Category: Business Daily

Isuzu East Africa has tightened its grip on Kenya’s new vehicle market, racing further ahead of CFAO Mobility Kenya as unit sales rebounded in 2025 on the back of easing financing costs and a stable shilling.

Data from the Kenya Motor Industry Association (KMIA) shows that new vehicle sales rose to 13,583 units in 2025, up from 11,352 the previous year, a 19.65 percent increase.

The recovery marks a turnaround after three years of subdued demand on a raft of shocks, including high interest rates, currency volatility, increased taxation and delayed payment to government contractors.

Isuzu was the biggest driver of rebound in showroom vehicles, growing sales of its pick-ups, buses, trucks and SUVs from 5,390 units in 2024 to 6,494 in 2025 – a jump of 20.48 percent.

This marginally lifted its market share to 47.81 from 47.48 percent, meaning nearly one out of every two new vehicles sold was an Isuzu model.

The gains have widened the gap between Isuzu and CFAO Mobility Kenya, underscoring the strength of the commercial vehicle segment relative to private cars.

CFAO – the dealer for Toyota, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Hino – posted a 16.39 percent increase in sales, from 3,789 units to 4,410 in the period under review.

However, its market share slipped from 33.4 to 32.5 percent, as Isuzu expanded at a faster pace and smaller players like Scania East Africa and Salvador Caetano Kenya posted growth.

Industry players say the turnaround has been underpinned by improving macro-economic conditions. The shilling enjoyed its most stable run against the dollar in decades in 2025, hovering around the Sh129 level for 16 months since August 2024.

The stability reduced pricing uncertainty for imported vehicles and parts, while improving business confidence.

Borrowing costs also eased, with the average lending rate by banks falling to 14.88 percent in November 2025 from a recent peak of 17.22 percent in November 2024.

That followed successive benchmark interest rate cuts by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), which has trimmed its key lending rate from 13 percent in mid-2024 to nine percent currently, easing the cost of financing vehicle purchases.

Isuzu EA Sales and Marketing Director, Wanjohi Kangangi, said in November last year that the improving environment had unlocked demand, particularly among businesses.

‘Interest rates have gone down, so many businesses are taking loans. Some of the payments that had been stuck for government contractors have begun coming through,’ he said.

Mr Kangangi added that customers who could not invest were now expanding operations.

‘By and large, we are in a good spot. People feel they are more stable than they were in recent years,” he said.

He added that Isuzu had intensified customer engagement to support the recovery.

‘There is some stability and this is what businesses want. We have held events across the country to meet customers and ensure things are okay. We wanted to ensure the financing programmes we crafted were working for them,” he said.

Simba Corp grew sales from 977 to 1,134 units, Tata from 432 to 558 and Scania from 201 to 286.

Brands focused on private passenger vehicles continued to struggle.

With just a few weeks into the new year, many people remain upbeat about their goals and hope this will turn out to be their best year yet.

You have probably put your best foot forward to make this a year of growth and scaling greater heights, be it in careers, family life, spiritual journey, health and of course, finances.

If you are wondering where to grow your money this year, financial adviser Mary Mwangi has some practical tips for both seasoned and first-time investors.

‘Safe investments mean channels that give a guaranteed return with low to zero risk of loss. These include Treasury bills and bonds, fixed deposit accounts, money market funds, and specific insurance investment plans,’ she says. ‘These channels offer a steady income and security for your principal.’

But for investors willing to accept more risk, higher returns are possible. ‘Absolutely. The stock market has been performing well, as have real estate and commercial papers from private companies. The key is to understand the volatility of these investments and your own risk appetite. You must acknowledge that while the potential returns are high, you could also lose part of your investment.’

Comparing traditional investments to stocks and real estate, Mary notes that while bonds and fixed deposits are reliable, they generally yield lower returns. ‘Traditional investments are steady and low-risk, but stocks and real estate can deliver higher returns over the long term,’ she explains.

Digital assets like cryptocurrencies, she adds, remain largely speculative. ‘They are mostly ‘invest and wait’ platforms. They serve to diversify a portfolio but should not form the backbone of one’s investments.’

Balancing risk and return is a matter of life stage and financial goals.

‘Investment aims to build, grow, and preserve wealth. Early on, you may want to keep your seed money in guaranteed platforms. As your portfolio grows, you can allocate some funds to higher-risk, long-term speculative options. Your personal risk appetite informs most investment decisions.’

Common pitfalls

Common pitfalls for Kenyan investors include following the crowd without understanding the investments. ‘Failing to do due diligence is a major mistake. You need to understand exactly what you’re investing in, how it works, and the pros and cons. Make informed decisions.’

