Soko Directory

  • - The government’s plan to construct an additional 10,000 classrooms to accommodate the expected surge in student numbers once learners transition from primary to junior secondary schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum is welcome and necessary. This transition will require among other things a…
  • - The African Development Centre (ADC), Microsoft’s premier engineering hub, has announced the appointment of Catherine Muraga as its Managing Director effective 01 June 2022. Catherine, a seasoned IT professional with over 15 years of experience, succeeds outgoing MD Jack Ngare, who has led the ADC…
  • - Huawei Kenya today upped the tempo of absorbing more Kenyan technology professionals by kicking off its national recruitment drive as its business continues to grow to require additional local talent. The firm announced that it had 35 positions on offer and a further 15 positions with its partners…
  • - Deloitte Africa welcomed Ruwayda Redfearn as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Redfearn, who was announced in November last year, succeeds Lwazi Bam, who had been the firm’s CEO since 2012. “My vision is for Deloitte Africa to be a trusted global partner in Africa, an employer of choice for top talent…
  • - The government through the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs is considering setting up a Startups Advisory Board to support the development of science parks and areas of innovation in the region. This is according to the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs Joe…
  • - Between 20-40% of Kenyan children may be suffering from mental illness, but it can take up to 16 months for adolescents to see a mental health professional from the onset of their symptoms, Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital estimates. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on children’s…
  • - The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has received a 7.05-billion-shilling subsidy from the treasury to lower the cost of electricity in the country by 15 percent. The move follows the decision by independent power producers (IPPs) to resist the proposal to slash their tariffs to enable…
  • - According to the latest Kenya National Bureau of Statistics report, prices of kale (Sukuma wiki), spinach, and cabbages dropped by 5.0, 4.1, and 4.0 percent, respectively. This comes amidst an economic turmoil facing Kenyans, with the prices of almost all other essential commodities shooting above…
  • - The annual inflation rate in Kenya accelerated to 7.1 percent in May of 2022, from 6.47 percent in April 2022. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, this is the highest reading since February 2020, as the cost of food products continued to rise sharply at 12.4 percent compared to 12…
  • - The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has sent a list of various political contestants to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) asking for them to be barred from running due to integrity issues. The first one is Dr. Evans Kidero who wants to be the Governor of…
  • - The ongoing dollar shortage in the country poses a threat to most the important sectors such as manufacturing, which rely on dollars to import key raw materials and inputs used in processing and capital goods investments. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers has warned that the situation that is…
  • - Ogilvy Africa has won a Yellow Pencil at the 60th edition of the coveted D & AD Awards. The award was for their impressive work in the Lesso Lessons project in partnership with Roto Tanks, a plastic water tank manufacturer in Kenya. The project launched in March 2002, aims to combat…
  • - There are many ways to enjoy life and the key to them is traveling. Through traveling, you get to know the world a little better. When was the last time you traveled just to treat yourself? Oh. Cash. You will say that you do not have the cash to travel for leisure. Going to Diani […] The post Did…
  • - In early March, The Ascott Limited, one of the leading international lodging owner-operators, debuted its first investment in the East African region with the opening of Somerset Westview Nairobi – in the affluential neighborhood of Kilimani within the Kenyan capital. The property comprises 162…
  • - Teachers will continue digging deeper into their pockets to pay for 6,000 shillings fee for refresher courses as directed by the Teachers Service Commission, TSC. The budget committee of the National Assembly, led by Kanini Kega, revealed there was no budget allocation for the program “There is no…
  • - The increased mobile phone connectivity in the country has left millions of users vulnerable to data breaches and privacy issues. Various criminal cases have been reported in the country, where scammers swap SIM cards to steal money from bank accounts and people impersonated. To protect you from…
  • - A spot-check by Soko Directory at various shopping outlets shows a carton of 12 packets of Daima Fino Milk 500Ml is selling at 744 shillings while Tuzo Long Life Milk 200ml of 21 Packets Carton is trading at 600 shillings. KCC Gold Crown Long Life Milk 500Ml of 12 packets Carton is 735 shillings.…
