Category: Auto Guid

Sanlam General Insurance Limited has completed the transfer of its general insurance business to Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Kenya Limited, marking the final step in a restructuring plan designed to consolidate operations of the two insurers under a single brand.

The transfer, approved by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), was completed on November 1, 2025, following the fulfilment of all corporate and regulatory conditions.

In a joint statement, the two companies said the transfer covers all general insurance policies previously issued by Sanlam General Insurance, which have now been assumed by Jubilee Allianz.

The merged entity will continue to manage and honour all existing policy obligations, claims and customer relationships.

‘All policyholders who previously held policies with Sanlam General Insurance Limited and all other persons whose personal data was held with Sanlam General Insurance Limited are hereby notified that their personal data has been transferred to Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Kenya Limited in order for the transferee to be able to continue performing the underlying contracts and conducting the business,’ reads the joint notice.

The transfer is part of a wider integration strategy following the 2021 partnership between Sanlam Group and Allianz SE, which has one of Africa’s largest non-bank financial services groups.

The development leaves Jubilee Allianz as the successor firm in the general insurance segment while Sanlam continues to operate in other financial services lines in Kenya, including the life insurance subsidiary.

Jubilee Allianz Kenya is pursuing a name change to Sanlam Allianz General. Sanlam Kenya, which had Sanlam General as one of its subsidiaries, will become Sanlam Allianz Holdings.

Allianz SE and Sanlam Limited in 2023 said their joint venture, called Sanlam Allianz, will have a combined group equity value of about R35 billion (Sh254.2 billion), giving customers a broader offering of insurance products tailored to their needs.

The two firms are aiming at becoming among the top three players in both market share and profitability, in the markets where the venture will operate.

Allianz SE early in the year increased its indirect stake in Sanlam Kenya to 28 percent from 23.09 percent after paying R4.5 billion (Sh31.3 billion) to acquire an additional stake in Sanlam Allianz.

Kenyans living and working abroad constitute a fundamental pillar of the nation’s economic framework. In 2024, diaspora inflows topped $4.95 billion (approximately Sh752.4 billion), surpassing foreign exchange earnings from tourism, tea, and horticulture.

According to the CBK, by the first half of 2025, remittances were above $2.5 million, which shows a great improvement. While the volume of these funds continues to rise, a large portion ends up in the same destination- real estate.

Buying land or putting up rental units is deeply ingrained in many diaspora investors’ plans, often driven by cultural expectations, family pressure, or the security of owning something tangible back home.

However, an overreliance on property as an investment is increasingly proving restrictive-particularly during market downturns, periods of limited liquidity, or protracted legal disputes over land. Consequently, capital remains tied up, financial flexibility is diminished, and investment objectives are delayed.

Kenya’s financial sector has evolved in recent years, offering more regulated and professionally managed investment options.

Money Market Funds (MMFs), in particular, have grown in popularity, especially among investors who want their savings to grow without being exposed to excessive risk.

MMFs pool capital from investors and deploy it into short-term, interest-earning assets such as Treasury Bills, fixed deposits, commercial paper, and short-dated bonds. The appeal is in the balance with relatively low risk, reasonable returns, and quick access to cash.

These funds are licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority, with oversight by independent trustees and custodians.

The returns while modest, are competitive, often outpacing inflation and far better than idle bank savings. For diaspora investors managing obligations both abroad and in Kenya, MMFs are increasingly seen as an emergency buffer, a savings vehicle or a holding account while evaluating longer-term investments.

They are ideal for saving towards education, family support, or emergency needs back home, offering both flexibility and financial discipline.

Other fund options have emerged alongside MMFs. Fixed income funds target medium to long-term bonds and generally offer higher returns, though with slightly reduced liquidity. Balanced funds add a portion of equities to the mix, allowing for gradual capital growth for those with a higher risk appetite.

Fixed income or balanced funds can help diaspora investors grow their money steadily while planning for future goals like building a home or starting a business when they eventually return.

Some fund managers have also rolled out USD-denominated funds to cater to diaspora clients who want to keep their exposure in foreign currency while still investing in Kenyan instruments.

However, uptake among the diaspora remains limited. One key barrier is trust. Many investors have been burned by informal chamas, dishonest land brokers, or opaque off-plan property deals.

Another is investors are unaware that regulated financial products now exist in Kenya with reasonable entry points and consumer protection.

Addressing this requires collective action. Financial education must be prioritised. Institutions should simplify investment terms, provide clear, timely performance data and streamline onboarding for diaspora clients.

Diaspora associations and community leaders can also play a role in sharing credible information and countering the notion that property is the only safe investment.

This is not to say that real estate does not have a role. It does, and always will. But a smart investor does not put all their funds into a single type of asset.

Diversifying across liquid and fixed investments builds resilience, cushions against downturns and creates flexibility to meet different life goals, whether it is paying school fees, retiring early or responding to a family emergency without selling land at a loss.

Kenya’s financial sector is now in a position to support that kind of thoughtful planning.

For the diaspora, it is no longer just about sending money home, but about growing it wisely, protecting it, and keeping it accessible. The products are available. The regulation is in place. The tools exist.

