Category: Business Daily

As carbon markets scale across Kenya’s landscapes, from the mangroves of Lamu to the drylands of Kitui, the question is no longer whether we can measure carbon, but how fast, how accurately, and at what cost.

Traditional field plots have long anchored carbon accounting, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. The real shift is happening above us, through remote sensing technologies that are transforming how carbon is monitored, verified, and valued.

Remote sensing, simply put, is the science of collecting information about the Earth without direct contact. Using satellites, drones, and airborne sensors, scientists can estimate vegetation cover, biomass, and even soil characteristics across vast areas. What once required months of fieldwork can now be assessed in near real time.

The strength of remote sensing lies in scale. While a field plot captures a fraction of a hectare, satellites can scan entire counties in a single pass. Platforms operated by agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency provide continuous streams of data, enabling analysts to track changes in vegetation cover, detect deforestation, and monitor restoration progress with remarkable precision.

However, remote sensing is not just about imagery. Technologies such as LiDAR, which uses laser pulses to measure forest structure, can estimate tree height and canopy density, both critical for calculating aboveground biomass. Combined with spectral data from satellites, these tools allow scientists to model carbon stocks across entire landscapes.

Perhaps the most powerful idea underpinning remote sensing is its ability to operationalise the concept of ‘space for time’. By analysing landscapes at different stages, degraded, recovering, and intact, scientists can model how carbon stocks are likely to change over time. Instead of waiting decades to observe growth, remote sensing allows us to project carbon trajectories using spatial patterns observed today.

This is particularly relevant for countries like Kenya, where ecosystems are highly variable and dynamic. In drylands, where vegetation fluctuates with rainfall, or in mangroves, where tidal systems influence growth, continuous monitoring becomes essential. Remote sensing provides that continuity.

Yet, it is not without limitations. Satellite data must be calibrated using ground-based measurements. Without field plots, remote sensing risks becoming an abstraction detached from ecological reality. Cloud cover, sensor limitations, and resolution constraints can also introduce uncertainty.

The future, therefore, is not a choice between ground plots and satellites, but a fusion of both. Field data provides accuracy. Remote sensing provides scale and frequency. Together, they create a robust system where carbon is not just estimated, but continuously monitored.

For Kenya’s growing carbon economy, this matters deeply. Investors demand transparency. Communities deserve fairness. Governments require accountability.

If carbon is to become a credible currency, then remote sensing offers the oversight mechanism the market has long needed. Because in a system built on invisible assets, seeing clearly is everything.

As the date for the mandatory adoption of the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards in Kenya draws close, organisations in the first wave of the mandatory adoption phase on January 1, 2027 are working to ensure compliance.

Preparations have also picked up pace recently, and organisations are actively engaged in specific readiness programmes.

For every organisation, understanding which of the three waves of mandatory reporting dates apply is important to prevent the risk of non-compliance.

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) issued a transition document and guide outlining what organisations should consider as they prepare for the adoption of the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards. This guide has influenced organisations’ preparations in various ways.

Organisations in Kenya are building capacity across their organisations for all relevant teams and stakeholders.

It remains an important continuous step for organisations to ensure they gain the understanding and skills needed to perform the required tasks at every step of their sustainability journey.

Organisations are also conducting baselining exercises to assess their current status, identify gaps, and develop a roadmap to address them in time for reporting compliance.

It remains a crucial step because it provides a comprehensive view of all interdependencies across the organisation.

In addition, organisations in Kenya are leveraging industry groups and other sector player platforms to drive efficiency and for knowledge sharing.

Organisations are encouraged to actively participate in their industry forums as they prepare for the mandatory adoption of the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards. On this same front, board directors and executives are upskilling and investing in learning and education to equip them to integrate sustainability into their existing responsibility frameworks.

The climate agenda is another area board directors are paying attention to, to ensure their organisation’s approach is tailored, grounded in reality and adds value to the organisation.

The recent launch of the Chapter Zero Alliance network in Kenya is another forum for board directors and senior leadership to gain practical knowledge, build the right networks, and access the tools needed to integrate climate and nature considerations into governance, risk oversight, capital allocation, and corporate strategy.

Organisations in Kenya should continue to put in place the right people, processes and systems to achieve compliance on the mandatory compliance dates.

Kenya is set to test the commercial viability of a planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant as it steps up efforts to remove the expensive diesel-powered thermal plants for the national grid and offer consumers cheaper electricity.

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit of the National Treasury is already recruiting an expert to, among other things, test the commercial viability of the planned 1,200 megawatt (MW) plant.

‘The feasibility study is intended to determine the commercial viability and PPP suitability of implementing the proposed project from a technical, economic, social, environmental and financial perspective,’ it said.

The planned LNG plant to be located in Dongo Kundu, Mombasa, is key to easing Kenya Power’s reliance on the expensive and dirty thermal power plants. It will be constructed via the PPP model.

Electricity from thermal plants is the most expensive of all sources to Kenya Power, with a kilowatt-hour (kWh) averaging Sh35.09, largely fuel cost charge, which is the single biggest component on consumer monthly power bills. Thermal power is 11 times costlier than locally-generated hydropower, which averages Sh3.27 a unit.

