seek to cash in on maize from Uganda

National Cereals and Produce Board Managing Director Newton Terer during the board's Restructuring Stakeholders Workshop at Horizon Hotel in Eldoret town on June 11, 2014. Middlemen are stocking large quantities of cheap maize from Uganda, hoping to make a killing by selling it to the national cereals board. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The traders are expecting the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to start purchasing maize from farmers soon, after it delayed doing so.
• Majority Leader Alfred Weswa asked the county assembly to compel the Executive to seek funds to buy the produce from the farmers at more than Sh2,500 per 90-kilogramme bag.

By PHILIP BWAYO
More by this Author

Middlemen are stocking large quantities of cheap maize from Uganda, hoping to make a killing by selling it to the national cereals board.

Violence takes heavy toll on Mombasa tourism economy

Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie during a press conference on October 27, 2014. In Mombasa County, business for tourist hotels has declined significantly because of the violence that has hit the county. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Tourism used to be the mainstay of the region, raking in billions of shillings. This is no longer the case, with many hotels having been closed. Tour operators have also closed shop.
• With the collapse of railway services and the heavy mechanisation of port operations, many jobs in the transport sector have been lost, with very few new ones being created.
• According to the study, the trebling of Mombasa’s population in the past 25 years, from a manageable 300,000 to today’s 1.2 million, is partly to blame for the radicalisation because there has been no corresponding expansion of services.

By
More by this Author

Business for tourist hotels has declined significantly, because of the violence that has hit the county.

Tourism used to be the mainstay of the region, raking in billions of shillings. This is no longer the case, with many hotels having been closed. Tour operators have also closed shop.

BlackBerry gets OK to buy encryptors of Merkel's mobile

Research in Motion CEO Thorsten Heins at the unveiling of the BlackBerry 10 mobile platform as well as two new devices January 30, 2013. Germany said Friday it had approved Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry's purchase of data encryption firm Secusmart, whose customers include Chancellor Angela Merkel. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• Concern over German security interests had been allayed with the agreement of a special clause with BlackBerry, an interior ministry spokesman told reporters.
• The German government declined to reveal details of the accord negotiated with BlackBerry.
• Media reports said Berlin had stipulated that German security officials have access to source codes in the BlackBerry operating system.

By AFP
More by this Author

BERLIN,

Germany said Friday it had approved Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry's purchase of data encryption firm Secusmart, whose customers include Chancellor Angela Merkel, after agreeing what media dubbed a "no-spy clause".

Blogs & Opinion

Taxman backs down after boycott threats over seized Ugandan cargo

Cargo at the Mombasa port. Top imports in the region remained motor vehicles and industrial products including steel. FILE PHOTO |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• According to Kampala traders’ chairman Everest Kayondo, by Wednesday, about 4,000 containers were being held at the port because of arbitrary taxes that the authority had introduced.
• Mr Mambembe, who is also the chairman of importers, warns that this unlawful practice is frustrating trade in the regional market and has made the port of Mombasa expensive, making it to lose business to other ports.

By MWAKERA MWAJEFA
More by this Author

The Kenya Revenue Authority Saturday started releasing Uganda-bound goods that were being held at the port of Mombasa after a pre-pay tax dispute between the authority and traders.

Sh350 million plan to assist dairy farmers in Murang’a

Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria. Dairy farmers in Murang’a County will benefit from a Sh350 million programme meant to raise productivity and boost cooperative groups in the region. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• County officials said they had released the first batch of over 200 dairy cows to various farmers affiliated to cooperatives.

By NATION CORRESPONDENT

Dairy farmers in Murang’a County will benefit from a Sh350 million programme meant to raise productivity and boost cooperative groups in the region.

Global credit rating agency gives the thumbs up to ABC Bank

African Banking Corporation chief executive Shamaz Savani walks past the banking entrance. FILE PHOTO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NATION REPORTER
More by this Author

ABC Bank’s profile has received a boost following a positive rating of its operations by an international agency.

