President William Ruto is building a mega State House church in Nairobi. This has been revealed by an expose that was published by the Daily Nation on Friday, July 4, 2025. According to the expose, the mega church has been designed by Skair Architects Limited and has a sitting capacity of 8,000.

The Nation report stated that the project whose revelation is expected to kick up a storm is already coming up near the presidential helipads. It is not clear why the president has chosen to install a church at State House against Article 8 of the Constitution which prohibits the State from adopting or endorsing any religion.

According to the report in the daily, there are four individual prayer rooms inside the church and one big family room.

“Inside the church, there is four rows of the main sanctuary seating with a capacity of up to 8,000 worshippers. There are also multiple entry points, storage rooms, toilets, and circulation corridors included for crowd control. There are two prayer rooms on each side of the main auditorium and multiple auxiliary rooms including offices and washrooms,” the Daily Nation reported.

The paper further exposed that the vertical structure design has two main levels. These include the main sanctuary floor and two upper sitting galleries.

“The gallery is made in a circular auditorium layout in the form of an amphitheater format to ensure visibility of the pulpit,” the publication by the Nation Media Group stated. “AN exterior view of the church during the night features LED lights at the entrance and a big, see through glass door entrance.

The construction comes at a time when budgetary documents tabled at the National Assembly have been allocating tons of million to State House for alleged refurbishments. It was not clear from the expose, though, if the church whose construction is estimated at Sh1.2 billion is being funded from these funds and, or where construction money is being sourced from.

READ MORE: Rachel Ruto moves to revive ‘Maziwa ya Nyayo’ in public schools

Apparently, inquiries about the project that were sent to State House by the media house went unanswered.

Shock of Sh1.2 billion church Ruto is building at State House first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Financially troubled Moi University has received an allocation of 6,771 students in the newly released KUCCPS placement results. This number has been revealed by the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof Kiplagat Kotut in a congratulatory message to the students who are now expected to join the institution.

“Congratulations to the 6,771 students who have been successfully placed at Moi University through the 2025 KUCCPS Placement! This milestone marks the beginning of a transformative academic journey at our University that takes pride in nurturing leaders, innovators, and change-makers,” Professor Kotut said in a statement.

“For those who missed out, the Inter-University Transfer window will soon open, and we would be delighted to welcome you to the Moi University family.”

However, the statement by the Vice Chancellor did not disclose how many students would be pursuing what types of degrees, and, or which degrees attracted the highest number of placements.

The enrolment is expected to give the university a lifeline after persistent financial struggles that have been exacerbated by low student numbers.

For instance, over the last ten years, student numbers at the university have dropped by more than half. In 2015, the university had 48,000 students in its register. This number has fallen to the current 21,000.

These low numbers have forced the university to embark on strict cost-cutting measures that have included auctioning of property and firing of employees. In May 2025, Professor Kotut announced that the institution was planning to send home 892 employees including 120 lecturers. The university planned to sack 120 lecturers and 772 general employees.

In June 2025, the institution announced the auction of various items, including cars, dogs, donkeys, use vehicle tyres, and pigs. The prices for the goods on offer was as low as Sh3,000.

READ MORE: Moi university bought 11 donkeys to replace tractors, whistleblower reveals

In addition to the low numbers, the university has also grappling with a debt that is estimated to be in the upwards of Sh8.8 billion. In the 2018/19 financial year, the Auditor General’s report showed that this debt was at around Sh4.5 billion.

Over the past few years, Moi University has been on the spot over financial misappropriation, bloated project estimates and irregular staff hiring.

Troubled Moi University gets 6,771 students in KUCCPS placement first appeared on Bizna Kenya

As the adoption of digital currencies grows, Bitcoin is gaining popularity in Kenya as consumers ditch traditional banking systems and mobile money services like M-Pesa.

While the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) was initially wary of cryptocurrencies, citing concerns over their potential use in illegal activities and lack of consumer protection, more Kenyans are embracing Bitcoin for day-to-day transactions, personal savings, and investment purposes.

In Kibera slums, Nairobi, residents are turning to Bitcoin for their day-to-day transactions unlike in other areas where M-Pesa is the widely used transaction too.

The currency shift in Kibera began in 2022 through Afrobit Africa, a Kenyan fintech startup, which launched a Bitcoin-based grant programme targeting Kibera’s garbage collectors.

The aim was to pay workers in Bitcoin rather than shillings, and empower them to transact digitally without the need for bank accounts or mobile money services that require IDs and Ki

“I have been using Bitcoin for like one and a half years. Since I have known Bitcoin, it has been good. It helps not to carry bulky cash in the pocket — when you have cash, you become a target for thieves,” Onesmas Manning, a waste collector in Kibera, told the Associated Press.

Shock of Sh1.2 billion church Ruto is building at State House

The program was warmly received by residents, with business people including vegetable vendors, accepting Bitcoin as a mode of payment.

“We collect waste door to door,” says another waste worker. “After sorting and recycling, we get paid in Bitcoin. I just scan and receive the payment on my phone. Then I can go shower, eat, and relax.”

Diyam, a vegetable vendor who started accepting Bitcoin in 2023, says it has brought her closer to a new kind of customer — younger, tech-savvy residents who prefer digital transactions.

“Around 9 to 15 customers a day pay with it when business is good. I like it because it’s cheap, fast, and doesn’t have transaction costs. I save in Bitcoin and use cash to restock.” She said.

Afrobit Africa says that the introduction of Bitcoin in Kibera aims to give residents an opportunity to secure their lives with normal savings.

“In many cases, people from Kibera are excluded from the main financial systems, but Bitcoin is trusted, permissionless, and gives them a sense of control.”

Opening an account is simple, and all one needs is a smartphone — no identification, no paperwork — to open a digital wallet and start transacting.

Kibera residents using Bitcoin for everyday payments first appeared on Bizna Kenya

When thinking about property investment in Nairobi’s fast-growing suburbs, most people immediately think of affordability—but there’s more to it. Factors like infrastructure, accessibility, and urban planning play a key role in driving property value. So, what should investors really look out for when eyeing these suburban hotspots?

