ANZA MMA will stage its Fight Nights 007 event on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at The Alchemist in Nairobi, with the promotion confirming a Kenya-heavy amateur fight card headlined by a bantamweight bout between Hassan Wasswa Muhammed of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy and Maina Morgan of Shadow Strikers.

In a press release dated March 18, 2026, ANZA MMA said doors will open at 6pm and fights will start at 7pm. Tickets will be sold online via Hustle Sasa, which the organiser described as its official ticketing platform.

The event is the latest in a series of fight nights aimed at building the domestic mixed martial arts (MMA) pipeline, as gyms across the country expand training programmes and athletes seek competitive platforms without leaving Kenya. Hosting the event at a Nairobi entertainment venue also underscores the growing overlap between sports content and the night-time economy, where live events drive footfall for hospitality businesses and create opportunities for sponsors, merchandise sellers and digital content producers.

ANZA MMA said the March 26 card will include a co-main event in the featherweight division, with Dickson Aomo of Diani Fight Club set to face Hamza Fahim of Mombasa Sharks. The press release described Aomo as coming off two victories, while Fahim was described as making his MMA debut with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and karate.

The promotion also listed two additional main-card matchups: Samuel Laurian of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy versus Brayan Ray in a featherweight bout, and Bobby Kamande of Chanuka Self Defense against Lwano Matthew of Marine Gym.

On the preliminary card, organisers confirmed six bouts: Augusto Kohn vs Erick Ogola (welterweight), Guraib Rukwaro vs Chris Mutea (strawweight), Alex Njathi vs Shadrack Otieno (lightweight), Felix Tole vs Evans Kaburia (super lightweight), Josiah Aoncha vs Rai Tsuma (lightweight), and Hashim Sefu vs Wayne Achoki (featherweight).

“Tickets are available online via Hustle Sasa – the official ANZA MMA ticketing platform,” the organiser said in the statement.

ANZA MMA said Fight Nights 007 is “notable for the number of new athletes entering the sport,” adding that “11 fighters” will make their amateur debuts on the card. The organiser also said that, unlike its previous event that included fighters from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the upcoming line-up is dominated by Kenyan athletes travelling from Kisii, Kakamega, Mombasa and Diani, as well as multiple Nairobi gyms.

For Kenya’s sports business landscape, a locally dominated card can reduce travel and logistics costs while deepening regional rivalries between gyms—an element that can help sustain ticket sales and viewership. It also points to a broadening talent base, which could support more frequent events and, over time, a clearer pathway from amateur competition to professional bouts. However, growth will depend on consistent event scheduling, safety standards, and the ability to attract sponsorship and broadcast or streaming partnerships.

In its background notes, ANZA MMA said it is “Kenya’s first licensed MMA Promotions under the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation.” It also referenced “KO Fight Night by ANZA MMA” in 2025 as Kenya’s “first-ever professionally sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts event,” according to the organiser.

ANZA MMA said further event information and media inquiries can be directed to press@anyiko-pr.com, while ticketing support is available via support@hustlesasa.com.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has signed an interline agreement with South African regional carrier CemAir (5Z) to expand passenger connectivity into South Africa through Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT), the airline said in a media statement.

Under the agreement, Kenya Airways customers will be able to connect onto CemAir flights from Johannesburg to 10 domestic destinations in South Africa, including Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit and Kimberley. Kenya Airways also said the arrangement extends to four regional points served by CemAir, including Maun, Victoria Falls and Harare.

On the other side of the partnership, CemAir customers will be able to connect onto Kenya Airways flights to 15 destinations across Africa. Kenya Airways named Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Accra and Abidjan among the destinations available for onward travel.

Kenya Airways said the interline agreement enables single-ticket itineraries and coordinated connections for customers travelling across the two airlines’ networks. The carrier did not disclose financial terms or implementation timelines for the arrangement.

The agreement is the latest example of airlines using commercial partnerships to widen network reach without adding aircraft capacity, a strategy that can be significant for carriers operating in Africa’s fragmented aviation market. For Kenya’s aviation sector, interline and codeshare-style arrangements can improve access to secondary cities and tourism markets that are not always viable for direct services from Nairobi.

