Gone are the days when access to smartphones was limited due to the lack of the full purchase price, thanks to Lipa Mdogo Mdogo service.
Lipa Mdogo Mdogo, which translates to “pay little by little,” is a financing model that allows customers to acquire devices through small, regular instalments.
The service has gained traction as consumers seek affordable ways to access smartphones for communication, digital payments, online business, and other services.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2024 FinAccess Household Survey shows that the number of people using Lipa polepole services rose from 579,242 in 2021 to 1,751,994 in 2024, reflecting a significant expansion in the market.
Under the plan, customers pay an initial deposit to acquire a smartphone and clear the remaining balance through daily, weekly or monthly instalments, lowering the upfront cost of owning a device.
Customers who fail to meet their repayment obligations automatically lose access to their devices. Financing providers install software that enables them to monitor and remotely restrict financed smartphones when payments fall behind schedule.
Once a device is locked, its owner is unable to use it until the outstanding instalment is paid and access is restored under the provider’s terms.
M-KOPA’s device-locking technology
Among the companies operating in this market is M-KOPA, a digital financial services provider that enables customers to acquire smartphones and pay in manageable instalments.
Behind this business is KilpiTek, a Finnish software and IT consulting company whose technology enables M-KOPA to remotely manage and lock financed devices when customers fall behind on repayments.
KilpiTek specialises in mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) endpoint management, remote device-locking solutions and artificial intelligence-driven security.
Its software has been instrumental in supporting M-KOPA’s pay-as-you-go smartphone financing model by allowing the company to restrict the use of devices linked to overdue instalments.
M-KOPA acquires KilpiTek in Sh1 billion deal
M-KOPA has acquired 100 per cent of KilpiTek’s voting shares in a transaction valued at $8 million (about Sh1.04 billion), bringing the technology behind its smartphone-locking system directly under its control.
According to the company’s financial disclosures, the acquisition, completed in March 2026, involved a combination of cash and equity consideration.
The deal gives M-KOPA direct control of the device-locking software as demand for lipa mdogo mdogo smartphones continues to grow.
Veteran Radio and TV personality Fred Obachi Machoka is popularly known for hosting the Rhumba Show ‘Roga Roga’ on Radio Citizen and Citizen TV.
Unknown to many, Fred Obachi also fills his pockets from the hospitality industry. He is the owner of the famed ‘Uncle Fred’s Ranch’ in Kisaju, Kajiado County.
He has incorporated a Western cowboy theme into his business, complete with horse stables, rodeo hats, an orchard, and even livestock.
The property which sits on a 15-acre piece of land has hosted some notable personalities including Azimio leader, the late Raila Odinga and the former head of state Uhuru Kenyatta.
The place is a sight to behold with neatly trimmed lawns. It also includes a school of hospitality in the finesse it bears.
The ranch gives a serene environment to meditate, bond with nature and have fun too. They offer horse riding classes, host picnics, farm tours, swimming and camping.
Farming is not a get-rich-quick scheme
Fred’s ranch, along the Kitengela-Namanga road, is managed by Obachi’s son, Victor Machoka. He holds a degree in hotel and tourism management.
Along with his father, they worked tirelessly to conceptualize the agritourism venture to life.
One might assume that it was a straightforward task to establish the place, but Obachi would disagree.
In a past interview with a local media house, Obachi disclosed that he almost got High Blood Pressure from trying to make it work.
“Oh yes! That’s what people think when they visit this ranch for the first time. Many assume this must be so easy, if Fred did it, I can also do it. Some have tried to replicate the idea but have failed miserably because they do not know the thorns behind this rosy story,” he said.
In 1993, Machoka bought a 50-acre piece of land in the remotest parts of Kajiado. Many people thought he was crazy as the only people living there were a few Maasai pastoralists.
At the time, the prices were Sh. 47,500 per acre, a very expensive deal. Ever the dreamers, he and his wife Sophie took the risk. 30 years later, it has finally paid off, but at what price?
To purchase all that land, Machoka took a loan from Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC). As the modern age dawned upon the world, so were interest rates escalating.
