Category: Business Daily

On November 14 at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, an extraordinary moment unfolded that exposed the brutal contradictions of global climate politics.

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As delegates arrived for another day of glossy panels and diplomatic choreography, indigenous tribes of the Amazon blocked the main entrance to the conference venue.

This was not on the official agenda. Clad in traditional attire, bodies painted with ancestral symbols, carrying the spiritual weight of thousands of years of custodianship, they stood firmly and peacefully, forming a human barrier. Their message was clear: ‘Nothing about us, without us.’

What happened next revealed who truly bears the burden of the climate crisis and who pretends to solve it.

Corporate policymakers and government officials scrambled, bypassing the blocked entrance through exit doors, avoiding eye contact with the people whose lands they debate in panel rooms.

Brazilian military soldiers, UN security officers, armored trucks, and military patrols surrounded these peaceful protesters, as if the threat to COP was not the destruction of the Amazon, but the Indigenous communities defending it.

The people most affected by climate change, whose territories absorb carbon, shelter biodiversity, and stabilize global climate patterns, were met with rifles and shields.

Meanwhile, the biggest contributors to planetary destruction – those behind industrial agriculture, destructive mining, fossil fuels, and corporate land grabs – walked into air-conditioned halls to negotiate the future of those they left outside. That is the tragedy and hypocrisy of global climate politics.

For indigenous peoples, climate impacts are not theoretical. They are losing their land, forests, rivers, identity, and lives.

Their territories are invaded by loggers, ranchers, agribusiness giants, and multinational corporations, often backed by the very governments that claim climate leadership on global stages.

Indigenous peoples are not passive victims but frontline defenders. Their ecological knowledge, spiritual connection to land, and practices of living with nature offer some of the most grounded climate solutions humanity has ever known. Yet global systems continue to sideline, patronise, or militarise against them.

Read: COP30 must move beyond mere promises

The Amazon is home to more than 400 Indigenous groups who have lived in harmony with nature for millennia. Studies consistently show that Indigenous territories have the lowest deforestation rates, the richest biodiversity, and the most intact ecosystems.

These communities sequester carbon not through billion-dollar technological promises but through cultural memory, custodianship, and land practices that work with nature, not against it.

Despite their unparalleled success in conserving ecosystems, they remain the most threatened people in the Amazon, facing violent displacement, land grabbing, illegal mining, assassinations of community leaders, and cultural erasure.

While states and corporations debate and water down climate commitments, civil society organisations (CSOs) carry the weight of real climate action. Their work is often invisible and underfunded, but fundamental and far more transformative than annual negotiation cycles.

Across the Amazon and the Global South, CSOs defend Indigenous territories from land grabs, support community-led forest management, document human rights abuses, and link local struggles to global justice movements. They translate global rhetoric into local awareness and refuse to allow the climate struggle to be reduced to carbon markets and profit calculations.

While official COP30 negotiations unfold in restricted halls dominated by state interests and corporate lobbying, the People’s Summit, happening alongside COP30, offers something radically different: an open, accessible, community-led space where indigenous peoples are central leaders, not ‘invited participants’.

Here, discussions center on lived realities: the violence of extractivism, destruction of territories, criminalization of defenders, and alternatives rooted in Indigenous stewardship and grassroots organizing.

At the People’s Summit, not in official negotiating rooms, the most honest conversations about climate justice occur, unfiltered by diplomacy, acknowledging that the climate fight is a fight for land, rights, culture, autonomy, and life itself.

The blockade was not simply a protest but a moment of reckoning. It reminded the world that the people who protect forests do so without millions in climate funding, without badges, titles, or applause.

When they defend their lands, they face criminalization, militarization, and violence. Meanwhile, those responsible for environmental destruction continue shaping climate policy in heavily guarded rooms.

This contradiction is why COP30 needed disruption. The Amazon is speaking, and its people are demanding to be heard. The world can no longer pretend not to hear them.

This moment demands humility, honesty, and radical transformation. Global institutions must stop sidelining Indigenous peoples and recognize them as leaders of climate solutions. Civil society’s grassroots work must be elevated and respected. The world must finally confront the economic, political, and colonial systems that fuel the climate crisis.

If global climate summits are to mean anything, they must start by listening. The people standing outside COP30’s gates are not outsiders but guardians of the future we are all fighting for. The Amazon’s indigenous people are not at COP30. They are COP30.

The government has levied fresh import and export taxes on a Coast-grown cash crop used for food colouring and cosmetics production, in a development that signals rising State interest in the largely unregulated subsector.

