Java Taps Ex-KFC Boss as CEO, to Lead Expansion

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Home Tags Java

Feature

Java Taps Ex-KFC Boss as CEO, to Lead Expansion

Staff Writer - February 22, 2021

Former KFC East Africa Group Managing Director Derrick Van Houten is set to be appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Java House,...

MOST POPULAR

Local startups raise Kes 12 Bn in Q12025

April 2, 2025

EMBRACING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT COUNTY LEVELS, A FOCUS ON NAKURU COUNTY

July 27, 2018

ROTARY AND NORVATIS TEAM UP WITH KENYA PRISONS SERVICE TO FLATTEN...

June 15, 2020

MIT and Mastercard Foundation Launch 2018 Zambezi Prize for Innovation in...

March 16, 2018

HOT NEWS

Adam Ibrahim was working with the UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, in his home country, Sudan, when conflict between rival armed forces erupted in early 2023 and he became a refugee alongside thousands of others who continue to flee the ongoing violence. Sudan is one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian crises, with more than 30.4 million people – over half the population – urgently needing humanitarian assistance, yet the 2025 Sudan humanitarian needs and response plan is severely underfunded, with only 13.3 per cent of the required resources received so far. Forced to flee the country with his family after the war intensified, Mr. Ibrahim returned to help people affected by the war in Darfur. Ahead of World Humanitarian Day, marked annually on 19 August, he described his journey, from aid worker to refugee and back again to Sudan. “I was at home helping my daughter revise for her grade six exams, scheduled for the next day. Then, out of nowhere, the sound of heavy gunfire shattered the silence in my hometown, Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur state, which remains gripped by insecurity and critical shortages of basic services. At first, I thought the gunfire would pass quickly. I rushed to stock up on food supplies and water, enough for six days. But, the streets became battlegrounds. All I could do was try to keep my family safe. Despite the chaos, I continued to work. Electricity and Internet access were sporadic, but I kept my phone charged to send daily updates to the OCHA Head of Office. It gave me purpose amid the uncertainty. Eventually, it became too dangerous to stay. The journey of displacement On the 39th day, we fled. Our family of 10 began a harrowing journey with no clear destination, only the desperate need to escape. We left behind more than just walls and belongings; we left behind a life built with love and hope. Our journey took us first to Nyala in South Darfur, then to Kosti in White Nile State. From there, we crossed the border into neighbouring South Sudan and eventually reached Uganda, a country I had heard offered stability and a good education system for children. The journey by car took 23 days. My children had no passports, and there were no refugee camps for Sudanese nationals at the time. To my relief, migration authorities in both countries were kind and supportive. In Kampala, we rented a house and received asylum status within three days. The moment I held our refugee cards, I exhaled deeply and thought ‘we’ve made it.’ I enrolled my children in school and began working online, finally finding a sense of stability. Here I was, an aid worker now a refugee, needing the same support I once provided to others. Returning to Zalingei Months later, I faced a difficult decision. Do I stay with my family or return to Darfur and continue the work I had done for years? I chose to return. Leaving my family behind was incredibly hard, but their safety was paramount. I returned to Zalingei with a renewed sense of duty to serve those still trapped in the hardship I had endured. I was also the sole breadwinner for my family and needed to ensure they could survive in Uganda. My hometown changed When I arrived in Zalingei, I barely recognised it. Buildings were scarred with bullet holes. I found another family sheltering inside our house, a doctor and his family whose own home had been destroyed. I let them stay, setting aside a small section for myself and a colleague. The house had been looted. Windows were gone and our belongings had vanished. I had hoped to find my children’s school certificates, photos, any documents left behind. But, they were gone. Everyone was armed, even children as young as 15. People were tense, traumatised and always bracing for the next wave of violence. Machine guns and wreckage in West Darfur I didn’t stay long in Zalingei. Soon I was called to El Geneina in West Darfur, a town devastated by violence, and whose people desperately needed humanitarian support. El Geneina’s streets were strewn with the wreckage of burned-out military vehicles. Armed men patrolled in pickup trucks mounted with machine guns. The humanitarian needs were immense. People lacked food, shelter, household essentials, healthcare, clean water and protection, but we never had enough resources for them. Family, sacrifice and hope for Sudan It’s heartbreaking to witness the suffering caused by the recent donor funding cuts. Many organizations have been forced to scale back their operations, leaving countless people without help. Still, we did all we could. Between 2023 and 2025, we reached more than 800,000 displaced people with critical assistance, in West and Central Darfur. I also went on to work with OCHA colleagues in Chad to coordinate cross-border humanitarian convoys into Darfur. These convoys were lifelines, delivering food, medicine and supplies to communities cut off by conflict. Today, I remain in Sudan. My family is still in Uganda. I visit them once a year, but the separation is painful.”

