Category: Business Daily

Saccos regulator has sounded the alarm over hacking threats to cooperatives and members’ accounts during the three coming long weekends and Christmas holidays amid a surge in mobile banking heists.

The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (Sasra) has warned that cybercriminals have developed a pattern of striking when savings and credit cooperatives (saccos) operate with minimal staff presence, exposing digital banking systems to a higher risk of theft.

Cyber thieves are increasingly using malware to steal banking credentials from unsuspecting consumers when they log on to their bank accounts via their mobile phones. In a security circular issued on Monday, Sasra acting CEO David Sandagi said fresh intelligence shows a majority of breaches occur during the late evening and early night hours of a long weekend or holiday.

The regulator warned saccos that the three upcoming long weekends and holiday windows-Jamhuri Day (December 12-14), Christmas (December 25-28) and New Year (January 1-3)-pose heightened danger.

“Periodic analysis and intelligence monitoring of the trends of cyber-threats and security breaches in the regulated sacco subsector shows that a majority of the cybersecurity breaches and attacks mostly occur during the long-week end public holidays,” said Mr Sandagi in the circular seen by the Business Daily.

“The trends equally show that these breaches and attacks are predominantly perpetrated during the last 12 hours before the commencement of the long-weekend public holidays and during the late evening and early night hours of any of the long-weekends and/or the public holidays.”

Sasra noted that digital channels, notably mobile banking, are the most targeted entry points for fraudsters.

Mr Sandagi said saccos using ATMs, mobile money platforms, web-based applications and internet banking services face elevated risks, especially during off-peak periods when cyber attackers exploit slower response times and relaxed oversight.

Cybercriminals are riding on mobile phones to hack into consumer bank accounts with malware-a software designed to gain unauthorised access to a computer system.

The malware typically gets onto a phone when a user clicks on a text message from an unknown source or taps an advertisement on a website. Once installed, it often lies dormant until the user opens a banking app.

The malware then creates a customised overlay on the authentic banking app. This allows criminals to follow a user’s movements on the phone and eventually grab credentials for the account.

This type of mobile phone malware is gaining ground as more consumers use banking apps and financial firms are rolling out a wider array of mobile services.

Half of thefts were through mobile banking, with cyber thieves stealing Sh810.68 million last year from Sh182.41 million in 2023, a jump of 344 percent.

The saccos regulator has now directed cooperatives to “heighten, intensify and strengthen” round-the-clock monitoring of their management information systems, digital banking services, and all ICT infrastructure that supports member transactions.

In addition to external threats, Sasra has warned of rising insider risks and directed saccos to tighten internal controls to prevent employees from colluding with outsiders to defraud institutions.

Mr Sandagi has asked saccos to pay attention to activities involving digital access to Front Office Service Activity (Fosa) accounts and requests to link members’ accounts with their mobile numbers.

Saccos have also been directed to focus on linkages between mobile numbers and mobile money wallets or settlement accounts, as well as unusual transfers flowing in from third-party financial institutions into sacco pay bill or mobile wallet accounts.

Mr Sandagi has directed saccos and their third-party vendors to deploy round-the-clock cybersecurity monitoring tools and ensure technical teams are on standby to identify and respond to intrusions in real time.

The 2022 Sasra report revealed that the Sacco Societies Fraud Investigations Unit, which investigates fraud in the sacco sector, handled cases involving Sh232.5 million in the past two years.

Of this amount, Sh118.1 million was stolen, while Sh114.4 million was at risk of being lost.

The report indicated that most of the fraud occurred through collusion between staff and outsiders who exploited weaknesses in mobile and internet banking services.

“The internal technical staff working within saccos’ ICT and credit departments have been noted to be the greatest collaborators in perpetuation of fraudulent activities, and thus Saccos are called upon to constantly review the adequacy of the internal controls in their ICT and credit functions,” said Sasra in the 2022 report.

In 2021, the financial sector stability report disclosed that saccos had lost Sh106 million in 17 months to March 2021 on the back of increased use of digital channels.

The 2021 report asked saccos to tighten their IT security, review contracts with third parties and even consider tapping cyber security insurance.

Higher imports of intermediate and capital goods widened Kenya’s current account deficit to 2.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the year to October 2025 up from 1.5 percent in the preceding similar period last year.

The deficit widened despite the country recording higher export earnings from horticulture, coffee, manufactured goods, and apparel during the year under review.

During the period, imports grew 9.6 percent on rising intermediate and capital goods orders, while exports increased 6.7 percent, creating an imbalance that expanded the deficit during the twelve-month cycle.

‘The current account deficit stood at 2.2 percent of GDP in the 12 months to October 2025 compared to 1.5 percent of GDP in a similar period in 2024, mainly reflecting higher imports of intermediate and capital goods,’ said CBK Governor Kamau Thugge on Tuesday.

‘Goods exported increased by 6.7 percent, driven by horticulture, coffee, manufactured goods, and apparel. Goods imports rose by 9.6 percent, reflecting increases in intermediate and capital goods imports.’

