KBC Channel 1

Author: Ronald Owili

  • Kenya unveils payment gateway to boost tourism earnings

    Kenya unveils payment gateway to boost tourism earnings

    The government has unveiled TouristTap, a digital payment platform, aimed at easing transactions for visitors and boosting revenue collection across Kenya’s tourism ecosystem.

    The new platform which links users debit cards with local payment channels such as mobile money used mostly by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the sector is expected to offer seamless transactions and boost earnings.

    Speaking on Wednesday during the launch, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the innovation as a timely solution that will enhance convenience, transparency, and efficiency in the sector.

    “Today, we take an important step towards a more connected, innovative and globally competitive tourism sector,” said Miano.

    TouristTap addresses long-standing payment challenges faced by tourists, particularly in informal settings where card payments are often not accepted.

    “Every touch point of a visitor’s journey, from airport to accommodation, from park entry to local markets will become smoother, more modern and user-friendly,” she added.

    Miano emphasized that tourism remains a key pillar for growth, noting that the sector contributed an estimated Ksh 500 billion to the economy and supported some three million jobs both directly and indirectly last year.

    The platform will enable the government to capture more accurate data on tourist spending, particularly within the informal sector, thereby informing policy and economic planning.

    “This innovation will boost our economy significantly and position Kenya as a modern, tech-driven economy,” said Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary for Trade.

    According to Craft Silicon Chief Executive Officer, Kamal Budhabhatti, the platform allows tourists to use their smartphones to make payments by simply tapping their bank cards which is captured via the app allowing users to pay via mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa or directly to bank accounts.

    “A tourist will download the app on their phone, tap their card on the device, and complete transactions instantly,” said Budhabhatti.

    Lasts year, Kenya recorded 7.9 million visitors out of which international tourists were 2.7 million while domestic tourists were 5.2 million.

  • Bus companies begin fare hikes after sharp increase in fuel prices

    Bus companies begin fare hikes after sharp increase in fuel prices

    Travellers across the country are now staring at elevate prices of goods and services following a sharp increase in pump prices announced on Tuesday.

    Despite the move by the National Treasury to reduce Value Added Tax on fuel from 16pc to 13pc until July 14th to cushion consumers from elevated prices,  the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced increase in pump prices where a litre of super petrol and diesel has risen by Ksh 28.69 and Ksh 40.30 respectively, while kerosene remained unchanged.

    On Wednesday, various bus companies were reported to have reviewed upwards their fare charges which have been triggered by the fuel increase currently in effect until May 14, 2026.

    ENA Coach which operates a fleet of buses from Nairobi to various parts of the country published its revised fares which will now see Kenyans paying more to travel.

    In a public notice, the bus company announced up to Ksh 500 increase in bus fares to various destinations across the country owing to pump price changes.

    “Following the recent fuel price review announced by EPRA, we have undertaken careful operational assessment and implemented a necessary adjustment to our fare structure to sustain service quality across all routes,” said the firm in a statement.

    The increase in prices has been triggered by the ongoing war between the United States and Israel against Iran affecting oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz.

    Kenya which sources its petroleum products from Gulf countries under the Government-to-Government agreement since 2023 experienced significant rise in prices of imported fuel.

    The price of imported super petrol rose by 41.53pc, diesel by 68.72pc and kerosene by 105.15pc last month despite authorities assuring the country of sufficient stock.

    According to EPRA, Ksh 6.2 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund has also been utilize to stabilize prices.

    However, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) already warned that if the shocks on global energy prices persist as a result of the ongoing conflict, inflation could peak to 6.2pc by July this year from 4.4pc recorded last month.

    “Higher energy prices is expected to affect negatively the performance of key sectors such as manufacturing, transport and storage, accommodation and food services and well as wholesale and retail trade sectors. The disruption is also expected to affect the exports and imports of our goods and services,” said Dr Kamau Thugge, CBK Governor.

    At Ksh 229.15 per litre of super petrol, Ksh 229.02 and Ksh 174.96 for a litre of diesel and kerosene respectively, Mandera residents are now paying the highest amount at the pump after the review by the petroleum regulator.

  • Rolls-Royce launches new two-seater electric car

    Rolls-Royce launches new two-seater electric car

    Luxury car maker Rolls-Royce has unveiled a new two-seater electric convertible model.

    The BMW-owned company said it will create just 100 of the Project Nightingale cars and will be hand-built at the Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood, West Sussex, with deliveries anticipated to start in 2028.

    Being pure electric means there will be “virtually no mechanical noise”, the company said.

