The United States has issued a warning to foreign students, including Kenyans studying in the country, over taking part in political activities on behalf of foreign governments or organisations without meeting disclosure requirements. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice on Friday, September 18, reminding foreign students that violations could lead to their removal from the U.S. before completing their studies.It followed an earlier statement by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which said people acting in the U.S. under the direction or control of a foreign government or organisation may be required to disclose their relationship to authorities.“An important reminder from the National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice. Foreign students must ensure they do not act as unregistered foreign agents. If you do, you will lose your status, be removed from the country, and be unable to complete your studies,” the DHS stated.The warning applies to both American citizens and foreign nationals, meaning Kenyans can also face consequences if their activities fall under the rules.However, the Justice Department stressed that individuals remain free to express their views and participate in independent political advocacy protected by the U.S. Constitution. This means that simply holding political opinions, joining a peaceful demonstration or speaking publicly about events in Kenya does not by itself make a student an unregistered foreign agent.The distinction comes in where a foreign government or organisation directs, controls, funds or coordinates a person’s activities. DOJ specifically cited public demonstrations carried out to advance the objectives of a foreign power as an example of activity that may require disclosure. A relevant example is the July 2024 demonstration that was held outside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, D.C. The protesters called for an end to IMF loans, citing concerns over corruption and misuse of borrowed funds, while the wider demonstrations also demanded the resignation of President William Ruto.Based on the circumstances reported at the time, the protest was presented as an action by Kenyans opposing the Kenyan government and there was no indication that it was directed by the government or another entity. That kind of independent protest would not be considered the same as acting on behalf of a foreign government. The latest warning comes as the U.S. continues to enforce tighter rules affecting foreign students, including changes to the length of stay permitted under student visas, placing greater attention on the activities and immigration status of Kenyans pursuing studies in America.
Read briefing For four years, university students work towards degrees hoping to secure careers in their chosen fields, but finding the right path can sometimes require starting over.Elishebar Muriuki, a business analyst, knows this experience firsthand after moving from graphic design into industrial software development and business analysis.Muriuki shared her experience during the Co-op Bank Youth Forums on Friday, September 18, under the theme "Building Your Own Lane: Career Growth, Switching and Creating Opportunities."Muriuki studied Computer Science and developed an interest in technology early on, including working on an artificial intelligence modelling project that trained a system to assess how businesses perform and predict future trends.Although she was trained to code, Miuruki said she eventually found herself struggling to connect with the field and began exploring other areas that could excite and challenge her.She moved into computer-related work, including CCTV installations and hardware, before trying graphic design. She later juggled graphic design with computer-related businesses as she searched for a career path that suited her interests.Speaking during the Co-op Bank Youth Forum, Muriuki advised young people considering a career change not to make emotional exits, particularly after investing years and money in a particular field.Before making the switch, she prepared two CVs, one focused on business analysis based on her university project and short courses, and another highlighting her graphic design experience.She said she applied for several graphic design jobs and attended more than 10 interviews without securing an opportunity.The experience eventually pushed her to make what she described as a difficult decision, particularly because she had already invested heavily in graphic design. However, she encouraged herself to "stretch to her customers" and use the skills she had gained from working with clients.Muriuki said her communication skills became an important advantage during the transition, having developed them through interactions with graphic design clients. She used the same skills when she moved into industrial software development in the insurance industry and later transitioned to business analysis.For young people beginning their corporate careers, Miuruki said internships can provide an important foundation by giving them an opportunity to understand different workplaces and assess where their interests lie.Alongside her current career, Muriuki also started a milk bar as a side hustle, which she viewed as an additional source of income and an opportunity to make a profit."Mostly we go the side hustle way after self-evaluation. A side hustle helps you bridge the financial gap. It will help you have some income to sort your personal bills," Muriuki said.She described a side hustle as a financial safety net that can provide an alternative source of income when circumstances change."It is like a shock absorber; if anything happens to the business, you still have somewhere to fall without going into depression," she said.On the right time to change careers, Muriuki observed that young people should focus less on timing and more on identifying where they want to go and what they need to do to get there.She advised those considering a career switch to research the field they want to enter, take relevant courses where necessary, and speak to people already working in the sector.She also encouraged employees to communicate with their bosses when planning a transition.Muriuki said she uses a 50/30/20 formula to manage her finances, allocating 50 per cent to expenses and personal bills, 30 per cent to savings and 20 per cent to entertainment.Her experience, she said, demonstrates that career growth does not always follow a straight path, and young people can use their existing skills, further training, and practical experience to build a different career lane.
Read briefing The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has confirmed an operational accident involving a Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) crane at the Port of Mombasa. In a statement obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the authority said the incident occurred at approximately 3:40pm on Thursday, September 17, 2026, prompting an immediate response from the port’s safety and emergency teams. “KPA confirms that an operational incident involving an RTG occurred and was immediately attended to by the Authority’s safety and emergency response teams in accordance with established procedures,” the statement read.The authority said the truck tractor operator involved in the incident was not injured, but the RTG operator sustained minor soft-tissue injuries to his legs and was taken to hospital for assessment and treatment.According to KPA, the RTG operator was later discharged after being cleared by medical personnel.The clarification comes after footage circulated on social media showing the aftermath of stacked containers that appeared to have toppled over at the port, with KPA personnel at the scene.The statement did not provide details on the exact circumstances or sequence of events surrounding the incident.KPA urged the public to avoid circulating unverified information about incidents at the port and rely on its official communication channels for updates.“We urge the public to rely on official KPA communication channels for accurate and verified information and to refrain from sharing unverified reports that may cause unnecessary alarm or misinformation,” the statement added.KPA has now launched investigations to determine what caused the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding it. The authority said a review will be conducted in line with its safety and incident management procedures. KPA added that any necessary corrective measures would be implemented once the findings are concluded. The latest incident comes months after a KPA cargo rigger died at Berth 14 of the Port of Mombasa, after heavy pipes reportedly rolled over him during offloading from the MV Hin Hong Bao Shi.
Read briefing The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted a popular passenger bus while attempting to smuggle cigarettes, shisha tobacco and powdered milk worth an estimated Ksh46.7 million.The goods were intercepted during an intelligence-led operation targeting a smuggling network operating along the Uganda-Kenya route, with the consignment reportedly destined for Nairobi.KRA on Friday, September 18, said the seized goods had an estimated Ksh29.17 million in taxes at risk, raising concerns over revenue losses linked to the illegal movement of excisable products."The intelligence indicated that the suspect was using a passenger bus as cover to transport excisable products sourced from Uganda through porous border routes to a pick-up point in Busia," KRA revealed.KRA officers mounted an ambush in Eldoret town to intercept the suspect and the vehicle, but the suspect fled after noticing the enforcement team, prompting officers to pursue him.The suspect was eventually caught and detained at Kondoo in the Burnt Forest area, while the bus was escorted back to Eldoret and taken to a KRA warehouse for inspection.The search found hidden compartments inside the bus where the smuggled goods had allegedly been stored to avoid detection by enforcement officers.The intercepted cigarettes were valued at about Ksh30.6 million, while shisha tobacco and accessories were estimated at Ksh8.4 million, including tobacco flavours, filters, pots and bowls.Powdered milk products worth an estimated Ksh7.77 million were also recovered, with KRA saying the use of hidden compartments showed the new methods used to evade detection along major routes."The concealment of the goods in specially configured compartments within a passenger bus points to the increasingly sophisticated methods employed to evade detection along major transportation corridors," KRA stated.KRA said it would continue strengthening intelligence gathering, surveillance and enforcement operations to disrupt smuggling networks and prevent illicit goods from entering and being distributed in the Kenyan market.“These efforts are aimed at protecting public health, legitimate businesses from unfair competition, safeguarding government revenue and promoting compliance with tax and customs laws,” the Authority noted.
Read briefing Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that a Kenyan Senator first alerted him to Uganda’s reliance on petroleum middlemen in Kenya, prompting him to question the arrangement.Speaking on Thursday, September 17, during the groundbreaking of a 320-million-litre storage terminal in Mpigi, Museveni said he was unaware that Uganda was sourcing fuel through intermediaries until the senator, whose identity he did not disclose, brought the matter to his attention.“Uganda was buying petroleum products through middlemen in Kenya. The person who woke me up first was a senator from Kenya. He told me, ‘Do you know that your country is buying petroleum through middlemen?’ I didn’t know,” he said.Museveni said he subsequently contacted then-Energy Minister Irene Muloni to question why Uganda was not purchasing petroleum products directly from refiners or bulk suppliers.Museveni said the concerns were not immediately resolved, but Uganda later established links with suppliers that allowed it to move away from the intermediary arrangement. He argued that purchasing directly from refiners rather than traders offered a more efficient way for Uganda to source petroleum products. According to figures presented during the event, the premium paid for diesel fell from about Ksh15,280 ($118) to 10,740 ($83) per metric tonne, while the premium on petrol dropped from Ksh12,620 ($97.50) to Ksh7,964 ($61.50) after Uganda ended the previous arrangement with Kenyan intermediaries. Aviation fuel also recorded a reduction, with the premium dropping from Ksh14,790 ($114.25) to Ksh10,263 ($79.25) per metric tonne, according to the cited figures. Museveni said the differences demonstrated the need to end the previous procurement model and give the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) a larger role in direct imports, with the company partnering with global energy trader Vitol to source petroleum products directly.Uganda announced in November 2023 that it would end reliance on Kenyan oil marketing companies and intermediaries, with implementation initially targeted for January 2024. The transition faced a dispute after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) initially declined to issue UNOC an import licence.However, after the Ugandan government sued Kenya in December 2023, the matter was resolved in March 2024, paving the way for direct imports through the Port of Mombasa using Kenya Pipeline infrastructure.
Read briefing Thousands of teachers will now receive improved benefits under the Social Health Authority (SHA) following months of complaints about their healthcare benefits.The announcement was made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday, September 17, following a high-level meeting with the teachers' unions and the Teachers Service Commission.According to Duale, the discussions focused on teachers' concerns about access to various medical services under the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover."Chaired a joint consultative meeting with KUPPET and the Social Health Authority (SHA) to review implementation of the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF), address emerging challenges and strengthen access to timely, dignified and quality healthcare for teachers," Duale stated.Issues raised included access to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services, oncology treatment, management of chronic diseases, monthly prescriptions, specialised care, and last-expense services for teachers.Under the new plan, the ministry is also reviewing efforts to expand specialised healthcare services for teachers, with Duale noting that SHA currently has 7,031 contracted healthcare facilities nationwide."SHA currently has 7,031 contracted healthcare facilities, including 122 haemato-oncology facilities, while efforts are underway to expand specialised services such as Bone Marrow Transplant within the country," he added.The ministry and the teachers have also agreed on measures to improve the handling of complaints and ensure teachers receive services covered under their medical scheme.A simplified SHA benefits guide is also being developed to help teachers and other members of the public understand the healthcare services and entitlements available to them.At the same time, both parties further agreed to introduce monthly implementation reports, prioritise medical incidents raised by beneficiaries and take action against healthcare facilities that fail to comply with the scheme's requirements.The new development now seeks to end persistent complaints from teachers since their transfer from the old Minet Kenya medical scheme to SHA.Many teachers have reported being turned away and denied services at large private hospitals because the new SHA systems have not been fully integrated or due to administrative challenges, leaving several teachers without emergency services.The teachers have also complained about a reduction in benefits, forcing them to pay out of pocket for services that were previously covered.
Read briefing A High Court in Vihiga has revoked a man's grant to administer his late father's estate after finding that he failed to disclose the deceased's daughters in the succession proceedings.In a ruling made on September 11, the court found that the application had omitted beneficiaries who were entitled to be notified of the succession proceedings.The applicant described himself to the court as the son of the deceased in March 2022 and was issued with a grant at the Magistrate's Court.However, when he sought confirmation of the grant, a family dispute emerged over the ownership and distribution of his father's land.The High Court noted that the proposed distribution was similarly limited to nine people, all of whom were male, leaving out the daughters."The exclusion of daughters is not a technicality. Article 27(4) of the Constitution forbids discrimination on the ground of sex; Article 45(3) confers equal rights on parties to a marriage and, by extension, informs the equality of children; and Article 60(1)(f) requires the elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property in land," the court stated, noting that Kenyan law does not distinguish between sons and daughters when determining inheritance rights.The judge ruled that the applicant applying for the grant in the same degree as his siblings was required to obtain the written consent of all persons entitled in equal degree or follow the procedure provided by law where such consent was unavailable.In this particular case, the court revoked the grant, maintaining that omitting daughters from it is a concealment of material facts and not a paperwork error, meaning the applicant cannot proceed with his proposed distribution."The female beneficiaries were unaware of the matter and were omitted from the consent on the mode of distribution.... The Petitioner had obtained the grant, and thereafter title, fraudulently and by concealment of material evidence," the judge said.The court affirmed that where an estate of the deceased is set to be distributed, daughters cannot be left out, and the revocation of the grant.In Kenyan law, daughters are entitled to inheritance of their parents' estates the same way as sons.While traditional customs historically favored male children, modern landmark court rulings have firmly established that cultural practices cannot override a girl child's constitutional right to inheritance.Article 27 of the 2010 Constitution guarantees that no child can be excluded from an estate based on their sex or gender. The rule applies to whether the daughter is married or not.Although some families still practise regressive traditional mediation systems to lock girls out of land ownership, the decisions hold no legal power when challenged in a court of law.
Read briefing President William Ruto has appealed to former President Uhuru Kenyatta to stop undermining his administration, while revisiting the political fallout that preceded the 2022 General Election.Speaking during a rally in Sindo, Homa Bay County, on Thursday, 17 September, Ruto renewed his public feud with Uhuru, claiming that he had supported the former Head of State through four elections and expected him to reciprocate by backing his presidential bid.Ruto said the two had allegedly agreed on a political arrangement in which each would serve for 10 years, but accused Kenyatta of failing to honour the agreement.“As I stand here in Sindo, Homa Bay County, I want to urge the former President Uhuru Kenyatta. I was there for you when you needed someone to stand with you in four elections,” Ruto said.“I stood with you, helped you and worked for you. When time came for you to help me, you did not go as we had agreed. We had agreed 10 for you and 10 for me, but you did not keep the promise.”Ruto, however, said he did not fault Kenyatta for choosing not to support him, noting that the former president had a democratic right to make his political decision.“You told us 10 for Ruto, 10 for Uhuru Kenyatta. But when you never showed up, instead you walked against me. I have no issue because it is your democratic right,” he noted.The Head of State went on to defend his administration's record, listing measures he said had been implemented since he took over from Kenyatta in September 2022.“We have hired 100,000 teachers. We have made sure that CBC is understood by the public. We have built 23,000 classrooms,” Ruto stated.He also cited the government's affordable housing programme, claiming that 300,000 houses had been built, alongside 600 markets across the country.Ruto then turned directly to Kenyatta, urging him to give his administration room to govern and accusing the former president of working against it.He accused Kenyatta of undermining and sabotaging his administration over the past four years, and urged the former president to respect the office he previously occupied.“For the last four years, you have been undermining this administration. For the last four years, you have sabotaged this administration. You have organised demonstrations,” Ruto alleged.“I want to request you in all humility. Stop undermining the administration. You are a retired president. Respect your office.”Ruto’s remarks came days after Uhuru announced that he would step down as Jubilee Party leader following a High Court ruling barring retired presidents from holding political party leadership positions beyond six months after leaving office.In a statement on September 15, the former President said he would respect the court's decision and facilitate the transition of the party's leadership in line with the ruling."The Office of the former President has taken note of the High Court's ruling upholding Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which guides the transition of retired presidents from formal political party leadership," Uhuru stated.Uhuru said the ruling had now cleared the way for the long-delayed handover of the Jubilee Party chairmanship, which had been affected by an internal dispute.
Read briefing The Social Health Authority (SHA) has rolled out a new online platform for hospitals seeking to be contracted by the health insurance.In a notice to all healthcare facilities in the country on Thursday, September 17, SHA directed all hospitals seeking contracts to apply under the new portal.The E-Contracting Portal, according to SHA, went live on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 3:00 pm, enabling healthcare providers to submit applications for contracting across four funds."The Social Health Authority (SHA) wishes to inform all healthcare providers that the SHA E-Contracting Portal is officially live as of today, Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 3:00 pm (EAT)," SHA stated."The portal will facilitate the application and contracting of healthcare providers for the new contracting cycle," it added.The new portal is intended to facilitate the application and contracting of healthcare providers for the four funds under the new contracting cycle.It will cover the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), and Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi directed all healthcare providers seeking contracts under the new cycle to submit fresh applications through the portal."All healthcare providers are therefore required to submit fresh applications through the E-Contracting Portal from 3:00 pm on September 17, 2026," the notice read.At the same time, applications submitted before the official launch have been archived, with the authority clarifying that it was part of testing and will not be carried forward."Any applications submitted through the portal before the official launch were for testing purposes and will be archived," SHA stated.Hospitals have also been advised to make new submissions and ensure that all required information and supporting documents are complete and accurate before submitting their applications.
Read briefing Detectives have uncovered a phone theft and hacking syndicate in Kisii after raiding a repair shop and recovering more than 500 assorted mobile phones and motherboards.The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in a statement, said the operation was conducted by detectives from Kisii Central in collaboration with fraud investigators from a mobile phone financing company.DCI officers arrested two suspects during the raid at a shop in Market Plaza, Kisii town, who remain in custody awaiting their expected arraignment as investigations continue.“A phone theft and hacking racket operating under the guise of a phone repair business has been cracked open in Kisii town, after detectives from DCI Kisii Central teamed up with fraud investigators, netting two suspects accused of stealing and unlawfully unlocking financed mobile devices,” the statement read.Police said the premises were allegedly being used to receive stolen phones and unlawfully unlock financed devices. Among the recovered items were several smartphones financed by the company that had previously been reported missing. According to the directorate, the phones were allegedly being prepared for resale after the restrictions linked to their financing were removed. During the operation, investigators found that some of the devices had already been stripped of their security locks. The large cache of devices and separate phone components is now being examined as detectives trace their source and intended market. The arrests come as police intensify investigations into organised networks behind the rising cases of theft and reselling of mobile phones.In an August operation in Nairobi, police recovered 38 phones, three laptops and a desktop computer from a stall in the Central Business District (CBD). Authorities said they will continue targeting outlets suspected of providing a market for stolen electronics and urged members of the public to verify their purchases.
Read briefing Kenyan content creators are set to face a new tax deduction after TikTok began asking them to submit personal and residency details to comply with Kenya’s tax requirements.Kenyans.co.ke learned on Wednesday that the notification, sent through ‘TikTok Announcements’, directs creators to complete a Kenyan tax form and states that the information will help verify their tax responsibility.The form requires users to identify themselves as either residents or non-residents of Kenya, determining whether TikTok applies the 5 per cent or 20 per cent withholding rate.Creators are required to provide their names, email addresses, residential addresses, country of residence, and residential status, although providing an address is not mandatory.This comes as Kenya introduced withholding tax on digital content income in July 2023 through the Finance Bill 2023, requiring residents to have 5 per cent deducted while non-residents face a 20 per cent deduction.The withholding tax applies to digital content monetization, including advertising, sponsorships, affiliate commissions, subscriptions, merchandise licensing, memberships, photo or music licensing, and crowdfunding commissions.For creators, the deduction means money earned through eligible TikTok programmes could reach their accounts after tax has already been withheld, potentially reducing their immediate payouts.However, the withheld amount is an advance payment rather than the creator’s final tax bill, thus creators must still declare their full income when filing annual returns.Kenyan TikTok earners currently make money through LIVE and video gifts, subscriptions, and the Work With Artist programme, while several other monetization features remain unavailable locally, and in Africa at large.Those unavailable options include the Creator Rewards Programme, TikTok Shop, Creator Marketplace and Pulse, which are among the platform’s monetisation products but have not been launched for Kenyan creators.The tax collection system was strengthened in December 2024 when legislation made digital marketplace and platform operators responsible for deducting tax, whether based in Kenya or elsewhere.This enforcement comes years after TikTok agreed to establish a continental operations and coordination office in Nairobi following an August 2023 virtual meeting between President William Ruto and CEO Shou Zi Chew.The Nairobi office was expected to coordinate TikTok’s African operations, while the platform pledged closer cooperation with Kenya on content moderation, local hiring, creator monetization, and training programs.TikTok has not announced the withholding start date, the rate it will apply to specific payouts, or what happens if creators delay completing the form, advising them to act soon.
Read briefing Kenya has secured a multi-billion-shilling grant from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to support preparations for the Mau Summit-Malaba Highway.The development follows a meeting between senior officials from the National Treasury and the State Department for Roads and AIIB representatives at the bank’s headquarters in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, September 16.“Kenya appreciates AIIB’s support through a grant agreement for project preparation for the Mau Summit-Malaba Road Development Project, an important section of the Northern Corridor and a critical regional trade route,” the State Department for Roads stated.The grant will support preparations for the Mau Summit-Malaba Road Development Project, which forms part of the Northern Corridor.The development comes a day after President William Ruto said Kenya had secured Ksh300 million from an Asian fund to support an advanced feasibility study for the project.Speaking during a media engagement in Kisumu on Monday, Ruto said the funding would support feasibility work for the proposed road, which is part of government plans to improve connectivity along the Northern Corridor and links between Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).“We have already discussed with the Asian Infrastructure Fund, and it has given us the first 300M to do the feasibility study to extend that road from Mau Summit-Kisumu-Malaba and the other leg Nakuru-Eldoret-Malaba,” Ruto stated.The Ksh130 billion highway project had completed its pre-feasibility study in May, paving the way for a comprehensive assessment of the proposed route linking western Kenya to the Malaba border.The proposed highway will run from Mau Summit through Eldoret to Malaba, complementing the Nairobi-Mau Summit Highway and providing an additional route towards Kenya’s border with Uganda.The full feasibility study was approved for implementation between July and September, with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Treasury overseeing a competitive bidding process that includes tolling as a potential mechanism for maintenance and cost recovery.The government is also engaging AIIB on the proposed expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including the construction of a second runway.The proposed upgrades are intended to increase the airport’s capacity and support Nairobi’s role as a regional aviation hub for passengers and cargo.“The Government is also engaging AIIB on the expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including the proposed construction of a second runway, to enhance capacity and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub,” the State Department for Roads added.
Read briefing Nation Media Group (NMG) has reshuffled its editorial leadership across East Africa, with several senior journalists taking up new roles in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.Group Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo announced the changes, appointing Group Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo as Editor-in-Chief of NMG Uganda and Washington Gikunju as Acting Managing Editor, NMG Uganda.Ageyo will now lead the Group’s editorial operations in Uganda weeks after NMG’s Ugandan businesses reopened following a 39-day shutdown by the Ugandan government.The shutdown began on June 28 when security personnel occupied NMG Uganda’s premises, disrupting operations at the Daily Monitor, NTV Uganda, Spark TV, KFM and Dembe FM.NMG was cleared to reopen in July following talks between its management and Ugandan government officials, with Ageyo among those involved in efforts to secure the reopening.Gikunju has also moved from NMG’s Kenya operation to Uganda after serving as Managing Editor, Planning and Content Hubs, and holding several other senior editorial positions at the Group.In Kenya, Harry Misiko has been appointed Acting Editor-in-Chief, Dann Mwangi Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media, and John Kiplagat Acting Managing Editor for Publishing.Ben Kitili will serve as Acting Lead Editor for Broadcasting, while Justus Wanga takes charge of the Weekend Edition and Michael Owuor becomes Acting Lead Editor for the Daily Nation. At the same time, Michael Omondi will head the Business Daily as Acting Lead Editor, while Alex Ndegwa becomes Editor of the Content Hub.In Tanzania, James Smart has been appointed Acting Managing Editor for Broadcast and New Media at Mwananchi Communications Limited.The changes follow another restructuring announced earlier in August in which the company appointed six new directors including Juliana Rotich, Bharat Thakrar, Julie Gichuru, Julius Kipng’etich, Wilfred Musau and Georgia Mutagahywa.The latest changes come as the company seeks to streamline its operations, strengthen its newsrooms and improve digital audience engagement across East Africa.
Read briefing Nairobi County is set to introduce a registration system for photographers, with recognised street creatives issued identification badges to distinguish them from unregistered operators.The initiative, announced by Governor Johnson Sakaja on September 16 during an engagement with street photographers, is aimed at giving creatives a formal identity while enabling the County Government to identify and support those working across Nairobi.Sakaja said the system would help organise the growing number of photographers while protecting those carrying out legitimate work in the city.“The County will introduce a formal registration and identification system for street photographers, including badges, to distinguish recognised creatives operating in the city,” Sakaja stated.“The initiative will enable the County to identify and support photographers while giving them a formal identity as they carry out their work.”The announcement followed concerns raised by photographers during the forum, with some saying they had previously faced harassment and demands for bribes while working in the city. Sakaja said the initiative builds on the County’s 2022 decision to allow street photographers to operate freely, creating opportunities for young people pursuing photography as a livelihood.Similar identification and licensing requirements apply to photographers in some cities, although the rules vary depending on the type of photography and location.In London, street photography is generally permitted, but some commercial activities and street entertainment in designated areas may require council licences.In India, photographers providing commercial services around major monuments managed by the Archaeological Survey of India may face additional requirements, including identification or approval from relevant authorities.Meanwhile, the Governor clarified that the county's Finance Act does not impose charges on street photographers under the County’s free photography arrangement, with photography provisions covering commercial heavy photography, imposing county charges of up to Ksh50,000.The County is also working on free Wi-Fi in selected areas, a move Sakaja said would help creatives market their work and connect with wider audiences.Further, the devolved unit also wants photographers to help document littering, illegal dumping, vandalism and other violations, including improper conduct by matatus and boda bodas.
Read briefing Taxpayers have been given greater protection against prolonged delays by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after the Court of Appeal ruled that statutory tax deadlines cannot be put on hold simply because related proceedings are pending.The court in Nairobi held that where a taxpayer challenges an objection, and the Commissioner fails to issue a decision within the 60-day period provided by law, the objection is deemed allowed.“It is trite that a public authority, being a creature of the Constitution and/or statute, may exercise only those powers lawfully conferred upon it. Accordingly, where Parliament has prescribed mandatory timelines for the performance of statutory duties, those timelines cannot be varied, suspended or rendered nugatory by administrative expediency or by the Commissioner’s unilateral decision to await the outcome of collateral proceedings,” the court documents seen by Kenyans.co.ke read in part.The ruling further clarified that the requirement to first exhaust the tax appeals process does not apply in every situation.It established that taxpayers can go to the High Court when KRA fails to make a decision within the time required by law, leaving them with no decision to challenge through the tax appeals process.However, the judges clarified that judicial review cannot be used to bypass the statutory tax appeals process or secure payment of a disputed refund where the underlying tax entitlement remains contested.The dispute arose from delayed Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund claims involving more than Ksh168 million, with some having remained unresolved for up to seven years, including those that had already been audited, while others had not been audited or determined. The taxpayer had also challenged rejected refund claims after KRA declined to treat certain services as zero-rated exported services. KRA argued that it had delayed action because related proceedings before the Tax Appeals Tribunal and the courts were still ongoing. The appellate court rejected that explanation, finding that the Commissioner does not have the power to suspend statutory obligations while waiting for the outcome of separate proceedings, according to the Tax Procedures Act and the Value Added Tax Act. Further, the judges distinguished between a statutory appeal, which considers the correctness of a tax decision, and judicial review, which examines whether a public authority has acted lawfully and complied with its statutory duties.Thus, the court overturned the earlier decision that had rejected the entire case, but declined to order KRA to directly determine or pay the disputed VAT refunds. The remaining complaints over compliance with statutory timelines and fair administrative action were sent back to the High Court for determination on a priority basis.
Read briefing When travelling using the Madaraka Express on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), you might have seen some casings along the railway lines that are rectangular in shape and might mimic a coffin.Kenya Railways has clarified that the structures are casings used to hold the Madaraka Express trains, following public curiosity after they were spotted at the Railway Exhibition during the Mombasa ASK Show.“These are casings to hold the Madaraka Express Trains,” Kenya Railways explained.The clarification came as Kenya Railways highlighted facts about Kenya’s railway network during the show, including the country’s two different railway track gauges - the SGR and Meter Gauge Railway (MGR).While their rectangular shapes can visually resemble a coffin or casing to the eye, the structures are important during railway line construction, serving critical safety and structural purposes.Many of these structures are box culverts embedded in or through railway embankments, which serve as enclosed tunnels that channel natural streams, seasonal rivers, and storm runoff safely from one side of the tracks to the other.Managing water flow prevents flooding that would wash away the soil foundation supporting the heavy train tracks along the rail line.The casings can also be found on elevated bridge sections. Civil engineers prefer the hollow design because it offers resistance to torsion, which allows railway bridges to bear the massive, shifting weight of double-stack cargo and high-speed passenger trains without buckling or sagging.Along sections that cross conservation areas, such as Nairobi National Park or the Tsavo ecosystem, the casings serve as safe underground corridors.They allow migratory wildlife and local livestock to cross beneath the high-speed rail safely, avoiding deadly collisions.Meanwhile, railway line network in the country is set to expand, with the National Land Commission (NLC) issuing a notice over the weekend for the compulsory acquisition of more than 300 land parcels for the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project. In a gazetted list dated September 10 and published on behalf of the Kenya Railways Corporation, the commission outlined additional parcels that would be affected by the planned Ksh700 billion project, as well as deletions and corrections to previous lists.NLC has directed affected landowners and other persons with an interest in the listed properties to inspect the acquisition plans at its Nairobi offices or the Kisumu County Coordinator’s office.
Read briefing Kenya has taken a portfolio of 13 priority infrastructure projects to international investors at the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Director General of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Directorate, Kefa Seda, said the projects, covering major transport, energy, water, irrigation and technology development, are among those the government plans to present to potential investors this financial year.“Our country is taking a substantive pipeline of investment opportunities to the market across transport, energy, water, irrigation, ICT and other strategic sectors, with 13 priority projects identified for active market engagement in FY2026/27,” he wrote in a statement on Tuesday, September 15.The portfolio includes the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway and the Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba Road, two major expressway projects the government has been seeking international investors to fund in recent months.Seda also named the Konza cloud expansion among the priority projects, alongside the planned 160-acre Digital Media City, a creative and technology hub being developed with support from South Korea.The Kibuka Falls Hydropower and Irrigation Dam project was also included, with the government reviving its development under a new PPP arrangement after terminating an earlier contract.Another priority project is the Dongo Kundu Power Plant, with the proposed 1,200MW facility expected to run on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and attract both public and private investment.The pipeline also features electricity transmission infrastructure and irrigation dams aimed at expanding the country’s power and agricultural capacity.The proposed Kenya Commercial Spaceport is included in the investment list, building on earlier government efforts to establish a satellite launch facility in the Kipini area between Malindi and Lamu under a PPP arrangement.Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) assets were also included among the opportunities presented at the conference.Seda said Kenya is seeking long-term financing and broader participation from investors as it prepares the projects for market participation and potential implementation. He added that the National Infrastructure Fund is expected to complement the PPP framework by creating additional avenues for mobilising capital domestically from avenues such as pension funds, insurers and collective investment schemes.
Read briefing Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has announced a partial absence from Linda Mwananchi rallies amid claims of internal divisions within the movement.Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, 15 September, Babu said he would take a break from the movement’s rallies and shift his focus to campaigning in Nairobi.The Embakasi East MP, however, maintained that he is still in the movement and fully supports Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for the presidency through the Linda Mwananchi ticket."I will still attend Linda Mwananchi rallies but I will not attend all of them depending on the programme that I have," Babu stated.The Linda Mwananchi principal said he is now focused on campaigning for his gubernatorial bid in the city as he seeks to replace Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in the 2027 General Election. He revealed that the decision came following the nature of the city politics, describing Nairobi as a big county that needs full focus. "Nairobi has 85 wards. It is not easy. It needs resources and work. I need to focus on Nairobi. I want to shift my focus on Nairobi and not Linda Mwananchi," the MP added. However, while campaigning for his bid, Babu maintained that he will still sell the movement in the city, asking city residents to vote for him in the August 10, 2027, elections. His statements come amid claims of internal divisions in the movement, with sources privy to the Linda Mwananchi movement claiming that Sifuna and Babu are not on good terms after their rally in Nairobi. However, Babu dismissed the claims of divisions within the team, revealing Sifuna as his preferred candidate for President under the Linda Mwananchi political movement, pledging to use his networks across Nairobi to campaign for the senator.“I will support Sifuna as a presidential candidate in 2027. He is our presidential candidate,” Babu said.On choosing a single presidential candidate, the Movement agreed to have discussions among themselves to present a single candidate after Siaya governor James Orengo also declared a bid for the top seat under the Movement's ticket.Linda Mwananchi has, however, maintained that they are part of the wider opposition and will join hands with the United Opposition to send the incumbent President William Ruto home in 2027.
Read briefing A former employee of a state-affiliated power generation company has been sentenced after being found guilty of using fraudulent Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and disability documents to obtain employment and financial benefits. According to a statement obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, he was convicted by the Anti-Corruption Court following a prosecution led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today secured an 11-year prison sentence against a former employee who used a forged academic certificate to secure employment and unlawfully obtained more than Ksh14.9 million in salaries and benefits,” the statement read.The court found that he presented a fake KCSE certificate showing a different grade than he had actually attained when applying for a job at the company.The certificate he submitted indicated that he had scored a C-, which enabled him to secure a position as a Craft Grade III employee. Records presented in court showed that he attained a mean grade of D- from eight subjects when he sat his KCSE in 1994 at St Paul’s Igonga Secondary School. He worked for the power generation company from August 2003 until September 2018, when he resigned after being asked to produce his original academic certificates. During that period, he was found to have received salaries and other employment benefits totalling Ksh14.946 million as a result of the fraudulent qualification. The court also established that he obtained a disability certificate fraudulently from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. The certificate allowed him to benefit from tax exemptions between July 2014 and September 2018. Senior Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore ordered the former employee to pay the Ksh14.946 million as compensation for the public funds he obtained through the fraud, or serve five years in prison if he fails to pay. He was additionally fined Ksh900,000 for fraudulently acquiring public property, with a two-year custodial sentence as an alternative, and received separate Ksh200,000 fines for each of two counts involving false documents. Cases involving forged documents presented by employees in government offices and state agencies have increasingly come under scrutiny by enforcement agencies. Two weeks ago, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) charged a former Machakos County chief officer over allegations that he used a fake academic certificate to obtain employment.
Read briefing The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has issued an advisory on retrieving items left onboard aircraft or at airports following a viral video involving a passenger seeking to retrieve a mobile phone reportedly left on an aircraft at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).In a statement on Tuesday, September 15, KAA said passengers collecting items left on board will, going forward, be required to identify themselves before items are released to them.According to the authority, the passengers will also be required to complete other relevant documentation for security and accountability purposes and to ensure that the property is handed to the rightful owner."For security and accountability, passengers collecting items left onboard aircraft may be required to provide identification and complete the relevant documentation before an item can be released. These procedures are intended to ensure that recovered property is handed over to its rightful owner," KAA stated.The advisory comes after a video circulated on social media showing a passenger attempting to recover the phone after arriving at JKIA.In the viral video, the airport worker is seen in a confrontation with a customer who allegedly left her phone on board.The officer can be heard saying that she must present an original ID and sign before being handed over the phone. The woman, on the other hand, was captured lamenting why she cannot hand over her phone.However, KAA has made it clear that passengers collecting items left onboard an aircraft may be required to provide identification, including ID cards and other relevant documents.The authority further encouraged passengers who leave belongings onboard an aircraft or within the airport to seek assistance from airline or airport customer service teams and cooperate with applicable verification procedures."We encourage passengers to cooperate with the applicable verification procedures and to seek assistance from airline or airport customer service teams whenever clarification is required," it added.In the viral video, the authority clarified that the interaction captured in the video involved airline personnel and not its staff, dismissing reports that its officer was involved in the incident."We wish to clarify that the interaction captured in the video involved airline personnel and not KAA staff. However, KAA recognises that passengers experience the airport as one journey and, together with our aviation partners, we remain committed to ensuring that such interactions are handled professionally and with due consideration to the customer experience," KAA added.The authority said it has engaged the airline involved and is working with relevant aviation stakeholders to strengthen passenger awareness of procedures for recovering misplaced belongings."KAA has engaged the airline concerned and, together with relevant aviation stakeholders, is strengthening passenger awareness on the procedures to follow when belongings are left onboard an aircraft or within the airport," the authority said.
Read briefing The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has distanced itself from claims that dead people could somehow influence election outcomes.This came after UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar made remarks suggesting that “even the dead would rise to ensure President William Ruto wins”, sparking widespread discussion across the country.IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukwana moved quickly to clarify that Kenya's voting system simply does not allow such a scenario, since the biometric voter registration system relies entirely on fingerprints and iris scans to confirm a person's identity at the polling station.“Biometric machines use fingerprints and iris scans. How will the deceased vote? How will they register?,” Mukhwana stated.Without a live fingerprint or iris match, the system automatically locks out any attempt to cast a vote on someone's behalf, thus Mukhwana insisted that a deceased Kenyan cannot register as a new voter, and their existing details cannot be reactivated once death has been reported.The electoral body explained that these safeguards were designed specifically to prevent the very kind of rigging fears that Hassan Omar's comments had stirred.An independent audit of Kenya's voter register, conducted by KPMG ahead of the 2022 general election, uncovered widespread anomalies, revealing that the IEBC contained 246,465 records of deceased individuals still listed as active voters.The audit also flagged significant duplication in the register, with 481,711 voters found to be registered more than once. Separately, investigators discovered 226,143 voters had registered using identification documents that did not genuinely or validly belong to them.Further scrutiny revealed that 164,269 individuals had used invalid national IDs or passports to register. Together, these findings prompted IEBC officials to announce plans to purge roughly 1.18 million questionable entries from the voter roll before the election in June 2022.In the defense of the Kenya Kwanza administration, the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also dismissed Omar’s sentiments on Sunday, stating that President Ruto does not need any election results manipulation, and will win squarely based on the 7.2 million votes he got in 2022, and the 7 million votes from the Former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga’s support base. “The remarks on using dead voters were reckless. President William Ruto does not need to steal elections to be President. Ruto got 7.2M votes in 2022, Railaon the other hand got 7 million votes, that is 14 million in total," Mudavadi stated. Omar’s remarks also come as Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused the IEBC of tailoring a Ksh 6.5 billion technology tender for a South Korean firm, alleging kickbacks, unrealistic timelines before the 2027 polls, and the transfer of 20-plus officials who resisted the specifications.In this regard, Commissioner Mukhwana, beyond the technical explanation, used the moment to caution politicians against careless remarks that could damage public trust in the Commission.
Read briefing Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has proposed the enactment of legislation to phase out petrol-powered motorcycles in cities and eventually across the country, in favour of electric alternatives.Nyong’o said the move would help address air and noise pollution, particularly in urban areas where motorcycles are widely used.Speaking during a meeting attended by President William Ruto in Kisumu on Sunday, September 13, the governor said petrol-powered motorcycles were a major contributor to pollution and should gradually be replaced with electric motorbikes.He proposed that Parliament enact legislation restricting the operation of petrol-powered motorcycles and allowing only electric alternatives, citing environmental and public health concerns associated with fuel-powered motorcycles."I would plead that we pass a law allowing only electric motorbikes to operate. Because these petrol motorbikes, unless there are proper batteries, there is a lot of pollution in our cities, which is further a health crisis," Nyong'o stated.He further called for incentives to help motorcycle operators make the transition from petrol-powered bikes to electric models."For example, we can give incentives for motorbike operators seeking to transition from petrol to electric motorbikes," he added.Electric motorcycles in Kenya have grown rapidly, driven by rising fuel prices and the need to reduce operating costs in the boda boda sector.Such bikes have increasingly been promoted in Kenya as an alternative to conventional petrol-powered bikes, with proponents citing lower operating costs and reduced emissions.As of early 2026, data from NTSA indicates that there are more than 33,000 electric motorcycles registered in the country.The boda boda sector has employed hundreds of thousands of Kenyans across major cities and rural areas.While the rollout of electric motorcycles will prevent air pollution, the rollout could be phased with challenges due to the lack of adequate charging and swapping stations currently available.The proposal, if adopted, could have significant implications for the boda boda sector, which relies heavily on petrol-powered motorcycles for passenger transport and deliveries.
Read briefing A family member of the victims involved in the accident between an Easy Coach bus and a private Toyota IST at Kikopey along the Gilgil-Nakuru Highway on Sunday night, September 13, has spoken about the tragedy.Speaking hours after the crash, the family member confirmed four of the five people who died were his close relatives.The deceased included his wife and daughter, as well as his brother-in-law, his brother-in-law’s wife and their daughter.“As I am speaking to you right now, I am saddened. All the people who have died are related to me by blood,” he said.Adding, "Of the five people, there is my wife and my daughter. Then there is my brother-in-law, his wife, and his daughter. I am now left alone."He further said his more than three decades of experience as a driver had made him familiar with the route, making it difficult for him to understand why motorists would drive recklessly despite knowing the dangers associated with the highway.“My profession involves driving, which I have done for over 30 years. I am very familiar with this route, and I cannot understand why drivers drive so recklessly knowing very well how dangerous this route is,” he said.The accident occurred as the Easy Coach bus was travelling from Gilgil towards Nakuru, while the Toyota IST was travelling from the direction of Lake Nakuru. The bus reportedly lost its brakes before colliding head-on with the car.An eyewitness said the impact left one woman, who was holding a child, trapped between the two vehicles. She and the other victims were travelling in the private car.The force of the collision killed the occupants of the car, with rescuers later using towing vehicles to separate the two vehicles and retrieve the bodies.The driver of the Toyota IST was among those who died in the crash. One person was injured, while no deaths were reported among passengers on the Easy Coach bus, although some sustained minor injuries.Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio said investigations into the accident had commenced, with those injured taken to Nakuru County Referral Hospital.
Read briefing Churches and security departments are among institutions that owe Nairobi County more than Ksh2.7 billion in unpaid taxes and other charges.Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja revealed the outstanding debt while appearing before the Senate Investment, Trade and Industrialisation Committee to respond to questions on the county's revenue collection.Sakaja said the county was pursuing various institutions with outstanding payments as it seeks to increase its own-source revenue. “There are churches and security departments that have not paid taxes,” he said.The governor did not immediately provide a breakdown showing how much of the Ksh2.7 billion is owed by churches, security departments or other institutions.Sakaja said Nairobi had introduced measures to make it easier for residents and businesses to pay county charges while reducing revenue leakages.He pointed to the digitisation of county services, saying residents can access and pay for services through the *647# USSD platform and the Nairobi Services website.“Everything is digitised, *647# if you are using your phone and nairobiservices.co.ke, and that is how we have been able to raise revenue by 95 per cent in three years, just by digitising and reducing corruption or theft,” Sakaja said.The governor also cited March 26 as an example of the impact of the system, saying Nairobi collected Ksh256 million in a single day.Kenya has in recent years expanded the use of digital platforms across public services, with government agencies moving processes online in sectors including education, healthcare and agriculture to make services easier to access and reduce paperwork.In education, digital systems are increasingly being used for learner and school services, while the health sector has expanded digital records and platforms for managing healthcare services. Agriculture has also adopted digital tools to connect farmers with government programmes and services.Sakaja said Nairobi had also decentralised some customer service centres to bring county services closer to residents and improve access to payment services.The disclosure comes as the Senate committee scrutinises Nairobi's revenue collection, including the county's efforts to recover outstanding payments and strengthen systems for collecting money owed to the devolved government.
Read briefing 