Johannesburg and Cape Town are major gateways for business and leisure travel in Southern Africa, while routes linking East Africa with South Africa are important for trade, tourism and corporate travel flows. By tying into CemAir’s network from Johannesburg, Kenya Airways said it is positioning customers for onward access to smaller domestic markets in South Africa as well as select regional destinations in Southern Africa.

For CemAir, the tie-up offers a connection into Kenya Airways’ intra-Africa network, including hubs and commercial centres in East and West Africa, potentially increasing options for passengers who would otherwise rely on multiple tickets and self-managed transfers.

Kenya Airways did not provide passenger volume projections, expected revenue impact or details on baggage and ticketing conditions beyond the single-ticket and coordinated-connection framework described in the statement. CemAir also did not issue additional details within the provided statement.

Next, the practical impact for travellers will depend on how quickly the airlines integrate ticketing and schedules for sale through their respective distribution channels, and how consistently connections are timed through Johannesburg and Cape Town. Further updates are expected as the carriers operationalise the interline arrangement and make the eligible routes available for booking.

Safaricom Plc and Indonesia’s Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) have signed a partnership to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) use cases spanning customer experience, digital financial services and network investment planning, the companies said in a joint statement issued on March 17, 2026 in Barcelona.

Under the agreement, the two telcos said they will work on “advanced AI-driven decisioning” to support more proactive customer engagement, including predictive care to detect and resolve network issues before customers are affected, more relevant product recommendations for prepaid users, and conversational AI tools for customer support.

The partnership also includes collaboration around mobile money and broader digital financial services. IOH said it will draw on Safaricom’s operational experience in mobile financial services—built around M-PESA—to strengthen “resilience, security, and personalization” of digital financial journeys, including AI-powered fraud and risk management and improving payment reliability during peak periods.

The announcement comes as telecom operators increasingly deploy AI to manage network complexity, improve service quality and protect digital payments from fraud. For Kenya, where mobile money infrastructure is deeply embedded in everyday commerce, AI-driven fraud detection and reliability initiatives are closely watched by banks, merchants and regulators seeking to reduce losses and maintain customer trust in digital transactions.

In addition to customer and fintech-related initiatives, the companies said they will explore AI-led insights to improve how IOH plans and invests in its network. The statement referenced “CNX-based Smart CAPEX” and the use of AI to make capital expenditure decisions more demand-driven, with a focus on “high-growth and underserved areas.” No financial terms of the partnership were disclosed, and no monetary figures were provided to convert into Kenyan shillings.

Vikram Sinha, President Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said the collaboration is intended to translate strategy into deployable outcomes. “This partnership with Safaricom is about moving from aspiration to action,” Sinha said. He added that the companies are focused on “delivering innovations that customers can genuinely feel from smarter networks and safer digital transactions to more personal and intuitive experiences,” according to the statement.

Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom PLC, said the partnership brings together the firms’ respective strengths. “Our partnership with Indosat is built on our respective strengths, their bold AI‑native transformation and our deep experience in building Africa’s most trusted digital and financial ecosystem,” Ndegwa said. He added that the collaboration aims to support “smarter networks and safer transactions” and contribute to “inclusive digital economies,” according to the statement.

Industry-wide, the initiative signals growing cross-market collaboration between operators seeking to industrialise AI across core telecom functions—customer care, network operations and digital financial services—rather than limit AI deployments to pilots. In Kenya and the wider East African market, the emphasis on fraud and risk management reflects sustained pressure on mobile money providers to strengthen controls as transaction volumes grow and fraud techniques evolve.

The companies also said they will collaborate on talent and leadership development to support AI transformation. Planned initiatives include building “AI-fluent executives,” developing “Business–AI Translator roles,” and enabling cross-organisational learning and short-term secondments to speed up skills transfer.

Next steps and timelines for specific deployments were not provided. The firms said the partnership will focus on practical use cases, suggesting pilots and phased rollouts may follow as the parties identify areas where AI tools can be implemented across customer operations, digital finance and network planning.

The 2026 WRC Safari Rally concluded in Naivasha over the weekend, with Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta securing what the organisers described as his first World Rally Championship (WRC) victory, according to a press release dated March 17, 2026. The statement added that Toyota Gazoo Racing delivered “a composed and consistent performance” across the Kenyan stages.

