High tax burdens, widespread bribery, cumbersome regulations, and elevated operational costs are increasingly slowing down private sector investment in Kenya, according to a report released by the World Bank. In its Private Sector Diagnostic report, the global lender highlighted that businesses face compounding pressures from multiple national and county-level levies, shifting tax policies, and systemic market inequalities. “While corporate income tax rates are broadly aligned with regional peers, investors face multiple national and county-level levies, frequent tax changes, cumbersome administration, and perceptions of unequal treatment,” the World Bank stated. The Bretton Woods institution highlighted institutional weaknesses and widespread corruption as major hurdles to dynamic economic growth. Survey data revealed that one-third of evaluated businesses reported receiving requests for bribe payments. “Governance weaknesses further undermine investor confidence,” the Bretton Woods Institution revealed, noting that Kenya ranks in the bottom third of the Transparency International Index. Navigating bureaucracy remains a primary operational obstacle. In the 2025 World Bank Enterprise Survey, 25.3 percent of participating firms cited licensing and permit processes as major barriers to doing business in Kenya. Despite major national investments in core logistics, including modern...
Read briefing A Nairobi homestead in Muthua, Kabete, served as the backdrop for a secret counterfeit juice operation until an alert member of the public notified the authorities. Acting on the tip-off, Kabete Police Station detectives moved in quickly and caught two men, Alex Mwaruta and James Munala Inyangala, mid-production. Officers arrested both suspects at the scene. A thorough search of the property uncovered a fully functional counterfeiting setup. Investigators recovered roughly 1,400 filled 200 ml and 300 ml bottles of suspected fake juice, 56 cartons of empty bottles, five packets of bottle caps, two blue industrial drums, and three plastic basins. Detectives also seized office glue, rubber stamps, ink pads, brand stickers, and an expired Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) standardization mark certificate for a prominent juice brand. In addition, officers recovered unlabelled powdery and liquid chemical substances packed in 50-gram polythene sachets as well as loose 200 ml and 300 ml bottles. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers processed the premises and logged all recovered materials as official evidence. Both suspects remain in police custody while detectives complete their investigations. “Counterfeit beverages produced in unregulated and unhygienic environments can expose unsuspecting consumers to serious health risks. Such illegal operations also undermine legitimate manufa...
Read briefing Kenyans may soon have a chance to own a stake in West Africa’s oil giant for under Sh500, opening up cross-border investing for retail buyers across East Africa. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) are developing a vehicle that allows local investors to participate directly in Nigeria’s massive Dangote Petroleum Refinery initial public offering (IPO). Low Entry Barrier via Depositary Receipts The proposed arrangement relies on Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) – financial instruments that represent shares in a foreign firm while trading on a local bourse like standard equity. Under this setup, Renaissance Capital will issue the GDRs backed by Dangote refinery shares listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). Stanbic Bank will handle custodial duties, enabling local traders to buy and sell receipts through licensed Kenyan brokers, with settlements processed in shillings via the Central Depository and Settlement Corporation (CDSC). Subject to regulatory sign-offs, the offer targets local listing on the NSE on December 8, with the subscription period running from October 5 to October 13. With a minimum subscription of 10 shares, an individual can jump in with roughly Sh492.50 based on the IPO price of Sh49.25 per share. That low threshold dramatically lowers the barrier to entry compared to traditional cross-border brokerage routes, which ofte...
Read briefing Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has fired back at President William Ruto over the newly launched Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu, asserting that the foundational groundwork for the mega-project belongs to previous national leadership. Speaking on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as the official groundbreaking ceremony took place in Mokowe, Lamu County, the former vice president tied the new facility directly to the historic Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project initiated under the Grand Coalition government. Credit, Heritage, and Lapsset Foundations Musyoka rejected efforts by the current administration to claim sole credit for bringing the industrial vision to life, citing the efforts of former President Mwai Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. “Kibaki, Raila, and I are the ones who founded the Lamu project. At the time we found the Lapsset project in Lamu, not you. Dangote Refinery is not yours!” Kalonzo said. While insisting that the government adhere to statutory procedures, Musyoka expressed support for incoming cross-border capital, stating, “We welcome foreign direct investment. Dangote is very welcomed in Kenya.” He also pointed out past hurdles faced by the Nigerian industrialist during previous regimes, referencing stalled attempts to establish a cement plant in Kitui County. “I followed it when Ruto was the Deputy Presid...
