Govt to Introduce Age Limit for Imported Electronics 

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter, where we cover new proposals to set an age limit for imported electronics. We also cover the reopening of the Grade 10 school selection process.

Govt to Introduce Age Limit for Imported Electronics 

The government is set to ban the importation of electronics over 12 years old, including TVs, refrigerators, smartphones, computers, and other household and industrial appliances, in a move to curb e-waste dumping. 

The draft regulations, proposed by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), aim to protect Kenyans from toxic materials linked to cancer, respiratory diseases, and birth defects.

The proposals also target the growing influx of second-hand and near-end-of-life electronics, much of which enters under the guise of donations or cheap refurbished goods.

As reported by the Business Daily, Kenya imports about 70 percent of its electronics. The ban is modelled on Kenya’s vehicle sector, which restricts imports of cars older than eight years.

Under the proposed rules, electronics will be denied entry if manufactured over 12 years ago or performing below 85 percent of original specifications. 

Importers will be required to submit manifests detailing brand, model, serial number, manufacture date, and functionality certificates from KEBS-accredited labs. 

Customs and NEMA will enforce compliance at ports, airports, and borders. Violations could attract fines up to Ksh10 million, imprisonment, or blacklisting.

Vodacom Rejects Govt’s Plan for M-Pesa-Safaricom Split

Vodacom, Safaricom’s parent company, has ruled out plans to separate M-Pesa from its telecom operations, despite pressure from the government, which has proposed delinking the mobile-money platform as part of broader privatization discussions.

Treasury officials have suggested breaking Safaricom into three units—a telecommunications firm, a tower operator, and M-Pesa—to potentially help in valuation as it seeks to sell part of its 35% stake.

As reported by the Business Daily, Vodacom Group CEO Mohamed Joosub told investors that M-Pesa is closely integrated with voice and data services, creating significant value for customers. 

Since its 2007 launch, M-Pesa has grown rapidly, now accounting for 42 percent of Safaricom’s revenue, generating Ksh88.1 billion in the half-year to September 2025.

CS Ogamba Makes U-Turn on Claims of Ksh1.1B Disbursed to Ghost Schools

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has dismissed claims that the government disbursed Ksh1.1 billion to ghost schools.

As reported by Kenyans.co.ke, He clarified that his remarks in Parliament were misinterpreted, explaining that the funds had not been released because about 990 schools had failed to submit the required data for verification.

As a result, the Ministry disbursed only 50 percent of the capitation to some schools. Ogamba assured the public that accurate data will be released once the verification exercise is complete. 

His earlier comments about funds for“students that do not exist sparked criticism from MPs, who demanded accountability. The CS said no action has been taken yet, as investigations are ongoing. So far, 10 schools have been closed for lacking students.

Safaricom’s Ziidi MMF Captures Nearly Half of Kenya’s Unit Trust Investors

Safaricom’s money market fund, Ziidi, has rapidly grown to become one of Kenya’s most popular unit trust products, attracting 1.15 million investors by September 2025—about 47.9 percent of the country’s total unit trust investors, according to data from Safaricom and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The fund, launched in partnership with Standard Investment Bank, ALA Capital, and Sanlam Investments East Africa, saw its assets under management surge to Ksh15.1 billion from Ksh1.3 billion a year earlier. Despite this growth, Ziidi ranks outside the top 10 by assets, trailing established players such as Sanlam, CIC, and Standard Investment Bank.

Ziidi’s strong uptake highlights the power of Safaricom’s M-Pesa ecosystem, which makes investing seamless via mobile app and USSD. However, only about three percent of M-Pesa’s 37.9 million active users currently invest through Ziidi. Safaricom earned about Ksh100 million in revenue from the MMF, though it has not disclosed the revenue-sharing model with its fund manager partners. The broader collective investment schemes market has continued to expand, with total assets reaching Ksh596.3 billion and investor numbers rising to 2.46 million as of June 2025, according to Business Daily.

