Jägermeister will bring its Haus of Kühl cultural platform to Sk8City in Nairobi on 26 Sep 2026 for its first East African edition.

The company said the event will run from 6pm to 4am at Diamond Plaza 2 in its press release dated 31 Aug 2026.

Ephraim Manana Snr is Jägermeister’s Culture & Experiential Marketing Manager.

Manana said “As a Culture Brand, bringing Haus of Kühl to Nairobi for the first time is an exciting milestone for us”.

He said Nairobi appealed “because Nairobi is a city with such a powerful and constantly evolving creative pulse”.

He said the concept extends beyond music to incorporate “music and dance to fashion, art, discovery and community.”

The event matters to Kenya’s creative economy because it brings international bookings alongside work for local performers and event services.

Jägermeister said South African acts KMAT and MfanaTouchLine will perform alongside more than 36 Kenyan performers.

The company said Mariah and Sameer Bry will host the event across multiple stages and themed spaces.

Kenyan performers listed by the company include singer Iyanah and dancers Ian Tico and Thee Iconic.

The DJ line-up includes Basthma, Burugu, Calvin The Curator, Coco Kahi and DJ Lyta.

DJ Mani, DJ Rayma, Hiribae, Jayeda and JM1 also feature in the line-up.

It also includes Kamz, Kaneda, Kiptala, Kurtiss E and Love.

Mani, Monzo, Mura, Mtu Solo, Mr. Arkitech and N!k are also listed.

Other listed acts are Njeri wa Baaba & Santa Currie, Safari Oontz Collective, Selekta V, Selo, Shi and Sir M & Mista C.

Suraj, The Vibe Initiator, Tinashe The DJ, Wembe Waves and Zhai complete the company’s list.

Jägermeister said it introduced the platform in South Africa in 2023 and previously held editions across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

The Nairobi launch brings the beverage brand’s live-event marketing approach into Kenya’s nightlife market.

Such events can create demand for production, venue operations, security and creative services as brands seek closer consumer engagement.

The company said programming will include a Main Stage and a Dance Stage focused on underground sounds.

Studio Can-V will curate a Silent Disco featuring emerging DJs through head-to-head battles according to the press release.

The company said a “Manifest Speakeasy” space will offer tarot readings.

A “Meister Market” streetwear pop-up will feature brands Pesos and HAGT according to the company.

The company said a gaming zone will offer activities including giant Jenga and console games.

Jägermeister said its “Safe Now Zone” will provide a wellbeing and support area as part of responsible enjoyment measures.

Guests can “pause, hydrate, recharge and access support from the event team when needed,” the company said.

The platform could create opportunities for cross-border bookings and higher production budgets in Kenya.

Local DJs, dancers, fashion labels and visual artists could gain commercial opportunities from the event format.

Brand-owned events with selected line-ups and on-site merchandising could also increase competition among venues and promoters for marketing budgets.

Jägermeister said tickets are available through Hustle Sasa.

The press release does not disclose ticket prices, expected attendance or local partners involved in delivering the event.

Operational details including gate arrangements and security remain outstanding alongside confirmation of the full performance schedule ahead of Saturday 26 Sep 2026.

ANZA MMA will stage its third professional mixed martial arts event at Village Market in Nairobi on 19 Sep 2026 with fighters from six African countries.

The promotion announced ANZA MMA Pro Nights 3 in a press release dated 31 Aug 2026.

The Saturday event will feature eight bouts across the main card and preliminaries with Kenyan bantamweight George Itumo facing Angolan Jorge Correia.

“ANZA MMA Pro Nights is back,” the organisation said.

The line-up includes fighters from Kenya, Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Sudan.

The event matters to Kenya’s sports business as promoters test demand for ticketed entertainment and seek audiences for professional combat sports.

Village Market has increasingly hosted such events and benefits from established foot traffic and proximity to Nairobi’s higher-spending consumer segments.

ANZA MMA said Itumo’s only professional defeat to date came against another Angolan fighter.

The promotion presented the match against Correia as an opportunity for Itumo to respond to that record against Angolan opposition.