Under the new Crops (Bixa) Regulations, 2025, exporters of processed bixa products will pay a levy equivalent to one percent of the consignment value while those shipping out raw bixa will pay three percent.

The regulations also impose a tax on importers at the rate of two percent of the customs value for any bixa or bixa product brought into the country.

The introduction of the levies marks the first structured tax framework for the crop, which for years has operated under loose regulatory supervision.

Bixa is a tropical shrub that’s disease, pest and nearly drought-resistant, actively grown across the coastal region in areas such as Kwale, Mswabweni, Lamu, Malindi and Kiunga.

Locally known as mrangi, the tree’s yields comprise bright red fruits that have numerous seeds which contain bixin, used for colouring cheese, fish, salad oil, margarine as well as in cosmetics such as lipsticks.

‘There shall be imposed a levy on exported and imported bixa and bixa products for purposes of development of the bixa subsector,’ reads the regulatory outline published by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

There are two bixa farming seasons in a year with a kilogramme of the yield going for between Sh50 and Sh70, earning a farmer about Sh150,000 for every tilled acre in a year.

Experts say the plant matures fully in about four to five years and has an economic life of 20 years, but could be harvested from about a year in the farm.

The crop was introduced to Kenya by the Japanese and Kenyan governments in the 1970s before its production died a slow death due to low market prices and little regulatory follow up by the State.

The bixa crop is one of the world’s most important natural colourant, making for about 70 percent of world’s natural dyes.

The National Land Commission (NLC) has ordered Kakuzi to surrender 3,250 acres of land to Murang’a County and its vulnerable residents, for which the agricultural firm says it will initiate a legal battle to quash the directive.

The land represents about a quarter of the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm’s total productive land size of 4,949 hectares (12,229 acres).

Kakuzi’s share price has shrugged off the risk of land surrender, following the company’s disclosure of the NLC order on Wednesday morning.

The stock was down 3.67 percent to Sh400 as of midday on small volumes of 215 shares. Most of the company’s shares are held by UK multinational Camellia Plc (50.7 percent) and businessman John Kibunga Kimani (33.35 percent).

Dr Kimani was raised in the agricultural firm’s estates and over the decades amassed the ownership that saw him become a director of the company in November 2020.

The balance of the shares is distributed among some 1,400 retail investors, with daily trading rarely exceeding 300 shares.

‘Kakuzi has invested heavily in its land holdings and is wholly reliant on the land to deliver shareholder and related stakeholder value. Any disruption to its key agricultural resources will result in a material negative impact on Kakuzi operations and earnings, which may lead to job losses,’ the company said in a statement.

‘Kakuzi is reviewing the recommendations and will use all legal means to preserve the rights of its shareholders.’

The company has planted macadamia on 1,410 hectares, avocado (1,117 hectares), trees (1,912 hectares) and tea (510 hectares), according to its latest annual report.

NLC investigation

Following a petition by Kenyans who alleged that they were dispossessed of their land during the colonial days, the NLC conducted a years-long investigation that culminated in orders requiring Kakuzi to surrender the land as a final settlement on any claims against the company.

The NLC directed Kakuzi to give up 3,200 acres to settle the most vulnerable members of the claimants.

The agency also ordered the company to surrender at least 50 acres to the County Government of Murang’a for public use.

The NLC also directed Kakuzi to address other land-related issues that have caused regular flare-ups in the community, such as a lack of access roads to communal facilities, including schools.

The national and the Murang’a county government are to coordinate the implementation of the NLC directives, including the issuance of titles and regularisation of settlement schemes within Kakuzi land.

For years, communities in Murang’a have accused Kakuzi of illegally acquiring thousands of acres of land during the colonial era.

A group of individuals asked the NLC to investigate historical land injustice regarding Kakuzi’s acquisition of its land holdings.

Although the dispute went to court, the NLC issued a series of general directives against the agricultural firm prior to the latest, more definitive orders.

‘Allotments and titles to be issued for public purpose only. All leases for land held by Kakuzi in Murang’a County should not be renewed until the historical land injustice claim is heard and determined. Any 999-year leases to convert to 99 years,’ NLC said earlier.

Landowner pressures

The parent firm, Camellia, has stated that the land claims have been refuted through the Kenyan legal system. Kakuzi is the latest major landowner to face pressure to cede part of its property, following the fruits processor Del Monte’s surrender of 1,312 acres to the Murang’a County Government and 697 acres to the Kiambu County Government.