Kindly see below an article titled “The Ultimate Guide to Property Investment in Nairobi’s Rapidly Growing Suburbs” a must-read for anyone looking to make informed, future-focused investment decisions.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Ultimate Guide to Property Investment in Nairobi’s Rapidly Growing Suburbs

Written by Sarah Wahogo

Imagine this: it is a calm Saturday morning and you are enjoying your favorite cup of tea on your balcony, looking out over your plot of land. You cannot stop smiling because what you thought was once bare land has now transitioned to a valued possession with a title deed that has your name on it. That bare piece of land now holds your future and your family’s legacy.  Your ambition is now fulfilled in one of Nairobi’s growing suburbs in either Ngong, Konza or Kitengela. However, this does not have to be a mere dream or imagination anymore because your journey to land ownership can start here and now.

Key Takeaways

 Nairobi’s suburbs offer affordable land with fast growth, ideal for young investors.

Always insist on clean, ready title deeds and verify ownership.

Check infrastructure, growth potential, and development controls before buying.

Improved roads and services make suburbs the current real estate hotspots.

Use flexible payment plans to start your land ownership journey stress-free.

Why the suburbs?

Nairobi is rapidly changing. As the city center gets increasingly crowded and pricey, an increasing number of young Kenyan professionals, first-time investors and even those returning from the diaspora are looking beyond the city.

Username CEO crowned 2019 African Business Personality

They are finding the beauty, calm and unrivaled promise of Nairobi’s satellite towns. Areas like Ngong, Kitengela, Juja, Kangundo Road and Ruiru are no longer just upcoming towns, they are the real bargains right now. Connectivity to these towns has been made easier by the construction of bypass roads and the expressway. This, in turn, leads to expanded infrastructure, improved services and modern living spaces that make these towns real estate goldmines of this season.

Affordability and Growth

Investing in property does not require millions of dollars. The benefit of these fast-growing areas is that they remain inexpensive while seeing quick and undeniable expansion. Lipa Pole Pole payment options, such as those offered by Username Investments, make land ownership accessible to chamas, young professionals and freelancers. You may practically own a piece of Kenya at your own pace, stress-free.

What to Look for When Investing.

You may wonder what to look out for in your first land acquisition process. Well, here are a few things to keep an eye out for as you look to buy land within Nairobi suburbs.

• Title Deed: Always look for properties with ready, clean title deeds. Make no compromises on this. To review ownership, do a land search on the specific property at the Land Registry.

• Infrastructure: Does the area you wish to invest in have access to roads, electricity, water and schools nearby?

• Growth Potential: Are there any ongoing or prospective projects, such as malls or government projects, such as bypasses, railways, airports, or parks, expected to come up soon?

• Development Control: Will your community preserve its high level of living? Check for regulated development guidelines by the Lands Control Board.

• Do your due diligence: Ensure you are working with reputable real estate companies or agents that have a track record of delivering title deeds and projects on time.

Where Should You Invest?

Here are a few suburbs attracting investment interest in 2025.

• Ngong: Beautiful views, nice weather and a quick drive to the CBD via Ngong Road or the Southern Bypass. The tranquility and affordability of Ngong are unmatched.

• Kitengela: A vibrant and rapidly expanding area with schools, institutions and gated communities coming up. Kitengela is well connected via road transport via the expressway as well as via air transport, with the Jomo Kenyatta Airport being just a few minutes away.

• Kangundo Road: With the impending Greater Eastern Bypass, this area is brimming with potential. More families are moving into the area and there are many infrastructural developments already underway.

• Ruiru and Juja: Ideal for people seeking rental income and near the Thika Superhighway. Accessibility to these towns has been made easy with many of the residents in these towns working in the City.

Conclusion

The journey to land investment is not an easy path, but one that requires vision. Land acquisition is about sowing seeds that will sprout into your family legacy, sense of security and become a valued possession. Instead of investing a lot of money within the city, think about investing in Nairobi’s suburbs and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Username Properties Ltd. is here to offer support by providing value-added projects you can rely on and flexible and convenient payment plans for you. We believe that you can own land at a stress-free and convenient pace in the suburbs of Nairobi.

The writer is the CEO of Username Properties Ltd.

The ultimate guide to property investment in Nairobi’s rapidly growing suburbs first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Co-operative Bank of Kenya has reaffirmed its leadership in agricultural finance by backing the tea industry with a platinum sponsorship at the inaugural KTDA Magazine launch and Farmer First Mantra Prospectus unveiling, held on July 3rd and 4th, 2025, at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

The high-level event brought together representatives of more than 260,000 smallholder farmers, tea factory directors, and industry stakeholders under KTDA’s rallying cry: Farmer First. It facilitated the launch of a comprehensive magazine aimed at providing farmers, partners, and stakeholders with deeper insights into Kenya’s tea industry and opportunities for active participation in its growth.

Speaking about the strategic partnership, Co-operative Bank Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. Gideon Muriuki emphasized the bank’s commitment to the sector. “We have a long-standing history of supporting the co-operative sector in Kenya, including extensive engagement with the tea industry. Through our comprehensive financial solutions, we continue to empower the more than 260,000 smallholder tea farmers who form the backbone of Kenya’s tea industry, a key contributor to our national economy.”

As part of its efforts to empower smallholder tea farmers, Co-operative Bank has an ongoing partnership with, Greenland Fedha, to enhance access to credit across the tea sector. Through this arrangement, farmers can access instant loans ranging from KES 100 to KES 20,000 directly via their mobile phones, creating a convenient, barrier-free solution that eliminates delays and travel. This mobile-enabled financing model is transforming how smallholder farmers access capital, providing timely support when it’s needed most.

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The partnership will provide farmers with access to approximately KES 1.2 billion in short-term credit facilities, removing traditional barriers to agricultural financing and enabling real-time investment in inputs, tools, and farm improvements.

Vincent Kihara, Head of Corporate Banking at Co-operative Bank of Kenya, speaking at the launch, emphasised the bank’s commitment to practical, farmer-focused solutions. “Our partnership with KTDA is not just about financing – it’s about fuelling progress for every farmer. From mobile credit to green energy and tailored financial tools, we’re enabling farmers to grow stronger, faster, and more sustainably.”