The current account captures transactions on goods, services, remittances, and income flows, making it a critical measure of Kenya’s external position and the sustainability of its trade dynamics.

A deficit arises when outflows exceed inflows, meaning the economy requires external funding to maintain stability, especially when import growth consistently outpaces performance across export-oriented sectors.

Kenya’s goods trade deficit remains the largest contributor to the current account gap, driven largely by reliance on imported industrial inputs, capital equipment and consumer goods.

The CBK noted that during the review period, services receipts increased 4.8 percent supported by stronger travel inflows, while diaspora remittances rose 5.8 percent, slightly helping cushion the widening goods trade gap.

The apex bank projects the current account deficit will remain stable at 2.3 percent of GDP in the 2025 calendar year, as well as in 2026, supported by financial inflows that will fully finance the gap.

These inflows are expected to generate an overall balance of payments (BOP) surplus of $1.9 billion (Sh245.6 billion) in 2025, providing additional support for external buffers and macroeconomic stability ahead.

The surplus is, however, projected to ease to $681 million (Sh88 billion) in 2026 as financing patterns shift, though external flows should continue fully covering the current account deficit levels.

CBK foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $12.1 billion (Sh1.6 trillion), equivalent to 5.25 months of import cover, providing a substantial buffer against short-term domestic and external shocks facing markets.

The CBK expects external conditions to remain broadly supportive despite uncertainties, noting that stable commodity prices and resilient service exports should help moderate pressures on the current account ahead.

Financial account inflows, including portfolio investments and concessional financing, are expected to remain sufficient to fully offset the current account deficit, underpinning the positive outlook for balance payments.

The CBK said favourable inflows will also help rebuild foreign exchange buffers, strengthening resilience against shocks linked to global financial tightening, commodity price swings, and unpredictable geopolitical developments.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Land Commission (NLC) have been ordered to compensate two Mombasa-based businessmen for whole or portions of their land as required for the expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

The Environment and Land Court (ELC) in Malindi directed KeNHA and NLC to pay industrialist Ashok Doshi and trader Mohamed Jaffer full compensation for the whole or portions of land situated in Mariakani, Kilifi County, within 60 days.

It also issued a declaration that the petitioners are the lawful and valid owners of the land they are to be compensated on (LR No. 17439), but declined to issue a definitive declaration of ownership on another parcel of land (LR No. 16142).

Doshi and Jaffer sued the KeNHA and China Communication Construction Company Ltd, accusing them of demolishing a portion of a perimeter wall around their parcels of land in Mariakani next to the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The ELC noted that it was undisputed that the KeNHA and the construction company entered the parcels of land, demolished the perimeter wall, and started construction without initiating the mandatory acquisition process under the Land Act.

‘There was no notice of intent to acquire, no inquiry, no participation by the petitioners, no valuation, no award, and no compensation, at the very least, no such evidence was presented before this court,’ ruled the ELC in its November 26 decision.

NLC said that in carrying out its mandate, it conducted a review of grants and dispositions in Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale counties and arrived at a determination and published its recommendations in a Gazette Notice.

NLC told the court that petitioners were aware of the cancellation of their titles concerning the parcels of land and that the orders sought were moot.

Doshi and Jaffer had argued that the parcels of land were private and did not belong to the respondents or the government of Kenya.

‘KeNHA and China Communication Construction Company Ltd have no right to forcefully enter the properties, demolish the boundary wall and undertake construction works thereon,’ part of the petition stated.

The petitioners were seeking a declaration that they are legal and valid owners of the parcels of land and that the respondents breached and violated their Constitutional rights.

They also wanted an order issued to compel KeNHA and NLC to pay just and full compensation for the whole or portion of the parcels of land as they may require to undertake the expansion of the highway, which should be paid within 60 days of the order.

The two businessmen claimed that on or about October 22 last year, their security officers on the properties informed them that officers of KeNHA regional offices were on land, took measurements, and ordered the boundary wall demolished to pave the way for the road expansion.

Messrs Doshi and Jaffer said that through a law firm, they wrote a letter to KeNHA and demanded that it cease from the intended demolition of the boundary wall.

‘The first respondent retreated and did not take any steps until on or about January 10, when KeNHA and China Communication Construction Company Ltd, through their officers, descended on the land and demolished the portion of the perimeter wall,’ the petition stated in part.

They further said that they engaged KeNHA to have the boundary wall reconstructed and restored to its original position, but all requests and efforts fell on deaf ears.

According to the petitioners, Kenha and China Communication Construction Company Ltd’s actions amounted to compulsory acquisition of their properties without paying compensation and following the laid down procedure in law.

A Danish development finance institution, Impact Fund Denmark, has invested 65 million Danish Krone (Sh1.31 billion) in a Kenyan medical equipment and supplies firm to set up a new factory.

The fund said, in a statement on its website, that it has made the investment in Crown Healthcare -a firm founded in 1998 and operates across the medical supply chain, including sourcing of medical equipment and supplies.