The Global Credit Rating Company said the bank’s outlook is “stable”. The assessment is valid until October next year.

Mombasa among ports to benefit from Sh108bn World Bank project

From left: Cabinet secretaries Phyllis Kandie, Rachael Omamo and Michael Kamau follow the proceedings at the East Africa Community Heads of State Retreat summit on infrastructure development and financing held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, at the weekend. JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• He added:  “We are partnering with EAC governments, other development partners and the private sector to invest in regional infrastructure and help deepen policy integration and reduction of barriers to trade.”
• The retreat on infrastructure development and finance focused on policies and reforms necessary to strengthen regional integration through enhanced efficiency of infrastructure investment and financing.

By OUMA WANZALA
More by this Author

Mombasa is among three ports in East Africa earmarked for further investment by the World Bank to enhance capacity and efficiency.

Watchdog cracks whip on methanol importers

Julius Karuga a son of the late Michael Kamau (inset right), who was among four people who died after taking Jebel Vodka, an illicit brew, at Katipanga in Murang'a, is joined by friends and relatives at their home who had come to console the family on November 26, 2014. PHOTO | JENNIFER MUIRURI | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The brand is owned by UDV Kenya Ltd, a subsidiary of East African Breweries Ltd, but the company on Saturday said it had established that none of its genuine products was involved in the deaths.  
• UDV manufactures Jebel Gold, Richot, Jebel Gin, Uganda Waragi, Bond 7, Gilbeys and Liberty. It also makes Kenya Cane, Popov, Smirnoff Vodka, Jebel Special, V&A Liqueur, Chelsea and Kane Extra.

By CHARLES WOKABI
More by this Author

The national standards watchdog is set to crack the whip on irresponsible importers of methanol, the chemical used to manufacture illicit liquor that has claimed hundreds of lives in the past several months.

Lobby to award best performing MPs

The National Assembly in session. An organisation has started a process that will culminate in the awarding of MPs voted as the best performers in Parliament. FILE PHOTO |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The organisation has identified three nominees in 10 categories based on the dominant topics discussed in Parliament: education, water, health and budgetary oversight.
• Ms Jessica Musila, the organisation’s chief executive, told the Nation that their aim is to “gently nudge” MPs to push for the interests of the public in Parliament; increase public awareness on their roles and sensitise citizens on the need to hold their leaders to account.
• She said the organisation considered all the trackers on Parliament’s website and in the Hansard but excluding chairmen of committees, because there is a bias for them to speak a lot.

By JOHN NGIRACHU
More by this Author

An organisation has started a process that will culminate in the awarding of MPs voted as the best performers in Parliament.

Call for House to set up team on insecurity

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria. The MP wants Parliament to set up a team to investigate increased cases of insecurity in the country. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Gatundu South lawmaker Moses Kuria has drafted a motion through which he wants a 21-member committee established to help fix the problem.
• In the motion, he expects to submit today to the National Assembly, Mr Kuria has listed the Westgate Mall raid and banditry attacks in Suguta Valley in Baragoi and Kapedo on the border of Baringo and Turkana counties among cases that need to be investigated.
• Also providing grounds for the setting up of the team is the execution of 28 Kenyans by Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera nine days ago and terrorist attacks in Malindi, Mombasa, Lamu and Garissa.

By NATION CORRESPONDENT
More by this Author

An MP wants Parliament to set up a team to investigate increased cases of insecurity in the country.

Gatundu South lawmaker Moses Kuria has drafted a motion through which he wants a 21-member committee established to help fix the problem.