As a key financial partner for all nine KTDA subsidiaries and the majority of Kenya’s tea factories, Co-operative Bank manages a comprehensive suite of services including payment processing for tea proceeds, working capital financing, cash management solutions, and advisory services.

The bank’s strategic focus on the tea sector aligns with KTDA’s management of more than 55 percent of Kenya’s tea production, making this partnership crucial for the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farming families across the country.

The KTDA magazine launch and Farmer First Mantra prospectus provided stakeholders with insights into future strategies and opportunities within Kenya’s tea industry, reinforcing the sector’s position as a critical pillar of the national economy.

Co-operative Bank champions tea sector growth with sponsorship at KTDA magazine launch first appeared on Bizna Kenya

President William Ruto has told Kenyans that he owes nobody an apology over a multi-billion church that he is building at State House Nairobi.

The president said this hours after an expose by the Nation Media Group revealed that he is quietly building a mega church inside State House at an estimated cost of Sh1.2 billion.

“I am a believer in God and I have no apologies to make. We are building a church. Let Satan be annoyed and do that which he wants to do,” President Ruto said on the construction of the controversial State House church.

“I have no apologies to make. For building the church, I have no apology, and there is no one that I will make an apology to.”

While acknowledging that indeed he was building the mega church, President Ruto claimed that it was because he found a church made of iron sheets when he moved into State House after the 2022 General Elections. He then alleged that the construction will not cost the taxpayer a cent, raising more questions on whether he will cough up the estimated Sh1.2 billion from his pocket to fund the project.

“I am not using public resources; I am using my own money. The problem is that [the previous church] was made of iron sheets,” the president claimed.

READ MORE: Shock of Sh1.2 billion church Ruto is building at State House

The mega church has been designed by Skair Architects Limited and has a sitting capacity of 8,000. The project is already coming up near the presidential helipads. It is not clear why the president has chosen to install a church at State House against Article 8 of the Constitution which prohibits the State from adopting or endorsing any religion.

There are four individual prayer rooms inside the church and one big family room. There are also multiple entry points, storage rooms, toilets, and circulation corridors included for crowd control. There are two prayer rooms on each side of the main auditorium and multiple auxiliary rooms including offices and washrooms.

The construction comes at a time when budgetary documents tabled at the National Assembly have been allocating tons of million to State House for alleged refurbishments. It was not clear from the expose, though, if the church whose construction is estimated at Sh1.2 billion is being funded from these funds and, or where construction money is being sourced from.

Ruto: I don’t owe you an apology over Sh1.2b State House church first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) has reinforced its leadership in Kenya’s development finance landscape by delivering a Shs57 million dividend to the National Treasury and unveiling a Shs500 million recovery facility for SACCO-based lending during the inaugural Next Frontier Africa 2025 Summit.

The two-day Summit, convened by KDC at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), marked a bold new era for inclusive and sector-focused investment. Held under the theme Catalyzing Inclusive Growth through Strategic Sector Investments and Innovation, the event brought together over 700 public and private sector leaders committed to reshaping Africa’s investment architecture.

Receiving the dividend cheque on behalf of the Government, Dr. Albert Mwenda, Director General of Budget, Fiscal and Economic Affairs at the National Treasury, commended KDC for delivering both financial value and national development impact. “This dividend reflects not only financial growth but also developmental impact. KDC is demonstrating that development finance can be both commercially sound and socially responsive, channeling capital to sectors that matter most to our future,” said Dr. Mwenda.

During the Summit, KDC signed a Shs500 million financing agreement with Boresha SACCO under the SAFER Programme, aimed at on-lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES) still recovering from the post-COVID-19 economic shocks. The facility will expand access to affordable credit for grassroots enterprises, particularly in underserved regions, further deepening financial inclusion and local economic revitalization.

Financing Kenya’s future: How KDC is driving inclusive industrialization

Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Cooperatives, lauded the facility as a powerful example of how SACCOs can drive the inclusive finance agenda by empowering communities at the grassroots level.  “SACCOs like Boresha are transforming financial access for ordinary Kenyans. With strategic support from institutions like KDC, we are embedding cooperatives into the national recovery agenda, empowering communities and building economic resilience from the ground up,” said Kilemi.

The Summit featured several sectoral forums addressing key challenges and opportunities in priority areas such as manufacturing, healthcare, climate resilience, tourism, and the digital and creative economy. Through these engagements, stakeholders explored how development finance institutions can work with government and the private sector to unlock value chains, drive innovation, and scale investment across the continent.

Chairman of the KDC Board, Dr. Sakwa J. Bunyasi, highlighted the institution’s focus on financing innovation and incubation, especially for young entrepreneurs and high-potential industries.   “We must fund what matters, solutions that address climate change, generate decent jobs, and build regional competitiveness. KDC is boldly stepping into that space,” said Bunyasi.

CPA/FA Norah Ratemo, Director General of KDC, reaffirmed the Corporation’s resolve to lead Africa’s next phase of development financing by catalyzing strategic sector investment and delivering transformative, inclusive growth.  “This Summit has given voice to a new kind of development finance, one that is inclusive, strategic, and future-ready. At KDC, we are deploying capital to sectors that unlock value chains, empower communities, and create resilient livelihoods. From SACCOs to tech startups, from agribusiness to creative hubs, we are financing the next frontier of Africa’s growth,” said Ratemo.

She added that the outcomes of the Summit align with Kenya’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Vision 2030, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. KDC will continue to collaborate with government, investors, and development partners to scale capital that transforms lives.  “This is not just an event. It is the beginning of a movement to make capital more accessible, inclusive, and impactful by design. We are just getting started,” Ratemo said.

KDC pays Shs57 million dividend and unlocks Shs500 million for SMEs at Next Frontier Africa 2025 first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Kenyan banks handled suspicious money amounting to a total of Sh6.38 trillion in the period between 2021 and 2024, a new report has established. According to the report dubbed Financial Reporting Centre Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Trends and Typologies Report 2025, this amount was out of the total of Sh6.976 trillion transactions over the same period that were flagged as suspicious money.

