I&M Bank has partnered with American fintech software and big data analytics company ThetaRay to combat money laundering through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The new partnership will see the deployment of ThetaRay’s advanced AML (anti-money-laundering) platform across I&M Group’s operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Mauritius. 

This system incorporates ThetaRay’s latest innovations, such as the generative AI Risk Catalog. By using AI, the bank will be able to monitor in real-time its entire anti-money laundering screening processes. 

“We are building a compliance foundation that aligns with the future of banking – nimble, scalable, and fully integrated across jurisdictions,” said Group Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at I&M Zipporah Gitau. 

The move comes at a time when central banks and financial authorities in the region are increasing scrutiny on money laundering, terrorism financing, and cross-border financial irregularities, particularly in sectors such as mobile money, trade finance, and remittances.

Two weeks ago, the European Union (EU) classified Kenya as a high-risk country for money laundering and terrorism financing. “This marks a transformation in how we approach compliance,” said Jamie Loden, Chief Operating Officer at I&M Bank. 

“Identifying and listing high-risk jurisdictions remains a crucial tool to safeguard the integrity of the EU’s financial system,” said Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments at the European Commission. 

And despite AI taking root in some countries and sub-sectors, its full potential in financial crime management is yet to be realised.

Adoption of AI among financial institutions is still in its nascent stages due to challenges in data quality as well as the often-prohibitive initial acquisition cost. By Graham Kajilwa |, The Standard

National carrier, Kenya Airways will starting Tuesday fly to the United Kingdom (UK) through Gatwick Airport, after it secured the second entry.

KQ will make its maiden flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Gatwick Airport in a bid to enhance its global network.

KQ General Sales Manager East Africa Rose Kisel said that Heathrow Airport, which was its first route, does not accommodate more flights. 

Speaking during the 2025 Kenya Air Travel Agents (KATA) annual general meeting and convention in Mombasa, Kiseli said that Gatwick will give the national airline additional connectivity.

She said Gatwick will give the airline additional connectivity and enable them to take customers beyond the entry point.

“We are excited about a second entry point in the UK. The slots in Heathrow do not accommodate more flights, and this is the reason we are starting flights to Gatwick in the UK next Wednesday (today).

Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said that the new flight to Gatwick is already fully booked. 

Thairu said that the airline added a new Boeing 737-800 in a bid to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

 “We are advancing a comprehensive fleet optimisation strategy. Our plan is to grow our fleet by 30 per cent over the next five years to streamline operations, enhance reliability, and offer the flexibility needed to expand into new and underserved markets,” said Thairu.

He said the new route to Gatwick optimises the airline’s route plan that offers customers more choice, seamless connections, and flexible schedules through increased frequencies, new destinations, and strategic codeshare agreements.

Thairu said the Gatwick route will enhance UK connections and deepen the global network.

“We want to launch a new passenger flight to Gatwick in London in July. We are happy that through your collaboration, the new flight is already full, and we thank you for the support you have accorded us over the years,” said Thairu. 

He noted that in April, KQ became the first airline in Sub-Saharan Africa to launch New Distribution Capability (NDC) content via the Amadeus Travel Platform that allows them to share fares, seat selection, and baggage options directly with travel agents to enhance travel retailing capabilities.

Thairu said KQ, which posted a net profit of Sh5.4 billion, was a first full-year profit in 12 years.

“Kenya Airways is turning a corner. Last year, we recorded profits for the first time in many years — along with record-breaking passenger and cargo volumes,” said Thairu.

Thairu also said KQ should be protected and allowed to grow even as the tourism stakeholders advocate for open skies to boost the number of international flights and attain the five million tourist target by 2027. By Joackim Bwana |, The Standard

Fashion can sometimes be misconstrued. Looking good doesn’t have to be too revealing, too tight, or too sexy for an outfit to feel fashionable. Those perceptions are way too ancient for this modern era, where Gen Zs and zillennials are revolutionising this industry. 

In an era ruled by crop tops, cutouts, see-throughs, and figure-hugging silhouettes, there is a quiet yet loud revolution happening in the wardrobes of Gen Zs.  

Have you heard of very mindful and very demure? Yep, that’s the new TikTok’s buzzword-slash-ethos defining how both yungins and oldies should dress, behave, and talk. 

With the mindful and demure anthem having gained momentum since last year, these are part of this young generation that are bringing back decency in the fashion world.

On Instagram alone, #modestfashion, #modestclothing and #modest wear have over 13 million posts mostly from Gen Zs and zilllenials. 

Today, modest but fashionable is the way to go, and it doesn’t feel too churchy or too mothers-union-ish to make one doubt their fashion choices.

Matter of fact, it seems like everyone is jumping in on the modest aesthetic, and even fashion runways are taking the cue.   

Replacing shorts with jorts  

They are giving modest fashion a modern makeover, and it’s giving vogue, old money, and pop culture at the same time. Here’s how the Gen Zs and Zillennials are re-inventing the modest aesthetic. 

After several decades since they last trended, jorts are finally back, and they aren’t up for debate because Gen Zs are definitely diehards for this fit.

Unlike shorts, which dominate most millennials’ closets, jorts tend to be longer and baggier than the usual skimpy shorts. They can either be above the knee or slightly below the knee length. 

With jorts officially replacing the skimpy booty shorts this season, they are more comfortable and offer more coverage. 

