Tag Archive for: Nairobi

Andrew Stegmann

New Kenyan Retirement Benefit Regulations

This information is courtesy of Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates (IKM).

The Government of Kenya, through the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning, published Legal Notice Number 88 of 2019 dated 13th June, 2019 which amended the Retirement Benefits (Occupational Retirement Benefits Schemes) Regulations, 2000 (the “Regulations”). Regulation 19 (5) (a) (ii) was amended to read as follows: “the scheme rules shall provide that: where a member leaves employment after vesting of his benefits but before attaining the specified early retirement age, he may opt for payment of his own contribution where he is a member of a defined contribution scheme.

The effect of this amendment was that where the employment relationship came to an end and the employee had not reached the retirement age provided for in the Trust Deed and/or the Pension/Provident Fund Rules, he/she would no longer be entitled to the employer’s portion of contributions and the investment income gained from the contributions until he attained the retirement age.

The Regulations were, however, challenged on a number of grounds including absence of public participation. The Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislations, upon further consideration, proposed through the attached report that the amendments be annulled. The Report was tabled and adopted by Parliament on 2nd October, 2019, thereby annulling the proposed amendments.

Consequently, employees are now entitled to 100% of their contributions and 50% of the employer’s contributions upon termination of employment.

To view the government’s document on the amendment, click here.

 

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: Snowmanradio [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann

Tourism and Travel – Africans are Doing It For Themselves

Australians call it ‘walkabout’, northern Europeans go looking for the sun, others go looking for business, whatever the reason, for many once they have left home for the first time they want to continue to travel. This curiosity, combined with economic growth is driving the demand for hotels in Africa. Where once demand was dependent on international travellers Africans are now doing it for themselves, and as a consequence creating a much more robust and sustainable industry.

Nairobi leading the way

One example is the MICE segment in Nairobi which has fundamentally changed over recent years. It was originally dependent on international conferences and consequently generated significant room-nights – over the past 10 years, the number of domestic delegates has doubled, which has forced hoteliers to adapt to the new demand. Whereas previously hotels enjoyed room sales along with the conference, now most delegates live locally and do not need accommodation. Hotels are, therefore, having to review their business mix.

Although this example may not be good news for hoteliers, it is illustrative of the changing trend within African hotels generally – less reliance on European, Middle Eastern and American guests and more demand from local and regional customers. Overall, domestic tourism in Kenya grew from 37% of total bed-nights in 2011 to 54% in 2015.

In the short-term revenues may be affected, with more local conferences, tighter budgets and more local guests without a hard currency in their pocket. However, it is in fact great news. With the whole continent requiring hotel accommodation, the pool from which to draw your customers has just got 1.25 billion larger.

Not only is the number of potential guests much larger, the majority of these guests are better informed of the real risks of travel across the continent, so are less likely to be swayed by 24-hour news channels. They are also likely to reduce the seasonality of your business. Leisure guests will be able to travel throughout the year for short-breaks and commercial travellers will be able to make quick overnight stops, rather than planning (and delaying) longer trips.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

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Andrew Stegmann

Johannesburg & Nairobi are the only cities offering favourable platforms for female entrepreneurs

Karen Quintos, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Dell Globally, said women’s entrepreneurship rates are growing more than 10% each year. In fact, women are as likely – if not more likely than men to start businesses in many markets. However, financial, cultural and political barriers can limit the success of these businesses.

Quintos commented on the company’s Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2017, an evaluation of a city’s ability to attract and support female entrepreneurs.

According to the Index, Nairobi and Johannesburg are the only African cities in its selection of top 50 (an additional 25 cities compared to the 2016 research) international cities, offering a favourable platform in support of female entrepreneurs.

Johannesburg and Nairobi were ranked 28th and 33rd respectively, based on access to capital, markets, talent, technology and culture.

According to industry research, women remain under-represented in the ICT sector.

The ISACA 2017 women in technology survey states, “Women in tech are still facing significant barriers in the workplace, from a shortage of women role models, to gender-based pay gap, to persistent gender bias that nearly 90% of them say they have experienced.”

ISACA notes that eight in ten women report their supervisors are male; nine in ten are concerned about the number of women in the tech field; one in five companies are very committed to hiring and advancing women in tech roles, and one in five organisations are not at all committed to hiring and advancing women in tech roles.

The organisation identifies the top barriers experienced by women in technology as being the lack of mentors, female role models in the field, workplace gender bias, unequal growth opportunities and unequal pay compared to male counterparts.

In the survey, Jo Stewart-Rattray, board director of ISACA and director of information security and IT assurance at BRM, is quoted as saying, “Women should be encouraged to be confident and persistent in pursuit of their technology careers and a mentor in the field, whether male or female, can be the most effective person to make that case.”