The report noted that these transactions were majorly conducted through shell companies that concealed the actual identities of the persons involved. The transactions were also split into small batches to avoid the Sh1 million threshold required for mandatory reporting.

The Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Trends and Typologies Report 2025 identified catalysts of these transactions between 2021 and 2024 as including corruption and economic crimes, fraud, tax-related crimes, bribery, trafficking drugs as well as human beings, wildlife and environmental crimes, theft, among others.

“Manifestations of corruption during the review period majorly bordered on conflict of interest, procurement fraud, embezzlement and receipt of kickbacks at both county and national level,” the report stated.

“The schemes also involved acts of fraud and forgery whereby the corrupt officials used forged documents to legitimize the transactions as evidenced by discrepancies in the support documents provided,” the report stated.

“The funds acquired were eventually withdrawn in cash, transferred to accounts of related companies and eventually invested in different sectors of the economy. Instances of abuse of CBOs for corruption and laundering purposes were also noted whereby corrupt public officials colluded with these organizations to launder proceeds of corruption.”

In one county, 15 companies were contracted for various fumigation, cleaning, landscaping and construction services. All the companies were linked to employees, some who sat in different tender award committees and all the companies were registered on the same day. They also had county employees or their relatives listed as directors and shareholders. At the same time, the companies that were listed for construction works had not been registered with the National Construction Authority which is mandatory for all construction related companies operating in Kenya.

“Between February 2021 and July 2022, the companies received a total of Sh361,867,341 from the county. Some of the tenders were awarded before the companies were registered, some contract agreements were signed after the project was executed, there were duplicated local Service orders (LSO) issued to different companies for the same service,” the report stated.

“The funds were utilized through cash withdrawals in structured amounts below the reporting threshold and transfers to proprietors’ accounts, to county employees and to related companies’ accounts.”

While exposing procurement fraud in some counties, the report found that a Community Based Organization (CBO) was formed in November 2022 in one county with an objective of promotion of the general welfare, eradicating poverty, raising the living standards, and promotion of unity, co-operation and understanding among its members.

In June 2023, the CBO received a total of Sh185,692,745.95 from another county. This money was described as payment for emergency aid and supported with a project funding proposal. However, the report found out, the proposal for funding was done a month before the CBO registration date while the description of the project funding in the proposal differed with the letter of funding for the project.

“The project breakdown was for Sh400 million as opposed to the letter of approval for Sh450million. The funds were utilized through cash withdrawals, transfers to two hardware business dealing in supply of construction materials. The utilization of the funds was described as construction of water pans and simple soil dams, provision of educational services in farming, supply and delivery of chicken incubators, construction materials and building bridges,” the report stated.

In yet another case, the report showed that two persons who it identified as Mr. Nko and Mr Woo, worked with yet another county in collaboration with directors of 5 related construction companies to siphon public funds. Mr. Nko worked in this county as a member of the County Public Service Board. Mr. Woo on the other hand worked as a Chief Officer in Department of Public Construction and Public Works.

“Between 2019 and 2023, the five companies, One Limited, Two Limited, Three Limited, Four Limited and Five Limited, all owned by Mr. HOJ and Mrs. COJ received a total of Sh1.226 billion from three different counties for what was declared as multiple construction works.

However, support documents showed that the LPOs presented were addressed to companies different than those that were paid, tender documents were undated, and tender numbers in the tender award documents differed with the letters of award.

“Some of the payments to the companies were duplicated across multiple companies. When the funds were credited to the bank accounts, they were utilized through cash withdrawals by the directors and transfers to 2 companies owned by Mr. Nko,” the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Trends and Typologies Report 2025 stated.

Kenyan banks handle Sh6.38 trillion suspicious money in 3 years – Report first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Bonfire Adventures boss Simon Kabu has shared how he struggled to earn an income before starting the tour company alongside his ex-wife, Sarah Kabu.

In a post on his Facebook page, Kabu shared an old photo from his days as a tout plying the Githurai 44 route. He revealed that he took the job to raise university fees, highlighting financial constraints in his family.

“#tbt when I was a makanga at route44 to get university fees instead of dropping out of school. What’s that one thing you did that makes you who you are now?” he wrote.

In a past interview, he revealed that he went to Kagumo High School for his secondary education before proceeding to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Egerton University.

While in the third year, his parents could not afford college fees, forcing him to do menial jobs, including selling pirated movies, cooking at a local food kiosk, to make extra money.

Amid the hustles, Simon met Sarah through young professionals google chat group and one year she would later become his wife after a get together at Lukenya excursion.

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The two were among the few members who volunteered to handle logistics for the group’s physical get-together at Lukenya.

As more events followed, Sarah and Simon would become the defacto logisticians for the group, a task that took a lot of their time and effort.

“Every time we organized an event, it would turn out so well. With time, we realized that the planning was taking up a lot of our time and energy, and we began charging a fee. Even then, the turn-up was still high, and one time over a bonfire at Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Sarah and I mulled over the idea of turning it into a business,” Kabu recalled.

The two later got a referral to organize a business trip for a company, marking the birth of Bonfire Adventures.

Kabu revealed that the corporate client insisted on dealing with a registered company that would be paid via a bank cheque, forcing them to quickly register their business.

“We quickly searched for availability of the business name and registered a company. The funny thing is we had to keep the cheque for over three months because we did not have a bank account! That’s how Bonfire Adventures was born,” he added.

Being an extroverted salesman, Kabu worked on onboarding more clients with a focus on international tourists and corporate clients.

On the other hand, Sarah, who has a background in business management, was instrumental in planning clients’ itineraries, coordinating tour drivers’ schedules, liaising with host hotels, booking air tickets, and organizing timely pick-ups and drop-offs.

A few years into the business, Bonfire Adventures had daily trips to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, with most domestic tourists using their services.

Today, the company has a turnover of over a billion Kenyan shillings and has created over 200 job opportunities.

Simon Kabu: From a tout in Roysambu to founding Bonfire Adventures first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Passion fruit farming is considered a highly profitable venture, with the potential to yield substantial returns for farmers.

