Author: user user

’Victory Round’ to be held in Azerbaijan Premier League on November 6-8

The 21st round of the Azerbaijan Premier League has been designated the ‘Victory Round’ to mark the sith anniversary of the historic victory achieved in the 2020 Patriotic War.

The Professional Football League of Azerbaijan announced the decision.

Under the initiative, Azerbaijan’s national anthem will be performed before all matches scheduled for November 6-8 as part of the 21st round.

The initiative aims to commemorate the anniversary of the victory and honour the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visit AIRE 2026 ehibition [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

On November 4, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva visited AIRE 2026, the 1st Azerbaijan International Real Estate Ehibition, at the Baku Epo Center.

Organized by PASHA Property Management, the ehibition brings together 61 companies, including 47 local and 14 foreign entities.

By an Order of the head of state, 2026 was declared the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan. The organization of the ehibition once again demonstrates the attention paid at the state level to the development of the real estate, architecture and construction sectors in Azerbaijan.

The ehibition provides a platform for people seeking to purchase homes, improve their living conditions or invest in real estate, as well as major investors, company representatives and industry professionals. It also plays an important role in promoting dialogue among real estate market participants, facilitating the echange of eperience and eploring new opportunities for cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva toured the stand of PMD Group.

Operating since 2013, PMD Group is engaged in real estate investment, project development and management across the residential, commercial and public and social infrastructure sectors. The company provides a range of services across its core areas of operation, including construction and project management, architecture and design, real estate management, sales and leasing, and logistics and warehousing.

PMD Group and its subsidiaries have built Victory Park in the capital and implemented numerous major projects across Baku, the Absheron Peninsula and the liberated territories, with other projects currently underway.

PASHA Real Estate Group, part of PASHA Holding, operates in real estate investment, project development and property asset management. The Group implements projects in Azerbaijan and five other countries – Trkiye, the United States, Montenegro, Georgia and Uzbekistan – in cooperation with prestigious international brands.

As one of Azerbaijan’s leading real estate companies, PASHA Real Estate Group contributes to shaping Baku’s modern architectural landscape through projects that meet international standards and are implemented in cooperation with renowned international architectural firms.

The Group’s activities include real estate project development, the management of hotel, residential and commercial properties, and cooperation with international hotel brands.

The head of state, the First Lady and their daughter also viewed the Sea Breeze stand, where they were briefed on ongoing work and future projects.

Sea Breeze covers an area of more than 1,000 hectares, with plans to epand it to 1,850 hectares. More than 50 projects have already been completed or are currently under way. The development is now home to more than 60,000 residents. Upon its full completion, the population is epected to reach 500,000.

One of the major projects being implemented in the area is Fire Island, which covers more than 200 hectares. The project envisages the development of modern infrastructure in line with international standards, including the construction of a Formula 1 racing circuit approimately 5.5 kilometres long, featuring 18 turns.

Sea Breeze’s flagship project is Caspian Dream Liner, an apartment hotel comple located on an artificial peninsula.

The Crescent, covering approimately 50 hectares, is one of Sea Breeze’s largest and most prominent projects. The development envisages the construction of five-star hotels. The area will also feature shopping streets with branded stores, a multifunctional arena and a tower reaching a height of 323 metres.

The main goal is to continue developing Sea Breeze as a modern city of international standing, attract foreign investment, create new jobs and contribute to the growth of Azerbaijan’s tourism sector and overall economic potential.

With nearly 15 years of eperience, Baku City Residences specializes in the construction and sale of residential and commercial real estate. The company’s projects combine modern architecture, convenient locations and comprehensive infrastructure. Quality, design and the requirements of modern urban living are key priorities in project implementation.

The company has already completed several projects. Looking ahead, it plans to develop the Baku Bay project in the waterfront district of Baku White City.

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva visited the stand of the State Housing Development Agency (MIDA) at the ehibition.

The Agency was established to improve housing conditions for citizens across the country. Its primary focus is on constructing affordable, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient residential complees for low- and middle-income families.