Fred Obachi eventually had to sell 30 acres of the land to pay off the loan from AFC. He faced a harsh reality.
“Initially, I bought 50 acres and took a Sh1.6 million loan and by the time I cleared, it had shot to Sh7.5 million because of interest. I struggled to repay it. I was forced to sell off 30 acres to repay the loan and finance my project,” he recalls.
Painful days and nights ached him but his wife’s support kept him unbroken and he soldiered on until he cleared the loan. At this point, Machoka had picked so many valuable lessons.
In the following years, Machoka decided to establish a sustainable and rewarding project on the land. His first trial was dairy farming.
He bought a few high-grade cows from Murang’a County, built structures on his land, bought feeds, hired a farmhand and opened his hands to the money that he was manifesting.
Sadly, he was in for a rude shock. Heartless thieves stole all his newfound possessions, never to be seen again.
“It almost gave me high blood pressure, but I survived,” he noted.
“Many people think farming is buying land on Monday, bringing in cows on Tuesday, selling the milk on Wednesday and by weekend one is a millionaire. No way…”
Machoka was not ready to give up. Rent prices were increasing at his Nairobi home. For that matter, Machoka packed his bags and built at his Kajiado land.
Once they were settled, the family dedicated their time & efforts to developing the ranch.
With his wife’s landscaping skills and his son’s managing and marketing skills and thanks to proper research, they established Fred’s Ranch in 2016.
To tap into value addition, they set up an orchard where most of the cooked food is grown; purely organic and straight from the farm.
Fred Obachi has also grown fruits which include mangoes, Hass avocadoes, Pawpaws, Pomegranate Fruit, Lemons, tangerines and pixies.
“I do not do this project for profit. For me, it is more of therapy. I do this to give back to the community and connect with nature” Machoka maintained.
Fred Obachi Machoka is a renowned Kenyan media personality and the long-time host of the Roga Roga show on Royal Media’s Citizen Radio.
He says his broadcasting journey started by accident.
Fred started as a GSU officer in the North Eastern province, previously known as the North Frontier District. While there, he says he used to listen to Voice of Kenya (VOK) radio, which used to hold various competitions for its listeners.
One of VOK’s popular radio programs was known as Sanyo Juu. While participating in one of the competitions, Fred won a prize and received a letter from VOK directing him to collect his award at Pioneer House in Nairobi.
Consequently, during his next leave from his security job, Fred visited the offices to collect his prize. He had to show his identity card to the radio producers to prove that he was the real winner.
One of them commented that he had a radio presenter’s voice and asked whether he would be interested in a radio career. Ever the opportunistic, Fred agreed.
However, there was one problem. He was not ready to immediately quit his security job. The producer devised a solution for him to prerecord several programs, which would be played later when he returned to his job. That is how his radio career started.
Radio Career
Fred started listening and enjoying his broadcast voice while at the Northern frontier.
“I found the microphone’s sweetness to be better than that of guns,”
he says.
In December 1976, he quit service and became a full-time radio broadcaster. This was because he was making more money through radio broadcasts than his GSU job.
Around the same time, Sanyo Juu’s host, Saidi Omari, died. VOK’s management approached Fred with an offer that he teams up with Mohammed Ramah, a seasoned radio presenter, and be the show’s co-host.
He later started hosting other programs, such as “Ever Ready Paka Power,” “Ugua pole na lucozade,” and other programs. Fred Machoka had become a celebrity.
“If I was previously in the swimming pool of broadcasting, I Had now entered the ocean,“
he says.
He was working alongside veteran broadcasters like Stephen Kikumo, Lenard Mbotela, Mohammed Njuguna, Salim Mohammed, and others.
Citizen
Things were going well for Fred Obachi Machoka, as he was learning about advertising and public relations. He had started a company called FM 35 promotions, whose major task was to churn out commercial broadcasting.
One day, while working in his office, he received an offer to become a presenter at the starting royal media station, Radio Citizen.