Read briefing It’s another beautiful day and a brand new month in the city, and this is what’s trending. The post All The Top Memes in Nairobi This New Month appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi addresses attendees during a fundraiser at Mikuyu Primary School in Suba South. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the planned Dangote Lamu oil refinery, arguing that the project is beneficial for Kenya. Mbadi also alleged that people calling for compensation are part of land cartels seeking to defraud the government through fraudulent land acquisitions. He further defended President William Ruto, dismissing allegations that the president holds shares in the Ksh.2 trillion refinery. Speaking in response to recent protests by some Lamu residents, Mbadi said the demonstrations stem from claims of alleged non-compensation and insufficient public participation in the construction of the East Africa Oil Refinery plant in Lamu County. He dismissed the complaints as “primitive politics,” adding that it is unfortunate for politics to unfold around such a major investment, even by those in opposition. “It’s unfortunate that politics is playing out in such a serious investment…even if you are in opposition…you know what’s serious and what is not,” he said. CS Mbadi said Lamu residents took part in a public participation exercise carried out by the relevant agencies ahead of the groundbreaking on Wednesday. He accused land cartels and brokers of trying to derail and hijack the land acquisition process and argued that they were seeking...
Read briefing President William Ruto has pledged to launch a nationwide school meals programme across all 47 counties starting in the first term of the 2027 school calendar. The proposed rollout targets learners across lower primary, upper primary, and junior secondary schools to enhance social safety nets and cushion vulnerable households. Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua delivered the President’s statement on Tuesday during the Fourth Kenya Social Protection Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete. “Fragmented approaches to school feeding have also constrained our capacity to deliver impact and scale and sustainable sustainability required by national aspirations,” the speech stated. “Therefore, I commit my government to the progressive establishment of a national schools needs programme.” Implementation Framework and Scaling Goals While the announcement did not clarify whether every individual institution within the 47 counties will participate initially, the president directed the Ministry of Education to partner with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the National Treasury, and relevant stakeholders. The joint task force must develop policy, financing, governance, and operational frameworks prior to the early 2027 launch. The timeline follows recent remarks by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in New York, where he highlighted Kenya...
Read briefing A senior police officer in Kakamega County will remain behind bars pending a court decision on his bail application after being charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Wycliffe Kwendo, the Officer Commanding Lumakanda Police Station (OCS), appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Dorcas Mac’andere on Wednesday, facing multiple counts under the Sexual Offences Act. The prosecution team, led by counsels Ian Makotsi and Prudence Lelei, strongly opposed the accused’s release, citing the gravity of the charges and his position in law enforcement. According to the state’s case, the alleged offenses took place between September 24 and September 27, 2026, within Lugari Sub-County. RELATED- How Police OCS Allegedly Lured Parents of Teen Girl He’s Accused of Assaulting Kwendo faces a primary charge of defilement under Section 8(1) as read with Section 8(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, alongside an alternative charge of committing an indecent act with a child under Section 11(1). Because of his status as a station commander, prosecutors additionally charged him with abuse of a position of authority pursuant to Section 24(2) of the Act. Arguing against his release, the prosecution told the court that the seriousness of the allegations against a sitting police chief warrants his continued detention while the court deliberates on suitable bail terms. Magistrate Mac’andere reman...
Read briefing The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has overturned the Registrar of Political Parties’ decision to reject the name Linda Mwananchi Movement and directed the Registrar to reserve it within seven days. In its ruling, the Tribunal said the Registrar had no legal basis for declining the reservation and that the move effectively denied the applicants the right to form or take part in forming a political party. “The decision by the Registrar declining to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi is hereby set aside,” the Tribunal ordered. The Registrar has now been ordered to reserve the name within seven days of the Tribunal’s decision. The orders came after a dispute involving Caroli Omondi, Pauline Njoroge, and Faith Odhiambo, who say they are the founders of the Linda Mwananchi Movement. The applicants challenged the Registrar’s refusal to reserve the name Linda Mwananchi Movement and its abbreviation, LLM, and asked the Tribunal to compel the Registrar to approve and reserve the name in their favor. The Tribunal also considered the role of the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA), commonly known as the Linda Party, in the proceedings. It ruled that LINDA was not a fully registered political party and therefore lacked the legal capacity to sue, be sued, or take part in proceedings under its own name. As a result, the Tribunal struck out all pleadings filed by LINDA as a...
