Robert Yawe

INVITATION TO TENDER Maseno University is proud to announce that the M-PESA Foundation is funding the proposed construction of a state-of-the-art ICT Hub at Maseno University. This transformative project will be managed through the Foundation’s project management consultants, Linear Cost Consultants Ltd. In today’s fast-paced digital world, ICT is no longer optional; it is essential. The upcoming ICT Hub will provide our students, researchers, and innovators with the tools and environment they need to: ✅ Build digital skills for the future of work ✅ Foster innovation and entrepreneurship ✅ Drive research in emerging technologies ✅ Enhance digital inclusion and connectivity This investment is more than just a building; it is a commitment to empowering the next generation of tech leaders and ensuring that Maseno University continues to play a leading role in shaping Kenya’s digital transformation. SCOPE OF WORKS The scope of works shall be as described in the Tender Document, which can be obtained from Maseno University. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS 1️⃣ A valid Bid Bond/Tender Security of 1% of the Tender Sum 2️⃣ Certificate of Incorporation (under Cap 486 of the Laws of Kenya) OR Certificate of Registration of Business Name. https://lnkd.in/d64pz_jK We warmly invite qualified bidders to participate in this important project. Together, let us build a hub that will inspire innovation, collaboration, and excellence in ICT for years to come. #MasenoUniversity #ICTInnovation #DigitalTransformation #InvitationToTender #TransformingLives

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𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Access to affordable credit remains one of the most stubborn roadblocks to the growth of Kenya’s manufacturing sector. In an industry already weighed down by volatile fiscal environments and global shocks—ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to the Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Iran conflicts—𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲. 𝗜𝘁 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. This morning, I had the privilege of organising and attending the Kenya Association of Manufacturers 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗘𝗢𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 powered by NCBA Group in Nairobi. The conversations were candid and timely—centered on how the financial sector can truly catalyze industrial growth, particularly along the upstream and downstream value chains. What stood out? One resounding truth: f𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. If we are serious about scaling up manufacturing, boosting exports, and closing our widening trade deficit, then affordable finance must shift from being a barrier to becoming a bold enabler. 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆—𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁. #ManufacturingKE #IndustrialGrowth #AffordableFinance #TradeCompetitiveness #MadeInKenya #KAM #NCBABank #KenyaEconomy #ValueChainDevelopment #FinancialInclusion

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Kifaru Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Launched at Tatu City Earlier today, Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chief Executive Tobias Alando, MML, Bsc. joined key stakeholders at the official launch of the Kifaru Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Tatu City. This milestone marks the unveiling of a Grade A industrial facility comprising nine completed warehouses designed specifically for SMEs. The SEZ offers reliable power, water, and efficient logistics within Tatu City, along with simplified administrative processes, seamless linkages to larger firms, and a gateway to export markets. The Principal Secretary State Department for Investments, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, graced the event, reaffirming government commitment to attracting private investment. He emphasized the government's ongoing efforts to refine SEZ frameworks, making them more competitive and investor-friendly. “To create jobs and strengthen our industrial base, we must empower SMEs by giving them access to quality industrial spaces like Kifaru SEZ,” he stated, highlighting that such facilities solve a fundamental challenge for small businesses and enable them to benefit from SEZ fiscal incentives. Tobias Alando, echoed the importance of empowering SMEs, “At KAM, we live our purpose - to create prosperity for the nation through sustainable industrialization. In an environment like this, we can grow more industries, create jobs, expand the tax base, and position Kenya as a regional industrial hub. When SMEs succeed, manufacturers thrive, and when manufacturers win, Kenya wins.” The Director of Kifaru SEZ remarked that the project was born out of a desire to create employment and unlock the potential of Kenyan SMEs, enabling them to access and benefit from SEZ incentives and grow their export capacity. This launch was made possible through a strategic partnership between Kifaru and the SME Support Centre.

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Former Ugandan attorney general William Byaruhanga has acquired a 14.63% stake in Kenya’s Sidian Bank after purchasing Sh1.03 billion worth of shares from Centum Investments, cementing his position as the lender’s fourth-largest shareholder. The deal, executed through his investment firm Kenbe Investments, came via the split of Bakki Holdings, which previously held 40% of Sidian. Centum, once the majority owner, has been steadily unwinding its position since abandoning a Sh4.3 billion sale to Nigeria’s Access Bank in 2023, with recent transactions bringing in a mix of regional institutional investors. Byaruhanga, a close ally of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and a seasoned investor in real estate, hospitality, and agribusiness, now joins six institutional owners backing Sidian’s growth. Recent rights issues raised Sh3 billion over 18 months, diluting Centum and Byaruhanga’s combined holdings while boosting stakes for Wizpro Enterprises and Afram Limited, which now control nearly half the bank between them. Despite his significant entry, Byaruhanga did not participate in the recapitalisations, leaving his shareholding slightly diluted. His indirect family stake brings his household’s total interest to just over 16%. The Central Bank of Kenya has flagged Sidian’s thin core capital adequacy ratio, warning the bank could struggle under stress scenarios without further injections. Even so, Sidian has emerged as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing lenders, with half-year profits soaring to Sh1 billion from Sh221 million a year earlier. Deposits surged 70.8% to Sh59.8 billion, most of which were channelled into government securities, tripling the portfolio to Sh39.3 billion. From a strategic standpoint, this acquisition signals the arrival of "patient capital" that could pivot Sidian into a specialized, tech-driven player in the lucrative Kenya-Uganda trade corridor. With its capital base constraining traditional lending, Sidian's most viable path to profitable growth may lie in a capital-light, fintech-powered model focused on trade finance, digital foreign exchange, and supply chain solutions for businesses operating between the two countries.

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