Nyashinski’s ‘Yariasu’ ushers in bold new era with SONY Music deal

The past few weeks have marked a new chapter in the career of Kenyan singer-songwriter rapper/producer, Nyashinski, with the release of his second solo album Yariasu, and a partnership deal with global music industry giant, SONY Music Africa.

‘It is a relief obviously, when you finalise a project, any project, and put it out to the world,’ Nyashinski (Nyamari Ongegu), told the BDLife in an exclusive interview a few days after an exclusive black-tie album listening party hosted with his brand partner Johnny Walker Black Label. ‘It is exciting when you release it (the album) for the world to hear it. It is exciting to present it and show what East Africa has to offer.’

Competition watchdog allays dominance fears over Portland sale

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has dismissed concerns that Tanzanian tycoon Edhah Abdallah Munif’s acquisition of an extra 29.2 percent stake in East Africa Portland Cement (EAPC) will give him control over the company’s board and a dominant position in the cement sector.

CAK Director General David Kemei told the National Assembly’s Committee on Trade, Industry and Co-operatives that the proposed deal will not hand the businessman control or veto powers in the EAPC board.

Fashion chain LC Waikiki caught in tenancy row with Mombasa tycoon

The High Court has issued temporary orders restraining Turkish clothing retailer LC Waikiki Retail Ke Ltd from terminating a sublease agreement between itself and Nova Holdings Ltd before the stipulated period has lapsed.

Justice Wendy Micheni, sitting in Mombasa, also restrained the multinational clothing retailer from vacating the leased premises on the first floor of Likoni Mall in Mombasa, which belongs to Nova Holdings Ltd.

Current account deficit widens to 2.1pc on increased imports

Increased importation of capital goods, including machinery and transport kits, pushed Kenya’s current account deficit to 2.1 percent of GDP at end of August 2025, compared to 1.6 percent a year earlier, indicating rising business activity and improving credit flows to the private sector.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) says deficit widened to $2.84 billion (Sh367 billion) in August from $1.82 billion (Sh235 billion) a year earlier, but it is expected to moderate to $2.39 billion (Sh309 billion) or 1.7 percent of GDP by the end of the year.

World Bank pushes for higher VAT, excise duty

The World Bank has asked Kenya to consider additional consumption taxes like excise duty and value added tax (VAT) to clear mounting supplier arrears in what could spark fresh social unrest if adopted.

The multilateral lender wants high consumption taxes to clear pending bills, which rose to Sh526 billion in June from Sh421.6 billion in March, triggering business closures, layoffs and non-performing loans.

Industries cut consumption of cheap electricity at night, weekends

Consumption of cheap electricity at night and weekends by industries dipped to a four year low in the period ended June 2025 with 180.1 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) used, signaling reduced economic activity by the businesses and exit of big firms from the special tariff.

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) data shows that this was a decline of 19.9 percent from the 225 GWh used a year earlier by industries and electric vehicles (EVs) under the special tariff, commonly referred to as the Time of Use (ToU).

Only four in 10 Kenyans aware of hypertension status

For every 10 adult Kenyans living with high blood pressure, only four are aware of their condition, according to a new statistic, highlighting alarming gaps in access to treatment for a disease that puts millions of lives at risk.

The World Health Organisation’s Hypertension Profile 2025 estimates that 5.5 million Kenyans aged 30 to 79 have high blood pressure, equivalent to approximately 28 percent of the population.

Survival to spotlight: A founder’s second ascent

‘Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.’ – African proverb

If the first ascent of the creative founder is survival, the second is recognition. It is when passion, once doubted, begins to attract attention, when resilience forged in scarcity is suddenly visible to the world.

Mombasa travel agent sues KLM in Sh16m ticket fraud row

A travel agent based in Mombasa has sued KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, seeking a permanent injunction to restrain it from demanding payment for five tickets, allegedly purchased fraudulently.

In its case at the High Court in Mombasa, Kilindini Travel Centre Ltd says it is an International Air Travel Association (IATA)-accredited travel agent, authorised to conduct air ticketing business for both local and international travel.

Judiciary warns over court orders forgery after SportPesa charge

The Judiciary has raised concerns about the increased use of forged documents to try to procure favourable decisions in the wake of a fake court order in a case involving betting firm SportPesa.

It issued a public notice on Wednesday over the rising cases of fake rulings, court orders, warrants of attachments and sale of property, as well as notices to show cause.