Kakuzi’s sister company, Eastern Produce Kenya Limited, has also faced pressure to cede land from the local community in Nandi County, where it has a tea plantation.

Some of the community living around Kakuzi’s estates have been buying shares in the company in what has been seen as both an investment and establishment of a platform to potentially air their grievances at forums such as annual general meetings.

Through Kakuzi Neighbourhoods Development Foundation, they held a 2.52 percent stake as of December 2024. The stake has a current market value of Sh197.7 million.

Pressure to cede land has become one of the material risks for agricultural firms with significant land holdings in the fertile Rift Valley and Central Kenya regions.

Kenya’s horticulture exports grew 20 percent to Sh87.3 billion in the first half of the year, on the back of higher quantities of fresh cut flowers, fruits and vegetables sold abroad.

Analysis of the data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that horticultural exports in the review period grew 19.04 percent from Sh73.3 billion in a similar period last year.

Monthly quantities of fresh horticultural exports grew to 252,083 tonnes in the first half of the year from 210,053.20 tonnes in a similar period last year.

Cut flower exports from Kenyan farms grew to Sh47.1 billion in the period under review from Sh39.4 billion in the previous year. Quantities of cut flowers sold abroad rose to 66,688.3 tonnes in the six months to June 2025 from 52,524.1 tonnes a year earlier.

Most of Kenya’s flowers are sold to the Netherlands (about 70 percent), followed by the United Kingdom. Other significant markets are Germany, Italy and France.

The quantity of fruits exported rose to 147,860.9 tonnes in the six months under review from 123,369 tonnes sold in the previous year.

This growth saw the value of fruits exported from Kenya increasing to Sh29.3 billion from Sh22.1 billion.

Fruit production is seasonal, with KNBS data showing that output peaks between March and April.

The volume of vegetable exports grew marginally to 37,534.3 tonnes from 34,160.1 tonnes in the period under review however, the value of the exports fell slightly to Sh10.9 billion from Sh11.8 billion.

Kenya’s horticultural industry generates thousands of employment opportunities in the agriculture sector and is one of the country’s top exporters and foreign exchange earners.

Local producers have benefitted from a stronger euro and improved logistics as they supply into the European market.

‘This year we have observed a stable currency and more reliable shipping into our main European export markets,’ agricultural firm Kakuzi said in its interim financial statements for the half year to June 2025.

Shipping of goods through the Red Sea was disrupted last year and early this year due to the Middle East conflict but the situation has improved significantly in recent months.

The euro gained to highs of Sh151.4 at the end of June 2025 compared to Sh134.4 at the beginning of the year, having depreciated dramatically from highs of Sh176 at the start of 2024. A stronger euro results in higher earnings for Kenyan exporters in shilling terms.

Besides Europe, Kenya’s horticultural products are sold in other markets including China, Peru and South Africa.

The November Treasury bond buyback failed to hit its target of Sh30 billion after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) rejected more than a third of the offers made by bondholders.

The CBK bought back Sh20.08 billion worth of the securities out of offers of Sh34.3 billion at a price of Sh103.29 per bond unit of a face value of Sh100.

The Treasury was buying back a portion of the three-year bond issued in May 2023, which is due to mature in May 2026. The bond has an outstanding value of Sh76.54 billion, which will drop to Sh56.46 billion once the buyback is settled.

The average yield to maturity on accepted offers stood at 7.78 percent, just two basis points below the average yield of 7.8 percent demanded by bondholders to sell to the government.

The bond has a coupon (fixed interest rate) of 14.228 percent and last paid investors their semiannual returns on November 10, 2025.

According to analysts, the small differential between demanded and accepted yields indicates that investor bids were not the primary reason behind the CBK’s decision to reject Sh14.2 billion worth of offers.

‘The rejection rate thus points to potential cash flow concerns for the government in the near term -hence the need to keep some cash in hand- given that the price demanded by bondholders closely matched that of accepted offers,’ said a bond dealer in a commercial bank.

Earlier this month, the Treasury raised Sh52.8 billion from the sale of reopened 15 and 20-year bonds, which had realised bids worth Sh92.9 billion.

The proceeds of this sale were expected to be partially used to fund the buyback, given that the state is currently ahead of its pro-rated borrowing target with a net haul of Sh434 billion so far in the current fiscal year.

However, the CBK reopened a further two bonds for sale last week with an eye on the buyback expenditure. They are a 15-year paper first sold in 2019 and a 25-year one issued in 2022 -targeting Sh40 billion and marking a rare occasion of the CBK making two bond sales within a single month outside of tap sales.