The next step is yours. Do not just build back home. Invest with purpose. Let your money grow where your roots are.

At a time when Nairobi’s satellite towns like Ruiru, Utawala, and Ruai are thriving with new apartment blocks and high rental demand, Buruburu, once the pride of Kenya’s middle class, is struggling to attract decent renters.

The estate’s streets still carry traces of the 1970s promise of modern living, but that charm no longer appeals to today’s professionals.

‘Buruburu was designed to serve the emerging middle class in the 1970s,’ says real estate investment analyst Johnson Denge. ‘It comprises five phases built between 1974 and 1984.’

Five decades later, that vision is showing its age. Many of the maisonettes are now 40 to 50 years old, with outdated designs and little renovation.

‘The estate is nearing obsolescence,’ Mr Denge says. ‘Without regeneration, it cannot attract as much rent as newer areas.’

Buruburu’s early appeal lay in its neat rows of maisonettes, gardens, and paved roads. While similar estates such as South C and Kilimani have transformed to accomodate the tastes of today’s middle class, Buruburu has not given in to the pressure, remaining stunted.

‘Areas like Ruiru and Utawala have taken over because they offer modern designs and better planning,’ Mr Denge notes. ‘Tenants looking for value for money prefer those locations.’

The unchecked conversion of homes into commercial spaces has worsened the situation. ‘People are extending their houses to tap into high-density demand, which erodes the estate’s original appeal,’ he says.

Infrastructure has also declined. Poor roads, congestion, and rising insecurity have pushed the middle class elsewhere.

‘Buruburu is now surrounded by lower middle-income estates and suffers from poor infrastructure and social ills. The middle class has options, and Buruburu is no longer one of them,’ says Mr Denge.

He estimates that maisonettes of 100-200 square metres fetch between Sh35,000 and Sh60,000 monthly, rates that have barely changed in years. ‘The rent should be around Sh300 to Sh500 per square metre, depending on condition,’ he says.

The zoning hurdle

One of the biggest barriers to redevelopment is Buruburu’s zoning restrictions, which prohibit high-rise apartments.

‘Unlike South B and South C, where the county government relaxed zoning rules and upgraded sewer systems, Buruburu remains tightly controlled,’ Mr Denge explains. ‘Investors prefer nearby areas where they can build higher and maximise returns.’

Even if zoning were relaxed, expansion options are limited since the estate is fully built up. ‘Buruburu was fully built up, so there is very little room for expansion. To spur development, the county must allow higher densities to attract private investors,’ he suggests.

Property agent Christine Otieno of Urban Realtors says tenants nowadays prioritise convenience and aesthetics, qualities Buruburu struggles to offer.

‘A modern two-bedroom unit in Kamakis or Utawala goes for Sh35,000-Sh45,000, with amenities such as rooftop laundry areas, parking, a gym, and security. In Buruburu, for the same rent, you get an older maisonette that needs renovation,’ she says.

Many tenants, she adds, would rather pay Sh5,000-Sh10,000 more for a modern, secure home. ‘For them, it’s about lifestyle, not just shelter.’

Rental income

Data from several agencies show that while a standard maisonette in Buruburu rents for Sh35,000-Sh60,000, similar units in newer estates like Greenspan, Nasra, or Mihango fetch between Sh45,000 and Sh70,000, and tenants are willing to pay the difference.

Ms Otieno says that middle-class tenants increasingly view Buruburu as ‘an outdated option,’ despite slightly lower prices.

‘When clients compare a fresh apartment in Ruiru with an old Buruburu unit with cracked terrazzo floors and little parking, the choice is obvious,’ says Ms Otieno.

According to Moses Akumu, another property agent, single rooms go for Sh4,000-Sh8,000, bedsitters Sh8,000-Sh12,000, one-bedroom units Sh12,000-Sh18,000, and two-bedroom houses Sh18,000-Sh30,000.

Buruburu’s golden era

In the early years, Buruburu homeowners bought their units through the Housing Finance Corporation (now Housing Finance Group), paying gradually while in occupancy.

Phase One resident Patrick Mwai, who now chairs the Buruburu Phase One Residents’ Welfare Association, recalls buying a house for about Sh44,000, a significant cost then.

‘Salaries were about Sh600-Sh800 for government workers,’ he says.

He fondly remembers the estate’s original setup: ‘We had short wooden fences, shared courts with trees, flower beds, and car parks. It was a planned, green neighbourhood.’

But over time, matatus began using estate roads, and livestock grazed freely. Residents also started building upwards, beyond the original one-storey limit.

‘We have been resisting that, because if you build a house on three floors because they block sunlight and airflow,’ Mr Mwai says.

Estate ranking

A 2023-2024 KNBS real estate report ranks Buruburu in the ‘Nairobi Middle’ category alongside Kasarani, Donholm, Kamulu, Ruai, and Madaraka, the third of four residential tiers.

A two-bedroom bungalow in Buruburu now averages Sh11.2 million, far below the Sh66.3 million average in upper-tier areas. A three-bedroom maisonette costs Sh13.5 million, compared to Sh31.3 million in Kilimani and Sh88 million in Karen.

