Finger on the Pulse
Monday, 5th February 2024
Private sector activities surge to 5-month high amidst slowing inflation
Kenya’s private sector economy moved closer to growth territory in January, with workforce numbers expanding for the first time in five months. Reports attribute the near stabilisation to a continued slowdown in inflationary pressures, with both input cost and output price inflation at or near their long-term averages – a notable turnaround from record highs last October.
Tuesday, 6th February 2024
KPC to reduce lab testing time for petroleum products
Kenya Pipeline Company today received the go-ahead to test petroleum products across its laboratories, a move that is expected to see the firm now undertake testing of fuel internally and reduce the time taken from a day to just six hours. This will reduce the amount of time that ships have to wait before they start discharging petroleum products being imported to the country.
Wednesday, 7th February 2024
US keen on Kenya’s tender system as trade talks resume
The US plans to strengthen Kenya’s public procurement systems in what is seen as a strategy to put in place sound structures ahead of the planned trade pact. Kenya is pushing for the deal and renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which expires next year.
Thursday, 8th February 2024
Ex-Treasury CS Henry Rotich lands a job in Ruto’s government
President William Ruto has appointed former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich as the Senior Advisor on Fiscal Affairs and Budget Policy. The appointment was made in a letter from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
Friday, 9th February 2024
Kenya signs commercial contract to extend SGR to Uganda
Kenya has signed a commercial contract for the construction of the next stretch of the standard gauge railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba, the Treasury has revealed ahead of next week’s return to the Eurobond market. The disclosure, contained in the Treasury prospectus to international investors, sets the stage for the extension of the line to the Ugandan border in the third leg of the project, commonly referred to as Phase 2B.