The fund did not say whether the investment is in the form of debt or equity. This marks the latest investment for the Danish fund in Kenya.

A Danish development finance institution, Impact Fund Denmark, has invested 65 million Danish Krone (Sh1.31 billion) in a Kenyan medical equipment and supplies firm to set up a new factory.

The fund said, in a statement on its website, that it has made the investment in Crown Healthcare -a firm founded in 1998 and operates across the medical supply chain, including sourcing of medical equipment and supplies.

The fund did not say whether the investment is in the form of debt or equity. This marks the latest investment for the Danish fund in Kenya.

The fund’s other investments in Kenya include last year’s 63.55 million Danish Krone (DKK) or an equivalent of Sh1.28 billion loan to MyDawa -a digital health start-up.

In 2023, the fund also loaned Nithio FI -a climate fintech firm- 74.66 million DKK (Sh1.55 billion). This came after a 2008 deal in which it bought 50.96 million DKK (Sh1.03 billion) shares in Rabai Power that supplies electricity to Kenya Power.

In addition, the fund also invested 34.55 million DKK (Sh695.58 million) in a food systems firm, African Coffee Roasters, in the form of shares and loan. The deal was closed in 2015.

The Danish fund said the completion of Crown Healthcare’s new factory will help the company produce medicines locally and on a large scale, according to the fund.

‘The new factory will strengthen Kenya and the wider region’s supply chain by anchoring production locally and increasing the number of quality products produced. In this way, quality medicine becomes much more accessible,’ said the fund.

Some of the Crown Healthcare’s products include pharmaceutical refrigerators, transport ventilators, electric dialysis chairs, operating lights, laboratory consumables and basic medical equipment like stethoscopes and blood pressure machines.

The fund added that the new factory will help reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported medical suppliers, which are vulnerable to counterfeits, global supply chain disruptions and rising international logistics costs.

‘With this investment, we are helping to improve the availability of essential medicines and make the region more resilient to global crises,’ said Lisbeth Erlands, managing director and co-head of healthcare.

Information on its website shows Impact Fund Denmark has completed more than 60 investments in East Africa across sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, textiles and tourism.

Andiamo! (Let’s go) It’s a breezy Wednesday evening, and we are by the pool at Nairobi’s Serena Hotel. Three of us raise our glasses and toast in anticipation of a curated journey through Italy.

Around us, jazzy notes curl through the air as small clusters of guests gather at cocktail tables, drinks in hand: sunset-orange Aperol Spritzes and translucent neon-green mocktails that the lady mixologist called ‘the Green Alien’.

Trays of eggplant caponata, zucchini parmigiana, and stuffed bread rolls glide past, carried with effortless poise by the servers. I savour the mashed potato with parmesan and pancetta- light, airy, and indulgent enough to leave me wanting more.

Appetites sufficiently whetted, we find our assigned seats in an upstairs lounge overlooking the pool, each table named after a city in Italy. Mine is Milan, the economic capital of Italy.

Chef Vincenzo Buttice, who is visiting from Italy, is our captain for the evening at the event organised by the Italian Embassy, Italian Trade Agency, and the Italian Institute of Culture and Ambasciatori del Gusto.

‘I don’t speak English, I only speak food,’ he opens, inviting us to journey through Italy with him. ‘The first course is the perfect egg, celeriac soup, and truffle pearls. Buckle up and enjoy the meal.’

Buckle up indeed, because while the pale-yellow dish presents with an understated elegance: dark beads glinting against a creamy backdrop in which the egg is fully submerged, the harmony of the velvety soup, the silky, molten yolk, and the delicate pop of the truffle pearls has me rethinking my idea of a perfect egg. Further solidifying the dish as a proper start to the evening is its wine pairing, the Ferrari Trento DOC. Nixon Munga, a sommelier, Italian wine ambassador, and our tour guide for the evening, enlightens us about the local name for the Italian straw yellow wine – ‘the bubbles of the mountains’.

‘It’s a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, whose crisp and refined taste matches with the chef’s desire to start the evening in a fresh and fantastic way.’

We nibble on focaccia bread and sourdough sticks from the mountains of Trentino-Alto Adige in the Northern part of Italy, until we arrive at our next stop: Sardinia, the sophisticated mediterranean island full of sandy beaches.

Here, we sample the Rafia Vermentino DOC di Sardegna, served with broad beans, fennel, and either smoked pancetta (turf menu) or squids and Italian caviar (surf menu).

‘As served today, the broad beans are quite creamy. The Vermentino’s fresh, citrusy notes and acidity cut through the creaminess to add some vibrancy to the dish,’ our knowledgeable tour guide says. ‘Also, the fact that it comes from an area with lots of seafood makes it the perfect pairing for the squid because as they say, if it grows together, it goes together.’

A few bites of bread later, we find ourselves in Custoza, a northern Italian village. Here, we enjoy the Monte del Fra Ca’ del Magro Custoza Superiore paired with either risotto shrimps, thyme, and lime, or risotto zucchini, lime, and mint.