Angolan amateur world champion Daniela Mandanji will make her professional debut against Uganda’s Rebecca Amongi in a preliminary flyweight bout.

ANZA MMA said the main card will feature four bouts including Itumo’s bantamweight contest.

Tanzania’s Rashid Mlegelo will face Uganda’s Kennedy Serunyange at featherweight.

Kenya’s Brian Munyi will meet Uganda’s Cyplian Katumba in another featherweight bout.

Kenyan heavyweight Kevin Odongo will face Uganda’s Kasozi Umaru.

The preliminary card also includes South Sudan’s Alhassan Mosala against Uganda’s Michael Olara at middleweight.

Uganda’s Lawrence Mukiibi will meet Madagascar’s Tsinjo Rakotomaria at lightweight.

Tanzania’s Chris Tibenda will face Uganda’s Farouk Ogwal at flyweight alongside the Mandanji and Amongi contest.

The promotion said Munyi and Odongo previously competed at ANZA Pro 002 and linked their performances to interest in the Nairobi event.

Munyi “knocked his opponent out after a breathtaking throw,” the statement said.

ANZA MMA said Odongo stopped a heavyweight opponent late in the third round.

International fight cards can influence sponsorship demand and venue partnerships as Kenyan promoters compete for corporate marketing budgets.

Combat sports face competition from football, rugby and athletics for that spending.

Cross-border participation can also support media rights discussions and expand audiences beyond Kenya through streaming and social platforms.

ANZA MMA did not disclose expected attendance or provide ticket pricing and broadcast arrangements.

The promotion said it is “Kenya’s first licensed MMA promotion under the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation”.

Its events have drawn “more than 1,000 fans,” ANZA MMA said.

The release did not provide independent verification of that figure or an event-by-event breakdown.

ANZA MMA said Cheza Cheza presents Pro Nights 3 but did not provide financial details on event investment or projected revenue.

The event forms part of the promotion’s efforts to formalise professional MMA operations in Kenya ahead of future editions.

Pro Nights 3 follows ANZA Pro 002 and is scheduled for Saturday 19 Sep 2026 at Village Market in Nairobi.

M-PESA Foundation and Faraja Cancer Support Trust have begun building a cancer therapy centre in Mombasa to address rising demand for oncology support.

The organisations announced the project at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in a statement dated 18 Aug 2026.

The partners said the Ksh63 million two-storey facility will provide supportive services alongside clinical oncology treatment for patients in Mombasa County and the wider Coast region.

M-PESA Foundation Trustee Celestine Munda said “it will also help reduce turn-around time given the huge numbers that visit this facility seeking treatment”.

The partners said the centre will include counselling rooms for children and individual patients, family therapy rooms and social amenities for patients and caregivers.

According to the statement CGTRH remains the only public facility at the Coast offering oncology services and serves more than 3,000 patients monthly.

The organisations said the additional space will address rising demand for oncology services and the need for therapy support during recovery.

The project matters to Kenya’s health sector because it adds philanthropic funding for specialised care and patient support within a public referral hospital.

Munda said the investment targets patient flow and waiting times at the hospital.

She said the infrastructure investment seeks to address delays in reaching and receiving healthcare so Kenyans can access treatment with dignity.

The statement said at least 80 per cent of cancer patients lack access to full care.

It said only 20 per cent receive sufficient care to manage the disease and Kenya records about 48,000 cancer diagnoses annually.

The organisations did not cite the source of these national figures.

Faraja Cancer Support Trust Founding Trustee Shaira Adamali said “Beyond its impact on health, Cancer affects the whole person.”

Adamali said the centre will address non-clinical needs that affect outcomes for patients and families.

She said cancer affects patients’ emotional wellbeing, families, livelihoods and ability to cope.

Adamali said Faraja provides counselling, nutritional advice, physical therapy and financial assistance for patients struggling to access treatment.

She said these complementary services seek to ease the challenges that cancer brings.

Faraja said it has provided supportive cancer care services in Nairobi for 16 years.

