CFAO Mobility Kenya has unveiled three new Suzuki models in Kenya—Super Carry, Eeco and Across—targeting buyers seeking lower upfront and running costs, the company said in a press statement dated June 25, 2026.

The distributor said the new vehicles are intended to serve both individuals and small businesses, citing demand in a “value-driven” automotive market where buyers are increasingly cost-conscious. The launch was attended by, among others, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General Nashon Kondiwa, according to photo captions shared with the statement.

The move comes as Kenyan motorists continue to weigh vehicle affordability against operating expenses such as fuel and maintenance, while small enterprises—particularly in delivery and transport—look for practical vehicles that can handle urban congestion and frequent use.

Arvinder Reel, Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Kenya, said the company is responding to shifting purchasing priorities. “Kenya’s automotive market is increasingly value-driven, with buyers being cost-conscious and seeking vehicles that offer better value, are reliable, practical, and cost-efficient over time,” Reel said. “The Suzuki models are designed to make car ownership more attainable with the models reflecting the brand’s strong commitment to cost-conscious consumers and first-time buyers.”

Reel added that the company is placing emphasis on broader access and safety. “By prioritizing safety, reliability, and accessibility, Suzuki by CFAO Mobility Kenya continues to promote inclusive mobility solutions that address the diverse transportation needs of Kenyans,” he said.

According to the press statement, the Suzuki Super Carry is positioned as a light-duty pickup for small businesses and last-mile logistics. CFAO Mobility Kenya said the model has a 30-litre fuel tank and a payload capacity of up to 730kg, with a two-seat single-cab layout aimed at commercial use.

The Suzuki Eeco, described as a multi-purpose van, is intended for both family and business applications. The company said it can carry up to seven passengers and has a payload capacity of 615kg, alongside a 32-litre fuel tank. CFAO Mobility Kenya said the model is designed for passenger transport and deliveries in urban settings.

For buyers seeking a higher-seating SUV, CFAO Mobility Kenya introduced the Suzuki Across, which it said comes with all-wheel-drive capability and a 45-litre fuel tank. The company said the SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre engine and includes safety features such as six airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Dual Sensor Brake support and hill assist.

In the Kenyan market, new model introductions by formal distributors are often weighed against the country’s sizable second-hand import segment, where price remains a key determinant. CFAO Mobility Kenya’s strategy—centred on running costs, durability and aftersales coverage—signals a bid to compete not only on product features but also on ownership experience, a factor that can influence fleet and SME purchasing decisions.

CFAO Mobility Kenya said the new Suzuki models will be supported by its aftersales and service footprint, which it described as “over 43 branches, dealerships, and authorised service centres” nationwide.

Further details such as recommended retail prices, financing options and availability timelines were not included in the statement. Industry observers will watch whether the models gain traction among SMEs in delivery, transport and trade, where reliability, service access and cost of ownership can shape vehicle choice.

Kenyan filmmaker Likarion Wainaina will premiere his new psychological thriller, Anam’s Wake, at Prestige Cinema on 31 July 2026, with additional screenings scheduled from 1–2 August 2026, according to a press release dated 24 June 2026.

The film is written and directed by Wainaina and produced by Wanjiru Njoroge, with cinematography by Enos Olik, the statement said. The cast includes Marima Wanjiru (as Anam), Sam Omondi, Peter Kawa (as Mason Ebale), Vanessa Okeyo (as Amani Ebale), Ruth Apondi (as Aunt Kavata), Pras Jadi (as Kwame Ebale), Gathoni Mutua (as Zuri Ebale) and Brenda Ngeso (as Nyawira).

The release positions the film within a growing pipeline of locally made features seeking theatrical audiences in Kenya, where premium cinema venues in Nairobi have increasingly served as launch pads for domestic films alongside international titles. The planned multi-day screening window also reflects a distribution approach that relies on concentrated opening weekends to build word-of-mouth and media attention.

Anam’s Wake is set against the backdrop of African mourning rituals and traditions. The story follows Anam, described in the press release as a professional mourner trained to summon Death and negotiate the passage of souls. While she guides others through loss, she remains emotionally numb after her mother’s death 16 years earlier. The film’s plot centres on Anam’s first solo ritual at the Ebale family home, where a wake “spirals into a chilling ordeal” as family secrets surface and Anam confronts unresolved grief, according to the release.