Kariobangi South MCA Robert Mbatia blames poor roads for further dampening Buruburu’s prospects.

‘Phase One has very dilapidated service roads that have never been repaired since construction,’ he says. ‘They’re now bare and muddy, especially during the rains, one of our biggest challenges.’

African countries must heed to experts’ recent call for stronger collaboration between scientists, policymakers and communities to bridge the gap between research and implementation.

Lamentably, there is limited impact of African research on public health and community wellbeing. That is why the call made by researchers, policymakers and journalists at the recently held, first national science research translation congress, must be taken seriously.

According to African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), about 80 to 83 percent of research resources are wasted because they are not being translated into action.

Even as universities and institutions generate ground breaking research, a significant portion remains underutilised. They do not inform policy, not guiding programmes and do not improve lives as it should.

Research and innovation are indispensable for achieving universal health coverage and national development priorities.

That is why more should be done to produce, translate and apply research. Even more important is the need to measure research impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

From disease surveillance to vaccine introduction, to digital health and health financing models, research provides the evidence required to make informed decisions.

Technology should be used to bring interventions closer to the people. Scientists should use digital tools and artificial intelligence to speed up research translation and regulatory approvals.

As some experts have noted, sheer volume of scientific data regulators must review is major cause for delays in approving life-saving drugs such as heat stable carbetocin-medication used to prevent postpartum haemorrhage-which took years to be approved and registered.

Artificial intelligence can help scan through thousands of pages in minutes. It is important to leverage AI to strengthen healthcare systems. AI tools can improve supply chains, clinical decision-making, disease surveillance, and health information systems.

At the same time, more should be done to build capacity of policymakers on health research utilization. One of the key challenges to research utilisation in health policy is limited capacity of policy makers to demand and to uptake research.

Also, media must be a key ally in transforming research into public good. Scientists are not always the best communicators, but through the media, they can influence healthier behaviors. Collaboration with journalists is vital to ensure scientific information reaches communities in clear and relatable language.

Researchers, policymakers and journalists must work together to make science palatable to the ordinary person.

Equally important, Scientists should leverage digital media platforms such as Instagram, facebook, linkedin, X, YouTube and TikTok to make research more visible and understandable.

Digital branding and strategic communication should not be viewed as publicity but as an essential part of science communication that shapes how policymakers and the public use research evidence.

Scientists should stop speaking among themselves, and engage more with the people who need the solutions.

Partnerships that aim at solving real problems are essential. Scientists, government officials and media professionals must work hand in hand to ensure ground breaking discoveries made in laboratories translate into real-world benefits for communities.

It is not enough for research to exist in silos. It must be accessible, understood and implemented in ways that directly impact public health and wellbeing.

Millions of gamblers will soon be forced to cede a portion of their betting stakes to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and pension in line with legal changes that will make gambling costlier.

The Gambling Control Act 2025 gives the betting regulator powers to develop policies that will include, among other things, a mandatory savings component for SHIF or social retirement benefit for every betting stake.

A mandatory pension contribution or payment to SHIF will make betting costlier given that gamblers also pay 15 percent excise tax and 20 percent withholding tax for each winning bet.

This is likely to increase the pool of SHIF members and ultimately grow contributions to the scheme, on which the State is relying on to provide medical cover for all Kenyans.

According to previous estimates, there are more than 12 million gamblers in the country.

All Kenyans are required to enrol with SHIF and pay their contributions, with formal workers paying at rate of 2.75 percent of their monthly pay, while the same rate applies to households in the informal sector.

However, the Gambling Control Act 2025 does not say what will happen to gamblers who are already contributing to SHIF, either as salaried workers or under the household category.

‘The Authority (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya) shall develop policies for placing of bets for betting, lotteries and gambling that include a savings component for social health insurance or social retirement benefit,’ the Gambling Control Act 2025 says.

‘The minimum amount set under subsection (1) shall be inclusive of such a saving component for the player as shall be determined by the Authority in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary.’

Impact of levies

The State has progressively increased the 20 percent withholding tax and 15 percent excise tax levied on gambling over the years as part of its efforts to discourage gambling.

Compulsory SHIF or pension deductions from every betting stake will provide the government a windfall, given that punters place bets worth more than Sh150 billion every year.

These mandatory SHIF contributions come at a time when the State health insurer is grappling with a Sh76 billion unpaid bill to both private and public medical facilities.

The government is also keen to encourage a savings culture, especially among those working in the informal sector, as evidenced by the latest push to deduct money from betting stakes.

The newly formed Gambling Regulatory Authority of Kenya, the successor to the Betting Control and Licensing Board, is currently drafting regulations on the mandatory SHIF or pension contributions.

Increased betting levies are intended to reduce the appeal of the craze that has over the years turned into an addiction for millions of Kenyans seeking quick cash to foot bills.

According to a joint report by the Central Bank of Kenya and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 40.4 percent of Kenyans aged between 18 and 45 years are actively betting.

Last year, gamblers spent an average of Sh1,825 on betting a month, with most of them viewing it as a source of income.

