Africa’s aviation industry is preparing for a period of significant expansion. According to Boeing’s 2026 Commercial Market Outlook, passenger traffic across the continent is forecast to grow by an average of 5.8 per cent annually through to 2045, while the commercial aircraft fleet is expected to more than double, from 755 aircraft in 2025 to 1,625 by 2045. African airlines are also expected to take delivery of 1,165 new aircraft over the period, reflecting growing demand for domestic, regional and international connectivity.
This growth will create substantial opportunities for both airlines and the wider aviation services industry. Boeing estimates that Africa’s aviation services market will be worth USD 140 billion (KES18.2tn) between 2026 and 2045, including an estimated USD 90 billion (KES11.7tn) in aircraft maintenance. However, despite the expansion of the continent’s aviation market, much of the economic value generated by maintaining, repairing and supporting its aircraft continues to accrue outside Africa.
The scale of this outflow is already significant with African airlines spending an estimated USD 1.8 billion (KES234bn) annually on maintenance services abroad, according to the African Airlines Association. This is capital that could support local engineering businesses and create skilled employment. Instead, a substantial proportion flows to established maintenance centres in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, reflecting Africa’s limited capacity to undertake sophisticated engine, landing gear and component overhauls.
The consequences of this dependence extend well beyond the maintenance invoice. Aircraft sent abroad for servicing must be taken out of commercial operation, while airlines incur additional logistical expenses and face greater scheduling uncertainties. Delays in securing maintenance slots can further disrupt fleet availability and affect the reliability of flight schedules.
All these constraints carry a significant operational and financial cost, making the expansion of local maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity essential to strengthening the operational resilience and competitiveness of African airlines.
Kenya Airways is particularly well placed to lead this shift, given its established workforce of more than 700 technical specialists, infrastructure and regulatory credentials. It already undertakes a range of specialised maintenance activities for at least 28 customer airlines across Africa. Recently, for example, its engineers completed their first in house landing gear replacement on an aircraft, a complex operation involving a component weighing approximately six tonnes. The achievement followed years of technical preparation and training, demonstrating the level of expertise required to undertake sophisticated maintenance work locally.
The strategic significance of such milestones, however, goes beyond the completion of individual engineering procedures. Each additional maintenance capability developed in Nairobi creates an opportunity to reduce dependence on external providers while expanding the range of services available to other airlines facing similar constraints. Over time, this can transform an internal operational function into a competitive commercial business, positioning Kenya as a regional centre for specialised aviation services.
Realising this ambition will depend as much on people as it does on infrastructure, equipment, and policy and regulatory support. Boeing estimates that Africa will require approximately 25,000 additional aircraft maintenance technicians between 2026 and 2045. This demand presents an opportunity for Kenya to strengthen its technical education system and develop a larger pool of internationally certified aviation engineers. Investing in these skills will be essential to ensuring that the continent’s growing maintenance requirements can increasingly be met by its own workforce with Kenya leading that charge.
Ultimately, Africa’s expanding aviation market presents an opportunity to build more than airline capacity. It offers the prospect of developing a competitive aviation services industry that creates skilled jobs and retains greater economic value within the continent. With sustained investment and supportive policies, Kenya can establish itself as a regional centre for aircraft maintenance and engineering, ensuring that the benefits of Africa’s aviation growth are increasingly captured at home.
The Laikipia County Government has announced 321 job vacancies across 93 different positions in a major recruitment exercise targeting qualified Kenyans in various professional and technical fields.
The vacancies, advertised on Friday, November 6, 2026, through the Laikipia County Public Service Board, cut across several departments, including administration, healthcare, education, agriculture, engineering, finance, environment and human resource management.
The recruitment exercise offers opportunities for university graduates, diploma and certificate holders, experienced professionals and skilled artisans seeking employment within the county government.
According to the advertisement issued under the board’s external recruitment programme, the available positions range from senior administrative and managerial roles to technical and support positions.
The county has advertised vacancies for administrative officers, engineers, accountants, agricultural officers, animal health professionals, teachers, ICT specialists and public communication officers, among other professionals.
The largest number of openings is for Revenue Clerk IV, with 50 vacancies available. Other positions with relatively high numbers of openings include Fireman III and Assistant Office Administrator III, each with 12 vacancies.