During its operations, MIDA has implemented 20 projects nationwide – seven in Baku, three in Garabagh, and 10 across Ganja, Absheron, Sumgayit, Lankaran, Shirvan, Yevlakh, Nakhchivan, Shamkir, and Salyan. In addition to residential buildings, these projects include schools, kindergartens, and medical centers.

The Agency has completed five subsidized housing projects in Baku and si in the regions. Currently, MIDA has begun construction on three of si ongoing projects across the capital and regions, while three other residential complees are in the design phase.

The head of state, the First Lady, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva then visited the stand of Fortis Development. With over 10 years of eperience, the company specializes in residential and commercial construction, the restoration of historical and architectural monuments, facade renovation, and the landscaping of public spaces. To date, the company has completed landscaping work at Shahriyar and Saadat parks in Baku, improvement works in the Balakhani settlement, and the repair and restoration of the Pir Hasan shrine in Mardakan and the Imam Mosque in Amirjan. It also restored more than 40 buildings in Baku ahead of COP29.

Chapman Taylor, a company specializing in architecture, planning and interior design, was founded in London in 1959. It has undertaken projects in more than 100 countries and won over 300 architectural awards. The company has developed master plans for Shusha, Jabrayil, Khankendi, and Nakhchivan and designed numerous residential and public buildings in Baku, Ganja, Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Gusar.

The firm has completed housing blocks, facade renovations, and social infrastructure projects in Shusha, Jabrayil, Khankendi, Fuzuli, and Aghdam, with several projects currently underway.

The United Arab Emirates’ MODON Holding, the authority responsible for industrial cities and technology zones, is also represented at the ehibition with a large pavilion. The organization specializes in innovation-driven activities and implements various programs aimed at digitizing production processes and transitioning to modern standards. Its support mechanisms include consulting services, financing programs, measures to promote local content, and the provision of industrial infrastructure and ready-to-use production facilities. At the ehibition, MODON presented the concept for a development plan for the area around Boyukshor Lake.

The Baku White City project is one of the world’s most prominent eamples of modern urban development. Launched on December 24, 2011, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, the project is designed around the principles of environmental sustainability and smart urban development. The latest advances in urban planning have been applied throughout the project. Previously known as Black City, the area had been polluted by oil industry waste for more than 150 years. At the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, a unique environmental rehabilitation project has transformed the area into a modern residential district. For the first time in the CIS, residential buildings have been designed in accordance with BREEAM, an international environmental assessment and certification standard, and CRREM requirements for assessing carbon-related risks. With its spacious internal streets, green spaces and contemporary international sculptures, Baku White City has become one of the capital’s most modern destinations for work, living and leisure.

As part of the project’s epansion, a concept for a new museum dedicated to the history of Azerbaijan’s oil industry was developed in collaboration with SOCAR. The museum is planned to feature an ehibition hall, a library, offices, a restaurant, cafes, and a 90-meter observation tower offering views of the city.

A flagship landmark of Baku White City is the Gilavar comple, which combines public and commercial spaces, yacht club facilities, and a 49-story residential tower reaching approimately 185 meters in height. The project was designed by ADEC in collaboration with the American architectural firm SOM, which designed the Burj Khalifa.

Public art installations across Baku White City include the Garabagh Horses sculpture comple by renowned American sculptor Robert Summers; seven clock-themed artworks created specifically for the project by world-famous artist Konstantin Grcic; the bronze sculpture Beyond the Clouds by acclaimed sculptor Joseph Klibansky; and Search for Enlightenment, a sculpture by contemporary British artist Simon Gudgeon.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is a key state-owned enterprise driving the spatial and economic transformation of the Maldives. It is involved in developing smart, inclusive and sustainable cities and managing major development projects. Its ehibition stand showcases initiatives including a centralized Industrial Village designed to support logistics, the high-capacity Southern Harbour Trade Zone and other projects.