He was to host a show that would rival KBC’s show, run by Tony Msalami. At first, Machoka turned down the offer since Citizen was then a mere startup, and he was already a household name in the media industry.
However, his friends encouraged him to take up the offer as he would only be working during the weekends. Fred took up the job on one condition: Royal media would pay him according to his terms.
Roga Roga Show
On his arrival at Citizen, Fred started the ‘Roga Roga’ show, a name he says was coined from the late Issa’s song “tutawaroga,” which was the trending banger at the time.
After a few months, the show started rivaling other shows in the genre. “Roga Roga” is still number one up to date, and I thank my fans for that,” says Machoka
Advice to upcoming radio presenters
Fred’s advice to upcoming radio presenters is for them first to understand the theatrics of a radio show. Like any show, there is a time when the curtain will open and close.
“You will only be a radio presenter for a brief period, and then other people will come and overtake you. If you are aware of that, you will know how to plan your life. You must remember that you have a life of your own, separate from the celebrity life people expect from you,”
Payment cards have become an important tool for managing money, offering consumers a secure and convenient way to make purchases, access cash, and keep track of their spending.
For college students, who often rely on periodic disbursements to meet tuition, accommodation, food and other daily expenses, access to reliable payment systems can make managing finances easier.
Co-operative Bank of Kenya has introduced HELB Smart Cards to help students access funds disbursed through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and manage their spending.
The pre-loaded cards allow students to withdraw cash, pay for goods and services and access their money through a network of automated teller machines (ATMs), bank agents and merchant payment terminals.
The cards are issued to individual students and linked centrally to their sponsoring universities or colleges, providing an additional channel for receiving and accessing student funding.
The HELB Smart Card features three wallets for tuition, upkeep, and Visa transactions, allowing students to manage funds allocated for different purposes while accessing money for everyday expenses.
The card carries the student’s name and photograph, the institution’s name and logo, course details and registration number. It also includes an access barcode on the reverse side to support identification and access.
Students can use the card at Visa-branded ATMs and point-of-sale terminals, both locally and internationally. The card is also enabled with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which supports contactless payments at compatible terminals.
Beyond HELB disbursements, the card can receive funds from other sources. Students and sponsors can load money onto it through Co-operative Bank branches, Co-op Kwa Jirani agents, the bank’s ATMs and MCo-opCash.
The Visa wallet is reloadable, allowing students to replenish funds as needed.
Security and convenience
The Co-op Bank HELB smart card offers a convenient way to access funds as cardholders can withdraw money through Co-operative Bank agents and ATMs, as well as Visa-branded ATMs, and make purchases at participating merchants.
The multi-wallet structure can also help students plan their spending by separating funds allocated for tuition and upkeep from money held in the Visa wallet for transactions.
This makes it easier for cardholders to monitor available balances and manage expenses throughout the academic term.
Requirements for participating institutions
To get started with the Co-op Bank HELB Smart Cards, universities and colleges seeking to facilitate the issuance of the cards must enter into a duly signed application or contract agreement with Co-operative Bank.
The institution is also required to provide signed instructions authorising the bulk upload of data for prospective cardholders.
A Canadian court has found a Kenyan man inadmissible to Canada over a fraudulent marriage that he had previously entered into to gain a visit visa.
The Kenyan man who was identified as Bernard Nduva Musembi had gone to the federal court to contest the decision of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to deny his application for permanent residency.
According to the court ruling that was seen by Bizna Kenya, the IRCC had denied Musembi’s application for Canadian permanent residency after determining that he had falsely claimed to have been married when he applied for his visit visa on December 22, 2021. In this application, Musembi had claimed that he was married to a woman known as ‘Joan Nderitu’. heir marriage had began on December 20, 2018. This application was approved on April 14, 2023.
Days after the approval, on May 17, 2023, Musembi traveled to Canada. He claimed before customs officials that he had traveled to visit his fiancée Mary Wanjohi whom he had met in Kenya around January 2022. Barely two months later, on July 4, 2023, Musembi and Wanjohi got married in Ottawa, Canada.
