Bamburi Cement PLC Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Ndugwa on June 16, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) head office in Nairobi for an introductory meeting with KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari. In a media statement, the company said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two organisations on quality assurance and construction material standards.

According to the statement, the engagement centred on familiarisation following Ndugwa’s appointment and “strengthening the long-standing relationship” between Bamburi Cement and the national standards body. The company said both leaders expressed a commitment to safeguarding consumer trust, improving product integrity and supporting sustainable building practices as the built environment sector evolves.

The visit comes as the construction sector remains sensitive to the availability and use of certified materials, with quality compliance directly affecting public safety, the durability of infrastructure projects and the competitiveness of local manufacturers. Industry players rely on KEBS for standards setting, audits and market surveillance, while manufacturers depend on consistent enforcement to curb unfair competition from substandard products.

A key item discussed, Bamburi said, was the shared objective of ensuring high-quality construction materials and addressing “the challenges of substandard products in the regional retail market.”

During the visit, Ndugwa said Bamburi’s approach to standards is driven by compliance and internal controls. “Maintaining strict conformity to national quality standards is not just a regulatory obligation for Bamburi Cement; it is the cornerstone of our corporate DNA,” Geoffrey Ndugwa, Chief Executive Officer of Bamburi Cement PLC, said in the statement. He added: “We deeply appreciate KEBS’ unrelenting commitment to market surveillance, robust auditing, and manufacturing facility assessments.”

Ndugwa also linked enforcement and collaboration to public safety and infrastructure durability, saying: “Positive collaborations like this ensure that the Kenyan public is protected against structural hazards while securing the longevity of our country's critical infrastructure projects.”

For KEBS, Ngari said direct engagement with manufacturers supports compliance and industrial competitiveness. “Continuous, direct engagement with our primary industry players is key to helping local enterprises meet regulatory criteria seamlessly while scaling up industrial competitiveness,” Esther Ngari, Managing Director of KEBS, said.

She added that KEBS would continue supporting industry through standards and technical capacity. “KEBS remains fully dedicated to providing the necessary quality infrastructure, technical expertise, and standardized frameworks that foster industrial growth, environmental sustainability, and consumer protection across the board,” Ngari said.

Market watchers view such engagements as part of broader efforts to reinforce product certification and enforcement in building materials, a sector where reputational risk and liability can be significant for manufacturers and developers. Tighter coordination between regulators and major producers can also influence compliance costs, procurement decisions and the adoption of new materials, particularly as sustainability requirements become more prominent in construction.

In their next steps, Bamburi said the two organisations would maintain open communication channels, collaborate on consumer safety awareness and participate in technical committees focused on “future-proof eco-materials.”

Bamburi Cement PLC is a member of the Amsons Group, which the company described as a privately owned Pan-African conglomerate established in 2000 in Tanzania with operations across multiple sectors and countries, including Kenya.

Rolling Stone Africa (RSA) and ON Kenya have launched Voices in Motion, a storytelling platform they say is designed to support emerging African creators and expand how the continent’s sports stories are documented and distributed. The initiative was launched in Nairobi on June 16, 2026, and will culminate in a Creative Summit scheduled for July 29 to August 2.

According to the organisers, the platform targets photographers, filmmakers, writers, videographers and digital creators, with a focus on building skills and providing access to mentorship and industry networks. The programme is positioned around sports storytelling, with the organisers citing a gap between Africa’s elite athletic performance and the depth of narrative coverage around athletes’ experiences.

In their statement, RSA and ON Kenya said African sporting achievements are frequently covered “through external lenses,” which they argue can limit attention to the cultural context, personal sacrifices and community stories behind athletic success. The organisers said Voices in Motion aims to invest in local storytellers as a way to influence how these narratives are captured and shared.

“Across Africa, we have extraordinary athletes whose achievements inspire millions, yet many of their journeys remain unseen,” said Navalayo Osembo of ON Kenya. “Through Voices in Motion, we are creating pathways for young creators to develop the skills, networks and opportunities needed to tell these stories authentically and powerfully. We believe that the future of sports storytelling in Africa should be shaped by Africans themselves.”

