The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced a new initiative to provide financial support to students pursuing courses in the maritime sector. In a statement on June 17, HELB said the initiative targets students at the Bandari Maritime Academy and other maritime training institutions approved by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). According to the institution, applicants must be pursuing a craft certificate or diploma in nautical science and marine engineering to qualify for the loans. “Maritime Education and Training Scheme (METS) offers financing to students pursuing courses in the Maritime Sector being offered at Bandari Maritime Academy and other…
Author: Special Correspondent
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is a public service organisation in Kenya that provides social protection and financial security benefits to workers. The NSSF was established in 1965 by an Act of Parliament and was originally a Provident Fund that paid out benefits as a lump sum. In 2013, the NSSF Act was amended to transform it into a Pension Scheme that offers benefits such as: Retirement benefits: A monthly life pension upon retirement Survivor benefits: Basic assistance to dependents in the event of death Invalidity benefits: Basic compensation in the event of permanent disability Payment of the NSSF…
A wedding is one of the happiest days in a young couple’s life. It marks the first step toward achieving their dreams of living together, filled with hope for starting a family and echoing with the pitter-patter of tiny feet in their first home. Despite the congratulatory messages from friends and family, the well-wishes, and the couple’s faith in their union, for many, the thought and eventual reality of divorce come as a shock, difficult to digest. Oddly enough, over the years, divorce rates have significantly risen. According to a 2023 survey, the divorce rate in Kenya stands at 1%.…
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered the arrest and prosecution of two men, both relatives of East Africa Affairs Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat, accused of assaulting a housemaid in Kilimani, Nairobi. The complainant, Miriam Atieno, alleges that on May 18, her employer, accompanied by his brother, assaulted, tortured, and insulted her during a family dispute. They subsequently forcibly ejected her from the premises and confiscated her personal belongings with the assistance of other family members. Miriam Atieno sought immediate medical attention at Maria Immaculata Hospital following the incident and reported the matter to Kilimani Police…
Thousands of residents in Mombasa County face imminent eviction threats from absentee Omani landlords, who assert ownership of the lands based on ancestral rights. This historical backdrop traces back to the Omani rule in Kenya during the 18th and 19th centuries, characterized by notable Arab influence along the coastal regions following the expulsion of the Portuguese in the late 17th century. This era witnessed the establishment of Omani Arab dominance over key coastal cities such as Mombasa. Former mayor of Mombasa, Mr. Rajab Samba, who served between 1974 and 1982, stated that the Omani obtained title deeds for land, particularly…
Learning in five public universities could potentially be disrupted soon if lecturers carry out their threat to go on strike over what they term unjustifiable salary delays. According to the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), out of the 40 universities in the country, only the Technical University of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Taita Taveta University, Kenyatta University, and Moi University receive their salaries late without convincing explanations. UASU said the dons have either not received their salaries or receive them late. ‘We’re asking the CS Education, Ezekiel Machogu: What’s happening in the universities?’ UASU Secretary General…
The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has revoked the closure of the Directline Assurance Company Limited in Nairobi by the Chairman of the Samuel K. Macharia through Royal Credit Limited. IRA Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Kiptum said the Authority has taken note of communication released by Samuel K. Macharia through Royal Credit Limited regarding operations of Directline Assurance Company Limited. Kiptum termed the purported transfer of the assets of the Directline Assurance Company Limited to a third party as null and void. “The purported actions are null and devoid of any legal effect and as such the…
In the wake of recent tragedies, Kenya finds itself confronted with a sobering reality: the silent epidemic of men’s mental health struggles. In the span of just one week, the country has faced a heartbreaking surge in suicides among men, highlighting a critical yet often neglected issue: men’s mental health. These tragedies, occurring during Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasize the urgent need for open conversations and effective interventions. The deaths of three men this past week have sent shockwaves through the community. A high-ranking National Intelligence Service officer allegedly shot himself dead in Nairobi, leaving behind a note detailing…
Nairobi is tough. If you are not conned by sweet-talking snake-oil salesmen, you will be drugged or mugged. However hard you try to stay safe; they will get you, one way or another. It doesn’t matter that you do not walk in seedy neighbourhoods, or take a matatu or stay online, they will find you somehow. My first time getting conned was not dramatic. Neither did I court danger. I was just walking to the bus stop around National Archives and this elderly lady approaches me. She calls me “my child” and it strums my heart strings. She looks like…
In boardrooms across Africa, the conversation about sustainability often takes a backseat to more immediate concerns. Survival in a competitive market, navigating economic uncertainty and meeting the needs of a growing population understandably dominate the agenda. However, ignoring the global shift towards sustainability is a risk that African businesses cannot afford. This seismic shift highlights the fundamental transformation in how consumers think, investors act and governments regulate. The demand for sustainable products and services is ever-growing. Investors are scrutinising environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics more closely than ever before. Tightening regulations also prompt companies to adopt cleaner practices. Amidst…