As the Italians like it, the risotto is perfectly al dente and its rich texture goes hand in hand with the rich intensity of the Ca’ del Magro, their combination like that of two powerful singers with none screaming over the other. Delizioso! (delicious). From northern Italy, our company is split into two, one group heading to Sicily, and the other to Tuscany. The low hum of conversation dips a little, replaced with the clink of silverware as those in Tuscany enjoy exceptionally tender veal cheek, melt-in-your-mouth mashed potato and corn and a lovely, dark sauce made from veal stock. To wash it down is the red Ridolfi Rosso di Montalcino DOCG.

‘The wine has a kiss of oak to give it enough power to match the veal,’ informs our trusted guide.

Those in Sicily dig into a Messina-style fish fillet served with tomato sauce and the Planeta Etna DOC Rosso, a red wine in the style of Pinot Noir, that is light, fruity, and refreshing. The sauce definitely finds a suitable companion in it.

‘This is also a wine that someone who does not enjoy strong, dry wines would really like.’

This particular course, the Sicilian course, leaves a number of taste buds reeling, earning itself a number of mentions throughout the evening.

‘That taste was a bit unique for me, and I really appreciated it,’ comments Innocent Simiyu, who has not only taken a fancy to different cuisines around the world but has also attended a number of wine-pairing dinners.

Monia Posti, a thorough Italian who’s been living in Kenya for the past 31 years, and runs an Italian food company, Queen Deli, also has things to say about the fish-fillet.

‘It was really nice,’ she croons, ‘my favourite so far. I have a bit of a sweet tooth though, so I’m eagerly waiting for dessert.’

But before the dessert is served and any of us get the chance to indulge a sweet tooth, the servers bring out a tiny cup of hibiscus, sambuca and passion fruit infusion.

A proper palate cleanser if there ever was one. Sweet, floral, and tangy, the ruby-red drink resets our taste buds and sets the stage for the final leg of the epic journey, the forgotten panettone.

Anything but forgotten, this dessert is a Christmas staple, dare I say, the ultimate one, when it comes to the famously passionate country and its people. The surprise might have been if it was missing from the menu. Classically paired with the Vite Colte La Gatta Moscato d’Asti DOCG, a sweet, aromatic, lightly sparkling red wine from the hills of Piedmont, there’s nothing but clean platters, empty glasses and satisfied smiles, the kind that only good food can produce, by the time the trumpeter tucks away his instrument, the piano man’s notes come to an end, and we all return to the chilly Nairobi night. Arrivederci! (goodbye until we meet again).

A quick cheat sheet to desserts and Italian wines

When you get a hold of a sommelier with enough knowledge to earn an Italian wine ambassador badge, you ask them everything you’ve always wondered about.

First, the assumption is right. Sweet goes with sweet.

‘Dry wines leave a sour taste in your mouth, so the first principle would be to have a wine that is ideally sweeter than your dessert,’ says Nixon Munga. ‘But when sweet and sweet meet they amplify each other, so to ensure that your dessert doesn’t become cloyed, the wine should also be high in acidity so it can refresh the palate. This is the second principle.’

Beyond the pairing logic however, the wine expert says there is no such thing as wrong wine for a dessert dish, or any other dish for that matter.

‘For me what is important is that people explore wine – go to tastings, find what you like, double down on it, and just enjoy wine,’ he advises. ‘You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy wine, all you need to know is whether you like it or not.’

The temperature at which you serve your wine also matters, as the expert says, it affects how you perceive the flavours.

‘Most of the time, red wine is served at 15 degrees celsius, though there are some lighter styles that can be served at a lower temperature of around 12 degrees celsius. This is like the Planeta Etna DOC Rosso,’ he informs. ‘White wines should be served at a lower temperature, most of them at 12 degrees celsius.’

For sparkling wines, which are some of the most versatile wines and can be used from the first to the last course, the sweet spot is between eight and nine degrees celsius.

When doing a chocolate and Italian wine pairing, the sommelier would go for a white wine for white chocolate.

‘A Moscato D’Asti is a very safe bet. It’s nice, lovely, has a bit of bubbles, and is quite refreshing.’

For dark chocolate, he would go for a Vin Santo or a Marsala, both in the dry style.

‘If the dark chocolate is above 70 per cent, then I’d suggest a fantastic Amarone della Valpolicella or a Passito-style red wine.’

For classic Kenyan favourites like maandazi, Nixon calls for some creativity.

‘Since maandazi is quite rich and sweet, I’d probably go with a Marsala semi Vecchio or a Passito di Pantelleria or Passito di Noto. With these, you can then have your maandazi with jam or something else a little creative.’

For unconventional pairings that he has come across, and they ended up giving him a pleasant surprise, the wine connoisseur names the pairing concept of sour foods with sweet wines.

‘They can work quite well, but it’s a very tricky balance.’

If he were to recommend a singular bottle for an extensive range of desserts, his go-to would be a sparkling sweet or semi-sweet wine.