Wainaina said the project drew from personal experiences of grief. “Anam’s Wake was born from my own journey through grief. After attending numerous burials in early 2024, I became fascinated by the way sorrow often stays hidden, only to return with overwhelming force later,” he said in the statement. He added: “This film explores that terrifying truth, that unprocessed grief waits in the shadows, ready to consume us.”

Producer Wanjiru Njoroge said she was drawn to the cultural grounding and thematic focus of the script. “Anam’s Wake is the kind of film I entered this industry to make—deeply rooted in African culture yet universal in its themes,” she said. Njoroge added that the story explores “grief, family secrets, identity and a young woman navigating the tension between tradition and her own path,” and pointed to its reliance on subtext: “What drew me to the project was its trust in silence and the emotional weight carried in what remains unsaid.”

For Kenya’s creative economy, new theatrical releases can have knock-on effects for jobs across production, post-production, marketing and exhibition, while also strengthening the case for local content investment and wider distribution partnerships. The press release also notes the film drew on “extensive cultural consultation and local knowledge,” positioning authenticity and cultural representation as a core production consideration.

Wainaina is best known for directing Supa Modo, which premiered at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival and was selected as Kenya’s submission to the 91st Academy Awards, according to the release. The statement also describes him as co-founder of Kibanda Pictures and credits him with directing multiple Kenyan television productions.

Next milestones will likely include further details on screening times, ticketing and any wider rollout beyond the initial Prestige Cinema dates, as well as additional marketing materials such as trailers and press-kit assets referenced in the release.

Nigerian singer-songwriter Yemi Alade has released a new single, “Don’t Be Shy”, featuring Kenyan artist Bien-Aimé, according to a statement issued by her label, Effyzzie Music, and distributed by Anyiko PR. The release marks the first single from Alade’s upcoming self-titled album, “IT’S YEMI ALADE”, which is scheduled to drop later this year.

The track was produced by Nigerian producer De Yaso alongside Kenyan producer Kobby Worldwide, the statement said, positioning the song as a cross-border collaboration between Nigerian and Kenyan music talent. The release also adds to a growing list of joint projects between West and East African artists, as streaming platforms and touring circuits continue to reward regional partnerships that can scale beyond home markets.

For Kenya’s music business, Bien’s appearance on a high-profile West African release reflects the continued export push by Kenyan acts seeking wider African and global audiences. Bien has built a solo catalogue following his career with Kenyan band Sauti Sol, and has increasingly featured on collaborations that target multi-market listenership across Africa and the diaspora.

In remarks included in the press release, Alade said the collaboration came together easily. “I have always loved the soulfulness of Bien’s music and working with him on this record was so easy,” Yemi Alade said. She added that the track focuses on “emotion and connection” and that in the song “we are both being playful, confident and honest, in expressing feelings when you’re into someone.”

Bien said the session benefited from creative alignment from the outset. “Working with Yemi was an incredible experience because the energy felt natural from the beginning,” Bien-Aimé said in the statement. He described the song as “about confidence, chemistry and enjoying the moment,” adding: “We want you to just feel good and loosen up when this song comes on.”

The release builds on earlier creative links between Alade and the Sauti Sol camp. The press release cited their past work, including Alade and Sauti Sol’s collaboration “Africa”, as well as subsequent cross-interpretations, including a Swahili version of Alade’s “Nagode” and Alade’s take on Bien’s “All My Enemies Are Suffering,” which her team said was included on the song’s Remix EP.

While the statement did not disclose commercial terms, marketing budgets, or projected streaming targets, such collaborations can influence revenue flows across publishing, master recordings, and performance rights, particularly as African music consumption increasingly shifts to digital platforms. For Kenyan stakeholders—artists, producers, managers and labels—high-visibility features can also translate into higher booking fees, brand interest, and additional licensing opportunities, although outcomes depend on sustained audience conversion beyond a single release.

