Air France presented chef Mory Sacko’s Business Class menu at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 15 Oct 2026 as dishes enter service between Nairobi and Paris.

For Kenya’s aviation catering sector, the collaboration involves Nas Servair as Air France-KLM’s lead catering partner in the country.

Air France-KLM regional general manager for East and Southern Africa Joris Holtus said the tasting explained the thinking behind the menu.

“The tasting gave our guests the opportunity to experience the story behind the menu rather than simply hear about it,” Holtus said.

Air France said in its 19 Oct 2026 release that the menu comprises 12 original dishes created for the airline.

The selection includes vegetarian, fish, red meat and poultry options.

The airline said it is introducing the dishes progressively so passengers departing Nairobi can encounter different meals as the menu rotates.

The tasting brought together culinary experts, enthusiasts and influencers to sample selected dishes and learn about their ingredients and preparation.

Air France said guests responded positively to the menu but the release did not include comments from individual reviewers.

Nas Servair regional executive chef Gilles Pommier said the dishes combine African culinary traditions with French cooking techniques.

“Chef Sacko’s dishes genuinely bring together African flavours and culinary traditions with the techniques and refinement of French cuisine,” Pommier said.

Among the dishes is lamb shank confit with spices served alongside Provence-style jus with gnocchi and gboma spinach.

The release describes gboma spinach as a traditional African eggplant species widely cultivated across East, West and Central Africa.

Air France said the Nairobi tasting explored how African ingredients and food traditions inform Sacko’s approach to French cuisine.

Sacko has Senegalese and Malian heritage and runs the Paris restaurant MoSuke.

According to the release, MoSuke received a Michelin star in 2020 shortly after opening.

The airline said his work interprets French and West African culinary traditions through contemporary cooking.

For passengers on the Nairobi route, the change concerns Business Class dining rather than a new flight service.

The collaboration forms part of Air France’s wider work with chefs to incorporate different culinary influences across its international network.

Air France belongs to the Air France-KLM Group alongside KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia.

The group connects more than 300 destinations worldwide with over 500 aircraft, according to the release.

Sacko’s menus are also being introduced in Cotonou, Dakar, Libreville and Lagos under Air France’s 2026 to 2027 programme.

LG Electronics is investing in residential service centres and mobile clinics as its East Africa customer service head calls for stronger after-sales support.

Ronald Mitei examined warranty promises in an opinion article about manufactured products.

He compared those promises with the help customers receive after buying appliances.

“Things can sometimes go wrong,” said Ronald Mitei who serves as Head of Customer Service at LG Electronics East Africa.

For Kenyan appliance buyers, the argument centres on whether a warranty translates into practical support when a product fails.

Mitei said LG continues to invest in service centres within residential areas and mobile service clinics where necessary to bring technical support closer.

The article does not specify investment amounts or identify the locations covered by these services.

Mitei said customer service forms part of LG's commitment to buyers rather than an obligation that ends when a sale closes.

“Our relationship with a customer begins when they leave the store with our product,” he said.

He said buyers often spend considerable time researching appliances and comparing features before deciding whether a purchase offers value for money.

That process creates an expectation that the product will deliver the performance that persuaded the customer to buy it.

Mitei said manufacturers recognise those expectations and invest in developing products intended to fulfil their promises.

He said the response to a failure can distinguish one brand from another when manufactured products develop problems.

His article contrasts earlier warranty procedures with what he describes as a less rigorous process today.

Mitei said warranties previously involved detailed terms that customers were expected to read and sign.

He said customers sometimes now receive little more than a warranty card that is hurriedly signed or stamped.

The practical test comes when an appliance fails within its warranty period and its owner seeks help.

Mitei said buyers reasonably expect a prompt repair or a replacement where necessary after such a failure.

He said some customers struggle to have legitimate warranty claims honoured and may abandon products they expected to use for years.

The article provides no figures on disputed claims or the number of customers affected.

Mitei's argument places the handling of faults alongside product features as a consideration for appliance buyers comparing brands.

He said LG aims to keep products working dependably for years when owners handle and maintain them correctly.

LG's service approach combines residential centres with mobile clinics that bring technical support closer to customers where necessary.

Bamburi Cement commissioned a solar-powered borehole and handed over two classrooms in Vipingo on 14 Oct 2026 following consultations on community priorities.

