Today is Mon, 15 Dec 2025
Executive Walkway![]()
President Ruto to Attend COMESA Summit on Digitalization and Regional Integration
President Ruto is set to attend the COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit, scheduled for 9th October at KICC, Nairobi. The summit, themed “Leveraging Digitalization to Deepen Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth,” will provide a crucial platform for advancing regional integration and trade while reinforcing COMESA’s role in promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development across member states.
The summit will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum on 7th October and the Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs meeting on 8th October. During the summit, Kenya will assume the rotating chairmanship of COMESA from Burundi, a timely development amid ongoing trade tensions between Kenya and Tanzania within the EAC region.
In the courts, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati are expected to be arraigned in court this week. They were both summoned to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s headquarters in Nairobi for processing and arraignment. Wangamati is charged along with his relatives and suppliers to Bungoma County during his term.
Parliamentary Aisle![]()
Senate Resumes to Tackle Controversial NG-CDF Constitutional Amendment
After convening a special sitting during its long recess to handle the impeachment proceedings of Kericho Governor Eric Mutai , the Senate will officially resume from recess on 9th September 2025. One of the key pieces of legislation it will consider is the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to entrench the NG-CDF, Senate Oversight Fund, and NGAAF into the Constitution. The bill has drawn criticism from notable figures, including from the “father of devolution,” Raila Odinga.
Corridors ofJustice![]()
Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to Face High Court Over KDF Deployment
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, will once again be in the limelight as he appears before the High Court following a petition by Simiyu Chaungo, Terry Otieno, and Elvis Otieno. The petition challenges the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel during recent anti-government protests by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahari, and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, arguing that they failed to specify the duration of the deployment, leaving soldiers on the streets open-ended and without parliamentary oversight. The case is scheduled for mention on 22nd September.
Talking of Which![]()
Impeachment Season as Sakaja Faces the Axe
It is impeachment season in Kenya, and following Kericho Governor Eric Mutai’s current struggle to survive the axe, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja could face a similar fate. This week, Nairobi MCAs will be in Naivasha for a retreat to determine whether the governor will complete his term.
MCAs have begun compiling at least 10 charges, including allegations of misappropriation of funds, revenue diversion, bursary fund irregularities, and questionable payments on legal fees last week.
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African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) to Begin Operations
The African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), unveiled at the African Union Summit after much anticipation and public interest, is expected to begin operations by September 2025. The agency will provide credit ratings tailored to the continent’s specific needs, addressing long-standing criticisms of the methodologies used by major international rating firms.
AfCRA will rate local currency debt issued by African governments, financial institutions, and businesses. It will be privately owned by sector actors across the continent, rather than any single government, ensuring independence and preventing conflicts of interest.
MovingUp![]()
Vodacom Group Appoints Ayman Essam as Chief Officer: External Affairs, Succeeding Stephen Chege
Vodacom Group has announced the appointment of Ayman Essam as Chief Officer: External Affairs, effective 1 October 2025. He takes over from Stephen Chege, who will return to Kenya at the end of September to assume the role of Group Chief External Affairs Officer at Safaricom.
In his new position, Ayman will lead Vodacom Group’s external affairs strategy across its operations in the DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania. He will report directly to Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub and join the company’s Executive Committee.
At Safaricom, Stephen will report to CEO Peter Ndegwa and oversee a broad portfolio covering Regulatory, External and Corporate Affairs, Public Policy, Communications, Media Relations, Social Investments, ESG, and Sustainability across the Safaricom Group and its subsidiaries, including Safaricom Ethiopia.
Ayman brings more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, having joined Vodafone Egypt in 2001. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in shaping Vodafone Egypt’s legal and regulatory environment, while leading cross-functional teams spanning legal affairs, regulatory engagement, communications, government relations, corporate security, sustainability, and the Vodafone Foundation.
Under his stewardship, Vodafone Egypt has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner to governments, regulators, and communities, while also standing out as one of the leading performers in Vodacom’s portfolio. An announcement regarding his successor as External Affairs and Legal Director at Vodafone Egypt will be made in due course.
Mastercard Names Palak Kamdar-Radia as Marketing Director for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands
Mastercard has appointed Palak Kamdar-Radia (ACCA, MCIM) as the new Marketing Director for East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing digital transformation across the region. Based in Nairobi, Palak brings over 15 years of strategic marketing experience across Africa and the UK, with strong expertise in brand development, integrated campaigns, and consumer engagement.
Her career spans leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company, East African Breweries PLC (EABL), Squad Digital, and media agencies including MediaCom and Universal McCann. Palak combines global best practices with local market insights, positioning her to lead Mastercard’s regional marketing initiatives effectively. She is a Chartered Marketer (MCIM) and ACCA-qualified, with a solid academic foundation in Finance and Marketing.