Gwen Madiba, Editor in Chief at Rolling Stone Africa, said the initiative is intended to strengthen the capacity of storytellers who work closest to the communities where sports talent is developed. “Every record broken, every sacrifice made and every triumph achieved deserves to be documented by storytellers who understand the communities and cultures from which these stories emerge,” she said. “Voices in Motion is about ensuring that Africa not only produces world-class athletes but also world-class storytellers capable of sharing these journeys with the world.”

The organisers said the Creative Summit will bring together athletes, journalists, storytellers, industry leaders and aspiring creators for training, collaboration and mentorship. They did not disclose the summit venue, programme partners beyond RSA and ON Kenya, or the budget for the initiative in the statement.

For Kenya’s creative economy, the initiative lands as brands and publishers increase spend on digital-first sports content and athlete-led narratives, particularly across video and social media formats. The stated focus on mentorship and practical training aligns with an industry shift toward multi-skilled creators who can shoot, edit and publish across platforms, as sports coverage becomes more creator-driven and audience-led.

If implemented at scale, the programme could also expand professional opportunities for Kenyan freelancers and small production teams that support sports federations, talent agencies and sponsors. However, the long-term impact will depend on selection criteria, the depth of mentorship, and whether participants receive paid commissions or pathways into sustained work after the summit.

RSA and ON Kenya said applications will open for aspiring creatives from across Kenya to participate in the Voices in Motion programme, with successful applicants expected to receive mentorship, industry exposure and access to the Creative Summit. The organisers have not announced application dates or cohort size.

Bamburi Cement Group on June 15, 2026 commissioned two newly constructed classrooms and an office-store facility at Kwabulo Secondary School in Nyali Sub-County, Mombasa County, in a partnership with Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali. The company said the initiative was aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps at the public school, where learners previously studied in temporary tents and, in some cases, sat on the floor due to a shortage of desks and classrooms.

According to the media press release issued in Mombasa, the corporate social responsibility project also included the donation of 80 lockers and chairs, alongside curriculum textbooks. Bamburi Cement said the handover was intended to resolve “severe infrastructure deficits” and improve learning conditions for day scholars at the institution.

The development comes as schools across Kenya continue to grapple with classroom congestion and resource constraints that have been linked, in part, to the government’s 100% transition policy. In Mombasa County and other urban areas, pressure on existing facilities has increased with growing enrolment, creating demand for additional classrooms and learning equipment.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali said the new facilities would replace temporary learning structures and help stabilise learning at the school.

“We are incredibly grateful for the massive support and corporate partnership from Bamburi Cement toward our local education initiatives. These new classrooms replace temporary tents with permanent dignity,” Mohammed Ali said. He added: “Looking ahead, the Nyali National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) plans to anchor this progress by establishing a fully equipped ICT Lab in the upcoming financial year.”

Bamburi Cement said the project aligns with its corporate pillar of supporting local development in host communities, including providing building materials and structural support. The company did not disclose the value of the project or quantify the cost of the construction and donated items.

While the initiative is framed as a community programme, it also highlights how private-sector participation is increasingly being used to complement public funding for education infrastructure in Kenya. For manufacturers and construction-linked firms, school building projects can also contribute to sustained demand for building materials at the county level, particularly where enrolment growth continues to outpace facility expansion.

In the statement, Bamburi Cement said the new classrooms and facilities are expected to improve attendance and reduce disruptions during harsh weather, which the school previously faced due to temporary structures. The company also said the upgrades are intended to support improved performance outcomes over time, though it did not provide baseline performance data.

Looking ahead, the next milestone for the school will be the proposed ICT lab through the Nyali NG-CDF, as outlined by the area MP. The extent of additional infrastructure needs at Kwabulo Secondary School was not detailed in the press release, but the project underscores the continuing role of constituency-level funding and corporate support in addressing basic school infrastructure deficits in Kenya.

