Ke Times

  GDC CEO Dr. Charles Kioko in conversation with KDC Director General Norah Ratemo at the World Bank-KDC visit at GDC Sacco Headquarters GITHUNGURI, Kenya By George Mutua.  In a major boost for Kenya’s economic recovery and inclusive growth, the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) , in partnership with the World Bank and the National Treasury , is making significant strides in expanding affordable credit to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the Supporting Access to Finance and Enterprise Recovery (SAFER) Programme. Since its inception, the initiative has supported over 55,000 MSMEs across 38 counties, sustaining more than 30,000 jobs. The programme has placed a deliberate focus on inclusivity, with women-owned enterprises accounting for 36% of beneficiaries and youth-led businesses making up 35%, underscoring a strong commitment to broadening economic participation. The impact of the programme was recently on display during a high-level field visit t...

HACO Industries Homecare Category Manager, Joan Chege (L) presenting a certificate to  Brian Juma a participant(R) after a successful completion of the training. ELDORET, Kenya  March 18, 2026   By George Mutua  HACO Industries Kenya Limited, through its leading homecare brands SoSoft and ACE, has partnered with Mama Fua App to conduct a training and empowerment session in Eldoret aimed at equipping cleaning and laundry professionals with practical skills to enhance service quality and create sustainable income opportunities. The initiative is designed to support individuals working in the cleaning and laundry sector, popularly known as  Mama Fua , by providing professional training on modern laundry techniques, effective homecare practices, and the proper use of cleaning and fabric care products. Through the training programme, participants gained valuable knowledge and hands-on experience that will help them improve efficiency, deliver higher-quality services,...

  By George Mutua: Hackquest virtual training in progress. The landscape of technology is undergoing a seismic shift. For years, the narrative around Web3 has been dominated by market volatility and speculative trading. However, beneath the surface of the headlines, a fundamental transformation is taking place. Web3 is moving away from the "get rich quick" stigma and establishing itself as the next great frontier for software development, digital ownership, and decentralized infrastructure. As traditional tech giants increasingly integrate blockchain solutions and decentralised applications (dApps) challenge the monopoly of centralized platforms, the demand for skilled Web3 developers has never been higher. Yet, for many tech enthusiasts, the barrier to entry has remained daunting, until now. The current trend in technology is moving toward  ownership, interoperability, and scalability . Developers are no longer content building within the walled gardens of Big Tech. Instead...

  Nairobi, Kenya, by George Mutua.   The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP ) yesterday officially welcomed former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga into its ranks, in a colourful ceremony at the party’s headquarters that underscored the growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election. The event, which drew a significant crowd of supporters from across Nairobi County, was led by DCP Party Leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua . Omanga, affectionately known as “Mama Miradi,” was received with full honours as she formally defected from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) , citing unfulfilled promises by the current administration. However, it was a fiery address by   Hon. Gakuya James Mwangi , a distinguished member of the Parliament of Kenya, that stole the spotlight. Speaking to a charged audience, Gakuya took centre stage to highlight the myriad challenges facing the Nairobi City County government, pulling no punches as he ou...

  Nairobi, Kenya, George Mutua:   Africa’s healthcare leaders today convened in Nairobi for the Smart Summit 2026, as stakeholders across government, healthcare, insurance, and technology sectors called for a decisive shift from fragmented digital initiatives to fully integrated, accountable health systems. Hosted by Smart Applications International at the Safari Park Hotel, the fifth edition of the Summit brought together senior decision-makers from across the continent under the theme “Healthcare Technology for a Better World.” The forum has steadily evolved into a premier executive platform for shaping the future of healthcare delivery through policy alignment, system innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Opening the Summit, the Chairman of the Board of Smart Applications International, Mr Andrew Musangi , emphasised the urgency of translating dialogue into action, noting that the complexity of today's healthcare challenges requires deeper alignment among stakeholde...

  Nairobi, Kenya, George Mutua.  It's a staggering statistic: women own nearly half of all businesses in Kenya, yet they bring in less than 8 percent of the country's export revenue. That gap was the urgent focus of the inaugural Women in Export Trade Forum, held today in Nairobi, where policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders gathered to answer a simple but powerful question:  How do we get "She Exports" from a slogan to a reality? The event, organized by the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) under the theme "She Exports, She Thrives," was equal parts celebration and call to action. For every woman who has built a successful export business, there are thousands more stuck in local markets, unaware of the global pathways that could transform their livelihoods. Principal Secretary for the  State Department of Trade,  Regina Akoth Ombam,  didn't mince words. "We must claim our space," she told the room, her voice carr...