On liquidity, Mary recommends keeping a portion of funds easily accessible. ‘Cash or liquid investments should cover short-term goals and emergencies-at least three times your monthly budget.

The rest should be directed toward long-term goals with clear timelines.’

Looking at promising sectors for 2026, she highlights infrastructure, health, agriculture, technology, and clean energy, noting their significant growth potential both locally and globally.

Current economic factors also influence investment choices. ‘High inflation pushes investors toward high-yielding investments. Currency fluctuations make dollar-based investments attractive.

Stable, long-term investments continue to attract investors,’ she says.

For those starting with a modest amount, such as Sh100,000, Mary advises tailoring investments to risk tolerance. ‘Depending on your appetite, you could consider equities, Treasury bonds, bills, or goal-linked insurance plans. Special funds exist, but Sh100,000 is often only sufficient as a top-up rather than an initial deposit.’

Rebalancing portfolios

She also emphasises the importance of reviewing and rebalancing portfolios. ‘Do so anytime there is a major change in life, income, or the market-or when you’ve achieved a goal-to ensure funds are redirected appropriately.’

For first-time investors nervous about entering the market, Mary’s advice is simple: ‘Start small, invest consistently, set clear short-, medium-, and long-term goals, and choose investments that align with those goals. Know your risk appetite, research thoroughly, consult professionals, and avoid simply following the crowd.’

For investors looking at the Kenyan market through 2026, Monicah Mwaniki, co-founder and chief executive officer of ArvoCap Asset Managers, says local assets are likely to remain resilient despite lingering global uncertainty.

‘Kenyan government bonds and listed stocks should provide relative safety into 2026, largely due to lower inflationary pressures. This helps buffer investors against currency shocks and makes local yields more attractive.’

She adds that improved government finances, partly driven by privatisation efforts, could support fiscal spending and incremental development, providing a tailwind for consumption and overall economic activity.

While higher-return opportunities often come with higher risk, Monicah says this does not mean investors should avoid them altogether.

‘Equities inherently carry higher risk because of the cyclical nature of business and the economy,’ she notes.

‘However, with prudent diversification and sound portfolio management, it is possible to manage those risks and capitalise on market volatility.’

On fixed income investments, Monicah expects continued stability. ‘Fixed income securities should perform well on an absolute basis as government borrowing demand eases and alternative sources of capital are tapped,’ she says. ‘Lower inflation also creates room for more flexible monetary policy, which supports bond markets.’

Looking ahead to equities, she is cautiously optimistic. ‘We believe the Kenyan stock market will continue to show upside momentum, supported by attractive valuations and relatively high dividend yields, especially within the banking sector,’ she says. She also expects credit growth to strengthen as fiscal policy becomes more expansionary in the run-up to elections.

Successful investing

Many Kenyan investors, she observes, struggle not because opportunities are lacking, but because of how decisions are made.

‘Chasing returns without understanding risk, overconcentrating in a single asset like property or shares, confusing saving with investing, and relying on tips from WhatsApp groups or social media often undermines long-term growth,’ Monicah says. ‘Successful investing is not about finding the perfect opportunity, but about building a disciplined, diversified strategy aligned with one’s goals, time horizon and temperament.’

For someone with Sh100,000 to invest, Monicah says the priority should be preserving value. ‘The first step is placing money in an investment that beats inflation while protecting capital,’ she explains, noting that professionally while protecting capital,’ she explains, noting that professionally managed fixed-income products can offer steady, structured growth with minimal volatility, especially for investors seeking discipline over speculation.

And for first-time investors who feel anxious about entering the market, Monicah says hesitation is natural-but inactivity carries its own risks. ‘Fear is normal, but staying out of the market entirely is often riskier than entering it thoughtfully,’ she says.

‘Start with clarity, invest money you don’t need immediately, choose products you understand, and focus on consistency and patience. Over time, discipline and a long-term view turn uncertainty into confidence.’

Clarity of purpose

Another key consideration when deciding where to invest in 2026, according to Alfred Mathu, lead financial consultant and founder of East Africa Insurance Agency, is clarity of purpose.

‘Every investment agenda is driven by several factors, but the first thing is always the investment objective,’ Alfred explains. ‘Are you investing short-term, medium-term, or long- term? That clarity determines everything else.’

Age and risk appetite, he emphasises, must always be factored in. ‘It would not be prudent for an older person to go into very long-term investments,’ Alfred cautions. ‘A young person has time on their side, but someone closer to retirement needs liquidity and support. Different investments come with different risk levels, and your age should align with your investment horizon.’

