Category: Business Daily

Shares of NCBA Group hit an all-time high of Sh75.25 on Tuesday on news of its potential acquisition by Africa’s largest lender, Standard Bank Group, in a deal that could dramatically alter the structure and ownership of Kenya’s banking sector.

The lender’s share gained 8.27 percent from Sh69.50, closing the day as the second top gainer at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), as investors factored in the potential deal.

Five members of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) are holding back the full rollout of a mega free-trade area (FTA) stretching across 26 African countries from Cape Town to Cairo, it has been revealed.

The mega trade bloc comprising Comesa, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was formed with the aim of harmonising trade between some 26 countries.

Most strategy meetings still start with the same old questions repeated over and over again. What is our advantage? Which resources set us apart from the rest? Who are our direct and indirect competitors?

Yes, these are indeed useful questions. But a new powerful body of research says that firms are missing something big if we stop there.

The High Court has quashed a Sh2.5 million penalty imposed on a former director of Chase Bank, Muthoni Kuria, by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), citing procedural unfairness and bias in the tribunal’s decision-making process.

Justice Julius Ng’arng’ar ruled that the Capital Markets Tribunal erred in upholding the fine against Ms Kuria, who had been accused of misconduct linked to Chase Bank’s Sh10 billion bond issuance in 2015 and its subsequent collapse in 2016.

The Treasury has proposed amendments to the insurance law that would compel local insurers to cede a larger portion of their reinsurance business to Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re), raising the share from 20 to 25 percent and, for the first time, making it permanent.

The plan, detailed in the draft Insurance (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and backed by a Regulatory Impact Statement now before stakeholders, has stirred debate in a sector that has struggled with slow premium growth and weak capitalisation.

A regional competition watchdog wants airlines operating within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) to compensate stranded passengers with cash payouts of up to $600 (Sh77,540) for flight cancellations and delays amid a surge in travellers’ complaints at Kenya Airways.

The Comesa Competition Commission has issued a notice, technically known as guidance letter, proposing that carriers offer stranded passengers between $250 (Sh32, 310) and $600 (Sh77, 540) for cancellations.

We don’t talk about this often, yet it happens more frequently than we care to imagine. It’s a normal day at work – chitchat, coffee-break gossip, laughter echoing across cubicles. Time to clock out, share a few hugs, and promise to see each other tomorrow to do it all over again

But then morning comes, and something is different. There’s tension in the air. Whispers fill the corridors. Some colleagues wipe away tears they didn’t expect to shed. Eyes drift towards the now-empty desk – and the questions start flooding in: Why? Could we have seen the signs? Could we have done something? Just like that, they are gone.

Losing a colleague to suicide is one of the most painful experiences any workplace can face. Beyond the initial shock and sadness, there’s often confusion, guilt, and silence. In such moments, what people need most is compassion – not procedure.

Too often, offices rush to policy and paperwork – insurance claims, handover notes, even talk of replacements. But please, just pause. This is not just a workplace; it’s a community that must find a way to grieve one of its own.

When tragedy strikes, people look to leadership for direction and reassurance. Silence only leaves room for fear, stigma, and speculation. Instead, lead with openness and empathy.

A simple message can make a world of difference: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague. We know this news is painful for all of us, and we encourage everyone to be here for one another during this difficult time.’

Avoid speculation or sharing details that have not been authorised by the family. The office should never become a place for rumours.

The goal is to acknowledge the loss, honour the person, and remind everyone that support is available.

According to the World Health Organization (2023), compassionate, truthful communication is one of the most effective responses following a suicide-related loss.

Grief looks different for everyone – that’s a fact we must accept. Some colleagues may cry openly; others may seem composed but struggle silently.

Offering safe spaces to talk – through a counsellor, debrief sessions, or even a quiet cup of tea with a trusted colleague – helps people process their emotions in healthy ways.

Encouraging staff to take time off, or to step back when needed, shows genuine care. This is especially important for those who worked closely with the departed colleague. They shared a workspace, stories, and laughter – and suddenly, all of that is gone.

According to Harvard Business Review (2022), when leaders normalise emotional support, recovery and team trust improve significantly. After all, we remain human – regardless of how professional the environment may be.

Managers often feel torn between staying strong for their teams and managing their own grief. HR must play a key role in gently guiding and supporting this group – supervisors, heads of departments, and team leads – reminding them that it’s okay not to have all the answers.

When a colleague dies by suicide, it affects everyone differently. What matters most is how we show up for each other – with empathy, patience, and presence.

Read: Understanding teen suicide and how parents can help

Healing begins when people feel seen, heard, and supported in their wholeness.

In honouring the life that was lost, we remind ourselves that none of us walks this journey alone.

There can be a temptation to try and make sense of the tragedy, but often there is no clear explanation. At times, unresolved professional differences or unspoken words may resurface, bringing guilt or tension. It’s important to steer the team away from blame and towards collective healing.

Where possible, create remembrance spaces – message boards, short reflection sessions, or quiet moments of silence. The American Psychological Association (2021) notes that shared remembrance and collective grief rituals help restore connection and meaning after loss – and I couldn’t agree more.

This may sound harsh, yet it’s the truth. The sun still rises, deadlines still loom, and clients still call. But returning to routine can feel strange, even inappropriate at first. The transition back should be gradual and compassionate.

Regularly check in with your team – not just about performance, but about how they are coping. Healing takes time, and kindness becomes the thread that holds people together during this fragile period.

Once the initial sadness fades – as it inevitably does – continued awareness becomes vital. Create opportunities to talk about mental health regularly, both individually and as a team. Learning sessions, casual check-ins, and visible reminders that it’s okay to seek help all make a difference.

As the WHO (2023) reminds us, open and caring workplaces play a crucial role in preventing future tragedies.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) increased gold holdings by 40.8 percent to Sh238 million in the financial year ended June 2025, signalling a renewed push to diversify the country’s foreign reserves amid global economic uncertainty.

CBK’s latest annual report shows that the value of gold held by the bank rose from Sh169 million the previous year, marking one of the largest percentage increases in recent times.

The High Court has ordered the Tax Appeals Tribunal to recalculate the tax relief on a contentious hotel and apartment project by hospitality firm Hemingways Watamu Limited, handing a reprieve to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which is fighting to block a Sh944 million claim by the investor.

High Court Judge Julius K. Ng’arng’ar directed the tribunal to reassess the investment tax deduction on the project in Kilifi County, undertaken about seven years ago.

Every job needs a curriculum vitae (CV), but not many choose revamping CVs as a career. What began as quick fixes for friends, family now fuels businesses.

The promise is simple. Make the first page count. Like Mercy Mukami, the founder of Golden Strip Consultancy. She says she began CV revamping in June 2022 as a side hustle to complement her income. After she was fired, she chose to go full throttle.