LOOP DFS, the digital financial services subsidiary of NCBA Group, planted 3,000 indigenous and adaptive trees at Flamingo Farm in Naivasha on June 13, tying the activity to the second leg of the LOOP Gravel Series 2026 held around the Hell’s Gate area, the company said in a press release.

According to the company, the tree-planting was conducted in collaboration with Hell’s Gate management and formed part of a sustainability programme embedded in the LOOP Safari Gravel Series, where planting is included as a recurring feature at each edition.

The exercise took place alongside an event that the company said drew more than 2,000 participants, including 850 cyclists, as well as spectators, partners and community members.

Corporate sustainability initiatives have become increasingly visible in Kenya as companies align with national and county-level environmental priorities, including landscape restoration and climate adaptation. Naivasha, a key tourism and agribusiness node, has faced sustained pressure on land and water resources, making conservation partnerships in the area a growing focus for both public and private sector actors.

LOOP DFS chief executive officer Eric Muriuki said the company was positioning the initiative as a link between sport, community participation and environmental action. “Our tree-planting initiative within the Gravel Series reflects LOOP’s commitment to integrating sustainability into everything we do. By bringing together sport, community, and environmental action through the LOOP Safari Gravel Series, we are not only creating memorable experiences but also taking deliberate steps to restore ecosystems and protect biodiversity,” Mr Muriuki said, according to the statement.

A representative from Hell’s Gate also backed the partnership, citing the potential ecological benefits of adding tree cover in the area. “Partnerships like this are essential to restoring our landscapes and protecting the ecosystems that sustain local communities. By planting indigenous and adaptive trees, this initiative will support biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute to the long-term health of the Naivasha environment,” the representative said in the press release.

The company said the species planted included Odo, Olive, Neem, Croton, Acacia, Melia azedarach and Syzygium. LOOP DFS said the species selection was based on suitability to local conditions and their ability to support biodiversity, soil health and long-term survival.

While the press release did not provide projected carbon sequestration figures, LOOP DFS said the initiative is expected to contribute to carbon capture over time as the trees mature. It also said the planting is intended to support ecosystem restoration by creating habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife.

For Kenya’s corporate sector, the move reflects a broader trend of integrating environmental activities into brand-led public events—particularly in sports and tourism corridors—where community participation can scale awareness and volunteer involvement. For ecosystems such as Naivasha’s, sustained benefits will depend on post-planting care, survival rates and longer-term monitoring—elements not detailed in the statement.

LOOP DFS said tree planting will remain a feature of future editions of the LOOP Safari Gravel Series, signalling that additional restoration activities may be rolled out alongside upcoming legs of the event.

Safaricom Plc said Emmanuel Ng’eno and Mbesa Kalondu won the men’s and women’s 21km races at the third edition of the Safaricom CEO Run held on Saturday at Karura Forest in Nairobi, as the telco steps up activity around conservation fundraising ahead of the Lewa Safari Marathon slated for June 27 at Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo County.

In a press release dated June 13, 2026, Safaricom said Ng’eno won the men’s 21km half-marathon in 1:24:47, ahead of Khamza Ahmed (1:40:59) and Antony Mwasaru (1:50:02). In the women’s race, Safaricom said Kalondu finished first in 2:08:11, with Shashu Damaris second (2:08:15) and Zion Versity third (2:09:35).

Safaricom said the Karura event attracted more than 500 participants, including staff, customers, running communities and corporate teams, and was organised in partnership with conservation charity Tusk to support fundraising for Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

Kenyan corporates have increasingly used sporting events to mobilise brand communities and fundraise for social and environmental programmes, with runs and marathons becoming a recurring platform for corporate partnerships. For Safaricom, the CEO Run sits within a longer-running association with the Lewa Safari Marathon, which channels proceeds into conservation and community development initiatives at Lewa.

Ng’eno, the men’s winner, linked his participation to the event’s conservation purpose. “This is a special win for me, especially as it was my first time participating in the Safaricom CEO Run. While the course was challenging, it was rewarding to be part of an event that brings people together in support of a meaningful cause,” said Emmanuel Ng’eno, according to the press release.

