What many fans don’t know is that the club’s journey began in 1982, thanks to the vision and generosity of Dogo Khan, a Kisii-based businessman originally from Bonyunyu Village in Nyamira County.

Born in 1950, Khan was raised by his mother after losing his father early in life. He attended Kisumu Primary School and later Kisumu Boys High School, where his passion for football first flourished. After school, he ventured into business, founding Shabana Hardware and General Stores Limited, which gained prominence in Kisii and Kisumu.

The business success inspired the naming of the football club, which was initially called Olympic. Dogo Khan began sponsoring the team to give talented youth, especially those from the Olympic Youth team, a chance to grow their careers.

“I used to go to the stadium to watch matches and there was a team called Olympic Youth. When they were done with the program, they had nowhere to go. I didn’t want their talent to go to waste, so I started a team to absorb them,” he told Pulse Sports in a past interview.

Khan didn’t just provide a platform — he supported players through education, using profits from his hardware business to pay school fees for future legends like Henry Motego, Mike Okoth, and the late Yabesh Nyandoro. Many of them attended schools like Cardinal Otunga, Mosocho, and Itierio.

“Some were still in school. I was paying their school fees. That is how we started building the team,” Khan added.

Shabana FC rose quickly through the ranks: from the District League, to the Provincial League, and then the Super League by 1985. In their debut top-flight season, the team finished 10th, then 5th in the second season, and 3rd in the third, behind AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia. This performance earned them a place in the Africa Champions Cup against Zambia’s Kabwe Warriors.

However, 2006 brought turbulence. A dispute over relegation led to the club being disbanded. Two years later, in 2008, Shabana was revived and began its climb back from the lower leagues, eventually reclaiming its place in the Premier League.

Today, Shabana FC plays home matches at Gusii Stadium, and its legacy continues to grow. The club is celebrated for producing some of Kenya’s greatest football talents. Alongside Motego and Okoth, the club has nurtured stars such as:

• Richard Otambo
• Salim Mabruk
• Hussein ‘Tigana’ Omar
• Kisco Kariuki
• Peter ‘Kasskass’ Kamau
• Sammy Simiyu
• Seif Puzo
• Sylvester Mageni
• Evans Ombuna
• Alfred ‘Fwaya’ Oloo

The influence of Dogo Khan and Shabana FC continues to be felt both in Kenyan football and within the communities the club has uplifted. The Glamour Boys remain not just a football team, but a symbol of regional pride, resilience, and vision.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced the funding during the release of the latest national Budget estimates. The grant, provided through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, will go directly to the State Department of Medical Services, covering 18.1% of its Sh20.93 billion project budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.

“This is one of the most significant external grants Kenya has received in recent years,” said Mbadi, emphasizing its critical role in stabilizing the country’s fragile health infrastructure.

Buffett’s donation comes at a moment of acute crisis. The abrupt halt of major projects by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), following an executive order by former President Donald Trump, led to severe shortages in vital medical supplies — including life-saving HIV drugs and vaccines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously warned that the aid termination could cause Kenya to run out of antiretroviral treatments, placing tens of thousands of lives at risk.

Alarmed by the repercussions, the Kenyan government estimated a Sh25 billion funding gap, with an urgent need for at least Sh2 billion to stabilize immediate supply chains. Buffett’s intervention directly addresses this emergency, not just symbolizing philanthropy, but functioning as a crucial stopgap to prevent widespread public health breakdown.

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation has a long history of supporting reproductive health, especially in low-income regions, and has advocated globally for expanded access to contraception and safe abortion services.

Warren Buffett, now 94 and the sixth-richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of Sh20.8 trillion ($161 billion), built his fortune through decades of strategic investing — most notably transforming Berkshire Hathaway into one of the world’s most powerful holding companies.

Buffett has frequently clashed with Trump over trade policy, and his grant can be seen as a powerful counter-response to the ripple effects of the former administration’s isolationist stance.