Through its participation in the ehibition, HDC is presenting investment opportunities in the Maldives beyond tourism, highlighting commercial real estate, green technologies, smart utility infrastructure and maritime trade.

Silk Development is one of Georgia’s leading companies specializing in residential and hotel projects. Silk Towers in Batumi is among its flagship developments. At the ehibition, the company is presenting a portfolio of residential, luury hotel and mied-use projects, including properties designed by internationally renowned architects, as well as investment models focused on long-term value and high returns. Silk Development’s participation aims to epand its presence in the Caspian region and establish direct contacts with investors, strategic partners and brokers.

Luna Garden, a mied-use residential comple covering 6.7 hectares near the Koroglu metro station and Boyukshor Lake, features nine buildings, with 60 percent of the territory reserved for green spaces. A new entrance to Koroglu station will open directly within the comple.

Operating in Azerbaijan’s construction sector since 2003, Kristal presented its ‘city within a city’ concept through projects such as City Garden Narimanov, Park Yasamal, and Highland Residence. At the ehibition, Kristal introduced its modern panel facade system designed to improve thermal insulation and energy efficiency.

President Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and Leyla Aliyeva also visited the stand of the Garabagh Revival Fund.

The Fund provides financial support, attracts investment, promotes public-private partnerships, and implements public awareness projects aimed at the reconstruction of liberated territories. At the ehibition, the Fund presented its book project, ‘Garabagh Revival: A Story of Azerbaijani Renaissance.’ Commissioned by the Foundation, the book highlights the realities of Garabagh and the restoration and reconstruction projects carried out under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan.

The stand also features information about Pearls of Garabagh, an educational game introducing the region’s historical and cultural heritage, restored monuments and infrastructure built since the Victory; Garabagh Quiz, an interactive quiz on the region’s history, culture, prominent figures and the Patriotic War; and Deadly Legacy, a documentary commissioned by the Foundation to draw international attention to the threat posed by landmines.

Cabinet approves National Blood Strategy

The Council of Ministers approved on Wednesday the National Blood Strategy that aims to modernise and upgrade the blood services system in Cyprus.

In his statements after the Council of Ministers meeting, Minister of Health Neophytos Charalambides said that ‘with the approval of the Strategy, we proceed with the creation of a modern, digitalized and resilient system that will ensure the adequacy, quality and safety of blood and its derivatives, in accordance with European and international standards’.

He noted that the Strategy’s goals are mainly to cover the management of blood stocks and needs, to organise services, to ensure quality and supervision, as well to achieve innovation and digitalization.

Moreover, he said, “we seek to strengthen voluntary blood donation, the rational use of blood and ensure timely and equal access for all patients to the blood they need”.

The Minister pointed out that in order to ensure the effective implementation of the Strategy, an Implementation Monitoring Committee will be established, which will evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the actions, identify any difficulties in a timely manner and contribute to addressing them.

Carbacid holds dividend as net profit hits Sh1.1bn

Carbacid Investments has maintained a Sh2 dividend per share after posting a 12.2 percent growth in net profit to Sh1.13 billion in the year ended July 2026, helped by gains from its investments in equities.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)-listed carbon dioxide manufacturer will pay shareholders Sh509.7 million in dividends, matching last year’s payout that came on the back of net earnings rising from Sh1 billion.

Carbacid said on Wednesday the dividend will be paid on or around December 17 to shareholders on record as of November 27.

Top shareholder Baloobhai Patel, who holds a 49.9 percent stake in Carbacid through Aksaya Investment Holdings Limited, a private investment and holding company, is in line for Sh254.34 million gross dividends.

Carbacid’s profit growth was supported by a Sh266.4 million gain from the revaluation of equity investments, more than double the Sh121.2 million recorded in the previous year.

‘Gains from the company’s investment in Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and Dar-es-Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) equities positively affected the company’s financial results,’ said Carbacid.

The company said it realised gains of Sh67 million from its NSE-listed shares, while investments in equities at the DSE generated an unrealised gain of Sh199 million.

