The Milimani High Court has certified as urgent a case challenging the liquidation of the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) amid concerns over members’ funds.According to court documents obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the application was filed under a certificate of urgency and will be heard during the court recess following directions issued on Friday, September 4. “Upon considering the merits of the said application, it is hereby ordered that the application be certified as urgent and shall be heard during the recess period,” the documents stated.The court directed that the case be served on the parties, the appointed liquidators and any other individuals who may be affected by the orders being sought. Those served have been given an opportunity to file their responses before the matter returns to court on Tuesday, September 8. The legal challenge comes days after the government cancelled the registration of the co-operative union and placed it under liquidation. According to a Gazette Notice published on August 31, the move followed liquidity challenges that had affected KUSCCO’s operations.Three officials from the State Department for Co-operatives were appointed to oversee the winding-up process for a period of up to one year.The liquidators are expected to take custody of the organisation’s property, financial records and other documents required during the process. Efforts to reform KUSCCO have intensified following years of financial and governance challenges, with the government announcing plans in July to convert it into a federation.Under that proposed model, the organisation would have shifted from providing financial services to focusing on governance, oversight and support for SACCOs. The reforms came amid scrutiny over a Ksh13.3 billion financial scandal, with questions raised over the safety of members’ savings and investments.Now, stakeholders await the court’s determination, which could affect the progress of the liquidation and have implications for SACCO members with funds or interests tied to KUSCCO.
Read briefing Students at a senior school in Kiminini Constituency, Trans-Nzoia County, took to the streets on Friday, September 4, to protest the alleged beating of a fellow student by the school principal. The demonstrations reportedly spread to Kiminini Market as the students demanded accountability over the treatment of their colleague and action against the educator involved in the alleged assault. According to an account attributed to the affected student, the confrontation began after she made political remarks while in class. She reportedly shouted “Sisi ni Sifuna” and “Ruto ni Wantam” before allegedly being singled out by the principal. The student claimed the principal removed her from the classroom and subjected her to corporal punishment. She was reportedly hospitalised and left experiencing severe pain and difficulty walking following the alleged incident. Accounts circulating after the incident claimed the student has since been using a wheelchair because of the injuries. However, the allegations have not been verified, and the school administration or relevant authorities are yet to issue a statement on the incident. The incident raised concerns among students over the manner in which disciplinary measures are handled at the institution, prompting them to leave the school premises and demonstrate at the nearby market. The unrest comes a day after Jomo Kenyatta Boys High School was closed indefinitely following a night of student protests that saw fires, tear gas and reported gunshots at the Nakuru institution.It was the fourth reported episode of unrest at the school this year, with parents urging education officials to intervene and address the recurring disruptions.The school had previously been shut in July after a bout of unrest resulted in the burning of its administration block and other facilities, including offices, a library and computer laboratory.
Read briefing Kenyan exporters can breathe a sigh of relief after the United States President Donald Trump signed into law a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).The extension signed by Trump on Friday, September 4, will allow Kenyan traders duty-free access to the American market until December 31, 2028.While welcoming the move, the Kenyan government said the move provides much-needed certainty to exporters and thousands of workers whose jobs depend on preferential access to the U.S. market.Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the extension would particularly benefit Kenya's textile and apparel sector, which supports more than 66,000 direct jobs."The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to sign into law the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2028, is highly welcome," Kinyanjui said.The extension was passed as part of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, a broader federal spending package approved by the U.S. Congress.The move comes amid pressure from some U.S. lawmakers to exclude South Africa from the agreement, which allows eligible African countries to export their products to the U.S. market duty-free.For Kenya, the extension comes as a major relief to manufacturers and exporters who had faced uncertainty for several months over the future of the trade programme.AGOA had been a key pillar of U.S.-Africa trade since 2000, granting eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the world's largest economy.The programme had originally lapsed in September 2025, forcing President Trump to sign a temporary one-year extension in February 2026.While the Trump administration had initially indicated that it wanted to overhaul the programme as part of its 'America First' agenda, the two-year extension now gives African exporters additional time to continue benefiting from the arrangement.Kinyanjui said Kenya must use the extended period to diversify its exports to the U.S. beyond textiles and apparel."Beyond apparel, our focus must now be on using this extended window to expand Kenya's export basket and increase the range and value of products reaching the U.S. market," Kinyanjui stated.