The press release, issued from Naivasha, said the four-day event paired on-stage rally competition with an off-track programme centred on the Morendat Fan Village. It said the fan village was sponsored by Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL)’s heritage beer brand White Cap and served as a hub for entertainment activities throughout the rally period.

The Safari Rally is one of Kenya’s most visible international sports events, drawing global attention to Naivasha and surrounding rally routes and supporting seasonal demand for hospitality, transport, food services and event production. While the statement did not provide attendance figures or economic impact estimates, it positioned the fan village as a key touchpoint for brands seeking to engage audiences around large-scale sports tourism.

According to the press release, the Morendat Fan Village entertainment programme began on Thursday with DJ sets by Festa, Blaze, Kalonje, Confy and Benitez, with Hype Kev hosting. Friday’s line-up included DJ Nijo, DJ E and DJ Ite, alongside Big Mitch, with a live performance by Sanaipei Tande.

Saturday’s schedule featured DJs Joe Mfalme, Kris Darlin, Mista C, Cross, Lisney and Wal, with MC Claudia Naisabwa hosting. The statement said artists Fathermoh, Khaligraph Jones and Mejja performed that evening. On Sunday, the press release listed DJs Jay, Most Wanted and DJ Daq Child, with Mejja returning to the stage, and MC Gogo and Daffy hosting the closing sessions.

The press release also stated that White Cap had a role as the “Official Responsible Drinking Partner” during the rally, and that the brand used the event platform to encourage responsible consumption among fans attending rally stages and the fan village. “Throughout the rally, KBL’s White Cap brand maintained a strong presence as the Official Responsible Drinking Partner,” the statement said.

For Kenyan consumer brands, the event’s structure—combining the rally route with designated entertainment villages—continues to provide an avenue for experiential marketing, on-site sales partnerships and media visibility tied to an international sports calendar. The concentration of activity in Naivasha also underlines the strategic value of the Naivasha–Nakuru corridor for events tourism, with potential spillover into accommodation, logistics and local retail trade during rally week.

Looking ahead, the rally’s continued inclusion on the WRC calendar and the growing importance of fan zones suggest organisers and sponsors will keep expanding ancillary programming alongside the competition itself. The press release concluded that the 2026 edition “highlighted why the WRC Safari Rally remains one of Kenya’s most anticipated annual events.”

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF) premiered Season 2 of MTV Shuga Mashariki in Nairobi on January 28, 2026, ahead of the season’s broadcast launch on Citizen TV on February 10. MTV SAF said the premiere was held at CCHUB and brought together the show’s cast and crew, creators, media and the foundation’s partners.

According to the foundation, the youth drama will air weekly on Citizen TV from Tuesday, February 10 at 11pm. Episodes will also be released globally on the MTV Shuga YouTube channel from Wednesday, February 11, expanding access beyond Kenya.

The return of the series is part of a wider trend in Kenya’s media sector where broadcasters and producers are increasing investments in locally relevant formats that can be distributed across both free-to-air television and digital platforms. Citizen TV remains one of the country’s largest broadcasters by audience reach, and the show’s availability on YouTube positions the production for regional and diaspora consumption while offering additional channels for audience engagement.

MTV SAF said Season 2 features returning cast members Serah Wanjiru, Basil Mungai, Matthew Ngugi, Wilson Muchemi, Fatuma Gichuru, Juliebrenda Nyambura, Fridah Mumbe, Renee Gichuki and Mwende King’ori, with Brian Kabugi returning in what the foundation described as a major role. The new season also introduces Vanessa Okeyo Aika, Marima Wanjiru, Natalia Kyalo, Jenny Muigai, Amalie Chopetta, Beatrice Kamuyu, Eunice Kamau and Tanzania’s Talie Gray.

In a new addition to the franchise, MTV SAF said Season 2 will be accompanied by an original soundtrack titled ‘25Flow’, developed as a standalone creative asset alongside the series. The foundation said the project spotlights Kenyan artists and songwriters led by music producer SoFresh, and that the music will be woven into the show’s storyline and film.

The premiere event was hosted by Miriam Bishar, who also stars in the series. MTV SAF said attendees were given first listens to music from the 25Flow project and participated in interactive panels on the production process and the research approach behind the show’s storytelling.