The LNG plant, to be built in phases, will lower the amount of thermal power that Kenya Power taps to stabilise power supply in the Coast region and countrywide when demand peaks in the evening.

Reduced use of thermal power is key to lowering electricity prices for consumers.

Kenya targets to have the first 300MW delivered this year, another 300MW in 2028, and 600 MW in 2032.

The project will be built via the Build-Own-Operate or Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model.

Thermal power supplied 706.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) or 9.05 percent of the total output to the national grid in the six months to December last year, behind wind (12.98 percent), locally-generated hydro (22.36 percent), and geothermal power (40.06 percent).

Monthly electricity bills for consumers traditionally go up whenever fuel prices rise, and generation from the thermal power plants is high, underscoring the impact of FCC on bills.

Kenya does not have any confirmed reserves of LNG and is counting on Tanzania or other countries to get the commodity.

The country signed an agreement with Tanzania to build a pipeline to evacuate LNG from Mtwara in the southeastern part of Tanzania to the port of Mombasa. The two inked the deal in 2021.

The PPP unit says that an LPG plant will offer Kenya cheaper power compared to the thermal plants and also lower environmental pollution.

‘LNG Single Cycle Gas Turbines or Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (SCGT/CCGT) generation offers a lower-cost and more environmentally efficient alternative to existing diesel-based thermal generation,’ the PPP Unit said.

Kenya has for years been forced to lean on the expensive thermal power plants to shore up supply when demand spikes in the evening. The plants are also integral in stabilising the electricity supply in the Coastal region.

There are eight thermal plants currently supplying electricity to Kenya Power. Two are owned by Kenya Electricity Generating Company , while the rest are independent power producers.

The world may have evolved, but Naitore Nyamu-Mathenge insists on buying the dailies. ‘Hard copies,’ she says, the way it has always been.

She didn’t fall too far from her dad’s tree, inheriting not only his manners, but his mannerisms too. Like how she wants to be unbothered. But being unbothered doesn’t mean not bothering. She bothers about her children, her husband, and her coffee. Oh, how she loves her coffee, a tonic for her soul. Or maybe that’s the ice cream?

The Regional Coordinator, Africa, for the Global Survivors Fund, however, admits that her job comes with a few spots of bother. The trauma, and the world’s indifference. The stories that percolate long after being told. And the dismissive brush of: ‘Here comes the feminist.’

About that. She’s a feminist, she agrees. A cudgel in one hand, a tool in the other. ‘Society’s ills,’ she says, ‘are all blamed on feminism.’

Still, she refuses to be a victim of her success. She has a job to do, a public defender, the righteous path of the do-gooder. All with a smile. It could be the cake, or it could be the chocolate chip cookies. Could be both.

What’s been the most interesting part of your week so far?

I had an event in Lesotho on Tuesday with the African Committee on the Rights and the Welfare of the Child. That was a very interesting event to discuss education as a form of reparation for children affected by conflict. It was a good feeling at the end of it, but the pressure was too much. However, if you put in the work, you’ll often get the outcome that you desire.

What is bringing excitement to your life?

Wow, deep questions. What am I supposed to say? [chuckles] I just love life. I’m generally a very happy, optimistic person. So life in general is something to treasure. My family brings me a lot of excitement. My three children. They come in different shapes and forms, so there’s something exciting about engaging with each of them.

What’s it like being a mother in this age?

Haha! Where do we start? It’s a very interesting journey with no manual. There are times when I feel I would give myself a 10/10. And there are days I feel like it 2/10. So you try to balance that. But also, you parent each child differently based on their personality. And at the moment, they are at a stage where they are questioning me a lot, which is good.

In which area of motherhood did your children force you to grow expeditiously?

Did you tell me these questions were going to be this deep [chuckles]? Actually, they help me so much to be a more patient person. And to see the world from a different perspective.

What would you teach your mother about motherhood?

I’ve actually learned so much from my mum about motherhood. My mum was very gentle, always has been. Maybe my siblings have a different perspective. What I would teach her is that you really cannot control the direction your children take. The best you can do is provide for them, guide them and let them go.

What are you learning about life from your children?

Life is very easy. We complicate it. There are times when my eldest tells me, ‘Mum, you need to chill a little bit.’ Because when you have plans, you want everything to go according to order, but at times the ducks refuse to go in a row. You don’t have to control life.

What do you hope they remember about you when they are your age?

I hope they remember that we had many fun times. That we danced a lot together. That we sat down as a family to have lunch, dinner, and breakfast. And that I was always available for them.

Is there anything you miss about your younger self?

No responsibilities. Adulthood is a scam, haha! I keep telling my children, please stop saying you want to grow up. When you get here, things will change.

What do you think your younger self would admire or envy in your current self now?

Confidence. The younger me wasn’t as confident as I am today. I think as you grow older, there are some things you don’t fuss about a lot. And also, you become more assertive. You’re in a better frame of mind in terms of making decisions.

Do you remember your first salary?

I got my first job when I was in university, teaching children in Year 6 and Year 9 English and Literature. I was getting paid Sh1,000 per lesson [chuckles].

What do you miss before you became important?

Haha! I believe what I’m doing is a calling. It’s not just a job, it’s my purpose in life. I wish I had been doing this for longer. To advance the rights of women and girls and survivors of sexual violence.