He also warns against concentrating funds in a single investment. ‘Always have a cushion,’ Mathu advises. ‘If you’ve sold property and set the money aside for something as critical as your children’s education, don’t put it all into one instrument. Diversify so that even if one investment underperforms, you still have financial support elsewhere.’

Ultimately, Alfred says diversification and regular review are non-negotiable. ‘Markets change, life changes, income changes. Investors should review their portfolios whenever these shifts happen to ensure their money is still aligned with their goals.’

For short-term investors, he says security of capital should take precedence over returns.

‘When someone is investing short-term, their primary agenda is not high returns-it is the security of the funds,’ he notes. In such cases, he recommends money market instruments, which pool funds from multiple investors and place them in low-risk government and fixed-income securities such as Treasury bills, Treasury bonds, commercial papers, debentures, and fixed deposits.

‘The objective of a money market is to give you a competitive return while enjoying optimal security,’ Alfred says. ‘You earn interest daily, you can withdraw or top up your funds at any time, and that flexibility makes money markets ideal for emergencies or short holding periods-especially if you’ve sold an asset and are waiting to redeploy the funds.’

For investors with a longer horizon-typically five to 20 years-Alfred points to what he describes as contractual or medium-term investments. These are suited for goals such as building a home, starting a business, or educating children.

‘Here, you’re not only growing your money, but you’re also enjoying coverage against uncertainties like death, disability, or critical illness,’ he explains. ‘The duration often depends on age-a younger person may go for 15 or 20 years, while someone older may prefer a shorter term.’

Long-term investments, he adds, are largely about retirement planning. ‘Retirement is the time when you allow your money space to work for you,’ he says. ‘If someone is 30 years old and plans to retire at 60, they have 30 years to build a retirement fund through a retirement savings account, which may be a pure investment or one combined with life or disability cover.’

Age and risk appetite, he emphasises, must always be factored in. ‘It would not be prudent for an older person to go into very long-term investments,’ Alfred cautions. ‘A young person has time on their side, but someone closer to retirement needs liquidity and support. Different investments come with different risk levels, and your age should align with your investment horizon.’

Investing in cryptos

On digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, Alfred says they should only play a diversification role. ‘These instruments tend to carry medium to high risk,’ he notes. ‘The idea is not to put all your eggs in one basket, but to spread risk across different platforms-real estate, bonds, shares, money markets, or even alternative investments, so that if one is affected, another can cushion you.’

Asked what advice he would give someone with Sh100,000 to invest, Alfred returns to the same principle: objective first. ‘Why do you want to invest that money, and for how long?’ he asks.

‘If this is the only money you have, you cannot afford to gamble. You must be cautious and avoid overexposure to risk. But if it’s money you can afford to set aside for a long time, then higher-risk, higher-return options can be considered.’

Common mistakes Kenyan investors make, according to Alfred, include failing to understand investment risks and not seeking professional guidance. ‘Some people invest without understanding the chances of loss, and when losses occur, it affects them deeply,’ he says. ‘If you go in with clarity about the risk levels, you can plan better.’

Kenyan startups attracted $984 million (Sh126.9 billion) in funding in 2025, receiving the largest debt and equity financing in Africa for the second year, according to a research firm that tracks such transactions in on the continent.

Young companies in the country had raised funding of $638 million (Sh82.3 billion at current exchange rates) in 2024 when they also led the rest of the continent in receiving capital to back their growth.

This represented an increase of 54.2 percent, with startups in energy and consumer credit among the prominent firms that received funding in the review period.

The research by Africa: The Big Deal covers debt and equity deals of more than $100,000 (Sh12.9 million) and excludes exits.

‘Kenya topped the charts in terms of funding raised, almost hitting the $1 billion mark. This is the most funding an individual market has attracted in a single year since 2022,’ the research firm said in a statement.

‘In fact, it represented almost a third of the total raised on the continent in 2025. Debt ($582 million) represented 60 percent of the total raised, and the amount of equity raised ($383 million) almost doubled year-on-year.’

The research firm said that most of the performance was driven by large energy and consumer credit players such as d.light, Sun King, M-Kopa, Burn and PowerGen.

Sun King, for instance, received a financing package of $156 million (Sh20.1 billion) last year from a consortium of lenders comprising Citi, Absa, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, KCB Bank, and Stanbic Bank Kenya.

Companies like d.light, Sun King and M-Kopa are active in rural parts of the country and low-income zones in towns where there is strong demand from households seeking to acquire solar energy solutions and gadgets like mobile phones and television sets.

The report noted that 75 young businesses raised $100,000 (Sh12.9 million) or more in Kenya in 2025.