As public appeals mounted for wealthy donors to step in where governments had withdrawn, Buffett’s contribution underscores the rising influence of private capital in addressing global health challenges.

His Sh3.8 billion grant not only plugs a critical shortfall but also reaffirms the essential role of philanthropy in safeguarding public health — particularly when political decisions leave vulnerable populations exposed.

The Kenyan government has reassured citizens that maize flour prices will remain stable, even as local stocks dwindle and market pressures intensify.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized that the country’s strategic grain reserves are adequate to cushion the market, calming fears of a possible surge in Unga prices.

“There should be no panic about the price of Unga going up, it is not going to go up,” Kagwe said. “We are going to ensure it doesn’t go up by releasing the strategic grain reserves that we have.”

5.5 Million Bags of Yellow Maize to Be Imported

To supplement the current supply and ease the burden on white maize — which has surged in price by 26.47% since December 2024 — the government has authorized the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize.

A key part of the plan includes a 50% import duty waiver for at least one year, aimed at reducing costs for millers and ultimately shielding consumers from rising food prices.

“The government has authorised the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize to help stabilise the price of Unga and cushion consumers from rising food costs,” said a government spokesperson.

Millers Blame High Prices on Tight Supply, Feed Industry Demand

Despite these measures, millers are sounding the alarm, citing low domestic maize stocks and fierce competition from animal feed manufacturers as major stressors on supply chains. Many millers are reportedly operating at reduced capacity due to limited access to affordable grain.

To meet demand, some have turned to imports from neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, but cross-border grain flows remain inconsistent and costly.

Retail Unga Prices Climb to 14-Month High

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the average retail price of a 2kg packet of fortified maize flour rose to Sh169.41 in April 2025, up from Sh165.05 in March — a 2.64% increase in just one month.

This represents the highest price point since February 2024, when a similar packet went for Sh172.75. On a broader scale, households are now paying Sh24.77 more per packet compared to October 2024, reflecting a 17.13% year-on-year rise.

Industry Struggles Persist

With input costs rising and margins shrinking, industry stakeholders say cash flow is tight, and warn of potential disruptions if grain availability does not improve. Some mills have already scaled down production, awaiting further government intervention or improved domestic harvests.

Bottom Line:
While the government’s release of strategic reserves and import incentives aim to stabilize the maize flour market, experts warn that supply bottlenecks and external pressures could continue to challenge price stability in the coming months.

The award was presented during the Africa Forum on Displacement 2025, held in Nairobi, in acknowledgment of Dr. Mwangi’s leadership in redefining access to banking and economic empowerment for refugees and their host communities.

Organisers hailed him as a transformative figure who has “reimagined financial systems to empower the underserved,” providing scalable and sustainable banking solutions where they were most needed.

Presenting the award, Nancy Aburi, UNHCR’s Chief of Private Sector Partnerships Africa, praised Dr. Mwangi’s inclusive leadership:

“There are leaders who serve markets and those who expand them. Dr. James Mwangi has done both, and more. Where most saw challenges, he saw opportunity. Equity Bank became the first commercial bank in Africa to step boldly into the displacement space.”

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Mwangi humbly dedicated the award to the wider Equity ecosystem, partners, and displaced communities themselves:

“This award is not for me. It is for Equity Group Foundation, Equity Bank, and the millions of refugees and partners working together to give displaced persons dignity, opportunity, and the chance to transform their lives. You don’t do good to be appreciated. You do good because it’s the right thing to do.”

The UNHCR Visionary Award honours individuals whose work exemplifies courage, empathy, and innovation in solving complex humanitarian issues. Dr. Mwangi’s recognition reflects his lifelong commitment to equitable development — informed by both his personal journey and professional mission.

Under his stewardship, Equity has pioneered financial inclusion initiatives that provide working capital, promote small enterprises, and support long-term livelihoods for displaced populations. These interventions have significantly improved quality of life in refugee-hosting regions across Africa.