Dealing with survivors must be a highly emotion-inducing space. How do you cope?

To be honest, it’s an opportunity and a privilege for me to be working in this space, to move the needle and ensure that if there are any survivors of sexual violence, they receive reparation and redress for the harms they’ve suffered. If we can prevent any forms of sexual violence globally, then that would be a life well lived for me.

Do you have a secret formula for not carrying the trauma into your own personal life?

When I started, I used to do legal aid clinics, where we would meet with survivors, and those stories were dreadful. I would go home and talk to my husband. But at some point, the organisation realised the mental toll on us, so we would get counselling regularly. The support I have received from other professionals allows me to unplug, empathise and look at solutions without seeing everyone as perpetrators of sexual violence.

The world that you operate in is all about repair. What part of yourself remains unrepaired?

Hey! That’s a tough one [chuckles]. I’ve realised some wounds will never fully heal. Last year, I lost my dad, and that’s something I’m grappling with. I don’t think that can be repaired. So you hold on to your faith that there is an afterlife, that you’ll see this person another time, in another world. You cherish the memories you had with that person, but that wound remains.

Were you close?

We had a great relationship, especially in my adulthood. He was super proud of me. He would share anything that happened in my life with everyone [chuckles]. In his world, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do. So I miss that. I miss his phone calls.

What’s the weirdest advice your dad has given you?

He introduced me to reading the dailies. He read them until the end of his life. And he always kept telling me, if you want to know what’s going on in the world, make sure you watch the 7 pm and 9 pm news and read the newspaper. So I still buy copies of the dailies. And for him, it was very specific, the Daily Nation.

Are you just saying that?

Haha! No. I actually do buy the Daily Nation, daily.

What traits are you taking from him and passing to your children?

My dad was a very easy person. Nothing bothered him. If he had a newspaper, a plate of meat, that was it. He didn’t take life so seriously, and he really knew how to mind his business.

Speaking of, what’s life’s simplest pleasure?

A good night’s sleep. Waking up, enjoying your coffee. One of the things that I’m really enjoying at the moment, especially because I work from home, is enjoying a cup of coffee or tea in the evening with my husband as we watch birds and the sunset.

Do you ever worry that people will take your work to be who you are, especially considering it equates to a lot of suffering and pain?

There are some aspects of my work that have been used to communicate certain messages. I identify as a feminist. So there are instances where, before I even say anything, people will say, ‘OK, here comes the feminist.’

I get a lot of questions about the decisions that I’ve made in my life, especially in this field. People want to know, is this something that you’ve gone through? Why did you choose this? There will be misconceptions and biases, but I don’t shy away from speaking out, even with my family members.

Trauma and therapy-speak have become buzzwords. How does that impact how you raise your children?

What I’m happy about is that we are now conscious, and people can speak about things they couldn’t address before. I don’t think it has become easier, but there’s still stigma there.

What I’m really keen on is being open with my children, having conversations with them, and also getting feedback from them. I ask them, which areas do we think that we, as your parents, can do better? And let me tell you, if you are a parent, do not open that box, because they will give it to you [chuckles].

What kind of loneliness comes with leadership in the humanitarian space?

People will isolate you and say you are anti-government or an activist. I’ve seen it with some of my friends. When they get positions in the government, they tend to create barriers, because they don’t want to be associated with someone who will either be on the streets protesting, or part of the organisations condemning extrajudicial killings, the right to assemble and such.

But you have to accept it as long as you’re authentic to yourself, and as long as you’re speaking truth to power. I’m guided by the Bible and the Constitution. If I’m not doing anything illegal or immoral, then it really doesn’t matter.

What’s a misconception people have about you?

You know, as an introvert, I really, oh my gosh, I can’t even believe I’m saying this, I really come across as a snob [chuckles]. It takes time for me to warm up to people. And also, I don’t make friends easily.

What’s the best thing a friend has done for you?

My friends have really been there for me. My friend, who happens to be my husband, was the first one to come when my dad died. He was there throughout and took up everything. That was a critical moment for me, a gift.

What does it mean for you to call someone a friend?

Similar, aligned values.

That is a lot of corporate speak. What do you mean?

Haha! Okay, the word is not alignment, but you have to believe in similar things in life. Integrity is crucial. Also, for you to be my friend, you have to have a relationship with God in whatever form.

What do you do when you want to be just a girl?

I go to the spa. I eat a lot of ice cream, salted caramel especially, cake, and chocolate chip cookies. Throw in a milkshake too [chuckles]. I have a sweet tooth.

What’s a book that changed the way you live or your perspective?

I read it a long time ago, The Purpose Driven Life [by Rick Warren]. It shaped my thinking.

What are you learning to say no to?

To disrespect, when people don’t keep their word and expect you to still show up for them. I’m learning to say no to being overly committed to things and people. I am learning to say no to things that do not matter. This season of grief has taught me that life and death are not worlds apart. It’s less than a millisecond.

What matters more than you thought it would?

I’ve always known family to be important to me, but now more than ever. Secondly, my faith. Every day I’m learning from how Jesus lived his life, what He exemplified as a leader in His own right, but as someone who came to die for us.

From the outside looking in, we see you as a successful person. Did success feel like what you had imagined?