‘This is because it has the sweetness and can work well with so many different desserts, but also, most of the time, sparkling wines are high in acidity.’

What started as a weekend pastime, roasting meat for family and friends in his backyard has transformed Steve Gitu into one of Kenya’s most recognisable names in the BBQ business.

A decade after experimenting with smoky flavours on a simple home grill, Gitu is now the founder and CEO of Rib Racks Ltd, a fast-growing meat roasting and processing enterprise with a presence across several Kenyan towns.

Today, Rib Racks operates five outlets in Nakuru, Naivasha, Kiambu Road, Kamakis on the Eastern Bypass, and Karen in Nairobi.

At each location, the aroma of slow-smoked beef, pork, lamb, goat, and chicken draws in a loyal clientele eager for authentic barbecue, an experience Gitu says was missing in Kenya’s heavily nyama choma-dominated market.

For years, Gitu invited family and close friends over on weekends for backyard BBQ celebrations.

He says they praised his marinated ribs, tender smoked cuts, and artisanal sauces, an encouragement that sparked an idea.

At the time, he had spent five years tarmacking, searching unsuccessfully for white-collar employment.

Returning to the meat business, a craft embedded in his family’s history, seemed like the most natural next step.

‘My grandmother ran a butchery at Kenyatta Market, and that environment shaped my early understanding of the meat trade,’ he recalls. ‘When the job searches didn’t work out, I went back to what I knew, but with a twist.’

While nyama choma is typically roasted quickly over high heat, barbecue (BBQ) is a slow, deliberate method that cooks meat over low heat for long periods, often using smoke to infuse deep flavour.

The technique breaks down connective tissues, resulting in tender and juicy cuts. This, Gitu says, is what differentiates his offerings in a market where many restaurants stick to routine grilling methods.

From the hobby of smoking the delicacy, he then spotted an opportunity. People loved the novelty of proper BBQ, and they were willing to pay a premium for it.

With Sh800,000 in seed capital, Gitu started he first Rib Racks outlet in 2018. The early days were tough, he admits. Operating alone, juggling cooking, customer service, supply management, and marketing.

‘But the demand kept growing,’ he tells the BDLife in an interview.

From roasting just a few kilos a week, Rib Racks now processes over one tonne of meat weekly across all its locations.

Formalising business

The expansion came with a formal business structure, he says. The company now employs more than 150 staff and supports hundreds of jobs indirectly-especially among pastoralist communities in Kajiado and Narok who supply livestock, as well as meat traders in Kiambu County.

‘We work with farmers, butchers, transporters, and suppliers. It is a full value chain,’ Gitu explains.

Their growth, he states, has been fueled by continuous innovation.

Apart from BBQ joints, Rib Racks has ventured into premium meat cuts such as ribs and steak, processed products including sausages, bacon, chili, sauces, burger patties, and marinated meats, all carrying the brand’s signature BBQ flavour profile.

As the business expanded, Gitu realised that building an empire required more than passion. It required systems, skills, and professional structures. ‘One of the biggest challenges was the lack of skilled personnel,’ he says. ‘I had to learn the value of hiring qualified staff and investing in training.’

Navigating the financial side of the business was another hurdle. Raising capital for growth required discipline, planning, and strategic borrowing. ‘Banks have played a big role. Access to credit allowed us to scale operations and invest in equipment and people,’ he says.

Gitu’s turning point came when he teamed up with a business partner, entrepreneur Ahmad Suleiman, founder of Old Lake Meatery Ltd.

The partnership, he says, has been integral to accelerating expansion and strengthening Rib Racks’ footprint in the market.

‘Everyone brings different strengths,’ Gitu says, adding, ‘You can’t be a jack of all trades. If you want to grow, let professionals take over where they are strongest.’

Old Lake Meatery, a Nairobi-based meat processing company, supplies Rib Racks with a wide range of products including sausage, bacon, specialty cuts, sauces, and marinated meats.

Marketing and branding

Rib Racks also supports marketing, branding, and strategic development, areas Suleiman says are essential for a modern food business to scale sustainably.

‘We look at the entire ecosystem-product development, brand positioning, market trends,’ Suleiman notes.

The demand for quality meat and BBQ experiences, he says, is huge, and that they see significant opportunities in the niche.

In addition to meat processing, Old Lake runs ‘Big Smoke,’ a flagship BBQ restaurant in Karen that complements Rib Racks’ offerings and contributes to both companies’ growth in the premium meat market.

Suleiman believes success in this industry requires constant innovation. ‘The meat business evolves. Consumer tastes change. You must invest in people, research, and processes, and ensure the right individuals are in the right roles.’

As incomes grow and urbanisation expands, Kenya’s appetite for premium and flavoured meats is rising, Gitu says.

Consumers are increasingly seeking differentiated dining experiences-slow-cooked ribs, smoked brisket, marinated cuts, and custom sausages, ultimately pushing local entrepreneurs to innovate beyond traditional roasting.