The county has also advertised 11 positions each for Animal Health Assistant II (Meat Inspector) and Animal Health Officer.
In the education and vocational training sector, the opportunities include 8 positions for Graduate ECDE Teacher IV/ECDE Ward Coordinator, alongside vacancies for vocational and technical trainers, librarians and sports and talent development officers.
The engineering, construction and physical planning fields also feature in the recruitment exercise, with openings for architects, land surveyors, physical planners, quantity surveyors and mechanical and water engineers.
Other opportunities are available in finance and accounting, including 8 vacancies each for Accountant I and Accountant II, as well as 6 positions for Internal Auditor I.
The advertisement further lists vacancies in livestock production, veterinary services, fisheries, tourism, wildlife, climate change, environmental management, cooperative development and social services.
The county is also recruiting skilled artisans in electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, welding, leatherwork, hair and beauty, and motor vehicle mechanics.
The Laikipia County Public Service Board has directed interested and qualified candidates to submit their applications through an online Google Forms platform accessible via the county government’s website.
Applicants are required to attach their application documents, together with all relevant supporting academic and professional certificates, consolidated into a single PDF file.
The deadline for submitting applications is November 26, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated online platform.
The board has indicated that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Those shortlisted will subsequently be required to present their original academic and professional certificates during the interview process for verification.
Card fraud was the leading source of financial losses from banking fraud in Kenya in 2025, accounting for Sh645.19 million, according to a new report by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
The losses represented a 145 per cent increase from the Sh263.28 million recorded in 2024, despite the number of reported card fraud cases declining from 24 to 16.
Overall, Kenyan banks lost Sh1.9 billion to fraud in 2025, a 19.4 per cent increase from the Sh1.59 billion recorded the previous year.
The CBK’s Kenya Financial Sector Stability Report 2025, released in October 2026, showed that reported banking fraud cases increased by 9.1 per cent, from 353 in 2024 to 385 in 2025.
The amount exposed to fraud also rose to Sh2.03 billion from Sh1.96 billion, pointing to continued vulnerabilities in the banking sector amid growing cyber threats and the increasing use of digital financial services.
“Cybercriminals are primarily motivated by financial gain when targeting financial institutions,” CBK stated in the report.
The regulator warned that the rising losses could affect banks’ financial performance and their ability to strengthen capital reserves.
“The increase in actual losses underscores the continued financial impact of cyber fraud on banks, with potential implications for their profitability and capacity to build capital,” the report stated.
Mobile banking fraud records second-highest losses
Mobile banking fraud accounted for the second-highest financial losses in 2025, although the amount stolen declined significantly during the year.
Banks lost Sh634.25 million through mobile banking fraud, down from Sh810.67 million in 2024. The number of reported cases also fell from 146 to 136.
The amount exposed to mobile banking fraud declined from Sh981.72 million to Sh659.49 million over the same period.
Despite the improvement, mobile banking remained one of the major channels exploited by fraudsters.
Online banking fraud and internet scams increase
Online banking fraud also recorded an increase in both reported cases and financial losses.
Banks lost Sh157.46 million through online banking fraud in 2025, compared to Sh111.83 million in 2024.
Reported cases rose from 106 to 132, indicating an increase in fraudulent activities targeting online banking services.
Internet scams recorded one of the sharpest increases during the review period. Reported cases more than doubled from 9 in 2024 to 22 in 2025.
The financial losses associated with internet scams surged to Sh86.52 million from Sh6.07 million in the previous year.
Computer fraud cases also increased, rising from 12 in 2024 to 16 in 2025. The associated financial losses climbed to Sh212.45 million from Sh203.39 million.
Meanwhile, identity theft cases increased from 56 to 63 during the year, although the amount lost declined to Sh168.17 million from Sh199.08 million.
CBK attributed the growing threat of cyberattacks to the increasing adoption of digital payment platforms and person-to-person money transfers. System configuration errors and security vulnerabilities made up the largest proportion of reported threats, increasing significantly from about 3.32 billion in 2023/2024 to 8.30 billion in 2024/2025.
The regulator urged financial institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks, enhance monitoring and surveillance systems, and deepen cooperation among financial sector regulators to tackle emerging cyber threats.