Egypt followed Kenya in startups funding last year at $614 million, with South Africa and Nigeria ranking third and fourth respectively with hauls of $599 million and $343 million.

The big four, as they have been referred to since 2019, attracted a total of 82 percent of the funding.

‘Egypt came second with $614 million raised, 20 percent of the total. Funding in the country grew at a similar rate as Kenya,’ the report said.

‘Roughly half of the amount raised was equity, and the rest debt. Egypt was also the second-largest market in terms of debt funding ($278 million, 24 percent of Africa’s total). 61 start-ups raised $100,000 or more in the country last year.’

South Africa was the biggest market in terms of equity funding, with 90.9 percent or $545 million received in the form of payment for ownership stakes.

The country accounted for 29 percent of Africa’s total equity funding.

At a regional level, Eastern Africa was in the lead in 2025 when it came to the total funding raised (34 percent), followed by Western (24 percent), Northern (23 percent), Southern (19 percent) and Central Africa (0.1 percent), according to the report.

A watchdog has placed the Nyeri County government under scrutiny over procurement irregularities, including the introduction of a bidder during the evaluation of a Sh211 million medical insurance tender for Members of the County Executive and staff.

The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) found that the county government’s tender team erred by altering bid requirements and contacting the bidders to ‘clarify’ the security deposited by one of the companies.

PPARB said the county breached mandatory provisions during the opening and evaluation stages for the 2025-26 comprehensive medical insurance cover tender. It rendered the process unlawful and unsustainable, prompting the board to order fresh procurement.

‘The respondents violated the law during the tender opening and evaluation, thereby rendering the entire exercise illegal,’ the board said.

‘The cumulative effect of these irregularities leads to the inescapable conclusion that the entire process was tainted with illegality and must be nullified.’

Consequently, the PPARB directed the Director-General of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority to address any culpability concerning legal breaches in the nullified tender and ensure compliance with laws in the fresh process.

The dispute stemmed from a tender seeking an insurance broker to manage the cover.

Three companies – Utmost Insurance Brokers Ltd, Transnep Insurance Brokers Ltd and Goldfield Insurance Brokers – submitted bids.

After evaluation, the devolved government awarded the contract to Utmost Insurance Brokers Limited as the lowest evaluated bidder at Sh211.5 million.

Goldfield Insurance Brokers, which had quoted Sh213.5 million, contested the award, arguing that the process was flawed. Transnep had quoted Sh219.7 million.

Central to the dispute was the issue of tender security. The documents required bidders to submit a mandatory bond of Sh6.9 million.

However, during the public tender opening, Utmost Ltd’s security was recorded as Sh3 million – a figure confirmed by the company’s representative and documented in the tender opening roll.

‘The tender opening register constitutes the final and definitive record of the process,’ the board ruled, adding that once tenders are opened, ‘no bidder or procuring entity may alter or substitute material information’.

Instead of disqualifying Utmost’s bid for non-compliance, the county government’s tender committee attempted to rectify the discrepancy after the opening.

The team revisited Utmost’s documents post-closure, claimed to have identified a Sh6.9 million bank guarantee and communicated the ‘clarification’ to bidders via phone and SMS.

PPARB ruled that the conduct violated the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, adding that informal communication constituted unauthorised disclosure of procurement information and an unlawful attempt to bypass legal clarification procedures.

‘Clarification cannot be used to correct a substantive defect or render a non-responsive bid responsive,’ the board stressed, saying post-opening alterations of mandatory requirements undermine transparency and breach procurement laws.

The board dismissed the argument that the discrepancy was a minor oversight, stressing that tender security is mandatory and non-compliance at the opening stage automatically disqualifies a bid.

The PPARB identified more irregularities, including the introduction of a bidder named ‘Amana’ at the technical evaluation stage – a decision it said compromised transparency and integrity.

‘The respondents proceeded with an evaluation that was marred by violations of the law. The entire tendering was tainted with illegality and cannot withstand legal scrutiny,’ the board said.

It also rejected Utmost’s claim that Goldfield’s review application was filed late, ruling that the cause of action arose upon award notification on November 18, 2025. Goldfield filed its application on December 1, within the statutory 14-day window.

‘The opening stage is the foundation upon which the entire procurement is built,’ the board stated.

‘Where that foundation is compromised by statutory breaches, the resultant process cannot stand.’

As a result, PPARB nullified the Sh211 million contract award and ordered the Nyeri county government to re-advertise the tender.

The board further directed the devolved government’s accounting officer to consult the PPRA Director-General to implement interim measures ensuring uninterrupted medical coverage during the procurement.