Referendum bids set to be merged

Wiper Democratic Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during an interview at his home in Karen on August 25, 2014. Musyoka and Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto have indicated plans to consolidate the Okoa Kenya and Pesa Mashinani referendum bids. FILE PHOTO | GERALD ANDERSON | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The two leaders said there was no need to go to the referendum divided since their respective campaigns were aimed at devolving more funds to counties.
• The Cord co-principal praised the planned meeting between the Senate and the Judiciary, saying this is bound to bring harmony between the two institutions, resulting in the success of devolution.
• Mr Ruto, who is also the Bomet Governor, said the issues being pushed for by proponents of both the Okoa Kenya and Pesa Mashinani referendum drives are the same.

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto have indicated plans to consolidate the Okoa Kenya and Pesa Mashinani referendum bids.

Ababu Namwamba reaches out to foes

ODM leader Raila Odinga holds hands with the party's secretary general Ababu Namwamba. Namwamba Sunday extended an olive branch to party leaders dissatisfied with the new officials, saying, time had come for the party to be united. PHOTO | JACOB OWITI |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Mr Namwamba said that his primary responsibility was to strengthen the party and every individual will have a role to play in making it strong ahead of the next General Election.
• In Kwale, County Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga told mourners during the burial of Senator Agnes Zani’s mother, Ms Tereza Kadzo, that moving out of the party was not a possibility.
• Ms Mutua said that party members should respect the decision of the party leader and those who are not happy should leave.

By OUMA WANZALA
More by this Author

ODM’s proposed secretary-general Ababu Namwamba Sunday extended an olive branch to party leaders dissatisfied with the new officials, saying, time had come for the party to be united.

50 at KDF camp await evacuation

Non-Muslim civil servants camp at the Mandera airstrip as they demanded to be evacuated in the wake of the terror attack. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO |   NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• They had asked the government to evacuate them using aircraft because poor roads had made it easy for Al-Shabaab militants to attack vehicles.
• Mr Felix Kagwe, a representative of the group, told the Nation at least eight had left the county in a police plane that had brought in senior police officers.
• Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua last week pleaded with non-locals not to leave Mandera and promised adequate security.

More than 50 people at a military camp in Mandera are still awaiting government evacuation.

Most non-local workers sought refuge at the Kenya Defence Forces base following last week’s attack on a Nairobi-bound bus in which 28 were killed.

Otieno Kajwang’ laid to rest in burial marked by calls for ODM unity

A mourner at the burial of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang' at Waondo village in Mbita constituency on November 28, 2014. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Mr Ababu Namwamba, who was named secretary general, promised to re-energise the party with  Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, the deputy party leader, warning that MPs opposing the party position would be kicked out.
• Mr Kalonzo Musyoka asked the government to rethink the presence of Kenyan forces in Somalia, saying it had not been anticipated that they would stay in war-torn country for that long.
• Mr Odinga also used the function to rally support for the ODM list of new officials to be led by Mr Namwamba, the Budalang’i MP and Suba’s John Mbadi.

By MAURICE KALUOCH
More by this Author

By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA
More by this Author

The Orange Democratic Movement buried one of its most loyal members with a warning to rebel leaders to toe the line or leave the party.

Poor roads Mandera’s biggest curse

Security officers at the scene of the Al-Shabaab terror attack in Mandera where 28 people were gunned down by Al-Shabaab militants in the attack. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Mandera Governor Ali Roba said the poor state of Mandera-Wajir-Garissa road had forced motorists to opt for the Arabiya Road near the Somalia border where most of them have been attacked.
• During his visit on Tuesday, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, who had gone to plead with non-local workers not to vacate the county, promised that the national government will improve the Mandera-Wajir-Garissa road so that motorists can stop using Arabiya Road.
• The county government hopes to extend the tarmac to major towns of Elwak, Takaba and Rhamu within the county, but the main Mandera-Wajir-Garrisa remains the responsibility of the national government under Kenha.

By LUCAS BARASA
More by this Author

By MANASE OTSIALO
More by this Author

The poor road network in border county of Mandera has greatly contributed to frequent Al-Shabaab attacks.

The militia group has turned the county into its playground where it has been launching attacks at will, killing, maiming and destroying property.