Kenya is set to host European football giants Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam on January 5, 2027, during the official opening of the new Raila Odinga International Stadium along Ngong Road in Nairobi.
The highly anticipated match is expected to attract football enthusiasts eager to witness two of Europe’s most celebrated clubs in action on Kenyan soil.
Bayern Munich vs Ajax tickets start at Sh2,500
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya announced the ticket prices on Thursday, November 5, as sales opened at 6 pm through the official Talanta Sports City website.
The cheapest tickets will cost Sh2,500, with other seating categories priced at Sh3,500, Sh5,000, Sh15,000 and Sh20,000.
Talanta Sports City said tickets will be sold exclusively online, with purchases available through its official website, www.talantasportscity.com.
According to Mvurya, ticket sales will be conducted in phases, with fans encouraged to secure their seats through the designated platform.
Supporters can select their preferred seating category and available seats during the purchase process. Each order is limited to a maximum of 10 tickets.
To purchase tickets, fans should visit the Talanta Sports City website, select the Bayern Munich versus Ajax Amsterdam fixture, indicate the number of tickets required and choose from the available seating categories.
There will be no physical ticket sales at the stadium or any other location.
Ticket transfer and refund guidelines
Organisers have outlined conditions governing ticket transfers, refunds and cancellations ahead of the match.
Tickets purchased for the fixture are non-refundable and cannot be cancelled if the buyer is unable to attend. Refunds will only be processed if the match is cancelled, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
However, fans can transfer tickets to other individuals through the “My tickets” section of the ticketing platform.
To complete a transfer, the original buyer is required to select the ticket, click the “Send to a guest” option and enter the recipient’s full name and mobile number.
The recipient will receive an SMS containing a link to the ticket and a verification code. Once the recipient opens the ticket, the original buyer’s copy becomes invalid and a new entry code is generated.
A transfer can be reversed before the recipient accepts it.
Organisers have clarified that personal passes and invitations are non-transferable, while recipients of transferred tickets cannot transfer them to another person.
Stadium entry rules and matchday guidelines
The stadium gates will open at 11am on January 5, with kick-off scheduled for 8.15pm.
Fans have been advised to arrive early to allow sufficient time for security screening, ticket validation and locating their allocated seats.
“Every attendee, including children, must have a valid paid ticket and an allocated seat,” the organisers said, adding that children must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult.
Spectators will not be permitted to bring outside food or beverages into the stadium. They must also carry valid event tickets and any identification required under the entry conditions.
Fans seeking premium matchday experiences can book skyboxes through the hospitality team via [email protected].
Platinum and Gold hospitality packages will also be available for purchase through the official Talanta Sports City website.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has outlined 30 categories of goods excluded from the government’s Sh2 million consolidated cargo clearance framework.
In a notice issued on Thursday, November 5, the tax authority said some products were entirely ineligible for the framework, while others could be admitted subject to strict volume and documentation requirements.
KRA said the restrictions aim to guide cargo clearance stakeholders on the goods permitted under the arrangement and ensure compliance with customs regulations.
Food products, smartphones, smartwatches, second-hand clothing and footwear, televisions and ready-made garments are among the items excluded from the consolidated clearance scheme.
Other goods excluded include textiles, cosmetics, beauty products, new footwear, sanitary ware, motorcycle spare parts, cables, carpets, household linen, musical instruments and entertainment equipment.
KRA said importers handling the affected products are required to follow the applicable customs clearance procedures.
Limited exemptions for some goods
However, the authority indicated that certain categories appearing on the exclusion list could still be cleared under the consolidated framework if they meet prescribed conditions.
These include cables, garments, fabrics, cosmetics, new shoes, motorcycle spare parts, computer accessories and mobile phone accessories.
KRA said such goods will only qualify if their combined volume remain within 5 per cent of the total cargo shipment, measured in cubic metres.
“The aggregate volume of items in the exclusion list (No. 12 to No. 30) shall not exceed 5% of the total cargo volume, measured in cubic meters (CBM),” the authority stated.
Importers must also ensure the goods are comprehensively captured in invoices, customs entries and importer lists, with each item clearly identified by its description and quantity.
The authority further said it will apply the relevant unit values when assessing the customs value of the goods before granting clearance under the framework.
