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SHINE research report reveals hidden mental health crisis

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SHINE research report reveals hidden mental health crisis

A landmark study investigating the psychological well-being of Kenya’s frontline healthcare workforce has revealed alarming rates of mental health strain among Community Health Promoters, particularly those serving in dense urban informal settlements. Conducted under the SHINE research project by a consortium comprising LVCT Health, the African Population and Health Research Center, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and the BRAC Institute of Population and Health Sciences, the study surveyed 1,236 health workers across Nairobi’s Viwandani and Korogocho settlements, alongside rural communities in Lari and Gatundu in Kiambu County.

Using the validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale alongside participatory interviews, researchers found that more than one in four workers in Nairobi show symptoms of depression, while approximately one in three experience anxiety. Overall, 22.4 percent of respondents across all study sites screened positive for depression, 30.6 percent reported anxiety, and 12.7 percent experienced moderate to severe stress.

The data exposes a dramatic geographical divide between urban informal settlements and rural healthcare settings. In Nairobi, depression rates reached 26.4 percent, compared to 8.2 percent in rural Kiambu. Similarly, anxiety affected 33.8 percent of Nairobi promoters against 18.9 percent in Kiambu, while elevated stress levels stood at 15.4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Researchers attributed this disproportionate burden in urban areas to demanding workloads, severe economic vulnerabilities, and hyper-dense living conditions. Only eight percent of Nairobi-based promoters considered their workload manageable, compared with 24 percent in Kiambu, while 40 percent of urban respondents expressed persistent fears of losing their positions.

Structural financial strain emerged as a primary catalyst for worker burnout across both settings. Between 93 and 97 percent of surveyed health workers reported that their monthly stipends were inadequate or unfairly compensated, while between 92 and 94 percent regularly spent their own personal money on client transport, mobile airtime, and basic emergency medical costs.

“Hidden Scars”: Violence Against Children and Mental Health in Kenya

Furthermore, although Kenya relies on approximately 107,000 promoters to anchor its national Universal Health Coverage agenda through household screening, health education, and emergency referrals, institutional support remains severely constrained. The recommended supervisory ratio of one Community Health Assistant per community unit is frequently breached, with some assistants forced to oversee up to 100 promoters, thereby limiting opportunities for meaningful mentorship or psychosocial support.

Extending beyond administrative and financial stressors, the study highlights acute environmental and physical safety risks facing the frontline workforce. Promoters act as primary responders during climate shocks, such as the 2024 Nairobi floods, which displaced families and escalated community health hazards while directly affecting the workers’ own households. Additionally, female health promoters reported persistent safety concerns during routine household visits and late-night referrals, including vulnerability to verbal abuse and sexual harassment.

To mitigate these systemic pressures, the research team has developed and piloted a four-component mental health intervention package engaging 500 promoters and 50 supervisory assistants. The model combines mental health literacy to reduce stigma, a five-week peer-led self-care curriculum adapted from the World Health Organization’s stress management guidelines, capacity-building for supervisory assistants in supportive leadership, and automated mobile messaging offering wellness encouragement and direct referral contacts.

To sustain the health workforce, researchers urge county and national governments to integrate promoter well-being into the national Community Health Strategy, guarantee timely stipend payments, enforce strict supervision limits, and establish confidential reporting mechanisms for workplace harassment.

 

Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi Appointed to South-North Commission on Development

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Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi Appointed to South-North Commission on Development

Dr. James Mwangi, Group Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings, has been appointed to the South-North Commission on Development, an independent body established by the German government to rethink international cooperation between the Global South and North.

The Commission’s 20 members were presented in Berlin on October 5 by its Co-Chairs, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla.

Dr Mwangi is one of only two business leaders appointed to the Commission and the only representative from Africa.

Dr James Mwangi joins prominent global leaders

The South-North Commission brings together senior figures from international institutions, government, business, academia, development and civil society.

Its members include World Bank President Ajay Banga, World Trade Organization Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN Development Programme Administrator Alexander De Croo and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Denis Mukwege.

The Commission also includes former senior government officials from South Africa, Senegal, Indonesia, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay and Germany, with a majority of its members coming from the Global South.

Equity’s Dr James Mwangi Receives the UNHCR Visionary Award

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Mwangi said the Commission has an opportunity to move beyond traditional approaches to development cooperation and establish more effective partnerships.

“Willy Brandt’s Commission gave the world the language of interdependence. Fifty years on, our task is to turn that language into partnerships that work.”

He added that Africa should increasingly be viewed as a source of growth, talent, innovation and investment rather than primarily through the lens of aid.