Four months later on November 18, 2023, Musembi applied to become a permanent resident of Canada under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class. In his application, he answered ‘No’ to the question that asked if he had previously been married or in a common-law relationship.
This was contrary to what he had filled in his application for the visit visa. The IRCC red-flagged this discrepancy and sent Musembi a procedural fairness letter that was dated August 27, 2024. The letter asked Musembi to explain why he had claimed to be married to two different women in his applications. He was also asked to present a divorce letter showing that he had been divorced from the Joan before he married Mary. He was given 14 days to respond.
“In a response dated August 30, 2024, [Bernard Nduva Musembi] stated that an agency called Shipe Travels had assisted him with his [visit visa application] and, without his knowledge or consent, indicated he was married to a “Joan Nderitu”, so as to improve his chances of obtaining the requested visa. He stated that he had never met “Joan Nderitu” and had never been married to her,” the court ruling stated.
A few weeks later, On September 13, 2024, the IRCC refused his permanent residence application, finding him inadmissible for misrepresentation.
The IRCC determined that he had directly or indirectly misrepresented material facts relating to a relevant matter in relation to his marital status, which induced or could have induced an error in the administration of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Following this decision, Musembi went to court seeking for a judicial review. He claimed before the court that the IRCC decision was both unreasonable and procedurally unfair.
However, in the federal court ruling dated October 8, 2026, Justice François Joyal of the federal court in Montréal, Québec, ruled that all steps that were followed by the IRCC were fair and reasonable. The judge ruled that Musembi had bee provided with time to respond to the concerns that had been raised, and he had gone on to submit written and documentary evidence in his response.
Justice Joyal further determined that Musembi could not have claimed to have not known that he was married because he had been questioned about his relationship with Joan by an officer of the Customs and Border Services Authority (CBSA) at the point of entry when he first landed in Canada to visit Mary.
“The point of entry examination [by the CBSA officer] ought to have put [Musembi] on notice in May 2023 that immigration authorities had information identifying him as married. It could not reasonably have led him to believe that the issue was settled,” Justice Joyal ruled. He then upheld the decision of the IRCC and dismissed Musembi’s petition. “For these reasons, I am dismissing the application for judicial review.”
In Canada, persons who are found inadmissible for misrepresentation under Section 40 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) do not only face refusals but also face five-year ban from entering Canada. Those who are already in Canada face removal orders.
As rainfall-dependent agriculture becomes increasingly unreliable, farmers in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are being forced to rethink what they grow and how they earn a living.
With prolonged dry spells and unpredictable rainfall threatening harvests, the government has continued to urge farmers to adopt drought-resistant crops that can withstand harsh climatic conditions while sustaining household incomes.
A good example of such crops is sorghum, a less demanding crop known for its ability to thrive in relatively dry conditions.
Unlike crops that require consistent rainfall to perform well, sorghum has a deep root system and uses water efficiently, enabling it to withstand dry conditions better than many conventional cereals.
Beyond its ability to survive drought, sorghum presents several commercial opportunities that could make it a valuable source of income for smallholder and commercial farmers alike.
One of its biggest attractions is the potential for a ready market. Breweries, commercial bakeries and animal feed manufacturers use sorghum as a raw material, creating opportunities for farmers to supply processors in bulk.
Where buyers offer formal contracts, farmers can plan production around agreed quality requirements, quantities and delivery schedules, reducing the uncertainty associated with selling produce after harvest.
However, farmers are advised to look for market before planting to avoid losses.
Sorghum is also easy to manage, which translates to low production costs. Compared with some conventional cereals, it requires less fertiliser and fewer chemical treatments under suitable growing conditions.
This, however, depend on the variety planted, soil fertility, pest pressure and farming practices. The crop’s relatively short growing season offers another advantage.
Early maturing varieties allow farmers to plan subsequent planting activities or diversify into other crops where rainfall and soil conditions permit. .
Sorghum also offers value beyond its grain. The stalks, leaves and other crop residues can be used as livestock feed, including as material for silage when properly harvested and preserved.