Read briefing The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to down their tools over alleged intimidation of a school principal by a section of Catholic clergy and the Board of Management (BOM).KUPPET Nyamira county branch, in a letter to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Wednesday, September 2, claimed that a section of Catholic clergy and the Board of Management (BOM) of St. Peter's Nyakemincha Senior School are allegedly intimidating and frustrating the school's newly deployed principal.According to the union's Executive Secretary Ayieko Mogaka, the school principal had been subjected to harassment, intimidation and interference since taking over the school on August 21.According to KUPPET, the officials allegedly want to force the principal out of the school and facilitate the installation of another individual whom they prefer."On behalf of the teachers of Nyamira county and the KUPPET Nyamira leadership I wish to draw the attention of the Teachers Service Commission through the CEO, and other government agencies on the persistent, irregular, unlawful and unprocedural acts of harassment, intimidation and interference with the discharge of duty by the duly deployed principal of ST. Peters Nyakemincha by a small section of the Catholic Clergy within Kisii Diocese and BOM chairperson," KUPPET stated."Of even grave concern are reports that a section of the Catholic education committee members and BOM have not only vowed to continue frustrating and intimidating the current principal," the union said in its letter.Following the alleged threats to the principal, the union has called on TSC, the Ministry of Education and other agencies to investigate the matter and take action against the accused individuals.KUPPET further warned that, if the issues raised are not addressed, members in Nyamira County could withdraw their labour and hold peaceful processions across the county, or stage demonstrations, if the alleged intimidation continues."If the Catholic Church or BOM continue to intimidate, harass or prevent the principal from discharging his lawful responsibilities... then all the teachers who are members of KUPPET, Nyamira branch shall withdraw labour and proceed for peaceful processions across the county," the union said.KUPPET also called for an investigation into what it described as public perceptions that recommendations by Catholic education committees for the transfer of principals in Catholic-sponsored schools may sometimes be influenced by nepotism, clannism, favouritism and personal associations.The latest move comes days after a similar announcement was made in Samburu after the teachers' union lamented over the killing of a teacher in the area.The strike threats could significantly disrupt learning if they materialise, coming at a critical time when students are in the final term of the academic year.
Read briefing President William Ruto has shifted the start date for the government's promised free university and college studies for all students from September 2026, stating that the new funding model will be operational from around January 2027.Speaking in Kimana, Kajiado County, on Thursday, September 3, during a development tour of the area, Ruto said the new funding model will be operational starting next semester.According to the Head of State, the new arrangement will cover students in universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, colleges and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)."Now, the education of all our children, from college to TVET, KMTC and universities, from the next semester, there is no student who will be sent home because of school fees," Ruto said.The latest announcement from the President signals that the government has shifted the planned rollout of free tertiary Education from September, following earlier announcements.The new statement means students who had been expecting the government funding arrangement to take effect from September may now have to wait until the following semester.Speaking on Tuesday, July 21, at State House in Nairobi, Ruto announced that all students who qualify for admission to universities and colleges will henceforth receive full government funding for their higher Education, marking a major shift in Kenya's higher education financing policy."Going forward, any student, so long as they have passed their examinations and they have been placed in a college or university, will get full funding for their higher Education. It will be the choice for parents if they want to pay," Ruto said.The delays are likely due to delays in the discussion and voting on the Tertiary Placement and Funding Bill 2026 in parliament.It is worth noting that the free university proposal is contained in the bill, which is currently before parliament.The House needs to discuss it and hold public participation sessions to gather public views before voting on it. After it is passed, the bill will then be presented to the President for assent.The latest announcement by the President also comes hours after the Ministry of Education called on first-year students to continue applying for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and the Universities Fund, as the bill is being debated.According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Oganmba, applications will continue to be processed under the current Student-Centred Funding Model while Parliament deliberates on the bill. "For the avoidance of doubt, it is notified for the general information of the public that applications for funding for first time applicants will be considered and processed in accordance with the current Student-Centred Funding Model," the CS explained.He added, "Appropriate transitional mechanisms to the Universal Access and Funding Framework shall be implemented once Parliament passes the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026."
Read briefing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to provide journalists with adequate security as the country goes towards the 2027 General Elections.Speaking during a funeral service in Elgeyo Marakwet on Thursday, September 3, Murkomen said journalists should be provided with enough security, particularly during political events, to ensure that they carry out their duties without fear as the country faces political pressure towards the general elections.According to the CS, journalists have continued with their mandate of informing Kenyans on what is happening in the country as well as criticising the government in a good manner, and that should not allow them to be intimidated."Journalists do a very good job in informing the public as well as criticising the government in a good manner. We will ensure that adequate investigations are done, and those found culpable face the law," Murkomen stated."And I want to tell the Inspector General, since we are going into the election period, journalists should be given adequate security so that when they do their job, they do it without fear," he added. While the press sometimes publishes unfavourable or inaccurate reports about public figures, including himself, Murkomen said violence and intimidation should never be used as a tool to silence them."The journalists sometimes write things about me, even the ones I have not done, but that should not give anyone the reason to intimidate them. There are responsible and legal channels to air my grievances," the CS added. Murkomen's directives came two days after Standard Group's Associate editor was abducted by armed men along the Gilgil- Nakuru Highway on Tuesday night, before being found dumped near Masinga Dam the following evening.The CS condemned the abduction, stating that there was no room for journalists to be intimidated simply for doing their mandate.He also commended the police for initiating swift investigations into the matter, noting that anybody found to have planned the abduction will be dealt with in accordance with the law.With the country entering a high-stakes political season, the CS emphasised that media freedom is a cornerstone of democratic processes, which can only be achieved when reporters operate without fear of harm.Journalists have previously raised concerns over the rising cases of assault during political rallies and public demonstrations, calling on the state to guarantee a safe working environment.Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered immediate investigations into the alleged abduction of Standard Group Media Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, who was forcefully taken by armed men in Gilgil on Tuesday night.