Alade’s team also linked the single to her next major milestones, saying the forthcoming album will arrive “ahead of a major showcase in Paris, France.” No specific date for the Paris event was provided in the statement.

Next steps for the project are expected to include additional singles and promotional appearances tied to the album rollout later this year. Effyzzie Music and Anyiko PR did not provide further details on the album’s tracklist, release date, or distribution strategy in the press release.

Mobile money subscriptions in Kenya increased by about two million in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year (January–March 2026), pushing total subscriptions to 53.4 million, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

The CA’s latest sector statistics show subscriptions rose from 51.4 million in the previous quarter to 53.4 million, representing quarterly growth of 3.9%. The regulator said the increase reflects continued uptake of digital financial services across the country.

Agent networks expanded at a faster pace than subscriber growth during the quarter. Registered mobile money agents rose to 602,470 from 501,399 in the prior quarter, a 20.2% increase equivalent to about 101,000 additional agents, the CA statistics show.

The latest figures underscore the central role mobile money continues to play in Kenya’s payments and financial services landscape, supporting everyday transactions for households and micro and informal businesses. The expansion of agent networks is also significant for cash-in and cash-out availability, particularly in areas where traditional banking coverage is limited.

The CA statistics further indicate that Safaricom remained the largest player in the market, accounting for 89.1% of mobile money subscriptions during the quarter. The report attributes continued scaling of mobile money usage to ongoing investments in technology capacity within the ecosystem.

“Safaricom remains the market leader in the mobile money market, accounting for 89.1% of mobile money subscriptions,” the Communications Authority of Kenya said in its Q3 sector statistics for FY2025/26.

The regulator’s report also references activity levels within Safaricom’s M-PESA platform, stating that in FY26 the Kenya ecosystem processed approximately 46.41 billion transactions valued at KSh 41.68 trillion. The CA report notes that transaction volumes continue to be driven by small-value payments, citing approximately 17.1 billion “Kadogo” transactions in FY26, which it said accounted for 36.8% of total M-PESA transaction volumes.

Beyond payments and transfers, the CA statistics point to continued product expansion into savings, investment and insurance via mobile money-linked offerings. As of 15 June 2026, the CA report said Ziidi Trader recorded about 688,000 opt-ins and more than 103,000 active traders, facilitating about 533,000 trades involving 171 million shares with a traded value of about KSh 1.9 billion.

In money market investing, the CA statistics show Ziidi MMF had about 7.7 million opt-ins, with 2.42 million active investing subscribers and assets under management of about KSh 19.8 billion. The CA also reported that the Shariah-compliant Ziidi Shariah had about 836,000 opt-ins, more than 102,000 investing subscribers and assets under management of about KSh 154 million.

On the insurance side, the regulator said the Tuunza product had about 759,000 opt-ins, with 87,000 customers purchasing cover, covering more than 205,000 lives through over 7,100 active policies.

For smaller-scale savings, Ziidi Pochi had about 1.46 million opt-ins, with nearly 196,000 active saving users and assets under management of about KSh 318 million, the CA report said.

Industry-wide, the CA statistics suggest Kenya’s mobile money market is increasingly evolving from a payments channel into a broader digital finance distribution layer. For Kenya’s banking, insurance and capital markets, this trend may intensify competition on customer acquisition and product distribution, while increasing the importance of partnerships and regulatory oversight around consumer protection, data, and product suitability.

Looking ahead, CA’s subsequent quarterly releases will be watched for whether agent expansion remains elevated and whether growth in savings, investment and insurance activity continues to scale alongside core payments and transfers.

KPC Foundation, the corporate social investment arm of Kenya Pipeline Company PLC (KPC), has expanded its Clean Energy Transition Programme to Mukuru Viwandani, Nairobi, reaching an additional 100 vulnerable households with clean cooking solutions and introducing a parallel fire preparedness component.

In a press release dated June 19, 2026, the Foundation said the Phase 2 rollout in Nairobi follows an earlier Phase 1 intervention in Jomvu Kuu, Mombasa, where 90 households benefited. The Foundation said the latest expansion brings the total number of households reached by the programme to 190.

