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Articles by Scola Kamau
Air traffic controllers in full flight from EA airports' poor
Currently, even headteachers are discouraged from resorting to corporal punishment. By September 13, South Sudan owed the EAC over $27 million.
Comesa’s new plan to lock out sugar imports cartels
“An ad hoc technical working committee should be convened not later than June 30, to thoroughly deal with the draft criteria for allocating country-specific quotas, and the draft criteria for determining that an industry is an infant,” reads a resolution of the Comesa Council of Ministers passed last month when it extended quotas for its members to sell duty-free sugar to Kenya to 2016.
Kenya picks PR firm to revive tourism, improve investment
The Kenya ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism has appointed Grayling PR and events consulting company, a subsidiary of Huntsworth PLC, to promote the country’s tourism sector amidst recent cases of insecurity and corruption. Kenya is hoping to ride on Grayling worldwide networks of offices across the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Delayed sugar privatisation has led to high production costs
Kenya's Finance Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich has said that the country is paying the price of delaying sugar privatisation. Tanzania, in 1998, 1999 and 2002, privatised the Kilombero, Mtibwa and Kagera sugar companies respectively. In 2006, Uganda privatised the Kinyara sugar factory. It costs $950 to produce a tonne of sugar in Kenya, compared with $750 in Uganda.
Netflix brings opportunities for ISPs and media producers in the region
The entry of Netflix — an American multinational provider of on-demand Internet streaming media — into the African market brings with it a mixed bag of fortunes and challenges for viewers, Internet service providers, content producers and pay TV providers. But the elephant in the room remains Internet speed and pricey data plans.
KQ cuts fleet, sends 600 employees home
Kenya Airways will reduce its fleet costs by Ksh700 million ($7 million) per month with the sale of its aircraft as the airline continues implementing its turnaround strategy. The airline is expected to begin talks with workers’ unions on how jobs cut will be done. “A series of meetings are lined up and each group will present its case.
Kenya buys out Essar, prepares for handling of Turkana oil
Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd in Changamwe, Mombasa. The refinery has received a lifeline after the government placed it under the management of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) by buying out Essar Ltd. PHOTO | FILE The Kenya Petroleum Refinery Ltd (KPRL) has received a lifeline after the government placed it under the management of Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) by buying out Essar Ltd.
Iranian firms plan to grow rice, corn and wheat in the region
Iranian companies are looking to lease land in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania for large-scale food production to serve the local and export markets. According to Hadi Farajvand, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kenya, more than 10 Iranian companies have expressed interest in growing and processing rice, corn and wheat in East Africa.
Iran seeks to revive stalled oil deal with Kenya
Kenya pulled the plug on the 80,000 barrels a year deal in 2012 for fear of breaching US sanctions on Iran over its nuclear ambitions. PHOTO | TEA GRAPHIC Iran is looking to revive a stalled crude oil deal with Kenya, and is courting other East Africa countries to import its refined products, plans that could cause discomfort in the West even though economic sanctions against the Middle Eastern country were lifted two weeks ago.
Simbox fraud hits East Africa’s one network area, eats into telecom revenue
The differences in cost of termination of international calls within the four countries compared with other countries like South Africa and Nigeria are what have attracted fraudsters. Analysts say fraudsters could be rerouting traffic meant for Uganda to the other ONA countries where charges are lower, thereby enjoying the $0.05 difference at the expense of the mobile companies and the government.
East Africa: EA Currencies to Fall Further Against Dollar
By Scola KamauA slowdown in dollar inflows into the East African economies will see currencies depreciate further in 2016, says a report by StartLink. According to the global financial advisory company, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda will see their currencies pressured by the US Fed hike, falling commodity prices and strained international relations.
EA currencies to fall further against dollar
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda will see their currencies pressured by the US Fed hike. TEA GRAPHIC | FILE A slowdown in dollar inflows into the East African economies will see currencies depreciate further in 2016, says a report by StartLink. According to the global financial advisory company, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda will see their currencies pressured by the US Fed hike, falling commodity prices and strained international relations.
Kenya Airways losing millions of dollars in buddy passes racket
Kenya Airways workers exploit loopholes in vetting to sell complimentary seats, cargo space to traders for a fraction of ticket prices. TEA GRAPHIC Kenya Airways could be losing millions of dollars in revenue through an incentive scheme for employees to travel around the world even as it offloads surplus aircraft in a bid to stay afloat. The scheme targeting the airline’s 4,000 employees allows each of them two free flights in a year, each accompanied by four other passengers.
EA states to roll out faster Internet speeds but rules pose a hurdle
Different guidelines could hamper adoption of same spectrum for 4G in a bid to provide seamless services for travelling customers. TEA GRAPHIC | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP East African governments are intensifying investments in fast speed (4G) Internet but navigating the regulations of each country could pose a hurdle for those targeting seamless services across the region.
East Africa: EA States to Roll Out Faster Internet Speeds but Rules Pose a Hurdle
By Scola KamauEast African governments are intensifying investments in fast speed (4G) Internet but navigating the regulations of each country could pose a hurdle for those targeting seamless services across the region.
Global brands boost East Africa’s mall business
An artist’s impression of Two Rivers mall in Nairobi. Mall owners are seeking international retailers to boost income. PHOTO | FILE Investors in the region’s mall business are struggling to boost their returns, despite the fact that the sector is growing, with a number of new developments coming up. Retailers prefer prime space in capital cities and their suburbs, but as the latter get saturated, developers are finding it difficult to entice anchor tenants, whom they rely on to buy space.
