The introduction of predator wasps sounds the death knell for fruit flies, which have terrorised fruit farmers in the continent for eons, throwing into peril potential exports worth billions. Now, there is light…

Kenya could be on the verge of reviving a once-thriving multi-billion horticultural business, should a scientific innovation eliminate the fruit fly, the single biggest threat to African fruit farmers.Government-approved scientists from the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) released wasps on fruit-flies along the coast in concerted efforts at ridding farmers of the disastrous pests, which have led to the loss of billions of shillings in export earnings and lost hundreds of thousands of jobs since South Africa banned the export of fresh Kenyan produce to its markets over two years ago.

Fruit flies – flying insects much like the common flies, which feed on fruits and expose them to bacteria causing them to decompose and fall from trees – are the reason South Africa, which was the single largest export destination for Kenyan avocados outside of Europe, imposed a now three-year old ban on Kenyan avocados from its markets earlier on in 2008.

Once ranked amongst America’s corporate titans and famed for revolutionizing the imaging industry by producing the world’s first digital cameras, photography icon - Eastman Kodak Company is now on the brink of a financial crisis that could see its unmistakable yellow-and-red ‘K’ insignia erased from the memories of yester generations.

The legendary brand has seen its stock pummel from its 1997 peak of $94 to an all-time low of fewer than 80 cents a share, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs and leaving the once venerable market-leader bleakly staring at bankruptcy.  Kodak has already closed down its aging factories, sliced its global payroll to 18,800 from a peak of 145,300 in 1988 and further cutdown on employees, international media reports.

The company has reportedly hired a firm that dispenses advice on bankruptcies and other restricting options.

Kenya and Burundi have signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement to promote development and technology transfer in agriculture, livestock and fisheries development between them. The MoU which was signed in Bujumbura, Burundi by Kenya’s Minister for East African Community, Mr Musa Sirma, and the Burundian Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ms Odette Kayitesi, will also enhance bilateral cooperation in higher education, science and technology.

Foremost in the agreement signed under the auspices of the Kenya/Burundi Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) is the revised MoU on Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries Development whose implementation the two countries agreed to start implementing immediately.

Sanyo in conjunction Africa Children Education Fund (ACEF) and students at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have come up with a clean energy solution that has boosted the renewable energy process.The Solar LED Lantern was developed for people living in un-electrified areas. It is a product that has helped Kenyans in improving their standards of living. This project is targeting the bottom of the pyramid, low income population.

ACEF having been operational since 1985 has seen the organisation provide food, health facilities and education within the eastern province. It has helped eradicate poverty be engaging the communities in development projects. The company came up with the Solar LED Lantern and the students developed the mobile charging kit. The mobile charging kit was incorporated because the lantern can be used up to three days without having to charge its battery again and on the while the solar panel would be lying in a box wasting valuable opportunity to harness solar energy.

In the aviation industry low cost carriers are pushing big airlines out of business and are becoming constant irritants, growing in capacity and muscles over the years, enough to topple giant airlines in Asia, Europe and America

This year, Kenya Airways (KQ) will launch a low cost carrier, at least according to media leaks. The launch is seen largely as a counter to low cost carriers (LCC’s) presence in the eastern African region. The launch, though secretly kept away from all and sundry, is supposed to take the local and regional market by storm. Several regional or budget operators are currently registered in Kenya, including Jet Link, Fly540 and Air Kenya, and operate from either Jomo Kenyatta International or Nairobi Wilson Airport.  KQ commonly refers to them as “mosquitoes” because they “are always there, they are small but they sting,” according to COO Bram Steller. In August 10, 2011 Kenya Airways went full throttle to announce plans to forge a low cost carrier as a subsidiary that will handle local and regional flights.  Going by the name Jambo Jet, the carrier is meant to take on several smaller airlines that have become popular with passengers on domestic routes and to neighbouring countries.