The 2024 FinAccess Household Survey also shows that younger, more educated individuals bet more than their rural peers.

Kenya is home to the largest number of youthful gamblers on the continent, at 76 percent, ahead of bigger economies like Nigeria and South Africa.

However, the increased taxes have failed to halt the gambling craze with more betting firms joining the fray to cash in on the billions of shillings that gamblers spend in pursuit of quick returns.

The minimum betting amount is Sh20, but the mandatory SHIF or pension savings mean gamblers must have more money in their betting accounts before placing a bet.

Currently, there are 188 licensed betting firms operating in the 2025/26 financial year, up from 100 three years ago, with the growth defying the steep taxation regime that has forced others to exit the Kenyan market.

Betting firms pay 15 percent tax on their gross gaming revenue, which is remitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority by 1am each day. They also pay a corporate tax of 30 percent on their profits.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been barred from collecting 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) from firms that link banks, mobile money operators and payment service providers, marking a major win for Kenya’s three main payment switch companies.

In a ruling on October 24, the Tax Appeals Tribunal faulted the KRA’s move to levy VAT on Kenswitch’s services, finding that the firm provides financial rather than ICT services.

The tribunal noted that these financial services are exempt from the consumption tax.

Kenswitch, which interconnects banks’ automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) networks, had challenged a tax demand of Sh41.6 million on the portion of interchange fees it received for switching services. The taxman argued that such services were ICT-based and therefore taxable.

However, the tribunal sided with Kenswitch, declaring that the company’s switching role is integral to the financial system and squarely within the VAT exemption.

‘The tribunal is persuaded that KRA erred both in law and in fact in finding that the appellant’s services are taxable under the VAT Act,’ the ruling stated.

‘The appellant’s services clearly fall within the meaning of ‘financial services’ exempt from VAT under Paragraphs 1(b) and 1(m) of Part II of the First Schedule to the VAT Act, 2013.’

It added that the VAT assessment of Sh41,637,843 issued on July 9 and confirmed on October 4, 2024, was ‘erroneous and unlawful’.

Besides Kenswitch, other licensed switch companies include PesaLink (operated by Integrated Payments Services Ltd-IPSL), a subsidiary of the Kenya Bankers Association.

Switchlink Africa, which supports fintechs and payment processors, is the third firm offering payment switch services.

A switch acts as the ‘traffic controller’ of Kenya’s digital payments highway, directing money and data between banks, mobile money operators and card networks.

These firms are licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) under the National Payment System Act 2022, and related regulations.

The KRA had relied on the Banking Act to argue that Kenswitch was not a ‘financial institution’ and that its commissions amounted to software-related income subject to VAT.

It claimed the company used third-party software supplied through Mauritius-based EFT Corporation and global provider ACI Worldwide, and therefore its services were excluded from VAT exemption as ICT.

The tribunal dismissed this reasoning, noting that Kenswitch neither supplies ATMs nor sells software and that its core function is financial intermediation rather than ICT services.

In a card transaction, several parties are involved: the cardholder, the issuing bank, the acquiring (receiving) bank, a merchant and the switch company. The acquiring bank deducts an amount from the money due to the merchant for the transaction, known as a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).

The acquiring bank pays the balance to the merchant and then apportions the MDR between the card companies, the switch payment service firm and the issuing bank. The money paid to the issuing bank is the interchange fee.

The tribunal faulted KRA for seeking to charge VAT on only one of these parties while leaving the other two unaffected.

The stakes around switching are set to rise as the country moves toward a national switch that will enable customers to move money across any mobile provider or banking institution promptly and at reduced cost.

The CBK has announced plans to develop a ‘single integrated solution with multiple functionalities (national switch).’ While mobile money already allows instant transfers between Kenyan banks and digital wallets, coverage often depends on bilateral agreements, leaving gaps.

As part of its National Payments Strategy, the CBK wants to introduce a financial sector-wide interoperability system to allow users to send and receive money instantly, regardless of the bank or financial institution they use.

Kenya’s payments ecosystem remains fragmented, with mobile money platforms like M-Pesa and Airtel Money operating separately from other financial institutions; for example, some banks and microfinance institutions still do not allow transfers to Airtel Money wallets.

Mobile money continues to dominate Kenya’s payments market. In 2024, mobile money services processed over Sh8.7 trillion, outpacing traditional methods like cheques (Sh2.48 trillion). High-value transfers through the Real-Time Gross Payment System stood at Sh27.86 trillion in the eight months to August.

Capital A Investment Bank, which was formerly Stockbroker Securities Africa, has raided KCB Group to pick its Head of Investment Banking Linus Muthari Kang’ara as its new chief executive officer.

Mr Kang’ara had been with the lender’s subsidiary, KCB Investment Bank, since 2016 having joined as a fixed income dealer before rising to the position of head of brokerage and ultimately the head of investment banking. He took up the new role effective November 1, 2025.

He has over 15 years of experience in financial markets, having previously worked with other firms in the industry, including Old Mutual Securities and Faida Investment Bank.

Mr Kang’ara, who holds an MBA in Finance, joins the new investment bank as it is marking an expansion in its topline, driven by its position as a leader in fixed income securities trading, with a market share at 18.06 percent at present.