Strategic positioning

With Rib Racks tapping into this emerging market, the founder says, it is positioning itself not just as a restaurant chain but as a vertically integrated meat brand.

The company is also leveraging private catering, one of Gitu’s earliest strategies to supply weddings, corporate events, family functions, and outdoor experiences.

The catering arm he says remains a reliable revenue stream, helping to build the brand long before physical outlets multiplied.

With his determination, he believes that he is able to shape a Kenyan BBQ culture where smoking techniques, signature rubs, and specialty cuts become mainstream.

‘There is demand. Kenyans love meat. If you add flavour, they come. BBQ allows you to play around with spices and ingredients, and that is what excites customers,’ he explains.

Mr Gitu’s entrepreneurial journey is a blend of resilience, creativity, and strategic collaboration. It has key takeaways.

‘You must be willing to do everything and also be willing to let go. At the beginning, you carry the whole business on your back. But as it grows, you must let other people take roles so you can focus on strategy,’ he shares the lessons.

He emphasises that starting small is not a limitation. ‘Start with what you have. I began with one grill, roasting meat for friends. Today, we are running multiple outlets.’

The Land Acquisition Tribunal has ordered the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) to pay Sh28.7 million to a Naivasha landowner after ruling that the utility firm failed to honour a compensation agreement for a wayleave created five years ago.

The tribunal also awarded interest and costs to the landowner, Lakeview Panorama Limited, but dismissed a claim for trespass.

The dispute concerned 7.655 acres in Kedong area, where Ketraco erected high-voltage transmission lines in 2020. The company offered the landowner Sh28.7 million as compensation in December of that year.

Lakeview accepted the offer and ceded its original title for registration of an easement, as required under the terms of the agreement. However, the payment was never made.

Lakeview filed a case at the tribunal claiming that it had suffered loss of use of the affected land after the company failed to pay despite taking possession and registering the wayleave.

The company argued that each day of unpaid occupation amounted to a fresh act of trespass. It filed the claim in August 2025 after years of unsuccessful follow-ups.

Ketraco did not file a response or sworn evidence to counter the allegations. It only submitted legal written arguments, leaving the landowner’s factual claims unchallenged.

The tribunal ruled that Ketraco’s failure to pay the agreed sum was unlawful. It was observed that the offer was clear, unconditional, and duly accepted, creating an enforceable obligation.

‘Having created a wayleave on the suit property upon the acceptance of the compensation offer, the respondent was under a duty to pay promptly. The applicant’s claim that compensation has not been paid to date has not been disputed,’ the tribunal ruled.

It noted that the landowner had fulfilled all required steps, including handing over the title for registration of the easement. ‘The applicant is entitled to immediate payment of compensation as contained in the offer letter dated December 9, 2020,’ it stated.

However, the tribunal rejected the trespass claim. It found no evidence that Ketraco entered the land before the compensation offer was made.

It also ruled that Lakeview consented to the construction of the transmission line by accepting the offer and facilitating the registration of a wayleave. It held that this consent ‘negates any claim for trespass or continuing trespass’ and dismissed the request for damages linked to trespass.

The tribunal gave Ketraco 45 days to release the Sh28.7 million and pay interest and court costs. It also awarded interest on costs from the date of judgment until full settlement.

When BD Life contacted Maurice Ochieng’, a hammock seller based in Westlands, posing as a prospective buyer, he responded in a friendly but straightforward manner.

‘Please check with us in the next two weeks,’ he wrote in a WhatsApp message.

This was in late November, and he had sold all of his hammocks. Fast forward to December and another inquiry at China Square Mall produced a similar response. However, no restocking timeline was offered this time.

This pattern is unmistakable. The surge in Kenya’s hammock swing market is a clear indication of how people are choosing to spend their leisure time, especially during the holiday season: Swinging.

By the time BD Life arrived at Alice Wanjiku’s showroom on Ngong Road, the last piece had literally just walked out of the door, leaving nothing to photograph or examine.

“Our handcrafts men are currently working on some pieces, and they will be ready by tomorrow,” Alice explained, her tone mixing pride with the pressure of overwhelming demand.

Consequently, our interview was postponed until the following day, with the hope that the new hammocks would still be available.

As it turned out, this waiting game has become a familiar experience for customers across Nairobi during the festive season. Sellers were grapplinWhat was once a niche product for outdoor enthusiasts has evolved into one of the holiday season’s most unexpected success stories in the luxury furniture sector.

Retailers are struggling to keep up with demand, while customers are willing to wait weeks for their own piece of comfort and relaxation. According to Maurice, the transformation has been dramatic.

“In recent years, hammocks, particularly swing chairs and loungers, have transcended their traditional camping associations to become statement pieces for homes and gardens, symbols of leisure, comfort, and the promise of rest after a difficult year,” he observes.

So what’s driving this remarkable demand? According to Alice, the digital drive is playing a big role in increasing the demand.