“Stakeholders are advised to take note of the exclusions and ensure compliance with the applicable customs clearance,” KRA stated.
M-Pesa has been named Kenya’s strongest brand for 2026, edging out Safaricom, Samsung and a number of other local and international brands in the latest Superbrands East Africaconsumer survey.
M-Pesa is at the top of the list with a Superbrands score of 91.909, Safaricom at 89.623 and Samsung at 89.622. WhatsApp and Google finish off the top five with scores of 89.584 and 89.527 respectively.
The findings (based on research by global insights firm Kantar across 112 categories) are all about the brands that have built up strong consumer recognition through quality, reliability and distinction.
Other brands in Kenya’s Top 10 are Naivas, Dettol, Bolt, Kenya Airways and YouTube.
Naivas took sixth with 89.193, Dettol’s personal care products seventh with 88.833, Bolt eighth with 88.786, Kenya Airways eighth with 88.707 and YouTube ninth with 88.675.
The ranking is against a backdrop of a changing consumer landscape where Kenyans are increasingly looking beyond price and promotional offers when they go to buy. Quality, reliability and trust are now the key factors.
86% of the consumers surveyed would be likely to buy a product or service that bore the Superbrands seal. 84% would say that the recognition would increase their trust in the brand and 85% would say it would lead them to consider buying a product or trying a new service.
The study also found that 81% of consumers felt the Superbrands seal helped a brand to stand out from the competition and exactly the same proportion said it helped them to identify the leading brand in its category.
However price is still a significant factor with 63% of respondents saying they would be prepared to pay more for a product or service that had the recognition.
“Kenyan consumers have a whole host of brands to choose from, but what ultimately counts is whether the brand delivers on its promise,” said Jawad Jaffer, Project Director and Associate Publisher at Superbrands East Africa.
He stressed that quality, reliability and distinction are still at the heart of the purchase decision and that you have to build consumer confidence through the consistency of the brand experience rather than just through advertising.
The research looked at the established brands on the basis of three criteria: quality, reliability and distinction. That was the measure of how well the brand delivered on its promise, how reliable it was and how it distinguished itself from the competition.
Kantar Insights East Africa project leads Keith Pere and Wetindi Patrick noted that successful brands were those that met the consumer’s functional and emotional needs and did so in a way that was genuinely different.
Beyond just brand recognition the study looked at how consumers come across and interpret the Superbrands seal. Product packaging was by far the most common point of contact (64%), then TV at 31% and social media at 29%.
Of the respondents half of them saw the seal as a mark of excellence, quality and trust, the other 26 per cent incorrectly saw it as a manufacturer’s logo. A real need for greater public awareness clearly exists.
The research also looked at the impact of social media influencers on consumer purchase decisions. 58% of respondents said they trust influencer recommendations to some extent, with only 10% saying they trust them consistently.
Meanwhile 42% expressed a degree of distrust in influencer recommendations, either because they felt the endorsements were insincere or simply because they preferred to make their own purchasing decisions.
Consumer NPS for brands with the Superbrands seal also went up, from 10 in 2024 to 31 in 2026.
Other brands in the top 30 are Quickmart, TikTok, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Citizen TV, University of Nairobi, Sunlight, Fanta, Vaseline, Equity Bank, Mercedes-Benz, Radio Citizen, LG, Range Rover, KFC, Glovo, PK, Kenyatta University and Toyota.
The findings highlight just how much consumer confidence matters in terms of brand strength. To stay competitive businesses will need to continue to focus on product quality, reliability and having real customer relationships.
The full 2026 Superbrands Kenya list is available via Superbrands East Africa.
Nairobi, 5th November 2026 – Equity Group Holdings Plc has unveiled its 2025 Sustainability Report, detailing a record KSh99.5 billion (US$771 million) invested in social impact and sustainability initiatives across its regional footprint during the year.
The report, themed “A Sustainable World is a Transformed Africa,” outlines the Group’s progress in enterprise development, education, healthcare, financial inclusion, climate action and responsible business practices. The report demonstrated how Equity continues to integrate sustainability into its business strategy, governance, risk management and operations through its Tri-Engine Model, bringing together economic performance, social impact and sustainability to support long-term value creation.