Under the Mukuru Viwandani phase, each selected household will receive a 6kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) starter kit comprising “a gas cylinder, burner, grill, and an initial gas fill,” according to the statement. The Foundation did not disclose the value of the kits or the total budget for the phase.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with Vivo Energy Kenya, which the press release identified as the distributor and marketer of Shell-branded fuels and Afrigas LPG in Kenya. KPC Foundation said the initiative is anchored in its Strategic Plan 2025–2028, which prioritises “scalable, integrated solutions” focused on environmental sustainability, community wellbeing and resilience.

Speaking during the launch, KPC Managing Director and Foundation Chair Pius Mwendwa said the Foundation’s approach is intended to link environmental objectives with practical household needs. “This initiative is a clear demonstration of how we are turning strategy into real impact. We cannot ask communities to protect the environment while they still rely on unsafe and unsustainable energy sources. Through this programme, we are providing practical solutions that improve daily life while advancing environmental conservation,” Mwendwa said.

Mwendwa added that KPC intends to replicate the model beyond Nairobi. “Our goal is to scale this model across communities near KPC operations nationwide—ensuring more families access clean energy, safer homes, and better quality of life. This is how we deliver impact at scale,” he said.

Beyond cooking fuel, the Foundation said the programme addresses fire risks in informal settlements by training residents as first responders. A total of 105 Mukuru Viwandani residents will undergo specialised firefighting training at the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas to serve as community fire marshals, according to the press release.

KPC Foundation Manager Rachel Gathoni said the initiative aims to combine health, safety and household welfare outcomes. “This programme is about more than changing how people cook. It is about protecting families from harmful smoke, reducing fire risks, and improving the overall quality of life. When communities are given practical alternatives, real and lasting change becomes possible,” Gathoni said.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the initiative highlights growing corporate involvement in clean cooking and community safety programmes, alongside government and donor-led efforts to reduce dependence on charcoal and firewood. The Foundation positioned the programme as supporting its ESG commitments, including reducing indoor air pollution exposure and limiting environmental degradation linked to biomass fuel use. While the press release did not quantify emissions or health impacts, it tied the intervention to Kenya’s climate action agenda and the sustainable development goals.

KPC Foundation said it plans to scale the programme in communities neighbouring KPC operations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu, signalling broader geographic expansion if partnerships and funding are sustained.

Jubilee Group and the Grand Nairobi Bike Race (GNBR) on June 20, 2026 launched the sixth edition of the Jubilee Live Free Race, with organisers announcing a new venue at Uhuru Gardens and a redesigned route along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass ahead of the September 27, 2026 event.

According to the organisers, the 2026 race is expected to attract more than 5,500 participants, up from 3,387 last year, reflecting what they described as growing interest from cycling clubs, corporate teams, recreational riders and first-time participants.

The event’s main 72km category will also shift to a two-lap format, reducing the number of loops required to complete the distance. Jubilee Group said it will provide title sponsorship of KES 25 million (KES 25 million), up from KES 20 million (KES 20 million) last year.

The Jubilee Live Free Race has become one of a growing number of mass-participation sporting events in Kenya that blend wellness, corporate participation and community initiatives. For Nairobi, the move to a Southern Bypass route signals a continued push by organisers to use major road infrastructure for closed-course sports events, which typically require coordination with traffic authorities and medical providers.

Caroline Ndungu, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Jubilee Insurance, said the event has expanded beyond competition into a broader cycling platform.

“We have witnessed the evolution of Jubilee Live Free Race into a powerful movement that promotes cycling and community engagement across East Africa,” Ndungu said. She added that the partnership is intended to support “meaningful conversations around investment, healthy living, and overall wellbeing,” according to the press release.

Desmond Momanyi, Grand Nairobi Bike Race Director, linked the event’s growth to changing mobility and lifestyle habits.

“The future of cycling in Kenya is incredibly exciting. What we are seeing today is the foundation of a movement that can transform how people think about sport, wellness and mobility,” Momanyi said. “Cycling is becoming part of how people live, commute and connect, the Jubilee Live Free Race continues to provide a platform that reflects that evolution.”

The organisers said the race will include multiple categories: a 72km main race and team race; a 36km para-cycling and Black Mamba category; a 20km family fun ride; and a 2km kiddies race. They said the structure is designed to allow participation across age groups and ability levels.