The award was bestowed at the Solutions Gala Dinner, hosted by the Africa Forum on Displacement’s co-convenors: UNHCR, the Amahoro Coalition, and Inkomoko — all key players committed to sustainable solutions for refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless communities on the continent.

Dr. Mwangi’s achievement marks a defining moment in the role of the private sector in humanitarian response, showcasing how visionary leadership can drive meaningful, lasting change for those most in need.

Tourists and businesses heading to Tanzania in 2025 must now exchange all foreign currency for Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) before making any local purchases. This follows a sweeping directive from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), which officially bans the use of foreign currencies such as US Dollars, Euros, and Kenyan Shillings for domestic transactions.

The BoT’s newly released Regulations on the Use of Foreign Currency, 2025, establish strict requirements for all local pricing and payments to be made exclusively in Tanzanian Shillings.

“The Bank of Tanzania wishes to inform the public that, by the provisions of Section 26 of the Bank of Tanzania Act, 2006, the Government has issued the Regulations on the Use of Foreign Currency, 2025,” the bank announced in its official statement.

What This Means for Tourists

Effective immediately, all foreign visitors—including those from neighboring Kenya, the United States, and Europe—must convert their foreign banknotes into Tanzanian Shillings at commercial banks or licensed Bureau de Change outlets.

While international visitors can still use credit and debit cards for digital payments, cash transactions must strictly be conducted in Tanzanian Shillings. This applies to all expenditures, including dining, accommodation, transport, and shopping.

Pricing in Foreign Currency Now Illegal

The new regulations make it a criminal offense to quote, display, or accept payment in any currency other than the Tanzanian Shilling. Businesses that continue to advertise prices or accept payments in foreign currencies risk penalties.

“It is an offence to quote, advertise, or indicate prices in foreign currency, to compel, facilitate, or accept payment in foreign currency, or to refuse payment made in Tanzanian Shillings,” reiterated the BoT.

Implications for Traders and Contracts

The changes go beyond tourism. Contracts and agreements previously signed in foreign currency must now be amended to comply with the new law within a 12-month grace period. Exceptions are limited and include:

• Embassies and international organizations
• Foreign currency loans from local banks
• Duty-free purchases

Kenyan tourists and traders are among those most immediately impacted. Whether crossing through Namanga, Sirare, or Holili borders, they must ensure their transactions are in Tanzanian Shillings. Kenyan businesses operating in Tanzania now face increased costs due to frequent currency conversions and fluctuating exchange rates.

Strengthening the National Currency

These regulations are part of the Tanzanian government’s broader effort to strengthen the value and use of the Tanzanian Shilling while improving monetary oversight and economic transparency.

The BoT has called on citizens and businesses to comply with the new rules and report any violations. With enforcement underway, tourists, traders, and local enterprises must adjust their financial habits when operating in Tanzania.

Kenya Railways Corporation on Thursday morning announced the suspension of its commuter rail services to Lukenya and Syokimau due to a blockage on the railway line at Mukuru.

In an official statement, the corporation confirmed that the obstruction had rendered the tracks impassable, forcing the temporary cancellation of the morning commuter link trains on both routes.

“Kindly note that owing to a blockage of the line at Mukuru, the morning link trains to Lukenya and Syokimau will not run,” the statement read.

The disruption significantly impacted early morning commuters who depend on the Nairobi Commuter Rail for timely and cost-effective travel from the city’s outskirts to the central business district. As of Thursday morning, no alternative transport arrangements had been provided.

Efforts were already underway at the site, with Kenya Railways dispatching a technical team to assess and clear the obstruction.

“Our team is on the ground working to ensure that normal services are restored as soon as possible,” the corporation assured.

Despite the inconvenience, Kenya Railways did not provide an estimated timeframe for service resumption but promised to keep the public informed through its official communication channels.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and will notify you once normal services resume,” the statement added.

The Lukenya and Syokimau lines form a critical part of Nairobi’s commuter transport system, serving thousands of daily passengers. The unexpected suspension underscores the vulnerability of urban transit systems to infrastructure-related disruptions.