News

From aid worker to refugee and back in war-torn Sudan

Executive Corner

Binance cryptocurrency exchange opens in Uganda

GoDaddy (www.GoDaddy.com), a global leader in empowering entrepreneurs, announced the expansion of its new Digital Ads feature with GoDaddy Airo® (https://GetStarted.GoDaddy/Africa) to nine new English-language markets including Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. This AI-powered tool enables small business owners and entrepreneurs to create, launch, and manage professional Google Ad campaigns in minutes, without prior advertising expertise, directly addressing a key barrier to online visibility and customer acquisition. "Reaching new customers online is critical for growth, but creating effective ads has traditionally required significant time or resources many small businesses simply don’t have," said Selina Bieber, Vice President of International Markets at GoDaddy. "Airo Digital Ads now empowers entrepreneurs in these markets to compete more effectively. Our AI handles the technical complexities, like writing compelling ad copy and selecting high-performing search keywords, so they can focus on running their business and connecting with customers." Why Simplifying Digital Ads Matters GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey highlights the hurdles faced by entrepreneurs, with over one in three (37%) facing financial constraints limiting marketing investments, 23% struggling with technology complexity, and 40% citing work-life balance challenges from operational demands. Digital Ads leverages Airo’s advanced AI to transform ad creation from a daunting task into an effortless streamlined process. Instant Campaign Setup: Generate complete, professional Google Ad campaigns in minutes. Airo drafts persuasive ad copy, selects relevant keywords based on the business offering, and structures the campaign using industry best practices, eliminating the "blank page" problem. Zero Experience Required: Tailored specifically for those new to digital advertising, the intuitive dashboard guides users through the process without requiring a dedicated marketing team. Full Control & Customization: Users review, edit, and perfect every element before launch – headlines, descriptions, keywords, target audience, and budget. The AI provides a powerful starting point, but the business owner makes the final decisions. Integrated Management & Analytics: Launch campaigns and track detailed performance metrics (like clicks, impressions, and costs) all within the GoDaddy Digital Ads dashboard. No need to juggle multiple platforms or logins. Risk-Free Testing: Preview the complete ad exactly as it will appear on Google. Make unlimited adjustments. Campaigns only go live when the user is completely satisfied. AI Benefits for All Entrepreneurs Digital Ads effectively works as a plug-and-play solution to key challenges faced by various entrepreneurial segments. Small business owners new to digital ads gain a streamlined, cost-efficient entry point without agency overhead; busy entrepreneurs benefit from rapid campaign launch to drive traffic while juggling multiple priorities; and budget-conscious businesses garner professional results without the need to hire specialists to manage ads. Get started today at https://GetStarted.GoDaddy/Africa.

News

GoDaddy Brings Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Digital Ads to Entrepreneurs, Empowering Faster...

News

World Bank Review reveals Unchanged Quality of Policies and Institutional Performance...

EDITOR PICKS

Africa’s storage moment

February 13, 2026

13 artisans travelled to Nairobi to showcase their products at Bizarre Bazaar Global Village, one of Kenya’s largest open-air markets for art, fashion and design. The artisans, from both refugee and host communities in Turkana, made 102,000 Kenyan shillings in sales over just two days. ‘It was more than just a market – it was a space to learn, connect and dream bigger,’ said Rodgers Mugaragu, a refugee artisan attending the event for the first time. With more than 100 vendors from across the country and beyond, Biz Baz is a vibrant platform for small producers to display their work and explore new business opportunities. ‘With ITC’s support, I’ve attended Biz Baz twice. The first time, I learned about product quality and value addition,’ said Josephine Alogogita Lobur from the Lodwar host community. ‘Since then, I’ve improved my designs to meet market standards. This year, I connected with new clients, exchanged ideas with other artisans, and gained inspiration to keep growing my business.’ Beyond immediate sales, the experience has strengthened participants’ confidence to run their own enterprises, paving the way for greater financial independence and long-term self-reliance. The group also visited ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) centre in Nairobi to learn how local artisans collaborate with EFI to produce high-quality, market-ready goods. Opportunities like these help artisans gain exposure to national buyers and new markets, strengthening small businesses and generating income. Increased opportunities also mean better cohesion between refugees and host communities.

Nature, Carbon and Climate Are Becoming Core Investment Themes – with...

February 13, 2026

ABH: Meet ABH 2025 Grand Prize Winner, Koolboks on Making Refrigeration...

February 10, 2026

Third Africa Islamic Finance Forum Confirmed for Nigeria March 2018

March 23, 2018

EABL signs lease deal for office space in upcoming Garden City...

March 14, 2018

Facebook Introduces Messenger Rooms and More ways to connect

April 27, 2020

Tag: Java

Java Taps Ex-KFC Boss as CEO, to Lead Expansion

MOST POPULAR

Local startups raise Kes 12 Bn in Q12025

EMBRACING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT COUNTY LEVELS, A FOCUS ON NAKURU COUNTY

ROTARY AND NORVATIS TEAM UP WITH KENYA PRISONS SERVICE TO FLATTEN...

MIT and Mastercard Foundation Launch 2018 Zambezi Prize for Innovation in...

HOT NEWS

From aid worker to refugee and back in war-torn Sudan

Binance cryptocurrency exchange opens in Uganda

GoDaddy Brings Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Digital Ads to Entrepreneurs, Empowering Faster...

World Bank Review reveals Unchanged Quality of Policies and Institutional Performance...

EDITOR PICKS

Africa’s storage moment

Nature, Carbon and Climate Are Becoming Core Investment Themes – with...

ABH: Meet ABH 2025 Grand Prize Winner, Koolboks on Making Refrigeration...

POPULAR POSTS

Third Africa Islamic Finance Forum Confirmed for Nigeria March 2018

EABL signs lease deal for office space in upcoming Garden City...

Facebook Introduces Messenger Rooms and More ways to connect

POPULAR CATEGORY