Read briefing Religious leaders across the country have been warned against accepting or legitimising illicit funds from politicians ahead of the 2027 General Election.Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde cautioned that politicians who finance their campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later be compelled to reward those who helped finance them.He warned that such politicians could resort to inflated tenders, manipulated procurement processes and other corrupt dealings to reward their financiers once they gain political power.“There is no way we are going to build a society of integrity if we are beneficiaries of illicit resources,” Oginde stated.The EACC chairperson was speaking during the National Stakeholders’ Convention held at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, where he addressed delegates on the topic, ‘Corruption and Politics in Kenya.’The convention was attended by members of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).Oginde urged religious leaders to reject money whose source could not be explained, warning that accepting such funds could contribute to the normalisation of corruption in the country.He further expressed concern that election campaigns were increasingly being influenced by candidates' financial strength rather than their leadership qualities, values and principles.According to Oginde, the use of illicit wealth in politics gives wealthy candidates an unfair advantage over their competitors and could deny voters the opportunity to elect leaders based on merit.The warning came amid growing concerns over the influence of illicit money in Kenya’s political landscape, with fears that wealthy individuals could use unexplained wealth and proceeds of corruption to gain political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election. It also comes against the backdrop of rising political temperatures across the country in recent weeks, with some politicians splashing large sums of money to woo voters.At the same time, other politicians have increasingly turned church services into platforms for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 polls.
Read briefing The High Court has frozen six vehicles and a parcel of land linked to an Embu MCA as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) seeks to recover Ksh111.5 million allegedly obtained through illegal county contracts.Justice Joseph Kipkoech Biomdo issued the orders after the commission asked the court to preserve the assets pending the hearing and determination of its case.“Consequently, payments received pursuant to the subject contracts constituted proceeds of corruption or related to corruption,” EACC wrote in court filings.The assets include five vehicles, a grader, a loader, which the commission claimed were acquired using proceeds from the disputed contracts.Additionally, the EACC alleged that part of the funds was used to purchase land in Mbeti South Ward, Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, valued at Ksh9.1 million in 2019.The MCA, who represents Mbeti North Ward and serves as Majority Leader of the Embu County Assembly, is accused of securing 20 road construction and maintenance contracts from the county government between the 2017/18 and 2023/24 financial years.The contracts were valued at Ksh111,577,188.75 and were awarded to five companies allegedly associated with the MCA and his spouse.According to court documents, the MCA was a director of two of the companies, while his spouse held directorship positions in three others alongside her sister. Thus, EACC also wants companies linked to his spouse to surrender about Ksh84 million allegedly received from the county government.The commission alleged that the MCA failed to disclose his interests in the companies while serving as an elected official and entering into contracts with the county government.EACC said the alleged conduct amounted to a conflict of interest and abuse of office under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. The case is scheduled for hearing on September 14 when the court will consider the EACC’s application for recovery of the alleged proceeds.In recent months, several public officers have faced scrutiny as the EACC pursues corruption cases, including former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, who is facing fresh charges over alleged irregularities involving Ksh351 million.
Read briefing The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered immediate investigations into the alleged abduction of Standard Group Media Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, who was forcefully taken by armed men in Gilgil on Tuesday night.Kanja ordered immediate investigations to establish what happened, including the identity of heavily armed individuals reportedly seen ordering occupants out of their vehicle.“Our Anti-Abduction Unit, specifically established to address abductions and disappearances, is actively investigating and will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said.According to Kanja, the matter that has grabbed the country's attention for the better part of the day would be treated as a serious offence, particularly if the investigation establishes that Kiprotich was kidnapped or abducted.“We unequivocally condemn any act of kidnapping, abduction, or intimidation intended to interfere with press freedom or any other constitutional right,” the NPS said.Adding, "The Inspector General of Police has accordingly ordered immediate investigations to determine what transpired, including the identity of the heavily armed individuals reportedly seen ordering occupants out of their vehicle." Kiprotich was allegedly abducted on the night of September 1, after a white vehicle blocked his car on the Gilgil-Nakuru highway; four masked, armed men dragged him from it and forced him into a Subaru.He was later found dumped near Masinga Dam around 2 a.m., roughly 200 km from the abduction site where he had sought refuge at a nearby household. The Standard Group team located him at 6:30 a.m., physically unharmed but shaken.“He had sought refuge with a nearby family, who took him in and cared for him. He is safe, though understandably shaken by his ordeal,” stated the Standard Group team.The NPS also rejected a headline published by The Standard alleging police brutality, describing it as misleading and unsupported by evidence.“We state categorically that the headline is misleading, inflammatory, and unsupported by evidence,” the NPS stated.The police accused the publication of sensationalising what it described as isolated incidents and said such reporting could undermine public confidence in the Service.The NPS said allegations of police brutality are referred to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for investigation and maintained that officers found culpable are held accountable.
Read briefing The U.S. has proposed a new rule that would require parents to prove their own citizenship or immigration status before their children can get a U.S. passport.The State Department's draft guidance, as told by Reuters, is part of President Donald Trump's wider push to limit birthright citizenship across America.This proposal hangs on Trump’s August 6 order, which specifically targeted what U.S. officials described as ‘birth tourism’, a common phenomenon that the country is grappling with, especially with immigrants and visitors. “The Department will require parental information and evidence of parental citizenship or immigration status as part of its determination whether the applicant is subject to EO 14418,” the State Department draft read.Birth tourism refers to expectant mothers travelling to the U.S. mainly to give birth so their child automatically becomes an American citizen.Under the new proposal, citizenship could be withheld from children whose parents work for a foreign government, commit fraud, or are classified as alien enemies.This move has been in the works for President Trump and has since inception, been at the top of the list in the crackdown on immigration, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled his previous attempt violated the country's Constitution.For Kenyans living in America without a green card, this proposal could mean extra scrutiny whenever they apply for their children's passports.It does not automatically imply that every Kenyan without permanent residency will be denied, since the decision is on the U.S. Supreme Court’s turf. The proposal also implies that Kenyan mothers considering travelling to the U.S. purely to give birth could find the journey riskier, since birth tourism already breaks visa rules.On the other hand, Kenyan-American families, where one parent is a U.S. citizen, may simply face more paperwork rather than losing citizenship rights altogether.When put in connection with Kenyan laws, even if a child's American citizenship becomes uncertain, Kenya still allows registration of children born abroad, thus, dual citizenship remains possible under Kenyan law.