Dr Mwangi said he would bring to the Commission Equity’s experience in mobilising domestic and international capital, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, and using financial and economic inclusion to create jobs and shared prosperity.

Commission builds on Willy Brandt’s legacy

The South-North Commission builds on the legacy of the North-South Commission, chaired by former German Chancellor Willy Brandt from 1977.

The original Brandt Commission played an influential role in shaping discussions around economic interdependence and cooperation between developed and developing countries.

The new Commission is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Bangkok on October 16 and 17, 2026, alongside the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings.

It is expected to present interim findings in 2027, marking 50 years since the establishment of the Brandt Commission, before publishing its final report at the end of 2028.

Its recommendations are expected to contribute to discussions on the global development agenda following the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Mwangi brings financial inclusion experience

Dr Mwangi joins the Commission with more than three decades of experience in banking, financial inclusion and private-sector development.

Equity Group serves 23.3 million customers across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The Group says 98% of its transactions now take place outside its physical branches.

His appointment also brings an African private-sector perspective to discussions about how domestic capital, private investment and financial institutions can contribute to development.

Dr Mwangi will serve on the Commission in his personal capacity.

Dr James Mwangi awarded Lifetime Achievement at the All-Africa Business Leaders Award

Equity advances Africa-focused development initiatives

Alongside Dr. Mwangi’s participation in the Commission, Equity Group is continuing several initiatives focused on economic development across Africa.

Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan

Equity’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP) is a USD 6 billion initiative targeting 100 million customers and five million borrowing businesses by 2030.

The programme is designed to strengthen East African value chains and connect businesses to regional and international markets. Partners supporting the plan include the International Finance Corporation (IFC), British International Investment (BII) and FMO.

Private-sector financing for development

Equity also presented a proposal at the 2025 UN Financing for Development Conference in Seville, calling for a new approach to development financing with a greater role for private capital.

The proposed model seeks to use public funds to reduce investment risks and attract domestic savings and private capital through local financial institutions.

The approach comes amid increasing pressure on traditional development assistance and growing demand for alternative sources of development financing.

Accra Reset

Dr Mwangi also participated in the one-year review of the Accra Reset initiative during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026.

Equity says it will continue supporting the Ghana-led initiative, which focuses on strengthening sovereign capacity and developing more balanced partnerships across the Global South.

From humiliation to empowerment: How Dr. James Mwangi redefined banking in Africa

Equity focuses on agriculture, climate and youth

Agriculture, climate finance, education and youth employment are also part of Equity’s development agenda.

About 30% of Equity’s lending is directed to agriculture, while the Group has set a target of allocating more than 30% of its loan book to climate-aligned sectors by 2030.

Through its Wings to Fly and Elimu programmes, Equity has supported more than 60,000 scholars.

In May 2026, Dr Mwangi and Equity launched a USD 1 billion fund aimed at supporting creative industries development across East and Central Africa.

The initiative is also linked to the objectives of Dr Mwangi’s work on the World Bank Jobs Council.

Who sits on the South-North Commission?

The Commission brings together leaders from international institutions, government, business, academia, development organisations and civil society.

International institutions: Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank; Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation; and Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the UN Development Programme, participating in an official and consultative capacity.

Former government leaders: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg and former Deputy President of South Africa; Aminata Touré, former Prime Minister of Senegal; Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Independent Co-chair of the IDA22 replenishment and former Finance Minister of Indonesia; Arancha González Laya, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs and former Foreign Minister of Spain; Izabella Teixeira, Co-chair of the UN International Resource Panel and former Environment Minister of Brazil; Omar Paganini Herrera, former Foreign Minister and former Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay; and Hermann Gröhe, President of the German Red Cross and former Health Minister of Germany.

Development, peace and civil society: Mark Green, President and CEO of ONE and former USAID Administrator; Dr Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Co-president of the Global Survivors Fund; Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group; Daniel Bertossa, Secretary General of Public Services International; and Nudhara Yusuf, Co-chair of the Coalition for the UN We Need.

Academia and research: Prof. Kaushik Basu of Cornell University and Co-chair of the UN High-Level Expert Group on “Beyond GDP”; Prof. Xue Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University; and Elsy Milan, researcher at the Center for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London and COP30 negotiator for Lebanon.

Business: Altagracia Gómez Sierra, Chair of Promotora Empresarial de Occidente in Mexico, and Dr James Mwangi, Group Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings.

Africa’s private sector gains a seat in global development discussions

Dr. James Mwangi’s appointment gives Africa’s private sector representation in a commission examining the future of international development cooperation.