    Last month, Rolls-Royce scrapped its pledge to only sell pure-electric cars from 2030, adding it would continue to offer vehicles with petrol engines beyond that date.

    Rolls-Royce said Project Nightingale will measure 5.76m, which is roughly the same length as its flagship four- or five-seater saloon, Phantom.

    It added it would have a long bonnet to give it a “torpedo-shaped form”, drawing inspiration from the company’s experimental cars of the 1920s, known as EX models, and the Art Deco era.

    Chris Brownridge, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “Some of the most discerning Rolls-Royce clients in the world asked us for our most ambitious work.

    “We responded by bringing three things together that have never co-existed in our brand: the complete design freedom of coachbuilding, our powerful, near-silent all-electric powertrain, and a uniquely potent yet serene expression of open-top motoring.”

    Brownbridge adds Project Nightingale is the “most extravagant expression of what Rolls-Royce is capable of today”.

    While the company does not publicly disclose the price of its cars, it said Project Nightingale would sit between its Private Commission and Coachbuild products, which have been estimated to cost more than £500,000 and £20m respectively.

  • Substandard fuel is in the market, Senators told

    Substandard fuel is in the market, Senators told

    The Ksh 2.9 billion fuel scandal has taken a new twist with the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) now finding itself at the heart of the saga.

    On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Energy, probing the scandal established that a waiver request was submitted on March 26th for the over 60,000 metric tonnes of contaminated fuel, yet KPC proceeded to offload the cargo the following day, prior to approval was by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui on March 28th.

    KPC Acting Managing Director Pius Mwendwa who was hard pressed to explain the sequence of events that occasioned the loss, further revealed that the contaminated product is already in the market.

    Senators raised fresh concerns over the handling of a controversial fuel importation, questioning the sequence of events surrounding the waiver request and subsequent cargo offloading.

    The Lawmakers further deduced that the Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi was in the know despite informing Members of Parliament on Monday that he was unaware of the shipment of the contaminated fuel.

    Mwendwa confirmed that there is enough fuel in the country, with leaders calling on the government to reduce the VAT on the vital Commodity.

    Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro says the three Government officials who were arrested in connection with the scandal are yet to be held accountable.

    The Oil Company involved in the scandal, One Petroleum Limited, was a no-show and requested the Committee for 30 days to prepare and appear before it.

  • James Maina appointed Acting Director General Vision 2030

    James Maina appointed Acting Director General Vision 2030

    James Maina has been appointed as the Acting Director General of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat (VDS) with immediate effect amid looming restructuring.

    This follows the exit of Kenneth Mwige who has proceeded on terminal leave on the first of this month as his contract ends on June 30, 2026.

    Until his appointment, Maina served as the Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Public Investment Management Directorate at the State Department for Economic Planning.

    “Over the course of his career, Mr. Maina has played a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s development agenda. He coordinated the preparation of the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) and was instrumental in the development of the Third Medium Term Plan (MTP III) under the Kenya Vision 2030 framework. Additionally, he has overseen country reporting on the Africa Agenda 2063 First Ten-Year Implementation Plan (FTYIP),” said Dr. Haron Komen, SDEP’s Administrative Secretary.

    Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Nzai said Maina is expected to play an instrumental role in coordinating implementation of the plan as the organization embarks on restructuring within the next three months.

    Maina highlighted his experience in the development and implementation of the Kenya Vision 2030 beginning with successes of Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation (ERSWEC) 2003 – 2007.

    “I am greatly honored for the opportunity to lead VDS in this critical moment of the MTP IV – BETA implementation and commit to work diligently with the Board, Staff, SDEP and implementing Ministries Department and Agencies,” he said.

    The restructuring is expected to make the board and the secretariat “fit for purpose” in the final acceleration phase of implementation of final Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) – Bottom up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and development of the next long-term blueprint.

  • Moses Wekesa appointed new KAA chief executive

    Moses Wekesa appointed new KAA chief executive

    The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has appointed Moses Wekesa as the new chief executive officer and managing director.

    While making the announcement, KAA Board Chairman Iltasayon Neepe said the Wekesa emerged as the ideal candidate to drive its ambitious agenda during the competitive recruitment process.

    He replaces Dr. Mohamud Gedi who has been serving the position in an acting capacity.

    Wekesa who is a former KenGen executive is credit for managing high-impact projects in various markets in Europe, Pacific, Africa and Asia.

    “His expertise extends to the wider infrastructure sector, equipping him to advance Kenya’s aviation infrastructure,” said Neepe in a statement.

