Category
Business
Kenya business news: markets, SMEs, banking, trade and the economy. Practical context for workers, founders and investors.
Kenya Airways: H1 revenue Sh81.25bn, loss widens to Sh16.1bn
Kenya Airways posted Sh81.25 billion revenue for the first half of 2026, up 9%, and a Sh16.1 billion loss after tax against Sh12.2 billion a year earlier. Fuel costs hit Sh29 billion; the airline flew 9% less capacity as engine shop visits stretched 90–120 days.
CIPS plants East Africa HQ in Nairobi to cover 13 countries
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply launched its East Africa office in Nairobi in August 2026 as hub for 13 countries. Global CEO Ben Farrell met PPRA; Kenya already has five CIPS study centres. The institute cites 13 million LinkedIn procurement titles, growing about 10% a year.
Kenya paint market: 156,000 tonnes, Sh43.9bn, construction up 6.6%
Basco MD Kamlesh Shah said paint use is growing at double digits. KNBS: construction +6.6% in Q1 2026 (economy +5.3%). IndexBox: Kenya used 156,000 tonnes in 2024, Africa’s No.2, market Sh43.9bn, produced 162,000 tonnes, exported Sh1.1bn of water-based paints.
High Court puts Safaricom 15% stake judgment off to 15 September, 11am
Justice Francis Gikonyo said a three-judge bench needs more time on the volume of papers in the case seeking to stop the government’s 15% Safaricom sale; ruling now 15 September 2026 at 11am virtually. Appeal Court had already lifted a freeze.
KISM: 60% of government spend is procurement — rewrite the rules
At a Mombasa forum on 12 August, KISM chair Jennifer Cirindi and Senate PAC chair Moses Kajwang said about 60% of government expenditure goes through the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act; they want licensed professionals, data analytics and discipline for breaches.
US Senate extends AGOA to 2028; Kenya apparel still 70% of US-bound goods
Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui said US Senate approval would keep Kenya’s duty-free AGOA access to 31 December 2028, protect the third-country fabric rule for EPZs and allow duty refunds for the gap after 30 September 2025; 2024 apparel exports were Sh60.6 billion.
Anker picks Kenya as Africa launchpad, $1 million a year and seven counties first
Anker Kenya manager Able Liu said the charger-and-audio brand will start in seven counties including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru, spend about $1 million (Sh129.2 million) a year, and offer an 18-month warranty via two Nairobi service centres.
Tourism take hits Sh564 billion as arrivals more than double in four years
The Tourism ministry says 2025/26 revenue reached Sh564 billion, up from Sh224 billion four years earlier; international arrivals rose to 2.76 million from 1.21 million and domestic bed nights to 5.15 million, CS Rebecca Miano said.
Embu East destroys 57 unlicensed betting machines at Runyenjes grounds
Authorities smashed more than 57 unlicensed betting machines seized across Embu East and destroyed at the Runyenjes DCC grounds; County Commissioner Maurice Wanyonyi cited missing BCLB licences, petty crime and underage gambling, with similar busts in Malindi and Baringo.