Smart Times

PHOTO: Joseph Siror , Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO  NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 26... The improved profitability was driven  by growth in revenue resulting from increased electricity sales as well as implementation of a cost reflective tariff  During the period under review, revenue from electricity sales rose up by 31 percent to Ksh 113.6 billion , the company commenced deployment of Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) which is meant to fast track meter installation for new connections across the country as a measure to drive customer connectivity and grow electricity sales  "I am glad to note that our sales growth was driven by our deliberate effort to grow our customer numbers, having surpassed  our connectivity target for the half year period by 13.87 percent with a total of 225,000 new customer to the grid" said Joseph Siror, Kenya power managing director and CEO  Over 240 GWh increase in electricity units purchased and dispatched from renewable...

NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 25... Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) through Diageo Bar Academy, the industry leading program offering world class training for bar professionals held a celebration for bartenders in Kenya in honor of the annual World Bartender Day marked globally on 24th February. The day celebrates the bartender, one of the world's oldest professions, and gives us all a chance to raise a glass to the masters behind the bar. For this year’s celebration, Diageo Bar Academy brought together the bartending community in Kenya through a month-long activation The internal engagement included, “The Big Shake”, calling on all staff across the business to team up and make the signature “shake” in honor of bartenders, consumer appreciation videos and social content exploring the realities of bartending. To further reach the wider bartending community, the program engaged bartenders across the country in an online cocktail competition that saw participants submit videos making t...

PHOTO: Prof. Njuguna Ndungu , Cabinet Secretary Treasury and Economic Planning  NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 14... This will armotize in three equal installments in 2029, 2030 and 2031 resulting to weighted average life of 6 years, the 2031 Eurobonds have an issue price of 97.270 percent yielding to 10.375 percent. Kenya received strong demand, with a high quality order book exceeding $6 billion allowing for tighter pricing and an increased issuance compared to initial guidance  Eurobonds 2031 proceeds will fund the offer to buy Kenya's existing $2 billion eurobonds due in 2024 pending demand in the tender offer, results are expected on February 15 2024 In addition the combined transaction are crucial parts of government strategy to smoothen maturity profile of 2024 Eurobonds and proactively manage debt liabilities  The remaining portion of the 2024 Eurobonds not purchased in the tender offer will be funded through a mix of government funds and financing from multilater...

NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 1... Ministry of Health(MoH) launches partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP) Programme at KMTC Gatundu Campus The initiative aims to revolutionize healthcare education and combat CardioMetabolic Diseases (CMDs) in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha S. Wafula, alongside CS Public Service  Hon Moses Kuria and PS Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, expressed profound gratitude to the Novo Nordisk Foundation for their invaluable support.  The CS emphasized the pivotal role of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in driving the implementation of this transformative programme “In light of the escalating global health threat posed by CMDs, particularly CardioVascular Diseases (CVDs), Kenya faces an urgent need to address these challenges, ” stated Nakhumicha She further highlighted government's dedication under leadership of President William Ruto, to enact legislation aimed at healthcare reform and...

NAIROBI,Kenya Jan 31... Global technology leader Epson has launched a school donation programme that will see 80 schools in the country receive printers, projectors and visualisers as part of an initiative to enrich education through technology. The programme is part of an initiative by Epson to give over 800 EcoTank printers and hundreds of bundles of interactive classroom kits to schools and hospitals across eight countries in the Middle East and Africa region (MEA) Epson has partnered with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, who will provide last mile support that will see schools receive equipment estimated at a cost KES 4.9 million, Liquid is already working on a programme with UNICEF to connect schools to the internet across the country. Education Cabinet Secretary CS Ezekiel Machogu, while speaking during the launch lauded the initiative, noting that it will go a long way in supporting the implementation of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), which requires students to be involved i...

PHOTO: Xi Jinping, President The people's Republic of China. NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 26... The letter by representatives and alumni of Kenyan students at Beijing Jiaotong University to President Xi Jinping appreciating education they received in China Chinese Leader Xi Jinping lauded friendship of the two countries saying that Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway (SGR) is a flagship project and succesful example of belt and road cooperation between Kenya and China Xi commending that it has made travel easier and created jobs for Kenyan people and strengthen regional connectivity as well as serving as a symbol of China-Kenya friendship and a hub for people to people exchanges "I am glad to see that this railway to happiness  has also created a bond between you and China making you not just witnesses and beneficiaries but also contributers and promoters of China-Kenya and China Africa friendship" said President Xi jinping The Chairman Kenya China alumni association...

NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 26... Ministry of health has bring attention to the general public an upsurge of possible viral conjunctivities cases in Mombasa county   The cases are very contagious and are presenting with red eyes (conjunctivitis), eye swelling, eye discharge and itchiness the definative has not yet been established but a labarotory tasting is pending  Conjuctivitis is an inflamation of the eyes which can be caused by infections (bacteria and Viruses) together with chemicals In addition common rise factors for conjunctivitis include poor hygiene, contact lens misuse, contaminated personal articles , crowded living and social conditions, history of eye diseases, foreign bodies, chronic use of topical medication and extreme weather conditions Most importantly the Ministry urges general public to take preventive measures such as  enhance handwashing with soap and safe clean running water, use hand sanitizers frequently, maintain high standard of hygien...