“Instagram-worthy garden setups and Pinterest-perfect balcony designs have normalised hammocks as décor elements rather than purely functional items. When customers see friends and influencers lounging in stylish swing chairs, the aspirational appeal becomes irresistible,” she explains.

She has established a unique position by focusing on locally-made, handcrafted products created entirely from scratch.

Primarily operating online, it serves customers nationwide from Kisumu to Mombasa to Nairobi.

Each hammock swing, she says, starts with the fabrication of its metal stand.

“The metal is cut, joined, sanded, and painted before the swing chair portion is constructed and hand-sewn with either corded rope or rattan,” says Alice.

The local standard corded rope hammocks cost Sh24,000, while premium rattan versions range from Sh28,000 to Sh30,000.

The product line includes two main types of swings, including single-person models supporting up to 130 kilograms, and custom double hammocks accommodating over 250 kilograms, made to order and costing between Sh35,000 and Sh42,000.

For Alice, the black hammocks have proven particularly popular this season, disappearing from inventory almost as soon as they’re completed.

Her customers also have options, as they can choose between canvas materials for weather resistance or decorative fabrics suitable for indoor spaces like living rooms and bedrooms.

However, she notes that the customisation options that make each piece special also mean production cannot be rushed, a reality that has become increasingly challenging during the festive rush.

The festive rush for hammocks begins in November, with the demand increasing toward Christmas and extending through the long holiday breaks.

For Alice, this means increasing the production to stock at least five hammocks at a time.

This year, however, she notes, has been markedly different. “We can now sell anywhere from two to four hammocks in a single day during peak periods, compared to the typical four to five per week during slower months,” Alice notes.

Yet according to her, the most significant operational challenge isn’t raw materials like metal, corded rope, fabric, and paint since they remain readily available.

“It’s finding enough trained workers to handle the increased holiday orders. The hand-sewing process requires skill that takes weeks to develop, and finding artisans who can maintain quality standards while working faster has proven nearly impossible,” she says.

So, how does she navigate through this challenge?

“We just decline the orders, and that means potential sales lost. For a business that built its reputation on quality and reliability, turning away customers feels like a failure, even when it’s actually a sign of success,” she says.

Despite these challenges, customer enthusiasm remains high. While the business operates during a season typically associated with gift-giving, Alice reports an interesting trend, whereby most buyers aren’t purchasing hammocks as presents.

“Occasionally, customers surprise romantic partners, but the majority are investing in their own comfort and outdoor leisure spaces,” she reveals.

In terms of marketing, Alice takes a different approach. Word of mouth does the heavy lifting, with satisfied customers bringing new referrals.

She prefers to let handcrafted quality speak for itself, instead of getting into aggressive marketing campaigns.

“During the festive season, this organic approach works almost too well, generating more demand than the business can comfortably handle,” she says.

Looking ahead, Alice plans to expand her capacity over the next one to two years.

The goal is to maintain an inventory of 10 to 15 hammocks rather than just five, so that we can ensure that our customers who want instant gratification receive them immediately,” she explains.

Meanwhile, in the busy Ngara suburb, Raj Jethwa sells a different type of hammock.

At his Sangyug Entreprise Ltd., he has stocked two types of the hammocks, including gauze and wood stick hammocks, in different colours, which he imports from China.

Among these options, gauze hammocks emerge as clear best sellers during the festive period.

“Customers are preferring ready-to-hang, compact travel models for their convenience and portability, characteristics that for them, align well with holiday travel plans and outdoor leisure activities,” he explains.

These Chinese-made hammocks, priced between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000, he says, are ideal for those spending their festivities on a budget.

Unlike the ones at Alice’s shop, Jethwa notes that his import model allows for easier scaling than artisanal production.

“We don’t experience human resource constraints, no custom orders requiring special attention, no measurement issues or colour mismatches,” he says.

About his customer base? “They revolve around hikers and resort operators who need functional, affordable solutions in larger quantities,” says Jethwa.

Also, most individual buyers are homeowners with large gardens or spacious rooms where hammocks can serve as comfortable relaxation spots.

Additionally, urban apartment dwellers rarely feature among the holiday customers, as the product selection caters more to those with outdoor space. “My customers are seeking functional leisure accessories that can move from garden to balcony to vacation home with minimal fuss,” Jethwa explains.

The festive rush for Jethwa also starts in November, which coincides with Black Friday promotions that kick start the holiday shopping season with discounts and bundles of deals.

For Jethwa, this is the busiest period as the demand reaches its annual peak, even though he does not offer any price discounts.

He notes that this is the time when resort operators stock up before the holiday tourism rush, prioritising ready-to-hang convenience and quick setup.

Beyond Black Friday promotions, he takes a low-key marketing approach, as he relies on the previously established demand patterns rather than intensive campaigns.

“The affordable prices does much of the marketing work. When customers discover they can own a hammock for the price of a nice dinner out, the decision becomes easier,” Jethwa says.

The Treasury has revealed a Sh103.76 billion termination or break fee that Kenya will pay to the owners of the Nairobi Expressway should the 27-year public-private deal be terminated prematurely.