Read briefing Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has filed legal action against Democracy for the Citizens Party deputy party leader Cleophas Malala over a viral video alleging that the governor took part in a ritual. The video, which circulated on social media, appeared to show an unidentified man undressing during what the post described as a ritual involving a person alleged to be a witch doctor. Kakamega County Government has dismissed the footage as fabricated, arguing that it was digitally manipulated and generated using artificial intelligence to create a false impression of the governor. In a statement released on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the county said it had moved to take legal action against Malala and other individuals allegedly involved in publishing and distributing the material. “Legal action against Cleo Malalah and other persons involved in the publication and dissemination of the material was initiated today, September 29, 2026, at Kakamega Central Police Station,” the statement said. The county described the publication as malicious and defamatory, saying it was designed to harm Barasa’s reputation by falsely linking him to an entirely made-up setting. In its statement, the county said, “Of particular concern is the deliberate attachment of an official photograph of the governor to a manipulated and AI-generated video depicting him in an objectionable and fabricated c...
Read briefing The High Court has barred the use of public funds under a cooperation agreement between President William Ruto’s national government and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration. In a notice by the Katiba Institute, the court ordered that no public money should be committed, released, or spent on projects under the agreement unless Parliament or the Nairobi County Assembly authorises it. The ruling also allows funding for Nairobi County through additional allocations from the National Government, in line with Article 202(2) of the Constitution. The order was issued on September 28, 2026, after the Katiba Institute challenged the constitutionality of the cooperation agreement between Nairobi County and the national government. The Katiba Institute raised concerns over whether the cooperation agreement could be used to transfer or exercise county functions and commit public resources without complying with the constitutional procedures and safeguards. While the High Court declined to suspend the agreement, it set conditions that the two levels of government must follow as they continue implementing it. The court also ruled that no county functions, powers, assets, staff, or revenue should be transferred to, or exercised by, the national government unless the requirements of Article 187 of the Constitution are met. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Prime Cabinet Secretar...
Read briefing The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has licensed 29 more digital credit providers (DCPs), bringing the total number of regulated lenders in the sector to 281. In a September 30 press release, the regulator said the new approvals aim to ensure compliance with the law and safeguard the interests of customers using digital lending services. It noted that the licensing follows the legal framework under Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act. “The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announces the licensing of an additional 29 Digital Credit Providers (DCPs). This is pursuant to Section 59(2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act (CBK Act),” the release stated. The announcement follows CBK’s earlier approvals in July, when it licensed 25 digital credit providers and expanded the number of lenders operating under its oversight. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said it has received more than 900 applications from firms seeking digital credit provider licences since March 2022. The regulator said it reviews each application by assessing factors such as the firms’ business models, consumer protection measures, and the suitability of proposed shareholders, directors, and managers. CBK also noted that some applicants are still at different stages of the approval process and that many have pending documents that they must submit before their applications can be completed. “We urge these applicants to...
Read briefing President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to political figures and brokers attempting to derail the proposed Sh2.2 trillion Lamu oil refinery, declaring that his administration will actively protect strategic investments in Kenya. Speaking in Kilifi during his Coast development tour, President Ruto defended the massive infrastructure project, which Kenya is developing in partnership with Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote. The president accused critics of sponsoring legal battles, staging political pressure campaigns, and demanding backroom equity stakes to block foreign direct investment. “There are people who think they can sabotage investment in this refinery. I have seen them making all sorts of claims on social media and holding press conferences. I want to tell them that they cannot deceive us all the time,” Ruto said. The president delivered his address just ahead of the scheduled groundbreaking for the mega facility, designed to refine up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Ruto outlined how the project will expand Kenya’s economy, create jobs, and establish the nation as a regional hub for petroleum processing. “We support the refinery, we support the investment, ‘but’… ‘but’… ‘but’. We know what your ‘but’ means. You are the ones who have frustrated the refinery project through court cases…You are sponsoring the court cases because you are opposed to th...
Read briefing Prominent defense lawyers Danstan Omari, Cliff Ombeta, Shadrack Wambui, and Martina Swiga have officially withdrawn from representing politician Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her two children in the murder case involving the late Dr Victoria Mutiso. The defense team’s sudden exit leaves Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa, and her daughter Angela Mulwa seeking new legal representation at a critical stage in the High Court proceedings, right as the court prepares to hear their bail applications. The lawyers submitted an application to the High Court in Nairobi seeking to step down from the case. Justice Alexander Muteti approved the withdrawal after the three accused confirmed that they had no objection to their legal team standing down. The withdrawal occurred before the court could proceed with the bail hearing. During the proceedings, the court heard that the accused had been unable to meet with their legal team while in remand to discuss critical defense matters. One of the accused voiced concerns over key information and evidence that the defense team had not yet reviewed with them. Despite facing upcoming bail applications without immediate legal representation, Mulwa and her children allowed the lawyers to step aside. Justice Muteti affirmed their right to make independent decisions regarding their defense team. “It’s your right. You know you are the accused person in this matter, and wha...