Safaricom’s Group Chief People Officer Florence Nyokabi said participation remained strong in the third year at Karura Forest. “Today’s event was a great success, with more than 500 participants taking part. This is our third year hosting the race at Karura Forest, and I would like to thank all our staff, partners and friends who turned out in large numbers to support this noble cause,” said Florence Nyokabi, Group Chief People Officer at Safaricom Plc.

Safaricom said the event had four categories: 21km, 15km, 10km and a 5km fun walk. It reported that Adam Ahmed and Violet Okoti won the 15km race in 1:08:29 and 1:34:36 respectively, while Joshua Mucha and Hudlyn Hagoi won the 10km in 40:27 and 1:02:51. Joe Mwaniki and Mikhala Barasa won the men’s and women’s 5km races, Safaricom said.

Lewa Conservancy’s Chief Programmes and Partnerships Officer John Kinoti said the Karura race supports momentum for the main marathon. “This event plays an important role in building momentum for the Lewa Safari Marathon while highlighting the impact of conservation efforts,” said John Kinoti, Chief Programmes and Partnerships Officer at Lewa Conservancy, adding that preparations were nearly complete and the conservancy was looking forward to welcoming over 1,400 participants on June 27.

Beyond the immediate sporting calendar, the CEO Run provides a snapshot of how Kenya’s largest listed telecom continues to connect staff engagement and partner participation to its environmental and community agenda, while also maintaining visibility around flagship CSR-linked events that attract corporate teams from institutions such as KCB, Huawei and Amref, as cited by Safaricom.

Safaricom said it has supported the Lewa Safari Marathon since inception and earlier in 2026 announced a KES 10 million contribution (KES 10 million) towards the 26th edition. It also said the 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon is expected to host 1,500 participants across the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race and 5km children’s race.

Safaricom will hold the third edition of the Safaricom CEO Run on Saturday, 13 June, at Karura Forest in Nairobi, with more than 400 participants expected, the company said in a media statement dated 11 June 2026.

Safaricom said the event is organised in partnership with Tusk and serves as a build-up to the Lewa Safari Marathon, which is scheduled for 27 June. According to the statement, the run is designed to support fundraising for conservation and community development initiatives at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

The company said participants will compete in four categories: a 21km half-marathon, 15km and 10km races, and a 5km walk.

In the statement, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa linked the company’s involvement in the run to its broader support for the Lewa Safari Marathon. “Through our long-standing support of the Lewa Safari Marathon, we have witnessed firsthand how sport can transform lives by unlocking access to education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods for communities around Lewa,” Ndegwa said. He added that the Karura event brings together “partners, corporates, friends, and young people to participate, raise funds, and strengthen conservation efforts.”

Safaricom also highlighted its employee fundraising team, Lions of Lewa, which it said participates in the Lewa Safari Marathon and supports wildlife conservation and community development. The company said the group has, since 2019, ranked among the top fundraisers and raises more than KES 1.2 million annually.

Earlier in 2026, Safaricom announced a contribution of KES 10 million towards the 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon, according to the statement.

The company said the 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants across multiple categories, including a 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race and a 5km children’s race. However, the statement also noted that registration for the Lewa Safari Marathon is now closed.

For Kenya’s business landscape, Safaricom’s continued support for conservation-linked events reflects the growing use of corporate-backed sports and community initiatives as fundraising platforms, particularly for wildlife protection and community programmes that depend on private and philanthropic funding. The statement positions the CEO Run as an on-the-ground activation that complements sponsorship funding, including the KES 10 million contribution announced earlier in the year.

Safaricom cited long-term impact figures for the Lewa Safari Marathon, stating that since inception it has raised over KES 850 million to support conservation and community development across Kenya. More than KES 400 million of that, the company said, has gone towards protecting endangered species, wildlife habitats and surrounding ecosystems.

Looking ahead, the Karura Forest event will precede the main Lewa Safari Marathon on 27 June. Safaricom and partners are expected to use the CEO Run to rally corporate participation and fundraising momentum ahead of the Lewa event, which the company says draws a field of more than 1,500 participants.