A key highlight of the Report is the Group’s deepened intervention under the Social Protection pillar, particularly in extending financial assistance and economic opportunities to vulnerable populations, including refugees. Through access to finance, cash transfers, and capacity-building initiatives, the Group seeks to strengthen household resilience and support economic participation among underserved communities.
Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, said the Group’s performance reflected the deliberate relationship between commercial success and sustainable development.
“Our 2025 performance demonstrates that commercial success and sustainable development are not competing priorities, but mutually reinforcing drivers of long-term prosperity. The stronger our business becomes, the greater our capacity to invest in people, enterprises and communities, while building resilience across the markets we serve. Through our investments, partnerships and innovation, we are translating our purpose of transforming lives, giving dignity and expanding opportunities for wealth creation across Africa into measurable, enduring impact,” said Dr Mwangi.
Dr Mwangi added:
“Our responsibility is to continue to turn potential into productive opportunity while protecting the natural systems that make prosperity possible. That means directing finance towards resilience, creating value within our economies, and ensuring that people and nature are not treated as afterthoughts in development. That is the promise of the theme we share today.”
H.E Sebastian Groth, the German Ambassador to Kenya, said that strong partnerships between governments, the private sector and development institutions are essential to achieving sustainable development at scale.
“Achieving sustainable development at scale requires strong partnerships between governments, the private sector and development institutions. The days of traditional aid are behind us, and we are moving from a relationship of giving to one of investing in a shared future on equal footing. By focusing on renewable energy, local value addition, and catalytic climate finance, Equity Group is demonstrating that sustainability is not a luxury for the few, but the very engine of transformation for the many. Our goal in development cooperation is to use public funds to mobilize private capital. In simpler terms, we provide the spark, but the private sector provides the scale and keeps the fire burning,” Groth said.
Nasra Nanda, Built Environment Lead at the Executive Office of the President, congratulated Equity Group on its sustainability journey, highlighting the financial sector’s role in advancing sustainable construction, supporting SMEs in the built environment and integrating nature-based resilience into investment decisions.
“Sustainability is not only necessary but deeply practical: a home is only truly affordable if a family can afford to live in it over time, and an investment is stronger when the asset can withstand the conditions it will face throughout its life. If nature is central to life, it must be central to how we plan, build, and invest, and financial institutions have a decisive role to play in making resilient, sustainable construction accessible and inclusive for ordinary borrowers. Financial institutions have a powerful role to play in making sustainable construction accessible. This can be done by financing the enterprises and skills that will drive the transition and integrating nature and resilience into investment decisions from the outset. We must measure success through safer, more resilient and healthier ecosystems, with the built environment at the forefront,” she said.
In 2025, the Group’s social protection programmes reached 5.94 million people, with KSh173.5 billion disbursed through cash transfers. The report also records 115 refugees financed through KSh57.9 million in loans, while 772 refugees received training. These interventions demonstrate how social protection can extend beyond immediate assistance to include access to credit and skills that support livelihoods and economic resilience.
The Group continued to support enterprise growth and financial inclusion through access to finance, business training, and financial education. Under its Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion programme, Kshs404bn (US$3.11) billion was disbursed to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Local suppliers accounted for 90% of the Group’s procurement spending in 2025, amounting to KSh47.59 billion.
Through the Equity Group Foundation (EGF), the Group has cumulatively trained 962,924 MSMEs in entrepreneurship and 2,490,471 women and young people in financial education. These programmes support business development, financial resilience, and access to opportunities for individuals and enterprises across the Group’s markets.
Reinforcing agriculture as Africa’s primary engine for inclusive growth, the Group scaled its support for smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises through climate-smart agricultural financing, capacity building, and value chain integration, reaching 622,525 small and medium-sized farmers. These interventions enhanced food security, increased on-farm productivity, and de-risked agricultural production across regional breadbaskets.
Education and skills development remained key areas of the Group’s social investment. The report records 60,009 scholarships, including 29,515 university scholars, 4,039 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) scholars and 1,115 global scholars. The Group has also facilitated 9,772 paid internships, supporting the transition from education to employment.
