Category: Business Daily

Kenya’s capital markets are entering a new chapter. The Capital Markets (Amendment) Bill 2025 proposes reforms that could reshape how investment flows into the country.

At the heart of the Bill is a proposal to remove fixed statutory limits on how much ownership one person or company can hold in licensed financial institutions, such as stockbrokers, investment banks, and fund managers.

Instead of embedding these limits in law, the Cabinet Secretary, working with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), would be empowered to set them through regulations. The thinking behind this move is to make it easier for large investors to inject capital into the market.

By removing rigid caps, the government hopes to attract more money into the financial sector, leading to stronger institutions, deeper liquidity, and better access to financing for businesses. In theory, this could stimulate economic growth and job creation.

However, while the intention is sound, the execution matters. Removing clear rules without replacing them with robust safeguards could open the door to excessive control by a few dominant players.

It could reduce competition, erode investor confidence, and increase the risk of market manipulation. That’s why many experts are calling for a balanced approach, one that retains default ownership limits in law, such as the current 33.33 percent cap, but allows exceptions through a transparent, well-regulated process.

Any changes should be backed by public consultation, clear justification, and parliamentary oversight.

Beyond ownership thresholds, the reforms must confront deeper governance challenges. Investors should be required to disclose ultimate beneficial ownership, the real individuals behind shareholding structures.

Regulators must also have the authority to vet key appointments to ensure they meet high standards of integrity and competence. These safeguards are not theoretical.

The recent push by stockbrokers to remove the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) chief executive officer, citing concerns over transparency and strategic direction, has exposed tensions within the market.

It reflects a broader discomfort with reform and the need for stronger alignment between leadership and stakeholders. Such episodes remind us that governance isn’t just about compliance, it’s about trust.

When markets are predictable, inclusive, and fair, more people are willing to invest. Pension funds, insurance companies, and foreign investors look for strong governance before committing their money. Without it, even the best reforms risk being undermined by fear, resistance, or misalignment. If Kenya gets this right, it could unlock billions in long-term investment, support infrastructure projects, and help businesses scale. For example, a well-capitalised investment bank could finance affordable housing projects, while a strong fund manager could channel savings into renewable energy ventures.

These are not just boardroom ideas,they affect real lives. A boda boda rider saving for his child’s education, a teacher investing in a unit trust, or a small business owner seeking capital to expand, all stand to benefit from a fair and functioning market.

We are already seeing signs of what’s possible. The NSE has shown strong performance in 2025.

The NSE 20 Share Index recently crossed the 3,000-point mark, up nearly 69 percent compared to last year. Market capitalisation has reached Sh2.81 trillion, and trading volumes have surged.

This growth is being driven by macroeconomic stability, improved investor sentiment, and increased participation from pension funds and retail investors, helped by digital platforms and better financial literacy.

Under the Kenya Kwanza administration, efforts to stabilise public finances, invest in infrastructure, and promote public-private partnerships have laid a solid foundation.

The government’s focus on fiscal discipline and economic transformation is beginning to bear fruit. But to truly mobilise private capital, the capital markets must be ready. That means clear laws, strong institutions, and a regulatory framework that protects investors while encouraging growth.

Other countries offer useful lessons. Singapore combines strict governance with smart incentives to attract global investors. South Africa has built deep markets by supporting institutional investment and strong regulation.

Mauritius has become a hub for cross-border listings by offering clarity and consistency. Kenya has the potential to do the same, especially with Nairobi already serving as a financial gateway for East Africa.

The CMA reforms, if done right, could be a turning point. They offer a chance to modernise Kenya’s financial system, attract new investment, and deepen the market.

But they must be guided by transparency, accountability, and a commitment to integrity. That is the path to a capital market that not only grows, but grows with confidence, fairness, and resilience.

For ordinary Kenyans, this means more opportunities to invest, whether through Saccos, pension schemes, or mobile-based trading apps. It means more jobs created through thriving businesses, and a stronger economy that works for everyone.

When capital markets are inclusive and well-regulated, they become engines of prosperity, not just for the elite, but for all citizens.

Let us embrace reform not with fear, but with foresight. The future of Kenya’s economy depends on it.