  • - Bank of Kigali Group has reported a 39.28 percent growth in net profit to 1.8 billion shillings, driven by an increase in lending and transactions income as well as efficiency gains enabled by the new core banking system. The bank’s performance in the three months ended March 31 was boosted by a 33…
  • - At one time, Kenya was referred to as a “drinking nation.” Kenyans love having a good time and they never hide about it. Every weekend, and sometimes within the week, you will find Kenyans in bars, restaurants, or liquor stores enjoying their favorite drink. The demand for drinks has made the…
  • - According to the Fresh Produce Consortium Kenya, Kenya has a huge potential in farming and exporting avocados and bananas. The consortium says a lot still needs to be done to equip Kenyan farmers with skills so that they can compete with the global market. The body has moved to create an avocado…
  • - The Eldoret Rally went down last weekend, flag-off was outside Rupa Mall on Saturday, May 28 at 6:30 am. The Rally was organized by the East African Safari Rally. It was the fourth round of the Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC), with four competitive stages repeated twice. Only 10 cars…
  • - A compassionate approach to the financial needs of persons with disabilities, supported by innovative technology solutions, has the potential to address the needs of the most vulnerable members of society across the Middle East and Africa, according to the latest white paper from Mastercard. The…
  • -  50 women living with fistula-related complications in Tharaka Nithi County will receive free surgeries and medical advice at a week-long free Fistula Camp at Chuka County Referral Hospital. This camp is in celebration of International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF). This year’s theme is “End…
  • - By Sa Nyoung Kim    Global warming and climate change have contributed to a green consumer revolution whereby more people are buying goods they consider less harmful to the environment, while also promoting healthy lifestyles. As such, more consumers want products that have reduced negative impact…
  • - Metro Trans Limited, a public transport company has today received a fleet of 80 buses from Simba Corporation Limited in a purchase arrangement that has been financed by the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) through the Asset Based Finance Product. The NBK – Simba Corp partnership enables customers to…
  • - Kenya’s teens and pre-teens are one of the most vulnerable population segments that are prone to abuse by cybercriminals. Akili Network, a Kenyan edutainment firm, has taken initiative to reduce their exposure by speaking to teens aged between 10 and 19, in a language that they understand to…
  • - The cost of wheat and wheat products, which account for almost one-third of the average national cereal consumption in the African region, has drastically shot up by about 25 percent from 2021 hitting the 200 shillings mark for the first time since 2018. The situation is already spiking shortage of…
  • - Did you know that six out of ten bank customers prefer Mobile Banking? This is according to a survey by the Kenya Bankers Association released in February 2022. The survey also indicated that another two out of 10 prefer Internet/ Online Banking. Digital payments in Kenya have seen a sharp increase…
  • - It will be a big boost for avocado farmers in Kenya as the country plans to start exporting to India and China as it seeks to expand its reach beyond the traditional market. Avocado Society of Kenya (ASK) CEO Muthomi Ernest revealed that the government has so far inked a deal that will see the […]…
  • - QA Venue Solutions Rwanda has signed the biggest arena naming rights deal on the African continent with BK Group, a holding company with four subsidiaries: Bank of Kigali Plc, BK General Insurance, BK TecHouse, and BK Capital Ltd.  The agreement, worth USD $ 8 million, provides the holding company…
  • - Last week, the Finance and National Planning Committee in the National Assembly rejected the punitive proposed taxes on maize flour, wheat flour, cooking gas, beer, wines, and spirits. For once, the MPs stood with the people. With the common man. If the Bill had been allowed to sail through in its…
  • - Asante Financial Services Group has been named the “Neobank Rising Star – East Africa” by the recently concluded Africa Bank 4.0 Awards. The Group received recognition under the category of Banking and Leadership Awards in a ceremony on Thursday, 26 May 2022, at the Movenpick Hotel & Residences…
  • - Some people often decide to venture into entrepreneurship with a clear vision of what they want to achieve and the right path to use to make their dream come true. However, some new entrepreneurs find it challenging to figure out the most profitable business to invest in. They are also unsure of…