Capital A Investment Bank is seeking to diversify its business by entering the fund management, corporate finance and advisory sectors.

‘My focus will be to harness the talent and capacities of the incredible team to build new partnerships that will place the firm at the centre of broadening economic development, savings mobilisation, and cultivating a culture of trust, transparency, and performance in order to deliver investment solutions that satisfy the ever-growing demand from the public,’ Mr Kang’ara said.

Stockbroker Securities Africa became Capital A Investment Bank in October last year in a move to diversify its trade beyond stock broking and receiving key approvals from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).

The switch allowed the firm to explore advisory services, including the offer of securities to the public, corporate finance restructuring, takeovers, mergers and privatisation.

The former brokerage can also act as a dealer or fund manager of collective investment schemes or provide contractual portfolio management services.

The firm has also sought to tap diaspora clients seeking to invest in Kenya’s capital markets.

Capital A Investment Bank is an authorised trading participant at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and a member of the Kenya Association of Stockbrokers and Investment Banks (Kasib).

CMA deemed the transition of the former brokerage as a mirror on the growth and maturity of domestic capital markets.

Capital A Investment Bank is part of 17 licensed investment banks, alongside Dyer and Blair, Faida, Genghis Capital, Renaissance Capital, SBG Securities and Pergamon Financial Services.

The firm ended December 2024 with a revenue of Sh145.6 million, comprising brokerage commissions and interest income.

The company realised a net profit of Sh61.5 million, which rose from Sh8.3 million in 2023, while its asset base rose from Sh75.2 million to Sh534.8 million.

When Pamela Raburu was moving into her third home, she never imagined that a garden would raise its value. She had rented twice before, which she felt was like ‘pouring money down the drain.’

‘Back then, I realised that renting was just pouring money away,’ she says.

‘I used to pay Sh20,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, and when I wanted a three-bedroom apartment, the rent was Sh30,000. Then I did the maths: 10 years of rent would cost millions, and I would have nothing to show for it. That’s when I decided to buy a house on a mortgage. It wasn’t easy, but today I have peace of mind knowing that I live in my own home.’

She bought a house in Kitengela for Sh3.8 million which sits on an eighth of an acre in a gated community. That was about ten years ago and Kitengela was dry and rocky. Now she has turned her home into a thriving little jungle that wraps around her home. She estimates the house would cost well over Sh10 million, thanks to the renovations and her breathtaking garden.

But why did she choose to buy a ready house and modernise, rather than buy land and build?

‘If you’re planning to buy a home, take my advice: choose a gated community. Don’t isolate yourself in a big standalone house. When the children move out and you’re all alone, loneliness can set in. I’ve seen people living alone in beautiful houses, slowly slipping into depression. That won’t be me. I have my neighbours, my community, and my joy,’ Pamela says.

‘Yes, we share one main gate and each compound is private, but we all interact. I step out, see my neighbour, and say hello. Sometimes we share tea, dinner, or just a laugh. That human connection is priceless.’

When Pamela moved into her home in 2015, the land around it was bare.

Most of the homes had either murram or rocks at the front and backyards. A few people had a tree or two in their compounds.

‘I planted this big tree,’ she says, pointing at a medium-sized indigenous tree.

Over the months, she made changes to the garden as she refurbished her house, transforming it into a space where she would love to have her friends and family.

Five years later, the pandemic hit, and people started working remotely. Then boredom crept in.

‘A friend took me to visit her friend who lived in Garden City. She had a breathtaking garden, lush, vibrant, and filled with all kinds of plants,’ she says, ‘I was inspired. I found myself thinking: what can I do at home now that most people are working remotely? I had some plants along my driveway, but they weren’t very attractive.’

She then started to slowly add new plants.

‘It wasn’t a big project, but it kept me busy and happy during that period,’ Pamela says.

Then, in 2022, during a conference at a university, one speaker posed three questions that would forever change her mindset: ‘What makes you different? What’s your passion? What can you do beyond your career?’

‘That question struck me deeply. It was a moment of awakening. I realised that I could turn my newly found love for plants into something more meaningful, and possibly even a business.’

Using the small amount of money she had received for the conference, Pamela bought a few plants and started a small nursery. She became intentional about learning about flowers.

‘I began collecting plants whenever I travelled, experimenting and growing my knowledge. I turned to what I call my ‘University of YouTube’. On social media, I followed gardeners from around the world, learning about different types of plants, how to water, their lighting needs, and soil composition.’

During this time, Pamela noticed that many local plant vendors did not know much about plant care, and she wanted to learn more.

‘Now, whenever I buy a new plant, I research its name, its ideal light conditions, whether it’s for indoors or outdoors, and how to care for it. That’s why my plants look healthy and vibrant,’ she says.

When BD Life visited her home on a Wednesday afternoon, it was raining heavily.

‘My garden loves the rain,’ she chuckles.

Her grass stands out, especially in Kitengela. She has grown Arabica grass, a thick, carpet-like variety, also considered water-thirsty. Five years ago, it cost her Sh20,000.