The trust expects the Mombasa facility to reduce travel and related logistical costs for patients who previously relied on services in the capital.

Faraja said the new site will extend its reach to more patients and families along the Coast once operational.

The planned services could help CGTRH manage patient volumes and add structured psychosocial support alongside routine medical treatment.

M-PESA Foundation separately said it has invested Ksh208 million in health projects in Mombasa County.

These projects include upgrades at Likoni Sub-County, Mbungoni Health Centre, Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital and Railways Dispensary.

The partners did not disclose a construction timeline or an expected commissioning date for the new therapy centre.

The National Youth Service (NYS) has partnered with Uber and GreenWheels to train 342 NYS servicemen and servicewomen in e-mobility skills and connect some graduates to electric motorcycle driving opportunities, the organisations said in a joint news release dated 18 August 2026.

According to the statement, the first cohort completed a two-week E-Mobility Driver Training Program at the NYS Camp MTB in Nairobi and received certification in e-mobility-related skills. The milestone was marked at a graduation ceremony at NYS Headquarters, presided over by NYS Deputy Commandant General, Operations and Logistics, Nicholas J. Makokha, HSC.

The partners said 110 graduates from the first cohort are transitioning to become GreenWheels drivers on a lease-to-own model, with Uber supporting their onboarding onto the platform. The statement added that Uber and GreenWheels have co-funded 50% of initial onboarding costs for the inaugural class, splitting the support equally, in an effort to reduce barriers created by upfront compliance and onboarding fees.

The initiative comes as Kenya’s transport and logistics sectors increasingly test electrification, particularly in two- and three-wheeler segments where operating costs and urban pollution concerns are shaping business decisions. Electric boda deployments have also drawn interest from financiers and fleet operators exploring asset-backed models, including leasing structures that can help riders access vehicles without full upfront payments.

In the release, Imran Manji, General Manager for Uber East Africa, said the partnership is aimed at bridging the gap between training and income generation. “Young people need more than skills; they need pathways to turn those skills into meaningful economic opportunities. By working with NYS and GreenWheels, we are helping graduates move from training into practical earning opportunities while also supporting the growth of electric mobility in Kenya,” Manji said.

Makokha urged graduates to apply the newly acquired skills to support livelihoods as they leave the Service. He “congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the program and encouraged them to use the skills acquired to build sustainable livelihoods, embrace available opportunities and work towards financial independence as they exit the Service,” the statement said.

Beyond driver placement, the organisations said their collaboration has expanded to cover recruitment and placement of EV drivers; technical staffing for EV assembly, servicing, maintenance and compliance; industrial attachment and apprenticeship opportunities; EV technical training and certification; and capacity building for trainers and technical personnel.

The partners said the programme is expected to run until the end of the year, with approximately 100 NYS graduates projected to transition into GreenWheels driving opportunities every three months.

For the Kenyan market, the announcement signals a growing focus on workforce readiness for electric mobility as firms move from pilot projects to scaled operations. If the transition targets are met, the pipeline could help fleet operators address two common constraints in e-mobility rollouts: the availability of trained riders and technicians and the affordability of onboarding and compliance costs for young entrants.

Next milestones will likely include the onboarding progress of the first 110 graduates onto Uber through GreenWheels and the cadence of subsequent cohorts as the programme approaches its year-end timeline, as outlined in the statement.

CFAO Mobility Kenya unveiled the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Nairobi on 17 Aug 2026 during a global expedition marking 140 years of the motor car.

The company said customers and partners attended the event at Muthaiga Golf & Country Club alongside business leaders and automotive enthusiasts.

CFAO Mobility Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel said the anniversary celebrated the brand’s history and ongoing evolution.

Reel said “Tonight is not simply about celebrating a number, it is about celebrating legacy.”

Reel said that legacy began in 1886 when Carl Benz patented the Motorwagen and fundamentally changed how the world moves.

He said Mercedes-Benz’s 140-year journey demonstrated the importance of continually challenging what is possible in mobility.

