Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui has welcomed the U.S. House of Representatives' decision to pass a bill extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by three years. This extension offers significant relief to Kenya's textile and apparel sector.

• The extension offers relief to over 80,000 Kenyans directly employed and approximately 250,000 others indirectly supported by the apparel and textile sector.
• The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill with a vote of 340 to 54, and it now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
• Kenya is a leading beneficiary of AGOA, with apparel and textiles forming the bulk of its exports to the U.S., alongside coffee, tea, and horticultural products.

Uber has ceased accepting Visa card payments on its Kenyan platform, effective January 14, citing rising global payment processing costs. This decision follows a routine review of payment options to manage expenses.

• Uber's decision is due to rising global payment processing costs.
• The change affects only Visa cardholders in Kenya.
• Payments via Mastercard, American Express, M-Pesa, and cash remain available.