The two reopened bonds, which have been on sale since November 11, will be auctioned on Wednesday.

In choosing to pursue domestic bond buybacks in the current fiscal year, the government has been looking to smoothen maturities away from months when high repayment obligations would pose a liquidity problem for the exchequer.

Buybacks allow the government to repurchase its own debt from investors/holders before the maturity date.

In addition to smoothening the future maturity profile, buying back bonds can also help the exchequer save on interest costs by replacing high interest instruments with lower paying paper.

The government’s domestic bond issuance calendar for the 2025/2026 fiscal year shows that the Treasury planned for six domestic bond buybacks, including papers valued at Sh103.4 billion with an August 2026 maturity and Sh144.5 billion maturing in September 2027.

In February this year, the CBK carried out its first domestic bond buyback with a Sh50 billion repurchase of portions of three bonds that were due to mature later in April and May, easing the headache of payments in the two months.

The liability management plan also calls for issuance of switch bonds, in which investors or bondholders are given the option of rolling over their expected final payouts to another security with a longer maturity profile.

Previous switch bond issuances have been utilised to move holders of maturing short term Treasury bills to longer dated bonds.

There has been a sustained attack on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in recent months. For the record, any public institution must be open to scrutiny and criticism. The TSC is not perfect and it has its fair share of challenges.

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However, what we are witnessing lately is not constructive criticism but an orchestrated attempt to delegitimise an institution that has done remarkably well in stabilising the teaching service during one of the most turbulent periods in Kenya’s education history. It is unfair to criticise without offering alternatives or acknowledging the good things someone has initiated.

When Dr Nancy Macharia’s tenure ended, many expected chaos and confusion in the leadership transition.

Yet, under the stewardship of the acting CEO, Dr Eveleen Mitei, the TSC has remained steady. Dr Mitei, a seasoned education administrator, has shown firmness and understanding in balancing the interests of the government, teachers and the public.

The ongoing transition from the old education system to the competency-based curriculum (CBC) and the introduction of the Senior School have posed enormous logistical and human resource challenges.

Yet, the commission has navigated these transitions smoothly – deploying, training and promoting teachers in record numbers to meet the new system’s demands.

The commission has facilitated the training of thousands of teachers on the CBC approach, ensuring that no learner is left stranded because of a lack of qualified instructors.

This has been achieved despite budgetary constraints, delayed disbursement of funds and shifting policy demands from the Ministry of Education. There has also been an improvement in teachers’ welfare and career progression.

For years, teachers lamented stagnation – some spending over a decade in one job group without promotion. Under the current TSC leadership, those concerns have been addressed systematically. Thousands of teachers have received long-awaited promotions.

The implementation of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), negotiated between the unions and the commission, has been honoured in both spirit and letter. It is important to remember that many of these gains came at a time when other public sector workers were facing wage freezes and austerity.

Equally commendable is how the commission has handled the issue of teachers’ health insurance. The AON-Minet scheme had its fair share of complaints, but under the current management, there has been a deliberate effort to review the policy framework, streamline service delivery and ensure teachers receive value for their money.

The commission has established open channels for feedback and redress. Currently, the commission is migrating the over 400,000 teachers to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

The TSC has also remained steadfast in maintaining professionalism within the teaching service. Through effective supervision, disciplinary procedures, and teacher management systems, the commission has ensured that the dignity of the profession is upheld.

While critics accuse the TSC of being high-handed or bureaucratic, they forget that every profession requires discipline and accountability.

The commission’s insistence on merit-based appointments, strict adherence to ethical standards and the use of digital platforms for transparency are steps in the right direction.

What is perhaps most unfortunate is that much of the criticism aimed at the TSC appears politically motivated. The noise about ‘radical surgery’ and ‘restructuring’ is not born of genuine concern for teachers but from personal ambitions and power games.

The position of CEO is vacant, and there are those eyeing it desperately. In their quest for visibility, they have resorted to smearing the very institution they hope to lead. That kind of hypocrisy should be called out.

It is also noteworthy that the TSC is one of the few independent commissions that have remained functional and professional despite political turbulence. It has resisted capture, maintained institutional memory, and delivered on its constitutional mandate of registering, deploying, and disciplining teachers.

This consistency has provided predictability in a sector that is the backbone of our national development.

Let us give credit where it is due. The TSC has provided stability, professionalism, and direction in a sector that is often mired in politics and emotion. Instead of tearing it down, we should strengthen it. For in defending TSC, we defend the future of our teachers and by extension, the future of our children.