In livestock-producing areas, farmers may sell these by-products to dairy and beef producers, creating an additional source of revenue from the same field.
Additionally, the crop’s grain can be stored for extended periods when properly dried and kept under suitable conditions. This allows farmers to sell their produce when market prices are good instead of disposing of their harvest immediately after threshing.
Importantly, sorghum farmers are not limited to one market. Depending on grain quality, location and prevailing prices, sorghum can be sold to industrial processors, local food markets, poultry feed manufacturers and regional processing enterprises.
The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) graduates could soon have access to dental healthcare jobs in Germany as the institution steps up efforts to link its trainees to international employment opportunities.
The college is assessing the German labour market to identify opportunities for Kenyan dental health professionals, with a delegation led by Chief Executive Officer Kelly Oluoch visiting the country to engage prospective employers and assess industry requirements.
In a statement issued on October 8, KMTC said the mission involves ABC Deutschland and the African Business Community Kenya, with discussions focusing on workforce demand, professional competencies and the requirements for employment in Germany.
“Our vision is not only to train competent health professionals, but to ensure that their skills can take them wherever opportunities exist. Germany offers opportunities for our dental health graduates, and KMTC is deliberately building partnerships and pathways to connect them to that market,” said Oluoch.
The delegation visited Dental Zentrum, where lead dental surgeon Martin Golliner said Germany has more than 70,000 practising dentists, with individual clinics requiring at least two dental assistants to support their operations.
The demand for dental support staff could provide an opening for KMTC graduates trained in community oral health and dental technology as the college seeks to align its programmes with international labour market needs.
KMTC Head of the Community Oral Health Department Dr George Githu said shifts in dental disease patterns and demographic changes in Germany could create opportunities for graduates to serve in both private and public dental care facilities.
The team also toured Unterberger Dental, a laboratory where dental technologists from various countries manufacture oral prostheses and appliances, including dentures, crowns and bridges.
The visits provided the college with an opportunity to examine the technical skills, equipment and professional standards expected in the German dental sector.
Deputy Director Academics Prof Nyawira Mwangi said the findings would help KMTC strengthen the preparation of students seeking international careers.
“What we have observed gives us valuable insight into how we can prepare our Dental Technology and Community Oral Health students for international practice,” she said.
KMTC Head of the Dental Technology Department Joseph Wainaina said the practical training offered by the college could help graduates adjust to new technologies and evolving practices in the dental industry.
To prepare students for the potential placements, KMTC plans to introduce German-language lessons for relevant programmes in the 2026/27 academic year.
German dental specialists and ABC Deutschland representatives are also expected to interact with students to explain workplace standards and the preparations required for employment in Germany.
KMTC dental programmes
KMTC offers two three-year dental programmes: the Diploma in Community Oral Health and the Diploma in Dental Technology.
The Community Oral Health programme trains students in preventive and primary oral healthcare, public education and the management of common dental conditions. Training includes scaling, polishing, fillings and minor oral surgical procedures, including tooth extractions, at Level IV and V hospitals.
Applicants must have a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C (Plain), with at least C (Plain) in English or Kiswahili and Biology or Biological Sciences. They must also attain at least C- (Minus) in any two of Physics or Physical Sciences, Chemistry and Mathematics.
The Dental Technology programme focuses on the design, manufacture and repair of dental prostheses and appliances. Students learn to produce dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, alongside laboratory techniques used to restore oral function and improve dental appearance.
Entry requirements include a minimum KCSE mean grade of C (Plain), with at least C (Plain) in English or Kiswahili and Physics, Physical Sciences or Chemistry. Applicants must also have at least C- (Minus) in Biology or Biological Sciences.
The proposed German employment pathway could give graduates of the two programmes an additional route into the labour market.
Demand for steel warehouses is rising as manufacturers, agricultural businesses and logistics operators seek durable storage facilities to support growing operations, streamline distribution and protect goods.
Steel warehouses are increasingly favoured for their flexible designs, faster installation and ability to accommodate large, open spaces for storage, production and distribution.
