Gov’t targets threefold boost in bixa production for farmers

Government plans to triple Kenya’s annual bixa production to at least 3,000 tonnes through certified seedlings, extension services, farmer cooperatives and affordable financing. Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative will increase farmer incomes, create jobs and strengthen rural economies by expanding the bixa value chain along the Coast. Farmers currently earn about Ksh 152,000…

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KRA and KEPSA officials during a high level engagement. Photo/courtesy

KRA promises fair tax system after KEPSA talks

KRA says it is implementing reforms to build a fair, transparent and predictable tax system that supports business growth. Authority plans to integrate iCMS with iTax and cut eligible VAT refund processing times to under 10 minutes. KEPSA urges KRA to speed up tax dispute resolution and expand Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms. The Kenya Revenue…

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MPs review bill for Ksh72.26bn extra county funding

MPs are reviewing a Bill proposing an additional Ksh 72.26 billion for county governments in the 2026/27 financial year. The funding will support County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, drought resilience, agriculture, informal settlements and other development programmes. The National Assembly is expected to debate the Budget and Appropriations Committee’s report before deciding on the proposed…

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Packed tea ready for dispatch to the Mombasa auction. Photo/courtesy

Mombasa tea auction sales dip as new levy bite

Smallholder tea sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction fell to 128.6 million kg from 138.8 million kg a year earlier. Exporters blame the new Ksh 2.28 per kg tea levy for reducing demand from international buyers. TBK says the levy will fund tea price stabilisation, research and sector infrastructure. Smallholder tea factories sold 128,554,359kgs of…

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Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development CS Wycliffe Oparanya. Photo/courtesy

Government rules out Sacco term limits, to boost SASRA oversight

Government rules out term limits for Sacco directors, saying leadership should remain a democratic choice for members. Ministry plans to expand SASRA oversight to regulate all Saccos, strengthen governance and deploy technology for closer financial monitoring. Proposed Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025 creates an independent Deposit Guarantee Fund Board to protect members’ deposits and improve…

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EBC warns Kenya’s Ksh995.7B domestic borrowing plan could tighten credit for small businesses

EBC warns Kenya’s Ksh 995.7 billion domestic borrowing plan could push banks towards government securities, tightening credit terms for small businesses. The brokerage says increased demand for government debt may lead to stricter collateral requirements, shorter repayment periods and reduced lending flexibility for MSMEs. Despite private sector credit growth, EBC cautions that smaller businesses may…

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MPs question duty-free sugar imports amid Brazil, South Africa origin dispute

MPs questioned conflicting Brazil and South Africa sugar import documents. PS Juma Mukhwana promised to investigate the origin discrepancy. Lawmakers queried a new duty free sugar approval before the first shipment was fully accounted for. The government has come under fresh scrutiny over a 27,000 metric tonne consignment of duty-free raw sugar, after lawmakers uncovered…

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