The University of Nairobi (UoN) and a private real estate developer are embroiled in a protracted court battle over a prime parcel of land valued at Sh450 million.

The dispute, which has dragged on for years, could redefine public land ownership and expose the government to compensation claims exceeding Sh1.2 billion.

The case pits UoN against Wathanangu Holdings Ltd, with the Attorney-General, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), the Chief Land Registrar, and the National Land Commission (NLC) listed as co-defendants.

The Environment and Land Court in Machakos has issued multiple rulings shaping the trial, with both parties accusing each other of unlawful conduct.

At the heart of the dispute is a land parcel that Wathanangu claims it legally acquired in 1995 from Silver Clouds Investment Limited, a company that had been allotted the property by the government.

The developer maintains that despite holding a valid title, State actions have hindered development, causing significant financial losses.

According to Wathanangu, interference began in 1999 when a caveat was placed on the title. Though later removed, subsequent actions-including the fencing of adjacent land-allegedly blocked access and stalled development.

The firm estimates the land’s current value at Sh450 million, with projected rental income losses totalling Sh1.26 billion since 2001.

But UoN disputes these allegations, insisting the land is public property. The university alleges fraud in the land’s transfer and seeks cancellation of Wathanangu’s title.

It argues the property was meant for institutional use and should be reverted to its ownership.

The university’s position gained traction when the court permitted an amended defence, adding Silver Clouds Investment Limited and former Lands Registrar Wilson Gachanja as parties.

The court deemed their inclusion necessary to fully examine fraud allegations tied to the original allotment.

Wathanangu has been pursuing compensation for being “unlawfully deprived” of the land for decades.

However, the court recently barred the firm from submitting a fresh valuation report, citing an abuse of process.

The court noted that Wathanangu had previously been blocked from presenting an expert valuation and could not “circumvent the process to introduce new evidence.”

The case hinges on a critical question: Is the land private property unlawfully restricted by the state, or public land acquired irregularly and now subject to repossession?

The final ruling may determine not only ownership but also potential liability for damages-either against the state and UoN or against Wathanangu’s long-held title.

From the tone of the staff announcement, you could almost visualise the quivering voices of the two authors as they announced the exit of East African Breweries Limited’s Group chief financial officer, Risper Ohaga.

The communication announcing the exit of Ms Ohaga was signed by EABL’s Group CEO, Jane Karuku, and its Group human resources director, Jacqueline Wanyama.

‘It is with mixed feelings that we announce the resignation of Ms Risper Ohaga as the chief financial officer and executive director of EABL,’ read the announcement.

Ms Ohaga is leaving amid an impending major shareholding shake-up at the Ruaraka-based alcohol manufacturer, as EABL’s parent company, Diageo, sells its 65 percent stake to Japan’s Asahi Group, which will take control of the brewer.

But for Ms Karuku and Ms Wanyama, this appears to be a painful break-up of the close bond that may have developed among the three top female executives.

Ms Ohaga will remain in office until June 30 to allow for an orderly transition, with her successor to be announced later.

‘She has led in delivering the 2021 and 2025 medium-term notes, saving the business significant amounts in interest costs, demonstrating her financial acuity and bold decision-making,’ the company said in a statement.

The statement added that Ms Ohaga also placed strong emphasis on talent development, with members of the EABL finance team winning Diageo global finance awards a record three times in the past four years.

At EABL, she is credited with optimising the company’s balance sheet and securing funding to fully support its strategy while tightly managing costs. She led the issuance of the brewer’s 2021 and 2025 medium-term notes, transactions that the company says delivered significant savings in interest costs and strengthened its funding profile.

Under her leadership, EABL said, the company reinforced its financial controls and governance structures, enhanced investor relations, and delivered strong results in a challenging operating environment.

‘A number of Finance staff have taken up international assignments both globally and within EABL, with secondments to senior roles in Japan, Ghana, India, Ireland, and Singapore, among others. She believes in nurturing and developing talent, as evidenced by the number of finance staff promoted and/or taking on new challenges under her leadership.’

In February 2020, Ms Ohaga replaced Gyorgy Geiszl, ushering in a trend in which locals gradually replaced expatriates in the corner offices of EABL.

But something else was also happening. Women, too, were replacing men in the listed firm’s C-suite, with Ms Karuku taking over from Andrew Cowan as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer a year later.

Ms Ohaga, the second-born in a family of seven, seems to have taken after her mother. She said in a previous interview that she was always a dreamer, so she is not surprised by the extent to which she has scaled the corporate ladder.

Her mother, too, was a dreamer. She left the three of them-her and her two sisters-with their father to pursue higher education in Canada.

