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Saccos struggle to lend mortgages as loans drop by Sh2.7 billion

Kenyan Saccos’ mortgage disbursements fell by 26.75 per cent to Sh7.47 billion in 2025, despite land and housing remaining their largest lending sector.

By Graham Kajilwa 12 days ago

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More pain for Kenyans as CBK warns of price increases

Fresh packaged milk, green peas, and cabbage are among the food items that may no longer feature on the menus of most Kenyans as food inflation deepens, new data shows.

By Graham Kajilwa 17 days ago

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Bad loans hit Sh60b as Sacco regulator blames non-remittance of dues

In the report, unremitted funds related to loan payments have almost doubled from Sh1.68 billion in 2023 to Sh3.04 billion in 2025.

By Graham Kajilwa 20 days ago

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Ruto's tax cut plan a relief for workers but revenue headache for Treasury

A relief on PAYE, while noble to workers already cash-trapped due to new or enhanced taxes, raises questions about which other ways the hole will be filled.

By Graham Kajilwa 20 days ago

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Why banks are holding on to physical branches

Yet despite the billions invested in technology-enabled banking, the need for face-to-face interaction between banks and their customers remains.

By Graham Kajilwa 23 days ago

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Economic pressures, taxes threaten survival of private sector based Saccos

In its latest industry report, Sasra notes this stunted membership growth in the private sector space, citing diminished employment opportunities.

By Graham Kajilwa 27 days ago

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How StanChart deliberately became a tier-two lender

Standard Chartered is shifting towards wealthy clients and digital banking, with branch closures and a shrinking market share pushing it into CBK’s tier-two category.

By Graham Kajilwa 28 days ago

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Deposit-taking Saccos' assets hit Sh1tr as loans outpace deposits

Kenya’s regulated SACCOs hit Sh1.2 trillion in assets in 2025, as loan growth outpaced deposits, prompting calls for stronger savings mobilisation.

By Graham Kajilwa 29 days ago

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Pay rent or buy food? The dilemma haunting Kenyan families

Rising housing costs are forcing many Kenyan households to sacrifice food, healthcare, education and savings just to keep a roof over their heads.

By Graham Kajilwa 30 days ago

Housing policy fails to translate into decent homes, report shows

Kenya’s expanding housing policy is failing to fully translate into decent homes for low-income families

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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James Mwangi appointed to global development commission

James Mwangi has been appointed to a 20-member global commission tasked with reshaping cooperation between the Global South and North and influencing the post-2030 development agenda.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Banks tighten lending to stem resurgence in bad loans

The prevailing economic conditions have made banks more risk-averse when extending credit to customers.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

Safaricom unveils Shari'ah compliant Ziidi MMF

CMA says that in the recent past, Kenya has seen increasing interest in such faith-based financial instruments, an area that is also gaining momentum globally.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

Private sector lending drags as banks lean on State securities

Kenyan banks increased their investment in government securities significantly in 2025, with the amount invested growing much faster than loans to customers.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Burundi emerges as fastest-growing bank market as DRC crosses Sh1 trillion mark in bank assets

Burundi has emerged as the fastest-growing market by assets for Kenyan bank subsidiaries despite its dismal share of overall profitability.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Kenya Power turns the heat on homeowners for rooftop solar installations

Kenya Power is pushing for mandatory battery-storage standards and tighter controls on grid-connected rooftop solar, citing risks to infrastructure, grid stability and maintenance workers.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Lenders tighten mortgage loans tap amid ballooning bad loans

Mortgage accounts with more than one missed payment more than doubled in 2025, pointing to the financial strain a majority of Kenyans are experiencing amid prevailing economic conditions.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Why banks are slowly winning the turf war against mobile money

Mobile money transactions dipped 30 per cent in 2025 as more Kenyans embraced alternative media away from the traditional agency-facilitated channels to pay for goods and services.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Mortgage market records robust growth despite affordability hurdles

Kenya’s mortgage market expanded in 2025, with lower average mortgage rates and longer repayment periods, although affordability and high property costs remain major barriers to homeownership.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Uganda tops East Africa peers in industrial property returns