Former board director of ISACA and director of the assurance and advisory management program at The Home Depot, Krysten M. McCabe says the first step to encouraging more women to pursue a career in technology is educating current technology leaders that gender diversity in the workforce is valuable and important.

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Andrew Stegmann

Moving to Kenya with your family? here’s a great online guide to help you

If you are planning on moving to Kenya, we may be able to assist. Feel free to contact us via info@relocationafrica.com or on 2721 763 4240, or visit our website here for more information.

Expats moving to Kenya especially those with a jaded or pessimistic attitude towards relocating to an African country will be pleasantly surprised by the range and quality of housing options available. European expats, particularly, can look forward to finding accommodation that’s more spacious than anything they’d be able to find back home.

Kenya is generally a politically stable country with a Western-friendly government and manageable infrastructure. The Kenyan capital of Nairobi is now considered the hub for business and development in eastern Africa.

Expats working in Kenya tend to be highly-paid managers of multinational companies, or development and NGO employees and volunteers. Strong levels of local employee protectionism can often make the job search difficult, even for skilled and highly-qualified foreigners.
Expat life can be insulated from Kenyan society, as the fear of crime, particularly in the large cities, sometimes cloisters foreigners behind the gates of housing compounds and locked car doors. Those who emerge from behind this curtain of fear can really enjoy the different cultures
of Kenya, all of which are famously welcoming and cheerful.

Nonetheless, those moving to Kenya may not find the expat experience as comfortable as in more developed nations, and longing for everyday conveniences and the familiar efficiency of home is a common topic of discussion among foreigners.On the other side of the coin, others find that the luxuries Kenya has to offer – such as large houses, domestic workers and high expat salaries – make for a higher quality of life than they’d have back home. Overall, whether life in Kenya turns out to be an unwelcome posting or a grand opportunity, all expats will certainly have a truly unique experience.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN NAIROBI

GEMS Cambridge International School

www.gemscambridgeinternationalschool-nairobi.com
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum:British / IGCSE
Ages:3 to 18

Banda School

www.bandaschool.com
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British
Ages:2 to 13

Braeburn Schools

www.braeburn.com
Gender:Co-educational
Curriculum: British
Ages: 3 to 18

Brookhouse School

www.brookhouse.ac.ke
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British
Ages: 2 to 19

Deutsche Schule Nairobi

www.dsnairobi.de
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: German
Ages: 4 to 18

Hillcrest International School

www.hillcrest.ac.ke
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: British
Ages:3 to 18

FAMILY ACTIVITIES TO DO IN KENYA

 
See here: https://www.myguidekenya.com/things-to-do/family-activities
 

Areas and suburbs in Nairobi

Nairobi is a prominent city in Africa, both financially and politically. It is important that expats moving to Nairobi familiarise themselves with the areas and suburbs of the city in terms of housing, schools, hospitals and access to facilities.

Expats will find that the more upper class suburbs are situated to the west and north-central parts of Nairobi. These areas include Karen, Langata, Lavington, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Spring Valley, Kilimani, Kileshwa, Hurlingham, Runda, Nyari and Westlands.Eastern parts of the city tend to be more industrial. However, low-income residential housing can be found in neighbourhoods like Eastleigh, which is densely populated by immigrants as well as refugees.

Exclusive neighbourhoods in Nairobi

Karen and Langata

Karen and Langata are two of the most exclusive areas in Nairobi and offer residents modern, high-end living options for both expats and wealthy Kenyans. Nairobi Hospital and the Karen Hospital, two of the countrys top hospitals, are located close by, and the areas are home to a number of well-known private schools, such as Brookhouse, Banda and Hillcrest International. A modern shopping complex called Galleria offers the areas residents a range of choices when it comes to dining and shopping. There are two private golf clubs, and many shopping arcades close. The only down side to living in Karen or Langata, are that the areas are quite isolated. Although, public transport it is available, expats living in this part of Nairobi should have a car.

Runda

Runda is a self-contained neighbourhood, which has a bit of a rural touch. Runda Estate is Nairobis largest gated community and comes equipped with a state-of-the-art security system and an active residents association. Accommodation in these areas usually come in the form of large, modern houses on huge plots. The Village Market, one of Nairobi’s upmarket shopping centres, is located close by and offers a large multiplex cinema, a great food court, restaurants, supermarkets and dozens of boutique stores. Runda is popular with expats with kids as there are a number of kindergartens, primary and secondary international schools nearby, including the International School of Kenya, the German School and Roslyn Academy.

Ridgeways

Ridgeways is another self-contained neighbourhood close to Runda. It is situated within Karura Forest and is the former home of Kenyas colonial elite. Now the area offers luxury housing options for well-paid diplomats and wealthy Kenyans. While residents have access to all the facilities in neighbouring Runda, Ridgeways main attraction is the exclusive Windsor Golf Club.

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