Season 2 is set at the fictional Enkare University and focuses on youth issues including consent, identity, ambition and the role of technology and social pressure in decision-making. MTV SAF said the season tackles themes such as viral fame, body autonomy, toxic masculinity and sexual violence, with storylines following interconnected characters as “secrets unravel, friendships are tested and justice emerges as a powerful rallying cry.”

On production, MTV SAF said the new season marks a partnership with She Moves Africa Films, a women-led production company founded by producer Dina Mwende, who takes on the role of Series Producer after serving as Associate Producer in Season 1. The foundation said Janet Chumbe joins as a new director, alongside returning Kenyan directors June Ndinya, Mkaiwawi Mwakaba and Likarion Wainaina, with cinematographer Enos Olik also returning.

For Kenya’s creative economy, the project highlights continued formalisation of TV production pipelines—spanning writing, directing, music composition and post-production—while creating paid opportunities for local talent. The release strategy also reflects the growing importance of multi-platform distribution for Kenyan screen content, as producers seek both local viewership and international visibility.

MTV SAF said MTV Shuga Mashariki is part of the broader MTV Shuga franchise and that its storylines are informed by local, youth-centred research. The foundation said the series is designed to integrate sexual and reproductive health messaging into storylines reflecting young audiences’ lived experiences.

MTV SAF said the season will begin airing on Citizen TV on February 10, with YouTube releases following from February 11, setting the next milestone for audience uptake and digital performance in the weeks after launch.

South African pop group DEY SAY has announced a Kenya tour slated for March 7–14, 2026, with Nairobi set to be the first stop on what it described as an international tour across multiple African markets. The group is also pushing its single “Calling For You (Ringback)”, which it said has gained traction on TikTok, and will hold a meet-and-greet performance event at Ball Point, Village Market in Nairobi on March 14, 2026 at 6pm, according to a press release dated February 18, 2026.

The tour, dubbed KTOF (Kids Take Over the Future), positions Kenya as the entry point into East Africa for the Johannesburg-based act. DEY SAY’s members are Chadwell Johnson, Leandre Johnson, Elim Solomons and Joaquin Jardine, aged between 16 and 20, the statement said.

The announcement adds to a growing pipeline of regional music and entertainment acts using Nairobi as a launchpad for East African expansion—reflecting the city’s role as a hub for youth culture, brand partnerships, live events, and digital distribution. Kenya’s creative economy has been drawing increased interest from regional labels, promoters and content-led businesses seeking audiences that are active on social platforms and receptive to cross-border collaborations.

DEY SAY’s organisers said the Nairobi leg will include engagement with fans and live performances of “Calling For You (Ringback)”. The release describes the song as blending African and Latin rhythms with global pop influences. The group’s management also pointed to the act’s online reach, stating it has more than 130,000 TikTok followers and over 10 million collective views.

Quaid Dunn, Co-Founder and A&R Lead at Plus Two Seven, said Kenya was selected deliberately as the first stop. “Kenya was intentionally chosen as the starting point for its strong influence on youth culture and its role as a gateway into East Africa’s vibrant creative ecosystem,” Dunn said in the press release.

Jonathan Jules, Co-Founder and Business Lead at Plus Two Seven, linked the tour to creator development. “KTOF empowers young African creators to dream bigger and reach further,” Jules said.

After Kenya, the group plans to return to South Africa for a national schools programme before continuing to Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and Ghana, according to the statement. The tour plan includes live performances, media appearances and “youth-focused workshops”, the organisers said, suggesting a format that blends entertainment with skills and community programming—an approach increasingly used by creative companies to build audiences while opening up sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

For Kenya’s events and entertainment ecosystem, the Nairobi stop points to continued demand for venue-led activations in retail and lifestyle destinations such as Village Market, as well as the commercial value of fan events that can be monetised through ticketing, brand placements and digital content. The cross-border itinerary may also support regional collaborations in production, promotion and distribution, particularly as Kenyan agencies and venues compete to host touring acts.

Looking ahead, the press release said 2026 will be a key production year for DEY SAY, with the group working on a debut double EP set for release later in the year. Interview requests are being handled via Anyiko PR, the statement said.

