1.O BANKING
1.1 Re-branding of Barclays Bank to ABSA Bank Kenya
On February 10, 2020, Barclays Bank of Kenya (BBK) unveiled its new corporate brand and name, ABSA Bank Kenya PLC (ABSA Kenya). This followed approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) of the change of name on August 14, 2018 pursuant to section 3 of the Banking Act. The Registrar of Companies pursuant to the Companies Act, 2015 effected the name change on February 7, 2020.
1.2 Kenya banks on Interpol in war against rising corporate scams
The interior cabinet secretary this week has stated that the State will now share vital information with international security agencies in a bid to track and arrest corporate chiefs looting from private sector and investing outside the country. The cabinet secretary stated that this looting has choked the small and medium size enterprises that are now grappling with debts as a result of pending payments for goods and services rendered. This came as a result of the outcome of the investigation in to the collapse of Nakumatt supermarket and Imperial Bank which revealed massive theft of funds by their respective chiefs. In order to weed out the fraud the C.S stated that they will invoke all international instruments available in order to protect the interest of the locals.
1.3 Digital lending market inquiry/sector study
The Competition Authority of Kenya is currently undertaking a digital market inquiry into the regulated and unregulated digital credit markets in Kenya i.e. all the mobile lending applications and is hereby inviting members of the general public with relevant information to submit oral or written submissions/comments within 21 day from 6th March 2020.
2.0 ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR
Kenya Film Classification Board on 24th February 2020 unveiled Ms. Betty Adera, a renowned champion of youth matters and the founder of the Betty Adera Foundation as the National Clean Content Ambassador.
3.0 APPOINTMENT OF NEW CABINET SECRETARIES
The president Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has appointed Mutahi Kagwe and Betty Chemutai Maina as cabinet secretaries for Health and Industrialization, Trade & Enterprise Development respectively this was via a gazette notice no.1795.
The president has also appointed the following as principal secretaries:
- Simon Wanyonyi Nabukwesi
- Johnson Mwangi Weru
- Julius Ouma Jwan
- Mary.W. Kimonye
- Enosh Onyango Momanyi; and
- Solomon Albert Musyoki Kivanguli Kitungu
4.0 COURT OF APPEAL EASTER RECESS
The Court of Appeal has notify the general public that it will break for Easter recess on 8th April 2020 to 22nd April 2020 both days inclusive. However, during this period the registry will remain open from 9am to 12noon except on public holidays and there will be a duty judge to handle urgent matters.
5.0 CUSTOMS AND BORDER CONTROL DEPARTMENT
The department has issued a notice to the general public that it will sell via public auction the goods at the Customs Warehouse, Kilindini and Custom Warehouse ICDE, Nairobi if the respective owners do not remove them within 30days from 6th March 2020.
6.0 ICT SECTOR
Communication authority of Kenya (CAK)
The Communication Authority of Kenya has formulated a draft dynamic spectrum access framework for authorization of the use of TV white spaces in an effort to ensure responsible management of frequency spectrum resources. In this regard CAK is calling upon the members of the general public to give their comments on the draft spectrum through the address frequencyreturns@ca.go.ke.
7.0 COUNTIES
- Nairobi County
Invite of residents of the Nairobi county for public participation on transfer of function from the Nairobi County Government to National Government
Residents of Nairobi county are invited to give their general comments on the transfer of some functions from the Nairobi county government to National government by sending their comments to the following emails: transferagreement@devolution.go.ke,countyattorney@nairobi.go.ke, speaker@nairobiassembly.go.ke or via written memorandum in an envelope marked “public participation on transfer of functions from Nairobi city county government to national government”. Comments are to be received latest 6th March 2020.
- Mombasa County
The National Environment Management Authority has invited resident of Mombasa County to give their comments within 30 days from 6th March 2020, on the report for the proposed sea water desalination plant at shimo la tewa to enable it make its final decision on the proposed plant. The said report can be accessed in the county website.
Loan agreement for the Mombasa SEZ development project 1
The National treasury Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Ukur yatani and Chief Representative, Jica Kenya Mr. Katsutoshi Komori on 27th February 2020 signed a Loan Agreement for the Mombasa Special Economic Zone Development Project 1 amounting to Ksh. 36.139 billion. The credit will attract an Interest Rate of 0.1 %, repayment Period of 28 years and Grace Period of 12 Years. It will be applied for development of Special Economic Zone with the aim of boosting the Manufacturing Sector in line with the Government Big Four Agenda as well as creation of new jobs for Kenya citizens. The project will enhance container handling capacity at the port of Mombasa.