Carbacid is an investment and holding company with three subsidiaries. The principal activities of the main subsidiary, Carbacid Limited, are mining, processing and marketing of natural carbon dioxide gas.

Its other two subsidiaries, Goodison Twenty-Nine Limited and Goodison Forty Seven Limited, are investment companies.

The gains from investment in equities cushioned the impact of a relatively flat performance in its core carbon dioxide business, where turnover rose by 0.6 percent to Sh2.11 billion from Sh2.09 billion.

Carbacid said competitive pricing and changes in market mix limited its revenue growth despite having increased sales volumes by acquiring new customers and growing purchases from existing clients in East and Southern Africa.

The firm, whose carbon dioxide is mostly used by manufacturers of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, has been expanding its customer base across regional markets as it seeks to grow sales beyond Kenya.

Operating profit remained unchanged at Sh1.35 billion, compared with Sh1.35 billion a year earlier, while administrative expenses rose 8.4 percent to Sh477 million.

The company said transport and other related expenses increased following geopolitical tensions that prolonged shipping lead times and raised freight costs. During the review period, diesel, which is one of its key inputs, rose by more than 20 percent.

Carbacid’s operating cash flow, however, declined 14.2 percent to Sh789.8 million from Sh920.2 million, reflecting weaker cash generation despite the growth in reported profits.

The company’s cash holdings more than doubled to Sh255.3 million from Sh118.6 million, supported by lower investment spending during the year.

Carbacid also reduced its outstanding borrowings to Sh382.3 million from Sh500.6 million, strengthening its balance sheet.

The group’s three-year strategy to 2028 is focused on customer retention in core regional markets and expansion to other markets.

In 2020, the company made an offer to acquire the shares of BOC Kenya, an industrial and medical gas manufacturer that is also listed on the NSE.

However, the proposed transaction was held up for nearly five years by an appeal filed by a BOC shareholder before the Capital Markets Authority Tribunal. The appeal was dismissed for lack of merit on August 29, 2024.

The dismissal of the appeal lifted the suspension of the Carbacid offer, giving it room to complete the transaction. However, Carbacid decided to abandon the proposed transaction, citing changes in circumstances.

Elderly dominate SHA coverage amid out-of-pocket medical expenditure pressure

Uptake of health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA) is highest among Kenyans aged 65 and above, signaling a scramble by the age group hardest hit by out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures alongside people affected by chronic conditions.

Newly published data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics show that 46.6 percent of Kenyans aged 65 and above have health insurance under SHA, the highest level among all age sets.

A recent World Bank study said OOP expenditures continue to make up a significant share of total health spending in Kenya, pushing about one million individuals into poverty each year.

The multilateral lender said OOP mainly hurts households from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds-explaining the high uptake of SHA cover in the age group of 65 and above, which includes retirees with little or no income at all.

SHA, which was established under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 (Republic of Kenya 2023) to replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund, manages three funds-the Primary Health Care Fund; the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF); and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund-to provide all households with affordable, equitable, and quality health care.

Uptake among the economically active population came second, with 41.4 percent of those between 15-64 years having taken SHA, according to the findings of the Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey (KMDHS) 2025-26.

The KMDHS 2025-26 findings further show that, generally, uptake of SHA across the country was 39.4 percent, with the lowest uptake being in children aged 14 at 35.3 percent.

‘Nationally, 40 percent of the household population has some form of health insurance, with most insured households covered under the Social Health Authority,’ said the KNBS in the report.

Health coverage plays a crucial role in cushioning households from OOP health care expenditures, which are costly, especially in times of high inflation.

The survey findings also revealed a slight gender gap in SHA, with uptake among men reported at 37.4 percent compared to 41.4 percent among women.

Among women who used SHA services in the 12 months before the survey, 91 percent reported reduced OOP spending as a benefit, while 22 percent mentioned reduced stress over health expenses.