Emirates has introduced a set of Ramadan services for customers travelling during the Holy Month, including iftar boxes for fasting passengers in all cabin classes on select routes, complimentary prayer mats available on request, and additional religious content on its inflight entertainment system, the airline said on February 16, 2026 in a media statement released in Dubai.

The Dubai-based carrier said it will “share thousands of iftar boxes for fasting customers both onboard and at boarding gates,” alongside offering “complimentary Emirates prayer mats,” screening “an array of religious content and popular TV shows on ice,” and serving “traditional Ramadan dishes in the lounges,” according to The Emirates Group.

The measures matter for Kenya’s outbound travel market because Emirates is a major long-haul connector for Kenyan passengers through Dubai to the Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America. Ramadan travel demand typically includes visits to family, religious travel to Saudi Arabia, and business travel timed around the holiday period, making service consistency and operational planning important for airlines and travel trade partners in East Africa.

At boarding gates during iftar time, Emirates said it will distribute complimentary boxes containing “water, laban, a banana, and dates” at select gates. Onboard, the airline said Ramadan meal boxes will be offered “across all cabin classes to select destinations” in addition to the regular hot meal service.

The airline said the onboard boxes include “traditional dates, light bites of hummus, moutabel or muhammara with Arabic bread,” a chicken sandwich option, sweet items such as “baklawa pistachio mamoul or baklawa pine seed cashew,” and laban. Emirates said the packaging design references “the geometric design of traditional Islamic art.”

To manage fasting times in flight, Emirates said it uses “a unique tool to calculate the correct timings for imsak … and iftar while inflight,” using the aircraft’s “longitude, latitude, and altitude,” and that “passengers will be officially informed of the iftar time by the captain” when the sun sets.

For premium customers and eligible travellers using its facilities, Emirates said its seven lounges at Dubai International Airport (DXB) will offer Ramadan refreshments including “Arabic sweets, dates and coffee,” alongside a rotating range of hot and cold dishes. The airline added that its lounges in Cairo and Jeddah will also serve Ramadan dishes and that lounges include “dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities.”

On its ice entertainment system, Emirates said it will feature religious programming in Arabic and Urdu and that “the Holy Qur’an is also available on ice.” The airline also cited its broader catalogue, saying ice has “more than 6500 channels of on demand entertainment,” including “up to 450 channels of movies and TV in the Arabic language” and “400 channels of Arabic music and podcasts.”

Separately, Emirates said it has launched Bukhoor home fragrances for Ramadan via the Emirates Official Store, pricing each 70g pot at about KES 6,760 (USD 52), based on an indicative exchange rate of KES 130 per US dollar. The company also outlined support for Umrah travellers, saying customers can check in one bottle of Zamzam water “containing up to 5 litres per person” at DXB and select airports in Saudi Arabia, and that Ramadan boxes will be served for Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina during the month.

For the wider travel industry—including agents and corporate travel buyers in Kenya—the announcement signals a focus on standardised Ramadan service delivery across touchpoints (boarding gates, inflight and lounges), which can influence passenger experience expectations on routes connecting through Dubai. Emirates also said it provides “Ramadan awareness training” for cabin crew and ground teams across its network to align operations with Ramadan practices.

Emirates did not disclose which specific “select destinations” will receive the Ramadan meal boxes, or the number of boxes to be distributed, beyond stating “thousands.” Further updates are likely as the airline finalises route-level deployment and airport gate logistics during the month.

AHI Carrier, a joint venture of Carrier Global Corporation, has opened its first dealer-based Carrier and Toshiba HVAC showroom in Nairobi, partnering with North Star Cooling Systems, as it seeks to expand its presence in Kenya and the wider East African market.

The showroom was inaugurated on February 16, 2026, by Afaf Kontar, Chief Executive Officer of AHI Carrier, together with Kishore Reddy, Managing Director of North Star Cooling Systems, according to a statement issued by the companies.

The opening adds a physical customer-facing facility to support sales and technical engagement around heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at a time when Kenya’s construction pipeline continues to be driven by urbanisation, commercial developments and new requirements around energy performance in buildings.

AHI Carrier said the facility is designed as “a fully integrated HVAC experience and reference center,” targeting developers, consultants, engineers and contractors who want to evaluate system capabilities and suitability for local operating conditions.