On safety and logistics, the organisers said the event will provide on-course support that includes medical response teams, mobile bike repair units, hydration points and full-route marshalling, alongside coordinated traffic management.

The press release also stated that each registered participant will receive outpatient medical cover for race-related injuries as part of the entry package, funded through a KES 50 allocation from the registration fee, with dedicated medical support available throughout the event.

A prize pool of KES 4 million (KES 4 million) will be awarded to winners across competitive categories, organisers said.

Beyond race day, the organisers said the platform supports community initiatives including the provision of prosthetic limbs for children with amputations and “food tower initiatives” in community schools, as well as programmes tied to health and investment solutions.

Registration is open, and organisers expect early uptake as they plan for what they said will be the largest edition to date. Key next steps will include final route logistics, safety planning, and coordination with relevant public agencies ahead of the September event.

Kenya’s active mobile subscriptions rose to 84.1 million in the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year (January–March 2026), a 7.4% increase from the previous quarter that pushed mobile penetration to 157.7%, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

The CA’s latest sector statistics show Safaricom PLC expanded its lead in the mobile subscriptions market by adding about 5.5 million subscriptions during the quarter, raising its total subscriber base to 57.9 million from 52.4 million. Safaricom’s market share stood at 68.9%.

Airtel Networks Kenya had 23.2 million subscribers, representing 27.6% of the market, the CA data shows. Equitel (Finserve) recorded 1.51 million subscriptions (1.8%), while Jamii Telecommunications (Faiba) had 883,944 subscriptions (1.1%). Telkom Kenya posted a decline, losing 160,464 subscribers during the quarter to end at 584,438 subscriptions, equivalent to 0.7% market share.

The figures offer a snapshot of the competitive dynamics in Kenya’s telecommunications market, where mobile connectivity underpins consumer spending, e-commerce, digital lending, transport and last-mile payments. Multiple SIM ownership and the use of separate lines for data, business and mobile money continue to contribute to penetration levels above 100%.

The regulator attributed the quarterly increase in subscriptions to operator-led efforts and broader market shifts. “The Communications Authority attributed this robust growth primarily to customer win-back campaigns run by operators during the reference period,” the CA statistics report said. The CA also cited “falling device costs, the expansion of high-speed mobile network infrastructure and the growing necessity of mobile-based economic and social services in Kenya.”

The CA data also points to an accelerating shift toward smartphones. Smartphones accounted for 63.7% of total mobile phones connected to networks during the period, according to the regulator, reflecting the rising importance of app-based services and internet-driven consumption.

In mobile broadband, Kenya had 62.6 million subscriptions as of March 31, 2026, the CA said. Safaricom led the segment with a 62.7% share, down from 64.3% in the prior quarter, indicating competitive pressure in data even as the operator retained a clear lead.

In fixed data, Safaricom held a 35.4% market share, followed by Jamii Telecommunications at 19.5%, Wananchi Group at 10.4% and Poa Internet Kenya at 9.7%, according to the CA. Other providers included Ahadi Wireless (9.2%), Vilcom Network (6.0%) and Mawingu Networks (3.7%). Starlink had a 0.9% share in the period covered by the report.

Mobile money remained concentrated around the market leader. The CA said the mobile money sub-segment grew to 53.4 million active subscriptions, with Safaricom holding an 89.1% share.

Usage metrics continued to show dominance by the two largest operators. Domestic voice traffic shares were Safaricom (64.96%) and Airtel (34.88%), with Telkom (0.07%), Equitel (0.05%) and Jamii (0.04%) accounting for the remainder, according to the CA. For SMS traffic, Safaricom accounted for 93.96% while Airtel held 6.01%, with the other operators near zero.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the latest CA numbers underline sustained demand for connectivity and the growing role of smartphones and broadband in consumption patterns. The report also suggests that while Safaricom remains the dominant player across several indicators, shifts in data-market share and continued subscriber gains by rivals will be closely watched for signals of pricing pressure, network investment cycles and new product bundling.

