Kenya has witnessed a transformative shift in its business landscape, driven by the dynamic rise of co-working spaces that are increasingly being embraced, not just by individual entrepreneurs but by corporates and multinationals too.

The old but seemingly new trend, which became apparent and more rooted in millions of Kenyans at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has taken root in the East African nation, reshaping the traditional office environment and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and flexibility.

There is no doubt that the surge in co-working spaces across the country can be attributed to several factors that converge to meet the evolving needs of modern professionals and businesses. This has seen the entrance of international brands with an international feel and a taste of new trends.

WOJO, a global leader in providing innovative co-working solutions has a unique approach to co-working emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, community, aesthetics and workspitality. Their spaces are designed to be adaptable, accommodating to businesses of all sizes – from established enterprises to freelancers and startups. The co-working environments foster collaboration through thoughtful layout and shared amenities, fostering a sense of camaraderie among members.

But what makes co-working spaces such as WOJO a magnet for corporate Kenya?

Corporate Interest and Partnerships: Large corporations are recognizing the benefits of co-working spaces for fostering innovation and employee satisfaction. Many have started partnering with co-working providers or establishing their own co-working spaces. This corporate interest adds credibility to the co-working trend and further fuels its growth.

Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovation: Kenya's entrepreneurial spirit is a driving force behind the co-working trend. As a hub for startups and small businesses, co-working spaces provide an environment conducive to collaboration, networking, and innovation. These spaces become melting pots for diverse ideas, allowing entrepreneurs to interact, share experiences, and build a supportive community similar to what WOJO offers.

Flexibility and Cost-Efficiency: Let us face it, traditional office leases can be rigid and financially burdensome, especially for startups and freelancers, and even for corporates. Many giants are contemplating shutting down physical humongous offices and maintaining a leaner office where they can meet with the team once in a while. Co-working spaces offer flexible lease terms, allowing businesses to scale up or down as needed. This flexibility reduces upfront costs and provides a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to establish a presence without committing to long-term leases.

Rise of Remote Work: The global shift towards remote work, accelerated by technological advancements, has significantly contributed to the growth of co-working spaces in Kenya. Professionals, including freelancers and employees of multinational corporations, seek flexible work arrangements, and co-working spaces provide the ideal solution. Spaces such as WOJO offer the infrastructure needed for remote work, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and other amenities.

Infrastructure Development: The improvement of infrastructure, including reliable internet connectivity and accessible transportation, has played a crucial role in the proliferation of co-working spaces. As the infrastructure continues to evolve, more areas become viable locations for co-working spaces, making it easier for professionals to access these shared work environments.

Focus on Well-being: Visiting a place like WOJO will leave you wondering whether you are in an international hotel or just a normal co-working space. WOJO has set the pace for co-working spaces in Kenya that are increasingly prioritizing the well-being of their members. From ergonomic furniture to wellness programs and recreational spaces such as swimming pools, the gyms, among others, the outcome is always satisfactory hence more productivity for brands.

There is no doubt that co-working spaces have taken shape in Kenya. They are so deep-rooted that corporates have started noticing and do not want to be left behind in terms of spreading their wings.

Kenya has witnessed a transformative shift in its business landscape, driven by the dynamic rise of co-working spaces that are increasingly being embraced, not just by individual entrepreneurs but by corporates and multinationals too.

The old but seemingly new trend, which became apparent and more rooted in millions of Kenyans at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has taken root in the East African nation, reshaping the traditional office environment and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and flexibility.

There is no doubt that the surge in co-working spaces across the country can be attributed to several factors that converge to meet the evolving needs of modern professionals and businesses. This has seen the entrance of international brands with an international feel and a taste of new trends.

WOJO, a global leader in providing innovative co-working solutions has a unique approach to co-working emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, community, aesthetics and workspitality. Their spaces are designed to be adaptable, accommodating to businesses of all sizes – from established enterprises to freelancers and startups. The co-working environments foster collaboration through thoughtful layout and shared amenities, fostering a sense of camaraderie among members.

But what makes co-working spaces such as WOJO a magnet for corporate Kenya?

Corporate Interest and Partnerships: Large corporations are recognizing the benefits of co-working spaces for fostering innovation and employee satisfaction. Many have started partnering with co-working providers or establishing their own co-working spaces. This corporate interest adds credibility to the co-working trend and further fuels its growth.

Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovation: Kenya's entrepreneurial spirit is a driving force behind the co-working trend. As a hub for startups and small businesses, co-working spaces provide an environment conducive to collaboration, networking, and innovation. These spaces become melting pots for diverse ideas, allowing entrepreneurs to interact, share experiences, and build a supportive community similar to what WOJO offers.