In its statement, the company linked the launch to growing demand for “reliable, energy-efficient cooling solutions” across commercial, residential, healthcare and data-driven developments. While the company did not disclose the value of the investment, the move signals a push to deepen on-the-ground engagement in Kenya’s built environment and mechanical services supply chain.

Beyond showcasing equipment, the companies said the showroom will also be used for technical collaboration, certified training and project advisory services. AHI Carrier said the intention is to build local technical capacity and support professional development as part of efforts to “raise industry standards and strengthen the regional HVAC ecosystem.”

During the inauguration, Ms. Afaf Kontar said Kenya is central to the company’s East Africa strategy. “Kenya remains central to AHI Carrier’s East Africa strategy,” she said, adding that the showroom reflects “a clear commitment to long-term partnership and local market development.” She said the facility would enable customers to experience “real-time operational performance” and better understand the “measurable value of advanced HVAC technologies.”

Mr. Kishore Reddy said the showroom is intended to support North Star Cooling Systems’ growth ambitions in the region. He described the opening as “a milestone in North Star Cooling Systems’ regional growth journey,” and said the facility offers a collaborative environment for customers and consultants to engage directly with “high-efficiency solutions aligned with evolving market expectations.”

The launch comes as HVAC demand in Kenya is influenced by several parallel trends: expansion of modern office and retail space, growth in hospitals and specialised healthcare facilities, increasing installation of mission-critical cooling for data and digital infrastructure, and tighter scrutiny of operating costs in buildings due to electricity prices. In this context, dealer-based showrooms can help shorten decision cycles by allowing project teams to review specifications, compare options and coordinate after-sales support early in the procurement process.

For Kenya’s HVAC market, the move may intensify competition among major equipment brands and distributors, especially in commercial and institutional segments where technical compliance, installation quality and maintenance capability can be decisive. The emphasis on training and advisory services could also raise expectations around certification and service standards among contractors and technicians.

AHI Carrier and North Star Cooling Systems said the partnership aims to make HVAC technologies more accessible in Kenya and East Africa, while responding to infrastructure demand. The companies did not provide a timeline for additional openings, but described the Nairobi facility as part of a regional expansion strategy and a platform for continued local market development.

MUA Insurance (Kenya) Limited has relocated and upgraded its Mombasa branch to Jubilee Arcade along Moi Avenue, positioning the office within the coastal city’s central business district as part of a broader branch modernisation and national expansion strategy, the company said on March 17, 2026.

The insurer moved the branch from Zulfat Hatimy Plaza on Hatimy Road, citing the need for a more accessible location as it scales physical service points in line with rising demand for insurance among corporates, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and households.

The expansion plan comes as Kenya’s insurance industry posts steady premium growth but continues to report relatively low penetration levels compared with other financial services. According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) quarterly report cited by the company, Kenya’s insurance industry recorded gross written premiums of KES 352.29 billion by September 2025, an 11.2% year-on-year increase, while total industry assets surpassed KES 1 trillion for the first time. The same release put insurance penetration at about 2.4% of GDP, indicating room for growth as insurers broaden distribution through regional outreach and service digitisation.

Within that context, MUA said the Mombasa relocation is intended to strengthen service delivery at the Coast, a key trade and logistics corridor that serves the Port of Mombasa and regional supply chains linking Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“This investment reflects our confidence in Kenya’s long-term economic outlook and the growing importance of insurance in supporting businesses and households,” said Nixon Shigoli, CEO, MUA Insurance (Kenya). “Upgrading our branches allows us to serve customers more efficiently while reinforcing our presence in regions that are central to trade and economic growth.”

MUA said the Mombasa branch will serve businesses and households with products including property and asset insurance, motor and marine cover, liability solutions, health insurance, engineering and cyber insurance, alongside specialised covers such as aviation and political violence insurance.

The company linked its Kenya investment programme to the backing of its parent, Mauritius-based MUA Ltd (Group), which operates across six markets—Mauritius, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Seychelles. In the statement, MUA said the group’s market capitalisation reached KES 9.1 billion as of December 2024, a 39% increase within 12 months.

For Kenya’s insurance market, branch upgrades and relocations remain a notable channel strategy even as firms invest in digital distribution. Physical access continues to matter for onboarding and servicing complex commercial lines—such as marine and logistics-related covers—especially in trade-heavy regions like Mombasa, where insurers target port-linked operators, traders, SMEs and households.