Kenya today stands at an inflection point. Our economy is growing, our cities are expanding, and our population is becoming more urban, and more connected.

With this progress comes surging demand for electricity. But we face a double bind; how to power that growth while protecting our economy and our people from the destabilising forces of climate change.

The old model of relying on imported fossil fuels or overdependence on hydropower is no longer sustainable. The time for incremental progress has passed. Kenya must move decisively and invest boldly in renewable energy.

Few countries are as blessed with renewable resources as Kenya. Beneath the Rift Valley for one, lies immense geothermal potential, already making us one of the global leaders in this technology.

The winds across Turkana, Marsabit, and Ngong Hills are steady and strong. The solar irradiation across northern, western, and eastern Kenya is only second if not better than that of the Arabian Peninsula.

And our rivers, descending from highland forests to the Indian Ocean, still hold untapped power potential despite the legacy hydro electric power projects.

But natural abundance is not enough. Resources only become assets when they are harnessed, put to good use for the good of both humanity and the planet.

To unlock this potential, Kenya must act on several fronts. First, policy ambition. Kenya has made important progress with feed-in tariffs and progressive power purchase agreements. But we need to go further.

Clearer regulations, faster permitting, and bolder targets will give investors confidence and accelerate timelines. The global energy transition is moving fast, unless we keep pace, we risk being left behind.

Second, innovative financing. Renewable projects require large upfront investment, but the long-term costs are lower. Kenya should expand its use of green bonds, blended finance models, and public-private partnerships.

Development finance institutions are eager to fund clean energy. Our challenge is to provide bankable projects and transparent frameworks.

Third, human capital. A renewable revolution is not just about technology, it is about people. Kenya must invest in capacity building, training technicians, engineers, and energy entrepreneurs.

Our universities and technical colleges should partner with industry to create a workforce ready for the next generation of power systems.

Fourth, community participation.

Energy projects succeed when local people see tangible benefits. Communities must not only gain access to electricity but also share in jobs, business opportunities, and even equity. Projects that treat host communities as partners rather than obstacles move faster and last longer.

Finally, partnerships. At KenGen, we plan to expand our renewable capacity by more than 1,500MW over the next decade. But this is only one part of the puzzle.

The private sector, government, international investors, and development partners must collaborate at scale. This is not a race Kenya can run alone

Yet, this is also a moment of great geopolitical significance.

The global energy transition will reshape trade flows, supply chains, and alliances. Countries that control renewable resources, from cobalt and lithium to geothermal fields and wind corridors, will have new leverage in the world economy. Kenya must not miss this chance to define its role.

The costs of delay are steep: slower growth, higher fuel imports, greater exposure to climate shocks, and lost opportunities in the global green economy.

The rewards of action on the other hand are just as clear; energy security, job creation, competitiveness, and climate leadership.

The world is watching. Kenya has a chance to show what an African nation can achieve when it marries ambition with action.

By fast-tracking renewable investment, we can light homes, power industries, secure our future, and contribute meaningfully to the fight against climate change.

Our choice is stark but simple. We can cling to outdated models and pay the price. Or we can leap forward, harnessing the power beneath our feet and above our heads, and claim our place in the global green transition.

Three months into the implementation of Kenya’s Finance Act 2025, the landscape of retirement benefits has undergone a significant shift.

The Act repealed long-standing age-based tax exemptions, replacing them with clearer and more favourable conditions. Now, tax exemptions apply only if a member has reached the scheme’s retirement age, completed at least 20 years of membership, or is retiring due to ill health.

To add to that, gratuity earned after July 2025 is now tax-free, and withdrawals that meet the new criteria can enjoy full exemptions. For retirees, this means more certainty, fairer treatment for long-serving members, and in many cases, more money in hand. Previously, retirees had to navigate strict caps and partial exemptions – for example, a tax-free allowance of Sh300,000 per year on pensions or Sh600,000 on lump-sum withdrawals, with the balance taxed.

Under the new framework, the focus shifts from amounts and age thresholds to service and scheme rules. This offers broader relief and simplifies the process.

In practice, long-serving members stand to gain the most.