It’s a journey. I wouldn’t say that I’m at the pinnacle. I still have dreams that scare me. What I’ve learned about success is that it’s really how you relate with others, especially with colleagues and people you’re leading, that’s what matters the most. Previously, I thought the title was everything, but I’d rather not have a title and have an impact.

Has anyone ever made you feel like you didn’t matter at your level?

Of course, Eddie [chuckles]. In this field, it will come out so many times in so many different ways. You’ll go for meetings where people believe they are the encyclopaedias on a certain topic, and they do not want to get another perspective.

So you allow them to speak and you share your perspective; more often than not, they’ll counter without facts or reason, because we also live in a world where people are very egoistic. I would rather be quiet than speak foolishness.

What is a lie, especially for women, that they should stop believing in the workplace?

That there’s a balance. I’m really happy that you didn’t ask me what your work-family life balance is because it’s non-existent. We live in a very patriarchal society, so women’s success is measured not in terms of their careers but in terms of their family lives. I believe in finding a way of ensuring that whatever you need to do gets done. Secondly, women need to stop being guilted for the things they love.

Can one have it all?

It depends. Having it all means being at peace with everyone, having people in your life who love you for who you are, not your job title. But some things for me are very critical, like being a mum, a daughter, a sister, a wife.

What’s a question you wish people would ask you, but they don’t?

What is feminism, because there’s a lot of misconception there. But I’m not going to tell you what feminism is; we need a lecture on that. You know what I find very disturbing? The idea that feminism is the cause of all that is wrong in society.

What are you looking forward to doing this weekend?

Sleeping. I haven’t had enough sleep this week, that’s why I’m on coffee. Weekends ease you into a very slow pace, no schedules, no alarms, no meetings. So I just want to sleep, enjoy my coffee, whatever time I wake up. I am sure my children have a list of things they want done, so I’ll enjoy those with them, maybe take a walk at Karura Forest.

Who do you know that I should know?

God. And not just knowing him, having a personal relationship with him, Eddie. Make sure you write that, that people should know God [chuckles].

Naitore, give us some really good advice.

As a Bible-believing person, I believe that everything in the world is vanity. And the most critical thing that anyone should pursue is a personal relationship with God. It does not have a manual, Eddie, because the Bible says, ‘Call unto me, and I’ll answer you.’ Do that [chuckles].

Conflicts in two laws have stalled the sale of the government’s 43.77 percent stake in a wines and spirits firm that distributes Amarula and Viceroy, delaying a bidding for shares valued at about Sh3.3 billion.

The freshly amended Privatisation Act, which guides sale of shares, is in conflict with the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2012 on the transaction in companies where the government does not have majority ownership.

Privatisation Act, which was amended last year, exempts firms where the government is a minority owner from following strict steps, including seeking parliamentary and Cabinet approval ahead of stake sales.

Conflicts in two laws have stalled the sale of the government’s 43.77 percent stake in a wines and spirits firm that distributes Amarula and Viceroy, delaying a bidding for shares valued at about Sh3.3 billion.

The freshly amended Privatisation Act, which guides sale of shares, is in conflict with the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2012 on the transaction in companies where the government does not have majority ownership.

Privatisation Act, which was amended last year, exempts firms where the government is a minority owner from following strict steps, including seeking parliamentary and Cabinet approval ahead of stake sales.

A source familiar with the deal reckons that South Africa’s beverage firm Distell Group failed to insert the pre-emptive clause in a shareholder agreement with the government, after it became a majority shareholder in KHEAL following its acquisition of an extra 26.4 percent stake from Centum Investment.

It acquired the Centum stake in 2017 for Sh1.1 billion, giving it majority control, and its omission of the pre-emptive rights will hurt Heineken if it has ambition to fully acquire the Kenyan and avoid a hostile co-owner.

Majority shareholders often push for the pre-emptive rights to maintain control by avoiding dilution in the event of new shares being issued and avoid aggressive partners from sale of existing stocks.

The pre-emptive rights require that the shares being sold in a firm cannot be offered in the open market until existing shareholders have been given a chance to invest.

Before 2017, Distell was the minority shareholder behind the government and Centum, with its initial 26 percent stake that it had acquired from State for Sh860 million.

The State now seeks to fully exit KHEAL, triggering a bidding war that looks set to attract the interests of private equity firms and high-net-worth investors warm to beer and spirits stocks as a relatively cheap way to benefit from growth in alcohol sales in emerging markets like Kenya.

International brewers are increasingly reviewing their investments amid a drop in global alcohol consumption.

Heineken’s acquisition of South AfricaDistell marked the entry of a major brewer with local production in the Kenyan market that is dominated by East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a subsidiary of Diageo Plc.

London-listed Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker whisky and Captain Morgan rum, said in December it had agreed to sell its 65 percent stake in EABL to the Japanese brewer Asahi Holdings, as it implements a turnaround strategy to reduce debt and revive growth.

The Diageo stake sale is worth Sh300 billion.

KWAL commenced operations as a 100 percent parastatal owned by KDC before a divestiture process, which began with the 2014 sale of an initial 26 percent stake to Distell Group.

The sale of the government’s stake in the wines and spirits manufacturer is part of plans to raise funds through divestiture in multiple firms where the State has substantial or full ownership.