Pumwani Maternity Hospital has established an upgraded newborn unit in Nairobi, adding new technology and infrastructure—including a central heating system—to address hypothermia among newborns, according to a press release dated June 10, 2026.

The hospital, which said it delivers about 80 to 90 babies daily and is marking its 100th anniversary this year, stated that the modernisation is intended to strengthen neonatal care at what it described as Kenya’s largest maternity facility and a key referral point for complicated cases. The press release also noted that Nairobi accounts for about 10% of births in Kenya, positioning interventions at Pumwani as significant for maternal and newborn outcomes beyond the facility.

Hypothermia—when newborns are unable to regulate their body temperature—has been a longstanding clinical challenge at the hospital. Dr Chris Mugambi, Pumwani Maternity Hospital’s Medical Superintendent and a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, described the condition as “an invisible enemy” for newborns at the facility.

Dr Mugambi said the installation of the central heating system has already delivered measurable gains. “The central heating component has enabled us to achieve above 75 per cent improvement in thermal regulation outcomes, saving infant lives on the backdrop of stretched demand,” he said.

The initiative was supported through a partnership involving the Nairobi City County Government, Pumwani Maternity Hospital and Safaricom Foundation-linked programmes, the statement said. Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu said the intervention forms part of the Uzazi Salama programme, which he said is aligned to the World Health Organization’s Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) action plan.

“We are absolutely delighted at the impact of this partnership with the Nairobi County Government and Pumwani Maternity Hospital, enabling us to improve the health and well-being of women and children in our country by ending preventable deaths as we journey towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” Ogutu said.

Funding for the heating component was provided by the M-Pesa Foundation, which the press release said put in KES 13 million towards the installation of the central heating system in the newborn unit. The statement linked the project to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), citing its role in strengthening referral healthcare services.

Nairobi City County Chief Officer for Medical Services Maryam Dahir said the upgraded unit is expected to improve maternal and newborn care at a facility that the press release said accounts for about 10% of the country’s total births. “This means we are responsible for approximately one in every ten maternal cases in Kenya,” she said.

Dahir added that the county views partner support as part of broader health system strengthening efforts. “As a county, we receive this with great gratitude and we look forward to continued partnership, and where possible, cascading similar support to other facilities within the city,” she said.

For Kenya’s health sector and its financing landscape, the project underscores the growing role of public-private partnerships and philanthropic capital in bridging gaps in critical hospital infrastructure, particularly in high-volume public facilities. Thermal regulation is a basic but often under-resourced component of neonatal care, and Pumwani’s scale—80 to 90 deliveries a day, according to the statement—means efficiency gains can translate into system-level impact if replicated.

Next, county health leaders indicated interest in extending similar support to other facilities within Nairobi. Future milestones will likely include monitoring clinical outcomes from the upgraded unit and assessing whether comparable heating and equipment interventions can be deployed across other maternity and newborn units in the county’s referral network.

LG Electronics East Africa has partnered with MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, to launch Make Life Good, a six-part reality television series that will air on Maisha Magic from 13 June, the companies said in a media statement dated Wednesday 10 June 2026 in Nairobi.

According to the statement, the programme will be hosted by South African television personality Jessica Nkosi and will follow six public figures as they plan surprise 24-hour makeovers of facilities run by charitable organisations and community mentors. The series will air on Maisha Magic East (DStv Channel 158) at 19:30 EAT on 13 June, with a repeat on Maisha Magic Plus on 14 June at 20:00.

The show’s format centres on what the companies describe as gratitude-driven interventions for organisations supporting vulnerable communities in South Africa. The “Achievers” named in the statement are mountaineer Saray Khumalo, football figure William Okpara, entrepreneur and author Thandi Mavata, data and analytics executive Esther Munyi, PR executive Perpetual Kendi, and filmmaker Adze Ugah.