    Wekesa holds among others, Bachelors of Science degree in Engineering from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nairobi.

    He is expected to help the authority in delivering some of its key projects including the modernization and expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

  • Kenya to resume commercial oil export by year end

    Kenya to resume commercial oil export by year end

    Kenya expects commercial crude oil exports from South Lokichar in Turkana County to begin by December this year according to the energy ministry.

    Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said Gulf Energy which acquired interest in oil fields in region from Tullow Oil will embark on commercial drilling of crude oil as the firm commences operations in the oil-rich region.

    “The company involved has given us assurance as late as last week that they are on course. In fact on 24th April I will be travelling to Lokichar to officiate ground breaking of operations by Gulf Energy,” said Wandayi when he appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee o

    Last year, Gulf Energy through its subsidiary, Auron Energy E&P Limited acquired Tullow Oil’s entire portfolio of assets held by Tullow Kenya valued at Ksh 15.5 billion ($120m).

    The acquisition which was signed in July last year has seen Gulf Energy get access to 463 million barrels of oil in the South Lokichar Basin which Kenya is keen on exploiting.

    “We are confident that by the end of this year, before 31 December we shall have the first tranche of crude oil moving to the Port of Mombasa for export,” added Wandayi.

    At the same time, Kenya is also exploring a number of options put forward by private firms for establishment of an oil refinery.

    “We are getting a number of proposals from various private partners who would wish to invest this and we are telling them as government that if mathematics adds, we shall support them in the usual way. Kenya is achieving an historic milestone in terms of production of petroleum for export,” noted Wandayi.

    Under the Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS) which was conducted by Tullow Oil and its local partners in 2018, Kenya exported 2,000 barrels of oil to Mobasa Port by trucks in what was expected to Amosing 1 and Ngamia 1 wells in South Lokichar Basin.

    The exercise was expected to help the country in analyzing its capacity to export the product a Kenya awaits full development of its upstream infrastructure.

    The move comes as Kenya face supply shocks which has been occasioned by the war in Gulf with Kenya now exploring long term solutions to secure its energy flow.

  • Kajiado County motorists cry foul as fuel prices hiked to Ksh 450

    Kajiado County motorists cry foul as fuel prices hiked to Ksh 450

    A transport crisis is looming in Ilbissil town, Kajiado County, as a severe fuel shortage pushes petrol prices to as high as Ksh 450 per litre, paralyzing normal operations.

    Residents of the small town along the Nairobi–Namanga Highway say transport activities have been significantly disrupted, with most vehicles grounded due to shortage of fuel.

    Motorists and boda boda operators have accused some petrol station owners of hoarding fuel to create an artificial shortage and exploit the situation.

    Reports indicate that fuel tankers have continued to deliver supplies to stations in the area, raising suspicion among residents who claim the commodity is not being dispensed through pumps.

    “We have just witnessed a tanker delivering fuel to one of the petrol stations, but they are not selling it at the pump. Instead, it is being siphoned into small containers and sold along the roadside at an exorbitant price of Ksh 450 per litre. They are also dispensing fuel in bulk to specific individuals at night,” lamented George Kimani, a matatu operator.

    The motorists say the situation has severely affected transport operations, forcing them to transfer the high fuel costs to passengers.

    “We can only access fuel at normal prices in Kajiado and Namanga towns. We do not understand why Ilbissil is the only area affected,” said Ian Makau, a boda boda rider.

    Before the shortage, petrol was retailing at an average of Ksh 176 per litre. Residents have warned that transport and business activities could soon grind to a halt if urgent action is not taken.

    “It is unfortunate that petrol station owners are hoarding fuel. Transport and businesses that depend on fuel will soon be crippled if the government does not intervene,” said Ian Leyian, a resident.

    This comes as EPRA said it has issued 25 show cause letters to various filling stations who were found to be manipulating prices.

    EPRA has similarly warned of severe action on Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) who are violating their licensing conditions.

    They have now called on the regulator to investigate the alleged hoarding and take action against those exploiting the crisis.

  • Founder of China’s Evergrande pleads guilty to fraud

    Founder of China’s Evergrande pleads guilty to fraud

    Hui Ka Yan, the founder of embattled Chinese property developer Evergrande, has pleaded guilty to a number of charges including embezzlement of corporate assets and corporate bribery, according to a statement issued by the court.

    Hui expressed remorse during the public hearing on 13 and 14 April, in the city of Shenzhen, according to Chinese state media.

    The court said it will announce its verdict on the case at a later date.