Flexibility and Cost-Efficiency: Let us face it, traditional office leases can be rigid and financially burdensome, especially for startups and freelancers, and even for corporates. Many giants are contemplating shutting down physical humongous offices and maintaining a leaner office where they can meet with the team once in a while. Co-working spaces offer flexible lease terms, allowing businesses to scale up or down as needed. This flexibility reduces upfront costs and provides a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to establish a presence without committing to long-term leases.

Rise of Remote Work: The global shift towards remote work, accelerated by technological advancements, has significantly contributed to the growth of co-working spaces in Kenya. Professionals, including freelancers and employees of multinational corporations, seek flexible work arrangements, and co-working spaces provide the ideal solution. Spaces such as WOJO offer the infrastructure needed for remote work, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and other amenities.

Infrastructure Development: The improvement of infrastructure, including reliable internet connectivity and accessible transportation, has played a crucial role in the proliferation of co-working spaces. As the infrastructure continues to evolve, more areas become viable locations for co-working spaces, making it easier for professionals to access these shared work environments.

Focus on Well-being: Visiting a place like WOJO will leave you wondering whether you are in an international hotel or just a normal co-working space. WOJO has set the pace for co-working spaces in Kenya that are increasingly prioritizing the well-being of their members. From ergonomic furniture to wellness programs and recreational spaces such as swimming pools, the gyms, among others, the outcome is always satisfactory hence more productivity for brands.

There is no doubt that co-working spaces have taken shape in Kenya. They are so deep-rooted that corporates have started noticing and do not want to be left behind in terms of spreading their wings.

Mombasa county government has been lauded for it's efforts in boosting road safety.

According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General George Njao, Mombasa is the only county in the country that has managed to flatten the curve when it comes to road crashes fatalities.

Speaking during the launch of the Mombasa status summary report on road safety, Njao called on other counties to emulate Mombasa on road safety.

"In other counties the cases are on the rise, I have been receiving several questions as to how Mombasa has managed to flatten the curve. Mombasa especially the Inspectorate department are doing a very good and commendable job when it comes to road safety and I think it is high time that other counties starting emulating what Mombasa is doing" said Njao.

Adding "If you take a look our (NTSA) road safety plan you will see that there are some things that we have copied from Mombasa. Mombasa has been the pioneer of several initiatives including the pedestrians walk and the only other county that has at least managed to copy that is Kisumu".

The report which is from a research conducted by the Johns Hopkins international injury research unit through the Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative between December 2022 and October 2023 reveals that the total number of deaths from road crashes has remained stable since 2021 at sixty nine (69).

According to the report the most vulnerable road users are motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists who accounted for 88% of reported road traffic facilities in 2022.

The report which mainly captures observations of three risk factors, Speed, helmet use and seat belt and Child restraint use recommends for enhanced enforcement of speed limits across the city, correct helmet use , seat belt use and regular enforcement operations from the police and other law enforcement agencies.

The report also recommended to NTSA to advocate for enforcement of disposable helmet liner, a standard developed by the Kenya Bureau of standards for motorcyclists.

"As NTSA we are ready to work with all agencies and other stakeholders towards enforcing road safety and behavioral change especially from motorists and other road users" said Njao.

Speaking at the same time, Mombasa county Transport and Infrastructure executive Daniel Manyala revealed that the county government is still in the process of introducing other safety measures.

"This report is going to help us as the county government towards making the right policies and taking the right measures when it comes to road safety" said Manyala.

Adding " currently we are working on introducing three bills at the county assembly, road safety lies in the centre of all these bills. The bills are the transport and infrastructure bill, Non-motorised transport policy and the road safety policy. I believe that in the next two months they will all be in place"

Kwale based lower tier side Denmark FC is set to unveil it's new home and away kits.

The unveiling of the new jerseys is set to take place on Saturday at the Denmark grounds in Maganyakulo, Kwale county.

"The club after a successful year last year, we are happy to inform you that we were promoted to FKF regional league. The league will have more financial demands for the club and we as management are coming up with ways and means to raise funds to cater for seasons expenses that includes not nd limited to trainings, traveling FKF regulatory payments, medical costs among others." reads an invite from the club.

Adding "In view of this, the Denmak football club will be unveiling its official home and away jerseys on Saturday 20th January 2024 at Denmak grounds Maganyakulo. The club will be selling the kits to the members of the public as a way of raising funds and brand penetration."

The home kit will retail for kshs 1500 while the away kit for 1800.