The forex market in Kenya has grown into one of the most attractive investment opportunities for individuals seeking to expand their income sources. With digital access improving and mobile-first solutions becoming a way of life, trading has shifted toward apps that make participation faster and simpler.

Today’s traders want speed, reliability, and convenience, and mobile platforms are delivering exactly that.

Using a forex trading app has become the preferred way for many Kenyans to access global markets. Brokers like HFM and others have built platforms that combine advanced execution speeds with user-friendly features.

For Kenyan traders, this means they no longer have to rely solely on desktop setups or external tools. Instead, they can manage trades, monitor real-time data, and analyse charts directly on their smartphones.

Why Fast Execution Is Critical

Speed is one of the defining factors in forex. The value of currencies can shift within seconds, and traders who react late may miss opportunities or face unnecessary losses. Fast execution ensures that trades are placed at the intended price without delays or slippage.

For Kenyan traders, especially those in fast-moving markets such as USD/KES or commodities linked to the region, execution speed is vital. Local mobile apps are now capable of matching the pace of international platforms, giving Kenyan investors the ability to compete fairly in the global environment.

Local Access Builds Confidence

Local access is another reason why forex apps are gaining popularity in Kenya. Traders want services that cater to their specific needs, including localised payment options, language support, and relevant currency pairs. Mobile apps designed with Kenyan users in mind provide exactly that.

Having local customer support and familiar transaction systems like M-Pesa integrated into apps builds trust. Kenyan traders appreciate knowing that their deposits, withdrawals, and queries are handled with speed and reliability. This local focus has been key to expanding participation across the country.

The Advantages of Mobile-First Platforms

Mobile-first trading platforms are not just about convenience; they redefine the trading experience. By putting everything into a smartphone app, brokers give Kenyan traders access to tools that once required professional setups.

Key advantages include:

Real-time price feeds and charting tools

Instant trade execution and order management

Local deposit and withdrawal methods

Push notifications for news and market events

Accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection

These benefits show why more Kenyans are moving away from desktop-only platforms and choosing mobile solutions.

Supporting Traders Across the Country

One of the strongest impacts of forex apps in Kenya is their ability to reach traders outside Nairobi. With mobile penetration high across the country, individuals in smaller towns and rural areas can participate just as easily as those in urban centres.

This has encouraged financial inclusion, allowing more Kenyans to take part in global markets. Instead of being limited to professionals or institutions, forex has become accessible to students, entrepreneurs, and part-time traders alike.

Education and User-Friendly Design

Another feature making forex apps a clear winner in Kenya is their focus on education and simplicity. Many platforms now include tutorials, articles, and demo accounts directly within the app. This means beginners can learn while practicing without risking real money.

User-friendly design is also a priority. Kenyan traders value apps that are easy to navigate, with clear menus and straightforward functions. This ensures that even those new to trading can quickly understand how to buy, sell, and manage risk.

The Role of Local Payment Integration

A critical aspect of local access is the integration of payment systems that Kenyan traders already use. By including M-Pesa and other regional solutions, forex apps remove barriers to entry. This makes funding accounts and withdrawing profits smooth and familiar.

For many Kenyans, this integration is what sets local apps apart from international ones. It creates a seamless bridge between daily financial habits and global trading opportunities, making forex participation feel less intimidating.

How Apps Are Shaping the Future of Forex in Kenya

The shift to mobile apps is not just a passing trend. It represents the future of trading in Kenya. As connectivity improves and more brokers invest in mobile technology, apps will continue to become the centre of forex activity.

Next-generation apps may include artificial intelligence, personalised alerts, and deeper analytics tailored to Kenyan markets. For traders, this means more powerful tools in the palm of their hands and more opportunities to grow.

Conclusion

Fast execution and local access are two of the strongest reasons why forex apps are winning over traders in Kenya. By combining speed with payment integration, education, and user-friendly design, they meet the demands of both beginners and professionals.

The use of a forex trading app makes it possible for Kenyans to participate in global markets with confidence and convenience. Platforms like HFM and others offering mobile-first solutions are driving this transformation. For Kenyan investors, the future of forex is clear: faster, more accessible, and entirely mobile.

As Kenya races to meet its climate commitments, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent and restoring over 10 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, the role of environmental stewardship has moved from a sustainability sidebar to a national imperative.