The intent of the new rules is to encourage early retirement planning as well as preservation of benefits until retirement age. This is good for long-term financial stability, but it also presents immediate challenges for members and schemes.

Many will now find that resigning early comes with a heavier tax burden than they expected. Without proper guidance, this can lead to confusion, resentment, or rushed financial choices. Trustees and administrators cannot afford to stand back. This is a moment to lead.

The first responsibility is communication. Members will want to know what these changes mean for them in practical terms. Will they receive less if they leave before retirement? How much less are we talking? What are the scheme’s rules?

Trustees, with the support of administrators, must provide clear answers. Instead of long explanations filled with technical terms, practical examples will do.

They will need to show a 40-year-old what happens when he withdraws after 10 years of service compared to someone who retires at 60. Such real-world illustrations turn abstract law into something members can understand. When schemes share this information openly, they build confidence but when they delay or keep communication vague, they create uncertainty. Words alone are not enough. Members need tools that help them see the impact of their choices.

Administrators can provide benefit illustrations whenever a member considers withdrawing. A simple breakdown showing the gross benefit, the tax deduction and the net payout goes a long way.

Digital calculators can also be created to show members what they stand to lose or gain depending on when they access their savings.

Trustees should make sure these tools are integrated into member engagement. When a member logs into a portal or receives an exit statement, the tax implications should be clear. This level of transparency empowers members to make informed decisions.

The Finance Act has made early withdrawals less attractive. But this does not have to be a negative. Trustees can turn it into a chance to highlight the benefits of preservation. For example, a young worker who resigns at 42 may be discouraged by a large tax deduction.

But if they preserve their savings until retirement age – say 65, not only do they reduce the tax hit, they also benefit from years of compounded growth.

The new rules are not just about members. They also demand strong governance from schemes. Trust deeds, rules, communication materials and administrative systems must be updated to reflect the new reality. Trustees and administrators should work closely to ensure compliance and smooth operations. Any misstep in calculating tax or paying benefits could damage trust.

We are not looking at a mere a tax adjustment. The new act is a test of leadership for the retirement benefits sector. Members will remember not just how much they received, but how they were guided through these changes.

Therefore, it is an opportunity for trustees and administrators to show that they are not only custodians of savings but also partners in financial security.

As it is said, in moments of change, trust is earned through clarity and care. The challenge has been set and now it is up to trustees and administrators to rise to it.

When Rosemary Kimunya started the Kenya Flower Festival six years ago, she wanted it to bloom into something similar to the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London.

She envisioned a local event that would bring together flower lovers in Kenya, but never imagined that it would attract visitors, designers, and florists from around the world.

‘I just wanted a space where people who love flowers could meet and share ideas,’ she recalls. ‘I never thought it would go this far.’ This year’s event was at the Nairobi National Park. The festival brought floristry into the wild by combining two of Kenya’s greatest treasures: its flowers and its wildlife.

‘It was risky,’ she says. ‘We even worried that baboons might eat the flowers overnight. But it worked beautifully.’

Hosting it in the park was not just about the location; it was also about flower tourism.

‘We also wanted to return flowers to their natural context and remind everyone that, long before they became commercial products, they were wild things that grew freely under the African sky. There’s something symbolic about bringing art and business into a conservation space,’ Rosemary says.

‘It reminds us that sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s our responsibility.’

She was also looking to attract flower tourists, having priced the tickets in dollars.

‘When we first priced tickets in dollars, I wasn’t sure anyone would come,’ Rosemary says. ‘But then the bookings started coming in. That’s when I realised we’d truly gone global.’ South African floral designer and educator Mabel Maposa was at the event. ‘Flowers in the wild remind me that beauty doesn’t always ask for permission,’ she said.

To Ms Mabel, Kenya is not just a floral powerhouse, but a place where cultivation meets nature’s poetry and flowers represent both business and way of life. Her journey with Kenya began in 2019, when her curiosity led her to her first flower festival.

‘It was mysterious,’ she recalls. ‘I was drawn to Kenya, I call it the home of garden roses. No other country is quite like it.’

However, her initial visit was merely the beginning. She has returned repeatedly-in 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2025.

‘This country is warm,’ she says.