EGF continued to expand partnerships with IamtheCODE Foundation, Huawei ICT Academy, WorldQuant University, Amazon Web Services and Moringa School to advance technology and digital skills development. Through the Equity Leaders Programme, 415 innovators secured employment following a 12-month Tech Apprenticeship Programme, providing a pathway into the digital workforce.
Equity Afya, the Group’s medical franchise network, expanded its footprint to 150 outpatient medical centres across Kenya and the DRC, recording over 4.62 million cumulative patient visits. The franchise model continues to decentralize healthcare, offering high-quality, standardized, and affordable primary health services to underserved and urban-fringe communities.
The Group deployed more than KSh26 billion in sustainable and climate-aligned finance during 2025, supporting climate-related solutions across its markets. More than 47,000 climate-related transactions were recorded under the IFC Climate Adaptation Finance Initiative.
Environmental initiatives included the distribution of 75,855 clean energy products and the planting of 9.1 million trees during the year. These activities brought the Group’s cumulative tree-planting total to 44.6 million, exceeding its target of 35 million. The report also tracks the Group’s greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, and environmental impact. In addition, the Group published its inaugural Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure Report, described in the report as Africa’s second, as part of its work to strengthen sustainability measurement and reporting.
Governance and Risk Management
The Group continued to integrate environmental, social, governance, climate and nature-related considerations into credit decisions, operations and risk management. Its frameworks include environmental and social risk screening, enhanced due diligence for high-risk sectors, climate scenario analysis, and stress testing. The Group is also strengthening disclosure controls and its readiness to implement IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 sustainability disclosure standards. These remain areas for continued development as it works to improve the quality and consistency of non-financial reporting.
People and Workplace Inclusion
The Group’s workforce grew to 13,370 employees in 2025. Total employee training reached 989,152 hours, with average training hours per employee rising to 74 from 45 in 2024. The number of employees with disabilities increased to 67 from 54 in 2024, while net employment turnover declined to 10.6% from 11.1% in the previous year. The report identifies employee development, inclusion, wellbeing, ethics, information security and digital skills as areas of continued focus in building workforce capacity.
Sustainability Across Markets
Equity Group’s sustainability strategy is implemented across its banking, insurance, technology and foundation operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside its representative office in Ethiopia.
The 2025 Sustainability Report sets out the Group’s performance across these areas and the continued integration of economic, social and environmental considerations into its business and operations.
Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure
Alongside the Sustainability Report, Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited, the Group’s Kenyan subsidiary and the source of the majority of Group revenue, has published its inaugural Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure (SDID), described in the Sustainability Report as Africa’s second. Prepared in line with the Impact Disclosure Guidance published by the Impact Disclosure Taskforce in October 2024, the SDID sets out seven impact intentions aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, benchmarks each against Kenya’s development gaps relative to peer countries and commits the Bank to annual monitoring and reporting on its progress, including disclosure of both positive and negative impacts. Its 2030 targets include raising the share of the loan book allocated to food and agriculture to 30%, to MSMEs to 65% and to manufacturing to 15%, and doubling the Equity Afya clinic network to 300 clinics. In 2025, MSMEs accounted for 56.6% of the Bank’s loan book, up from 50.1% in 2023, while the share of lending to women rose to 23.9% from 18.0% over the same period.
About Equity Group Holdings:
Equity Group Holdings Plc. is a Pan-African financial services holding company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. The Group has banking subsidiaries in Kenya, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia. It has other subsidiaries in investment banking, insurance, telecom, fintech and social impact investments delivered via Equity Group Foundation. Equity Group is the largest integrated financial services firm in the region with a market capitalization of USD 2.3 billion.
The Group has an asset base of USD 16.7 Billion, a customer base of 23.3 million supported by a footprint of 410 branches, 92,572 Agents, over 1.4 million Merchants (includes POS, Pay with Equity and Billers), 886 ATMs and an extensive adoption of digital banking channel.
The Bank’s strong liquidity buffers, resilient funding profile, established domestic presence, and extensive use of digital and alternative distribution channels have earned significant recognition. In 2026, it was named Africa’s Strongest Banking Brand by Brand Finance, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) of 93.9 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating, and ranking among the global top 10 strongest banking brands.