The club will face Gor Mahia FC in the round of 32 of the 2024 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) MozzartBet Cup, after the draw was conducted on Wednesday.

The government has appealed for more partnerships in order to empower female inmates in the country's correctional facilities.

According to State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome M-Beacco, there is need for more partnerships especially from the private sector in training and empowering female inmates with different skills.

Speaking in Mombasa during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Chandaria Shimo La Tewa Women prison workshop, PS Salome said already there are different programmes and initiatives from the government in conjuction with stakeholders aimed at empowering the inmates.

"I'm happy to report we are also collaborating with mama Rachel Ruto through her Carakana project which involves crotchet which is a whole new ground which we are taking this year to train our inmates and it has been very succesful in Langata Women prison where we also have another Chandaria foundation project. Our female inmates have gained alot of skills and money, in Langata some of them have earn upwards of kshs 48,000 in a very short while and therefore we see this as a way of increasing the scope of vocational programmes taht we are giving this Women, because Women are very important in the stability of the society" said PS Salome.

Adding " We need more people and volunteers to come out and partner with us in these initiatives which are aimed at equipping our inmates with the necessary skills that they will use even after leaving the facilities."

The workshop at Shimo La Tewa  will encompass a bakery, tailoring and an ICT hub section. It will also hold the 'Karakana Project', an initiative by H. E the First Lady, Rachael Ruto where the female inmates will be trained on cross crocheting.

The workshop is a partnership between the State Department, Chandaria Foundation and Safal Building Solutions Ltd. At the Shimo la Tewa Borstal Institution, the PS handed over Ksh. 350, 000 worth of paint donated by Kansai Plascon East Africa.

PS Salome noted "We are hoping this workshop will go along way in training our inmates in the skills of bakery as well as tailoring and IT hub which is a new frontier we are exploring."

"We are hoping that we will be opening this workshop by mid or end next month (February). It is an initiative of Chandaria foundation and we are encouraging more foundations come out and do the same."

Carakana is a Mama Doing Good project under the Women Economic Empowerment pillar in the Office Of The First Lady. The program seeks to facilitate the transfer and preservation of indigenous skills, in the production of quality handmade items, for sustainable livelihoods and the well-being of vulnerable groups. 

Since 2016, the project has trained over 1,500 women and 537 women have produced quality artefacts that have earned them Ksh 5.15 million.

Raha Fest, a dynamic festival that celebrates the diversity and richness of African music, art, and culture, is thrilled to announce its inaugural event at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 30th and 31st, 2024.

The biggest festival in Africa, Raha Fest aims to unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering connections and shared passions through a harmonious blend of music, arts, and cultural activities. Raha Fest will offer attendees an unforgettable experience set against the iconic backdrop of Uhuru Gardens.

The festival's lineup will feature a unique blend of local talents and renowned African artists - Samidoh, Nadia Mukami, Hart the band, Nviiri the Storyteller, Femi One, Otile Brown, and Congolese sensation JB Mpiana. More International acts will be unveiled later. 

"We are thrilled to bring Raha Fest to Uhuru Gardens and offer a platform that celebrates the vibrancy and creativity of African music, art, and fashion," said the organizers of Raha Fest. "We believe that this festival will not only be a celebration of our cultural heritage but also a testament to the richness of African celebration that contributes to the global festival experience."

Raha Fest is proud to announce Zuri Health as the official Healthy Partner for the festival, bringing a focus on wellness to this year's celebration.

Additionally, Radio Africa is our esteemed Radio and Print Partner, helping us spread the word and excitement about the festival to a wider audience.

Tickets for Raha Fest are available at Ticket Sasa and Ticket Yetu, allowing you to secure your spot at this unforgettable celebration of African music, art, and culture.

By Faith Waithaka, Cloud and Service Provider Segment Sales Lead: Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric

The prefabricated modular datacentre is not a new concept by any means, offering a fast and scalable alternative to brick-and-mortar.

However, it is only the last five years that its adoption has enjoyed some major growth, with companies regarding it as a bona fide route to deploying datacentres.

In Africa, prefabricated modular datacentres are enjoying some exciting growth; the continent’s increasing demand for data storage, processing and connectivity is driving innovation in the sector.

These modular structures offer a dynamic response to the need for rapid deployment, standardisation and sustainability.

Unpacking the benefits

Prefabricated datacentres, as the name suggest, consist of pre-built modules that house various components critical to datacentre functionality. The modules fall into categories such as power, cooling, and IT.

Due to its modular nature, organisations can then choose a combination of these modules to create a tailored solution that best meets their specific requirements.

One of the major advantages of prefabricated data centres is the efficiency and predictability it brings to the construction process.