Five Southern Africa countries to plug sugar deficit in Kenya
Comesa quota system has brought to an end to nine months of first come first served trade that started in February 2015. PHOTO | FILE Five Southern African countries are the beneficiaries of duty-free sugar exports to Kenya approved under the new Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa quota deal.
Heads of state visits, global meets boost East Africa tourism
East African states need to do more to capitalise on the high profile visits made by heads of state and conference tourists. The countries will need to maintain this momentum in order to boost their tourism revenues. “The Pope’s visit to Kenya and Uganda was a huge endorsement for the region and a major boost to the tourism industry,” said Kenya’s former EAC Cabinet Secretary Phylis Kandie. His visit follows a series of other global conferences and visits to Kenya by prominent persons.
Owners of unclaimed assets to get over $51m
George Kirigwi’s face lights up as he looks at the promissory note of Ksh120,000 ($1,200) that he has received from the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority. For more than a decade, he had dutifully paid premiums on a life cover with the Kenya National Assurance Company which collapsed in 1991. He had cut his losses and moved on despite being bitter with the mismanagement that pushed the underwriter into liquidation.
Global chains to compete with Kenyan retailers
An artist’s impression of the Two Rivers mall which is being built in Nairobi. It will be the largest mall in East Africa when completed early next year, and will house French supermarket Carrefour.
Uchumi’s new CEO unveils raft of turnaround plans
Uchumi Supermarkets Group CEO Dr Julius Kipng’etich at a company function. He is flanked by director Margaret Kositany and COO Willy Kimani. PHOTO | FILE Uchumi Supermarkets will reopen its stores in Kenya and fully restock them by the first quarter of 2016 while its Ugandan and Tanzanian businesses could be considered for a strategic partnership as the regional retail chain seeks to turn around its performance.
Fastjet inches closer to Kenyan airspace
The low-cost carrier has been granted an Air Service Licence by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. PHOTO | FILE The licence clears the way for Fastjet to apply for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) which, once received, will allow the airline to operate domestic flights within Kenya, putting it into direct competition with Fly540 and Kenya Airways’ Jambojet.
Tourism, visas and air transport talks set for this month
Tanzania and Kenya have previously accused each other of closing the skies for airlines seeking to launch new routes. PHOTO | TEA GRAPHIC | NATION MEDIA GROUP Kenya and Tanzania will this month hold talks on operation of tour vans across their borders, disparity in visa and school fees, cross border movement and air transport. “Bilateral Air Services Agreements and access to the airports are top on the agenda.
Tower management firms scramble for stake in Africa
As competition increases, telcos are opting for sale-and-leaseback arrangements for masts in order to raise funds for operations. PHOTO | TEA GRAPHIC Tower management companies are scrambling for a stake in Africa as more telecommunication firms opt for sale-and-leaseback, in order to raise funds for operations in an increasingly competitive sector.
Kenya plans to merge two sugar firms, writes off $337m debt
Cane being offloaded at Chemelil sugar factory. Chemelil will be merged with Muhoroni ahead of privatisation. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP Kenya will write off the debts owed to three sugar companies that are under receivership, and convert those of two others into equity loans. Private investors will then be invited to inject money into the companies in September. Two companies — Chemelil and Muhoroni — will be merged under a privatisation plan seen by The EastAfrican.
EAC funding under threat as Nkurunziza starts new term
The EAC faces a funding crisis that could see many of its projects stall as donors call for the isolation of Burundi. FILE PHOTO | TEA GRAPHIC | NATION MEDIA GROUP As Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza begins his controversial third term in office, the whole of East Africa will soon feel the effects of a donor freeze occasioned by his decision to extend his stay in power. The EAC faces a funding crisis that could see many of its projects stall as donors call for the isolation of Burundi.
China 'denies' Kenyans visa - News
Hundreds of Kenyans have been queuing outside the Chinese embassy in Nairobi seeking visas to the Asian country without success. At 11am Friday, dozens of Kenyans were camping outside the embassy conversing in low tones. Others were leaning on the walls close to the gate as they pondered their next move after being denied entry into the embassy. There is no place to rest or sit outside the embassy.
KQ services unattractive to travellers, probe finds
A Select Parliamentary Committee says Kenya Airways made its service unattractive to customers through high ticket prices and frequent flight cancellations despite intense competition among airlines.
KQ services unattractive to travellers, probe finds
A Select Parliamentary Committee says Kenya Airways made its service unattractive to customers through high ticket prices and frequent flight cancellations despite intense competition among airlines.
Kenya awaits audit in bid for direct flights to US
Kenya’s hopes of securing direct flights to the United States depend on the findings of an audit on whether its regulations provide for effective supervision of airlines. Bilateral talks between Kenya and the US concluded that civil aviation authorities in the two countries would expedite the removal of procedural hurdles that have held back the start of direct flights, which has limited trade between the two regions, especially in the areas of tourism and perishable products.
Global retailers eye EA market but informal shops dominate
Shoppers at Game store in the newly built Garden City Mall in Nairobi when it opened shop on May 28, 2015. Retail chain investment in East Africa follows a global evolutionary path that has seen modern trade retailers establish operations in developing markets.
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