The Group was also recognized as a Superbrand in East Africa (2024–2026), affirming its commitment to quality, reliability, and excellence in the financial services sector. In 2025, Equity retained its position as Kenya’s most valuable brand for the second year running and was named the Best Regional Bank in East Africa by African Banker. In 2024, the Bank was ranked the second strongest financial brand globally by Brand Finance, with a BSI score of 92.5 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating, the highest possible. In the same year, the Brand Africa 100 Awards recognized Equity as the Most Admired Financial Brand in Kenya and across Africa, reflecting its strong brand presence and impact on financial inclusion, innovation, and socio-economic development. Additionally, at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2024, Equity Bank was named Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in Africa, Best Bank in Kenya, Best Bank for SME Banking in Kenya, and Best Bank for CSR in Kenya.
Equity CEO James Mwangi with other officials during launch
Kenyan car dealer and entrepreneur Khalif Kairo has once again found himself at the centre of controversy over vehicle delivery disputes.
This follows the High Court’s order requiring him and his company, Kai & Karo Limited, to refund a customer following a failed vehicle purchase transaction in which the customer paid Sh3.4 million but did not receive the car as agreed.
Details of the dispute indicate that the buyer initially paid Sh2.2 million in cash towards the purchase of the Audi Q7.
The customer subsequently raised another Sh1.7 million through the sale of a Subaru Outback, bringing the total amount paid to Sh3.9 million.
However, the vehicle was not delivered despite the payments made to Kairo’s company.
Customer receives partial refund after failed Audi Q7 deal
After the failed transaction, the customer received Sh500,000 of the amount paid, leaving Sh3.4 million outstanding.
Unable to recover the remaining money through the transaction, the buyer pursued legal action against Kairo and Kai & Karo Limited to secure a refund.
The dispute was eventually brought before the High Court, which ruled that the car dealer and his company should return the outstanding Sh3.4 million.
Kairo’s previous court cases over car transactions
The latest ruling adds to the legal challenges facing the businessman, who has previously been accused of failing to fulfil vehicle purchase and importation agreements.
In January 2025, Kairo was charged with two counts of obtaining money through false pretences, contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code.
In the first case, he was accused of obtaining Sh2,984,998 from Dona Ayalo Okoth by allegedly misrepresenting that he would purchase a Subaru Outback for her.
The prosecution stated that the money was transferred to Kai & Karo Limited’s bank account on July 29, 2024.
In a separate charge, Kairo was accused of receiving Sh2,145,150 from Jeff Kyule, who had paid the money towards the importation of a Honda Vezel from Japan.
According to the prosecution, Kyule made the payments in instalments between July 10 and July 29, 2024, in Westlands, but the vehicle was allegedly never delivered.
Kairo denied both charges when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina. Through his lawyers, led by Danstan Omari, he maintained that the cases had been orchestrated by business competitors motivated by jealousy.
Kairo speaks out on business challenges
In a previous media interview, Kairo acknowledged that the legal disputes had taken a toll on his motor vehicle business, revealing that Kai & Karo closed its Kiambu dealership yard following the developments.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that the company would recover within months, insisting that his business operations were legitimate.
Kairo attributed the difficulties to cash flow constraints and declining confidence among customers and financial institutions.
“We found ourselves in this mess because it is the nature of business. All businesses have to go through challenges. Especially startups which are at the verge of collapse due to cash flow challenges resulting from client and bank mistrust,” he said.
He also defended his track record in the motor vehicle industry, saying he has spent more than a decade in the business and facilitated the sale of over 2,000 vehicles.
“I have been in the car business for over 10 years, and I have sold over 2000 cars. There are people who know my story. I am being crucified because the company has failed to deliver 10 to 15 vehicles, but the 2,000 clients can attest that I run a legitimate business,” Kairo added.
Safaricom Group’s net profit increased 35.9 per cent to Sh58.2 billion in the six months ended September 2026, supported by growth in its Kenyan operations and a substantial improvement in the performance of its Ethiopian business.
The telecommunications giant reported an 11.3 per cent rise in group service revenue to Sh226.1 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) expanded 27.5 per cent to Sh129.2 billion.
Operating profit, measured by earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), advanced 39.8 per cent to Sh91.1 billion, reflecting stronger operating performance across the business.