Commuters are advised to monitor Kenya Railways’ platforms for real-time updates on service restoration.

Kenya and Ethiopia have signed a landmark bilateral agreement aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through a simplified trade regime. The move marks a significant milestone in regional integration and cross-border commerce.

The agreement was formalised in Mombasa during the third bilateral trade meeting between the two nations. Senior government officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), outlining a framework that facilitates easier and more structured trade for communities along the shared border.

Representing Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui emphasised the government’s commitment to resolving persistent commercial bottlenecks, especially at the Moyale border, which have long hampered local economic growth.

“We are working toward a future where goods and people can move freely between our two countries. Kenya and Ethiopia must realise the full potential of free trade, not only for commerce but also for tourism and broader economic development,” Kinyanjui said.

He highlighted the complementary nature of the two economies, with Ethiopia supplying essential commodities and Kenya offering manufactured goods of value to Ethiopian markets. He encouraged citizens and investors to seize the opportunity provided by the new trade framework.

“Kenya has invested heavily in modern transport and trade infrastructure. We now call on traders to utilise these systems to expand business with our neighbours,” he added.

On Ethiopia’s side, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe hailed the agreement as a critical step in bringing the AfCFTA to life at a grassroots level.

“We resolved two longstanding issues—border trade regulations and trading thresholds. The new guidelines provide structure and clarity for small-scale traders,” Gofe said.

Under the agreement, Ethiopia’s border trade zone will extend 50 kilometres from the frontier, while Kenya’s will span 100 kilometres. Small-scale traders will be permitted to trade up to four times monthly, with a maximum threshold of $1,000 USD per transaction, based on a jointly approved list of goods.

Both countries have agreed to continue collaboration through a detailed matrix of agreed minutes, with Ethiopia pledging to circulate a draft legal instrument to formalise the agreement.

“After two years of intensive negotiations, we have reached consensus. The focus now is on implementation—making this agreement work on the ground,” Gofe stated, commending the technical teams for their dedication.

The new trade framework is expected to transform the lives of thousands of informal and small-scale traders operating in Kenya’s and Ethiopia’s border regions, offering them a predictable and secure environment for business.

This bilateral pact stands as a model for regional economic cooperation under the AfCFTA, which aims to create the largest free trade area in the world by connecting 55 African countries and over 1.3 billion people.

Kenya’s quiet dismantling of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system in March has ignited a storm of controversy, drawing legal threats from Swiss tech firm Travizory Border Security and triggering ripple effects across the country’s tourism and technology sectors.

The ETA platform, launched just three months earlier in partnership with Travizory, was abruptly scrapped and replaced by a government-developed system housed under the e-Citizen platform. The transition occurred without prior public notice or explanation—an opaque move that has alarmed digital partners, tourism operators, and potential investors.

To date, the government has not revealed the identity of the new vendor, nor addressed the rationale behind the sudden replacement. This silence has fueled speculation and deepened frustration within the travel industry, where approval delays and technical glitches are increasingly affecting tourists and operators alike.

“Tourists have missed flights due to approval delays. The trust that had been built is quickly eroding,” said Boniface Mwangi, a Nairobi-based tour operator.

Travizory’s Legal Battle Looms

Travizory’s now-defunct platform had earned praise for streamlining border processes—reducing approval times from two weeks to under three days, maintaining 99.97% uptime, and handling over 1.8 million applications in its inaugural year. The system was also lauded for its advanced digital screening capabilities and use of secure digital credentials.

However, those achievements are now overshadowed by controversy. The Swiss company is reportedly preparing a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the Kenyan government, alleging contract violations and intellectual property theft. According to insider reports, Travizory claims its proprietary technology was copied and integrated into the new platform without consent.

Legal experts warn that the case could carry far-reaching consequences.

“This case could set a precedent on how governments engage with international tech partners. If Kenya is seen as an unsafe environment for IP, future collaborations could be at risk,” noted a Nairobi-based legal analyst.