    His guilty plea marks a pivotal moment in the fallout from Evergrande’s collapse, which has shaken China’s property sector and left investors and domestic banks reeling.

    Evergrande was once China’s biggest real estate firm, with a stock market valuation of more than $50bn (£37bn), Evergrande collapsed into a debt-driven crisis in 2021 that has unravelled its business.

    The court heard that the company had taken millions of dollars in pre-sale funding from potential house buyers that were not used for construction. Instead the funds were diverted to new projects which resulted in hundreds of unfinished properties across China.

    Hui, also known as Xu Jiayin, rose from humble beginnings in rural China, where he was raised by his grandmother before venturing into property development and setting up Evergrande in 1996.

    Evergrande’s downfall has often been cited as a trigger for China’s persistent property market slump, which spiralled downwards in 2021 and has weighed heavily on the country’s economic development.

    At the time of its collapse, Evergrande had around 1,300 projects in the works across 280 cities in China.

    Evergrande became known as the world’s most indebted property developer after much of its empire was built on $300bn of borrowed money.

    But its business was dealt a blow when Beijing introduced new rules in 2020 to control property debt in the country, leading Evergrande to sell its properties at big discounts to ensure that money was coming in.

    In March 2024, Mr Hui was fined $6.5m and banned from China’s capital market for life for his company overstating its revenue by $78bn.

    Hui was once Asia’s richest person with a fortune estimated at $42.5bn in 2017, according to a list of the continent’s wealthiest people compiled by Forbes.

    His company grew rapidly, lifted by an economic boom in China that was driven by heavy borrowing.

    The business empire expanded beyond property and into making electric cars and food and drinks. The firm also bought a majority stake in Guangzhou FC, which became China’s top football team.

    Evergrande’s stock market valuation shrank by 99% before its shares were taken off the Hong Kong exchange in August 2025 after more than a decade and a half of trading.

  • EPRA identifies 25 petrol stations manipulating pump prices

    EPRA identifies 25 petrol stations manipulating pump prices

    Twenty five petrol station operating across the country risk heavy penalties after initial investigations by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) found them to be engaging in manipulation of pump prices.

    EPRA Acting Director General Joseph Oketch said the regulator on April 8 issued show cause letter to the 25 oil marketing companies as crackdown on rogue retailers intensifies.

    “We issued 25 show cause letters to OMCs whom our team on the ground found had some malpractices. Some of them were selling products above the recommended pump prices which we had announced as EPRA and actions are being take as required,” said Oketch.

    Oketch who appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Energy together with Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said despite the shortage being reported in various parts of the country, there is sufficient fuel stock to last the country at least two weeks.

    “We do have sufficient stocks for super petrol for the next two week. Tomorrow there is a vessel which will be berthing to discharge 50,000 cubic metres. The way stocks work is on a replenishment model, as you evacuate a ship comes and discharges. It is already confirmed that the ships will be able to sustain the market for the longest,” he added.

    Speaking before the committee, Wandayi assured the committee that the government is tageting to take serious actions against companies causing artificial shortage of the commodity.

    According to Wandayi, Kenya currently has in its terminals and depots, 183,318 cubic metres of super petrol, 172,760 cubic metres of diesel and 113,575 cubic metres of jet fuel with more shipments scheduled in coming days under the G-to-G framework.

    “We shall not just stop at sending show cause letters. We have agreed with EPRA that very severe action in accordance with the law will be taken against entities that are found to have violated their licensing conditions,” said Wandayi.

    Among petrol stations under the authority’s radar include Peter Lusweti Filling Station, Station One Filling, Zabco, Milimani Filling Station in Kitale, Equipetrol Filling Station and M7 Kibaruti Filling Station.

    The Committee chaired by David Gikaria also noted the need for the country to embark on empowering the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) to meet its mandate of building fuel reserves as per Legal Notice No. 43 of 2008.

    Under the notice, the state owned oil marketing firm is charged with ensuring the country has enough strategic stocks to last the country 90 days as per global best practices.

    However due to limited funding challenges, Kenya currently does not have strategic reserves the country can rely on in case of volatility in the global oil market.

    “We are yet to establish fuel reserves. We are working very closely, because we have received proposals from various private players who would want to partner with the government to establish contingency storage facilities in Mombasa but as at now, the country relies on fuel as it comes based on schedule agreed upon,” added Wandayi.

    Since last week, various regions have been hit with fuel shortages paralyzing transport as motorists line to secure the commodity despite assurances by the country has sufficient fuel in stock.