  • - Obinna Ukwuani is the chief digital officer at the Bank of Kigali (BoK). The man has all it takes to be called a tech wizard with the skills that make him to fit in any part of the world due to demand. As a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), his skill set […] The post Meet…
  • - If you’re uncomfortable with the stock market volatility but still desire good returns in your investments, government bonds make an intelligent addition to your portfolio. The buzz around infrastructure bonds continues this month with the National Treasury’s announcement of the new infrastructure…
  • - On Multi Commodity Exchange Market, gold futures today rose 0.12 percent to 76,752.78 shillings per 10 grams. Spot gold was up 0.2 percent in global markets at 216,595.20 shillings, supported by a weakening US Dollar. A weaker dollar makes bullion more attractive for buyers holding other currencies…
  • - The Kenya National Education Council (KNEC) has introduced a system where parents, teachers, and students can conveniently verify registration details for 2022 Grade 6, Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCSE) candidates. “By sending an SMS to…
  • - “We are projecting the y/y inflation rate for May 2022 to fall within the range of 6.7 – 7.1 percent,” said Cytonn Investments in their latest weekly report. The inflation will be shaped by: Increasing fuel prices – Fuel prices for the period 15th May 2022 to 14th June 2022 increased by 3.8% to…
  • - The Kenyan shilling depreciated by 0.2 percent against the US dollar to close the week at 116.7 shillings from 116.4 shillings recorded the previous week, partly attributable to increased dollar demand from the oil and energy sectors. Key to note, this is the lowest the Kenyan shilling has ever…
  • - T-bills were undersubscribed, with the overall subscription rate coming in at 54.4 percent, down from 116.3 percent recorded the previous week. The dipping of the T-Bills was partly attributable to the tightened liquidity in the money market with the average interbank rates rising to 4.6 percent,…
  • - Fresh Produce Consortium Kenya, the leading organization committed to promoting the production and supply of high-quality fresh horticultural produce in Kenya, has created an avocado and banana digital communication and marketing strategy. The strategy is intended to address the information…
  • - Choice Microfinance Bank has been admitted to the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), raising KBA’s membership to 39 commercial banks and seven microfinance banks. Currently, the industry’s umbrella body and financial sector advocacy group — representing total assets of more than Ksh 6 trillion (USD…
  • - If you thought witch doctors were only used to cause harm to the society, you better reconsider your thoughts as a witch doctor in Botsotso, Kakamega county, used his magical powers to track down livestock thieves and bring them to book. In an incident that brought activities in Emusanda village to…
  • - Kenya imports about 80 percent of honey from other countries. With the demand for honey ever sky-rocketing, the local market is only able to provide 20 percent of the much-needed honey. This is despite the fact that Kenya has a huge potential for self-reliance in terms of beekeeping and honey…
  • - Small and Medium Enterprises have continued to drive Kenya’s growth. Nairobi, which contributes significantly to the country’s GDP, houses a number of these businesses. From small traders who own minimarts and hardware in Gikomba, Kamukunji, Kariokor, and in the estates to manufacturers along…
  • - Guinness launched its new campaign “Black Shines Brightest” in October a platform that celebrates African creativity, entrepreneurialism, and individualism. As part of this campaign, Guinness is now taking to the bars to host a series of parties in 14 regions across the country   to showcase what…
  • - According to a timetable released by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), The pioneer grade 6 pupils will sit for their KPSEA, under the Competency-Based Curriculum beginning 28th November 2022. About 1.24 million students, who will be the first cohort of learners to join Junior Secondary…
  • - As the world awaits the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November. Women in sports like me, spectators, and fans will be excited to watch the first men’s world cup to have three female referees officiate. The FIFA World Cup trophy is on a two-day tour in Kenya, from May 26 to 27 through […] The post…
  • - SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv Supa can look forward to the final of the UEFA Champions League, which sees Liverpool and Real Madrid battle to be crowned kings of Europe at the Stade de France just outside Paris on the evening of Saturday 28 May 2022. DStv and GOtv are the only true home of…
  • - On Thursday, representatives from 25 African Coffee growing countries during the G25 Coffee Summit in Nairobi signed the ‘Nairobi Declaration’, an agreement that seeks to have Coffee included in the list of strategic commodities in harmony with AU Agenda 2063. The three-day summit organized by the…