Unlike conventional structures, steel warehouses allow businesses to expand operations, with efficient space utilisation and long-term durability.
The shift towards purpose-built industrial infrastructure is creating opportunities for industry operators to provide structures that can be tailored to businesses’ storage capacity, equipment and future expansion needs.
Among the players transforming Africa’s steel industry is Afritec Steel Fabricators, a Nairobi-based company specializing in engineering and fabrication solutions.
The firm, headquartered along Mombasa Road, provides end-to-end steel solutions, covering engineering design, workshop fabrication, transportation, and on-site installation to customers across Kenya and the wider East African region.
Its pool of clientele includes manufacturers, agricultural enterprises, commercial developers, logistics operators, and public institutions seeking structures designed for demanding operational environments.
Prefabricated Offices
The company’s product offerings include industrial warehouses, pre-engineered godowns, multi-storey steel structures, light-gauge steel frames, prefabricated buildings, pressed sectional steel tanks and elevated water storage towers.
Its approach centres on integrating design, fabrication and installation to give clients a coordinated service, from the initial project concept to completion.
Warehousing drives demand for steel structures
Warehousing and industrial facilities remain a key offering at Afritec, driven by the high demand for more space among businesses for bulk storage, manufacturing, distribution and agro-processing.
The company designs and constructs pre-engineered steel warehouses, fabrication sheds, modular storage facilities and multi-storey commercial and industrial buildings tailored to individual client requirements.
These include considerations such as available land, storage capacity, machinery requirements and future expansion plans.
Beyond industrial buildings, Afritec manufactures pressed sectional steel tanks and elevated steel tank towers for agricultural, commercial, industrial and public water supply applications.
The tanks are assembled from modular, hot-pressed steel panels secured using high-tensile fasteners and sealing gaskets. The sectional design allows capacity and configuration to be adapted to the requirements of different projects.
According to the company, its solutions range from smaller commercial storage systems holding about 5,000 to 20,000 litres to large reservoirs with capacities reaching hundreds of thousands of litres for agricultural irrigation, rural water schemes, municipal supply networks, manufacturing operations and emergency firefighting reserves.
Where gravity-fed distribution is required, Afritec designs and fabricates steel tank towers to elevate tanks to the necessary height in order to account for the tank’s full weight, water pressure requirements, wind loads, site conditions and foundation capacity.
Steel tank towers
Integrated engineering and quality control
Afritec’s operating model combines computer-aided design, structural engineering, workshop fabrication, logistics and installation to reduce the complexity of coordinating multiple contractors while maintaining consistency across the project lifecycle.
The process begins with an assessment of a client’s requirements and site conditions. Engineers then prepare structural drawings and models, select appropriate steel profiles and calculate relevant loads before production begins.
Once designs are approved, components are cut, drilled and welded in the workshop before protective treatments are applied. The fabricated sections are transported to the site for assembly, alignment, cladding and final inspection.
The company says it follows recognised international engineering standards, including BS EN Eurocodes for structural design, alongside ISO-related requirements for material traceability and fabrication processes.
Its quality-control procedures include checking material certificates, inspecting welded joints, verifying dimensions and assessing protective coatings and structural alignment after installation.
The firm also provides light-gauge steel frames, prefabricated housing units, modular offices, classrooms, specialised industrial fabrications and solar mounting frameworks.
Why steel-framed Warehouses?
According to the firm, steel-framed warehouses stand out as they provide large, open interiors with fewer supporting columns, allowing businesses to arrange storage systems, move equipment and manage inventory with ease.
Additionally, the use of factory-fabricated components helps shorten on-site construction periods, depending on project specifications and site conditions.
To protect the material from corrosion, Afritec applies specialised coatings, bituminous paints or galvanising to protect steel components from environmental degradation and extend their service life.
One of Afritec Steel Fabricators’ project.
Regional reach and notable projects
Since its launch, Afritec has served clients across several Kenyan markets, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Uasin Gishu and the coastal region. Its regional operations extend to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia.