Urban dwellers reported higher health cover uptake compared to their counterparts in rural areas, mainly due to wealth disparities between the two demographics.

The gap in insurance coverage was also evident across income groups. Only 24 percent of people in the poorest households had health insurance, compared to 52 percent in the wealthiest group. While 43.9 percent of urban residents had health insurance, coverage in rural areas stood at 38 percent.

At 39.4 percent, SHA accounted for the largest share of those who had health cover. This was mainly due to the mandatory requirement for those in formal employment.

Those who primarily depend on private medical cover represent 1.1 percent of those insured.

Meta, TikTok, X to face mandatory illegal online activity reports in Kenya

Social media firms, including Meta, TikTok and X, will be required to file reports on illegal activities on their platforms with the Kenyan government, as part of proposed changes aimed at holding tech giants accountable under domestic laws.

A new proposal by the ICT ministry seeks to introduce a requirement for content-sharing apps and other online platforms operating in the country to report activities such as sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and impersonation to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

This brings social media giants under tighter scrutiny as the government seeks to hold platforms serving Kenyan users accountable under local laws, even when their operators are foreign-based.

‘Insert a new section 85C in the principal Act to provide for the regulation of digital platforms. The proposed section requires a provider to… report unlawful activity and the remedial steps taken, and comply with the relevant laws of Kenya,’ reads the Kenya Information and Communication Amendment Bill 2026.

‘The proposed section is intended to protect users in Kenya, enhance online safety and ensure that providers delivering services to users in Kenya are accountable under Kenyan law.’

The Bill defines a digital platform as ‘an online environment that facilitates interactions, transactions and content sharing among users,’ while a provider is a person who operates such a platform.

The proposed new section in the Kenya Information and Communications Act will require platform operators to notify the CA of their particulars and the services offered.

The regulator would be required to maintain a register of digital platforms used by Kenyans, receive and facilitate the resolution of user complaints, and monitor compliance among platform providers.

Providers like Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, would be required to ensure the availability and safety of their platforms and publish the policies and terms governing their use.

‘The proposed section requires a provider to ensure the availability and safety of its service, publish the policies, terms and conditions governing the use of its service, establish a complaint redress mechanism,’ the Bill states.

Some illegal online activities under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act include cyberbullying and harassment, offences that attract fines of up to Sh20 million or imprisonment.

Most social media platforms also prohibit sexual exploitation, human trafficking, abuse of children and adults, harassment, and doxing – publishing someone’s private information online without their consent.

Other activities that could fall under the regime include digital piracy involving the unauthorised sharing of copyrighted films, electronic newspapers, music, software and subscription codes, as well as identity theft, impersonation, cyber fraud, phishing campaigns and the sharing of terrorist or extremist content.

Some platforms, including TikTok, already publish periodic transparency reports detailing the number of videos removed and accounts suspended for violating their terms of service.

The proposed law would, however, create a statutory obligation to report such activity and the remedial action taken to the CA.

Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, China’s TikTok and X, owned by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, are among the most widely used social media platforms in Kenya.

The government has previously considered requiring social media companies to establish local offices to improve oversight of their operations, although this requirement is absent from the latest Bill.

Google, the owner of YouTube, and Microsoft, which owns LinkedIn, have physical offices in Nairobi.

In 2023, TikTok agreed to establish a Nairobi office following pressure from Parliament over concerns about explicit content on the platform.

US technology companies eye Azerbaijan for AI infrastructure and data centre investments

American technology companies are showing growing interest in investing in Azerbaijan’s data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to Matthew Bryza, a former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan and member of the Board of Directors of the Jamestown Foundation.

Speaking to Azerbaijani local media outlet, AZERTAC, Bryza, who is also a partner at the US private equity firm Abbott Capital, said the interest had become particularly evident during the recent Azerbaijan Investment Forum.

He noted that his discussions with Azerbaijani government representatives, American companies, potential investors and business partners had highlighted opportunities for epanding US investment in the country’s technology sector.

