Business & Finance - Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya

Traders back Ruto’s foreign hawkers directive, experts urge caution

Sacco ReviewSeptember 4, 202604 mins

Traders back Ruto’s foreign hawkers directive. Experts warn of diplomatic backlash. Parliament’s decision will shape the crackdown. Nairobi traders have endorsed President William Ruto’s call for a crackdown on foreign nationals operating small-scale businesses, even as diplomatic experts warn of a possible backlash from neighbouring countries. Traders’ umbrella bodies in Nairobi have thrown their weight…

Flower council urges JKIA contingency plan for exports

Sacco ReviewSeptember 3, 202605 mins

Flower exporters seek safeguards to keep JKIA operations running during disputes. Over 1,000 tonnes of perishable cargo were stranded during the strike. KFC wants priority handling, alternative routes and real time updates for exporters. Kenya Flower Council (KFC) wants the government to set up a National Aviation Contingency Protocol for Perishable Exports, arguing that flowers…

Busia, EASSI sign deal to boost women’s cross-border trade

Sacco ReviewSeptember 3, 202603 mins

Busia and EASSI strengthen efforts to support women in cross border trade. New partnership targets harassment and exploitation in the fish trade. Women traders are set to benefit from safer and more inclusive markets. The Busia County Government, through the Department of Strategic Partnerships, has formalised a 16-year relationship with the Eastern African Sub-Regional Support…

Gov’t cuts consolidated cargo benchmark to Sh2m

Sacco ReviewSeptember 3, 2026September 4, 202606 mins

Traders win relief as the cargo benchmark is cut to Ksh2 million. New rules aim to ease cargo clearance while improving compliance. Lower rail charges are set to reduce import costs. President William Ruto has directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to lower the customs benchmark for general consolidated cargo to Ksh2 million, following talks…

Mwala ESP market 60pc complete, set for September

Sacco ReviewAugust 31, 2026September 1, 202604 mins

Mwala’s Ksh76.2 million market is 60 per cent complete. The facility is expected to open by late September for 1,600 traders. Cold rooms and an ICT hub will support small businesses. Small-scale traders in Mwala, Machakos County, are set to benefit from improved trading facilities following progress on the construction of the Ksh76.2 million Mwala…

Kilifi taps Polish investors to boost dairy co-ops, MSMEs

Sacco ReviewAugust 31, 202604 mins

Kilifi is seeking Polish investment across key sectors of its economy. Talks explored opportunities in agriculture, solar energy and the blue economy. Partnerships could boost MSMEs, youth skills and employment opportunities. Kilifi County is seeking to deepen investment partnerships with Polish businesses as it explores opportunities to expand key sectors of the local economy and…

EPK workers get 14pc pay rise under CBA

Sacco ReviewAugust 31, 202605 mins

More than 8,000 EPK workers will receive a phased 14 per cent pay rise. The first increase has been backdated to January 2026. The deal comes as tea producers face rising production costs and market pressure. Eastern Produce Kenya (EPK) has agreed to raise wages for more than 8,000 employees by a combined 14 per…

Kenyans receiving services at the Kenya Revenue Authority headquarters. PHOTO/KRA

KRA links eTIMS with IFMIS for government supplier invoices

Sacco ReviewAugust 31, 202604 mins

Government suppliers must now meet eTIMS requirements before seeking payment. KRA will electronically validate supplier invoices submitted through IFMIS. The integration aims to improve tax compliance and transparency in government payments. Government suppliers in Kenya will now have to ensure their invoices meet Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) eTIMS requirements before they can be submitted for…

Uasin Gishu opens trader applications for five new markets

Sacco ReviewAugust 31, 2026August 31, 202606 mins

Traders can now apply for spaces in five new Uasin Gishu markets. Applications close on September 14, with allocation subject to eligibility. The markets aim to provide safer and more organised trading spaces. The Uasin Gishu County Government has opened applications for traders seeking spaces in five markets, as part of efforts to provide more…

BAHLITA opposes new tobacco licensing rules for traders

Sacco ReviewAugust 29, 202605 mins

BAHLITA opposes proposed tobacco licensing rules for traders. Traders warn extra licences could raise business costs. Association calls for stronger action against illicit tobacco trade. The Bars, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association of Kenya (BAHLITA) has opposed proposed licensing and registration requirements in the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, warning they could raise compliance costs…