Without compromising style. A true definition of how Gen Zs are embracing decency in their own style. 

Jorts are decent for several casual social settings and give off a cool vintage vibe without showing more skin, which equals confidence.  

Okay, let’s be real. Skinny jeans are out and so millennial. Gen Zs hate it, and according to them, they have officially ruled out skinny jeans as an option and even called for their prompt removal from all closets. 

“Skinny jeans remind me of Gru from Despicable Me,” a 25-year-old Gen Z unapologetically described. 

Gen Zs have embraced a baggier look and prefer wearing wide-legged pants, baggy denim, and cargo pants as opposed to skinny jeans.

This preference is mostly attributed to a combination of style, comfort, and a rejection of previous styles, some of which compromised comfort and confidence for style. 

As they reject tight-fitting clothes, they view skinny jeans as uncomfortable and unflattering. 

And because Gen Zs and zillennials are, for the most part, in control of TikTok and Instagram, the biggest fashion influencing platforms, they are, by all means, promoting the modest aesthetic, which is cooler than what is believed to be woke.  

“Modest means feeling comfortable in every piece I wear,” insists fashion influencer Nneynah 

Another popular Gen Z fashion enthusiast (@catsparklife) recently sparked a heated debate after calling out tight fits, labelling them as fashion faux-pas. 

“Tight on tight outfits are not my thing, it’s giving middle school,” she captioned on her now-viral video, which earned over 540,900 likes and 4.6 million views. 

Embracing maxis over minis and micros 

The Gen Z-it-girls and baddies are going long, and nope, we ain’t talking about the old school long ‘churchy’ dresses.

They are embracing beautiful, ankle-grazing, maxi dresses with a flowy silhouette, bidding goodbye to a season of micro and mini dresses.  

With the maxis having a major moment this season, many Gen Zs prefer them because they are not only versatile but also inclusive.

You can wear them anywhere, whether in church or religious events, weddings, dates, and even social gatherings, without feeling too exposed or turning heads for all the wrong reasons. 

And again, since Gen Zs have always been tagged as a rebellious generation, their preference for maxis feels like a quiet rebellion against the pressure to constantly show skin.

Overally, the modest fashion is all about covering up, feeling confident, and being flexible enough to show up anywhere without feeling too exposed and criticised. 

“Modesty is the safe space that hides me from the eyes of those who seek to hold the body and not the heart. It is not shame that keeps me covered, it is dignity and honour,” wrote Koana, @imjoanasosa, a modest fashion influencer. By Cynthia Atuo, Capital News

Since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, more than 4 million people have fled to neighbouring countries in search of food, shelter and safety – with families often arriving traumatised, malnourished, and with little more than the clothes on their backs.   

WFP quickly mobilized to provide emergency assistance to refugees escaping to seven neighbouring countries. Food and cash, hot meals, and nutrition support have been provided in the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. The agency also expanded support to host communities who have generously welcomed refugees, despite often grappling with their own food insecurity needs. 

However, continued food assistance is quickly exceeding available funding. WFP’s support to Sudanese refugees in CAR, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya may grind to a halt in the coming months as resources run dry. In Uganda, many vulnerable refugees are surviving on less than 500 calories a day – less than a quarter of daily nutritional needs - as new arrivals push refugee support systems to the breaking point. And in Chad, which hosts almost a quarter of the four million refugees who fled Sudan, food rations will be reduced in the coming months unless new contributions are received soon. 

“This is a full-blown regional crisis that’s playing out in countries that already have extreme levels of food insecurity and high levels of conflict,” said Shaun Hughes, WFP’s Emergency Coordinator for the Sudan Regional Crisis. “Millions of people who have fled Sudan depend wholly on support from WFP, but without additional funding we will be forced to make further cuts to food assistance. This will leave vulnerable families, and particularly children, at increasingly severe risk of hunger and malnutrition.” 

Children are particularly vulnerable to sustained periods of food insecurity. Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates among refugee children in reception centres in Uganda and South Sudan have already breached emergency thresholds as refugees are severely malnourished even before arriving in bordering countries to receive emergency assistance. 

Inside Sudan, WFP has worked to scale up assistance to reach over 4 million people per month – four times more than at the beginning of 2024. Vital support to new refugees in neighbouring countries was also expanded; in Chad, WFP quadrupled warehouse capacity and expanded food pipelines to support the influx of refugees crossing from Darfur and to sustain cross-border operations into Sudan. In Egypt and South Sudan, WFP scaled up cash assistance after the civil conflict began in 2023, enrolling eligible Sudanese families within hours of arrival to provide immediate support. 

“Refugees from Sudan are fleeing for their lives and yet are being met with more hunger, despair, and limited resources on the other side of the border,” said Hughes. “Food assistance is a lifeline for vulnerable refugee families with nowhere else to turn.” 

WFP is urging the international community to mobilise additional resources to sustain food and nutrition assistance for Sudan’s refugees and the host communities supporting them. 

WFP needs just over US$200 million to sustain its emergency response for Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries for the next 6 months. An additional $575 million is needed for life-saving operations for the most vulnerable inside Sudan. 

“Ultimately, humanitarian support alone will not put an end to conflict and forced displacement –political and global diplomatic action is what’s urgently needed to end the fighting so that peace and stability can return,” said Hughes. WFP