Read briefing President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in Kenya, directing that the exercise begin on Monday, September 7.Speaking on Wednesday, September 2, the president said the government would shut down foreigners engaged in small-scale trade, arguing that such businesses should be reserved for Kenyans.Ruto directed the government to begin the crackdown, saying, “From next week, all traders doing those small businesses should close them.”“We have made efforts to improve the economy... We have not improved investor confidence for hawkers to come to Kenya,” Ruto told Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) traders during a meeting at State House.The president also called for the acceleration of the Local Content Bill, 2025, which seeks to increase Kenyan participation in businesses and economic activities currently dominated by foreign firms.Ruto directed National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui to work on the bill and accelerate its passage through Parliament.According to Ruto, the proposed law will identify businesses that should be reserved exclusively for Kenyan citizens.“We have a bill in Parliament on Trade. In that bill (Local Content Bill, 2025), we have proposed that there should be businesses that foreigners should not do here in Kenya, by law,” he said.Ruto said foreigners should not be allowed to engage in hawking or operate small retail shops in the country.“It cannot be that a person comes from China or elsewhere to be a hawker or open a small shop,” he said.The Local Content Bill, 2025, proposes that foreign firms ensure at least 80 per cent of their workforce consists of Kenyan citizens, including employees in senior management and C-suite positions such as chief executive officers.The bill also proposes that foreign companies procure at least 60 per cent of their goods and services from local Kenyan sources.For agriculture-related manufacturing, the proposed legislation requires companies to source 100 per cent of their agricultural produce locally.The 60 per cent local content requirement would also apply to specific service industries, including financial, insurance, construction, transport, warehousing, logistics and security services.
Read briefing President William Ruto has ordered the reduction of the minimum customs benchmark for general containerised consolidated cargo from the new cap of Ksh3.2 million to the old cap of Ksh2 million.While speaking at the State House on Wednesday, hosting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) traders, Ruto stated that the move is aimed at cushioning these traders from business shocks.He has further ordered the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to compile a list of high-value items that do not qualify for consolidation and are therefore exempt from the Ksh2 million cap."Mr Commissioner General, create a list of the high-value goods and share it with these traders," Ruto directed. According to President Ruto, it was unfair for containers carrying goods worth millions of shillings to pay significantly lower cargo charges, arguing that traders must contribute their fair share towards tax revenue and national development.Ruto also ordered Kenya Railways to reduce freight charges for cargo destined for deconsolidation to Ksh10,000 in a move aimed at easing the cost of transporting goods for traders.The president further directed Kenya Railways to rehabilitate land near the Kenya Railways Boma Line, a cargo deconsolidation and clearance facility next to Nairobi Central Railway Station.The facility is currently in a dilapidated state, with the rehabilitation expected to make it easier for traders with consolidated containers to unpack and clear their goods."I want us to agree on one thing, that land at Boma, let us come up with a plan on how we expand that place so that traders from Kisumu and Mombasa can have an easy time verifying their goods; that place should stop looking dilapidated," Ruto added. Ruto's orders come as a sigh of relief to traders, especially importers who shut their Nairobi shops on August 28, marching to KRA headquarters over a 28 per cent hike in customs valuation on containers that put businesses to a halt, hitting Gikomba, Kamukunji, and Nyamakima traders hardest.KRA called the figure a risk-management reference, not a flat tax, as Board Chair Ndiritu Muriithi urged traders to de-consolidate containers at bonded facilities, paying duty only on actual imports.
Read briefing A court in Nairobi has ruled that banks can be held liable for losses suffered by customers when weak account verification systems enable fraud. The Milimani Small Claims Court ordered a bank to refund a customer Ksh511,000 after fraudsters used his stolen identification documents and phone to access his account. According to the court, the bank had failed in its duty of care by allowing a new digital banking profile to be created on an account that had previously been operated offline. “This Court finds that the Respondent’s “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and onboarding process for new digital channels was inherently insecure. A bank’s duty of care must extend to ensuring that a significant change to an account, such as the activation of digital banking, is verified with a high degree of certainty,” the judgement stated.The case arose after a customer, who had banked with the institution for more than 10 years, was robbed in July 2025, losing his national ID, ATM cards and phone. Hours after the robbery, a digital banking profile was created on his account without his consent, followed by three unauthorised transactions that transferred Ksh1.001 million.The bank managed to recover Ksh490,000, leaving Ksh511,000 outstanding from the amount taken.In its judgment, the court found that the bank’s verification process for activating new digital services was not sufficiently secure. The court said a significant change such as enabling mobile or internet banking on an account required a higher level of identity verification. Further, it rejected the argument that the customer’s delay in reporting the theft should absolve the bank, finding that stronger security measures could have prevented the loss. The judgment also underscored that banks have a contractual obligation to take reasonable steps to protect customers’ funds.The court awarded the customer the Ksh511,000 balance, interest at 12 per cent per year and Ksh50,000 in legal costs, while declining to grant general damages. As customers seek clarity on what recourse they have after fraud, the ruling offers fresh guidance while cautioning banks on their responsibilities when account funds are stolen.