The company said Germany’s ambassador to Kenya His Excellency Ambassador Sebastian Groth also attended.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the event reflects global automotive brands’ continued focus on premium vehicles and the importance of after-sales networks and customer service.

The Nairobi event served as Kenya’s stop on Mercedes-Benz’s global “140 Years. 140 Places” campaign.

CFAO Mobility Kenya said the campaign takes three S-Class vehicles across six continents.

The company said the vehicles would travel more than 60,000 kilometres and visit 140 locations before returning to Stuttgart in Germany in October 2026.

According to CFAO Mobility Kenya, the expedition had already visited more than 70 destinations.

The company listed Stuttgart, Brussels and Paris among its European stops.

Its routes through the Americas included Buenos Aires, the Andes, New York and Miami.

The company also listed Chinese destinations including Beijing, Jinan, Lianyungang, Suzhou and Shanghai.

Additional stops across Asia and Southeast Asia included Seoul, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore.

The expedition also visited Malaysia, Japan, Bhutan and India.

The Nairobi stop also reflects the city’s role as a regional hub for multinational brand activity and high-value consumer segments.

Idrissa Diagne is General Manager for Mercedes Benz at CFAO Mobility Kenya.

Diagne said the distributor would continue bringing new models and technologies to the market.

He said customers and communities were celebrating a “historic milestone that honors the brand's enduring legacy of innovation”.

Diagne also described that legacy through the words “engineering excellence” and “pioneering spirit”.

He said CFAO Mobility Kenya remained committed to offering advances in safety, performance, connectivity and luxury as Kenya’s authorised Mercedes-Benz distributor.

CFAO Mobility Kenya said its predecessor DT Dobie had represented Mercedes-Benz in Kenya since 1949.

The company said CFAO Motors and DT Dobie integrated in 2023 and now operate under CFAO Mobility Kenya Limited.

CFAO Motors was formerly Toyota Kenya.

The company said the new S-Class was the event’s main product unveiling but did not disclose Kenyan pricing or specifications.

It described the model as Mercedes-Benz’s flagship platform for innovations that later influence the wider automotive industry.

CFAO Mobility Kenya said its local Mercedes-Benz saloon range includes the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class.

Its SUV range includes the GLC, GLE, GLS and G-Class.

The company said its van range includes the Vito, V-Class and Sprinter.

The expedition’s next milestone is its return to Stuttgart in October 2026 after completing the remaining locations on its 140-stop route.

Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive won the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region finals at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi on 16 Aug 2026.

Safaricom said each team received Ksh250,000 and qualified to represent the Western Region at the national finals next year.

Vihiga Cranes head coach Francis Muhambe said the team would now focus on the national finals.

“First, I want to thank God for this victory and also Safaricom for putting together such an amazing tournament.”

“We are delighted to win the Western Region title...” Muhambe said.

“But the job is not done yet; our focus now shifts to the national finals, where we hope to go all the way.”

Vihiga Cranes represented Vihiga County while Lugari Progressive (Archbishop Njenga Girls) represented Kakamega County at the finals in Bungoma County.

Safaricom said Vihiga Cranes beat Busia’s Musokoto Secondary School 1-0 in the boys’ final.

Tonny Omondi scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute with a header from Luke Ramsey’s corner delivery.

The girls’ final ended 0-0 in regular time before Lugari Progressive defeated Busia’s Chakol Girls 5-4 on penalties, Safaricom said.

The school-based competition is now in its fifth edition and forms part of Safaricom’s youth engagement and community programmes.

For Kenya’s young footballers, the tournament links regional talent identification with national competition and education awards.

Lugari Progressive head coach Fred Serenge said resilience and preparation decided the girls’ final.

“It wasn’t an easy game, but I want to congratulate my girls for working hard, staying focused and fighting until the end to win the trophy...” Serenge said.

“The girls are really excited to be going home with Ksh250,000,” Serenge said.

He said the players also received other prizes including smartphones and airtime.

Safaricom said runners-up Musokoto Secondary School and Chakol Girls each received Ksh150,000 alongside smartphones and airtime.