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With rising climate shocks, depleted ecosystems, and growing energy needs, Kenya’s environmental recovery hinges on a financial system that sees nature not just as a cause, but as an investment opportunity.

The financial sector, which powers the nation’s development, has a profound responsibility to lead this charge.

From climate resilient infrastructure and clean energy deployment to nature-based solutions like reforestation and sustainable agriculture, the financial sector is increasingly at the centre of the country’s green transition.

However, this responsibility extends beyond the balance sheet and lending portfolios; it must be championed by the philanthropic arms of these institutions, which are uniquely positioned to mitigate the environmental impacts of development.

One of the most underleveraged opportunities lies in financing ecological restoration. Forests, wetlands, and mangroves are not just natural assets, they are climate regulators, carbon sinks, and economic engines.

Kenya’s ambitions to lead in the voluntary carbon market, projected to generate up to $1.7 billion by 2030, depend on verifiable, scalable conservation projects.

There are active environmental conservation efforts we’ve seen supported by the private sector in areas like the Coastal region where mangrove restoration efforts in Mwache have are helping preserve critical coastal ecosystems while enhancing their role as natural carbon sinks.

Philanthropic foundations of banks can play a pivotal role. By providing catalytic grants, de-risking innovative conservation models, and empowering local communities, they can lay the groundwork for larger scale investment and bridge critical funding gaps that commercial financing cannot address alone.

Another frontier is green SME finance. Small and medium-sized enterprises drive Kenya’s economy but often lack the capital to invest in sustainable technologies. While banks lend for economic growth, their foundations can ensure that growth is sustainable.

Through targeted grants for solar energy adoption, seed funding for waste recycling innovations, and capacity building programs for regenerative farming, these foundations can support a new generation of green entrepreneurs.

The rise of climate tech start-ups also demands more responsive, risk tolerant capital. Venture philanthropy, catalytic grants, and innovation funds aligned with climate outcomes can unlock growth in this emerging sector.

Foundations have a responsibility to support climate innovation funds and start-ups through venture philanthropy, catalytic grants, and innovation funds, making them investment ready and bankable businesses that can propel the impact. Yet, this philanthropic capital is not enough.

Kenya needs a financial culture shift one that rewards environmental stewardship, measures impact, and places people at the centre of climate action.

The foundations of financial institutions must champion this shift from within. This includes integrating environmental and social risk into programmatic strategies, embedding sustainability into portfolio strategies, and working collaboratively with civil society and local communities to co-design climate solutions.

The I and M Bank Foundation, for example, entered a collaboration framework with KFS to rehabilitate Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Block.

This involves the installation of a 14.2 KM Fence line, improvement of infrastructure and forest restoration.

Equity Group Foundation has empowered over half a million households by providing more than 2.3 million clean energy products like solar lamps and modern cookstoves.

Similarly, the KCB Foundation is championing reforestation through its partnership with the Kenya Forest Service to plant millions of trees nationwide.

They are proving that funding ecosystem conservation, clean energy access for underserved communities, and climate adaptation programs is not just charity. These efforts signal what is possible when finance meets foresight and when institutions view environmental conservation not as an ethical checkbox, but as a smart strategy.

To achieve a truly climate-resilient economy, Kenya needs more than isolated green projects, it needs a coordinated revolution led by institutions with the power to influence the entire economic landscape.

As banks continue to lend for development projects, their philanthropic arms have a unique responsibility and opportunity to mitigate climate crises and champion a sustainable future.

Regulators, financiers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers must work together to embed sustainability into every investment decision. This is the moment to create climate smart financial systems that serve both people and the planet.

The question for every institution is no longer if they should act but how soon they will step up. The time for bold, foundation led leadership is now.

Dr Irene Nzamu is a paediatric haematologist oncologist and the Head of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital. There are only 16 paediatric haematology oncologists in Kenya and only four are male

For starters, what exactly does a paediatric haematologist oncologist do?

A paediatric haematologist oncologist is a highly specialised doctor who diagnoses and treats children with blood diseases (haematology) and cancer (oncology).

There are only 16 paediatric haematologist oncologists in Kenya. How does that make you feel to be part of such a small community?

It is truly a humbling. It is a profound calling to care for children battling cancer and blood diseases. I have been working in this field for 10 years now.

Why majority of us are women? I believe it is because this field requires a deep reservoir of soft skills that women often excel in: immense compassion, a nurturing spirit, and innate capacity for caregiving. These qualities are essential to providing not just medical treatment, but holistic healing and support for both the child and their family.