Govt Re-Opens Revision of School Pathways for Grade 9 Students 

The government has opened a second window for the 1.1 million learners who recently completed Grade 9 and sat the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) to revise their senior school pathway choices.

As reported by Nation, the revision period runs until the end of December, ahead of the January 2026 transition to senior school. Learners are expected to review and confirm their preferred pathways — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Social Sciences; or Arts and Sports.

According to Dr. William Sugut, Head of the Directorate of Secondary Education, placement will be based on learners’ chosen pathways, performance, and subject combinations, with cumulative results from Grades 6 to 9 determining eligibility

The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) has emphasized the need for proper career guidance, urging parents and teachers to help learners make informed decisions. 

Court Upholds Govt's Decision to Give Kenyatta University Land for WHO

The Environment and Land Court has dismissed a petition challenging the government’s 2022 decision to excise part of Kenyatta University’s land for public projects, including medical research facilities and a settlement scheme. 

As reported by the Nation, the court ruled the directive lawful and consistent with the Constitution, noting that the university’s council lawfully approved the reallocations after consultations. 

The judge said the projects serve public interest in health, education, and housing, aligning with the university’s mission. 

The court also cited the State’s constitutional duty to address squatters’ rights to humane settlement. The Attorney General argued that the allocations to WHO and Africa CDC were policy-driven and intended to complement national development goals, not acts of coercion or illegality.

Naivas Targets 200 Stores in Expansion Drive 

Naivas plans to expand to 200 outlets by opening up to 10 new stores annually to meet rising demand. 

The retailer, majority-owned by Mauritius-based IBL Ltd. (51%) and the Mukuha family, currently operates 111 branches nationwide.

As reported in Bloomberg, CEO Andreas von Paleske said strong urbanization and underserved areas present major growth opportunities. Naivas reported Ksh114.5 billion ($886 million) in sales last year, with milk and fresh produce as top-selling items. 

The retailer expects 10–15% annual revenue growth and aims for online sales to exceed 10% after launching an app. Demand for late-night shopping is also increasing, as customers seek flexibility.

I&M Bank Launches FX Direct for Real-Time Currency Trading

I&M Bank has launched FX Direct, a digital platform enabling business, corporate, and institutional clients to trade foreign currency in real time. 

As detailed by Citizen Digital, the platform allows users to monitor live market rates, manage limit orders, and buy or sell foreign exchange without interacting with physical dealers, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

Group CEO Kihara Maina noted that rates are individualized based on currency pairs, transaction volumes, and customer relationships. 

FX Director Henry Kirimania added that importers and exporters can choose to pay immediately or on future settlement dates, depending on shipment agreements.

CBK Reopens 15 and 25-Year Treasury Bonds

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will auction Ksh40 billion of two reopened Treasury Bonds—a 15-year at 12.340% and a 25-year at 14.188% coupon rate—on November 19, 2025, to raise funds for budgeted spending. 

The auction period runs from November 11 to 19. This follows the November 5 auction, where CBK accepted KSh 52.8 billion in bids and rejected KSh 43.4 billion of more expensive offers, allowing the government to borrow selectively. Read more.

Patient Awarded Ksh5M After Hospital Left Surgery Scissors  in Abdomen

The court has awarded Newton Gogo Ksh5 million after Nairobi Women’s Hospital left a pair of artery forceps in his abdomen for nearly five years, causing prolonged pain and disrupting his education.

On November 12, 2016, the 20-year-old Alliance High School student underwent emergency surgery after a broken glass pierced his abdomen, unaware that a surgical instrument had been retained.

 Persistent abdominal pain led him to consult multiple hospitals before scans confirmed the forceps. He later underwent corrective surgery at Kisumu County Hospital.

As in the Nation, Gogo sued the hospital, seeking damages for pain, medical costs, and delayed studies. The ruling sets a precedent, emphasizing hospital accountability and patient safety.