For Equity Group, the appointment also provides an international platform for the Group’s experience in financial inclusion, private-sector financing, entrepreneurship, agriculture, climate finance and job creation.

The Commission’s work over the next two years will provide recommendations on how countries and institutions in the Global South and North can build new forms of economic and development cooperation beyond the traditional aid model.

George Ruto and other public figures who studied at Mang’u High School

Jane Muia
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George Ruto and other public figures who studied at Mang’u High School

Mang’u High School has long stood among Kenya’s notable centres of learning, with its alumni making their mark in politics, business, public administration, education and other spheres of national life.

Over the decades, the institution has produced individuals who have gone on to occupy influential positions and shape the country’s social, political and economic landscape.

Among its more recent alumni is George Kimutai Ruto, the youngest son of President William Ruto, who returned to his former school on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as Mang’u marked its centenary celebrations.

George joined other former students for the unveiling of a new basketball court, an event that brought together the school’s past and present generations.

Also Read: Money President Ruto’s son makes from matatu business daily

Away from the official programme, he spent time with students on the sports grounds before addressing the wider student body.

In his interaction with the students, George reflected on the realities that accompany life beyond secondary school, urging them to remain resilient as they navigate the opportunities and difficulties that come with adulthood.

His return also offered a glimpse into his own journey since leaving the institution. George joined Mang’u High School in 2013 and completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations in 2016, attaining a B+ grade.

During his time at the school, he was accommodated at the Archbishop Ndingi Mwana Nzeki dormitory. Those who studied alongside him remember a student who rarely sought attention and largely kept to himself.

Following his secondary education, George pursued further studies at Strathmore University, graduating in 2021. He later travelled to the United Kingdom, where he undertook aviation training and eventually qualified as a commercial pilot.

Beyond aviation, George has ventured into entrepreneurship and has established interests in the transport industry, including significant investments in the matatu business.

Also Read: Nairobi Named Among Africa’s Five Cities to Watch

A century-long educational legacy

George’s return came at a particularly significant moment in the institution’s history as Mang’u High School celebrated 100 years of existence.

The school’s story stretches back to 1926 when it was established at Kabaa under the leadership of Dutch priest Michael Joseph Witte, a member of the Holy Ghost Fathers.

The institution’s origins, however, can be traced further back to July 2, 1913, when the first Catholic priest arrived in Kabaa with the intention of establishing a mission. The mission was set up on a five-acre parcel of land but was later abandoned in 1920 after failing to attract a sufficient number of converts.

By 1923, Witte was working at another Catholic mission in Kilungu, where he was running a Central School for Catechists. Plans subsequently emerged to expand the institution into a larger Central Training School for Catechists.

Witte and his superior at Kilungu, Fr Horber, concluded that Kilungu was unsuitable for the proposed expansion and began considering alternative locations.

Mang’u, Riruta and Kabaa were identified as possible sites, with Witte favouring Kabaa. The proposal was eventually approved by the bishop, setting the stage for the development of the institution that would later become Mang’u High School.

Over the decades, the school has evolved into one of Kenya’s best-known secondary schools, building a reputation for academic achievement and producing graduates who have made their mark in different sectors of national life.

A roll call of prominent alumni

George joins a long list of notable Kenyans who passed through Mang’u before rising to prominence.

Among the school’s distinguished former students are former President Mwai Kibaki, whose political career culminated in his election as Kenya’s third president, as well as former Cabinet minister John Michuki and the late politician and trade unionist Tom Mboya.

Other prominent alumni include businessman George Muhoho, politician Cyrus Jirongo and former Kamukunji MP George Thenge.

Also Read: Kenyan Investors Gain Direct Route to Dangote Refinery Share Offering Through Unsponsored GDR

Kenyans question Muhindi Mweusi’s survival as shelves remain empty

Jane Muia
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Kenyans question Muhindi Mweusi’s survival as shelves remain empty

Kenyans have raised concerns over the financial health of Muhindi Mweusi Supermarket after videos circulating on social media appeared to show empty shelves at some of its outlets, while other branches have reportedly stopped operating.

The reports have sparked speculation that the homegrown retailer could be facing financial difficulties, although the company has not publicly announced that it is shutting down its operations.

“What’s happening with Muhindi Mweusi supermarkets? I’ve been to two of them and I noticed that shelves are running empty,” A Facebook user under the Username Nick Lee posted.

Among the outlets allegedly showing signs of closure are the Tassia and Witeithie branches. The Witeithie outlet is reportedly closed, with conflicting claims suggesting that the premises are either undergoing renovations or could be taken over by another supermarket.