Her garden is designed in a container style with a mix of ornamental plants and a collage of colour and form. She has red, pink, and white Crown of Thorns blooming beside geraniums and nasturtiums, while Callisia repens ‘Pink Lady’ spills from clay and concrete pots in shades of pink and purple.

Eleven varieties of palm trees sway softly in the breeze, ten types of philodendron climb and curl, and five monstera stretch their broad leaves towards the light.

And then there are her beloved aglaonemas, 15 varieties of them glowing like living art. ‘They’re my favourite,’ she admits. ‘Their leaves are like paintings, each one different, but all beautiful.’

Her verandah is another green haven, lined with over 10 thriving plants that frame her mornings in soft shades of green. Hanging pots dangle above, their rhipsalis and pothos trailing like cascading ribbons. In one corner sits her succulent collection: a charming cluster of echeverias, aloes, and haworthias, each one a tiny terracotta sculpture.

‘That’s my quiet corner,’ she says. ‘Low maintenance, but full of charm.’

We step inside, and the house feels like an extension of the garden: alive, fresh, and calm. Around 20 houseplants occupy various corners, giving the rooms a soft glow.

Her favourite aglaonema stands proudly by the dining room entrance, its leaves spreading wide as though to welcome her home.

‘That one,’ she says, ‘fondly greets me every time I walk in.’

The first plant she bought was a golden palm in Mombasa. ‘I tried growing it indoors, but it didn’t thrive. Eventually, I moved it outside, and it thrived.’

She has bought plants from all over Kenya, including Mombasa, Nyeri, Eldoret, and Kisumu, as well as from Dar es Salaam.

Sometimes, she buys neglected plants, nurses them back to health, and then sells them on.

‘It’s not really about profit. I just love taking care of them. This is my therapy, it keeps me sane.’

Sh15,000 Bismarck palm

What defines her choice of plants? ‘I mainly buy plants for their beauty. If I see one online that I love, I’ll look for it until I find it,’ she says.

Her prized possessions include cycads and Bismarck palms. I bought some when they were young for around Sh5,000 each.

‘Today, a mature Bismarck palm of that size sells for around Sh15,000,’ she says.

A typical day in her garden involves watering, propagating, changing the soil, removing weeds, and moving the plants around to ensure they each get the right amount of light and shade.

To her, plants definitely add value to a property.

‘If I ever decide to sell this home or convert it into an Airbnb, the garden would significantly increase its value. The beauty and serenity of this space are priceless,’ she says.

Dying plants

Of course, the gardening journey hasn’t been without challenges. ‘When I started, I lost many plants, mostly due to using the wrong soil, overwatering, or too much sun,’ she explains.

Mixing soil remains her biggest challenge. ‘I now buy soil and pumice from suppliers in Gikambura and Redhill, paying between Sh1,000 and Sh1,200 for a 90 kg bag. It’s expensive, but worth every shilling.’

One plant, from the Aglaonema family, continues to test her patience. ‘I’ve changed the soil several times, but it still struggles. Nevertheless, I won’t give up,I’m determined to see it thrive.’

Over time, Pamela has learnt to understand the rhythms of Kitengela’s climate. She waters the plants according to their needs. ‘This place may be dry, but with the right care, even Kitengela can bloom,’ says the 57-year-old.

Early retirement

For decades, she worked in the civil service as a human resources professional. However, in April, she took early retirement, not because she was tired, but because her heart was calling her elsewhere.

‘I wanted to nurture myself,’ she says gently. ‘To take care of my mental and physical health and to live with intention.’

She gifts plants to friends, schools, and hospitals, especially to her clients, the bereaved, and the sick.

‘It’s a quiet kind of therapy.’

Now retired, she starts her mornings at 6.30 am with a prayer, followed by 30 minutes of exercise. Then she has breakfast in her front yard, where she soaks up the sunlight for vitamin D and reflection.

Her two children no longer live at home, and her granddaughter visits occasionally.

‘It’s an empty nest now,’ she says. ‘But these plants, they’ve become my new children. They keep me company. They respond when I care for them.’

Travel to see gardens

Her love for plants has taken her to many countries.

She remembers visiting the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, where she climbed Palm Mountain and collected wild stems to take home.

‘Wherever I go, I find myself bringing back a plant,’ she says.

‘I also went all the way to the Cape of Good Hope and climbed Palm Mountain. Out of love for plants, I picked a few stems. ‘I even bought a small succulent with rectangular leaves for around Sh400.’

Her next dream destination is Thailand, where she hopes to visit the Nongnooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya.

‘It’s one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. One day, I’ll save up and go just for the love of plants,’ she says.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has ousted the board and CEO of Consolidated Bank of Kenya in changes that have caught the attention of the regulator and triggered a court battle.

The boardroom coup followed Mr Mbadi’s rejection of the directors’ decision to offer the bank’s chief executive officer, Sam Muturi, a second term from October 11.

Before tapping Mr Muturi’s replacement on October 8, the Treasury CS fired three directors on October 3 after they insisted on Mr Muturi’s second term and rejected the push for recruitment of a new CEO.