It has since sold stakes in Kenya Pipeline Company and Safaricom.

Kenyans are rapidly moving beyond basic use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with new data showing a sharp shift toward mastering complex digital skills in a race to secure future jobs and income streams.

Latest search trends released by Google reveal an explosion in interest around advanced AI concepts, signalling a transition from passive consumption of the new-age technology to active technical learning.

At the centre of this shift is a staggering 16,720 percent surge in searches for AI agents over the past year, pointing to a growing number of users seeking to understand and deploy automated systems that can perform tasks independently.

This marks a significant evolution in Kenya’s digital landscape, where smartphones are increasingly being repurposed from communication tools into platforms for skills development and income generation.

The data further shows that searches related to AI literacy have jumped 1,010 percent, while interest in prompting tools-critical for interacting effectively with AI systems-has risen by 1,230 percent over the same period.

‘This massive jump shows that Kenyans are masterfully using technology to build and manage advanced automation tools for their professional lives. These achievements highlight a rich legacy of innovation that young Kenyans are now building upon with new digital tools,’ said Google.

‘The move toward mastering advanced technology is happening within a thriving digital economy where digital tools drive significant economic impact.’

The trends indicate that users are advancing from interacting with AI tools like chatbots and moving to actively learning how to optimise and control them, gaining a skillset that’s becoming increasingly valuable in the global digital economy.

‘This movement is a highly deliberate strategy to master new skills and explore global opportunities. The technical literacy of the population is growing at an incredible rate,’ noted the giant search platform.

The data from Google shows that the shift is also redefining how Kenyans are approaching education, with AI-powered learning emerging as a dominant theme in search behaviour.

Interest in AI-driven studying rose 240 percent last month alone, while online school searches grew 250 percent over the past year, reflecting a broader move toward digital-first learning models.

Searches combining AI with academic disciplines such as chemistry have risen by 150 percent, highlighting how learners are using technology to tackle traditionally difficult subjects without relying solely on conventional classroom systems.

This transformation comes at a time when Kenya is positioning itself as a regional technology hub, often referred to as the ‘Silicon Savannah,’ driven by high mobile penetration, expanding internet access, and a youthful, tech-savvy population.

According to industry estimates, digital technologies are playing an increasingly central role in the economy, with every dollar invested in digital infrastructure generating up to five dollars in economic value.

‘Kenya is leading the way in the transition to an agentic era where technology acts as a 24/7 tutor and professional assistant. The incredible growth in technical literacy and automated tools shows a nation that is actively shaping its future through intentional learning,’ said Nanjala Misiko, Group Consumer Apps Marketing Manager in Sub-Saharan Africa at Google.

The rise in AI-related searches also reflects a broader cultural shift toward self-driven learning, where individuals are taking control of their professional development outside traditional institutions.

This is particularly significant in a labour market where job creation has struggled to keep pace with a growing youth population, pushing many to seek alternative pathways to income.

By seeking to learn how to use and build with AI tools, users are positioning themselves for opportunities in fields such as content creation, software development, digital marketing, and automation.

The rapid uptake of AI tools, however, raises questions about the readiness of existing education systems to effectively integrate emerging technologies.

While students are turning to AI for learning support, there remains limited formal guidance on how to use these tools responsibly and productively within academic settings.

Concerns are also abound on the potential for misuse, including over-reliance on AI-generated content and challenges related to academic integrity.

A court battle over the dismissal of a senior manager at Kenya Airways (KQ) has exposed an internal dispute over an aircraft engine maintenance contract at the national carrier.

The case was triggered by the airline’s decision to sack Daniel Okello and his supervisor over the selection of a higher-cost, third-ranked supplier from Germany instead of a lower-priced Israeli top bidder for a Boeing 737 engine maintenance contract.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi ruled that the airline unfairly terminated Mr Okello, a B787 Materials and Tools Support Manager, but only on procedural grounds.

The court found that although the August 2019 dismissal was valid, the process was flawed due to bias and lack of disclosure. It upheld the airline’s claim that Mr Okello had defied instructions from his supervisor to halt the procurement process and stop engaging the supplier.

‘The claimant’s supervisor fully participated in the decision-making process that resulted in the claimant’s termination. This participation no doubt creates a sense of bias and a possible conflict of interest,’ the court said.

‘The participation of the claimant’s accuser is, in my view, fatal and impairs the fairness of the process.’

Procurement row

The case stems from a 2019 procurement dispute over Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for CFM56-7B aircraft engines used on Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 fleets.

Mr Okello told the court he had been instructed to abandon a completed Request for Proposals (RFP) process that had ranked Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Bedek and KLM Engineering and Maintenance as top bidders.

Instead, he said, his supervisor directed him to engage Germany’s MTU Aero Engines, a third-ranked bidder offering higher costs and less favourable contractual terms.

He objected, arguing the move violated internal procurement procedures, the company’s code of ethics and public procurement laws.

Mr Okello said the directive would expose the airline to financial loss and undermine value, especially given its well-documented financial strain.

He further argued that the directive breached multiple frameworks, including the KQ Procurement Procedure Manual (2015), the KQ Code of Ethics, and the KISM Code of Ethics and Conduct.

