business
9 storiesKapchorua Tea Plans Solar Plant to Lower Energy Costs: Kapchorua Tea Kenya is planning to install a 1.17-megawatt solar power plant in Nandi County to reduce electricity expenses and enhance energy consistency. This move reflects a broader trend of agricultural enterprises adopting renewable energy solutions to cut operational costs. Meanwhile, Kenya's sugar production has surged by nearly 22% in the first five months of 2026, driven by increased cane deliveries and sector reforms, boosting the government's goal of transforming Kenya into a net sugar exporter. Additionally, the Competition Authority of Kenya has launched investigations into suspected cartel activities within the bread, sugar, and mattress manufacturing industries as part of efforts to combat anti-competitive practices affecting household spending. Former Nurse Launches Postpartum Care Company in Kenya: Former nurse Bernadette Samura has launched Mom and Me Home Care, a company providing professional postpartum support to new mothers in Kenya, addressing a critical gap in postnatal care. In a separate development, Kimaru Thagana has launched Gentleman's Pantry in Ongata Rongai, an artisanal food business focused on traditional fermentation and preservative-free products. At the same time, Java House has opened its 110th branch in East Africa, launching a new outlet in Thindigua, Kiambu County, to serve the growing population in Nairobi's northern suburbs. KCB Urges Women to Formalize Businesses to Unlock Financing: KCB Group is urging women entrepreneurs to formalize their businesses to gain better access to financing and scale their operations, having already disbursed a significant amount to women-led enterprises under its initiative. This call for formalization comes as Kenya Reinsurance Corporation has successfully retained its international and national financial strength ratings from GCR Ratings, an affiliate of Moody's Ratings, highlighting the company's robust financial standing with a strong capital base and stable earnings. Meanwhile, Kenya's foreign exchange reserves have decreased, falling below the 6-month import cover benchmark as of July 23, with reserves shrinking by Sh40.6 billion.





