‘I am really good at what I do,’ she said as a matter of fact in a past interview.

She grew up as a problematic, curious, and adventurous girl who was good at Maths. But even then, she was not really sure what she should pursue in college.

The turning point in her search for a career, she said in the interview, came when she said she wanted to do Accounting and her dad advised her to drop it, saying it was too tough even for him. She went for it.

From banking to brewery

Ms Ohaga joined EABL from Absa Group, then known as Barclays, where she had worked for more than a decade in senior finance and audit roles across Africa.

Her appointment coincided with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, a period that placed unprecedented strain on corporate balance sheets and funding.

Earlier, she was Director, Africa, at Barclays Internal Audit, overseeing retail and business banking audits in 12 countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Egypt. Her career at Barclays began as Regional Director for Internal Audit for East and West Africa.

Yet behind the veneer of corporate finance is a loving wife and dedicated mother who once declared in an interview that she is ready to fight for her children.

She did not always want to have children or to be married. All this happened in a flash.

She said in a past interview that her ideas about marriage and parenting changed when she met her current husband, whom she described as sporty, calm, and shy. Practical Peter, she calls him.

She recalled getting pregnant with her firstborn in her first year at KPMG, an audit firm, when she was only 24 years old.

In an interview, she recalled an inscription on the company’s medical policy which postulated: ‘Pregnancy is self-inflicted; therefore, it shall not be covered.’

It is not known where Ms Ohaga will go next, but in a past interview, she said that at the end of her corporate season, she would do a lot of work with women and children. She is interested in helping build corporate leaders.

A micro-lender has put up for sale yet another property belonging to former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu over non-payment of a Sh40 million loan, adding to the financial woes of the embattled politician, who is currently serving a 12-year sentence.

Pelican Credit has retained the services of Garam Auctioneers to find a buyer for half an acre of undeveloped land in Ruai, Nairobi, belonging to the politician popularly known as Babayao. Mr Waititu is said to have defaulted on a Sh30 million loan.

The auction piles further pressure on the jailed politician, whose properties-including some vehicles-are also being auctioned by Mwananchi Credit, another micro-lender, over unpaid Sh10 million loans.

The former Kabete MP is serving a the jail term after the court found him guilty of engaging in corruption, developments that have left him in financial straits, with some of his businesses having been confiscated.

‘All that parcel of land known as Title No. Nairobi/Block 105/8659 Ruai/Eastern Bypass Interchange, Ruai Township along Kangundo Road, Nairobi County, registered in the name of Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu Babayao,’ reads the auction notice published in the Daily Nation on Monday, January 19, 2026.

The auction points to Waititu’s economic predicaments, aggravated by his impeachment due to graft and the decision by the State, with the nod of the High Court, to freeze or confiscate most of his properties.

The property being auctioned is situated opposite Be-Energy Petrol Station, Ruai, and at the junction underpass.

‘The subject plot measures 0.2059 hectares (0.509 acres) or thereabouts, and it is underdeveloped. The title is a leasehold interest for a term of 99 years,’ added Garam.

‘Mains electricity and piped water services are available for connection to the subject property from within the immediate neighborhood. Drainage will be directed to the mains sewer.’

The land being auctioned was one of the two properties that Mr. Waititu used as security for a Sh30 million loan he took from Pelican, the politician told the court.

However, Mr Waititu said he fell behind in repayment of the loan after paying only Sh9.8 million, forcing Pelican to slap him with interests and penalties that left him owing the bank Sh40 million.

‘The plaintiff (Waititu) avers that this demand is improper, illegal, and extortionist,’ he said in an affidavit dated November 5, 2025.

Mr Waititu, who was barred from vying for any political office after being impeached and convicted of a criminal offence, had his properties-including homes and cars-valued at Sh1.9 billion frozen by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for being proceeds of crime.

In February last year, an anti-corruption court sent Mr Waititu, alongside his wife, Susan Wangari, to jail over corrupt business dealings during his tenure at Kiambu County. Mr Waititu is serving a 12-year sentence at Industrial Area Prison, while his wife is serving a separate sentence.

The court condemned Mr Waititu for engaging in self-enrichment endeavours and failing to demonstrate servant leadership as governor.

Mr Waititu was impeached by the Kiambu County Assembly in December 2019 over corruption, among other malpractices. The decision was upheld by the Senate in January 2020. His attempts to challenge his ouster were thrown out by the High Court.

Two days before the Senate impeached him on graft claims, microlender Mwananchi Credit threatened to auction his property after he defaulted on a Sh10 million loan he took on January 27, 2019.