The next market test will come in subsequent CA quarterly updates, which will show whether the subscriber gains—linked by the regulator to win-back campaigns and device affordability—are sustained and whether competition tightens further in mobile broadband and fixed internet.

Haleon Kenya has formalised a three-year partnership with the Upper Tana–Nairobi Water Fund Trust (UTNWFT) to support conservation and sustainable farming interventions in the Upper Tana watershed, a catchment the trust says supplies approximately 95% of Nairobi’s water and around 50% of Kenya’s hydropower.

The partnership was announced on 18 June 2026 in Nairobi and marked by the public signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations, according to a statement issued by Haleon and UTNWFT. The initiative focuses on watershed restoration, sustainable land and water management, and community-led conservation, with the stated goal of improving long-term water security.

The partners said the programme will work with 7,660 smallholder farmers and target improved management across 131 hectares of farmland, alongside the restoration of 1.5 kilometres of riparian corridors. Planned interventions include agroforestry, soil conservation terraces, grass strips on farmland, riparian buffer restoration, farmer training and extension support, according to the press release.

Haleon said the project is expected to generate approximately 76,000 cubic metres of water replenishment per year attributable to the company by year three. The estimate is based on Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) and the Curve Number hydrological method, the statement said, and is intended to support Haleon’s water neutrality goal for its Nairobi site.

“Water is fundamental to health, communities, and sustainable growth. Through this partnership with the Upper Tana–Nairobi Water Fund Trust, Haleon is proud to support practical, nature-based solutions that help protect vital water resources while strengthening resilience for communities across the Upper Tana watershed,” said Himanshu Raj, General Manager at Haleon Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Upper Tana catchment has come under pressure from land degradation, population growth and climate variability, according to the partners. The statement linked unsustainable farming on steep slopes to soil erosion and sedimentation in rivers and reservoirs, which it said can raise water treatment costs and reduce productivity for smallholder farmers.

Patrick Nyaga, Chief Executive Officer of the Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust, said the collaboration will focus on measurable outcomes. “Through this partnership with Haleon, we are advancing our shared commitment to water stewardship by working collaboratively, investing in practical solutions that are tied to robust measurement. Ultimately, it’s about investing in solutions that deliver lasting value for communities, businesses, and the environment,” Nyaga said.

For Kenyan businesses and utilities, catchment health has direct cost implications because higher sediment loads can increase downstream water treatment requirements and affect storage capacity in reservoirs. While the partners did not disclose the value of Haleon’s investment, they said the initiative aims to reduce sediment loads and downstream treatment costs while also supporting farm productivity and incomes upstream.

The announcement adds to a growing trend of private-sector participation in catchment protection as water security becomes a more material operational risk for manufacturers and service providers in Nairobi and across the country. With Nairobi’s water supply heavily reliant on the Upper Tana system, sustained degradation of the catchment can also translate into supply disruptions that affect industrial users and household consumption.

Over the three-year term, the partners said progress will be tracked using the stated accounting and hydrological methods to quantify water benefits. The next milestone will be implementation of the on-farm and riparian restoration activities across targeted areas of the Upper Tana watershed, with annual replenishment impacts expected to build toward the year-three estimate.

Kenyan artists Calvo Mistari and Naiboi have released a new single titled “Baddest” on June 17, 2026, positioning it as the fifth release from their forthcoming joint album “308”, according to a press release issued the same day. The track is being released under their publishing imprint, Room 308.

In the statement, the duo said “Baddest” follows earlier singles from the project—“Rudisha”, “All My Dreams”, “Zama” and “The Prize”—as they build toward the full album rollout. The release adds to a growing trend in Kenya’s music economy where artists are increasingly organising distribution and rights management through their own imprints, a move that can strengthen control over publishing revenues in a streaming-led market.

According to the press release, “Baddest” was produced by Dillie, with assistance from Musyoka, who mixed and mastered the track. The song includes live guitar arrangements by Benjamin Kabaseke and bass guitar contributions from Sedar Malaki, with additional background vocals from Amileena.

Calvo Mistari and Naiboi framed the single as an upbeat afro-pop record centred on a confident female character. “Baddest is all about good vibes. It's about that person who walks into a room and immediately captures everyone's attention,” the duo said in a joint quote. “We wanted the song to feel fun, uplifting and make people want to dance. More than anything, we want listeners to enjoy the energy and feel-good spirit behind it.”

