KTDA Wins Financial Times/ International Finance Corporation Awards

Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) has been feted at the 2013 Financial Times and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Sustainable Finance Awards.

KTDA which was among five companies shortlisted in the 'Achievement in Inclusive Business' category, was jointly awarded with a private university in Colombia, Universitaria Minuto de Dios at a Gala Dinner held in London.

India's Richest Man Buys Sh2.9Bln Land in Nairobi

India's richest person Mukesh Ambani has acquired 10 prime land slots in Nairobi worth Sh2.9 billion ($33.9 million), in a move geared at increasing his real estate investment in the capital.

Ambani who was recently ranked 22nd in Forbes' Billionaires list is seeking to use the land for commercial and residential property development through his companies Reliance Industries and Delta Corp East Africa.

Community Rugby Association Gets 5mln Boost from Unilever Kenya

The Kenya Community Rugby Association (COMRAS) has received a 5million-shilling sponsorship from Unilever Kenya, aimed at development of the sport in Kenyan grassroots.

The sponsorship which is dished through its new variant 'Omo Extra Fresh' product will be channeled towards purchasing kits and training of young players from under privileged backgrounds aged between 9 and 16 years.

Free Maternity Healthcare is Official, Circular

On Madaraka Day President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the waiving of maternity fees charged in all public hospitals, in line with the Jubilee Manifesto.

The government also waived the Sh20 charged for registration in the same health centres.

Below is the official circular from the Ministry of Health.

Mukhisa Kituyi to head UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Former Trade Minister Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi has been appointed the new Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). 

Dr. Kituyi who was once an MP of Kimilili becomes the first Kenyan to head a United Nations agency as a Secretary General. He will also simultaneously serve as the undersecretary of the United Nations.

African Development Bank launches USD1.26B Kenya-Ethiopia Electricity Highway

Press Release

Nairobi, Tuesday May 7th 2013: The African Development bank today launched the 1,068 kilometer high-voltage electricity highway to be built between Kenya and Ethiopia.

The project which is expected to be completed in less than five years, involves the construction of transmission lines of about 437 km in Ethiopia and about 631 km in Kenya and associated AC/DC converter stations at Wolayta-Sodo (Ethiopia) and Suswa (Kenya) substations with a transfer capacity of up to 2,000 MW in either direction.

Speaking at the launch, organized to brief on the project’s technical resources, African Development Bank’s Regional Director for East Africa Resource Centre (EARC), Mr. Gabriel Negatu reiterated the importance of the project to the East Africa’s cross-border trading.

2013 Millennium Development Goals Awards Winners

Kenya Red Cross award for MDG1 for its contribution in Eradicating Extreme Poverty & Hunger

The 2013 Millennium Development Goals Awards took place yesterday evening at the Crowne Plaza - Upper hill.

Several individuals and institutions were recognized for their outstanding contributions in driving the achievement of the eight MDG goals through their core programmes.

The Kenya Red Cross was awarded the  MDG1 for its contribution in Eradicating Extreme Poverty & Hunger as well as the MDG3 for Reducing child mortality rates and MDG7 Ensuring Environmental Sustainability award.