“Muhindi Mweusi Supermarket in Witeithie shut down a few days ago. Reasons for the closure are still unclear. However, unverified reports suggest it’s under renovation with other sources claiming another supermarket is about to replace it,” A post on the Thika Thika Facebook page reads.

A retailer built on affordability

Muhindi Mweusi has built its business around relatively affordable goods, with much of its network concentrated in Nairobi neighbourhoods serving lower and middle-income households.

The retailer expanded its footprint to 16 outlets after opening a branch in Athi River in November 2025.

Its outlets include stores in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Pipeline, Transami, Tassia, Kayole, Chokaa, Umoja, Kariobangi South, Witeithie, South B, Dagoretti and Athi River.

The latest concerns come after the supermarket suffered a major setback in March 2023 when its Tassia outlet was looted during political demonstrations led by the Azimio la Umoja party.

According to the retailer’s operations manager Peter Maguli, the outlet lost property and merchandise worth an estimated Sh15 million.

“We lost goods and property estimated at Sh15 million. These include assorted goods, TV sets, gas cylinders and mattresses,” Maguli said.

Video circulating online showed attackers forcing their way into the outlet after staff had closed for the day. Police later arrested several suspects in connection with the incident.

A sector marked by closures

The questions surrounding Muhindi Mweusi come against a long history of turbulence in Kenya’s supermarket industry.

Some of the country’s biggest retail names have disappeared from the market after years of financial difficulties.

Nakumatt, once one of the region’s largest supermarket chains, eventually closed all its outlets after struggling with rent arrears and supplier debts.

Tuskys followed a similar path after years of declining sales, unpaid suppliers and mounting financial obligations. The High Court ordered the liquidation of Tuskys in 2023, bringing an end to the retailer’s three-decade history.

Uchumi, another once-dominant Kenyan retailer, has also undergone a dramatic contraction, while foreign chains including Shoprite and Choppies eventually withdrew from the Kenyan market.

A recent analysis by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) found that the number of branches operated by major supermarket chains fell significantly between 2018 and 2023, with Tuskys, Uchumi, Nakumatt, Choppies, Game Stores and Shoprite accounting for much of the reduction.

The report attributed the decline to factors including financial losses, management weaknesses, changing consumer behaviour, growing competition, high operating costs and broader economic pressures.

Also Read: Safaricom launches Shari’ah-compliant MMF, opens investing from Sh100

Questions raised after passenger dies on Kenya Airways flight to Lagos

Jane Muia
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Questions raised after passenger dies on Kenya Airways flight to Lagos

A passenger has died aboard a Kenya Airways (KQ) flight from Nairobi to Lagos, Nigeria, prompting renewed attention to a series of similar fatalities reported on the national carrier’s flights in recent years.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, Kenya Airways said the medical emergency occurred on Tuesday, October 6, aboard a flight travelling from Nairobi to Lagos.

The passenger reportedly became unresponsive at approximately 9.20 pm Nigerian time, about 20 minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

KQ said cabin crew administered first aid and implemented emergency procedures as the aircraft continued to its destination. The plane landed at 9.41 pm, where medical personnel were waiting to assess the passenger.

Also Read: How the Rise of Kenya’s global workforce is reshaping employee healthcare

“Upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” KQ said in a statement.

The airline did not identify the passenger or disclose the circumstances that may have led to the medical emergency.

Preliminary reports indicate that the deceased, a male passenger, had become aggressive during the flight and had made several attempts to open the aircraft’s cabin door.

Videos shared by passengers on social media show several passengers appearing to restrain the man as he confronts the cabin crew.

The circumstances that led to the confrontation have not been independently established, including what prompted the passenger to allegedly attempt to open the cabin door.

KQ said it was coordinating with the deceased’s family, local authorities and aviation regulators to provide the necessary support following the incident.

“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” the airline said.

Previous fatalities involving Kenya Airways flights

The latest incident adds to several passenger deaths reported in connection with Kenya Airways flights.

On April 11, 2025, an elderly passenger died aboard Kenya Airways flight KQ003 travelling from New York to Nairobi after experiencing a medical emergency mid-flight.

KQ said the crew was alerted to the passenger’s collapse at about 8.40 am Nairobi time. Three medical professionals travelling on the aircraft volunteered to assist, and emergency procedures were initiated using the available onboard medical equipment.

The aircraft was diverted towards Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to facilitate urgent medical care. However, the passenger was pronounced dead before landing.

On September 2, 2022, Kenya Airways confirmed the death of a passenger aboard flight KQ002, which was travelling from Nairobi to New York.

The airline said the passenger was found unresponsive at approximately 6.30am on Friday, September 2, after the aircraft had departed Nairobi late the previous evening.