What first drew you to paediatric haematology and oncology

During my medical studies at the University of Nairobi, I volunteered in the children’s cancer ward at Kenyatta National Hospital.

My time was spent singing with them, grooming them, and playing alongside them. Through those interactions, my heart truly warmed to these little angels.

I was deeply moved by how these young children fought cancer with such immense courage and strength, often seeming blissfully unaware of the severity of their condition. I realised these children needed far more than bonding and companionship-they needed dedicated, compassionate medical care.

What kind of training is required to become a specialist in this field?

It is a long and rigorous process. It begins with an undergraduate degree in medicine and surgery. After completing this and your internship, you then pursue a postgraduate Master of Medicine degree in Paediatrics and Child Health, which typically takes three to four years. During this residency, you complete rotations in various paediatric subspecialties, including paediatric haematology and oncology.

Once you are a qualified paediatrician, the next step is to undertake a dedicated fellowship in paediatric haematology oncology. This advanced training lasts two to three years and is crucial to gain deep, specialised knowledge solely in childhood cancers and blood disorders.

After the fellowship, you are certified as a paediatric haematologist oncologist. However, the learning never truly ends. To stay current with the rapid advancements in the field, you must continuously engage in professional development through specialised short courses, conferences, and research throughout your career.

Beyond medical expertise, which skills are most critical in your line of work?

First, you need immense patience. You often find yourself explaining complex information repeatedly to families under great stress, and this requires a calm, enduring presence.

Second, resilience is essential. The emotional weight of caring for seriously ill children and supporting their families is profound, and the ability to process difficulty and move forward is vital.

Third, you must possess strong communication skills. Conveying a cancer diagnosis, discussing complex treatment options, and providing support throughout a family’s journey requires clarity, honesty, and profound sensitivity.

Above all, the most critical skill is compassion. Without a genuine capacity for empathy it is impossible to thrive in this field.

Which children typically need to see a specialist like you?

We see children who are suspected of having either cancer or a blood disorder. This includes both confirmed cases and those where a diagnosis is still suspected but not yet verified.

For the suspected cases, our role is to conduct a thorough investigation-through various tests-to reach a definitive diagnosis. Once we have a clear picture and confirmation of the condition, we begin the appropriate treatment plan.

What’s the most memorable case you handled?

I will never forget this two-year-old girl who came to us with stage four neuroblastoma-an aggressive cancer that had spread throughout her tiny body. When she arrived, she was critically ill and nearly died on three separate occasions. Her treatment was intensely rigorous, filled with moments that tested our hope.

Yet, against all odds, she survived. Today, she is a healthy, bright seven-year-old who comes for annual reviews. Seeing her thriving in school fills my heart with profound joy and reaffirms my purpose.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that even the most severe cases can have hopeful outcomes. She embodies the reason I never give up-every child deserves a fighting chance.

What are the most significant challenges you face working in a resource-limited setting?

First, the high cost of treatments. Many parents struggle to afford the necessary drugs and tests, often having to purchase out-of-stock medications themselves.

Second, late diagnosis. This is the most painful challenge, as children often arrive when the cancer has advanced too far, leaving us with limited options, often only palliative care.

Third, treatment abandonment. Many families begin treatment but cannot finish due to reasons like long distances and a lack of money for transport.

Fourth, cultural beliefs and myths. These often disrupt care, as families are sometimes advised to seek solutions elsewhere, leading them to abandon effective medical treatment.

Fifth, stigma. A cancer diagnosis can lead to isolation and a desire to hide the illness, preventing families from continuing care.

Finally, a lack of specialised equipment and procedures. For example, many children with leukemia need a bone marrow transplant for a cure, but this is not available here.

Families must fundraise for treatment abroad. If our government made these resources available locally, it would transform outcomes for our children.

What aspect of your work gives you sleepless nights?

An avoidable death of one of my children. “Avoidable” means when a patient dies and you feel we failed that child. You think, if this child had come earlier, or if we had diagnosed them at stage one or two, they would have survived. It’s also the system issues-like a specific drug not being available-that haunt you.

It pains me that children who need a bone marrow transplant simply die because of poverty. You are left with the feeling that they could have survived if you had the equipment or facilities to offer that care.

As a country, we need to establish centres of excellence to perform procedures like bone marrow transplants. There is a lot of effort and resources directed toward adult cancers, like breast, cervix and prostate cancer, but people forget about children. This is a call to action for the government to fast-track the establishment of a paediatric bone marrow transplant centre.

Your message of hope for parents and families with a child battling cancer?