Mwananchi Credit seized Mr Waititu’s two luxury vehicles, which he used as collateral for the loan.

The former governor then moved to court seeking to block the auction, arguing he had fallen on hard economic times even as he sought more time to repay the loan.

‘That due to current financial constraints I am facing, I am unable to clear the said loan within the aforementioned period, but I hasten to add that with a lot of difficulties coupled with the fact that I am facing numerous cases before an anti-corruption court, which has incurred me a lot of costs and expenses by hiring advocates. I have endeavoured to at least clear a sum of Sh1,280,000,’ Mr Waititu said through an affidavit.

The High Court has declined to lift an order that froze the standards levy on manufacturers, which came into effect in August last year.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) argued that the suspension of the levy left a vacuum since the contested gazette notice, which introduced the payments, revoked the earlier one.

The standards agency told the court that without the levy, its operations would be hampered.

‘By denying the first respondent financial resources to execute its mandate, the conservatory orders sought violate the right of consumers to access quality goods and protection of their health and safety as guaranteed by the Constitution,’ Kebs said in the court papers.

The court, however, directed that the status quo – the suspension of the levy- be maintained, pending the hearing on January 27.

Kebs gazetted the Standards (Standards Levy) Order, 2025 and informed manufacturers that they would be required to remit the amount to it. Under the new rules, manufacturers must surrender 0.2 percent of their monthly turnover.

The amount is recoverable at source, with payments to be made through the Kenya Revenue Authority iTax system on or before the 20th day of the following month.

While the levy is still calculated at 0.2 percent of the monthly turnover – excluding VAT, excise duty and discounts – the revised order adjusts the annual levy cap from Sh400,000 to Sh4 million for the first five years.

Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) went to court, arguing that the payments would cripple the operations of manufacturers.

The party added that the increase in the levy was implemented in violation of the Constitution and in a discriminatory, unreasonable and unfair manner.

In response, Kebs said failure to receive standards levy payments would destroy the quality infrastructure of the country and expose consumers to catastrophic effects of substandard products.

The agency said the court must desist from any action that impedes the smooth running of its operations, as it is in the public interest that Kebs executes its mandate effectively to guarantee consumers’ right to quality and safe goods.

The political party said that, unlike previous legal notices, the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry focused solely on revenue generation, at the expense of manufacturers and Kenyans at large, with no clear benefit to the industries paying the levy.

GTAP further stated that the new levy is expected to double Kebs’ annual revenue from Sh700 million to about Sh1.4 billion.

The party’s deputy secretary-general, Mr Harrison Ochieng, said manufacturers would not benefit in any way from what he described as a punitive and illegal levy.

‘This is unprecedented, illegal, unreasonable, and irrational, and goes against the legitimate expectation that adjustments of such rates would be progressive rather than drastic,’ he said.

GTAP also accused the ministry of unlawfully expanding the definition of ‘manufacturers’ to include sectors such as energy generation, software development, computer engineering installation, repair and maintenance, and dry cleaning. The party said this was a deliberate attempt to ‘net as many industries as possible’ under the levy.

Coming just seven months after its predecessor, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple marks the fastest turnaround we’ve ever seen in this franchise. Usually, we’re waiting years or decades between these instalments, but the proximity here makes total sense once you see the film.

These two entries feel like one massive, interconnected piece of work. A lot of the questions and setups from the first movie find their answers here, especially regarding that controversial ending from seven months ago.

If you remember my take on the previous film, I had a huge problem with the deus ex machina finale. It felt like “Power Ranger” superheroes just dropped out of the sky to save Spike from the zombies. It was jarring and felt unearned.

The Bone Temple fixes that by making the entire story about those people, the Jimmies. It strips away the mystery of those “superhero” characters and grounds them in a way that actually makes them the best part of this sequel.

While the first film wasn’t exactly the triumphant return to form the trailers promised, it was plagued by an uneven script, convenience and a head-scratching ending, this sequel feels much more deliberate and focused

A good villian

Jack O’Connell is fantastic as the lead antagonist. He plays a charismatic, unpredictable, and ruthless villain, who makes some stupid decisions at times.

He’s one of those villains who thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room when he’s actually quite the opposite, and that makes him fascinating to watch. O’Connell brings so much life to the role that you’re perversely entertained by him, even though you’re dying to see him suffer for what he does.

And he does some truly terrible things. Unlike the first movie, which felt a bit romanticised and “cinematic,” The Bone Temple is brutal. It goes to uncomfortable places, specifically with the “Jimmys”, that group of young people.

There’s a moment with the zombies that are hard to watch, but it’s the human-to-human cruelty that will make you look away, which, unlike the first movie, captures just how ugly this world can be.