He maintained that Israel Aerospace Industries and KLM Engineering had been recommended based on better pricing, contractual value and more favourable terms.

Insubordination claim

The airline, however, maintained that the instructions were lawful and issued by a superior, Irene Lempaka, acting within her mandate as Acting Head of Supply Chain and Facilities.

It told the court that its managing director and chief operating officer had directed that the RFP process with Israel Aerospace Industries be halted, and that Mr Okello was required to comply.

According to the airline, Mr Okello continued engaging suppliers despite clear instructions to stop, amounting to insubordination.

He was issued with a notice to show cause in June 2019, accused of defying instructions, confronting colleagues and maintaining an insolent attitude towards his supervisor.

Mr Okello responded by defending his actions as necessary to protect the company from irregular procurement decisions and financial risk.

He was invited to a disciplinary hearing on July 4, 2019, dismissed on July 22, 2019, and his appeal was rejected by the airline’s chief executive on August 21, 2019.

He later challenged the decision in court, seeking a declaration that his dismissal was unlawful, unfair and in violation of his constitutional rights.

He also claimed Sh161.7 million in compensation, including lost earnings, benefits and damages.

Court findings

In court, Mr Okello argued that the termination process was fundamentally flawed. He said he was denied access to witness statements and that Ms Lempaka, who initiated the complaint, sat on the disciplinary panel.

The court agreed, finding that the process violated his right to a fair hearing.

‘Fair hearing includes disclosure of evidence to enable adequate defence,’ the court ruled, noting that the airline failed to provide the requested witness statements.

It added that the supervisor’s dual role as accuser and decision-maker ‘impairs the fairness of the process’.

However, the court drew a clear distinction on the substance of the dismissal.

It held that employers are entitled to enforce lawful instructions and discipline employees who defy them.

‘It is undisputed that instructions were issued to the claimant to halt the RFP process, and the claimant admits challenging and continuing engagement, albeit on grounds of legality and financial prudence,’ the court said.

Mr Okello’s claim that the procurement directive was unlawful or would cause financial loss was not proven.

‘The claimant has not provided any credible proof of the respondent’s alleged violation of procurement laws and potential financial losses, as he did not conclusively prove illegality,’ the court said, ruling that KQ had a valid reason to terminate his employment.

Mr Okello had sought Sh161.7 million, including projected earnings over 22 years, pension contributions and travel benefits.

The court rejected the claims as speculative and lacking legal basis, warning against unjust enrichment.

Instead, it awarded him six months’ salary, amounting to Sh2.7 million, citing his long service and the procedural flaws in the dismissal.

Sportspersons in Kenya will gain control over the commercial use of their names, images and likenesses if Parliament approves a proposed law aimed at unlocking financial opportunities in the industry.

Analysts at law firm Bowmans say the Sports Bill, 2026, currently before the National Assembly, strengthens sportspersons’ rights by granting explicit commercial control over the use of their images in contracts and sponsorship deals.

‘Section 95 of the Bill introduces a substantive legal development by conferring on every sports person the right to control the commercial use of their name, image and likeness, and by prohibiting unauthorised exploitation without consent,’ the analysts said.

‘This provision does not merely restate existing practice; it creates a statutory right where none previously existed. In effect, it shifts the treatment of athlete image rights from a matter of private contractual arrangement to one of statutory recognition, with implications for enforceability, licensing and dispute resolution,’ they added.

Legal shift

Kenyan law currently does not recognise a standalone right over a sportsperson’s image. As a result, commercial use of names, likenesses or reputation has been protected indirectly through contract, trademark and copyright law, as well as the tort of passing off.

‘While functional, this approach has resulted in fragmented protection and uncertainty, particularly where athletes, clubs and federations assert competing or overlapping interests,’ the Bowmans team said in a note.

Kenyan sportspersons are globally recognised in disciplines such as athletics and rugby. A stronger push to commercialise their rights could improve financial outcomes, in line with global trends where sport is increasingly structured to generate revenue for sponsors and team owners.

The analysts said the Sports Bill, 2026, is likely to reshape sponsorship deals and media rights in the country.

‘The legal consequences are material. Endorsement and sponsorship arrangements will need to be structured with reference to a defined right, rather than inferred consent. Questions relating to ownership, control and permitted use, often a source of dispute, are likely to be assessed against a statutory standard,’ they said.

‘This is likely to affect how athlete agreements, sponsorship deals and media rights arrangements are negotiated and enforced,’ they added.

Commercial push

Section 96 of the Sports Bill, 2026, promotes the commercialisation of sport, including media rights, merchandising, event hosting and athlete branding.

‘While framed in broad terms, it signals a legislative intention to recognise sport as an economic sector in which rights can be systematically exploited,’ Bowmans said.

Section 97 provides the institutional framework to support this commercialisation. It requires commercial sports organisations to operate through recognised legal structures and obtain accreditation, while allowing the use of subsidiaries, special purpose vehicles and joint ventures to exploit commercial rights.

‘This creates a clearer legal basis for structuring ownership and licensing arrangements, including those relating to intellectual property,’ the analysts said.

A common yet treatable condition in men often goes unnoticed for years, quietly undermining the chances of pregnancy. Known as varicocele, it is one of the leading correctable causes of male infertility, according to Dr Naushad Karim, a consultant interventional radiologist at Aga Khan University Hospital.