Cyrus Kiprotich from Eldoret is one of the farmers reaping big from the venture despite lacking a formal agricultural background.

The 28-year-old says he was drawn to passion farming because of the availability of markets, motivation from existing passion farmers in the area, and his parents, who were small-scale farmers.

On his farm in Kaptagat, in Eldoret, he grows black wonder purple passion fruits, as it is the only variety that performs well in the area, thanks to a ready market from Kenyan Originals (KO), a Kenyan brewer that specialises in craft beers.

Being one of the leading suppliers of passion fruits to KO, Kiprotich says the supply is dependent on various factors, including production and season, noting that his supply is almost done daily.

Kimutai: 28-year-old making Sh7 million from passion fruit, apple farming in Eldoret

He adds that the fruits must also meet some standards, including having a sweet taste, being large in size, and being dark and ripe.

Asked about how he landed the supply deal, the farmer said he was referred by Mkulima Mdogo seedlings in Thika.

He would then start supplying the products to the firm through a middleman to African Original. The farmer explains that one tree of passion fruit yields one kilogramme of passion per season.

Therefore, 300 trees is equivalent to 300 kilos at Sh130 per kg. But KO buys from him for Sh140, dependent on quality.

Like any other venture, Kiprotich pointed out some challenges in passion fruit farming, among them poor harvests due to viruses and expensive insecticides.

He advises individuals looking to supply to KO or others to tour local farms and learn farming and seek advice from those in business, among others.

“Be trustworthy in dealing with your customers. Be consistent in your farming journey,” he advised as quoted by Capital FM.

Cyrus Kiprotich: Self-taught farmer supplying passion fruit to Kenyan Originals first appeared on Bizna Kenya

A Kenyan man has taken to social media to share how he budgets his monthly salary, while asking for advice on his spending.

In a post published on the Nairobi City Facebook page, the unidentified user revealed he earns a monthly salary of Sh22,000.

In the budget, he allocated Sh7,500 to rent, food (Sh3,000), electricity (Sh300), transport (Sh500), and water (Sh100).

Other expenses include his mum’s allowance (Sh5,000), savings (Sh3,000), and leisure and borrowings (Sh2,000).

“Admin, I earn a net salary of Sh22,000. Kindly ask members to advise what I need to change,” he wrote.

The man’s spending sparked online debate with netizens advising him to move to a cheaper house or look for a side hustle to boost his income. Users also advised him to increase his savings and food expenditures.

Below are some of the advice from Facebook users:

Alfred Muia said: “Rent should be Sh3,000 or find a side hustle when free to earn the rent from other sources.”

Allan Poe: “Rent to savings, savings to rent.”

Ali Rato Ibn Karandini: “There are essentials such as airtime, personal groom missing.”

Kipngeno Timothy: “Look for a cheaper house, and increase savings.”

I’m 24 earning Sh30,000. How do I invest my Sh120,000 savings?

Collins Njiru a business analyst noted that while the budget is encouraging, it should be balanced, prioritizing needs over wants, while also leaving room for unexpected expenses.

“It’s encouraging that the individual is saving and supporting family, but the rent is too high for their income bracket, and borrowing for leisure is financially risky. A sustainable budget for a low-income earner must align with their reality, cutting unnecessary costs, boosting food allocation, and ensuring some provision for emergencies and health. Budgeting should not just be about survival but resilience,” Njiru told TUKO.co.ke.

Dominic Karanja, a personal finance and investment consultant advocates for the use of the 50:30:20 budgeting guideline: allocate 50 percent of your monthly income to essential expenses, 30 percent to discretionary spending, and 20 percent to savings and investments.

Karanja says that one should look for areas where they can reduce spending, as well as explore ways to boost their side hustle income by upskilling or taking on an additional project.

“As you near retirement, focusing on saving for it becomes essential. Building up your pension savings will help you enjoy a comfortable life after you retire and offer tax advantages. Set clear retirement goals and estimate the amount of money you’ll need.”

“Generally, it’s recommended to aim for 70-80 per cent of your pre-retirement income to maintain a comfortable lifestyle after retirement. Determine how much you need to save and develop a plan to reach that target. Start contributing to a retirement savings plan as soon as possible,” Karanja advised.

This is how I budget my Sh22,000 monthly salary in Nairobi first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Kenyans who rely on DStv for entertainment will now have to cough up more money to stay connected. This is after MultiChoice, the company that owns DStv and GOtv, announced that it is increasing the DStv monthly package prices by up to Sh700.

This increase comes barely months after the company hiked the prices by up to Sh500 in November last year. In April 2024, the company had also reviewed its prices upwards.

In the latest review, all the new prices of DStv packages will come into effect starting from August 1, 2025. Under the new cost of DStv packages the Premium package will now cost Sh11,700 up from Sh11,000. The package had previously been hiked from Sh10,500 in 2024. This means that within nine months, the cost of subscribing to this package has been increased by Sh1,200.

Subscribers on the Compact Plus package will pay now Sh7,300 up from Sh6,800. In November 2024, this package had been hiked from Sh6,500 to Sh6,800.

On the Compact package, viewers will pay Sh4,200 which will be Sh300 more than the previous price of Sh3,900. Last year, this package had been hiked from Sh3,700 to Sh3,900.

On the Family package, subscribers will cough up Sh2,250 from the current Sh2,100. In the latest review, the cost of this package has been hiked by Sh150. Last year, it had been increased by Sh100 from Sh2,000 to Sh2,100 per month.

READ MORE: Kenyan banks handle Sh6.38 trillion suspicious money in 3 years

The cost of viewing the Lite package has however remained unchanged at Sh750. The company has also introduced a new package that it has dubbed as Xtra View which will cost Sh1,700 per month.

“These changes are part of MultiChoice’s annual subscription review, which is conducted with great care to ensure customers receive the best of both local and international content,” MultiChoice said in a statement. “The company aims to keep these adjustments sustainable while continuing to provide quality services to its customers.”

MultiChoice increases DStv monthly package prices by Sh700 first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Mang’u High School is considered one of the best secondary schools in Kenya. The school is classified as a National School, and under the Curriculum Based Education, it has been allocated the Cluster 1 (C1) classification reserved for national schools.