Uganda is leading the East African industrial property market with prime yields of up to 13 per cent, driven by manufacturing, logistics, and oil and gas activity.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Kenyan banks becoming engine behind East Africa's economic growth

Kenya’s economic growth is trailing its East African peers, raising questions about why the region’s largest economy has struggled to keep pace.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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How tariff regime has slowed Kenya Power's revenue growth

Kenya Power’s profit rose to Sh24.99 billion in the year to June 2026, but revenue growth lagged behind a sharp increase in electricity sales, with the utility blaming the existing tariff regime.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Mortgage lenders look beyond payslips to expand Kenya's housing market

KMRC chief finance officer Nyale Yanga called for the use of alternative credit scoring models that consider non-traditional data such as rental payments or utility bills to assess creditworthiness

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

National Infrastructure Fund targets pension funds for projects

National Infrastructure Fund CEO James Mworia says the private sector can participate directly in the country’s development agenda by mobilising and directing capital towards projects.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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StanChart unveils investment option for the rich

The platform is intended to offer clients greater flexibility in their investment choices.

By Graham Kajilwa 1 month ago

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Retirees boost demand for gated communities amid housing supply imbalance

Gated communities are being preferred for their safety and security selling point, while prime apartments are suitable for retirees seeking to downsize after their children grow out.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

Civil servants' pension fund eyes brand clarity, new products in diversification strategy

The Public Service Superannuation Fund (PSSF) plans to introduce mortgage and post-retirement medical savings products as part of its diversification strategy.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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Civil servants' pension fund eyes new products in turnaround plan

The Public Service Superannuation Fund plans to diversify with mortgage and post-retirement medical savings products, attract contract workers and adopt PSSF as its official brand.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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Healthcare outlets outpace supermarkets in retail expansion

 A report from real estate consultancy Knight Frank has singled out Goodlife Pharmacy as one of these healthcare providers.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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How US state-level pacts seek to unlock US-Kenya trade

US state-level partnerships could give Kenyan businesses more targeted routes into the American market while opening opportunities for agricultural trade, expertise and technology exchange.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

PSSF fund grows to Sh340.4b on investment diversification

Pension benefits under the Public Service Superannuation Fund (PSSF) grew by 41.08 per cent, closing the June 2026 period at Sh340.4 billion.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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How Kenya's informal workers hold the key to unlocking the housing market

Successive regimes have not been able to crack Kenya’s housing demand, even with the current 1.5 per cent housing levy imposed on workers.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

Gachagua's bombshell on harassment of small-scale traders

Former DP Rigathi Gachagua has accused a covert police unit of unlawfully raiding and harassing small-scale LPG traders.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

World Bank sanctions e-Citizen founder over fraudulent Somalia deal

eCitizen Founder James Ayugi and his firm Webmasters Kenya Ltd have been sanctioned by the  World Bank over fraudulent practices in a tendering process involving Sh12.7 million

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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The soda defence: How government is selling Kenya's economic recovery

The data shows soft drink production in 2025 stood at 703.7 million litres compared to 671.1 million litres in 2024, which was also an improvement from 580.5 million in 2023

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

Selection of transaction advisor paves way for national lottery rollout

Kenyans will be able to participate in the national lottery starting April 2027, if plans by the National Lottery Board to procure an operator remain on schedule.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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How bid to formalise small businesses is doing more harm than good

A study cited by Prof Hiroyuki Hino argues that Kenya’s drive to formalise small businesses and bring them into the tax system could undermine the informal practices.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

Relief for Kenyans as EPRA announces reduced fuel prices

The drop is seen as a move by the government to tame runaway inflation that settled at 6.5 per cent in July.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

Sanlam's half-year profit hits Sh124m

Listed financial services provider Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) quadrupled its net profit to Sh124.6 million in the half-year period ended June 2026.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago

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How Ruto is putting roadblocks on bumpy road to Singapore

Kenya’s new Singapore ambition faces scrutiny as experts warn that household incomes, education, health and basic services must improve alongside infrastructure.

By Graham Kajilwa 2 months ago