What is varicocele?

To understand varicocele, Dr Karim explains that the testicles are positioned outside the body because sperm production requires a temperature slightly lower than normal body heat. Like any other organ, the testes receive blood through arteries and drain it through veins.

In varicocele, the valves within the veins malfunction. Instead of flowing back towards the heart, blood pools in the scrotum, causing the surrounding veins to enlarge.

The result, in more advanced cases, is a swelling that Dr Karim describes as resembling ‘a bag of worms’.

The pooling of blood raises the local temperature of the testicle. Even a modest increase can impair sperm quality.

‘Even when the count is normal,’ explains Dr Karim, ‘The quality of the sperm, particularly motility and the ability to achieve conception, may be significantly reduced.’

The condition can also suppress testosterone levels, leaving some men with unexplained fatigue, low energy and a gradual decline in sexual health. These symptoms are often misattributed to stress, work pressure or ageing.

Varicocele most commonly affects the left side due to anatomical differences. The left testicular vein drains into the renal vein at a near-right angle, creating greater resistance, while the right drains more directly into a larger vessel.

Silent burden

Varicocele does not announce itself dramatically. It exists on a spectrum, and in its milder stages, symptoms are easily dismissed.

There may be a dull ache deep in the scrotum that worsens after standing for long periods, lifting heavy objects or exercising. A man may notice a visible or palpable swelling in the shower but not mention it for months or even years. In some cases, there are no symptoms until a couple seeks help for infertility.

Dr Karim identifies three reasons the condition often goes undetected.

‘The symptoms are tolerable enough to be ignored. Men are less likely than women to seek medical attention, and there is a stigma, particularly when the subject touches on fertility. This makes men reluctant to discuss it even with a trusted doctor.’

This stigma, he says, is significant. In the emotionally charged context of infertility, men may feel isolated if they perceive themselves as the source of the problem, a burden rarely discussed openly.

While varicocele can occur at any age, it commonly develops in adolescence and is often identified in men in their 20s and 30s.

The condition also forces men to confront a deeply private aspect of their health, which can be difficult in a social context where masculinity and male identity remain sensitive subjects.

It is found in roughly 35 to 40 percent of men with primary infertility and up to 70 to 80 percent of those with secondary infertility, making it one of the most common and treatable causes of male infertility.

Varicocele does not resolve without treatment. There is no supplement, lifestyle change or watchful waiting that can reverse damage to the venous valves once they have failed.

However, the decision to treat is not always straightforward. Dr Karim says it depends on the individual case. Pain may justify intervention, as does a desire to improve fertility outcomes. Where neither applies, monitoring is a reasonable option.

‘Early detection and an open conversation with a doctor remain the most effective tools available,’ says Dr Karim.

Treatment options

Dr Karim says diagnosis is straightforward. A scrotal ultrasound, the same imaging used to rule out infections and other causes of discomfort, can confirm varicocele and determine its severity.

He recommends the test for any man with persistent scrotal discomfort, whether or not fertility is a concern.

Once confirmed, there are two treatment options. The traditional approach is surgery, which involves tying off the affected vein under general anaesthesia.

Varicocele embolisation, a newer approach, has become the preferred standard in Western Europe, North America and Australia, and is now available at Aga Khan University Hospital.

Embolisation is a non-surgical, permanent procedure performed on an outpatient basis while the patient is awake. A catheter is guided through a vein in the neck to the affected testicular vein, where tiny metal coils and a sealing agent permanently close it. There are no incisions, and patients can go home the same day.

The outcomes of both approaches are consistent. ‘Almost all patients report an improvement in their symptoms and in the quality of their sperm,’ says Dr Karim.

Whether this results in pregnancy depends on several factors, including the health of the female partner, timing and the nature of the couple’s infertility.

Cost barrier

What stands between many men and treatment is cost. Because the coils used are imported, embolisation costs between Sh800,000 and Sh1,000,000, beyond the reach of most families dealing with infertility. The procedure is not covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Dr Karim receives two to three enquiries a week, but many do not progress beyond the initial consultation.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), varicocele affects about 10 to 15 percent of men worldwide but is significantly more common among those with infertility.

It is found in roughly 35 to 40 percent of men with primary infertility and up to 70 to 80 percent of those with secondary infertility, making it one of the most common and treatable causes of male infertility.

Varicocele does not resolve without treatment. There is no supplement, lifestyle change or watchful waiting that can reverse damage to the venous valves once they have failed.

However, the decision to treat is not always straightforward. Dr Karim says it depends on the individual case. Pain may justify intervention, as does a desire to improve fertility outcomes. Where neither applies, monitoring is a reasonable option.

‘Early detection and an open conversation with a doctor remain the most effective tools available,’ says Dr Karim.

When a wealthy Kenyan dies, the battle over their estate often begins after the funeral. Bank accounts are frozen, businesses stall, and families that once appeared united fall into disputes over land, shares and control.

At the centre of many of these conflicts is a common assumption – that writing a Will is enough.

‘It is not,’ says Njuguna Muri, an estate and succession lawyer at Muri Mwaniki Thige and Kageni LLP. ‘A Will is the basic. For comprehensive solutions, one may need a trust, or even engage in other more befitting arrangements such as lifetime transfers, nominations and business structuring.’