M-Pesa revenue crosses Sh100 billion
Safaricom’s mobile money platform, M-Pesa, recorded a major milestone after generating Sh100.1 billion in revenue during the half-year period, becoming the first time its earnings have exceeded Sh100 billion in six months.
The revenue represented a 13.6 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, supported by rising transaction volumes and expanding digital financial services.
M-Pesa processed 27.4 billion transactions, a 25.2 per cent increase, while the total value of transactions grew 16.6 per cent to Sh23.6 trillion.
Chargeable transactions rose 48.2 per cent to 12.9 billion, accounting for 47 per cent of all transactions, compared with 39.7 per cent in the corresponding period previously.
Payments drive M-Pesa growth
Consumer payments remained M-Pesa’s largest revenue stream, contributing Sh40.8 billion after growing 14 per cent.
Business payments revenue increased 14.7 per cent to Sh31 billion, while financial services delivered the fastest growth, rising 55.3 per cent to Sh7.1 billion.
Global payments revenue climbed 26.6 per cent to Sh2.8 billion, highlighting increased adoption of cross-border money transfer services.
Revenue from withdrawals, however, fell marginally by 0.5 per cent to Sh18.4 billion.
Payments accounted for three-quarters of the additional revenue generated by M-Pesa during the period, while business payments, global payments and financial services represented 98.9 per cent of incremental transaction volumes.
Kenya operations sustain profit growth
Safaricom’s Kenyan business remained the group’s principal earnings contributor, recording a 13.8 per cent increase in net profit to Sh66.3 billion.
Service revenue in the domestic market rose to Sh216 billion, while EBITDA increased 13.3 per cent to Sh128.9 billion.
Ethiopia losses narrow as revenue surges
Safaricom Ethiopia continued to make progress towards financial sustainability, reducing its net loss by 43.2 per cent to Sh8.8 billion.
The subsidiary recorded a 71.6 per cent increase in service revenue to Sh10.6 billion, reflecting continued expansion of its operations.
Its EBITDA loss contracted sharply by 96.5 per cent to Sh400 million, while the operating loss declined 53.4 per cent to Sh11.4 billion.
Kenyan-born politician Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley has won a second term in the Minnesota House of Representatives after securing a decisive victory in the 2026 United States midterm elections.
Momanyi-Hiltsley, a Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party legislator, won District 38A with 9,852 votes, representing 71.8 per cent of the total votes cast. Her Republican challenger, Charlie Kistler, garnered 3,840 votes, or 28 per cent.
In an update on Wednesday, November 4, Momanyi-Hiltsley thanked voters, campaign volunteers and supporters for backing her re-election bid.
“You have sent me back to the Minnesota House! I am deeply grateful for your trust, your votes, and every volunteer and supporter who helped make this victory possible,” she said.
“Serving you is an honor, and I’m ready to keep working for our community,” she added.
Momanyi-Hiltsley first made history in 2024 when she won the District 38A seat, becoming the first Kenyan-born immigrant to serve in a state legislature in the United States.
During her first term, she served on several legislative committees, including those responsible for housing finance, human services and legacy funding.
Education and Early Life
Momanyi-Hiltsley was born to Phillip Momanyi Sangaka and Tabitha Momanyi and hails from Nyamemiso village in Nyamira County, Kenya.
Her father relocated to the United States in 1988 as a student, with her mother joining him in 1992. Momanyi-Hiltsley and her two siblings later moved to the US in 1995.
She began her education in Kenya at Nyambaria Primary School, although some accounts also identify Kisii Primary School as part of her early schooling.
After relocating to the United States, she continued her studies at Robbinsdale Cooper High School in New Hope, Minnesota, where she graduated in 2004.
She subsequently enrolled at Bethel University, earning three bachelor’s degrees in International Business, International Relations and Reconciliation Studies.
She also obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Global Business Management from the same university.
Career and Community Leadership
Before venturing into elective politics, Momanyi-Hiltsley established a professional career in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, working in corporate compliance, data privacy and data protection.
Her experience in these fields provided a foundation for her transition into public service, where she has represented District 38A in the Minnesota House since 2025.
Beyond her corporate and political career, she has been active in community leadership, particularly among Kenyans living in the United States.
She previously served as the first elected female president of Mwanyagetinge, a Kisii-based cultural and community organisation, marking another milestone in her leadership journey.
