Hello, Jason right here. Welcome to as we speak’s version of The Business Roundup, your go-to digest for key native and worldwide financial developments. From training reforms to simmering regional commerce tensions and a significant media shake-up—right here’s what’s making headlines. In a major coverage shift, the Kenyan authorities has introduced a discount in college charges throughout all tutorial programmes.
The announcement is efficient September 1, 2025.
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Table of Contents
University charges lowered throughout the board
This comes after rising strain from the general public over the rising price of upper training.
A joint assertion by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and Education CS Julius Ogamba emphasised that the transfer goals to steadiness affordability with institutional sustainability.
“Public universities are notified that the entire cost of programmes will continue to be met through a combination of tuition fees, scholarships and loans based on the needs of individual students.”
Revised charges now place Humanities and Social Sciences programs at a minimal of Ksh5,814 per semester, whereas high-cost disciplines like Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, and Pharmacy will vary from round Ksh12,000 to Ksh75,000, relying on scientific or skilled ranges.
The Kenya Times sampled diploma programs that college students can pursue for as little as Ksh5K per semester, and the most and least costly programs throughout universities after payment overview.
Regional tensions rise over Tanzania commerce ban
Meanwhile, regional financial unity is dealing with recent headwinds. On July 31, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat issued a proper warning to Partner States following Kenya’s grievance about Tanzania’s latest choice to ban foreigners from working in 15 small-scale enterprise sectors.
The just lately enacted Tanzania Finance Act, 2025, and amendments to the Excise (Management and Tariff) Act, 2019, introduces excise duties and an Industrial Development Levy of 10% and 15%, respectively.
Additionally, the Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025 bars foreigners—together with EAC nationals—from collaborating in 15 key providers, together with working or proudly owning micro and small industries.
Kenya’s EAC Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu labeled the transfer a violation of the Common Market Protocol, which ensures free motion and enterprise rights throughout member states.
The EAC urged all members to chorus from “unilateral backtracking” on beforehand liberalized sectors, stressing that such actions threaten regional integration targets.
What Dr. Karugu stated:
“The Order undermines the core objectives of regional economic integration and poses a significant setback to the gains made under the East African Community Common Market Protocol.”
Earlier, Trade and Industry CS Lee Kinyanjui had famous that every one EAC Partner States made binding commitments, and Article 13 of the EAC Common Market Protocol particularly permits EAC nationals to determine and function companies.
NMG restructures possession, management stays unchanged
In company information, Nation Media Group Plc (NMG) is ready for an inside possession change. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) will switch its 54.08% stake in NMG to its Kenyan-based subsidiary NPRT Holdings Africa Limited.
The switch of 92.6 million shares, confirmed in a regulatory discover on July 30, won’t have an effect on administration, management, or operations. The reorganization is framed as a part of AKFED’s technique to localize possession whereas sustaining its place as the last word helpful proprietor.
Shareholders and potential buyers have been suggested to pay attention to the brand new developments when dealing within the shares of NMG and to hunt skilled recommendation the place mandatory.
US tightens visa interview coverage
Shifting to world developments, beginning September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa candidates to the United States shall be required to attend in-person interviews, even for renewals. This reverses earlier pandemic-era waivers.
The new guidelines apply to just about all age teams, eliminating earlier exemptions for candidates beneath 14 and over 79.
Also massive this Week
- A brand new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate, M72/AS01E, has entered Phase III scientific trials, with Kenyans among the many 20,000 world members enrolled by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
- Sanlam General Insurance and Jubilee Allianz General Insurance (Okay) Ltd have issued a discover of intention to merge their normal insurance coverage companies, pending approval from the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
- Ministry of Education proclaims date for college college students to obtain HELB funds of their financial institution accounts.
- How companies shall be affected by NACADA’s proposed powerful alcohol guidelines.
- Kalahari Cement Limited has signed binding agreements to amass a 28.2% stake in cement producer, East African Portland Cement Plc (EAPC), from two shareholders: Associated International Cement Ltd (AIC) and Cementia Holding AG.
- The East African Breweries PLC (EABL) posted a revenue of Ksh12.198 billion for the yr ended June 30, 2025. In the audited outcomes, the EABL Board of Directors stated the internet income grew by 49% to Ksh128.8 billion, whereas quantity grew 2% as each beer and spirits registered progress throughout markets.
- Dominic Grainger has resigned as a Non-Executive Director of WPP Scangroup Plc efficient thirty first July 2025.
- How first years and persevering with college college students can verify charges after overview.
- Former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Ndung’u has been appointed to the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Safeguards Strategic Advisory Board on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Currency traits
According to the newest Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) knowledge, the Kenyan Shilling exchanged at Ksh129.2383 per US greenback on August 1, 2025.
Against different main currencies, the Shilling traded at:
- Sterling Pound – Ksh170.5816
- Euro – Ksh147.6483
- South African Rand – 7.0940
- Japanese Yen (100 models) – Ksh85.8527
Against regional currencies, the Shilling exchanged at:
- Ugandan Shilling – Ksh27.7395
- Tanzanian Shilling – Ksh19.8857
- Rwandan Franc – Ksh11.1772
Also, Kenya’s international alternate reserves declined barely to $10,692 million (4.7 months of import cowl) as of August 1, down from $10,749 million the earlier week.
That’s it for as we speak’s briefing. Stay sharp and knowledgeable—your edge in enterprise begins with the info.
Until subsequent time.