Unlike traditional datacentres, where one must contend with the variability of numerous contractors and handling material and availability, prefabricated datacentres are produced in a controlled factory environment.

This controlled setting ensures higher quality and consistency in construction, enabling precise timelines and outcomes.

When one considers the varied materials and standards across different regions in Africa, prefabricated solutions offer a viable path to standardisation and predictability. Organisations operating across the continent can expect the same level of quality and materials, whether in South Africa, the DRC, Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya.

This consistency simplifies project management and allows engineers to work on a standard basis, facilitating smooth expansions and upgrades.

 Sustainable expansion

Africa’s adoption of prefabricated modular datacentres is also rooted in lessons learnt from our global peers. In countries such as Germany, some brick-and-mortar hyperscale datacentres are reaching its end of life which creates a conundrum of sort, how do you shutdown these facilities in sustainable manner?

In fact, according to various research papers, datacentres are become obsolete fast due to the technologies incredibly fast paced advancements.  With a lifespan of around 15 years, these massive facilities become technology graveyards reminiscent of an eerie Sci-fi movie.

Prefabricated data centres offer a more flexible solution, allowing these facilities to be quickly disassembled and relocated to other regions which will have use for some of the modules, thereby preserving infrastructure integrity and extending its lifespan.

At Schneider Electric, our prefabricated datacentres are built sustainably; we fabricate 90% of the parts to mitigate waste, optimise efficiency, and reduce the footprint of the datacentre. Furthermore, we drive sustainable practices throughout our supply chain to ensure that products are produced and transported in a responsible manner.

Lastly, where possible, our local partners are responsible for building the prefabricated datacentres, thus reducing transport costs whilst investing in the local marketplace.

Researchers have published results that show that a new drug has very good potential to prevent malaria during pregnancy for women living with HIV.

Malaria during pregnancy can cause serious maternal and newborn health issues, especially in women living with HIV.

The World Health Organization recommends daily doses of the antibiotic co-trimoxazole to prevent malaria in pregnant women living with HIV residing in areas with high malaria transmission.

However, its efficacy in sub–Saharan Africa is threatened because malaria parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to the drug.

The study christened, IMPROVE-2 by researchers from Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in partnership with colleagues from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and the Malawi University of Science and Technology have just published in The Lancet, suggests that the addition of the antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine to daily co-trimoxazole substantially reduces the risk of malaria in pregnancy.

 “We celebrate these findings that propose additional arsenal against a disease that risks about 70 percent of our population, malaria in pregnancy can cause a host of serious health complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and growth restriction of newborn babies, and co-infection with HIV increases doubles these risks,” said Prof. Elijah Songok, KEMRI Ag. Director General & CEO.

Feiko ter Kuile, Professor of Tropical Epidemiology at LSTM, and the study lead, said: “These are promising findings, and potentially welcome news in the future of prevention malaria among pregnant women living with HIV in areas where prevalence of the disease is high. Our trial showed that the addition of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine to the currently recommended preventative treatment strategy for pregnant women living with HIV reduced malaria by 68%.”

 Dr. Hellen Barsosio, a Clinical Research Scientist from the KEMRI’s Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), and lead author on the new paper published in The Lancet, said: “These findings are very encouraging. Not only did we find that adding dihydroartemisinin–to co-trimoxazole was safe and prevented two out of every three malaria infections during pregnancy, it was also very well tolerated by pregnant women, which is very important when a drug is given for prevention. The study could lead to a muchneeded policy change that could make a real difference in improving maternal and newborn health in Africa”.

Dr. Simon Kariuki, Head of Malaria Program from the KEMRI-CGHR said: “We hope that these findings, along with a similar trial being conducted in Gabon and Mozambique, will inform the malaria prevention guidelines from the World Health Organization and national health policies.”

Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie will be charged with murder among other offences.

According to a statement from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). there is sufficient evidence to charge Mackenzie with ninety four others with charges of murder, manslaughter, assault causing bodily harm, engaging in organized criminal activity.

Other charges are radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, subjecting a child to torture, cruelty to child and infringing a Child's right to education.

"Pursuant to the prosecution guided investigations, the Director of Criminal Investigations forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions inquiry files for perusal and advise." reads the statement

Adding "Upon thorough analysis of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute ninety five (95) suspects with the charges".

In December last year (2023) Mackenzie was jailed for 12 months for the offence of operating a film studio and producing films without a valid license.

Malindi Senior Resident Magistrate Olga Onalo also slapped him with another six-month jail term for showing the films to members of the public, through Times TV, without having an operating license.