Monday, November 30, 2020

HIV/Aids, Covid-19: Africa’s place in global response is at the table

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For Africa, the economic costs of the Covid-19 pandemic are high. PHOTO | AFP

KCB grosses $10b in assets, eyes buyouts in DRC, Ethiopia

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KCB currently operates in six countries and runs a representative office in Ethiopia. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

By JAMES ANYANZWA

UK-Kenya trade pact awaits approval from EAC Council of Ministers

EAC meeting.

The meeting of EAC Sectoral Council of the Ministers of Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment will also discuss non-tariff barriers, customs and budgets. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

By JAMES ANYANZWA

Kenya denies Somalia's accusations after envoy forced out


Mohamed Farmaajo and Uhuru Kenyatta.

Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past press conference in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Africa launches largest Covid treatment clinical trial

Covid-19 vaccine.

A medical worker injects a man with the clinical trial for a potential vaccine against Covid-19 at the Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, South Africa, on June 24 ,2020. Africa has launched a large clinical trial that aims to identify treatment for mild and moderate cases of Covid-19. PHOTO | SIPHIWE SIBEKO | POOL | AFP

By ELIZABETH MERAB

Treasury eyes rich donors to ease rising debt burden

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The National Treasury building in Nairobi. FILE PHOTO | NMG

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Summary

  • The country will have to appeal to rich organisations for either cheap credit or free grants to finance Kenya’s budget.
  • Kenya wants to avoid raising more debt from overseas capital markets.
  • Generally, Kenya has been overlooked by donors since it attained middle-income status in 2014 forcing the country to turn to Eurobond and syndicated loans and bilateral lenders like China.

Kenya protests expulsion of Somalia envoy

Mohamed Farmaajo and Uhuru Kenyatta.

Somali President Mohamed Farmaajo and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past press conference in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Summary

  • Kenya suggests the new accusation was made to distract Somalia from the electoral programme, as well as other challenges it faces.
  • This is not the first time there has been tension between Mogadishu and Nairobi. Last year, Kenya recalled its ambassador after Mogadishu decided to auction oil and gas exploration blocks at the centre of a maritime territorial dispute.

Nairobi Business Ventures shares back on NSE after Sh83m

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The K-Shoe shop along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on March 28, 2016. FILE PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NMG

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Summary

  • Shares had been suspended from trading to allow for the conclusion of a Sh83 billion buyout deal by Dubai-based Delta International FZE.

Banks pay lowest return on savings in four years

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Kenya Bankers Association chief executive Habil Olaka. PHOTO | NMG

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Summary

  • Data shows that the average return on savings has slipped to the lowest point since August 2016 when it was recorded at 1.68 per cent.
  • Ordinarily, the savings rate covers for inflation. However, the rate has been lower than the inflation since 2017, meaning the real value of cash saved is being eroded over time.

Kenya gets 2-year extension of Comesa sugar imports cushion

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Sugar at Carrefour Mega on Uhuru Highway, Nairobi. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NMG

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Summary

  • The arrangement limiting imports was due to expire at the end of next February.
  • Kenya is struggling to improve output due to relatively high production costs and loss-making sugar factories, which produce  below the annual consumption.

Defamation increasing at the workplace

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Reports of misconduct, such as theft, assault, or abuse of others, can raise the scepter of defamation claims if the employer does not manage the communications. PHOTO | SHUTTERSTOCK

Summary

  • Freedom of expression, which is frequently invoked to defend defamatory statements made against a third party, is not without limits, especially in an employment context.

Customer experience lessons of year 2020

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Customer experience has always been a crucial differentiator for business, but in 2020, it became a matter of survival. PHOTO | SHUTTERSTOCK

Summary

  • Even with hopes of a successful Covid-19 vaccine on the horizon, as businesses return to brick-and-mortar stores, a few changes are here to stay.

North Rift embraces fish farming to boost incomes

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Uasin Gishu County agriculture executive Samuel Yego (centre) eats fish at Kapnos, Sergoit during a fish farming campaign on November 13, 2020. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NMG

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Summary

  • According to Uasin Gishu County agriculture executive Samuel Yego, the current fish consumption stands at 82 tonnes annually, most of which is imported from neighbouring countries like Uganda.
  • The county is providing 470,000 subsidised fingerlings this year to shore up local fish production in the 600 fish ponds and dams across the county.
  • West Pokot County government has also embraced fish farming and it has introduced fingerlings at Turkwel dam. The county is banking on the project to change livelihoods in the region.

The difference between trading and investing

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Even as the market offers opportunities for both traders and stock investors, it is important to keep in mind the key difference between trading and investment. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Summary

  • Trading is the act of participating in the financial markets to buy or sell financial securities for short-term gains. Traders rely on technical analysis, market sentiment, and macroeconomic factors to book quick profits mainly driven by price volatility.
  • On the other hand, investing is the act of buying securities or other tradable assets with the intent of earning long-term returns. Unlike trading, investors seek to benefit from long-term growth in share prices.

Current account deficit narrows on inflows boost

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Kenya is a net import of goods, spending on imports more than twice the export earnings. FILE PHOTO | NMG

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Summary

  • Central Bank of Kenya data shows that the current account deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 4.9 per cent by the end of October, to 5.3 per cent at the end of October 2019.
  • It also narrowed compared to the end of September, when the deficit stood at five per cent.
  • Kenya is a net import of goods, spending on imports more than twice the export earnings. A fall in the import bill, therefore, has a big impact on the current account.