In each episode, the statement said, an Achiever selects a cause and works with LG to upgrade the facility with appliances and electronics intended to address day-to-day operational constraints. Examples cited include upgrades at LIV Lanseria and Botshabelo Babies Home, as well as installations for youth hubs and training centres such as Bold Men Skills Program and The House Groups. The companies also referenced support to the Kensington Secondary School soccer programme through laundry equipment for cleaning sports kits.

Phil Jung, CEO of LG Electronics Middle East and Africa Region, said the company is using the programme to focus on human-interest storytelling rather than product-led messaging. “At LG, our 'Life’s Good' philosophy is built on the belief that technology should serve humanity, making our daily lives more convenient, connected, and meaningful. With ‘Make Life Good’ series, we wanted to move beyond product specifications and celebrate the authentic, emotional human stories of our region,” Jung said.

MultiChoice framed the series as part of its unscripted programming slate on Maisha Magic. “It’s reality TV with purpose. We see it as a celebration of compassion and the unique Mzansi belief that when one rises, they should thrive to lift others as well,” said Mbali Ntuli, GE Head of Unscripted Content at MultiChoice. “We are honoured to be at the centre of a project that is a reminder that even a small act of kindness can transform an entire community.”

Donghun Lee, President of LG Electronics East Africa, said the series is intended to spotlight individuals and organisations working in communities. “Across Africa, there are countless individuals and organisations doing extraordinary work every day, often without recognition. What makes ‘Make Life Good’ special is that it shines a light on these stories and gives them a platform to inspire others,” Lee said.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the partnership underscores how global electronics brands and pay-TV operators are increasingly using locally distributed content to reinforce brand positioning in East Africa’s competitive consumer electronics and home appliances market. Maisha Magic’s reach on DStv also provides a regional distribution pathway for programming that blends entertainment with corporate-backed community interventions, a format that has been gaining traction across African broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Jane Kariuki, Head of Marketing at LG Electronics East Africa, said the project is designed to show practical applications of technology in community settings. “Through this partnership with Maisha Magic and these inspiring changemakers, we are looking beyond product features to spotlight the real impact they are making in their communities. At the same time, we are demonstrating how smart technology can support and simplify the important work they do to create positive change every day,” Kariuki said.

The companies did not disclose the value of the production or any investment tied to the facility upgrades. The next milestone is the premiere on 13 June, followed by subsequent weekly episodes over the six-part season, according to the statement.

Blankets & Wine, a Nairobi-founded live music festival produced by GoodTimes Africa, opened its 2026 season on Sunday, June 7, 2026, with a June edition held at Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, according to a press release dated June 8. Organisers said the event ran across two performance areas—the Main Stage inside the arena and the Onja Onja Stage at The Annex—alongside an outdoor Onja Onja Market for vendors.

The June edition featured Kenyan and African performers, including Labdi, Mordecai Dex, Mejja, Serro, Mutoriah and Watendawili, with Nigerian artist Fave also on the lineup, the organisers said. The Onja Onja Stage hosted electronic and DJ sets featuring DJADE, DJ Paps, Sir M, Kaneda, One Down, DJ IV, Goldmax, Suraj, LA Dave and Hiribae, among others.

The event forms part of Blankets & Wine’s 17th year of operation. The festival was founded in Nairobi in 2008 by Muthoni Ndonga and has staged editions in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the UK, according to the same statement.

Organisers said the Main Stage programme opened with Labdi, followed by performances by Mordecai Dex and Serro. The festival said Fave performed a set during the event, while Mejja and Mutoriah appeared later on the bill. Watendawili closed the night, with the organisers citing surprise guest appearances by Charisma and Xeniah Manasseh during the set.

On the Onja Onja Stage, the organisers said DJADE opened before DJ Paps, with a back-to-back set from Sir M and Kaneda and additional performances by One Down and DJ IV. The statement also cited a performance by South African artist Goldmax, and said the stage ended with a joint set by Suraj, LA Dave and Hiribae.

The June edition also served as the rollout of the festival’s year-long platform dubbed “Your Taste Lives Here,” which the organisers described as a cultural programme focused on Kenyan music, food, fashion and community experiences.