Individual awards in both categories included Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer prizes worth Ksh30,000 each, the company said.

The Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) award also carried Ksh30,000.

It also included a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

Safaricom said Chakol Girls’ Hanisa Mashasha shared the girls’ Top Scorer award with four Lugari Progressive players.

Those players were Lydia Laura, Zipporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir.

Vihiga Cranes’ Mellon Omondi and Tonny Omondi shared the boys’ Top Scorer award with three Musokoto Secondary players.

Those players were Rom Okitwi, Frankline Pual and Calvin Masai.

Safaricom said Elvis Ogiro of Musokoto Secondary won the boys’ MVP award while Hanifa Mashasha of Chakol Girls won the girls’ award.

The company said Nabo Ochieng of Musokoto Secondary and Shamsy Pachanga of Lugari Progressive won the Best Goalkeeper awards.

Corporate-backed school competitions offer a channel for community investment and youth development through prize money and exposure to education opportunities.

Outside Nairobi, travel and hosting expenditure tied to regional finals can support local micro-businesses in transport, hospitality and retail trade.

The remaining regional winners will qualify for the national finals next year.

Safaricom said the Central Region finals will take place at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County on Saturday 29 Aug and Sunday 30 Aug.

Musokoto Secondary School from Busia County will play Vihiga Cranes from Vihiga County in the boys’ Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region final on Sunday, August 16, at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma, after both sides won their semi-finals on Saturday, August 15, organisers said in a press release.

In the girls’ final, Chakol Queens will face Lugari Progressive after the two teams recorded semi-final victories at the same venue, according to the statement.

The regional finals form part of Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba talent development tournament, which has become a key feeder platform for grassroots football across Kenya’s counties and a regular fixture in the country’s sports calendar. For Western Kenya, the event draws teams and spectators from counties including Busia, Vihiga, Kakamega and Bungoma, creating short-term activity for local vendors and host venues while providing exposure for youth players.

Musokoto booked their place in the boys’ final with a 3-0 win over Kakamega’s Green Buffaloes. The press release said Musokoto took an early lead in the second minute when Galvin Mukolwe scored from the penalty spot after Peter Franklin Pual was penalised for handball. Frankline Paul doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, and Tom Okitwi added a third in the 77th minute.

Green Buffaloes missed a penalty through Oliver Osinya, the organisers said.

“I am happy with today’s win. We played according to our game plan, and we hope to do the same when we meet Vihiga Cranes tomorrow in the final. This is our first time reaching the regional final, and we are determined to take the trophy back to Busia,” said Nicholas Okubala, head coach of Musokoto Secondary School, according to the press release.

Vihiga Cranes reached the final after edging Bungoma’s Terem 1-0, with Mellon Omondi scoring the match’s only goal, organisers said.

In the girls’ semi-finals, Lugari Progressive beat Bungoma’s Elgon Queens 4-0, with goals from Laura Lydia, Ziporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir, the statement said.

Chakol Queens beat Vihiga’s Blue Commandos 3-1 to seal the other girls’ final spot. The organisers said Michel Nasimiyu scored twice, Hanifa Mashasha added a third for the Busia side, and Mitchel Chepteek scored Blue Commandos’ consolation.

“Last season, we were knocked out in the semi-finals. This year, we are glad to have made it to the final. I know Lugari Progressive is a tough team, but we will play our game just as we did today. The girls are determined to lift this trophy for the first time and represent the region at the national championship,” said Abraham Muleme, head coach of Chakol Queens, according to the press release.

Organisers said the winning teams in the boys’ and girls’ finals will each receive KES 250,000 and qualify for the national finals, while the runners-up will each receive KES 150,000. Individual awards for best goalkeeper and top scorer in both categories will each earn KES 30,000, while the most valuable player (Golden Ball) will receive KES 30,000 and “an additional fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme,” according to the statement.

The outcome of the Western regional finals will determine the teams that represent the region at the national championship, with organisers expected to confirm the next stage’s fixtures and dates after the Bungoma event.