The IRA’s data points to an industry that is growing in volumes and balance sheets, but still has significant headroom on penetration. In that environment, insurers’ efforts to extend reach beyond Nairobi and improve service turnaround times could intensify competition in regional hubs, particularly for corporate and SME segments tied to transport, warehousing, construction and import-export activity.

MUA did not disclose the value of its Kenya branch investment or a timeline for additional branch openings. However, the company said the Mombasa move is part of an ongoing modernisation programme aimed at bringing service points closer to customers across key economic centres.

Small business vendors working around Naivasha during the 2026 WRC Safari Rally reported an increase in sales as thousands of spectators travelled to rally stages in the lakeside town, according to a media statement shared for publication. Traders interviewed in the statement said the event created a seasonal surge in demand for merchandise and food, while mobile credit and digital payments helped them manage stock and transactions.

The Safari Rally, which returned to Kenya in 2021, has become a recurring commercial peak for micro and small enterprises that follow the circuit to Naivasha. The statement describes vendors travelling from towns including Nakuru, Nairobi, Thika and Kiambu to set up temporary stalls near spectator stages such as Sleeping Warrior, Kedong and Hell’s Gate.

Ayub Mwangi, a tailor based in Nakuru, said he shifts to selling rally-related merchandise during the event, including kites, vuvuzelas and hats. “I have never missed a rally since it returned to Kenya in 2021,” Mwangi said. “Every year I travel to Naivasha because the business here is good. I cannot say exactly how much I make each day, but I always go home happy. A single kite sells for around KES 500, which is more than I might make in a day from tailoring.”

Mwangi said he used a Taasi Pochi loan to increase working capital ahead of the rally. “I needed extra capital to buy enough merchandise for the crowds, so I took a Taasi Pochi loan to boost my business since I didn’t have sufficient funds for stock. The support has truly paid off,” he said.

The statement said Taasi Pochi is a type of Pochi La Biashara loan that allows Safaricom merchants to access instant credit of between KES 1,000 and KES 250,000, available via *USSD 334# or the M-PESA app, with repayment periods of seven, 14 or 30 days.

Food vendors also reported stronger demand at key stages. Maria Wanjiru, who runs Shiro Nyama Choma in Roysambu, Nairobi, said she changed her product strategy after an earlier attempt selling soft drinks. “This is my second year coming to the rally,” Wanjiru said. “Last year I tried selling sodas and it did not work very well. This year I decided to focus on nyama choma and the response has been amazing.”

Wanjiru said she relied mainly on M-PESA payments. “At this event, I am mostly using Lipa Na M-PESA, specifically Buy Goods. It makes business smoother because customers can pay quickly, and I don’t have to worry about looking for change when things get busy,” she said. Her assistant, Job Ogamba, attributed the stronger trade to higher footfall. “The turnout has been incredible,” Ogamba said. “There are so many people coming through the stages. Events like this really create opportunities for small traders.”

For younger traders, the rally offered an alternative income channel. Ian Juma, a 25-year-old from Thika, said he paused boda boda work to operate a mobile snack cart selling smokies, boiled eggs, tea and soda. “In Thika I sell a smokie or egg for about KES 25, but here the demand is much higher,” Juma said, adding that he moved between stages to follow the crowds.

Not all vendors experienced peak-year gains, according to the statement. Joel Macharia of Linkers Butchery in Kiambu said business was “steady” compared with earlier years but still beneficial for traders. “Some of my friends have done extremely well this year,” Macharia said. “Large events like this always bring opportunities.” He added that digital payments were increasingly important for security and convenience in crowded environments.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the rally’s spillover effects underscore how major sports and tourism events can support micro-enterprises through temporary jobs, logistics demand and cashflow for informal traders. The emphasis on mobile credit and digital acceptance also highlights the role of fintech tools in helping small merchants handle short, high-volume trading windows—particularly when working capital constraints limit the ability to stock in advance.

Looking ahead, traders interviewed in the statement indicated the rally weekend is now built into their annual planning, from early travel and site selection to financing and payment setups. As the WRC Safari Rally continues on Kenya’s calendar, Naivasha is likely to remain a focal point for seasonal enterprise tied to spectator-driven spending.