Read briefing The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has charged the former Machakos County Chief Officer over allegations of using a fake academic certificate to obtain employment.In a statement on Tuesday, September 1, EACC said the former county official is accused of forging a Bachelor of Commerce degree certificate (Accounting Option), purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi in 2004.He is also accused of forging a Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Final Examination Certificate dated June 2019."Former Machakos County Government Chief Officer has been charged with allegedly using forged academic certificates to secure employment in the county government, "EACC stated.According to the commission, investigations revealed that he used the certificates to secure an appointment as Chief Officer, Industry and Innovation, a position he held from January to November 2023.During this period, the former county official earned salaries totalling over Ksh1.5 million.The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) approved charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering a false document and forgery of academic certificates against the individual, leading to his arrest.The former county official was arrested on Monday, August 31, and was arraigned at the Machakos Law Court on Tuesday, September 1, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.He was therefore released on a cash bail of Ksh1 million or an alternative bond of Ksh2 million with a surety of a similar amount.However, EACC announced that it instituted civil proceedings to recover the salaries and other benefits allegedly obtained through the use of the fraudulent academic qualification.The latest arrest comes amid EACC's intensified crackdown on forged academic papers, with the focus mainly on public officials who use the documents to secure employment.Recently, the commission arrested a former Deputy Director of Audit at the Office of the Auditor General over the same allegations.Also, multiple officials, including employees at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and Kaimosi Friends University, have been arrested and charged with forgery, uttering false documents, and the fraudulent acquisition of public funds through salaries earned on fake KCSE or degree certificates.
Read briefing The Ministry of Education has called on students to wait a little longer for the disbursement of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans amid frustrations over delays.According to Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, the hold-up has been caused by the ongoing processing of the funds.Speaking during a consultative meeting with the university's vice chancellors on the Kenya national qualifications framework on Tuesday, September 1, Inyangala said the government is currently processing HELB disbursements and will soon be released to students."The process is being finalised as is going on, and once it is finalised, we will be able to release the funds," Inyangala said.The move comes amid students' frustrations over HELB delays, with several seeking intervention from the Board.However, Kenyans.co.ke has established that HELB has begun the disbursement of the funds as of September 1, although a significant number of students have not received their disbursement.Among the batches already paid are 7046, with students required to wait for 48 hours before accessing funds.According to HELB, students are required to remain calm as the Board finalises the release of funds, even as a new academic year begins.At the same time, Inyangala said universities should admit first-year students even as the government finalises plans for the proposed new higher education funding system from this month."The universities are supporting students who are very needy and vulnerable to settle down. The students should join universities as we wait the processing of the bill," she added.The Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026 is currently before Parliament for consideration. The Bill seeks to establish a new framework for funding students in higher education, in a major overhaul of funding for the Kenyan education sector.According to President William Ruto, first-year students placed by the government will, from September, receive full government support for their higher education, including tuition and upkeep funding under the proposed system.This would be administered through the proposed Tertiary Education Funding Authority (TEFA), which would take over the functions of HELB, the Universities Fund and the TVET Funding Board if the Bill is passed."Going forward, any student, so long as they have passed their examinations and they have been placed in a college or university, will get full funding for their higher education. It will be the choice for parents if they want to pay," Ruto said in a past event.
Read briefing The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has confirmed temporary milk supply constraints in some parts of the country, with reduced availability of some brands and pack sizes reported in several outlets.In a statement on Tuesday, September 1, KDB reassured consumers that milk remains available in the market despite the supply challenges."Kenya Dairy Board wishes to reassure the public, consumers and dairy industry stakeholders that milk continues to be available in the market, despite temporary supply constraints being experienced in some parts of the country," stated board Managing Director Dr William Maritim.The Board said formal milk deliveries to processors declined by 3.7 per cent, falling from 84.4 million litres in June 2026 to 81.3 million litres in July 2026, with KDB currently compiling formal milk intake data for August.However, despite the decline, in July, the Board maintains that preliminary indications pointed to a further decline in milk deliveries."Formal milk deliveries to processors declined by 3.7 per cent from 84.4 million litres in June 2026 to 81.3 million litres in July 2026. The Board is currently compiling formal milk intake data for August 2026. Preliminary indications suggest a further decline in milk deliveries, reflecting the prevailing seasonal production conditions," he added.According to KDB, Recent market surveillance undertaken by the Board has identified varying degrees of supply constraints across the country.The shortages have been reflected in low stock levels, reduced availability of some brands and pack sizes, and delayed replenishment in some retail outlets.KDB further revealed that pasteurised milk has been the most affected, while long-life milk, including ESL and UHT products, has remained comparatively more available.It attributed the current milk supply constraints largely to seasonal factors, particularly the prevailing dry and cold conditions in key milk-producing areas, a condition it says affected pasture and fodder availability, consequently putting pressure on milk production.When the milk supply is expected to improve, KDB expects the situation to ease as the country enters the October-November-December (OND) 2026 rainfall season.The Board said improved rainfall is expected to restore pasture and fodder availability, which would support increased milk production and eventually improve supplies.“The outlook for the October-November-December 2026 rainfall season is expected to support recovery in pasture and fodder availability, leading to improved milk production and supply as conditions become more favourable,” the Board said.The move comes even as farmers lament reduced milk production from cows, calling on the government to intervene.According to the board, the government is implementing measures aimed at increasing milk production and strengthening the dairy value chain, with interventions including the procurement and distribution of milk coolers to improve milk aggregation and preservation already underway.The government is also supporting dairy herd improvement through subsidised sexed semen, an intervention intended to improve the quality and productivity of dairy herds.