The fatality came less than two weeks after another passenger died on a Kenya Airways flight operating on the same route.

The case reported on August 22, 2022, involved a passenger aboard Kenya Airways flight KQ003 from New York to Nairobi who died following a medical emergency that prompted the aircraft to divert to Casablanca, Morocco where the passenger was confirmed dead.

In another case on September 14, 2022, another passenger died at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while preparing to board a Kenya Airways flight to Mombasa.

The passenger reportedly developed breathing difficulties while boarding flight KQ612, before being pronounced dead while the aircraft was still on the ground.

The repeated reports of passenger deaths involving Kenya Airways flights have raised questions about the airline’s preparedness to manage medical emergencies, including the cabin crew’s capacity to respond to life-threatening situations.

Also Read: 8 health insurance benefits you may be missing

Sun King expands PowerHub Solar Inverter Range to 30kW, Targets businesses and homes

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Sun King expands PowerHub Solar Inverter Range to 30kW, Targets businesses and homes

[NAIROBI, KENYA, 8th October 2026]… Sun King, the world’s largest off-grid solar company, today formally introduced the latest additions to its PowerHub solar inverter series. The new range was unveiled at an event at the Windsor hotel in Nairobi that brought together customers, partners, and government representatives to discuss the growing demand for reliable solar power solutions for homes and businesses across Kenya.

Big EnergyThe PowerHub expansion significantly broadens Sun King’s inverter portfolio, which now ranges from 2.2 kW to 30 kW, providing solar energy solutions for customers ranging from small households to large businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and light industrial operations. PowerHub systems can be run in parallel, meaning two or more units can be connected together to increase total power output.

This allows customers to run larger appliances and equipment, including water pumps, washing machines, microwaves, and more. The systems are designed to grow with customer needs: users can choose the power capacity, battery storage, and solar panels they require today, then expand their system over time without replacing existing equipment.

The new inverter options are available nationwide for customers who need more from their power systems: air conditioning that stays on, uninterrupted work calls when the grid fails, and freedom from generators at dusk. For businesses, schools, clinics, and light industrial sites, the expanded range provides enough capacity to power entire buildings. “The latest additions to our PowerHub range take us into new territory. We can now serve homes, shops, businesses, schools, hospitals, and offices of virtually any size. PowerHub systems are already powering offices and entire schools.

Sun King opens first large-scale solar manufacturing facility in Kenya

This expansion is another step forward to deliver more energy across Kenya. Simply put, it is more power,” says Atta Arome, Product Head, Solar Inverter Systems at Sun King.Why Sun King Operating in Kenya since 2007, Sun King has become one of the country’s most trusted solar brands, first gaining recognition for making solar power affordable through flexible daily payment options.

Today, 1 in 5 Kenyans have access to Sun King solar solutions which has a nationwide presence. Across Africa, more than 330,000 Sun King solar products are installed every month. The company supports customers through a trusted network of agents in the communities where it operates, backed by a payment system designed to meet customer needs.

“Millions of customers across Africa know they can trust Sun King to help them make the move to solar. With quality products, professional installation, after-sales care and flexible financing all under one roof. As we expand PowerHub, we’re giving even more customers the confidence to access the reliable energy they need to power their homes and businesses,” said Catherine Mudachi, Vice President of Marketing at Sun King. Customers work directly with Sun King throughout the entire process.

The company designs the technology, installs the systems, provides ongoing service, and backs every installation with a full warranty. “Starting from KSh 23,600 a month with a small down payment, customers can access more power straight away, with flexible payments, full warranty and nationwide installation and after-sales support.” says Victor Agandi, Vice President, Pay As You Go, East and Southern Africa.

“This means customers receive support from a single trusted provider throughout the lifetime of their system.” Where to Get Sun King PowerHub Systems Sun King’s full range of PowerHub Solar Inverters are available now across Kenya through Sun King’s nationwide agent network, starting from Ksh 15,500 a month with a 22,600 down payment. Customers can also attend in-person demonstrations at local activations to experience the systems firsthand, ask questions, and purchase directly from trained Sun King agents.

Beyond hospital bills: 8 health insurance benefits you may be missing

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Beyond hospital bills: 8 health insurance benefits you may be missing

For many people, health insurance is associated with hospital admission, dental or optical services, surgery or protection against a large medical bill.

But medical cover medical cover extends well beyond these situations, with some benefits designed for everyday healthcare, prevention and specialized needs that you may not immediately associate with insurance.

Here are some worth checking in your policy.