“Every edition of Blankets & Wine begins with a simple question: what does it mean to gather meaningfully in this moment?” said Muthoni Ndonga, Founder and Creative Director. “This June, we introduced some bold changes and our audience once again reminded us that the true power of the festival lies in intentional gathering, shared experiences and the sense of community that continues to define and shape Blankets & Wine.”

The festival said the Onja Onja Market, located outdoors next to the Onja Onja Stage, brought together food vendors, fashion brands and creative entrepreneurs. “We are grateful to everyone who explored The Onja Onja Market, it was exciting to see audiences discovering, supporting and engaging with local brands,” said Michelle Njeri, Brand Manager.

For Kenya’s entertainment and events economy, large-format festivals like Blankets & Wine create business for event production, venue operations, hospitality, transport, and micro and small enterprises that sell food, beverages, fashion and merchandise on-site. The Onja Onja Market segment signals continued interest in festival-linked retail opportunities, where independent brands access concentrated footfall and brand visibility.

GoodTimes Africa said upcoming editions are scheduled for September 6 and December 20, 2026.

Pwani Oil Products Ltd’s Sawa Milking Jelly has kicked off a nationwide farmer empowerment initiative aimed at reducing losses in Kenya’s dairy sector by addressing mastitis infections, poor hygiene and declining milk quality, the company said on June 9, 2026, in Nairobi.

According to Pwani Oil, the campaign will run until August 2026 and will pass through 17 towns across four counties—Bomet, Narok, Nyandarua and Murang’a—targeting 105 mini farm activations and two regional intensive farm activations. The company said the programme will focus on practical education for farmers on udder care, mastitis prevention, milk hygiene, cow wellness and improved milking practices.

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with AMA Energy, which Pwani Oil described as an animal feed additive. In the statement, Pwani Oil said the partnership is intended to support farmers through “practical education, animal wellness support and improved milking practices.”

The campaign comes as the dairy sector faces animal health constraints and pressure to meet higher milk quality standards—issues that can directly affect farm incomes and processor supply chains. Mastitis, which reduces yields and can lower milk quality, is a persistent cost for smallholder farmers who account for a large share of Kenya’s milk production.

Speaking during a farmer engagement forum in Gatanga, Murang’a County, James Faraja, Brand Manager for Sawa Milking Jelly, said farmers require targeted support to improve outcomes at farm level. “Kenya’s dairy farmers are at the centre of the country’s food systems and rural economy. Supporting them with practical knowledge, proper udder care education and animal wellness solutions is essential in improving milk quality, protecting livestock health and building more sustainable farming communities,” Faraja said.

Pwani Oil cited data from the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions indicating that subclinical mastitis—mild infections without visible clinical signs—has a high prevalence in Kenya, exceeding 50%, according to the organisation. The company linked the prevalence to reduced productivity and quality challenges in dairy production.

At the same Gatanga engagement, veterinary expert Job Munene said mastitis is a key driver of farm-level losses in the region. “The condition not only affects milk quality and farmer earnings but also impacts animal comfort, welfare and long-term farm sustainability. Many of these losses can be reduced through greater farmer education, preventative animal care and improved milking hygiene practices,” Munene said.

Pwani Oil also referenced broader sector context from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), which it said estimates the global dairy sector supports more than 150 million farming households worldwide and is important for food security and rural development. The company further cited “agricultural sustainability studies published in late 2025” linking improved dairy hygiene and animal health practices to progress on selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, though it did not name specific studies.

For Kenya’s agribusiness value chain, improved farm hygiene and mastitis control can have knock-on effects on processor efficiency, product quality compliance and antimicrobial use, particularly as buyers and regulators intensify scrutiny around food safety and residues. If adopted at scale, better on-farm practices can reduce spoilage, improve yields and stabilise supply for formal milk markets.

Pwani Oil said AMA Energy will support the programme through grassroots engagement intended to strengthen connections with farmers. The company did not disclose the programme budget or the number of farmers it expects to reach, but said the campaign will include community engagement and storytelling to highlight farmer experiences and challenges.