The disclosures show termination of the Chinese-backed expressway dwarfs all other public-private partnership (PPP) break fees, underscoring the extent to which its owners sought to protect themselves from regime transitions in a country where new administrations have cancelled or revised mega projects.

Locally incorporated Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Construction (CRBC), built and funded the construction of the 27.1-kilometre super highway and will recoup its investments from tolling over 27 years. It was constructed under the previous administration of Uhuru Kenyatta under the PPPs to finance the construction of highways and other infrastructure after public debt ballooned.

Termination fees of Nairobi’s expressway account for more than half of the Sh203 billion in PPP break fees for 11 infrastructure projects.

The potential payout to Moja Expressway in the event of termination of the deal set to run to 2049 is equivalent to 29.03 percent of the projected revenue of $2.765 billion (about Sh357.35 billion) over the 27 years.

It is also about 82.17 percent of $977 million (Sh126.27 billion) the firm will earn in the form of dividends and equity release (recoup of capital and returns therein) during the concession period.

The Treasury’s disclosures show that while PPPs such as the Nairobi Expressway are structured to shift financing and operational risks to the private investor, they expose taxpayers to hefty fees in the event of the collapse of the deals or State breach.

“Assuming the worst-case scenario of termination of PPP projects due to contracting authority default, the maximum termination sums as at financial close for executed projects have been reported as the contingent liability,” the Treasury writes in the Annual Public Debt Report for the financial year 2024-25.

“As of the end of June 2025. total estimated exposure related to termination sum payments amounts to Sh203 billion. Assuming 5.0 percent probability of termination by the contracting authorities, contingent liability associated with PPP projects arising from project termination payments is Sh10.19 billion as of end June 2025.”

Under the PPP structure, private investors recover their investments by charging user fees over a defined concession period.

The regime of former President Mwai Kibaki enforced the PPP Act in January 2013, banking on private capital to deliver large infrastructure projects without tapping taxpayers’ cash or piling on new loans, and further ballooning the public debt.

The model has so far delivered 11 projects, with the Nairobi Expressway being the largest and most commercially significant.

Moja Expressway collects tolls of between Sh170 and Sh500 from motorists in a 27-year operating agreement after the road opened in May 2022.

The road, which cost Sh70.78 billion to build, runs from Mlolongo in Machakos County to Westlands in Nairobi.

Centum Investment Company expects to issue a dollar denominated income Real Estate Investment Trust (I-Reit) at its Two Rivers special economic zone in Nairobi in January 2026, handing the Kenyan market its first foreign currency denominated Reit.

The company is eyeing a Sh4.78 billion ($37 million) from the proposed I-Reit, which is pending regulatory approval, with the proceeds earmarked for construction of green commercial property in the Two Rivers International Finance and Innovation Centre (Trific).

Centum, which had stated its intention to float the dollar Reit at the beginning of this year, will be paying investors a dollar return of about 8 percent.

The company is planning to issue long-term, dollar-based leases with guaranteed annual escalations on the property to be developed using the proceeds of the Reit, in order to achieve a currency match between the investment and returns.

‘The initial I-Reit proceeds will be used to acquire the Trific North Tower, with future raises financing additional green, dollar-rent-generating commercial assets within the special economic zone,’ said Brenda Mbathi, the chief executive officer of Trific.

‘These long-term, dollar-based leases with guaranteed annual escalations, combined with TRIFIC’s embedded service-support model, create a reliable and growing income stream for investors.’

The Trific North Tower currently has about 16,234 square metres of lettable area, with centum saying that it is currently 90 percent leased to international services firms.

Trific, which was given the SEZ licence in June 2023, sits on 64 acres or more than half of the two Rivers development’s total area of 106 acres, and has grade-A offices, residential, hospitality and social amenities.

Centum mainly targets global service exporters including Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms, tech firms, shared services centres, and professional services companies for its Two Rivers special economic zone.

The company is also planning a second office tower within the SEZ with lettable space of 76,400 square metres, although it has yet to disclose whether the new property will eventually be sold into the I-Reit.

In June 2024, Trific bagged funding worth $47.5 million (Sh6.14 billion) from Africa-focused fund manager Vintage Capital to finance the construction of the new tower, as well as furnishing the existing one.

Through its proposed Reit issuance, Centum will join ICEA Lion, Laptrust and student housing developer Acorn Holdings as Kenya’s Reit issuers, just over a decade since the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) introduced the product in the Kenyan market.

Income Reits are structured to purchase and hold property for rental income. They are mandated by the law to distribute to unit holders at least 80 percent of their net profits as dividend, which is exempt from taxes.

In Kenya, the existing Reits are exclusively marketed to a class of buyers known as professional investors, who are high net worth individuals or institutions whose minimum investment in the Reit is Sh5 million.

By issuing the I-Reit in dollars, Centum is targeting external investors who may have been wary of a shilling denominated Reit on fears of exchange losses when converting the income distribution.