Read briefing National carrier Kenya Airways has appointed Habil Waswani as Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, following the resignation of Captain George Kamal from the position.In a public notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke, it was revealed that Wasani, who is the airline's Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services and Regulatory Compliance, will take over effective September 15, 2026.Kamal stepped down from his position for personal reasons, but will remain with the airline for a 30-day transition period before his formal exit on September 30.The leadership change marks yet another crucial step for the carrier, which continues to implement a turnaround strategy aimed at improving operational reliability, returning to sustainable financial performance and achieving its growth ambitions.Kamal took over as Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on December 16, 2025, after serving as the airline's Chief Operating Officer for three years.During his tenure as COO, Kamal was credited with helping stabilise the airline's operations before taking over its executive leadership.In the notice, Kenya Airways said Kamal also successfully guided the company through its previous leadership transition and later led the executive team in implementing the airline's turnaround strategy.“Captain Kamal served with commitment, dedication, honour and diligence,” the airline said in the notice announcing his resignation.Waswani will serve in an acting capacity as the airline begins the search for a substantive Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.The board confirmed that it had already started a 'competitive recruitment process' for the position, which it expects to complete in the near future.Waswani's appointment comes as little surprise, since he has worked at Kenya Airways for more than five years and has 24 years of experience in corporate and commercial legal practice.He has previously held senior positions in the banking and insurance sectors and has led aviation, commercial, corporate and regulatory legal matters at Kenya Airways.He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and is a Certified Public Secretary.He also holds a Global Executive Master of Business Administration degree from United States International University in collaboration with Columbia Business School.
Read briefing The Ministry of Education has directed universities and regulatory agencies to accelerate implementation of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) by promptly registering qualifications and graduate records in the national database.The directive was issued amid concerns over the slow registration of universities, qualifications and graduate records under the national system managed by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala indicated that the push is an effort to strengthen the country’s system for recording and recognising qualifications. “We are emphasising the importance of having a robust, coherent and flexible qualifications framework that helps us put together and recognise our diverse pathways and also to assure that the qualifications from our institutions at the various levels are credible and recognised in this country and others,” she said.She explained that a functional qualifications framework was necessary to bring together different education and training pathways within a coherent national system. The PS noted that the framework would also help ensure qualifications awarded by institutions at different levels meet standards and are recognised both locally and internationally. Currently, 22 per cent of universities have been registered, while 12 per cent of qualifications have been captured in the system so far. Registration of graduate records stands at 34 per cent, leaving a significant portion of academic credentials outside the national database. This comes against the backdrop of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish a national qualifications database and require institutions to notify the KNQA of qualifications awarded within 90 days. The proposed changes would further place registration and database management at the centre of efforts to create a comprehensive and reliable record of Kenya’s academic and professional qualifications.Meanwhile, the government has intensified scrutiny of higher education institutions, moving against providers operating without the required accreditation. The ministry, as well as the Commission for University Education (CUE) have also been tightening oversight of institutions and reviewing regulatory measures governing qualifications.
Read briefing The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has clarified the conditions employees must meet to receive gratuity without paying income tax under the Finance Act 2026.Under the law, the employment contract must run for at least three continuous years or be an extension of a three-year contract.The gratuity must also not exceed 31 per cent of the employee's emoluments earned during the contract period.Employees who satisfy both conditions can receive qualifying gratuity without income tax.“Both conditions must be satisfied for the gratuity to qualify for the exemption. This means that not every employee receiving an end-of-service payment will automatically benefit from the tax relief,” KRA said.Gratuity is a payment an employer may provide to an employee at the end of a contract or period of service, depending on the terms of employment. It is separate from the employee's regular monthly salary.The Finance Act 2026 therefore provides a specific framework for determining when gratuity paid under qualifying employment arrangements can enjoy the tax exemption.For example, an employee whose contract has run continuously for at least three years would need to establish whether the gratuity payable falls within the 31 per cent threshold based on their emoluments during that period.For eligible employees, the benefit provides financial support when they leave employment, particularly after several years of service. Where the gratuity qualifies for the tax exemption under the applicable rules, the employee can keep more of the payment because no income tax is deducted from the exempt amount. The rules also cover employees whose three-year contracts have been extended, provided the employment arrangement meets the conditions set by the law. The clarification comes as taxpayers seek to understand how changes contained in the Finance Act 2026 affect employment income and end-of-service benefits.KRA's explanation provides employees and employers with a basis for determining whether a particular gratuity payment qualifies for the tax exemption before the payment is made.Employees expecting gratuity are therefore required to consider both the length of their qualifying contract and the amount of gratuity against their emoluments to establish whether they meet the conditions for the tax relief.