Its completed projects include a regional logistics distribution centre and bonded warehouse in Utawala, Nairobi, covering approximately 8,000 square metres. The facility features clear-span steel portal frames, loading-bay canopies and a 12-metre eave height designed to accommodate high-tier pallet racking.
In Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, the company completed an agro-processing grain storage facility with a reported capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes. The structure incorporates high-clearance eaves, ventilation louvres and moisture-resistant wall cladding to support the storage of agricultural commodities.
Moreover, Afritec took part in the construction of an elevated industrial water storage system in Kigali, Rwanda. The project comprises a 250,000-litre pressed sectional steel tank supported by a 15-metre tubular steel tower.
The company’s role in the project included executing structural load calculations for seismic and wind performance, precision fabrication of modular pressed steel tank panels and tower bracing, and hot-dip galvanizing for long-term corrosion resistance.
Presed Steel Tank
Industrial challenges and growth plans
Despite its growth from a modest workshop into a structural engineering and fabrication business serving multiple sectors, Afritec’s journey has not been without challenges.
The company says the steel fabrication sector faces several cost and operational pressures that can affect production and project delivery.
These include high electricity costs, fluctuations in steel prices, reliance on imported steel profiles, competition from lower-priced products and the logistical challenges of transporting heavy fabricated components.
Additionally, the shortage of specialised technical skills in computer-aided manufacturing, automated machinery operation and certified welding poses a big challenge for players in the sector.
Afritec says it is responding by improving production efficiency, investing in precision machinery, strengthening quality-control procedures and developing its technical workforce.
Looking forward, the company plans to increase production capacity, strengthen its presence in existing regional markets and expand its product range over the next five years.
Afritec further seeks to deepen its operations in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia while pursuing opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
At its Nairobi fabrication yards, planned investments include upgrades to computer-aided design systems, automated cutting equipment and beam-welding technology. The investments are intended to improve precision, increase production efficiency and support larger project volumes.
The company also plans to increase production of pressed sectional steel tanks, elevated tank towers and agricultural water reservoirs, while developing solar mounting structures to serve opportunities in renewable energy infrastructure.
Its prefabricated building business is expected to play a larger role in the expansion strategy, with planned products targeting education, healthcare and workforce accommodation.
Afritec says it will complement these investments with more energy-efficient manufacturing practices, improved scrap recycling and expanded technical training.
Interested in any of the services or in need of more information? contact Afritec Steel Fabricators via +254 787 377446 and +254 717 8888 65 or Email: [email protected]. Location: Mombasa Road, Nairobi
Digital communication strategist Pauline Njoroge has recounted her remarkable rise from financial hardship in Nairobi to the centre of political communication, where she has worked with presidents, presidential hopefuls and leaders of international organisations.
Her story, marked by uncertainty, determination and faith, offers a glimpse into the difficult beginnings behind a career that has taken her into the company of some of the world’s most influential figures.
Before establishing herself in the political communication industry, Njoroge endured periods of financial distress that forced her to explore different ways of making ends meet.
She recalled spending nearly a month selling pens, pencil sharpeners and erasers on the streets of Nairobi in an attempt to raise money for her basic needs.
At the height of her struggles, she considered taking up domestic work instead of returning to her rural home.
She later found employment at a posho mill, an experience that underscored the uncertainty she faced as she tried to establish herself.
Her educational journey was equally challenging. Born in Githiga, Kiambu County, Njoroge grew up in a modest Christian household.
The loss of her mother at the age of 10 left her under the care of her father and grandparents, who struggled to meet the cost of her education at Moi Girls Kamangu.
After completing her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations in 2004, she faced the daunting task of financing her further education.
In a desperate attempt to secure assistance, she travelled to Kabarnet Gardens to seek an audience with former President Daniel arap Moi.
Her efforts to meet the former Head of State were unsuccessful, as General Service Unit officers at the entrance turned her away.
However, an aide later contacted her and advised her to pursue scholarship opportunities through the Moi Foundation.