  1. Health checks and wellness support

You do not always have to be sick to use your medical cover. Some health plans provide outpatient health checks and wellness benefits that can support preventive care and help identify potential health concerns early.

If your policy includes this benefit, check what the health assessment covers, where it can be accessed and how often you can use it.

  1. Vaccinations beyond routine childhood immunization

Vaccination benefits can extend beyond the vaccines people commonly associate with childhood immunization. Depending on the policy, cover may include baby-friendly vaccines as well as outpatient vaccinations required for travel.

For families, this can be an important benefit to understand, particularly when planning travel or keeping children up to date with recommended immunization.

  1. Family planning

Some plans provide outpatient family-planning services. Understanding what is covered, the applicable limits and the healthcare providers available can help you make use of a benefit you may otherwise overlook.

  1. Support for conditions that existed before taking the cover

A common assumption is that a medical condition that existed before taking insurance can never be covered. That is not necessarily the case across all policies.

Some health plans provide inpatient cover for pre-existing conditions, subject to the terms, limits and waiting periods of the specific policy. This makes it important for customers to understand the actual terms of their cover rather than relying on assumptions.

  1. Care after leaving hospital

Treatment does not necessarily end when a patient is discharged. Depending on the plan, post-hospitalization care may form part of the cover, helping cater for eligible follow-up treatment after an inpatient stay.

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  1. Newborn care and complications around childbirth

Maternity cover is often understood mainly in terms of antenatal care and delivery. However, some medical plans go further. Benefits can include newborn care, congenital conditions, childbirth-related complications and expenses associated with neonatal care and prematurity.

Understanding these provisions before delivery can help you know what support may be available if a newborn requires specialized care.

  1. Mental health treatment

Some plans provide inpatient psychiatric and psychotherapy treatment. This is particularly important because mental healthcare can require ongoing professional support rather than a single consultation.

  1. Emergency evacuation

In an emergency, knowing what your medical cover provides can be just as important as having the insurance itself. Depending on the plan, emergency services may include evacuation or ambulance support. As a policyholder, you should understand the notification procedures, approved providers and circumstances under which these services apply.

Why Equity Insurance

With Equity Insurance, your cover goes beyond the familiar inpatient and outpatient benefits. It includes less-known benefits such as baby-friendly and travel vaccinations, wellness and health checks, family planning, eligible pre-existing conditions, post-hospitalization care, congenital and neonatal conditions, prematurity expenses, and inpatient psychiatry and psychotherapy treatment, subject to applicable terms and limits.

This gives you access to healthcare support before, during and after illness, across a wider range of needs.

Most importantly, getting covered does not necessarily mean paying the full premium at once. Equity Health Insurance allows you to pay in instalments, helping spread the cost of cover.

Health insurance
Health insurance

How the Rise of Kenya’s global workforce is reshaping employee healthcare

Bizna Team
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How the Rise of Kenya’s global workforce is reshaping employee healthcare

How the Rise of Kenya’s global workforce is reshaping employee healthcare: There was a time when employee medical cover was a fairly straightforward proposition. An employee worked in Kenya, and the family lived in Kenya. When medical care was needed, the expectation was that it would be provided here. That is no longer the reality for a growing number of professionals.

Kenyan companies have expanded into other African markets. Multinationals have made Nairobi a regional hub. Technology has made it possible for someone sitting in Nairobi to work for a company headquartered in London, Dubai or New York. Senior executives now routinely travel between countries as part of their jobs. Families are also increasingly spread across borders.

I see this change in my work every day. The question employers are asking about healthcare is slowly moving beyond, “What does the medical scheme cover in Kenya?” They are beginning to ask, “What happens when my employee or their family is outside Kenya?” That is an important shift.

Kenya’s Economy Is Becoming Increasingly Connected

Kenya’s economy itself reflects this growing international connection. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the economy grew by 4.6 per cent in 2025. Financial and insurance activities, information and communication, construction, and accommodation and food services were among the sectors that recorded growth. Employment also continued to expand, with 822,100 jobs created during the year.

There is another figure that says something about how connected Kenyan households have become to the rest of the world. Remittances reached KSh931.8 billion in the 12 months to May 2025. That is not simply a financial statistic. Behind it are Kenyan professionals working abroad, families with members in different countries and an economy that is increasingly connected to international labour markets.

Juliet Gikonyo: The Karen Hospital CEO continuing family’s healthcare legacy

Healthcare Must Respond to a More Mobile Workforce

Healthcare needs to recognise this reality. Kenya has made considerable progress in developing its health workforce. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that the country now has close to 190,000 active health workers across 13 major health occupations, almost twice the number recorded a decade ago.