‘Azerbaijan has a particularly favorable geographical position in terms of the location of data centers and other infrastructure related to artificial intelligence. Because the country is close to Central Asia, which is a large and rapidly developing market. The closer the infrastructure, especially data centers, are located to the market, the lower the latency in data transmission. As a result, the productivity and efficiency of data connections increase.

“At the same time, Azerbaijan is also a convenient place for processing data coming from Central Asia and transferring it to European markets. Investors and the Azerbaijani authorities still need to conduct a number of discussions to determine whether such investments will be economically viable. However, this is undoubtedly a promising area, especially given the opportunities of the Alat Free Economic Zone,” Bryza said.

The former ambassador also identified mining as another non-oil sector with considerable investment potential.

He pointed to the activities of Anglo Asian Mining PLC, which has operated in Azerbaijan for several decades and is developing copper mining projects in the country.

“In particular, the Anglo Asian Mining PLC company, which has been operating in Azerbaijan for several decades, has quite promising projects in the field of copper mining in the country. The company is also considering similar investment opportunities in Armenia,” he noted.

Bryza also highlighted opportunities in Azerbaijan’s processing and industrial manufacturing sectors, particularly through the Alat Free Economic Zone.

According to him, Abbott Capital Management would be interested in facilitating connections between potential American investors and businesses operating within the economic zone.

He further emphasised the potential for stronger cooperation between US venture capital and private equity funds and Azerbaijani startups.

“I believe that US venture capital and private equity funds, like my company, can strengthen cooperation with Azerbaijani startups. In this process, individuals like me and companies like Abbott Capital can play a mediator role. We see Azerbaijan as a developing regional actor with strategic and investment interests in a wide geography. We are talking about a geography that etends from Azerbaijan to Central Asia through the Caspian Sea, and in the other direction through Armenia and Georgia to Turkey and Europe, as well as to the Middle East region, especially including Syria, in the south. Investment events such as the Azerbaijan Investment Forum that I mentioned are also of great importance in establishing relations between investors and partners in Azerbaijan,” Bryza said.

The former diplomat also drew attention to the potential of digital technologies to improve logistics operations along the Middle Corridor, which connects Asia and Europe through the Caspian region.

He noted that digital solutions developed in the United States and other countries could help simplify documentation procedures and improve the efficiency of cross-border cargo transportation.

‘These solutions include electronic or digital bills of lading, as well as a number of other documents that can ensure a more seamless movement of goods and services transported to and through the territory of Azerbaijan,’ Bryza added.

Workers earning over Sh32,333 pocket Sh2,000 more in review

Salaried workers with a gross pay of over Sh32,333 a month will pocket an additional Sh2,083 each, as the National Treasury moves amendments to the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) bands, extending relief beyond low-income workers.

The National Treasury has said it will not change the higher tax bands for those earning more than Sh32,333 but will end the Sh2,400 monthly personal reliefs across all salary levels.

In the proposed changes to be tabled in Parliament next week, all salaried workers will benefit from a preferential tax-free treatment of their first Sh32,333 in gross earnings.

Currently, earnings between Sh24,001 and Sh32,333 are subject to 25 percent tax. The first batch of Sh24,000 in pay is taxed at 10 percent, which is offset by the Sh2,400 a month personal relief.

Under new proposals, both the 10 percent and 25 percent bands will be eliminated along with the personal relief, lifting the first tax band to earnings above Sh32,333.

All salaried workers above Sh32,333 will subsequently see a bump in take-home pay even after the withdrawal of personal relief.

The take-home pay for persons earning Sh50,000 will rise to Sh41,112 from Sh39,029 currently, while net pay for earners of Sh100,000 will jump to Sh72,574 from Sh70,441 at present.

PAYE rates on subsequent earnings above Sh32,333 will continue at graduated rates of 30percent, 32.5 percent and 35 percent for earnings above Sh800,000.