‘The people, the culture, the way it has evolved, everything about it keeps drawing me back. But one of the things that troubled me during my first year was hearing Kenyans talk about how their beautiful flowers were being shipped off, leaving little behind for them. But that has changed. Witnessing that evolution has been powerful. I can’t stop coming back.’

At this year’s festival, Ms Mabel witnessed this transformation more clearly than ever before. For the first time, the programme included visits to flower farms.

‘I learned so much. I’ve worked in this industry for 15 years, but this was the first time I truly understood the difference between breeders and growers, how far apart their processes are, what it takes to create new varieties, and how it all connects back to us florists,’ said Ms Mabel.

‘Kenya shouldn’t just be known for exporting flowers,’ Ms Kimunya said. ‘We should also be known for celebrating them, for making flowers part of who we are.’

Imagine this: in a youth centre outside Nairobi, four teenagers join a facilitator in call-and-response music making. Shoulders loosen, hands find rhythm, moods shift.

What once looked like an arts club now carries a new label-music therapy. The songs are familiar, but what’s new is the structure: goals, methods, and measures. This clinical scaffolding makes the difference between casual singing and a recognised therapeutic intervention.

Kenya has always healed through music-lullabies in maternity wards, choirs in moments of grief, drumming that binds communities. Professional music therapy does not replace these traditions; it curates them within ethical and clinical frameworks.

Sessions target clear goals such as reducing anxiety, improving attention, or supporting emotional expression, while evidence is tracked through checklists, scales, and reflection.

Why invest?

The economics are persuasive. International research shows music therapy is not just effective but often cost-saving.

In US intensive care units, a patient-directed music programme delivered by therapists reduced time on mechanical ventilation, saving about $2,300 per patient at an average cost of only $329.

In dementia care homes, music therapy reduced agitation at £13-£27 per person, far lower than the costs of other interventions. In neurosurgery, perioperative music was found to be cost-effective in reducing postoperative delirium.

Group music therapy for schizophrenia in Chinese nursing homes dominated treatment-as-usual, providing clinical benefit at lower overall cost. Even in paediatrics, therapist-supported music has helped reduce sedation needs-making care both safer and more affordable.

These numbers matter for Kenya, where mental health services remain underfunded and clinical staff are stretched thin.

Music is already embedded in everyday life, trusted across generations and communities. Introducing professional music therapy offers a low-cost, high-reach solution that extends care into schools, hospitals, and community halls.

An ideal life insurance cover should range between four and eight times one’s annual gross salary, financial experts say, a figure that often surprises many first-time policy seekers.

Life insurance is about protecting your family’s future, ensuring that in your absence, they can grieve, heal, and rebuild without financial distress. But how do insurers decide what your life is worth, and what determines how much you should actually be covered for?

Cross-border traders, Kenyans in the diaspora, and multinationals are increasingly using stablecoins for payments, setting the stage for wider adoption of digital assets in everyday finance in Kenya.

Kenya made Sh426.4 billion ($3.3 billion) worth of transactions in stablecoins in the year to June 2024, according to Chainalysis, a New York-based blockchain data platform that tracks crypto use.

Kenya’s fertiliser imports have dropped for the second straight year, signalling a cooling of the government’s subsidy programme that drove record shipments in 2023 and stood at the heart of President William Ruto’s food security agenda.

Data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the country imported 443,701 tonnes of fertiliser between January and June 2025, valued at nearly Sh25.63 billion, down from 445,857 tonnes worth Sh27.71 billion in the same period of 2024.

A group of 132 staff of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), including research scientists, has escalated their fight for equal pay to the Court of Appeal, challenging an Employment and Labour Relations Court decision that dismissed their discrimination claims regarding special allowances paid to medical doctors.

Their claim relates to entitlement to five allowances totalling Sh201,000 monthly. Central to the legal dispute is a claim that only 268 of Kemri’s 931 employees were receiving these benefits.

Commercial banks are asking the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to cut the base lending rate further to help lift the pace of private sector credit growth.

Through the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), the lenders say overall inflation remains low, the foreign exchange rate is stable and private sector credit remains ‘under strain,’ requiring further easing of the Central Bank Rate (CBR).