But demand continues to outpace supply. WHO estimates a 46 per cent shortage of nurses and a 92 per cent shortage of doctors against the country’s estimated requirements. Overall, the existing workforce meets about 76.4 per cent of the estimated need.

These are national figures, but they have an obvious implication for employers. Access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place, cannot always be assumed.

Where International Private Medical Insurance Fits In

For someone whose life and work are confined to one country, a domestic medical plan may be entirely appropriate. For someone who spends considerable time outside Kenya, the situation is different.

This is where international private medical insurance (IPMI) comes into the conversation. IPMI is often misunderstood as simply “medical insurance that works abroad”. It is more than that. Depending on the plan, it can provide access to international networks of hospitals and specialists, emergency assistance, evacuation and repatriation, and support in navigating healthcare systems in different countries.

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Growing Demand for Executive Healthcare Protection

Executive Healthcare Solutions (EHS) has seen the need for this kind of protection become much more pronounced among executives and internationally mobile professionals.

In 2025, EHS entered into an exclusive distribution arrangement with AXA Global Healthcare for its Global Executive Health Plan. The international network associated with the offering covers more than two million healthcare providers across 195 countries.

The Value of Support When Medical Emergencies Cross Borders

But numbers alone do not explain why this matters. Consider an executive who has a serious medical problem while travelling. The immediate concern is not the size of the provider network.

It is finding appropriate care quickly, knowing whether the hospital can be accessed under the policy, arranging specialist treatment if required and, in a serious case, deciding whether the patient should be treated locally or moved elsewhere. For the employee and their family, that support can be extremely important.

Meet the couple behind Komarock Modern Healthcare

Healthcare as Part of the Employee Value Proposition

For employers, there is a second consideration. Healthcare is part of the employee value proposition. As Kenyan businesses become more regional and international, the benefits offered to senior employees and internationally mobile staff have to reflect that reality.

This does not mean every employee needs global medical insurance. It means employers need to look carefully at how their people actually live and work before deciding what kind of cover makes sense.

Keeping Healthcare Protection in Step With Global Mobility

Kenya’s workforce is becoming more international. Our businesses are becoming more international. Our healthcare conversations should reflect that change.

The question is no longer whether healthcare can cross borders. It is whether the healthcare protection we provide our people is keeping pace with the way they already live and work.

Four Young Kenyan Women Win GirlCode Hackathon with AI-Powered Public Transport Payments Solution

Bizna Team
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Four Young Kenyan Women Win GirlCode Hackathon with AI-Powered Public Transport Payments Solution

Four young Kenyan women emerged as the overall winners of the third edition of the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon, held last weekend by Absa Bank Kenya, GirlCode, and the Technopolis Development Authority (Konza Technopolis) at Konza Technopolis.

44 Young Women Develop Technology Solutions

The two-day hackathon brought together 44 young women, including students, graduates, developers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges with support from industry mentors.

AI-Powered Transport Payment Platform Wins Top Prize

The winning team, Mary Wangui, Linet Mugwanja, Aisha Barasa, and Cynthia Chepkorir, impressed judges with Naulisako, an AI-powered digital fare collection platform that streamlines public transport payments, automates reconciliation for vehicle owners, and generates reliable sales records to improve efficiency, transparency, and financial tracking.

The Bots team finished as first runners-up with Biashara Bot, a solution that digitises and automates financial record-keeping for underserved and unbanked small businesses.

Korva secured third place with Korva Creatives Economy, a platform that consolidates creator revenues, engagement data, and intellectual property monetisation across multiple channels, simplifying income management for digital creators.

Young innovators win up to Shs2M at NIRU AI Hackathon

Winning Team Highlights Role of Young Women in Technology

Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Linet Mugwanja said: “Winning the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon affirms that young women have an important role to play in shaping the future of technology. Naulisako was inspired by everyday challenges in the public transport sector, and we are proud to have developed a solution that can make payments more efficient, transparent, and accessible. We hope our journey encourages more young women to embrace technology and innovation as tools for solving real-world problems.”

The top three teams received laptops, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, headsets, and inspirational books.

GirlCode Expands Opportunities for Young Women

Commenting on the success of the event, Zandile Mkwanazi, CEO of GirlCode, said, “Kenya has one of the most exciting innovation ecosystems on the continent, and we are proud to continue our partnership with Absa Bank Kenya for a third year while also welcoming Konza Technopolis as a venue partner. Together, we are creating spaces where young women can learn, build, and see themselves as part of Africa’s technology future.”

Absa Backs Digital Skills and Youth Empowerment

Moses Okundi, Chief Information Officer at Absa Bank Kenya, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to digital inclusion and youth empowerment.