Read briefing Here’s what’s trending in Nairobi this beautiful Wednesday. The post Hilarious Memes in Nairobi Today appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing A former employee of the late businessman Tob Cohen and his wife, Sarah Wairimu, has testified in court regarding the deep-seated marital conflict inside the couple’s home prior to Cohen’s death. The witness, Shilindwa Shishemi, detailed several specific incidents he observed while working at the residence in the days leading up to the tragic event. Shishemi described rising disagreements between the couple, including a specific dispute involving property documents. He told the court that Cohen once instructed him to break open a safe to retrieve the documents. Instead of breaking the safe, Shishemi informed Wairimu. According to his testimony, Wairimu instructed him to do everything possible to prevent Cohen from accessing the files. Physical Altercations and Calls for Help Sarah Wairimu before the Kibera High Court on January 24, 2025. The witness further detailed physical confrontations between the couple. Shishemi recounted a late-night fight that left a lasting impression on him. “Usiku nikaskia kelele…kisanga yenye haitatoka Kwa akili yangu…”you are killing me, you are killing me,” the witness testified. Shishemi stated that he found Cohen bleeding and crying for help, asking him to use his phone light to illuminate a head injury. “Tob ako chini lakini Sarah amemfungia kwa kiti hawezi toka … wakati Tob alipoamaka niliona anatoa damu,” Shishemi added. In another instance,...
Read briefing Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has brushed off reports regarding a court order affecting his proposed Ksh2 trillion oil refinery project in Lamu, describing legal hurdles of this nature as routine occurrences across the African continent. Speaking in Nairobi during a gathering with Kenyan and East African institutional investors, Dangote expressed full readiness to address the matter through the courts, insisting that legal challenges will not stall his investment strategy. “Yesterday, as I was landing here at night, I saw an article by Bloomberg that the court has given orders that we should not do any construction,” Dangote told the audience on Tuesday. “I said this is normal for us in Africa. In fact, this is small,” he added, signaling his resolve to proceed with expansion plans across the region. Dangote cited previous regulatory and legal encounters across Africa to illustrate his resilience. He cited a past dispute in Senegal where local courts temporarily halted operations at one of his manufacturing plants, a decision that ultimately forced his legal team to seek recourse at the country’s Supreme Court. While describing the current court order as a minor setback, the business magnate highlighted Kenya’s position as a vital regional hub for his enterprise, maintaining that his corporate group possesses the capacity to resolve local legal challenges as they aris...
Read briefing Over 130 residents from Chandavai in Lamu County have filed a lawsuit against Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and multiple Kenyan state agencies, seeking to halt construction on a proposed Ksh 2 trillion oil refinery project. The legal challenge comes just days before a scheduled groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, placing the multi-trillion-shilling development in jeopardy. Allegations of Unlawful Displacement and Eviction The 133 plaintiffs claim that state actors and private contractors have systematically cleared land that their families have occupied, cultivated, and used under customary tenure for generations. The dispute centers on land parcel LR No. 13061 in Chandavai. According to court filings, the residents contend that heavy machinery and bulldozers first entered the property on August 7, 2024, destroying crops, homes, and community structures without prior consultation, formal notice, or monetary compensation. The residents highlight several core claims regarding their historical ties to the disputed area: Ancestral Presence: Families have built homes, farms, mosques, shrines, and burial sites on the land. Customary Rights: The plaintiffs argue that their long-standing occupation grants them valid, compensable land interests under Article 40(4) of the Kenyan Constitution and the Land Act, even without formal title deeds. Exclusion from Compensation: The r...
Read briefing Kiharu MP and People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro has dismissed efforts by the current government to claim credit for Dangote’s oil refinery investment in Kenya, saying the project was enabled by work completed by earlier administrations. Speaking at the PPK party headquarters on Monday, September 28, 2026, Nyoro said Kenya should acknowledge the role of previous governments in building the infrastructure that encouraged major investors to consider the country. Nyoro said Kenyans should welcome investors such as Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, arguing that such investments support industrialization and create jobs. “Na tunaheshimu wawekezaji wote. Kwa sababu gani? Wanaweka viwanda, inaajiri Wakenya. Dangote refinery is a very good idea,” Nyoro said. However, Nyoro rejected claims that President William Ruto’s administration was solely responsible for bringing Dangote’s investment to Kenya. “And we must know, si Ruto wameleta Dangote Kenya. It is the investment of our country in the previous years that have brought Dangote here in Kenya,” he said. MV Da Yang carrying 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery for the Dangote Refinery groundbreaking ceremony docks at Lamu on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Nyoro pointed to infrastructure developed in Lamu by earlier administrations, arguing that the current government inherited the facilities that now pro...
