Social media has surpassed television and radio as the primary source of news for Kenyans, according to a new report.

• 39 percent of news consumption now comes from social media platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok.
• The Media Council of Kenya conducted the report, highlighting a significant shift in media consumption habits.
• Increased smartphone use and faster internet speeds are identified as key drivers for this trend, despite Citizen TV remaining the most watched station and Radio Citizen leading in radio listenership.

Kenya's businesses continue to suffer significant economic disruption and financial losses due to recurring electoral violence, impacting investor confidence, supply chains, and livelihoods.

• Estimated business losses of Sh6 billion in days during June 2024 protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
• Small traders like Brian Mwende have faced repeated looting and damage to their businesses.
• Historical events like the 2007/08 post-election violence saw GDP growth plummet from 7 percent to 1.5 percent.

Despite Kenya's leadership in financial technology, financial inclusion remains a "false promise" without adequate insurance coverage. Recent examples highlight how individuals with mobile money accounts and credit access can lose everything to unforeseen events like fires or theft, with no safety net to recover.

• Kenya's insurance penetration is approximately 2.3% of GDP, one of the lowest on the continent.
• The article points to challenges in trust and perception, product design for irregular earners, and distribution to remote markets.
• Promising developments include embedded insurance and parametric insurance, which could significantly improve access and uptake.