Tourism Sector Feels the Pinch

The tourism industry, which had been buoyed by a 40% increase in international arrivals following the ETA rollout and Kenya’s newly adopted visa-free travel policy, is now facing mounting cancellations and stalled bookings.

The Tourism Federation of Kenya has raised alarms about the fragile state of the sector, warning that trust is unraveling amid technical failures and regulatory uncertainty.

What began as a behind-the-scenes digital platform change has now spiraled into a high-stakes dispute with global implications. With legal action looming and industry trust shaken, Kenya’s response in the coming weeks could determine its reputation as a reliable digital and investment partner on the world stage.

The path to restoring confidence—among travelers, tech partners, and investors—may require far more than a new login page.

The request was made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during a meeting with top BUCG officials on Tuesday, April 22. Mudavadi emphasized the urgent need to modernize JKIA, even as the government continues its search for private investors to support the large-scale infrastructure project.

“Ahead of H.E. President William Ruto’s State Visit, I met with Mr. Raymond Luo, President of BUCG International, Mr. Harold Huang, General Manager of Marketing, and Mr. Wei Zhang, Vice President for Southeast Africa, to discuss their expertise in airport construction,” said Mudavadi.

“They shared insights from their 42 years of experience building over 30 airport terminals, runways, and specialized aviation facilities worldwide. I encouraged them to submit their expression of interest as Kenya prepares to invite contractors for the upcoming JKIA expansion.”

BUCG’s strong track record in aviation infrastructure, with more than 30 terminals constructed globally, positions it as a strong contender for the proposed development.

The JKIA expansion is expected to include the construction of a brand-new terminal, aimed at enhancing passenger capacity and modernizing services at one of East Africa’s busiest airports.

The Kenyan government has been actively seeking credible investors for the project. Initially, the administration held discussions with India’s Adani Group, but President William Ruto later canceled the engagement following public outcry and international legal issues involving the group’s leadership. Gautam Adani, the company’s chairman, faced fraud charges in the U.S. and was implicated in bribery allegations in India.

The now-scrapped deal with Adani had an estimated project cost exceeding Ksh 200 billion.

As the government resumes its search for partners, the JKIA upgrade remains a central piece of Kenya’s ambition to position Nairobi as a major transportation and logistics hub on the continent.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NEMA confirmed that it had served a Closure Order to the club after repeated warnings were ignored.

“NEMA yesterday issued a Closure Order to Habanos Lounge… following persistent noise complaints from neighbours and failure by the club to adhere to previous orders to control noise pollution. The orders are to take effect immediately,” the authority announced.

The enforcement action marks a critical turning point in ongoing tensions between entertainment venues and residential communities in Nairobi, particularly in zones where urban nightlife collides with suburban tranquility.

Mounting Pressure from Residents and Officials

Habanos Lounge had recently become the focal point in a growing public outcry over noise pollution in upscale Nairobi suburbs. Residents in areas such as Ridgeways reported sleepless nights, citing loud music that often lasted into the early hours.

Earlier this month, a government official took to social media to call out the establishment directly:

“Dear HABANOS, please install Soundproof and copy your neighbour’s BND. The children & families as far off as Ridgeways live as if they are inside your club. An old lady told me she has had to invest in soundproofing her house because of the noise. Please.”

Multiple sources confirmed that some residents in the vicinity had spent significant amounts on private soundproofing solutions in a bid to mitigate the nightly disruption.

Wider Crackdown on Noise Pollution

The closure of Habanos Lounge comes amid broader efforts by NEMA to clamp down on entertainment venues that fail to implement proper noise control measures, especially those located near residential zones.

NEMA reiterated that its mission is not to hinder business growth, but to ensure that commercial ventures operate responsibly and with respect for community wellbeing.

“We support business and leisure, but not at the expense of public peace,” NEMA emphasized.

With the Habanos case setting a clear precedent, attention is now shifting to other establishments that have also been flagged for excessive noise. The message from authorities is unmistakable: silence is not only golden — it’s now the law.