The Kenya Cricket Association is seeking a highly qualified National Coach initially to develop and prepare their National Team , who will be responsible for the overall management of the international program which includes planning, development, implementation and evaluation of specialised cricket training and competition programs, and development of younger talent for the future.
KQ fleet expansion
Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, an affiliate of Singapore Airlines, said it will lease three new Boeing ( BA) 737-800 planes to Kenya Airways. The aircraft are the first of 20 Next Generation 737s recently ordered by SALE from Boeing and the planes will be delivered to KQ in the fourth quarter of 2006 and leased for eight years each, SALE added.
At the Paris Air Show, MD Naikiuni expressed a desire to add more wide-body aircraft – however 737 are narrow-body aircraft and not really suited for long-flights, such as to Mumbai, which should be done using the airlines’ 767. It’s no fun to fly a single-aisle aircraft for 7 hours, where economy class passengers share two bathrooms and have little room to manoeuvre around meal carts.
Respect over Time
When Bishop Thomas Dexter (T.D.) Jakes first flew into Nairobi in January, he was largely unknown in Kenya and received a small, dignified reception from his religious and business hosts.
Since then we have come to learn more about him – from his links with President Bush, business acumen, charity work in Africa, large following, and title of “America’s Best Preacher” that Time magazine bestowed on him in September 2001.
For his visit this week, he was deemed worthy of a visit to President Kibaki and was subjected to Kenya’s notorious VIP protocol arrangements including frantic security arrangements, a missing host and traffic jams. Bishop Jakes will lead worship services at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park on October 1 and 2 from 2pm to 5pm.
More Corporate Briefs
Telkom
VoIP: This week Telkom launched VoIP service using their existing and new call cards (branded with the big five animals). Typical per minute rates are 15 shillings for calling the USA, UK, & Canada, and 20 shillings for Uganda, Rwanda & most of Africa.
In a timely article, the Economist reviews the consequences of the recent E-Bay/Skype deal noting that one day all voice calls, including mobile, will be free.
Fibre: Telkom also began laying an optic fibre cable between Nairobi and Mombasa which it hopes to complete by March ’06.
M&A
EA Cables: Seeks to acquire 51% shareholding of Tanzania Daesung Cable Ltd which is currently by Nexans Korea Ltd. The company will seek shareholder approval for the deal at an extraordinary general meeting on October 18 at Holiday Inn, Nairobi.
EA Portland Cement: EAPC intends to acquire 49% of the Kigali Cement Company via a 160 million shilling investment that will raise KCC’s production from 50 to 300 tons a day by the end of the year.
Shell/BP BP oil is pulling out of Kenya – selling all its country operations including 65 fuel stations, a 17% stake in the Mombasa oil refinery and 50% stake in both BP Kenya & Shell Kenya.
Profit
Unga limited has attained a profit for the first time since 1997 – returning a 72.5 million shilling profit for the year ended in June, up from a loss of 102 million in 2004. It is managed by Seaboard Corporation, an American company who retain the right to acquire a majority stake in the company. No dividend will be paid though owing to current debt and modernization costs.
The week ended
Strong shilling
Nation writer Jaindi Kisero links the strong Kenya shilling to increased activity at the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Following the on-going Uchumi rights will be new issues from Celtel, Shelter Afrique, Athi River Mining and Kengen.
Kengen IPO
The East African reported that institutional investors may shun the upcoming Kengen IPO, unless the company signs a firm power purchase with the Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC), its only customer, that will guarantee future revenue streams.
New society
Friday 23/9 will see the inaugural lunch of the new Institute of Directors of Kenya (IODK) at the Grand Regency Hotel. Guest speaker will be Mr. Sunny Bindra, consultant, and Sunday Nation writer. Contact: e-mail or 4440003/4443230
Shareholder advice
In a paid advert this week, the Nairobi Stock Exchange listed the simple steps required for a shareholder to take if he/she wished to transfer their share account to a different broker – this followed complaints that some have experienced difficulty with certain brokers.
Nairobi Bypass
The Standard reported that Kenya Airways will start a weekly B777 flight from Heathrow to Mombasa (via Nairobi) enabling tourists to deal with customs and immigration issues in Mombasa.
Jobs for NYS
Vice President Moody Awori sent out an appeal for companies to employ recent graduates of the National Youth Service (NYS) who have excellent technical and engineering skills.
Blogger Handbook
If you ever wanted to start a blog, or have questions about it, Global Voices reported on the “Reporters Without Borders Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents” handbook. PDF available here
Weekend Activities
Classic cars: Celtel East Africa Concours d’Elegance on Sunday 25th at the Nairobi Racecourse.
Book fair: at the Sarit Center from 21st to 25th September.
Weekend Sports
Saturday 24 September
14:15 – 17:00 SS3 FA Premiership:: Birmingham vs Liverpool
17:00 – 19:00 SS7 FA Premiership:: Chelsea vs Aston Villa or West Ham vs Arsenal or Man Utd vs Blackburn
19:00 – 21:30 SS3 FA Premiership:: Bolton vs Portsmouth
19:00 – 20:00 SS2 Formula One: Brazilian Qualifying
22:45 – 01:00 SS7 La Liga:: Betis vs Barcelona
Sunday 25 September
04:00 – 07:00 SS1 IBF Heavyweight Eliminator – Wladimiro Klitschko vs Samuel Peter
17:30 – 20:15 SS3 FA Premiership:: Boro vs Sunderland
17:45 – 20:00 SS7 La Liga:: Alaves vs Real Madrid
19:30 – 22:00 SS2 Formula One: Brazilian Main Race