Mr Mbadi advised the remaining two of the seven directors to hire Dr Murage Njeru, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, as acting CEO, prompting Mr Muturi to petition court for his reinstatement or a compensation of Sh76 million.

Dr Njeru’s appointment came days after he stepped down in the race for the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, which set for November 27, in favour of the candidate of President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

But his appointment has landed Consolidated Bank in trouble after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said the lender had breached its rules that demand executives pass a fit and proper test before of their appointment.

Dr Njeru’s appointment came as his brother and another contestant for the Mbeere North seat, Charles Njagagua, was removed as chair of Consolidated Bank.

The by-election is seen as a litmus test for the President’s popularity in the Mt Kenya region following his fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

‘In light of the absence of a substantive board of directors, I hereby appoint Dr Dominic Murage Njeru, who is being seconded from the University of Nairobi as the acting chief executive officer to ensure effective succession management pending his certification by the Central Bank of Kenya,’ said Mr Mbadi in an October 8 letter to the Treasury’s representative on the Consolidated Bank board, Jane Njogu.

Ms Njogu later sent a memo to staff announcing the appointment of Dr Njeru as the acting CEO, prompting protests from the CBK.

The CBK reckoned that that Dr Njeru was yet to be vetted by the banking regulator, who earlier questioned Ms Njogu’s role, arguing it has not approved her second board term that started in September.

‘We bring to your attention provisions of Section Section 9A of the Banking Act which stipulate that institutions are required to ensure that no person is appointed or elected as a director or appointed as a senior officer unless the central bank has certified the person as a fit and proper person to manage or control the institution,’ CBK’s deputy director of bank supervision, Timothy Kimutai, told Consolidated Bank.

‘In addition, CBK Prudential Guideline on corporate governance stipulates that no senior officer shall take up his position prior to being cleared by the central bank,’ he added in the October 23 letter.

Consolidated Bank’s board in a letter to Mr Mbadi in March pushed for Mr Muturi to be offered a second term on grounds that he had delivered the bank’s first profit in 15 years.

But the Treasury CS in September rejected the bid to renew Mr Muturi’s term, urging the board to start the process of hiring a new CEO.

In a meeting held in September, four of the six directors opted to challenge the CS’s decision and insisted on Mr Muturi.

The former chairman, Mr Njagagua, and Ms Njogu sided with the Treasury CS.

‘In view of the foregoing, it was resolved that a letter be written to the Cabinet Secretary seeking further consultation and a reconsideration of the decision by the CS recommending the commencement of the recruitment of a new CEO in view of the fact that the board had instead recommended the renewal of the CEO’s contract for a further three years,’ say minutes of the board on September 12 seen by the Business Daily.

However, on the same date, Mr Njagagua terminated the contract of Mr Muturi, before the board’s resolution was communicated to the CS.

In a letter dated September 17, the CS acknowledged receiving a letter signed by four directors requesting extension of the CEO’s contract but insisted on ending Mr Muturi’s term.

On October 3, Mr Mbadi revoked the appointment of three of the four directors who had signed the letter save for Florence Oluoch, who had been appointed in November last year.

President Ruto revoked Mr Njagagua’s chairmanship on the same day, leaving the bank without a substantive board.

Mr Muturi on October 16 petitioned the court to have him reinstated, arguing that Mr Mbadi had no powers to overrule the board in the appointment of CEOs.

Consolidated Bank has been struggling with leadership gaps with more than half of its top management – six of 11 – serving in acting capacity, denying them full authority to execute their roles.

Albert Anjichi is acting as the bank’s head of legal and company secretary since 2023.

Fred Ronoh, head of finance and administration, and Harrison Muthoka, head of risk and compliance, are also temporal.

Others serving in acting capacity are head of human resources Rose Mukoba, head of retail and SME Josephine Mutunga, who however holds the docket of corporate banking substantively and head of credit Jullie Odadi.

Mr Muturi had banked on a fresh term after the bank posted a profit of Sh12 million for the six months ended June from a Sh84 million loss.

The bank, whose capital levels remained below statutory requirements, cut its operating expenses by four percent to Sh812 million from Sh848 million.

It reduced its staff costs in the six-month period by Sh5 million to Sh349 million, with management forced to look at cost cutting to spur growth as the government continued withholding its support despite persistent calls for cash injection.

Consolidated Bank has been in the red for the last nine years with losses wiping out its core capital to negative Sh731 million.

Its accumulated losses stood at Sh4.4 billion, putting it in breach of all CBK’s capital parameters.

The bank’s core capital to total deposit liabilities ratio is at negative 5.8 percent against a mandatory eight percent while its total capital to total risk weighted assets is at negative 6.1 percent against the statutory 14.5 percent.

The Treasury, which owns 93.5 percent of the bank, has failed to heed pleas to inject cash in the lender for the last 12 years.

For years, flower vases were the kind of thing you only saw in glossy magazines or in the living rooms of Kenya’s wealthy elite, placed on marble tables in hallways or on dinner tables.

But of late, vases are almost in all modern homes, and a number of interior décor entrepreneurs are cashing in on the rising demand. Kenyans are buying from vintage vases sold in antique stores, to those made locally or imported and sold online.