“At Absa Bank Kenya, we believe digital skills and access to technology are powerful enablers of economic opportunity. Our partnership with GirlCode over the past three years demonstrates our commitment to creating pathways for more young women to participate, innovate, and lead in the digital economy.”

“This initiative aligns with our purpose of ‘Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.’ Through programmes such as GirlCode, we are equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s growth and digital transformation,” he added.

Kenyan innovators to compete at the continental hackathon

Konza Technopolis Provides Mentorship and Technical Support

The Technopolis Development Authority provided mentorship, technical support, and hosted the event at Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart city.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Josephine Ndambuki, Chief Manager, Business Development and Innovation at the Technopolis Development Authority, said:

“Hosting the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for young women to develop their skills, test their ideas, and build solutions to real-world challenges. We want to see more young women become innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders shaping Africa’s digital future.”

Kenya Concludes GirlCode Pan-African Hackathon Series

Kenya was the sixth and final stop in this year’s GirlCode Pan-African Hackathon Series, following events in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Botswana, and Uganda.

The series forms part of GirlCode’s ambition to reach 10 million girls and women across Africa by 2030 through coding programmes, mentorship, hackathons, and digital skills development.

Four Young Kenyan Women Innovators Earn Top Honours for AI-Powered Transport Payments Solution at GirlCode Kenya Hackathon
Four Young Kenyan Women Innovators Earn Top Honours for AI-Powered Transport Payments Solution at GirlCode Kenya Hackathon

Pan-African Winners to Receive Cash and Incubation Support

The Pan-African winners will be announced on 12 October 2026, with the winning team receiving R100,000 (approximately KES 790,655) and the winning SME receiving incubation support to help scale its solution.

Absa Foundation Supports Digital Economy Participation

Absa Bank Kenya’s participation in the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to advancing inclusive growth by ensuring more young people, particularly women, are equipped to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Through the Education and Skills Pillar of the Absa Kenya Foundation, the bank continues to support targeted programmes that align learning with industry needs, foster innovation, strengthen economic resilience, and contribute to sustainable development.

Safaricom launches Shari’ah-compliant MMF, opens investing from Sh100

Jane Muia
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Safaricom launches Shari’ah-compliant MMF, opens investing from Sh100

Safaricom has expanded its investment offering with the launch of the Ziidi Shari’ah Money Market Fund, giving Kenyans an opportunity to invest in a Shari’ah-compliant fund through M-PESA.

The fund, launched in partnership with GulfCap Investment Bank (GCIB), aims to make ethical and Shari’ah-compliant investing more accessible through digital channels.

Customers can begin investing with as little as Sh100, while subsequent contributions start from Sh10.

How customers can invest in Ziidi Shari’ah

Customers can access the fund through the MyOneApp or by dialling *334# on their mobile phones. Once registered, investors can deposit funds into their Ziidi Shari’ah account and begin building their savings.

Investors can also monitor their daily profit through the platform. Both deposits into the fund and withdrawals are free. According to the telco, withdrawals can be made directly to an M-PESA wallet.

The fund also provides an option for investors to lock their money, helping reduce the temptation to make unplanned withdrawals.

There is no stated maximum investment amount. However, investors remain subject to M-PESA transaction limits, including a daily limit of Sh500,000 and a maximum of Sh250,000 per transaction.

Fund targets ethical and Shari’ah-compliant investments

Ziidi Shari’ah is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and operates under the supervision of GCIB’s Shari’ah Supervisory Board.

Unlike Safaricom’s conventional Ziidi Money Market Fund, the new product operates as a separate fund and follows investment requirements based on Shari’ah principles.

“Part of driving financial inclusion is about making financial services relevant to the different needs and circumstances of our customers. With Ziidi Shari’ah, we are making investing simple, affordable and accessible, while providing an option that aligns with the values that guide our customers’ lives,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC.

According to GCIB Chief Executive Officer Saud Shahbal, the fund invests in short-term, highly liquid instruments held with Shari’ah-compliant banks.

“The unveiling of the Ziidi Shari’ah Money Market Fund, embedded on the robust M-Pesa platform, gives Muslims, and any individual who prefer ethical investing, an opportunity to grow their savings in line with their values. The fund invests exclusively in short-term, highly liquid instruments in shari’ah compliant banks. This preserves capital and daily liquidity, while ensuring returns are free of interest (riba) and are earned only from ethical, permissible activities,” he said.

The product targets Muslim customers and anyone seeking an investment option based on ethical and Shari’ah-compliant principles.

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