The school is located Juja, Kiambu County and accepts male students only. According to the Grade 10 Selection System by the Ministry of Education, Mang’u High School will offer 26 subjects under the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  It will also offer 13 social sciences and 10 arts and sports subjects.

The Grade 10 subject combinations at Mang’u High School will be as follows according to the Ministry of Education:

Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Subject Combinations

Applied Sciences: Business Studies, Computer Studies, Physics; Agriculture, Geography, Physics; Agriculture, Business Studies, Electricity; Agriculture, Computer Studies, Physics; Agriculture, Business Studies, General Science; Advanced Mathematics, Business Studies, Computer Studies; Advanced Mathematics, Biology, Geography; Agriculture, Chemistry, Computer Studies; Agriculture, Business Studies, Geography; Agriculture, Aviation, Computer Studies; Aviation, Business Studies, Computer Studies; Agriculture, Computer Studies, General Science; Advanced Mathematics, Agriculture, Geography; Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Studies.

Pure Sciences: Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry; Advanced Mathematics, Business Studies, General Science; Advanced Mathematics, Electricity, Physics; Advanced Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography; Advanced Mathematics, Computer Studies, General Science; Advanced Mathematics, Biology, Business Studies.

Technical Sciences: Computer Studies, General Science, Media Technology; Biology, Geography, Power Mechanics; Chemistry, Geography, Power Mechanics; Advanced Mathematics, General Science, Media Technology; Advanced Mathematics, General Science, Power Mechanics; Computer Studies, General Science, Power Mechanics.

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Social Sciences Subject Combinations

Humanities and Business Studies: Christian Religious Education, Geography, History & Citizenship; Business Studies, Christian Religious Education, French; Business Studies, German, History & Citizenship; Business Studies, Geography, Literature in English; Computer Studies, Geography, History & Citizenship; Geography, History & Citizenship, Literature in English; Advanced Mathematics, Business Studies, Geography; Business Studies, History & Citizenship, Literature in English; Business Studies, Christian Religious Education, General Science; Business Studies, Christian Religious Education, Geography; Christian Religious Education, French, History & Citizenship.

Languages and Literature: French, General Science, German; Christian Religious Education, French, German.

SEE MORE- Grade 10 Pathways in Kenya: List of all Grade 10 subject combinations

Arts and Sports Science 

Sports: Biology, Geography, Sports & Recreation; General Science, History & Citizenship, Sports & Recreation.

Arts: Computer Studies, Fine Arts, Music & Dance; Literature in English, Music & Dance, Theatre & Film; History & Citizenship, Music & Dance, Theatre & Film; Fasihi ya Kiswahili, Music & Dance, Theatre & Film; French, Music & Dance, Theatre & Film; Fasihi ya Kiswahili, Fine Arts, Music & Dance; Fine Arts, Literature in English, Music & Dance; Advanced Mathematics, Fine Arts, Music & Dance.

List of all Grade 10 subject combinations at Mang’u High School first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Henry Carlos Kioko, an independent livestock enterprise development consultant, is leading the production of quality sheep and goat breeds in the country with South Africa’s best genetics.

Kioko, the Eastern Africa Representative for Karoo Livestock Export, recently received 37 top studs and T5s from Karoo Livestock South Africa.

His objective is to breed full-blooded, Boer-, Kalahari Red-, and Savannah goats, as well as Meatmaster- and Dorper sheep in Eastern Africa.

The farmer explains that goat farming is very lucrative adding that the Arab Nations are currently the highest consumers of goat meat from Kenya.

“At Masaku H&L we work with the government, community, and financial institutions to empower local farmers. goat farming is a very lucrative business for small farmers in Africa,” he said.

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“We are exploring semen harvesting and storage, embryo harvesting and storage, as well as AI technology. Kenya has clear protocols for sheep and goat genetics,” Kioko added.

According to him, Meatmaster Sheep and Kalahari Red goats are the lucrative breeds for the export market.

Meatmaster sheep, a South African breed known for its hardiness and meat production, are gaining popularity in Kenya, owing to their superior characteristics.

The animals are said to thrive in harsh conditions and are resistant to disease and parasites. Additionally, their strong flocking behaviour makes them easier to manage

Goat farming in Kenya is steadily gaining popularity due to its low start-up costs, adaptability to different climates, and growing demand for goat meat (chevon), milk, and manure.

Whether you’re in arid, semi-arid, or highland areas, goats are hardy animals that thrive with minimal input, making them a great agribusiness option for smallholder and commercial farmers alike.

Henry Kioko: Livestock expert boosting local breeding with South Africa’s best genetics first appeared on Bizna Kenya

NCBA hosted over 100 business leaders, exporters, importers and financial decision-makers from across sectors in a forum aimed at equipping them with insights on navigating economic uncertainty, optimizing liquidity, and achieving sustainable growth.

Under the theme ‘Building Resilient Businesses in a Shifting Global Landscape’ the goal was to give a holistic look at how digital banking, smart capital deployment, and cash flow optimization can empower businesses to respond to uncertainty with agility and confidence.

Speaking at the engagement, NCBA’s Group Director, Global Markets Mr. Raphael Agung’ said, “At NCBA, we go beyond transactions to offer our customers insights. Our team of experienced advisors supports retail, commercial and corporate clients with timely market intelligence and tailored guidance to help them navigate uncertainty and make smart, strategic decisions for their businesses.” He went on to encourage business owners to leverage NCBA’s FX solutions to manage currency exposure, improve cash flow and unlock new growth opportunities in regional and global markets.”

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NCBA’s Acting Director, Retail Banking, Mr. Dennis Njau said, “We are here to assure our customers that we are more than just a financial institution, we are a holistic financial partner who offer one-stop solutions to help them achieve their financial goals. Our investment in technology-driven solutions and customer-focused relationship management has enabled business continuity and competitive advantage. For this forum, we hope all our customers have gained enough insights on how to navigate whichever market they operate in.”

The session featured expert perspectives from NCBA’s Commercial Banking, Trade Finance, and Global Markets businesses and had representatives from the logistics, manufacturing, trade and agribusiness sectors.