Read briefing A look at some of the posts and memes trending on the socials today. The post The Trending Memes & Posts in Nairobi This Tuesday appeared first on Nairobi Wire.
Read briefing Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata at the Murang’a Governor’s Investment Dinner on Friday, September 25, 2026. Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata has announced an ambitious strategy to establish a new planned industrial city spanning 1,400 acres. The project aims to drive economic revitalization and boost regional manufacturing by attracting both local and international investors. Speaking at the second Murang’a Investment Dinner in Nairobi, Kang’ata highlighted the scale of the proposed hub in comparison to Kenya’s capital. “The vision of Murang’a is to create another city larger than Nairobi,” Kang’ata said. “The Nairobi CBD sits on 350 acres. Now our industrial city is 1400 acres; therefore, we will have a bigger city if our dream is realized.” Located near Del Monte, the industrial development relies on leasing land to manufacturers under 99-year terms to ensure long-term stability for businesses. To attract investors, the county government is offering land at Ksh 7 million per acre despite a true market value of Ksh 35 million per acre. Currently, 60% of the available land is already booked. “The main investment is the industrial city near Del Monte, where we are giving one acre at Ksh.7 million. The true value is about Ksh.35 million per acre. It’s planned and secure, and 60% is already booked,” he said. So far, activities at the Murang’a Industrial Park have reporte...
Read briefing Authorities in Western Kenya have arrested a senior police officer following allegations involving the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in Lugari Sub-County. The suspect, identified in police records as Lumakanda Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Wycliff Kwendo, remains in custody at Kakamega Police Station as detectives investigate the incident. Evacuation ruse and confrontation According to official incident logs recorded under OB 14/27/09/2026, the officer allegedly initiated the plot by reaching out to a local family residing in the Kambi Moto area of Kipkaren River. Claiming that security forces were about to conduct an urgent multi-agency operation in the neighborhood, he advised the family to leave their home immediately for their own safety. The girl’s parents trusted the senior law enforcement officer and met him along the highway. He then transported them in his personal vehicle to an entertainment venue, instructing them to remain there until morning. Sensing that something was amiss, the mother persuaded her husband to return home early. Upon arrival, they discovered their front door locked from the inside. When their teenage daughter eventually opened the door, the parents confronted the police commander inside the residence, where he was allegedly barefoot with his clothing unbuttoned. Allegations of intimidation and bribery When confronted, the...
Read briefing President William Ruto took a lighthearted swipe at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna while advocating for the Affordable Housing Programme during a development tour in Taita Taveta County. Speaking to a crowd in Taita Taveta, the president stressed that rural counties should benefit from multi-story residential developments similar to those underway in major cities, lightheartedly addressing previous opposition critiques regarding high-rise living and rural lifestyle needs. “Yale yanafanyika, kama ghorofa inajengwa Nairobi, nimesema ghorofa ijengwe na huku pia. Na kama kuna shida ya kupandisha kuku, tuweke lifts. Itapanda na kuku pia. Salala, mko na mambo nyinyi!” Ruto joked, drawing laughter from the crowd. Translation: (“What is happening, if a multi-storey building is being constructed in Nairobi, I have said a multi-storey building should also be constructed here. And if there is a problem carrying chickens upstairs, let us install lifts. It will go up with the chickens too. My goodness, you people are something else!”) Background to the Chicken Feud The President’s remarks stem from an exchange that began in July 2026, when Senator Sifuna criticized the design of 12-storey affordable housing blocks constructed in Funyula, Busia County. Sifuna argued during an interview that high-rise apartment models fail to account for the everyday lifestyle of rural and semi-urban households...
Read briefing Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has issued a warning to 53 companies he accuses of manufacturing and distributing lethal, illicit alcohol, promising to close them down within a month if the United Opposition wins the 2027 General Election. Speaking during a diaspora caucus in Dallas, Texas, the former deputy president alleged that corrupt manufacturers are putting the lives of Kenya’s youth at risk while paying off senior state officials to remain in business. “Within one month, we’ll shut down those 53 companies that are manufacturing killer brews. I want to put those owners on notice and make as much as you can between now and then,” he said. “Give Kindiki and Ruto money every Friday between now and then and save some money to invest in something else after the election; try tea, coffee, avocado, tourism but that business of killer brews would not take place within the borders of the Republic of Kenya next year … We shall not allow hard drugs, cocaine, or cannabis within our borders.” Gachagua at the same time announced plans to institute a radical nationwide restriction on alcohol consumption hours if the United Opposition captures power in the 2027 General Election. The former deputy president decried the proliferation of around-the-clock drinking, pledging that his administration will enforce strict operating schedules for bars. “We will regulate...
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