Njoroge eventually pursued her higher education later in life, earning two degrees along the way. Yet, it was not only formal education that would shape her professional future.
A longstanding passion for writing would prove instrumental in opening doors that once appeared beyond her reach.
Her interest in writing began during her years at Moi Girls Kamangu, where she served as editor of the school magazine. The experience helped nurture a skill that would later become central to her career.
Unable to finance the activities of a non-governmental organisation she hoped to establish, Njoroge turned to social media to engage young people on issues she cared about.
Drawing from books she had read and her personal interests, she used her online platforms to share ideas and build a community around her work.
That decision eventually brought her to the attention of people who could help advance her ambitions. One of her Facebook followers shared the telephone number of Peter Kenneth, then a prominent political figure.
Armed with little more than her secondary school certificate, a Facebook page and a Twitter account, Njoroge walked into Kenneth’s office at the Treasury in January 2012.
The encounter marked the beginning of her career in political communication, a field in which she would go on to build a decade of experience.
Reflecting on the breakthrough, Njoroge recalled a moment of introspection that challenged her to recognise the resources already within her reach.
“Pauline, what do you have in your hand?” she remembered being asked.
Her answer was simple: she could write, and she had a Facebook page.
What had initially been a means of expressing herself and connecting with other young people gradually became a professional tool that would shape her career.
Over time, her work brought her into contact with presidents, presidential candidates and heads of international institutions.
She also shares meals with monarchs and prominent global leaders, a striking contrast to the hardships she experienced in her early years.
“This is a story of possibilities, of daring to dream big despite the circumstances,” she said.
She also attributed her journey to divine intervention, drawing a connection between her experiences and the biblical theme of God lifting the disadvantaged from obscurity to positions of honour.
“A story of a God who raises the poor from the dust and seats them with kings, literally,” she said.
Nairobi, Kenya, 07 October 2026: Emirates Holidays has launched the Thailand Pass, offering exclusive benefits across shopping, dining and leisure activities for customers travelling to and throughout Thailand.
Available to Emirates Holidays customers traveling to Thailand, the pass unlocks exclusive offers of up to 40% off, with no minim onward connections to Bangkok and Phuket.
In South Africa, travellers can reach Thailand through Dubai. Emirates operates 56 weekly flights between South Africa and Dubai from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, with onward connections to Bangkok and Phuket.
Emirates Holidays customers can redeem their offers by simply presenting their vouchers and a copy of their passport at the reception of the participating mall or outlet to collect their Welcome Package. The offers include shopping and dining vouchers across 14 participating malls across Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Krabi and Chiang Mai. The Thailand Pass also includes a complimentary shuttle service between centralwOrld and Central Village Bangkok, in addition to complimentary VIP lounge access at both venues.
The pass also unlocks Buy 1 Get 1 Free offers on a selection of top attractions and experiences across Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi, including Playsquare Laser Tag, Playmondo, Swensen’s, Auntie Anne’s, Aquaria Phuket, OTO Playpark and Monowheel, along with an additional 5% discount on Karmakamet wellness products.
The launch comes as Thailand remains one of Emirates Holidays’ most popular destinations, with bookings up 10% year-on-year. It also builds on Emirates’ continued investment in Thailand. The airline recently deployed its Airbus A350 aircraft to Phuket and today operates retrofitted Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft with new Premium Economy cabins to Bangkok. The airline operates 49 weekly flights to Thailand, reflecting sustained demand for the destination, making the Thailand Pass a timely addition to Emirates Holidays proposition for travellers.
The Thailand Pass is available on package bookings made until 31 March 2027, giving customers ample time to plan their Thailand getaway and take advantage of the exclusive benefits. Emirates Holidays’ customers can also secure their trip with a deposit, in addition to benefitting from a flexible cancellation policy, allowing them time to apply for visas where needed, or make last-minute changes.
Customers in Kenya and South Africa can make their bookings through participating travel agencies.
Further details on the Thailand Pass, including terms and conditions, h hellare available on the Emirates Holidays website: emiratesholidays.com/destination/asia/thailand.