This breakfast forum marks another step forward for NCBA in its broader mission of providing value over banking through intensification of customer interaction, sharing of knowledge, and joint work with customers in facing present facts and future possibilities.

NCBA hosts business forum to empower leaders amid economic uncertainty first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Larry Madowo, a Kenyan journalist currently working as an International Correspondent for Cable News Network (CNN), is among the top journalists in the country, known for his insightful reporting.

Larry joined CNN in May 2021 as their Nairobi-based correspondent before being promoted to the network’s International correspondent two months later.

His rise to the international role is a testament to sheer determination and hope, given the life challenges he underwent growing up.

Born on July 14, 1987, in Barding village in Siaya County, Larry grew up with his only sister Liz Madowo following the death of their parents.

His father died in 1994 when he was 7 years old while his mother, Treazer Anyango Madowo, a primary school teacher and a divisional Knut official, passed away in 2001.

The media personality attended Madowo Usingo and Karapul primary schools where he sat for his KCPE examination.

He later enrolled at Saint Gabriel’s Seminary in Kisumu where he undertook his O-Level education.

While his dream was to become a Catholic Priest, Larry changed his mind after high school and instead enrolled for a Communications degree at Daystar University (Athi River Campus) in 2006.

MultiChoice increases DStv monthly package prices by Sh700

However, due to financial struggles, he dropped out of school barely two years later and started freelance writing and supermarket promotions to make a living.

“My first job straight out of high school was selling tea and mandazi at Gikomba. I was there for almost a year,” he revealed in a past interview.

He eventually returned to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree from Daystar University in June 2014.

He also holds a Master’s in Business and Economics Journalism from Columbia University in New York.

Media career

Larry’s first attempt in the media industry was not fruitful, after failing his first interview at Y-FM the now Hot96.

He landed his first job at a Naivasha-based vernacular radio station, Bahasha FM, reading news in English. His stay was, however, short-lived, as he was laid off amidst the 2007/2008 post-election violence because the station was not making money.

Later on, he joined Kenya Television Network (KTN) as a trainee reporter, climbing the ranks to a news anchor. Larry anchored Kenya’s first daytime business program ‘KTN Financial Markets Live’ as well as ‘KTN Business Today’.

He is credited for leading the formation of the KTN Kenya Facebook and X pages before any other media house in the country had a social media presence.

He left KTN after a 3-year stint to join NTV, and later the South African-based CNBC Africa. His stay at CNBC Africa only lasted a few months and in December 2012, he went back to NTV as the technology editor and news anchor.

He finally quit NTV in 2018 to join the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as their Business Editor in Africa, leading a team of business journalists in Nairobi, London, Lagos, Dakar, and Johannesburg.

He climbed the ranks to become a news anchor in October 2020 when he anchored his first-ever BBC World news bulletin. He left the station in 2021 to join CNN, where he serves till to date.

Throughout his career, Larry has won multiple awards, including the 2020 Most Influential Africans Award by the New African Magazine.

He was also named among 115 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum in 2020 and was listed among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans by Africa Youth Awards in 2019.

Larry Madowo: From orphaned at young age, priesthood dream to journalism career first appeared on Bizna Kenya

The government, through the Council of Legal Education (CLE), has listed learning institutions authorized to offer Diploma, Bachelor’s degree, and Master’s of Law in Kenya.

In a notice on Tuesday, July 8, CLE listed the institutions, which include the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Strathmore University.

“Under the provisions of Sections 2, 2.8(1)(b), 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 48 of the Legal Education Act, Chapter 168, Laws of Kenya, the following are the only licensed Legal Education Providers and approved Legal Education Programmes in Kenya, as indicated under each respective category,” read part of the notice.

Below is the full list of institutions authorized to offer a Bachelor’s degree in Law:

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Institutions Authorized to Offer Law Program at Diploma Level

For Diploma in Law Program the following are the institutions licensed to offer the programme.

Govt lists universities approved to offer diploma and law degrees; see full list first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Afande Moses, a contractor and content creator from Kisii, has proven the fact that farming can be an excellent hustle.

The businessman switched his digital marketing to a massive maize cultivation farm, and the statistics are eloquent enough.

Curious whether farming would earn him more than what he was getting in his official job, Afande rented out 12 acres of land in Narok County. Following the urge of President William Ruto to invest in agriculture, he decided to venture into the production of maize.

Renting out the land was at Sh120,000. The farming cultivating cost attracted an extra Sh36000, and the planting cost stood at about Sh100,000, costing him about Sh230,000 as an investment.

At the current market prices, Afande is likely to get Sh690,000 after selling his harvest of maize. This would leave him with a profit of Sh460,000.

“If I do this twice a year, I can make close to a million,” he said.

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Afande pointed out the need for people to do their research before engaging in farming. He also gave some insights on theft, whereby farmers who plant outside the local community calendar are at a disadvantaged position as far as theft is concerned.

“To reduce theft, you plant when everyone else does. That way, it’s harder to be singled out,” he explained.

Even though he is uncertain about the cost of large-scale farming, he is confident that when it comes to maize, it is manageable compared to the crops affected by pests and diseases.

Afande encourages other influencers to break into farming, not as a topic of content, but as a way of earning. He stated that some farmers sell the maize when green to the buyers who will roast it or boil it; therefore, sales are made before full maturity of the crops.

“Nothing pays more than agriculture, as long as you have startup capital,” he added

Afande Moses: Influencer shares how he earned Sh460,000 from maize first appeared on Bizna Kenya

Olive Nkirote recently posted a chart comparing Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and Kenya Airways (KQ). Below is a factual analysis of her claims:

1.⁠ ⁠Ownership

Claim: ET is fully government-owned, while Kenya owns 48.9% of KQ through a public-private partnership.

Verdict: True.

ET is entirely state-owned.

KQ’s ownership includes:

• Government of Kenya: 48.9%
• KQ Lenders 2017 Ltd: 38.1%
• KLM-Air France: 7.8%
• Minority shareholders: 2.8%
• KQ employees: 2.4%

2.⁠ ⁠Autonomy and Political Influence

Claim: ET operates commercially; KQ is politically influenced.