The artists also disclosed details of the writing process, describing how the track emerged in an informal setting while they were at home. “We were actually cooking dinner when the song happened,” Calvo Mistari said. “Naiboi had the beat playing on loop and we just started feeding off each other's energy. We laid the intro, then my verse and from there the song began taking shape.”

While the announcement focuses on creative elements, the business subtext is the continued formalisation of independent music operations. The press release describes Room 308 as a collaborative venture backing the duo’s output as they prepare to release more music from the “308” album. For Kenyan artists, such structures can support monetisation through publishing, neighbouring rights and licensing—revenue lines that are becoming more important as digital consumption expands across East Africa.

The duo’s cross-border presence is also part of the strategy. The statement noted that Calvo Mistari and Naiboi have been “living between Kenya and the US”, as they pursue new ventures and opportunities. That positioning may broaden market access for collaborations, touring, and diaspora-facing distribution, while still anchoring their brand in Kenya’s urban music scene.

Calvo Mistari and Naiboi first collaborated on the 2021 song “Situation”, according to the press release. Their latest single adds to a pipeline of releases intended to precede the full “308” album, with the pair signalling that additional music and collaborations linked to the project are expected ahead of the album’s unveiling.

The High Court has dismissed an application by JILK Construction Ltd seeking to stop the planned acquisition of shares in East African Breweries Plc (EABL) by Japan’s Asahi Group Holdings, in a transaction involving Diageo Plc.

In a ruling, Justice Gregory Mutai declined to grant orders sought by JILK to “stop, restrain or preserve” the transaction between Diageo and Asahi for the transfer of majority shareholding in EABL. The judge held that JILK’s claims—arising from a dispute with EABL subsidiary Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL)—could still be determined even if the share transaction proceeds.

The decision clears a legal hurdle around the deal, which was announced in December 2025 and is awaiting approval by the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), according to the document provided.

The case stems from a long-running dispute between JILK and KBL dating to 2019 over alleged unpaid construction work at Kisumu Brewery. The matter went to arbitration but was halted after KBL said it had uncovered issues including alleged collusion between the arbitrator and JILK, which KBL said inflated the disputed amount from KSh163 million to KSh2.4 billion, the document states.

Justice Mutai found that the contractor had not demonstrated grounds to freeze a corporate share transaction on the basis of its separate dispute with a subsidiary. “The judge said the claims by JILK, whose dispute is with EABL subsidiary Kenya Breweries Limited, can still be considered even if the transaction proceeds, and therefore would not warrant stopping the deal between Diageo and Asahi,” the document states.

The court also dismissed the application on the basis that it had not been shown that Diageo would “disappear” or become unreachable after the transaction. Justice Mutai further stated that EABL and KBL would remain in existence and, if Asahi becomes the main shareholder, it would be subject to Kenyan regulatory and legal processes.

In its reasoning, the court also referenced a prior attempt by a distributor, Bia Tosha, in which the court agreed that no sufficient nexus had been shown between a historical dispute and the share transaction. The judge held that a similar deficiency applied in JILK’s application, according to the document.

JILK had cited the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, but Justice Mutai ruled that while the principles are important, the court was not persuaded they are binding as general rules of international law or as a ratified treaty.

On public interest, the judge held that it favours completion of the transaction due to “its significant public finance impact,” according to the document. The ruling also noted that JILK does not claim ownership of the shares being sold or seek payment out of the sale proceeds.

The case highlights the legal and regulatory scrutiny large cross-border transactions can attract in Kenya, particularly when legacy commercial disputes intersect with high-profile corporate activity. For investors, the decision reinforces the court’s stance that interim relief must be tied to a direct legal interest in the subject matter, and that disputes with operating subsidiaries may not be sufficient to halt shareholder-level transactions absent clear evidence of irreparable harm or risk of enforcement becoming impossible.

Next, market attention will shift to the CAK review process, which will determine whether the transaction can proceed under Kenya’s competition rules. No timeline was provided in the document, but the deal remains pending regulatory approval.