The Treasury had previously hinted at amending the tax bands to have higher earners offset the loss of revenues from the relief passed to low-income workers.

The exchequer is expected to lose at least Sh3.7 billion in payroll taxes a month but expects the loss to serve as a stimulus in the economy, increasing households’ disposable income and resulting in higher consumption and job creation.

‘Everybody will get relief, including those earning Sh1 million. It was not practical to restrict the benefit to salaried workers earning Sh32,333 and below as this would leave out other low-income workers like those grossing Sh33,000 or Sh34,000,’ John Mbadi, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, told the Business Daily on Wednesday.

‘We are only dealing with the lower band while we find the personal relief to no longer be tenable.’

An estimated 362,846 more salaried workers will be exempted from paying payroll taxes, adding to the current 1.32 million workers who gross Sh24,000 or less.

This will see the number of salaried workers not paying payroll taxes rise to 1.69 million, while the remaining number of taxpayers will be 1.77 million.

The 1.77 million workers paying payroll taxes will each see their net take-home pay bumped up by Sh2,083, translating to a stimulus of Sh3.7 billion a month or Sh44.4 billion a year.

The passing of a blanket relief to take-home pay across the board, touching on all 3.46 million salaried workers is set to be a welcome move to stakeholders, including civil society groups and lobbies who viewed a broad PAYE review as a stimulus to the economy.

Estimates by the banking industry lobby-the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), for instance show a five percent PAYE cut would expand the economy, create jobs and increase tax revenues indirectly.

A uniform five percent reduction in PAYE across all income bands is expected to release Sh28.1 billion into the economy annually, generating Sh42 billion in immediate GDP output and supporting over 36,000 jobs.

KBA further estimated the unlocking of Sh140 billion in formal lending capacity and the generation of between Sh27.1 billion and Sh31.5 billion in additional tax revenues, recovering revenue loss caused by the PAYE reduction in the first year.

The higher take-home pay is expected to result in a stronger economy, increasing household spending, raising the demand for goods and services, and boosting SME growth and manufacturing expansion.

Increased disposable incomes are also seen to improve savings and investments and improve credit uptake and lending activity.

The amendments to pay as you earn are set for tabling in the National Assembly next week.

‘I signed off the proposal yesterday, and it is likely to go to Parliament next week,’ Mr Mbadi said.

The easing of payroll taxes comes as the State seeks to placate the electorate with just months to the August 2027 General Elections.

President William Ruto’s administration introduced a raft of new taxes while raising rates on old taxes after the August 2022 elections.

The most recent change to the personal income tax brackets was undertaken made through the Finance Act of 2023 which introduced two new top rates of 32.5 percent and 35 percent but left other tax brackets unchanged.

The government has been dilly-dallying on passing the PAYE relief for the better part of the last 12 months, fearing revenue losses which had been estimated at Sh35 billion annually by the Treasury.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (B)

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1016hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be at times partly cloudy and isolated showers are expected, with risk of a thunderstorm.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers

Sea surface temperature: 23°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Afternoon

West to Northwest 4, locally 4 to 5

Slight, locally Slight to Moderate

Night

West to Northwest 4, later near the coast 3 to 4

Slight to Moderate

Morning

West to Northwest 4, gradually 4 to 5

Slight to Moderate

South Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4 to 5, locally 5

Slight, locally Slight to Moderate

Night

Southwest to West 4, later near the coast West to Northwest 3

Slight

Morning

Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually 4 to 5

Slight

East Coast

Afternoon

South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Slight

Night

Southwest to Northwest 3, later West to Northwest

Slight, later Smooth to Slight

Morning

South to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually 4

Slight

North Coast

Afternoon

Southwest to West 4, locally 4 to 5

Slight, locally Slight to Moderate

Night

Southwest to West 4, later near the coast South to Southwest 3

Slight to Moderate, later near the coast Slight

Morning

Southwest to West 4, gradually West to Northwest 4

Slight to Moderate

Time of issue: 1130

Date: 04/11/2026