Read briefing Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi has urged striking nurses to return to work as negotiations continue over the implementation of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that has remained unresolved for years.Abdullahi said the Council of Governors was willing to engage nurses on the outstanding issues, but maintained that the ongoing strike was complicating efforts to reach an agreement.The CoG chair further added that the CBA dates back to discussions held ahead of the 2017 General Election but has never been fully implemented, with the two sides now seeking to resolve the matter through negotiations.“We’ve tried to negotiate with the nurses and while negotiations were still ongoing they called a strike," he revealed.He said the Council had been engaging nurses and was hopeful that an agreement could be reached despite previous positions taken by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on some of the demands.Abdullahi also raised concern over the continued strike despite a court ruling declaring the industrial action illegal, saying disobedience of court orders was creating additional challenges for county governments.The remarks come days after the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) gave the SRC seven days to resolve the dispute, warning that the strike could be extended to national referral hospitals if the commission failed to act.KNUN Secretary-General Seth Panyako said the union was not seeking fresh negotiations, arguing that some counties had already reached and signed CBAs with nurses and that the outstanding issue was for the SRC to issue letters of no objection required for implementation.Panyako cited counties including Marakwet, where agreements had reportedly been reached, but said nurses had remained on strike because the required approval from SRC had not been issued.Abdullahi, on the other hand, said the Council had taken a position that governors and county public service boards should handle cases of employees who continued to remain absent from work in line with established human resource procedures.He warned that this could result in disciplinary action against nurses who defied lawful directives to resume duty, although the Council would seek to address any resulting cases through established procedures.The CoG chair said the Council was prepared to continue discussions with nurses and explore a possible agreement that could then be presented jointly to SRC, rather than allowing the dispute to continue disrupting healthcare services.He urged the nurses to return to work as negotiations proceed, saying the long-running CBA dispute could be resolved through dialogue while allowing patients to continue accessing essential healthcare services.
Read briefing The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has summoned nine public service vehicle operators after flagging serious safety concerns in their operations across the country.The Authority made the announcement through a statement issued on Monday, August 31, listing the companies required to respond to these concerns."In exercising its powers, the Authority has summoned a number of public service vehicle operators after observing serious safety concerns," NTSA stated.Among those named is Moyalé Raha Transporter's Company Limited, which has been given a slightly earlier date of September 3 to appear.The remaining eight operators are expected to show up before NTSA on September 8, as directed in the same notice.They include Etams Classic Limited, Eastern Link Travellers Company Limited, and Manchester Travellers Coach Limited, all mentioned in the NTSA's list of summoned firms.On the list also includes Lake Naivasha Mai-Mahiu Line Service Limited and Sabaki Travellers Saving and Credit Co-operative Society Limited.Lumasa County Sacco, Bluemarks Shuttles Sacco Limited, and Nyamira Luxury Express Company Limited complete the list of nine operators facing scrutiny.The aforementioned saccos mostly operate outside Nairobi City, ferrying travellers to and from various counties across the country on a daily basis.Long-distance buses often violate traffic laws. Drivers often speed to meet tight schedules, while operators overload buses with excess passengers and luggage. Fatigued drivers also skip mandatory rest breaks, working beyond legal hours, raising accident risks.Additionally, dangerous overtaking on narrow, winding highways adds further risk, along with poorly maintained buses, with worn tyres, faulty brakes, or broken lights, which compounds the danger, while passengers rarely wear seatbelts and operators fail to enforce the rule.NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa reported an 11 per cent rise in road traffic deaths, with 2,150 lives lost between January and June 2026. Pedestrians suffered the highest fatalities at around 836, followed by motorcyclists and passengers.Kiambu, Nairobi, and Nakuru remain the worst-hit counties due to heavy traffic and rapid urbanization. NTSA estimates road crashes cost Kenya roughly 5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually through healthcare expenses, property damage, and lost productivity.Additionally, the NTSA’s July 2026 Road Safety Status Report shows that the weekends, particularly from Friday to Sunday, accounted for more than half of all road accidents recorded during the month, indicating that weekends are the most dangerous period to travel, where travellers mostly travel long distances to their families.
Read briefing Kenya Railways has announced additional special train services for travellers planning to move between Nairobi and Mombasa over the next two days, offering commuters an alternative as the aviation sector grapples with disruptions linked to the ongoing standoff between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) and the government.In a statement released on August 31, the corporation said the extra trips are meant to ease congestion and give passengers a wider window to book seats on the popular Madaraka Express route, at a time when thousands of air travellers remain stranded at airports countrywide."Kenya Railways wishes to inform members of the public that additional special train services will be available for booking on August 31, 2026 and September 1, 2026," the corporation stated.For the two days, between August 31 and September 1, there will be a special train departing from Mombasa Terminus at 8.40 p.m., offering an evening option for those heading to Nairobi.On Tuesday, September 1, two additional trips have been lined up, starting with a morning departure from Nairobi Terminus at 9.40 a.m. A second train on the same day will leave Mombasa Terminus at 4.30 p.m., rounding off the additional schedule for the two days.Ordinarily, the Madaraka Express SGR service runs three daily departures between Nairobi and Mombasa, with trains leaving both cities at 8.00 a.m., 3.00 p.m., and 10.00 p.m., giving passengers morning, afternoon, and overnight travel options.To pull off the special services, Kenya Railways draws on standby locomotives and carriages, which are assigned new train numbers and fresh time slots. Additional coaches are attached only when spare fleet stock is available, since operators generally prefer lengthening existing trains by coupling on extra carriages. Platform lengths and equipment shortages, however, often limit this option, at times forcing officials to acknowledge that no more coaches are on hand. Seat capacity can also be expanded through reconfiguration rather than simply adding more carriages.Meanwhile, the country's aviation crisis remains unresolved, with Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) standing firm on its industrial action over unmet demands from the government, a standoff that has left thousands of travellers stranded at airports nationwide.The timing of Kenya Railways' announcement could prove significant, as it may help ease pressure on stranded air travellers by giving them a reliable alternative for journeys between Nairobi and Mombasa.