Character Moments

The heart of the film, surprisingly, lies with Ralph Fiennes. Reprising his role as the doctor/owner of the temple. Some of my favourite sequences are the quiet, weird moments between him and “Samson,” the Alpha. And a moment in the third act where he has to put on an act.

I thought the movie thoughtfully handled the “zombie” perspective. We get flashes of what they see and why they attack. There’s even a moment where Samson is almost “healed,” catching a glimpse of the man he used to be before the virus pulls him back under. It’s a simple yet effective moment that adds a layer to the tragedy of the monsters.

There’s also a very interesting use of music and performance. Fiennes has this “acolytal” performance that is beautifully shot and borders on the supernatural.

It’s a choice that actually works because the direction feels so much more structured and focused this time around, allowing the bone temple to be given that grant cinematic look. The direction helps you get a clear goal on who you’re rooting for, who you hate, and the tension feels organic rather than manufactured.

Infact I thought the direction saves the screenplay. If you were to close your eyes and just listen to the dialogue, it’s honestly a bit surface-level. The first and second acts rely on standard writing, and it’s only the performances and the visual staging that elevate it into something compelling.

The editing is tight, and the world-building, including the established nudity (and there is a lot of male nudity) and grit of this universe, feels consistent with the brand. It doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be “prestige horror”; it just feels like a solid, mean survival film.

My frustrations

My biggest issue is the serialised structure. At the end, the movie introduces a major cameo that everyone was waiting for, but it’s used primarily to set up the next movie. I’ve said it before: I don’t like journeys where the destination is constantly being moved. I want a story to stand on its own feet, but this franchise seems determined to keep you on a hook for the next instalment.

The ending at the temple itself is cathartic and satisfying in the moment for those who were invested in the characters, but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed once the credits rolled.

Despite the strong performances and the “Alpha” subplot, the final resolution for Fiennes’ character felt a bit flat, even with the performance that does. I understand that in this universe, survival is the primary motivation, but I also thought it took a bit of time to put together the secondary motivations for a lot of the characters.

Final thoughts

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a decent theatrical experience. It’s not the “masterpiece of the year” that some early reviews are claiming, but it’s a massive step up in terms of this universe’s lore, logic and tone.

It holds your hand just enough to keep you caught up with the lore while pushing the boundaries of what these characters are willing to do to each other.

It’s brutal, it’s well-directed, and it’s worth a watch if you’re a fan of the genre, even if it’s more interested in being a bridge to the next film than being a definitive ending.

The Aga Khan University Hospital is banking on a Sh1.6 billion investment in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost service delivery and enable it to scale from tertiary to secondary care provision in the region.

Rashid Khalani, the hospital’s chief executive officer, said that the rollout of AI-based solutions in service delivery is already unlocking gains with greater accuracy in diagnosis and efficiency in turnaround time.

He said that AI is already in use in, among other areas, the institution’s radiology department and is providing a case in point of how advanced technology can recast the medical landscape.

‘Until 2022, all our medical records were on paper. We have since spent $12 million on an Electronic Health Records system, and now, end-to-end, we are fully electronic, and that has allowed us to tap into machine learning. Last year, we went live with an Artificial Intelligence-based X-ray. So now radiology, which used to take 15 or 20 minutes looking at the image, is done within 30 seconds,’ Mr Khalani said.

He said that the efficiencies and savings unlocked through the use of AI are helping to drive the institution’s rapid expansion and diversification from its traditional tertiary focus to secondary healthcare.

The difference between tertiary and secondary healthcare is that whereas the former deals in highly specialised and advanced treatment of complex cases, the latter deals in more retail specialist consultation for common conditions.

‘Aga Khan represents tertiary medical care because we are a level six hospital. But now we are increasingly trying to get into the space of secondary healthcare as well. Between Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, we have almost 100 medical centres, and we have to scale even further. Our outreach centres spread across the country target secondary care, which is closer to the community and at a much cheaper rate,’ the CEO said.

Mr Khalani argues that Kenya should position itself as the regional medical tourism hub for East and Central Africa to tap into the massive opportunity presented by thousands travelling outside the continent annually for treatment.

‘Twenty-three percent of Aga Khan’s inpatients are coming from outside Kenya; the trend is increasing. As this number grows, we need to construct more hospitals, both as the Aga Khan and as a country. Kenya has what it takes to become the regional hub for medical tourism. We will never be able to compete with the likes of India from a cost standpoint when it comes to medical tourism. We simply do not have the economies of scale to compete on cost. Where we can compete is in infrastructure, quality control, and accessibility,’ Mr Khalani says.