Listed agribusiness firm Kakuzi Plc has stepped up its agricultural technology (Ag-Tech) adoption strategy and created a new Digital Agricultural Transformation Department to drive technology rollout across its operations, Managing Director Chris Flowers said in a statement dated August 14.

According to the company, the department will be headed by a Digital Agricultural Transformation Manager and is intended to accelerate Ag-Tech initiatives supporting Kakuzi’s shift toward climate-smart agriculture.

The announcement comes as Kenyan agribusinesses increasingly explore technology-led approaches to manage operational efficiency and climate variability, which continue to affect yields and input costs across key value chains. As a Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company, Kakuzi’s investment direction is watched closely by investors and suppliers in the agriculture and food-processing ecosystem, including macadamia and other export-oriented crops.

Flowers said the department will coordinate technology adoption “across its operating fronts,” positioning digital tools as part of the firm’s broader sustainability and agronomy agenda.

“The Kakuzi Ag-Tech journey is firmly on course and is anchored on several sustainability initiatives and resilient agronomy practices that we continue to embed across all operations,” said Chris Flowers, Managing Director, Kakuzi Plc. “As we face more and more uncertainty and unpredictability in our traditional climatic patterns, it is essential that agriculture adapts and adopts new technology.”

Kakuzi said it is implementing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics solutions to improve decision-making and operational performance. Flowers cited the Kakuzi Macadamia Processing Plant as one example, saying it already incorporates an AI-powered Intelligent Optical Sorting system that automates macadamia nut grading to improve production quality.

The company also said it is deploying new Ag-Tech tools in the field and has enhanced drone-based security surveillance systems, according to Flowers.

For Kenya’s agricultural sector, where productivity pressures intersect with climate risk and increasingly stringent quality requirements in export markets, wider uptake of data-led crop management and automation could influence competitiveness and traceability expectations in supply chains. In processing, tools such as optical sorting can reduce reliance on manual inspection and improve consistency, potentially affecting throughput and cost structures for processors.

However, the broader impact will depend on execution, including staff capability, integration with legacy systems and whether the technology deployments translate into measurable gains in yields, quality outcomes, and reduced losses. Kakuzi did not disclose capital expenditure or timelines for the department’s rollout in the statement.

Next steps are expected to include appointing the Digital Agricultural Transformation Manager and expanding implementation of AI, analytics and field technologies across the company’s operations as it pursues climate-smart agriculture goals, Kakuzi said.

Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC has reported a net profit of KSh124.6 million for the half-year, up from KSh30.9 million in the same period last year, according to its half-year results released on August 13. The listed non-bank financial services provider said the performance came amid higher claims and lower investment returns during the period.

The company reported insurance revenue of KSh2.2 billion for the half-year. It also said gross written premiums (GWP) grew by 32% compared with the same period a year earlier.

The results come at a time when Kenya’s insurance sector continues to grapple with pressure on underwriting margins from claims inflation, while investment income—an important earnings driver for insurers—has faced volatility across asset classes. For listed firms, interim results also serve as a key signal to investors on underwriting discipline, capital strength and growth prospects.

Sanlam Allianz Holdings Kenya Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nyamemba Patrick Tumbo said the company is pursuing growth initiatives while seeking to reduce operating costs.

“The business has seen a significant growth of 32% in Gross Written Premiums (GWP) compared to the same period last year,” Dr. Tumbo said while confirming the half-year financials.

He added that the group’s balance sheet had crossed a milestone during the period. “Additionally, the business is fundamentally stronger and better capitalised than it was eighteen months ago, with our balance sheet surpassing KShs 40 Billion for the first time and our solvency ratio closing at 266%, significantly above regulatory minimum requirements,” he said.

Dr. Tumbo outlined the company’s priorities for the second half of the year, linking them to profitability and cost control. “Our focus for the rest of the year is to grow quality insurance revenue, hold the line on costs, and convert our new capital base into profitable growth,” he said.

In product development, the group said it strengthened its retirement and goal-based savings propositions. It cited the launch of the Sanlam Allianz Income Drawdown Fund in February 2026, which it said extended its retirement offering into income drawdown and complemented annuities it had previously introduced in the market.