Read briefing Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has threatened to sever ties with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) over what she terms perpetuated hate speech from President William Ruto's allies.While speaking during an interview on a local radio station on August 31, the outspoken lawmaker says she can no longer stand by quietly as inflammatory remarks from within the ruling party's ranks go unpunished and unchecked.Her frustration has been building for weeks, and she is now accusing the government of running a two-tier justice system that shields its own, with leaders aligned to President Ruto's administration appearing to enjoy a form of immunity that ordinary citizens accused of similar offences would never receive.“We cannot have a selective party leadership, where those close to the President cannot face consequences of their own actions as opposed to those who are not,” Wamuchomba said. She insisted this selective treatment is dangerous, warning that unresolved ethnic tension within the political class could easily spiral into something far worse for the country.Wamuchomba says her patience has run out, especially after watching what she describes as repeated provocations targeting her own Kikuyu community go without consequence."I have been supporting him, believing that he can improve. I felt I had the responsibility to support him, pray for him and advise him. But the more we support him, the more he is messing, the more his people are messing up," she added.Her anger is rooted in two recent incidents that have stirred public debate around ethnicity and political loyalty inside President Ruto's UDA fold.The first ultimatum centers on nominated MP Joseph Wainaina, whose leaked remarks suggested Kikuyus opposed to Ruto's re-election bid should leave Uasin Gishu County altogether.Wainaina has denied the accusation, insisting his comments were taken out of context and that he has never encouraged any form of ethnic hostility.The second ultimatum targets Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who came under fire in July for remarks widely perceived as demeaning to the Kikuyu community, describing them as ‘hyenas’.Duale, who was summoned by the National Cohesion Integration Commission (NCIC), has since defended himself, explaining that his words were drawn from a Somali proverb about entrenched habits and were never meant to target any specific group.Wamuchomba is now giving President Ruto exactly three days to have both leaders arrested, or risk losing the support of Mt Kenya politicians who have long backed him, vowing to lead mass protests and defections from the party in the region."We are going to speak, and we are going to demand the arrest of the culprits. If the arrest of Joseph Wainaina and CS Duale is not going to happen in the next three days, I am going to lead a massive protest of the party within Mt Kenya, and some of us who have been supporting William Ruto will walk away when he really needs us," Wamuchomba stated.Wamuchomba, who rejoined the UDA in January after quitting at the height of the Gen-Z protests, has been quiet on her position in the party, coming at a time when UDA party leaders within the Mt. Kenya region are camping outside Rigathi Gachagu’s Democracy for Citizens’ Party (DCP) camp in masses.However, over the past months, she has distanced herself from the UDA Party, yet has consistently maintained that she remains loyal to President Ruto and the party through the current term.
Read briefing Google is tightening its rules for Android apps, with developers facing new memory and performance requirements from February 2027 as the company moves to stop apps from consuming excessive amounts of a phone's RAM, which is basically your phone’s or computer’s short-term working memory.Under the new rules, apps and games on Google Play will have to meet set thresholds for memory usage and code optimisation. Developers whose apps repeatedly fail to meet the requirements could face consequences on the Play Store.The changes are designed to prevent memory-hungry apps from slowing down phones, causing crashes or forcing other apps running in the background to close. Google says the requirements are being introduced as the industry faces growing pressure on device memory.For Android users, the changes could eventually mean lighter and more efficiently coded apps, particularly on phones with limited RAM. Google is introducing thresholds covering areas such as dynamic memory use, bitmap memory and code optimisation.The move could be particularly significant for budget and mid-range phones, where users may have less RAM available. More efficient applications could allow such devices to handle everyday tasks without requiring consumers to constantly upgrade to phones with larger memory capacities.Google's Android system is also introducing per-app memory limits based on the total RAM available on a device. Apps that exceed their allocated limits can be terminated by the system, making memory efficiency increasingly important for developers.The changes come as the global technology industry faces a growing memory squeeze partly driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. AI data centres require huge amounts of advanced memory, putting pressure on supplies of memory used in consumer electronics.Additionally, the situation has created a challenge for smartphone makers and software developers. Consumers want increasingly sophisticated applications and on-device AI features, but those same features can require more memory at a time when RAM is becoming more expensive and difficult to source.Google is responding by pushing developers to make their applications do more with less memory. Developers will also receive diagnostic tools to identify memory problems and optimise their applications before the requirements take effect.For Kenyan Android users, this could be particularly relevant because many consumers rely on affordable and mid-range smartphones. If applications become more efficient, older devices could potentially remain responsive for longer, reducing the pressure to replace them simply because newer software requires more memory.The changes will not require Android users to immediately change anything on their phones. Instead, the biggest impact will come gradually as developers update their applications to comply with Google's requirements and manufacturers respond to changes in memory availability and costs.Google's move could ultimately mark a shift in smartphone development, where software efficiency becomes just as important as having more RAM. For consumers, that could mean smoother apps, fewer crashes, and longer-lasting devices even as the global demand for memory continues to rise.
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