Kenya Moves to Unify Financial Consumer Protections
The Central Bank of Kenya, leading a seven-regulator Technical Working Group, has published a draft Financial Consumer Protection Framework for public comment. The framework establishes standards across six principles: fair treatment, transparency, product suitability, asset protection, accessible complaints handling, and data privacy. It covers banking, insurance, capital markets, pensions, SACCOs, and telecoms-based financial services.
ODPP Moves to the Supreme Court to Restore Sections of Cybercrimes Law
Kenya’s top prosecution body is moving to the Supreme Court to challenge a ruling that struck down key provisions of the controversial cybercrimes law
CBK's First New Bond Issuance in 19 Months Draws KSh 31Bn in Bids
CBK raised KSh 30.06Bn from its April auction pairing the new 30-year FXD1/2026/030 (12.50% coupon, maturing March 2056) with the reopened SDB1/2011/030 (12.00% coupon, maturing January 2041), exceeding the KSh 20Bn target by 50%. The new bond drew KSh 31.28Bn in bids but cleared at 13.76% yield, pricing at 91.04 per KSh 100, well below par. The SDB attracted KSh 7.05Bn and cleared at 13.00%. Net borrowing through 15 bond auctions since July 2025 now stands at KSh 767.75Bn, 87% of the revised FY2025/26 domestic target of KSh 885.9Bn.President Ruto Signs Law Ratifying Fuel VAT Cut for 90 Days
President William Ruto has assented to a law that halves Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 16% to 8% to ease pressure on households and businesses.KEBS Tightens Grip on Import Market in Tender Dispute With Chinese Testing Firm
The ruling, delivered on April 14, 2026, marks the end of a protracted dispute between the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and World Standardization, Certification and Testing Group (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.LAPTRUST Imara I-REIT Posts Third Straight Loss as Rental Income Drops 39%
LAPTRUST Imara I-REIT recorded a net loss of KSh 280.32Mn for the year ended 31 December 2025, worsening from KSh 204.30Mn in FY2024. Rental income collapsed 39.4% to KSh 290.58Mn while a KSh 540.10Mn fair value markdown on investment property, the third consecutive annual loss of this kind, pushed cumulative property value erosion to KSh 1.29Bn since listing. Total equity fell to KSh 5.95Bn, implying a NAV per unit of KSh 17.20 against the KSh 20 listed price. A final distribution of KSh 0.60 per unit was approved, payable by 30 April 2026.How Kenya's Elections Hijack Economic Policy Every Five Years
Kenya goes to the polls in August 2027. That is eighteen months away. And like clockwork, the fiscal machinery is already shifting
Kenya's Listed Companies Have 75 days to File Sustainability Readiness Reports
Kenya's NSE-listed companies are required to publish sustainability disclosures aligned with IFRS S1 and S2 from 1 January 2027, under a national roadmap now in its final phase. The NSE and ICPAK have set 30 June 2026 as the deadline for listed issuers to submit readiness assessments and engage independent assurance providers. KCB Group is the only confirmed early adopter among NSE financial institutions. The deadline arrives as listed companies post a record governance score of 78.88% on the CMA's FY 2024/2025 scorecard, though regulators warn the IFRS compliance bar is materially higher than current governance disclosure standardsBPO Giant Samasource to Cut Over 1,000 Jobs After Meta Ends Contract
Samasource Impact Sourcing Inc will lay off 1,108 workers in Kenya after American Social Media Giant, Meta, terminated a major content moderation and data annotation contractAssociated Motors Closes Shop After Losing 60 Year Isuzu Franchise
Family Bank appointed joint receivers over Associated Motors Limited and Sclaters Holdings Limited on 9 April 2026, weeks after Isuzu East Africa terminated its nearly 60-year dealership agreement with Associated Motors. The receiverships cover charged properties in Nairobi and Eldoret secured under charges dated August 2021. Separately, I&M Bank placed Jamii Distributors (E.A) Limited under administration on 1 April 2026. All three appointments were handled by Anant Bhatt LLP of Mombasa.Why Sameer Africa's KSh 9.19Bn in Properties Sit in Its Books at KSh 933Mn
Sameer Africa Plc is set to complete the sale of 3.75 acres of Mombasa Road land valued at US$7.13 Mn (KSh 919.70 Mn), carried on its books at KSh 15,000, with closure projected in Q2 2026. The proceeds would clear the company's retained earnings deficit of KSh 206.72 Mn and unlock dividends for the first time since FY2014. The deal spotlights a wider valuation gap: Knight Frank values Sameer Africa's investment property portfolio at KSh 9.19 Bn against a book value of KSh 932.79 Mn, implying unrecognized gains of KSh 8.26 Bn. The company holds an estimated 85-acre land bank in Nairobi's Embakasi area. The 3.75 acres being sold is less than 5% of that total.Kenya Launches Tourism Digital Payments App 'TouristTap'
TouristTap, developed by Craft Silicon in partnership with KCB Bank and Visa, enables international and domestic visitors to make card-based payments directly from their mobile phones