We must act now to manage climate change

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks during the Opening Session of the Climate Change Summit at the United Nations in New York September 23, 2014, in New York. PHOTO | TIMOTHY A. CLARY |  AFP

In Summary

• There is no doubt that action is urgently needed to push toward the decarbonisation of the global economy and to make lasting progress on an unprecedented global challenge.
• The impacts of climate change are being felt on every continent, from the melting of the great glaciers of South America to the retreating sea ice of the Arctic.
• Human influence on the climate is clear. In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have increased to their highest levels ever.

By FEDERICA MOGHERINI
More by this Author

By MIGUEL ARIAS CANETE
More by this Author

At no time has a global deal on climate change looked more likely than it does today.

In October, European Union leaders agreed on ambitious climate and energy targets for 2030,

Suspend cashless plan, say matatus

Matatu Welfare Association chairman Dickson Mbugua at an event in Nairobi on February 27, 2014. FILE PHOTO | DIANA NGILA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The MWA chairman also took issue with what he termed the government’s interference with the PSV industry, saying that it was unfair to single out only one aspect of the economy and subject it to restrictive rules.
• The Matatu Drivers and Conductors Association (MDCA) also challenged the practicality of the cashless system and asked the government to postpone the deadline until the welfare of its members is looked into.
• Mr Albert Karagacha, the national coordinator of the owners lobby, disputed Mr Mbugua’s assertions, saying that most matatu saccos were prepared for the overhaul in fare collecting systems.

By JACQUELINE KUBANIA
More by this Author

Matatu operators want Monday’s deadline for starting the cashless fare system suspended indefinitely, arguing that the industry is not prepared to implement the directive.

MPs’ travel gobbled up Sh550m in 3 months, says Budget Office

The National Assembly in session. The Parliamentary Service Commission spent Sh557.6 million on domestic travel in three months, the Controller of Budget has revealed. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• According to the report obtained by the Nation, the commission also recorded the highest expenditure in printing and advertising at Sh80.7 million, rentals and rates for non-residential buildings at Sh121.2 million and maintenance of other assets at Sh17.3 million.
• The highest development expenditure was the transfer to national government entities, which took Sh33.6 billion, accounting for 60.2 per cent of the total MDAs development spending.
• The State department for Infrastructure had the highest capital transfers to its Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies amounting to Sh15.4 billion. This was 46 per cent of total spending in this category,” says the report.

By SAMWEL BORN MAINA
More by this Author

The Parliamentary Service Commission spent Sh557.6 million on domestic travel in three months, the Controller of Budget has revealed.

According to the report obtained by the Nation, the commission also recorded the highest expenditure in printing and advertising at Sh80.7 million, rentals and rates for non-residential buildings at Sh121.2 million and maintenance of other assets at Sh17.3 million.

High-flier agent pushed up the cost of ‘chicken’

An Interim Independent Electoral Commission official loads ballot boxes and other voting materials onto a vehicle at Tac Centre in Eldoret East constituency on August 3, 2010. A UK court has been told that IIEC top officials were paid bribes to award the tender for the ballot papers to Smith & Ouzman, a UK company. FILE PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Mr Smith is a director of Smith & Ouzman which, prosecutors say, paid bribes to officials of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) and the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) to get lucrative printing tenders.
• The prosecution has alleged that Mr Christopher Smith, his son Mr Nicholas Smith and their company, Smith & Ouzman Limited, together with a Kenyan identified as Trevy James Oyombra, corruptly agreed to make payments to officials employed at the IIEC as an inducement or reward for the award of contracts to print election materials.
• Mr Smith told the court that family businesses — like Smith & Ouzman — were popular in Africa. He claimed that culturally, Africans preferred family businesses because they could be trusted and for this reason, Smith & Ouzman had an edge over its competitors.

By JOSEPH OCHIENO
More by this Author

A British printer paid a Kenyan agent huge amounts of money in commission because the agent was an important man in the country, he has claimed in court.