The company said the Kilifi County projects address water needs and expand classroom space at Bureni school for Grade 7 and Grade 8.

Bamburi Cement Plc Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Ndugwa said the community previously sought help when it decided to “expand Bureni school to include Grade 6”.

The projects matter to Kenya’s business landscape because they connect a cement manufacturer’s community spending with local education and water needs.

Bamburi said the borehole will supply clean water to households and support livestock and small gardens through a solar-powered pumping system.

The company said the system will pump water without fuel or electricity costs.

The release did not disclose the borehole’s capacity or the number of households expected to benefit from the new water supply.

It also did not give a project cost or details of arrangements for maintaining the borehole.

Ndugwa said the two new classrooms have lockers and seats intended to give learners “a comfortable and conducive learning environment”.

He said Bamburi constructed a Grade 6 classroom and donated a water tank last year after the community approached the company.

The latest handover extends that support to two more grades at the same school.

Ndugwa commissioned the projects in the presence of Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga and other local representatives.

Those attending included the Member of County Assembly, the Assistant County Commissioner, an Education ministry representative, the Area Chief and village elders.

Members of Bamburi’s Executive Committee also attended the commissioning and handover.

The company said it identifies projects through consultations with local leaders and residents rather than setting priorities without community input.

Bamburi said its work with the Vipingo community since 2023 includes education sponsorship for 16 students and two free medical camps.

Other activities include a sanitation and hygiene programme and grading community access roads.

The company also said it continues to donate firewood and murram to the community.

The release did not provide a combined value for these activities or a timetable for further projects in Vipingo.

Bamburi said it has operated for 70 years and is a member of Amsons Group.

Its subsidiaries include Bamburi Special Products Ltd, Bamburi Eco Systems Ltd and Diani Estates Ltd.

Amsons Group operates across cement and concrete as well as construction and transport.

Its operations also cover flour and logistics.

Amsons Group was established in Tanzania in 2000.

Sawa Milking Jelly said its campaign reached over 15,000 dairy farmers across four Kenyan counties through practical training on better milking practices.

The company’s release dated 13 Oct 2026 covered activities in Murang’a, Nyandarua, Narok and Bomet.

“The response from farmers has reinforced the value of meeting them directly and providing information they can use on their farms,” said Pwani Oil Products Limited commercial director Rajul Malde.

The campaign links farmer education with agricultural supply networks in Kenya’s dairy sector through its engagement with agrovets, stockists, dairy cooperatives and farmer groups.

The campaign began in late April.

Pwani Oil Products Limited manufactures Sawa Milking Jelly and used the programme to provide guidance on udder and teat care.

According to the release, teams visited 119 farms across the four counties during the campaign.

Those visits combined practical guidance with live product demonstrations and individual consultations on everyday dairy management and milking practices.

Radio and television engagements extended the programme beyond the farms visited and reached thousands of other farmers according to the company.

The release did not separate the number reached through broadcasts from those who participated in direct farm activities.

In Murang’a County, the programme covered Gatanga, Kigumo, Maragua and Kangema.

The Nyandarua activities reached Ol Kalou and Kipipiri as part of the same farmer engagement programme.

Teams also visited several locations in Narok East and Narok North constituencies alongside dairy farming areas across Bomet County.

Farmers attending the activations watched demonstrations on the use of Sawa Milking Jelly and received trial packs.

Participants discussed their daily farming challenges directly with the company’s team during the sessions.

They also received practical advice.

“I have learnt that consistent teat and udder care forms part of good milking hygiene and helps support comfortable milking for the cow,” said an unnamed Narok farmer.

The company said engagement with local agricultural networks helped connect farmers with outlets where they could buy Sawa Milking Jelly.

The programme therefore combined education on animal care with product demonstrations and contact between farmers and the brand’s supply outlets.

The release reported participation and farm visits but did not provide measured changes in milk production or animal health.

The campaign moved into its final phase with two farmer events that offered practical guidance and direct engagement with agricultural experts.

The first took place at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a on 23 Sep 2026.

A farmers’ forum followed at Silibwet Green Stadium in Bomet on 2 Oct 2026.

Spotify named Nigerian singer and songwriter Solana its October EQUAL Africa Artist in Lagos on 8 Oct 2026 ahead of her first South African performance.

