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President William Ruto and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after witnessing the signing of six new agreements.

Kenyan tea, coffee and spices regain duty-free access to South Africa

Sacco ReviewJune 5, 202603 mins

South Africa has lifted suspended duties on Kenyan tea, coffee, and spices, restoring preferential market access under the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) tariff offer. The announcement was made by the State Department for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry on Friday ending a suspension that had been in place since November 2025. “South…

Suspect Caleb Wanyonyi Mukwenyi alias “Jay” after his arrest by DCI detectives in Nairobi following the recovery of 29 kilogrammes of cannabis valued at approximately Sh870,000 during an anti-narcotics operation along Waiyaki Way

Suspect arrested as DCI seizes Ksh870,000 worth of cannabis in Nairobi

Sacco ReviewJune 5, 2026June 5, 202603 mins

A suspected drug trafficker has been arrested after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nairobi Region seized cannabis worth approximately Sh870,000 during an intelligence-led operation in Nairobi. The suspect, identified as Caleb Wanyonyi Mukwenyi, also known as “Jay,” was apprehended along Waiyaki Way following investigations targeting narcotics trafficking networks operating within the city….

KEBS moves to tighten product safety, calls for public participation

Sacco ReviewJune 4, 202603 mins

The Kenya bureau of standards has called on the public to come forward and present their views on the proposed draft regulations. Acting regional manager Lake Region Mr Felix Omindi said the draft regulations are aimed at making services more efficient and people centred. Speaking in Kisumu during a media engagement Omindi said the Kenya…

High Court clears path for KSh 300B EABL-Asahi deal as Bia Tosha bid fails

Sacco ReviewJune 4, 202604 mins

The Milimani High Court has dismissed a last-minute attempt by local distributor Bia Tosha to freeze the blockbusting Ksh300 billion acquisition of East African Breweries Limited (EABL) by Japanese corporate giant Asahi Group Holdings. In a decisive ruling delivered on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Judge Gregory Mutai threw out Bia Tosha’s urgent application to block…

Gov’t moves to dispel myths on proposed 0.8pc Tea Levy, assures farmers of protection

Sacco ReviewJune 1, 2026June 1, 202605 mins

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has moved to dispel growing concerns over the proposed tea levy, insisting that farmers will not bear the cost and that all proceeds will be reinvested directly into the industry. Under the draft framework, tea exports will attract a levy of 0.8 per cent of the auction value…

Microfinance Bill seeks tougher oversight and consumer rights in Kenya’s lending sector

Sacco ReviewJune 1, 202604 mins

The microfinance industry is poised for its most sweeping regulatory overhaul in two decades, with a new Microfinance Bill before the National Assembly proposing tighter oversight, stronger consumer protections and expanded powers for the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Legislators say the reforms are necessary to modernise rules governing microfinance banks, which serve millions of…

Jamii DT Sacco opens branch in Kisumu in its expansion strategy

Sacco ReviewJune 1, 202602 mins

Jamii DT Sacco has opened a new branch in Kisumu as part of an expansion strategy aimed at growing membership, increasing lending and strengthening its presence in Western Kenya’s rapidly growing economy. The deposit-taking Sacco launched the branch at Mega Plaza in Kisumu City and said it would offer affordable credit facilities to small businesses,…

Kenya urged to build homegrown agriculture financing systems as donor aid shrinks

Sacco ReviewMay 27, 202605 mins

Kenya and other African nations are being pressed to rethink how they fund agriculture and food systems, amid shrinking donor support, global economic uncertainty, and intensifying climate risks. Experts warn that without stronger local financing structures, millions of farmers and small businesses could be left vulnerable. Speaking during the Financing Agri‑Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026…

KUSCCO submits Finance Bill 2026 proposals, warns of systemic risks in SACCO tax policy

Sacco ReviewMay 27, 2026May 27, 202605 mins

The Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co‑operatives (KUSCCO) has formally submitted the sector’s consolidated recommendations on the Finance Bill 2026/27 to the National Assembly, warning that poorly aligned tax measures could destabilise cooperative finance and burden households already grappling with rising living costs. At the heart of the submission is opposition to taxing internal…

Kericho farmers abandon maize, embrace coffee cultivation as profits decline

Sacco ReviewMay 26, 202604 mins

Kericho County is rapidly establishing itself as a key coffee-producing hub, driven by hundreds of farmers in Kipkelion East’s Masambworik area who are turning to coffee cultivation. The shift comes as many farmers abandon maize farming and other traditional cash crops. Over the years, these crops have seen declining returns driven by rising production costs,…