Written by Lisa Murimi

China has confirmed the arrival of 54 tonnes of macadamia nuts from Kenya, igniting questions over how the shipment cleared a ban on raw nut exports.

The timing has raised eyebrows in Nairobi, with some industry insiders suggesting the deal could point to loopholes in Kenya’s enforcement of agricultural export laws. 

Others hint at possible diplomatic arrangements, as Beijing remains one of Kenya’s largest trading partners and a major source of development loans. 

The situation risks fueling debate over whether economic ties are influencing compliance with local regulations.

According to Chinese officials, the consignment took 30 days to reach Hunan Province and was purchased directly from an African supplier. 

Du Xiaohui, Director-General of the Department of African Affairs at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the shipment was the first batch of nut products from Africa to the province this year and that total imports could hit 2,000 tonnes in 2025.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) stated on July 18 that exporting raw macadamia nuts is prohibited under the Crops Act, 2013, and the Crops (Nuts and Oil Crops) Regulations, 2020. 

The ban is meant to protect local processors, boost value addition, and create jobs. AFA also reported intercepting several illegal shipments at the borders in recent weeks.

On social media, Kenyans demanded answers. “How is this possible when they were prohibited?” one user asked. Another wrote, “The macadamia purchases in Kenya are closed. How did you source them?”

Possible explanations include that the nuts were exported before the enforcement notice, processed in a neighboring country, or reclassified under different customs codes. For now, both AFA and the Kenyan government remain silent, leaving the controversy to grow.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui Isaboke, has been elected chairperson of the African group preparing for the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The election marks a significant milestone for Kenya’s growing influence in shaping global digital and communication policies.

The World Radiocommunication Conference, which is convened every three to four years by the ITU, plays a pivotal role in reviewing and revising the global regulations governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

These resources are critical for mobile broadband, broadcasting, aviation, maritime, space services, and emerging technologies such as 5G and satellite internet.

As chair of the African Preparatory Meeting (APM), Isaboke will coordinate regional input and consensus-building among African nations ahead of the global conference.

His mandate includes leading technical discussions, aligning policy positions, and representing Africa’s strategic interests in spectrum allocation and management. The position is not only a recognition of Kenya’s policy leadership but also a nod to the country’s robust digital transformation agenda.

Africa faces unique challenges and opportunities in the digital space, including limited spectrum availability, high demand for mobile broadband and growing interest in satellite connectivity to bridge digital divides.

Under Isaboke’s leadership, the continent is expected to adopt unified positions that reflect its developmental priorities, such as expanding internet access in rural areas, safeguarding broadcasting services, and fostering innovation through emerging wireless technologies.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed his election, viewing it as a step toward more equitable global representation in key decision-making processes.

Kenya, which has invested heavily in ICT infrastructure and innovation, is likely to use the platform to advocate for fair spectrum distribution and policies that promote inclusive digital growth across the continent.

Isaboke’s chairmanship comes at a crucial time when the global telecommunications landscape is undergoing rapid evolution, and the outcomes of WRC will influence how technologies are deployed for years to come.

The next World Radiocommunication Conference is scheduled to take place later this year, and preparations are already underway across member states.

Written By Ian Maleve

The global Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) has visited Kenya as part of a broader initiative to promote professional excellence, ethical practices, and sustainable growth within the procurement and supply chain sectors across Africa.

The high-level visit underscores Kenya’s strategic importance as a hub for procurement and supply chain development, particularly in both the public and private sectors.

During his engagements, the CIPS executive met with key stakeholders including government officials, corporate leaders, procurement professionals, and members of regulatory bodies to advocate for global best practices in supply chain management.

Kenya, which has witnessed a growing recognition of procurement as a critical driver of economic performance and service delivery, is seen as a priority market for CIPS in its mission to strengthen professional standards across the continent.

The institute has been instrumental in setting global benchmarks for ethical procurement, transparency, risk management, and cost efficiency areas of growing concern for both government institutions and private companies in the country.

During the visit, discussions focused on enhancing local capacity through training, certification, and continuous professional development. CIPS aims to work with Kenyan institutions to support efforts to curb procurement-related fraud, improve value-for-money audits, and foster the adoption of digital tools in supply chain processes.

The CEO also emphasized the role of supply chains in achieving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. He pointed out that building resilient and ethical supply networks is not just about operational efficiency, but also about supporting broader national goals, including industrialization, job creation, and climate resilience.

The visit comes at a time when Kenya is pursuing significant reforms in public procurement through policy updates and legislative amendments.

Stakeholders hope that the strengthened partnership with CIPS will contribute to improved accountability and professional integrity in procurement practices.

CIPS has an active presence in Kenya through its East Africa office, which supports a growing membership base made up of procurement and supply chain professionals across the region.

The visit by the global chief is expected to reinforce the institute’s long-term commitment to developing talent and shaping the future of procurement across Africa.

Written By Ian Maleve

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and a leading oil marketing company have returned to the Tax Appeals Tribunal in a renewed legal battle over a disputed tax assessment amounting to Ksh280 million.

The case, which has dragged on for several years, has now been revived after an earlier decision was overturned by the High Court and sent back to the tribunal for fresh determination.

At the heart of the dispute is whether the oil marketer correctly accounted for withholding tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) on various payments made to non-resident service providers.

KRA contends that the firm failed to deduct and remit the taxes as required by law, resulting in underpayment and a significant revenue shortfall.

The taxman is seeking to enforce the Sh280 million tax demand based on its audit findings and interpretation of cross-border tax obligations.

The oil firm, on the other hand, argues that the payments in question do not fall under the categories that attract withholding tax or VAT under the Kenyan tax code.

It maintains that the services rendered were not subject to tax in Kenya due to the nature of the contracts and the location of service provision. The company further claims that KRA misapplied provisions of the Income Tax Act and the VAT Act in its assessment.

The case had earlier been ruled in favor of the oil marketer by the tribunal, but KRA successfully appealed that decision in the High Court. The court ordered a retrial at the tribunal level, noting that certain key aspects of the dispute had not been fully considered in the initial ruling.

As the parties return to the tribunal, the case is expected to set a significant precedent on the tax treatment of international service contracts and the application of withholding tax in Kenya’s oil and gas sector.

It also highlights the increasing scrutiny by KRA of cross-border transactions, especially within capital-intensive industries where foreign technical expertise and services are regularly contracted.

The outcome could have a far-reaching impact on how other companies in the sector structure their operations and comply with local tax obligations. Tribunal proceedings are set to resume later this month, with both parties expected to submit new evidence and arguments.

Written By Ian Maleve