The company also said it expanded its savings range through a product it identified as Flexi Future Plus, describing it as part of its broader focus on solutions tied to planning, saving and drawing income across different life stages.

For Kenya’s insurance and long-term savings market, the introduction of additional retirement income options such as drawdown funds may intensify competition among insurers and asset managers targeting formal and emerging retirement segments. It also reflects a wider push in the industry toward diversifying products beyond traditional risk cover into investment-linked and retirement solutions, as households seek structured savings amid cost-of-living pressures.

Looking ahead, Sanlam Allianz Holdings said it will continue focusing on product and process innovation, capital efficiency and digitalisation. The company’s next milestones are expected to include updates on cost management, premium growth and the contribution of newer retirement and savings products to revenue in subsequent reporting periods.

Safaricom will stage the Western Regional Finals of its Chapa Dimba Season 5 youth football tournament in Bungoma on August 15 and 16 at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, with eight teams set to compete for the regional title and National Finals qualification.

In a statement dated August 13, 2026, the telecoms operator said four boys’ teams and four girls’ teams drawn from Busia, Vihiga, Bungoma and Kakamega counties will take part in the first regional finals of the season. The participating teams are Chakol Queens and Musokoto Secondary School (Busia), Vihiga Cranes and Blue Commandos (Vihiga), Terem FC and Elgon Queens (Bungoma), and Lugari Progressive and Green Buffaloes (Kakamega).

Safaricom said each winning boys’ and girls’ team will receive KES 250,000 and secure a slot at the National Finals. Runners-up in each category will receive KES 150,000, according to the company.

“This weekend, we are all heading to Bungoma for our first Chapa Dimba Regional Final of the season. We have eight teams competing, and we expect a packed weekend of exciting action,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO. “I call on football fans across Western Kenya and beyond to turn up in large numbers, enjoy the action, and cheer on our talented young boys and girls.”

The girls’ semi-finals will open the weekend programme, with hosts Elgon Queens facing Lugari Progressive in the first match. The second girls’ semi-final will pit Blue Commandos against defending champions Chakol Queens, Safaricom said.

Fred Serenge, head coach of Lugari Progressive, said the team is targeting the regional title after falling short last season. “Last season, we lost 2-1 to Brenda Girls in the final, but this year we are determined to win both the regional and national titles,” Serenge said. He added that the tournament will, for the first time, provide Kenyan players an opportunity to participate in the Gothia Cup in Sweden through selection to the Season 5 All-Star team.

The boys’ semi-finals will feature hosts Terem FC against Vihiga Cranes, followed by Musokoto Secondary School versus Green Buffaloes, according to Safaricom.

Francis Muhambe, head coach of Vihiga Cranes, said the team is looking to repeat past success. “Last season, I led Ebwali Boys to the regional championship in the boys’ category, and this year, I am hoping to achieve the same with Vihiga Cranes after winning the Vihiga County title,” Muhambe said.

Beyond prize money for teams, Safaricom said it will issue individual awards: Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 30,000, while the Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) will also receive KES 30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

The company said the Western Region segment attracted 521 teams across the four counties—340 boys’ teams and 181 girls’ teams—with Kakamega recording the highest participation at 214 teams, followed by Bungoma (160), Busia (79) and Vihiga (68). Nationwide, Safaricom said 3,178 teams registered for Season 5, comprising 2,367 boys’ teams and 811 girls’ teams.

For Kenya’s business landscape, Safaricom’s continued funding of grassroots sports programmes is part of broader corporate spending that supports talent pipelines, community engagement and local event-driven trade, particularly in host towns where match-day footfall can lift small business activity around venues. The tournament also aligns with a growing focus by corporates on youth development initiatives that link to education outcomes through scholarships, which can be positioned as long-term human capital investment.

The Western Regional Finals will culminate in category finals on Sunday, with the winners advancing to represent the region at the National Finals. Safaricom said the Season 5 All-Star team will represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden.