The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has retained the maximum retail prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene for the September-October cycle. In their monthly update, the regulator announced that a litre of Super Petrol will continue retailing at Ksh214.03, while Diesel remains at Ksh217.86 and Kerosene at Ksh191.38 in a cycle that will run until October 14. "In accordance with Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019 and Legal Notice No.192 of 2022, we have calculated the maximum retail prices of petroleum products which will be in force from September 15 to October 14 2026. In the period under review, the maximum retail prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene remain unchanged," EPRA said in a statement. In Mombasa, motorists will pay Ksh210.87 per litre for petrol, Ksh214.58 for diesel, and Ksh188.09 for kerosene during the period.In Nakuru, Super Petrol will remain at KSh212.92 per litre, diesel at KSh217.27 and kerosene at KSh190.81 under EPRA’s latest monthly review.Across other parts of the country, fuel prices will remain unchanged, with petrol retailing at Ksh213.69 per litre in Eldoret and Kisumu, Ksh218.67 in Meru, Ksh213.94 in Kitale and Ksh214.77 in Kisii. Kilifi will record one of the lowest prices at Ksh211.68 per litre, while Mandera will continue to have the highest petrol price at Ksh234.68.EPRA noted that the prices are inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), in line with the VAT Act, 2013, the Finance Act, 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024, and other applicable tax regulations.Prices still differ slightly from town to town, since transport costs from the coast to inland depots are factored into each region's final pump price, as the landed cost of petrol fell to about Ksh113.39 per litre, easing import pressure even as retail prices remained unchanged.Diesel’s landed cost rose to approximately Ksh124.17 per litre, while Kerosene reached Ksh130.22, increasing import costs, but these movements did not translate into higher pump prices.On the international market, benchmark prices stood at approximately Ksh144,672 per metric tonne for petrol, Ksh143,197 for diesel and Ksh146,743 for Kerosene by August, since Kenya imports all its fuel refined.The shilling held fairly steady against the dollar at around Ksh129.72 per US dollar in August, helping to cushion pump prices against sharp swings in global oil costs, as EPRA balances recovering import costs with efforts to keep fuel affordable for ordinary Kenyans ahead of the next review in mid-October.The latest review will come as a slight relief for motorists, who have endured fluctuating pump prices in recent months.For motorists dependent on super petrol, this will be the third month in a row whereby the prices remain unchanged after marginally fell by Ksh0.22 per litre back in June 2026.
Read briefing Phase one of the 612-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road construction will begin in November 2026, President William Ruto has announced.Speaking during a lake region grassroots meeting in Kisumu on Sunday, September 13, Ruto said the government had already set aside Ksh60 billion for the first phase of the project, which will link five counties.According to the Head of State, the government has set aside Ksh92 billion for road construction and will allocate Ksh60 billion for the phase-one construction of the 612-kilometre road."Besides Ksh92 billion we have for roads, in November we are coming here to break ground for the longest road, the Lake Victoria Ring Road, of which phase one will cost us Ksh60 billion. We are coming to launch it because an agreement has already been made," Ruto stated.The road is expected to begin from Busia, pass through Siaya and Kisumu, extend to Homa Bay, and finally connect to Migori, forming a crucial transport corridor around the Lake Victoria basin.Earlier in the meeting, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the government had already received the funds from the World Bank and that construction of the road would begin soon.The construction date for the longest road in the region comes months after Ruto promised to allocate funds in the 2026/27 budget for the construction of the highway.According to the president, the project has been long-awaited, and discussions about its enhancement have been ongoing for over 15 years."We have a road that we have been discussing for 15 years. This road is called the Lake Victoria Ring Road and it starts at Busia, passes through Siaya and Kisumu, comes to Homa Bay, and then continues to connect all the way to Migori," Ruto said in March 2026."This road will be constructed this year. We are allocating funds for it this year to ensure that all parts of Kenya are served with proper road infrastructure," he added.The road, which has been in discussion for a while, was first proposed to be funded by support from the World Bank, with an approximate budget of Ksh 41.6 billion in 2016.The budget increased significantly to around Ksh 70 billion due to modern design standards, including a Class B2 highway, and an expanded scope, according to the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA).It will feature a 7-metre-wide carriageway with 2-metre shoulders on both sides, designed to accommodate non-motorised traffic such as pedestrians and bicycles. The project also includes installing fibre-optic cables along the corridor.
Read briefing Isaac Kalua Green, Chief Steward of the Green Africa Foundation, has now called for greater focus on what happens to trees after planting, saying survival should be treated as a key measure of the success of environmental campaigns.Green made the remarks in his new book, Come Back and Check, which challenges governments and organisations to return to planting sites and establish how many of the trees recorded during planting campaigns are still alive.Environmentalist raised questions about Kenya’s tree-planting campaigns, arguing that the country must go beyond recording the number of trees planted and establish how many survive and continue growing.The concern emerged amid the government’s push to increase tree cover through nationwide tree-growing initiatives, with millions of seedlings planted under various programmes.The book was presented to Prince Albert II of Monaco during a meeting at the Prince’s Palace on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The visit also provided an opportunity for the two sides to discuss more than two decades of cooperation between the Green Africa Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation on climate and conservation initiatives.Dr Green’s argument also turns the spotlight on his own Plant Your Age campaign, which reports a central estimate of more than 981 million tree-growing contributions since 2011.He argues that the figure should not automatically be interpreted as meaning that more than 981 million trees are currently standing. Establishing how many have survived would require systematic monitoring and verification after planting.Trees can be lost after planting through drought, pests, disease, fires, poor maintenance and other environmental factors. Without follow-up checks, planting figures may therefore provide an incomplete picture of the actual impact of tree-growing programmes.Dr Green has proposed what he calls the Count What Survives Standard, which would require programmes to monitor trees beyond the planting event and record their survival over time.The approach also includes an Evidence Ladder and a Living Tree Account, which are intended to help governments, organisations and communities document the progress of trees after they are planted. The proposals draw lessons from forest recovery initiatives in South Korea, farmer-led regeneration in Niger and government auditing in the Philippines.The issue is particularly relevant to Kenya, where the government has made tree growing a central part of its environmental agenda and set ambitious targets for increasing the country’s tree and forest cover.During his Monaco visit, Dr Green also discussed the Green Africa Villages model, the Plant Your Age campaign and opportunities to deepen climate and conservation cooperation across Africa. He also highlighted his new role as Chair of the Board of the Green Nairobi Company, which is working on environmental infrastructure and services.The relationship between Dr Green’s organisation and Prince Albert’s foundation spans more than 20 years. Prince Albert visited Green Africa Foundation projects in Kitui in 2010 and later contributed a foreword to Dr Green’s book Green for Life.Through Come Back and Check, Dr Green is urging governments and environmental organisations to return to planting sites and verify the results of their efforts. His central message is that the success of tree-growing campaigns should ultimately be measured not only by how many trees are planted, but by how many survive.
Read briefing East African Community (EAC) citizens can enter Kenya without a visa, but visa-free entry does not mean they can automatically start operating a business without meeting a country's regulatory requirements. A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke found on the EAC policies found that visa exemption is part of the EAC Common Market framework, which provides for free movement of people across Partner States and is intended to facilitate regional trade and economic activity.For an EAC citizen visiting Kenya, this means they can cross the border without applying for a visa, subject to applicable immigration requirements. The arrangement is designed to make movement for travel, family visits, and other activities easier.However, entering Kenya without a visa is different from establishing a business, and the Common Market Protocol gives EAC citizens rights of establishment, but these are exercised in accordance with the laws and administrative procedures of the host country.An EAC citizen seeking to establish a business in Kenya must therefore comply with requirements such as business registration, tax registration, and applicable county permits.Kenya also has a specific immigration category for EAC nationals, where the Directorate of Immigration Services provides a Class R permit for an EAC citizen intending to reside in Kenya and engage in employment, business, trade or another prescribed activity.EAC citizens, however, receive preferential treatment under the regional framework, and Kenya has waived work permit fees for citizens of EAC Partner States who are working or establishing themselves in the country.For temporary business, trade or professional activity, Kenya also provides a Special Pass, which allows a foreigner to temporarily conduct business, trade or a profession. The pass is currently free for citizens of EAC Partner States.The Common Market Protocol also provides EAC workers with rights to seek employment and protection against discrimination based on nationality, alongside rights relating to working conditions and social security.This means an EAC citizen may enter Kenya without a visa, but someone intending to remain in the country and operate a business or work must still follow the applicable immigration and regulatory procedures.Notably, the Kenyan government took a similar stance after President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on foreign nationals, before later clarifying that all foreigners, including those from the East African Community (EAC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), are allowed in Kenya provided they abide by the law.“Kenya is very open for business. I know there has been a lot of debate about who should work in Kenya or should invest in Kenya. Let me say this for the record. All investors have a space in Kenya,” Ruto said. Adding, "The process will be coordinated by the relevant Government agencies, in consultation with the embassies concerned, to provide affected persons with a clear and structured opportunity to regularise their immigration status and business operations in accordance with the law."
Read briefing Four years after President William Ruto took over the government, his record on the promises he made to Kenyans presents a mixed picture, with some delivered while others remain delayed, altered or unmet.Ruto, who was sworn in as Kenya's fifth President on 13 September 2022, campaigned on an agenda centred on lowering the cost of living, creating jobs, improving healthcare, expanding infrastructure and transforming the economy.With his administration approaching four years in office, a review by Kenyans.co.ke of major campaign promises and subsequent presidential commitments shows a government that has made visible progress in selected areas but has struggled to translate several high-profile pledges into completed outcomes.The review also shows that some commitments cannot yet be judged conclusively because their deadlines fall in 2026 or 2027, while others have been modified after the government changed its approach to achieving the original target. Education is among the sectors where the administration has made progress, particularly through teacher recruitment, but where some of the government's most significant promises remain unresolved.Since Ruto took office, more than 56,000 teachers have been hired as the government seeks to address shortages and transition intern teachers into permanent employment.President Ruto says his government will be employing 35,000 teachers each year until there is no shortage pic.twitter.com/5BAacEIHGs The government has additionally increased the teacher promotion budget to Ksh2 billion, allowing thousands of educators to progress through their careers.However, the government's wider promise to address the teacher shortage remains a work in progress.The administration had also promised 100 per cent government funding for university, college and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students. The promise has not been implemented under the original timeline, even as the government now indicates that free university education will begin in January 2027 following proposed legal and policy changes.The shift in approach has raised questions over how the original promise will ultimately be delivered.Infrastructure presents a mixed record, with several major projects under construction while others have been delayed or remain at the planning stage.The Rironi-Mau Summit highway is among the projects where implementation is underway. The 175-kilometre road is currently about 20 per cent complete, while the first phase is expected to be completed by 30 October 2026.However, the full project is now expected to be completed in June 2027, compared with the initial August 2026 deadline announced by the Head of State in November 2025.Ruto's wider pledge to double Kenya's tarmac road network within seven years similarly remains incomplete.In February 2026, Ruto also said he would return to Thika in September to begin construction of the 60-kilometre expressway linking the town to Nairobi."I have a plan. Just as we constructed the expressway from JKIA to Westlands, I will return here in September to begin construction of the expressway from Thika," Ruto said.With September now underway, there has yet to be a major public update confirming that construction has commenced.The proposed 2,000MW nuclear power plant in Siaya is another commitment that remains ahead of its promised implementation timeline. Ruto has said construction will begin in 2027, with commissioning expected in 2034, but the project is currently at the planning stage and has faced opposition from some residents concerned about health and environmental risks.The proposed expansion of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway has similarly failed to move into construction, with the government initially pushing for an expressway linking the two cities but later reverting from that approach, leaving the major commitment without construction underway.These projects demonstrate one of the biggest challenges in assessing Ruto's record: announcing a project is not the same as delivering it, and several of the administration's most ambitious infrastructure promises remain tied to future deadlines.Affordable housing also falls under the infrastructure agenda. The programme has seen 8,800 units completed since Ruto assumed office, while more than 214,000 additional houses are reported to be under construction across the 47 counties.We should do affordable housing in towns and use our farms to grow food - William Ruto pic.twitter.com/IKlhDrhK6uHowever, the government initially targeted 250,000 new houses every year, meaning actual delivery has remained below that ambition.Electricity access presents another example of partial delivery, with the government continuing to implement the Last Mile Connectivity Programme to connect households, particularly in rural and underserved areas, but the broader pledge to ensure access for all targeted households has not yet been fully achieved.Perhaps one of the government's biggest wins in terms of infrastructure has been stadia, with the administration embarking on an ambitious programme to construct and upgrade sports facilities across the country.
Read briefing Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo endured a hostile crowd on Sunday, September 13 as she was heckled in Ruto's presence during an engagement with a crowd in Kisumu. The lawmaker had barely started addressing the crowd once she was given the microphone when the crowd turned hostile , shouting her down and prompting her to address the chaos.Amid the chaos, the Suba North MP, who has in the recent past publicly criticised the government, reiterated that she was unmoved, and would continue to back the ruling party 'on her terms'. "I am supporting President William Ruto, but in my own way, and in my own terms," Millie Odhiambo stated. "You know you cannot threaten me with your heckling and booing. I was born a tough-headed girl, and nothing in this place can threaten me," Odhiambo added.As the dramatic scenes unfolded, Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed, who was the event’s master of ceremonies, was forced to take the microphone from Millie Odhiambo to calm the heckling crowd.The Suba North lawmaker has often been criticised for her impartiality in the political arena for refusing to fully commit to either ODM faction as the party remains sharply divided over President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.On many occasions, such as during a press interview on May 31, the MP has insisted that she belongs to neither camp, remaining simply an ODM loyalist.“I said clearly that I am not in ODM Linda Ground or ODM Linda Mwananchi but in ODM. I was told I am a fence-sitter,” stated Millie Odhiambo.Adding, “I am not going to be pushed into a position where I have to choose between Linda Ground and Linda Mwananchi. My position is that I am an ODM member, and I will continue to articulate my views without being put in a box.”Notwithstanding, she has criticized both sides: opposing Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's removal from party leadership as the Secretary General, while stopping short of joining his Linda Mwananchi movement, and supporting President Ruto's candidacy while warning that arrogance could damage the broad-based government politically.She has also been vocal in rejecting ODM's zoning arrangements meant to protect Nyanza strongholds, arguing that parties should compete freely and voters decide. She herself described her stance as a deliberate "fence philosophy," not indecision but political independence.
Read briefing Thousands of Kenyans have been rendered jobless after the government, through the Registrar of Companies, announced the dissolution of 176 firms operating in the country.In a notice dated Friday, September 11, Deputy Registrar of Companies Hiram Gachugi said 176 firms had been dissolved with immediate effect, while another 155 were earmarked for dissolution within the next three months."Pursuant to section 897(4) of the Companies Act, it is notified for the information of the general public that the following companies have been dissolved and their names struck off the Register of Companies with effect from the date of publication of this notice," the notice read in part.While Kenyans.co.ke could not immediately establish the exact number of workers affected, the shutdowns could raise fresh concerns over unemployment amid rising living costs.The affected companies span a broad range of sectors, including transport and automotive, restaurants, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy and petroleum, and construction.Others offer beauty and personal care, travel and immigration services, general supplies, Events and creative services, the textile industry, interior design and consulting services.The list also contains some international companies that have also been deregistered, including an Ireland-headquartered global building-materials company which has been operating in the country for several years.In a separate notice, Gachugi listed over 155 companies earmarked for dissolution beginning December 2026 for various reasons, which the registrar did not immediately disclose.According to Hiram, the companies earmarked for closure would soon cease operations in the country unless they explain, within three months, why they should remain registered."Pursuant to the Companies Act, the Registrar of Companies gives notice that the names of the companies specified hereunder shall be struck off from the register of companies," the notice read in part."The companies shall be struck off the registry at the expiry of three months from the date of publication of this notice and invite any person to show cause why the companies should not be struck off from the registry," it added.The three-month notice is designed to protect creditors, shareholders, employees and any individual who might have an interest in the affected companies.Under law, companies may be dissolved if they fail to meet legal obligations such as filing annual returns, maintaining active registration records or complying with regulatory requirements. Once dissolved, a company ceases to legally exist, meaning it cannot continue operations, own assets, or employ staff.
Read briefing The National Land Commission (NLC) has issued a notice of intention to compulsorily acquire 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.“Interested persons should inspect plans of the affected land at the offices of the Commission at Ardhi House 3rd Floor, Room 305, 1st Ngong Avenue, Nairobi and County Co-ordinator’s Offices in Kisumu County during official working hours,” the notice stated. A large number of parcels in Kisumu County have been added to the list, with the affected properties spread across Chiga and Sidho West areas.The schedule includes privately owned land as well as parcels whose registered ownership is yet to be determined. Some of the listed properties are also recorded under deceased owners, while others have existing charges or cautions attached to them. The notice includes numerous small urban parcels in Kisumu Municipality, many measuring about 0.0206 hectares, alongside larger pieces of land in other parts of the county. Among the newly listed properties is a 4.9252-hectare parcel that was reportedly the subject of a 2021 court case over ownership between Kenya Railways and members of the Nubian community. NLC further stated that notices for inquiries into the affected properties will be published in the Kenya Gazette in line with the Land Act. Last week, Kenya Railways had announced that it had commenced the land acquisition process for the project, including the inspection and valuation of parcels that will be affected as the government moves to secure additional sections of the 370-kilometre railway corridor for construction. This marks another step in the government’s implementation of the planned extension, with construction having commenced in July 2026 and the line expected to reach Kisumu by July 2027.
Read briefing When he took office in 2022, President William Ruto inherited an economy under pressure, which he described as “dilapidated”. Rising food prices were among the biggest concerns facing Kenyans.Ruto promised to tackle the cost of living by introducing sweeping changes in the agricultural sector to ensure that every Kenyan could afford food.He said his administration would support farmers by subsidising fertiliser and seeds rather than subsidising consumption.According to Ruto, the interventions would help reduce the price of maize flour from Ksh230 for a 2kg packet to between Ksh100 and Ksh120.Four years later, however, the record presents a mixed picture. While the government has delivered on its fertiliser subsidy promise, the pledge to bring down the price of maize flour has proved more complicated.At his inauguration on September 13, 2022, Ruto announced that his government would make 1.4 million bags of fertiliser available at a subsidised price of Ksh3,500 for a 50kg bag, down from about Ksh6,500.“Our priority intervention therefore is to make fertiliser, good-quality seeds and other agricultural inputs affordable and available,” Ruto said in his inauguration speech.“There was an attempt to subsidise unga in the run-up to the election, a programme that gobbled up Ksh7 billion in one month, with no impact,” he added.Ruto was making a deliberate break from the previous administration’s consumption-subsidy approach, arguing that subsidising unga had cost taxpayers billions without addressing the underlying cost of production.“If we had spent Ksh7 billion on fertiliser, it would have been a different ball game,” he said.Kenyans.co.ke can report that the fertiliser subsidy promise has not only been implemented but has also gone beyond the original target. The price of a 50kg bag fell from Ksh6,500 to Ksh3,500 during the early months of the Kenya Kwanza administration before being reduced further to Ksh2,500.In August 2026, Ruto announced another Ksh500 reduction, bringing the subsidised price to Ksh2,000 per 50kg bag.“I am making an announcement to all our farmers that from next month, in the next two weeks, we are going to subsidise maize seeds by 50 per cent and reduce the cost of fertiliser by another Ksh500,” Ruto said during a church service in Taita Taveta.While the fertiliser promise has been delivered, the picture is different when it comes to food prices, particularly maize flour.The Head of State rejected the idea of maintaining a direct maize flour subsidy, insisting that the government would instead address the cost of production.He argued that subsidising fertiliser would increase maize production and eventually make flour cheaper without requiring the government to permanently pay part of the retail price.In October 2022, Ruto asked Kenyans for time, saying his administration had already begun working to lower the price of unga.“I told you we must lower unga prices. I have already started that journey of lowering unga prices and reducing the cost of living; just give me one year,” he said.A few months later, he set a more specific target. In February 2023, Ruto said the price had fallen from Ksh230 to Ksh180 and would eventually reach Ksh140 and then Ksh120.The government later pointed to falling retail prices as evidence that its production-focused strategy was beginning to work.However, the latest official data paints a more complicated picture. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the national average retail price of a 2kg packet of sifted maize flour stood at Ksh152.89 in August 2026, down from Ksh157.15 in July.While the price has fallen significantly from the Ksh230 level recorded when Ruto took office, the August average remains above the Ksh120 target the President had promised to achieve.
Read briefing Several Cabinet Secretaries as well as Chief Justice Martha Koome have made a series of appointments and reappointments to key public institutions. In an official gazette notice dated September 11, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen appointed Lorna Ogolla Omondi, daughter of the late General Francis Omondi Ogolla, who was the former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), to the board of the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCA) for a three-year term, alongside Jerop Joy Kibor.Koome appointed Mbaabu Kelvin Mutuma as a member of the Auctioneers Licensing Board for a three-year term effective September 7.Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi appointed Avedi Evans Kituzi as chairperson of the Kenya National Innovation Agency, alongside Ali Nilfat Kassim, Yienga Julius, Magdaline Chepkemoi and Abass Jihan Faisal as members. The five newly gazetted appointments to the innovation agency will run for three years from September 11. Additionally, Education CS Julius Ogamba appointed Collins Saitaga to the council of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for a three-year term. Ogamba also appointed Prof John Shiundu as chairperson of the Bomet University Council, alongside Emily Kwamboka Nyagarama, Rose Chepkorir, Fredrick Njoroge, Reuben C. Butaki and Amos Okello as council members. At the Kajiado National Polytechnic, he appointed Moses Narok as non-executive chairperson of the council and revoked his earlier appointment as a council member. In the tourism sector, CS Rebecca Miano reappointed Joseph Sarisar and Dorcas Ayoma Mbalanya to the Tourism Fund Board of Trustees for another three years. Water CS Eric Mugaa also appointed Khadua Jimmy Kahindi as non-executive chairperson of the Coast Water Works Development Agency, revoking an earlier gazette notice issued in 2024. Under the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, Mugaa reappointed Everlyne Nadio to the board for a three-year term. Further, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe appointed Chebii Kilel, Emmanuel Leina Tasur and Rosemary Kithira Muroria to the Coffee Board of Kenya for three years. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi reappointed Judith Khamala Makasi Nyauncho and Kirwa Bitok to the board of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) for another three-year term.
Read briefing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has directed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders in Embu to establish the extent of losses and damage caused by clashes that disrupted the party’s meeting on Saturday afternoon.In a statement moments after the incident, Kindiki said the party leadership should immediately verify the exact nature of the damage and coordinate a response to support those affected.“Our party leadership in Embu has been tasked with verifying the exact nature of the loss and/or damage, and to coordinate responses to stand in solidarity with all those adversely affected in one way or another,” Kindiki said.The directive came after chaos erupted at the stadium in Nembure where the UDA meeting was being held, with groups of local youths reportedly denied entry into the venue.The incident quickly escalated into running battles involving crowds, opposing groups and police officers, forcing the security officers to evacuate Kindiki.During the incident, several vehicles outside the stadium were also set on fire by angry crowds during the confrontation, with preliminary reports indicating that up to 10 vehicles were burnt.Among the vehicles torched was a car belonging to a media correspondent who was covering the political event.In his speech, Kindiki condemned the violence and called on law enforcement agencies to take action against those responsible for the disruption and destruction.“The party condemns violence and demands that law enforcement agencies take punitive measures against all those responsible for perpetuating political violence,” he said.The DP maintained that UDA supported issue-based politics and competition based on development records and policy proposals rather than violence.“Our party stands for issue-based politics and a contest around who or which party has a better development track record and policy goals for Kenya’s future,” Kindiki said.He further accused those behind the violence of attempting to force political support through what he described as lies, violence and useless slogans, insisting that political competition should remain peaceful.
Read briefing Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has responded to an Anthropic report detailing an artificial intelligence-driven political campaign that generated social media posts praising him over electricity tariffs.Wandayi said the report did not establish that he, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, or any official within the ministry authorised or participated in the alleged online campaign.“My attention has been drawn to some unverified report alleging the creation of some activity on social media that is purported to have been in praise of the actions of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum regarding electricity tariffs,” Wandayi said on Friday.The CS was responding to Anthropic’s September 2026 threat intelligence report, which identified and disrupted what it described as a coordinated inauthentic behaviour campaign in Kenya.According to the report, a single actor used Anthropic’s Claude AI model to mass-produce Kenyan political content in batches of exactly 50 posts, with instructions to make the messages appear like spontaneous grassroots commentary.A significant portion of the content praised Wandayi over the handling of a scheduled Kenya Power electricity tariff increase and used the hashtags #PowerReliefKE and #PoweringTheNewKenya to increase the visibility of the posts.Anthropic said the actor separately used the same AI workflow to market Kenyan retail brands under the personas “SHANKI” and “Elkins Marketer”.However, the company said it did not know the exact real-world identity of the person behind the operation.The report further stated that the campaign appeared to be a domestic Kenyan operation and that it had found no evidence of government involvement.It said the operation’s pro-government tone and use of specific hashtags suggested it was plausibly aligned with the ruling coalition, but that the organisation responsible had not been identified.On his part, Wandayi said the existence of anonymous and coordinated accounts on social media was not, on its own, evidence of government involvement, arguing that what mattered was proof linking the actors to the ministry.“There are probably millions of anonymous and coordinated accounts on social media pushing different narratives every day. What matters is evidence,” he said.Interestingly, Wandayi’s Friday response also uses the hashtag #PoweringTheNewKenya, the same hashtag Anthropic identified in the campaign that praised him over electricity tariffs. However, the use of the hashtags in his response does not by itself establish a link between the CS and the accounts identified by Anthropic, according to Kenyans.co.ke.
Read briefing Businesses involved in the movement and storage of goods under customs control will need to prepare for changes as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to phase out its electronic cargo tracking seals and introduce a system where users obtain the devices from approved private vendors.KRA announced the change in a public notice issued on Friday, September 11, as part of the transition to a new framework under the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS). According to the notice, the new arrangement will cover electronic seals used for both dry cargo and wet cargo. “To enhance service delivery under the RECTS and in response to evolving business dynamics and increasing demands, KRA has transitioned to a Multi-Vendor, User-Owned Seals model for both dry cargo (e-seals) and wet cargo (e-fuel) electronic seals,” the notice stated.The changes follow persistent cases of long queues and costly delays faced by transporters and cargo operators due to shortages of government-owned electronic tracking seals.KRA said the new model is intended to support efforts to expand access to electronic seals and ease congestion at the Port of Mombasa.The authority revealed that it has now approved 15 vendors to provide electronic monitoring and tracking services for goods under customs control. Under the framework, importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, transporters and bonded warehouse operators will be able to select their preferred approved vendor. The arrangement will operate through private commercial agreements between the approved vendors and the users of the tracking devices. Electronic seals currently owned by KRA will be gradually withdrawn, with the transition scheduled to be completed by October 26. After the deadline, goods under customs control will be tracked exclusively using devices supplied by the approved vendors.Details of the approved vendors can be found on KRA’s website, the Cargo Monitoring Unit at Times Tower or other Customs offices.Affected stakeholders have been urged to take note of the transition and make the necessary arrangements ahead of the October deadline.
Read briefing The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has nullified the appointment of Moitalel Ole Kenta as Secretary-General of the Jubilee Party. The decision comes amid an ongoing dispute over changes to the party’s leadership and the officials recognised by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). The leadership changes had been challenged by former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu, who argued that the process was approved before his objections were properly addressed.In a post on Friday, September 11, Wambugu disclosed that the tribunal found that Kenta was not a registered member of Jubilee when the party appointed him to the position. “Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) nullifies appointment of Hon Koitalel Ole Kenta as Jubilee Party Secretary General for not being registered party member. Faults Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) for failure to play oversight role on this,” he wrote.Kenta had been appointed Secretary-General in January, replacing former MP Jeremiah Kioni, who moved to the position of Second Deputy Party Leader. Jubilee said at the time that the appointment was part of efforts to rebuild its grassroots structures and prepare for future elections. Wambugu moved to the tribunal after the Registrar approved new officials in May, saying he had been invited to discuss his concerns with Jubilee officials but was not given a chance to respond before the changes were approved. The dispute involved several senior Jubilee figures, including National Party Chairperson Vincent Kemosi, Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, Deputy Secretary General Zack Kinuthia, Jubilee National Organising Secretary Yasir Noor, Kioni and Kenta.The tribunal had certified Wambugu’s case as urgent and directed the respondents to respond before the matter proceeded to hearing. The latest ruling now invalidates Kenta’s appointment and could require the party to revisit the position, adding another setback to Jubilee’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 General Elections.It comes just over two weeks after Jubilee faced a wave of defections in Nairobi, with several officials leaving the party for the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). Soon after, Matiang’i dismissed the defections as a sign of the party’s decline, saying those who left had been suspended months earlier over misconduct and interference with party affairs.
Read briefing In 2022, President William Ruto campaigned on an ambitious development agenda that placed infrastructure at the centre of his plan to transform Kenya, promising roads and other major public projects.Four years later, the record is mixed, with several major infrastructure projects under his administration taking shape, but some have missed their original deadlines, while others remain at different stages of implementation.One of the examples is the Ksh200 billion Rironi-Mau Summit highway expansion, which was initially expected to be completed by August 2026 but has now been pushed to June 2027.Ruto launched the 175-kilometre project in November 2025 under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) involving China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), with the project covering the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit and Nairobi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha routes.Although the deadline has shifted, Transport Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir said on September 9 that the Rironi-Naivasha section would be fully dualled by October 30, 2026, meaning motorists could begin benefiting from the upgraded road before the entire project is completed.Another project that has experienced changing timelines is the Ksh2 billion Green Park Terminus Pedestrian Underpass in Nairobi.The 500-metre underground network was initially projected to open in September 2025 after reaching 88 per cent completion in May, before the target was moved to December 2025 and later to June 2026.The project, being implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and constructed by CRBC, is designed to separate pedestrians from vehicles around Haile Selassie Avenue-Uhuru Highway roundabout and includes solar-powered CCTV cameras linked to the KeNHA control room and an on-site police post with a holding facility.Away from Nairobi, the government is also implementing the 740-kilometre Isiolo-Mandera highway, which is intended to improve connectivity to northern Kenya.Construction is about 60 per cent complete, with completion now scheduled for June 30, 2030, three years later than the initial 2028 target.The Ksh168 billion highway has secured full financing, with the World Bank funding 508 kilometres, the African Development Bank financing the Elwak-Rhamu section, and Arab development banks supporting the Samatar-Wajir section.The delays affecting some projects have largely been linked to the complexity of implementing major infrastructure, including financing arrangements, changes in project requirements and the restructuring of projects inherited from previous administrations.The Rironi-Mau Summit highway, for instance, was initiated under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, with the project initially awarded to French company Vinci Highways SAS. The deal was terminated in March 2025 over concerns about proposed toll rates and government payment obligations.Ruto’s administration subsequently moved to a new Public-Private Partnership arrangement, with CRBC-NSSF taking up some sections and Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International Engineering Limited taking the Gilgil-Mau Summit section.Meanwhile, the government has also announced plans for new infrastructure projects whose implementation remains less certain.In February 2026, Ruto said he would return to Thika in September to begin construction of a 60-kilometre expressway aimed at easing congestion along the heavily populated Thika Road corridor.“I have a plan. Just as we constructed the expressway from JKIA to Westlands, I will return here in September to begin construction of the expressway from Thika,” Ruto said in February 2026.However, with September now underway, the government has yet to provide a major public update confirming the commencement of construction, leaving the project in the category of promises awaiting execution.At the same time, work is progressing on the Ksh4.5 billion capacity enhancement, landscaping and beautification project along the 27-kilometre JKIA-ABC Place route, with KeNHA and CRBC implementing the project, which is intended to improve the appearance of the key route.Heavy excavation and construction of underground drainage channels are underway on sections of the highway, while damaged areas caused by construction of the Nairobi Expressway are being addressed.The government has therefore made significant progress on several infrastructure projects during Ruto’s first four years, with some nearing completion and others already delivering improvements in sections, but the record also shows that the government has breached several deadlines.
Read briefing The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is set to tighten regulatory requirements for banks considered important to the stability of the country’s financial system to make them better prepared for shocks and reduce the impact of major failures. Under proposals seen by Kenyans.co.ke, CBK will use a new framework to identify Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) whose failure could significantly disrupt financial services and the wider economy.The framework will assess banks based on their size, links with other financial institutions, role in providing critical services, complexity, and importance to the domestic economy. “The objectives of this framework therefore include, among others: To enhance the resilience of D-SIBs by applying higher loss absorbency (HLA) requirements and to limit the impact of systemic shocks on the financial system by ensuring that D-SIBs are subjected to an appropriate level of regulation and supervision that is commensurate with their systemic importance,” the new proposals read in part.Banks that meet the thresholds will be placed into different categories depending on their importance to the financial system. The largest banks will be required to hold an extra 2.5 per cent of their risk-weighted assets as capital, while other designated banks will face additional requirements of 1.5 per cent or 0.5 per cent.The additional capital will give banks more room to absorb losses if they face financial difficulties and help limit the impact on the wider banking system.For customers, the measures are expected to strengthen major banks and reduce the risk of disruptions to deposits, payments and access to banking services during periods of financial stress.At the same time, CBK will subject the designated banks to more intensive supervision, including more frequent examinations and closer monitoring of their risk management and governance. Additionally, the banks will be required to conduct stress tests every quarter to assess how they would withstand severe economic and financial shocks. They will also have to prepare and regularly update recovery and resolution plans setting out how they would respond to serious financial distress. Further, depending on their risk profile, designated banks could face higher liquidity requirements, additional disclosure obligations and restrictions on activities that could increase systemic risk.CBK said it will assess banks for D-SIB status annually based on their position as of December 31, notify designated banks by the end of March and publish the list by June each year.Banks newly identified as D-SIBs or moved to a higher capital requirement will have up to 12 months to comply, while those banks must submit a board-approved compliance plan within three months of notification.Banks that no longer meet the threshold will lose D-SIB status, while those with lower systemic importance may face reduced capital requirements or exit the framework.
Read briefing Four years ago, on September 13, 2022, President William Ruto was sworn in as the fifth president of Kenya, carrying a lot of hope for Kenyans who expected an overhaul in development spanning infrastructure, healthcare, cost of living, and the economy at large.On his road to the State House, President Ruto made a long list of promises with his Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), expected to be a true guiding principle for his transformation of Kenya. Kenyans.co.ke has made an analysis of at least 750 promises and declarations made by the president and his cabinet over the years and will, over the next four days, reveal the extent to which the administration has succeeded, failed, or begun implementing the promises.Our sources have established that out of 750 promises and declarations, 455 distinct promises and declarations were specifically made by the Head of State across the country over the last four years. Further, Kenyans.co.ke established that of the 455 promises to the nation by the president, only 12 of them have been fulfilled. Meanwhile, 21 promises remain in progress across various sectors, including the commitment to plant 5 billion trees, provide chiefs with digital tablets, bring rogue police officers to book, construct a dual carriageway from Nakuru to Malaba, and implement various tax reforms, among othersBesides the one abandoned promise involving the establishment of a quasi-judicial inquiry into state capture within 30 days of taking office, a massive 422 promises and pledges by the president remain that - pledges. This has largely been because a majority of the promises made have been overtaken by the president’s own timelines or have been overlooked altogether. Despite an overall worrying score in the promises department, the president insists that he has delivered on all of his promises."We have transformed Kenya in accordance with our plan. We never overpromised; we never said what we could not deliver. We have delivered on our commitments,” Ruto stated on Thursday, September 10, during a tour of Kericho county.Across roads, housing, healthcare, and education, we have included commitments that cover major areas of the BETA plan.Some of the promises were made with set timelines like six months, 12 months, two years, and so on, with others going even beyond 2027.We intend to provide evidence of the government's promises to allow the public to distinguish between what was promised, what has been implemented, and what has not been addressed at all.It is worth noting that coverage will largely feature promises, rather than the Kenya Kwanza manifesto that was drafted and presented before the elections. From Thursday to Sunday, Kenyans.co.ke will examine the promises made by President Ruto and his administration, moving from the numbers behind the 455 commitments to their performance across key sectors. Thursday will set out the full promise tracker, showing how many commitments have been fulfilled, partially fulfilled, stalled, not fulfilled or remain unassessed. Friday will examine the administration’s record in health and education, including the expansion and challenges of SHA, the teacher shortage and the shift in university funding.Saturday will turn to the cost of living, examining the contrasting outcomes of the fertiliser intervention and Ruto’s unga price promise.Sunday, September 13, marking four years since Ruto was sworn in, will bring the findings together in an overall assessment of the administration’s record, highlighting the promises delivered, those delayed or changed, and those that remain unmet.
Read briefing The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers on allegations of demanding and receiving bribes.The two DCI officers are accused of demanding Ksh500,000 from a complainant in exchange for terminating a murder case against him.EACC, in a statement obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, said the two were arrested on Thursday, September 10, following investigations against them."The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Kipkelion Sub-County Offices over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe," EACC stated."They allegedly demanded Ksh500,000 from a complainant in exchange for terminating a murder case against him," it added.According to EACC, preliminary investigations prompted the Commission to mount an operation targeting the officers.The operation led to their arrest earlier on Thursday, while they were allegedly receiving Ksh120,000 from the complainant.According to the commission, the officers were processed at EACC South Rift Regional Office as investigations into the matter continue.However, they were later released on a cash bail of Ksh30,000 pending the completion of the investigations."The suspect was processed at South Rift Regional Office and later released on a cash bail of Ksh30,000 pending completion of investigations," EACC said.The latest development comes a day after the commission arrested two court officials for demanding bribes, raising concerns over the court's and DCI's independence of maintaini9ng fair judgment without being compromised.The court officials included a Court Assistant attached to the Magistrate's Court in Eldoret, and a Court Process Server attached to the Civil Registry at Nakuru Law Courts.The process server is accused of seeking money from a complainant in exchange for allocating a convenient mention date for a case, while the Assistant is alleged to have demanded and received a Ksh20,000 bribe
Read briefing The government is expected to receive Ksh51 billion in emergency financing from the World Bank within six weeks to cushion the country from the impacts of the Ebola outbreak, El Niño and high fuel prices.According to Reuters, Kenya applied for the World Bank's emergency financing, known as the Rapid Response Option, after the Iran war began in February and pushed crude oil prices higher.A World Bank spokesperson told the publication that the lender was supporting Kenya to finalise a framework that would allow it to access rapid financing when an eligible crisis or emergency occurs.The emergency funds are expected to support the health sector in responding to the risk of Ebola, while also helping mitigate El Niño's impact on agriculture and environment.The latest update comes as Kenya braces for above-normal rainfall expected between October and December this year, with the rains forecast to begin in the first week of October.The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KEMSA) and Kenya Red Cross have warned that the heavy rains could trigger flooding in several areas, potentially displacing more than one million people.Meanwhile, the financing will also help Kenya manage the economic impact of high fuel prices following the escalation of the Middle East crisis, which has resulted in restricted passage at the Strait of Hormuz.Beyond mitigating the impact of El Niño and high fuel prices, the funding will also support Kenya’s efforts to strengthen preparedness and response measures against the Ebola virus in the region. The Ebola risk comes amid outbreaks in the region, with the Democratic Republic of Congo having experienced one of the most severe Ebola outbreaks, while the disease also spread to neighbouring Uganda.Under the World Bank's emergency financing framework, countries such as Kenya can typically access up to 10 per cent of their undisbursed lending portfolio.The arrangement could give Kenya access to about Ksh51 billion based on its current World Bank portfolio, although the final amount will depend on the undisbursed balance when the financing framework is completed.Kenya's World Bank project portfolio exceeds Ksh900 billion ($7 billion), with about Ksh388 billion ($3 billion) already disbursed or committed.Reports indicate that Kenya and the World Bank are finalising a Contingency Emergency Response Project that will set out the terms of the emergency financing.The World Bank Board has already cleared the initial stages of the Rapid Response Option, meaning funds can be released once the contingency framework is finalised.The expected financing comes as Kenya seeks additional sources of funding amid growing debt repayment obligations that have squeezed.
Read briefing Kenya's retail landscape is rapidly changing as consumers increasingly adopt digital payment methods for everyday shopping. Customers are embracing cashless transactions that offer speed, convenience and security.One feature driving this transformation is the Buy Goods option, which has become a popular way to complete purchases without handling physical cash.One of the latest innovations helping accelerate cashless payments is the "Till ni Till" initiative. The service allows Airtel Money customers to pay into tills belonging to any mobile money provider, giving shoppers greater freedom and convenience when making purchases.Whether paying at a supermarket checkout, settling a restaurant bill, purchasing fuel, shopping at a retail store, or buying goods from a neighborhood vendor, customers can simply use Airtel Money to make payments across networks.The growth of Buy Goods transactions is also benefiting merchants. With solutions such as Till ni Till, merchants can also accommodate a wider range of customers without concerns about network compatibility, creating a more seamless shopping experience.As more Kenyans embrace cashless shopping, mobile wallets are becoming part of everyday life. The Buy Goods option continues to bridge these needs by making mobile payments easier and more accessible, while innovations such as Till ni Till are helping ensure that customers can pay wherever they shop, regardless of the mobile money provider behind the merchant's till.
Read briefing The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has announced a month-long programme to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of its founder, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.The party has dedicated the entire month of October 2026 to honouring Raila, with supporters expected to participate in a series of activities planned across the country.In a statement issued on September 10, ODM said the programme, dubbed Mwezi wa Baba, will celebrate Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s democracy and his commitment to Pan-Africanism.“In recognition of his tireless contribution to our country's democracy and his Pan-Africanism, the party is dedicating the month of October as MWEZI WA BABA with the following activities,” ODM stated.The commemorations will begin on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony, with Kenyans encouraged to participate individually or in organised groups.The candle-lighting exercise will take place at 6:00 pm, giving supporters across the country an opportunity to remember the former Prime Minister.On October 9, ODM will hold a major memorial rally in Kakamega Town, bringing together supporters from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia County.Family-led activities will then run from October 10 to October 15, culminating in the main memorial service at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo.The party will move its commemorative programme to Northern Kenya on October 17, when a memorial rally will be held in Garissa Town.The Garissa event will bring together ODM members and supporters from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit counties as part of the anniversary programme.Coastal Kenya will host memorial activities from October 18 to 19, before October 20, when Kenyans will observe Mashujaa Day.Raila Odinga died on 15 October 2025 in Kerala, India, aged 80. He was undergoing medical treatment when he collapsed during a morning walk.October 20 is also important for the ODM fraternity since President William Ruto named the former Prime Minister among the 242 Kenyans to receive ‘hero status’ for his role as a statesman, patriot and constitutional reformer who shaped Kenya's democratic journey and will be honored posthumously.ODM will continue the programme in Kajiado County on October 21, followed by three days of memorial activities in Turkana County from October 23 to 25.The month-long programme will conclude on October 31 with the Mwezi wa Baba memorial rally in Nairobi County, as ODM urges supporters to uphold Raila’s ideals.This commemoration adds to the growing list of items done to preserve the name of Raila Odinga, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in January 30 plans to bind and store local and international condolence messages at the National Archives, ensuring that future generations will be able to access and read them.In addition, the state is collaborating with the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on a memorial project at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo. The Ksh30 million initiative will see the establishment of a mausoleum and museum at the site, intended to serve as a lasting tribute to Odinga's legacy.
Read briefing Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has introduced new baggage rules for passengers travelling to Nairobi, barring them from attaching their luggage to that of other travellers before arriving at the airport.Kenyans.co.ke has learnt that under the new system, any bags found linked together at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will be separated and returned to their owners at the passengers’ own expense.“Passengers travelling to Nairobi have also been advised against attaching their luggage to that of other passengers. Any such baggage found at the airport will be returned at the passenger’s own cost,” the government confirmed.The directive targets irregular baggage-handling practices, including cases where commercial goods are presented as passenger luggage to circumvent airline baggage limits and established procedures.The practice can also allow some traders to avoid taxes payable to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on goods that should instead be declared and processed as commercial shipments.The directive now requires airlines to ensure baggage is properly identified and processed either as passenger luggage or cargo, with cargo passing through designated terminals.Operators facilitating cargo movement outside authorized channels risk regulatory action, including suspension, as authorities move to enforce baggage requirements set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).A raft of measures have also been taken, including the deployment of the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) to improve the identification and management of arriving and departing domestic and international flights.Going forward, JKIA terminals will accommodate a centralized airline check-in and passenger screening system, alongside clearer terminal arrangements primarily dedicated to arrivals and departures.The government is also advancing the Advanced Passenger Registration (APR) system, with associated data-control facilities expected to become operational within the next month.JKIA currently handles about 8.8 million passengers and more than 358 kilotonnes of cargo annually, while optimization targets raising passenger capacity from eight million to 12 million.With this in mind, the construction of the new terminal, which has begun, KAA says, will take exactly 54 months at a cost of Ksh154.2 billion, as part of the whole JKIA modernisation program In the grand scheme of things, the government said the measures are intended to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency at Kenya’s main international airport.
Read briefing Kenya is among countries expected to feature in a new frontier-market local-currency debt index being developed by JPMorgan as the global banking giant seeks to expand its coverage of government bond markets.Kenyans.co.ke has learnt that the planned index is part of efforts to increase international investor access to local-currency government debt in frontier markets, with Kenya and Nigeria expected to be included alongside Angola and other emerging economies.Reuters reported that JPMorgan is in talks with the Angolan government over the country’s potential inclusion in the new benchmark, which could open its domestic bond market to a wider pool of foreign investors.Kenya’s expected inclusion places the country alongside other frontier markets seeking to attract international capital through their local-currency government securities.The development comes as governments across Africa explore ways of deepening domestic debt markets and attracting foreign investors to help finance public expenditure.For Kenya, the move comes against the backdrop of a large domestic government debt market, with reports suggesting that the country had nearly three times Angola’s outstanding domestic government debt at the end of 2025.Angola had 17 trillion kwanzas, equivalent to about Ksh2.4 trillion ($18.6 billion), in outstanding domestic government debt at the end of last year.Kenya’s economy is slightly larger than Angola’s but has nearly three times as much outstanding domestic government debt.JPMorgan’s planned benchmark is expected to cover local-currency debt markets in a number of frontier economies, potentially giving international investors a new avenue to compare and access their government securities.For Kenya, being featured in the index could increase the visibility of its local-currency debt among global investors, although it was not immediately clear whether Kenya’s inclusion has been formally confirmed.The development also comes as Kenya continues to rely heavily on domestic borrowing to finance government expenditure, while seeking to manage rising debt-service costs and maintain access to international capital markets.JPMorgan’s move could therefore provide another avenue for Kenya’s domestic bond market to connect with international investors as the country seeks to diversify its sources of financing.
Read briefing Members of Parliament have ordered the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to provide a list of institutions of higher learning that owe the agency Ksh500 million in placement fees.The directive followed the appearance of KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mercy Wahome before the National Assembly’s Education Committee on September 9.Wahome was directed to provide the names of universities, colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions that have failed to remit the Ksh1,500 placement fee charged for every student successfully placed over the years.“If it is about placement, you have actually placed a student at a fee. Give us a list of how much each institution owes you, including the TVETs and everyone else,” the committee ordered.Wahome admitted that several institutions across the country have been holding onto money meant for the agency, with some universities charging students the mandatory Ksh1,500 placement fee but failing to remit the funds to KUCCPS as required.She went further, explaining that some institutions claim certain students never reported, an excuse the KUCCPS has struggled to confirm whenever it tries to balance its books.“And we have had an issue because we realized that when we invoiced them, they would say some students did not report,” Wahome stated.Yet the same institutions reportedly list those very students as enrolled when applying for capitation and scholarship money from the Universities Fund, a clear contradiction.Committee members were quick to flag the inconsistency, warning that it borders on misinformation, which under Kenyan law is a criminal offence.Lawmakers pressed Wahome to explain how much each defaulting institution owes, how long the debts have been accumulating, and why enforcement has lagged so long.Beyond the placement drama, KUCCPS actually collects its fees in stages, depending on when a student applies for university or college placement.Students still in secondary school pay an initial Ksh500, then top it up with another Ksh1,000 during their first course revision, bringing the total to Ksh1,500, charges introduced in 2023.Candidates who missed the school-level window instead pay the full Ksh1,500 upfront the moment they do their first revision as non-school applicants.This comes at a time when public universities and other higher learning institutions are grappling with mounting debts, with pending bills that have surpassed Ksh100 billion amid underfunding, unpaid statutory deductions, and budget deficits. Egerton University leads with Ksh25.5 billion, followed by the University of Nairobi at Ksh17 billion. Kenyatta University owes Ksh12.8 billion, and Moi University owes Ksh10.4 billion.
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