Verdict: False (Partly).

ET is more autonomous, but KQ’s board includes professionals from the private sector. Although the Kenyan government is the largest shareholder, it holds only three board seats. Being a majority shareholder, it can influence board appointments. Management is competitively recruited.

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3.⁠ ⁠Pandemic Response (Cargo Operations)

Claim: ET used cargo to stay profitable during COVID-19; KQ did not.

Verdict: False.

ET repurposed passenger planes to support the UN’s humanitarian hub in Addis. KQ also repurposed aircraft, becoming the first airline globally to convert a Boeing 787 for cargo. It now operates four freighter aircraft, with more planned.

4.⁠ ⁠Bailouts and Political Interference

Claim: ET runs without bailouts; KQ is politically dependent and costly to taxpayers.

Verdict: False.

ET receives substantial government support through national budget allocations. KQ’s assistance comes in the form of repayable loans from its largest shareholder—the government, not taxpayer-funded bailouts. Its operations remain professionally managed.

5.⁠ ⁠Profitability and National Contribution

Claim: ET is profitable and contributes to Ethiopia’s economy; KQ is not.

Verdict: Partly True.

ET is profitable and valuable to Ethiopia. But this is an apples-and-oranges comparison. ET’s reporting is not for the flying business alone but for the entire group. This includes business units that are not directly related to running the airline, such as hotels and the airport itself. While KQ has struggled financially, it plays a strategic role in Kenya’s economy, supporting industries like floriculture, fresh produce, seafood, coffee, and tea. These sectors employ over 500,000 Kenyans and are major GDP contributors.

6.⁠ ⁠Vertical Integration

Claim: ET owns and operates multiple aviation services; KQ is just an airline.

Verdict: Partly True

ET is in charge of the entire airport

KQ owns:

• The Pride Centre (aviation training, soon to offer degrees with London Metropolitan University)
• Kenya Airways Cargo (helping make JKIA Africa’s top export hub by volume)
• MRO facility (EU-certified, servicing airlines across Africa and Europe)
• Ground handling subsidiary (working with six other firms)

KQ is more than an airline—it is Kenya’s only truly global company, significantly contributing to the economy.

Conclusion

While Ethiopian Airlines has some operational and financial advantages, many of the claims comparing it to Kenya Airways are oversimplified or misleading. KQ faces challenges but also plays a critical and strategic economic role in Kenya. That said, the ET model, where all the country’s aviation assets are consolidated into one profitably run entity, offers useful lessons to KQ. Perhaps it is time to revisit the conversation about having KQ run Kenya’s premier airport, JKIA.

Behind the charts: what the ET vs KQ comparison misses first appeared on Bizna Kenya

The Financial Reporting Centre’s Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Trends and Typologies Report 2025 has unearthed how come counties in the country moved billions of money through county employees, shell companies, and proxies and their spouses.

According to the report, these county transactions that occurred between 2021 and 2024 majorly involved corruption and economic crimes, fraud, tax-related crimes, bribery, and theft.

“The schemes also involved acts of fraud and forgery whereby the corrupt officials used forged documents to legitimize the transactions as evidenced by discrepancies in the support documents provided,” the report stated.

“The funds acquired were eventually withdrawn in cash, transferred to accounts of related companies and eventually invested in different sectors of the economy. Instances of abuse of CBOs for corruption and laundering purposes were also noted whereby corrupt public officials colluded with these organizations to launder proceeds of corruption.”

In one case, the report showed that two persons who it identified as Mr. Nko and Mr Woo, worked with yet another county in collaboration with directors of 5 related construction companies to siphon public funds. Mr. Nko worked in this county as a member of the County Public Service Board. Mr. Woo on the other hand worked as a Chief Officer in Department of Public Construction and Public Works.

“Between 2019 and 2023, the five companies, One Limited, Two Limited, Three Limited, Four Limited and Five Limited, all owned by Mr. HOJ and Mrs. COJ received a total of Sh1.226 billion from three different counties for what was declared as multiple construction works.

However, support documents showed that the LPOs presented were addressed to companies different than those that were paid, tender documents were undated, and tender numbers in the tender award documents differed with the letters of award.

“Some of the payments to the companies were duplicated across multiple companies. When the funds were credited to the bank accounts, they were utilized through cash withdrawals by the directors and transfers to 2 companies owned by Mr. Nko,” the Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Trends and Typologies Report 2025 stated.

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In another county, 15 companies were contracted for various fumigation, cleaning, landscaping and construction services. All the companies were linked to employees, some who sat in different tender award committees and all the companies were registered on the same day. They also had county employees or their relatives listed as directors and shareholders. At the same time, the companies that were listed for construction works had not been registered with the National Construction Authority which is mandatory for all construction related companies operating in Kenya.

“Between February 2021 and July 2022, the companies received a total of Sh361,867,341 from the county. Some of the tenders were awarded before the companies were registered, some contract agreements were signed after the project was executed, there were duplicated local Service orders (LSO) issued to different companies for the same service,” the report stated.

“The funds were utilized through cash withdrawals in structured amounts below the reporting threshold and transfers to proprietors’ accounts, to county employees and to related companies’ accounts.”

While exposing procurement fraud in some counties, the report found that a Community Based Organization (CBO) was formed in November 2022 in one county with an objective of promotion of the general welfare, eradicating poverty, raising the living standards, and promotion of unity, co-operation and understanding among its members.

In June 2023, the CBO received a total of Sh185,692,745.95 from another county. This money was described as payment for emergency aid and supported with a project funding proposal. However, the report found out, the proposal for funding was done a month before the CBO registration date while the description of the project funding in the proposal differed with the letter of funding for the project.

“The project breakdown was for Sh400 million as opposed to the letter of approval for Sh450million. The funds were utilized through cash withdrawals, transfers to two hardware business dealing in supply of construction materials. The utilization of the funds was described as construction of water pans and simple soil dams, provision of educational services in farming, supply and delivery of chicken incubators, construction materials and building bridges,” the report stated.

How spouses, proxies, shell companies are used to embezzle billions in counties – Report first appeared on Bizna Kenya