Spotify said the programme supports women artists across Africa and connects their music with global audiences.

“Her sound is one that requires no passport,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify's Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa.

For Kenya's music industry, the selection illustrates how streaming platforms combine artist promotion with live performances to introduce African musicians to audiences beyond home markets.

Solana will perform at Spotify's EQUAL Artist Showcase in Johannesburg on 14 Oct 2026.

Her new single O Ri Mi will follow on 16 Oct 2026 according to the release.

Spotify said her music draws on Nigerian roots and Yoruba cultural influences across electronic music, alt-R&B and pop.

The October feature centres on Okunkun, a Yoruba-language track about resilience during difficult periods.

Solana said the song's title means “darkness” and reflects its message about moving through personal struggles.

“Everyone goes through darkness from time to time,” Solana said in an interview included with the release.

She said the track encourages listeners to recognise difficult circumstances and keep moving rather than remain caught in them.

Solana also described music as a way to express feelings she does not readily communicate through conversation.

“Music has always been a form of expression for me since I can remember,” Solana said.

She identified King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Lagbaja among the Nigerian musicians she listened to while growing up.

Her mother played King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey while television music videos introduced her to other artists.

Spotify said Solana plans to explore further dimensions of her sound as her recording career develops.

The company also described a visual identity that combines traditional clothing with experimental styling and a signature hairstyle.

According to the release, her fan community is known as Lanterns and receives early listening opportunities alongside newsletters and small gatherings.

These activities place direct audience relationships alongside recorded music and live performance in the artist's approach to building her career.

Solana said women can face difficulties getting taken seriously in the music industry but described the EQUAL selection as recognition of her work.

Spotify's release did not disclose financial terms for the feature or performance.

The company reported 626 million users and 246 million Premium subscribers in the background information accompanying the announcement.

Those figures describe Spotify's wider platform rather than the audience reached through Solana's feature.

Solana's next scheduled appearance is the Johannesburg EQUAL Artist Showcase on 14 Oct 2026.

Kenya Airways has called for stronger tourism crisis systems at a Nairobi expo as it urges businesses and government to prepare before the next disruption.

The airline's Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu addressed the Magical Kenya Travel Expo on 8 Oct 2026.

“But surviving a crisis is not the same as being built for one,” Thairu said.

The proposals matter to Kenya's tourism businesses because Thairu said stronger systems would protect operators and traveller confidence during disruptions.

Thairu said the sector had weathered post-election violence, COVID-19 and the 2024 protests largely through its tourism offering and individual operators' determination.

He called for a shift towards planned resilience rather than relying on experience gained during previous crises.

His panel session examined travel insurance, health security beyond Nairobi and coordinated crisis management before the next disruption.

On insurance coverage Thairu said protection should become a standard part of the tourism experience rather than an optional afterthought.

He called for insurance to be embedded across airlines, online travel agencies, hotel websites and mobile payment platforms.

Thairu said Kenya's mobile money ecosystem offered an advantage in expanding domestic uptake of travel insurance.

He also called for Tourism Regulatory Authority minimum standards requiring clear information on available cover before customers complete bookings.

For tourism operators these proposals would place insurance information within the booking process rather than leave it outside the transaction.

On health security Thairu said travel advisories from major source markets could sharply reduce bookings overnight.

He called for proactive engagement with the UK's FCDO and the US State Department over such risks.

Thairu said health security infrastructure should be treated as an investment in destination competitiveness rather than simply a cost.

He proposed joint public and private financing for emergency medical response, disease surveillance and trained personnel without dependence on donors.

On crisis management Thairu said cancellations during the 2024 protests had outpaced any coordinated response.

He called for an agreed protocol setting out named roles, approved messaging, designated spokespersons and rapid response mechanisms.

The proposed arrangements would cover government, airlines, hotels and trade partners.

Thairu also called for sector-wide force majeure standards and a standing recovery plan supported by budgets and marketing materials approved in advance.

For Kenyan tourism businesses his proposals would require coordination across booking channels and emergency services rather than separate responses by individual operators.

Kenya Airways served as the expo's official airline partner and Thairu said aviation growth and tourism development were closely linked.

The 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo runs from 6 to 8 Oct 2026 at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum in Nairobi.