Dorothy Owuor, who has found success with soapstone vases, never planned to be in the décor business. Her journey into making soapstone vases began almost by fluke.

‘I had just moved to Kisii and went exploring in Tabaka, where soapstone is mined. I had no interest in starting a business then; I was just looking for decor pieces for my home,’ she says.

She did not find anything that she liked. ‘I started wondering whether it would be possible for me to create the kind of pieces I wanted for my home. In the process, I discovered a gap in the local design market for people who, like me, wanted unique pieces, which are as good as the ones on international platforms, but with roots from home as well.’

In 2022, she launched her first vase collection under her Soapstone Interiors business, after months of experimentation.

‘We realised that the pieces were being bought not just as flower holders but also as sculptural objects, pieces that could start conversations in homes or offices. So we built a design language around our vases,’ she says. ‘Flower vases now account for around 50 percent of our revenue.’

Though they have been in business for only four years, Ms Owuor believes the demand for vases is on the rise.

‘We’ve seen a lot of appreciation and an increase in the desire for authenticity and local craftsmanship,’ she says.

Social media has been the game-changer.

‘We are majorly on Instagram, and it has helped us reach and showcase our craftsmanship to a very design-savvy audience. We are also able to demonstrate how our pieces are being shipped, styled, and used by both local and international buyers.’

Over the years, her clients have grown to include homeowners, interior designers sourcing for residential and commercial projects, boutique hotels, and lodges who want to reflect Kenyan culture, and collectors and diaspora buyers who are seeking custom pieces.

But the business has its challenges. Beyond the weather-related hurdles, there are logistical challenges.

‘Sometimes it can be difficult to reach high-end buyers without a well-established distribution channel,’ she says.

Increasing male buyers

Another flower vase seller is June Njuraita, who owns Wendo Store Kenya in Nairobi.

‘For the past five years, there’s been an increase in the number of people wanting to share their lives online, meaning that their homes have to look nice,’ she says.

‘And when their audiences watch their content, they are influenced into wanting their own spaces to look good as well, leading to people wanting unique vases.’

She established the business in 2023 with only 50 vases made from ceramic, glass, and stone and sourced from India and China.

‘India is known for having really good rustic pieces,’ she says.

Previously seen as an interior décor item for only women, Ms Njuraita says 30 percent of her buyers are men, who also buy a matching vase, a tray, plus artificial flowers.

Where to put it

So, where do you place your vase so that it stands out as a work of art? Daphine Mutheu, who has been doing interior design for 17 years and is the founder of El Interior Designers, says the vase plays different roles in a home.

‘If you want a statement piece, then you go for bold colours, unusual shapes, and oversized forms,’ she says.

If you want the vase to play a supportive, accent role, then you go for a more subtle tone or a minimalist design to complement the other decor items. And if you want it to play a functional role in the space, then you pick a vase that can hold your choice of fillers. It all depends on your end game.’

The vases that she has seen trending in the market currently are mostly in line with the popular design themes.

‘Most people are going for the contemporary look, so I’m seeing a gravitation toward beautifully-shaped, asymmetrical vases made of ceramic, with glossy finishes and neutral colours, the whites, greens, blacks,’ she says.

‘But there’s another category that’s going for the boho look, and they look for vases with a more natural finish and ones that are functional so they can put maybe a monstera leaf in it.’

When it comes to styling the vases, Ms Mutheu, who is also an author, says there is a difference when styling an office versus a home.

‘For homes pick flower vases that are more playful and flexible, and it gives you more options to work with. You can mix glass, wood, or ceramic pieces, or have different textures, colours, and heights. For offices, however, because it’s a space used by many people and you want the decor to be more accommodating, you’d want to achieve a more formal look. So you’d stick to the neutral colours and shapes and find something simple but that makes a statement as well.’

Lighting is essential when trying to accentuate a flower vase.

‘If your vase is the centerpiece, then you definitely need lighting directed toward it so it can stand out. Lighting is also important for vases that have texture, such as stripes or dots, as it brings out that texture and allows people to see and appreciate it.’

The size also matters. The vase would naturally need to be big for a centerpiece, even as an accent piece requires a more toned-down piece of medium to small size.

‘If the room is somewhere where people sit and talk, then having a big vase that obstructs conversation is a mistake. You can place it in a corner instead, and let it make its statement over there,’ she says.

The other mistake is in buying a beautiful vase meant for the spotlight, and tucking it away in a dark corner where nobody can see it.

Similarly, when mixing different vases in a collection, arranging the taller ones in front of their shorter counterparts is another mistake that denies the collection its proper appreciation.

Ms Mutheu advocates for a flexible and fun approach to styling.

‘It’s not just the living rooms, vases can be used in dining rooms, bedrooms, entryways, hallways, even in kitchens, and can be layered with other decor items as well. You can layer them with books, candles, sculptures, trays, or beautiful baskets, or even just mix up different textures and materials for visual appeal.’

Another tip the expert shares is having different vases out at different times of the year.

‘Vases are not permanent. You don’t have to have the same vases in your house throughout the year. You can switch them up every now and then to give your space a fresh look,’ she says.