From his experience, even families that have taken the step of drafting a Will still fall into predictable traps.

False assumptions

‘Many assume that a Will is the whole plan,’ he says. ‘Others assume their children are a duplication of them – that they will manage the estate the same way, preserve it and maintain harmony. That is rarely the case. There is also the assumption that all dependants have equal interests and needs, and should therefore be treated generally. In reality, families are more complex than that.’

In some cases, deeply held beliefs clash with the law.

‘Some assume that culture overrides the law, for instance, disinheriting daughters. Others assume that being a firstborn or male automatically translates into leadership ability. That is not always true.’

Beyond assumptions, structural mistakes weaken estate plans long before death.

‘Families often fail to separate personal assets from business ones. They ignore matrimonial property claims, and fail to update Wills after marriage, divorce, new children or major acquisitions,’ Mr Muri says.

He also warns that concentrating power in one individual ‘without clear substitutes creates deadlock, especially where the executor is unwilling, unavailable or distrusted’.

Even where everything appears in order, the legal process itself can slow matters significantly, since a Will still requires court succession proceedings before assets can be transferred.

That delay has real consequences, including the freezing of access to bank accounts, land transfers, shareholding changes and business decision-making.

He cautions families against informal workarounds: ‘The law punishes intermeddling with estate property before authority is obtained, so families who ‘self-help’ after death can create more legal trouble.’

Planning gap

For these reasons, relying on a Will alone may not be sufficient.

‘A trust can be set up while one is alive,’ Mr Muri says. ‘It becomes worth serious consideration where the estate is large, the family is complex, children are minors or vulnerable, or the assets are business-heavy.’

He adds: ‘A trust can provide continuity and privacy instead of a long court process. It can work either as a replacement for some assets or as a companion structure to the Will.’

The challenges become more pronounced when assets cross borders.

‘Land in other countries is typically controlled by the law of where it is situated. That means a Kenyan Will may not automatically resolve inheritance issues for overseas assets,’ he says.

‘Conflicts usually arise where a family uses one Will for everything, fails to check the foreign country’s succession rules, or assumes that a Kenyan grant will automatically work abroad.’

For families with businesses, the risks are even higher.

‘A Will alone may divide shares, but it does not by itself guarantee that the company will run smoothly after death,’ Mr Muri says. ‘The key is to separate ownership, control and benefit. Otherwise, beneficiaries may disagree or lack the management skills needed to run the business.’

To avoid this, governance structures are critical.

‘Families should consider shareholders’ agreements, company constitutions, family trusts holding shares, and clear succession clauses for directors and signatories,’ he says. ‘Early mentorship for future managers is also important.’

Cost reality

Protecting assets from misuse or disputes requires similar planning.

‘A parent can protect land, shares and other assets through a properly drafted Will, a trust, or lifetime transfers, depending on the situation,’ he says.

But documentation must match intent. ‘Families should keep title documents, share certificates, trust deeds and estate records aligned, and avoid mixing personal, matrimonial and business property without clear documentation.’

Even then, a Will can still be challenged.

‘A Will can be contested on grounds such as lack of proper execution, lack of mental capacity, fraud, coercion or undue influence,’ Mr Muri explains.

Courts also retain discretion and can alter a valid Will if any dependant was not reasonably provided for. He notes that poorly handled Wills are especially vulnerable.

The people appointed to manage the estate can also become a source of conflict.

‘Disputes often arise where family members refuse to act or challenge each other,’ he says.

In polygamous or blended families, the complexity increases.

‘The law recognises multiple houses and provides a distribution structure, but a one-size-fits-all approach often creates resentment or court battles,’ Mr Muri says. ‘The safest approach is to identify each house, each spouse’s rights, the children in each unit, and any prior gifts or settlements before deciding on the final structure.’

Cost is another factor families tend to overlook.

‘Families often underestimate the real cost of estate transfer – legal fees, valuation fees, gazettement, court filing costs, title transfer expenses and company filings,’ he says.

While Kenya does not impose a general estate duty, the process is far from cheap.

‘Other taxes and transaction costs may arise depending on how the estate is reorganised,’ he adds. ‘However, estate planning costs are generally cheaper than court battle fees.’

The nature of wealth is also changing, and Mr Muri says the law is still catching up – especially with digital assets, Sacco shares and cross-border portfolios.

The biggest risk with these assets, he says, is often poor documentation.

‘Families fail to document passwords, nomination details and ownership. Sometimes this leads to loss of assets.’

For those looking to protect an estate, his advice is straightforward.

First, prepare a full and honest inventory of everything owned or owed – land, shares, bank accounts, businesses, digital assets and foreign property. Second, avoid generalisations: understand each dependant and choose executors, trustees and decision-makers who are capable, trustworthy and willing to act. Finally, ensure the estate plan is professionally prepared.

Without this level of preparation, even significant wealth can quickly unravel.

‘Every estate has its own risks and its own needs,’ Mr Muri says. ‘The most important point is that neither the people nor the solution should be treated generically.’

In the end, the distinction is simple.

‘A Will tells the court your wishes,’ he says. ‘But a good estate plan makes those wishes easier to carry out without a fight.’