CFAO Mobility Kenya has taken over management of Case IH in Kenya following an internal CFAO Group reorganisation effective 1 Oct 2026.

The company announced the transition in Nairobi on 6 Oct 2026 and said existing customer orders, relationships and points of contact remain unchanged.

The move matters to Kenya’s agricultural businesses because it brings the equipment brand into CFAO Mobility Kenya’s nationwide parts and aftersales network.

“Parts availability, technical expertise and responsive aftersales service are fundamental to customer success,” said Arvinder Reel, managing director of CFAO Mobility Kenya.

The company said the existing Case IH sales and technical teams will continue supporting customers across the country through the transition.

It said the reorganisation is intended to strengthen the brand’s Kenyan operations while maintaining continuity for employees and business partners.

Case IH supplies farmers, agribusinesses and agricultural contractors with tractors and other equipment alongside technical support.

The transition brings those operations into CFAO Mobility Kenya’s wider sales and service infrastructure.

The company said customers would benefit over time from broader access to parts and technical expertise through that network.

Reel said agricultural machinery is a productivity asset and customer support must extend throughout the life of the equipment.

He said Case IH expands the company’s role beyond moving people and goods to serving farms and agricultural enterprises.

Dennis Awori is chairman of CFAO Group Kenya and its country delegate.

“This transition reflects CFAO’s commitment to responding to the evolving needs of Kenya’s economy,” said Awori.

Awori said agriculture is critical to Kenya’s growth, employment and food security.

He said bringing Case IH under CFAO Mobility strengthens the group’s ability to support farmers and the wider agricultural value chain.

The company said farmers and contractors increasingly seek productive and technologically advanced mechanisation equipment.

Its planned focus extends beyond machinery sales to support throughout the productive life of customers’ equipment.

Case IH is a CNH Industrial brand whose Kenyan tractor range spans 55 to 700 horsepower according to the release.

Its equipment serves smallholder farmers, specialised agricultural operations and large commercial enterprises.

The brand also offers implements and precision farming equipment intended to improve productivity according to the company.

CFAO Mobility Kenya said its portfolio covers 15 brands across vehicles, motorcycles, tyres and parts.

Its businesses also include Winpart value parts and Automark certified pre-owned vehicles.

The company serves individuals, businesses, institutions and organisations through its nationwide network.

Case IH has operated in Kenya with the CFAO Group since 2014 and has customers across the country’s main agricultural regions.

Safaricom has committed Ksh2 million through M-PESA to support the upcoming Safari 7s rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The company announced the sponsorship on 7 Oct 2026 ahead of the three-day tournament starting on 9 Oct 2026.

The sponsorship links Kenyan sport with mobile payments and connectivity services for fans and businesses attending the tournament.

“We wish Shujaa and the Lionesses success as they defend their titles,” Safaricom chief executive officer Peter Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said it would strengthen network capacity at the stadium to help spectators share and follow the matches.

The company said dedicated connectivity would also support the tournament’s live broadcast during the three days of competition.

Its plans include bringing digital services and customer support to fans and businesses at the venue.

The commitment builds on a two-year partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union valued at more than Ksh100 million according to Safaricom.

That partnership supports the national Sevens teams through M-PESA and covers both Kenya Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses.

Safaricom said the arrangement provides monthly allowances for players and officials alongside medical insurance, airtime allowances and financial literacy programmes.

Kenya Rugby Union chairperson Harriet Okach said the company’s connectivity investment would help fans follow the action.

Okach also said support for women’s rugby through the M-PESA partnership continued to make a difference.

“We look forward to delivering an exciting Safari 7s and encourage fans to turn up in large numbers to support our teams,” Okach said.

Safaricom said fans would be able to access matchday tickets through the Tikohub MiniApp within My OneApp.

The company said streaming bundles would also be available through My OneApp for spectators following the matches.

Visitors would be able to use M-PESA GlobalPay as a payment option during the tournament according to the release.

The planned services place ticket access and mobile payments alongside Safaricom’s network support within the same sporting event.

Safaricom said M-PESA generated more than Ksh182.7 billion in revenue for the financial year ending in March 2026.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company reported annual revenues of Ksh400 billion as at March 2026 in its corporate background information.

The tournament’s 28th edition will feature 18 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions according to the organisers’ programme in the release.

Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans will join international and invitational sides in the men’s competition.

The women’s competition will feature Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Shibli and teams from Uganda, Tunisia and Spain.

Defending champions Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses will return for the tournament running from 9 to 11 Oct 2026.

The University of Nairobi’s Hotrods Quartet won the Open Lanes Varsity Invitational in Nairobi after scoring 30 points to secure a South Africa trip.

A press release dated 8 Oct 2026 said fellow University of Nairobi team Untamed finished second with 28 points.

“The students have shown the power of teamwork and strategy,” On’s Director of Africa Navalayo Osembo said.

The event connects On’s sporting activities with Kenya’s university community through a competition designed for ordinary students rather than elite athletes.

Kenyatta University’s Endzone finished third with 22 points according to the release.

The Hotrods Quartet earned 10 points per race to become the inaugural champions and claim a fully paid race experience in South Africa.

The finals followed weeks of campus qualifiers involving students from Kenyatta University, CUEA, JKUAT, Riara University, Strathmore University and the University of Nairobi.

The competition progressed from campus qualifiers through knockout rounds before teams reached the final stage.

The release said the format tested participants’ speed, endurance and coordination through specially designed races that included steeplechase and relay events.

Teams had to decide how to deploy their members across different challenges to accumulate the points needed for the overall title.

“Winning the Open Lanes competition still feels surreal for me and my team,” the winning team’s captain said.

The release did not identify the captain by name or provide the names of the other members of the winning team.

“Every race pushed us differently and we had to rely on each other to make the right decisions as a team,” the captain said.

Osembo said the Open Lanes concept aimed to give ordinary individuals an opportunity to compete and challenge themselves on the track.

“We are excited to reward the winning team with an opportunity to take that experience to South Africa,” Osembo said.

The release did not disclose the value of the trip or the cost of staging the university competition.

For Kenya’s business audience the event offers a view of On’s engagement with students rather than evidence of sales or investment growth.

The release provided no Kenyan sales figures or local expansion targets for the brand.

On said it began in the Swiss Alps in 2010 and sells footwear, apparel and accessories across several sporting and everyday activities.

The company said it operates in more than 80 countries globally.

The Hotrods Quartet will take up the South Africa race experience at a date not specified in the release.

Spotify named Nigerian singer and songwriter Solana its October EQUAL Africa Artist in Lagos ahead of her first South African performance.

The company announced the selection on 8 Oct 2026 before its EQUAL Artist Showcase in Johannesburg on 14 Oct 2026.

Spotify's head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu said the programme would bring Solana to a South African stage for the first time.

“Her sound is one that requires no passport,” Okumu said.

Spotify said EQUAL Africa supports women artists across the continent and connects their music with global audiences.

For Kenya's music industry, the programme offers a continental example of how streaming platforms promote women artists to wider audiences.

The selection brings together a streaming feature and a live performance ahead of Solana's next releases.

Spotify said the October feature centres on Okunkun, a Yoruba-language song about resilience during difficult periods.

Solana said the title means “darkness” and reflects her message about moving through hardship rather than remaining trapped in it.

“Everyone goes through darkness from time to time,” Solana said.

She said she initially struggled with the title before deciding it matched the message she wanted the song to convey.

In an accompanying interview, Solana said music had served as a means of expression and an escape since childhood.

“Music has always been a form of expression for me since I can remember,” Solana said.

She said women face difficulties getting people in the music industry to take them seriously but she focuses on her work.

“Light will always shine because that’s what it is created to do,” Solana said.

She said participation in the EQUAL programme made her feel seen despite the obstacles she encounters.

Spotify described her developing sound as spanning alternative R&B, electronic music and pop with influences from her Nigerian roots and Yoruba culture.

Solana said she grew up listening to King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey through music her mother played.

She later discovered Lagbaja and other artists through music videos on television.

Spotify said her visual identity includes a signature hairstyle and contemporary interpretations of traditional clothing.

The company said she connects with fans known as Lanterns through exclusive first-listens, intimate meet-ups and newsletters.

Solana said performing across the continent was a longstanding ambition because she sees music as a way to connect people.

Her Johannesburg appearance will precede the release of her new single O Ri Mi on 16 Oct 2026.

Spotify said her debut EP Girl from the West, Act I will follow on 6 Nov 2026.