Most childhood cancers are treatable; it is not the death sentence people often say it is. We have had many children who have been treated successfully and have survived. Early diagnosis is key.

This work is immensely emotionally draining. What keeps you going?

First, it is the resilience of the children. The courage they have to fight cancer at such a young age is incredible. You look at how they fight, their hopefulness, and you think, if they are not giving up, why should I? I cannot afford to fail them.

Second, it is my faith in God. This is a God-given calling. Every morning, I wake up knowing God sent me to care for these children.

I have learned to accept what is God’s to handle and what is mine, so I don’t struggle with trying to do the impossible.

Finally, I have my ways to debrief. I love to sing and journalling when my heart feels heavy.

What advice would you give to a young medical student who wants to be a paediatric haematology oncologist?

Go for it! I strongly encourage more academically gifted young people to pursue this path. We have many children in need and too few specialists.

To make it, you must work hard to achieve academic excellence and master the scientific foundations of medicine.

Second, and just as importantly, you must have the heart for this work.

The field requires soft, human skills-a genuine capacity to care for children with cancer. This means having the compassion to go beyond your job description, to empathise with these children and their families. It is a specialty that demands both your mind and your heart.

How do you balance your demanding life as a mother and a paediatric haematology oncologist?

I have learned to balance these demanding roles by consciously prioritising and being fully present in every moment.

When I am at the hospital, I give my complete attention to my patients and their families. When I am at home, I dedicate myself wholly to my family.

I strongly believe in the power of quality time over quantity. It’s not about the number of hours spent, but the depth of connection and focus brought to each role that truly matters. This mindful approach allows me to fulfill both my professional calling and my deepest personal joys.

For a parent just starting this journey, you need to know that you are not alone. We walk this path together. You have your part to play, we have ours, and your child has theirs. Do not begin by giving up. We must keep fighting, knowing that it is curable, and we will fight together to achieve a cure.

Parents, please give your child a fighting chance. You never know-that child could survive, just like the little girl I mentioned earlier who almost died three times and is now happy and back in school. Let’s bring the children for treatment.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has distanced itself from sections of the new regulations indicating the State’s intention to collect biometric data, including blood typing and fingerprinting and DNA for new SIM card registration.

The regulator reckons that the presence of biometric requirement in the revised regulations doesn’t indicate its intention to collect the personal data.

It added that it has not directed the telecoms operators to collect the data.

ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo issued revised regulations on SIM card registration, which require telecoms companies to capture subscribers’ ID cards or passport details, name, postal address, and biometric data.

The rules also require the operators to ensure completion of a form, which captures many entries including biometric details.

‘A telecommunications operator or registration agent shall enter the registration particulars provided by a person in electronic or print form as provided in Form 1 set out in the Schedule and may require the subscriber to appear in person for registration,’ say the regulations.

Section 5 b of the form requires biometric data, which the regulations describe as ‘personal data resulting from specific technical processing based on physical, physiological or behavioural characterisation, including blood typing, fingerprinting, deoxyribonucleic acid analysis, earlobe geometry, retinal scanning and voice recognition.’

But the CA said that the mention of biometric in the regulations does not point to collection of the personal data.

‘This definition does not mean that all this information will be collected from subscribers during SIM card registration,’ the CA said in a Tuesday statement.

‘As a matter of fact, the Authority has not directed our licensees to collect this data.’

The CA said the regulations were developed to protect SIM card holders from fraud and criminal activities and support secure access to digital services such as mobile money, online government services and shopping platforms.

‘Operators are prohibited from sharing subscriber data without their consent or a lawful order. CA and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner will provide strict oversight, including regular audits and issue strong penalties for abuse or misuse of customer data,’ the communications watchdog said.

The revised regulations give mobile operators the power to suspend SIM cards where subscribers provide false information or repeatedly ignore registration requirements.

This includes when a child attains 18 years of age and fails to register their personal identification details within 90 days.

Operators are, however, required to give notice through notifications and advertisements in print and broadcast media before the disconnection.

The new guidelines sparked concern as they were seen to violate the data minimisation principle provided for in the Data Protection Act, which requires organisations to collect and process only the personal data that is relevant and necessary for a specific, legitimate purpose.

‘Avoiding the processing of personal data altogether when this is possible for the relevant purpose; limiting the amount of personal data collected to what is necessary for the purpose; demonstrate the relevance of the data to the processing in question,’ the Act states.

Analysts also question telecoms operators’ capability to handle huge volumes of such sensitive data.