The Online Kenyan

Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee expressed significant concerns regarding revenue shortfalls and fiscal pressures during a review of the FY 2026/27 budget. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi was questioned as Kenya's deficit has hit KSh1.1 trillion. The Budget and Appropriations Committee has endorsed an independent funding model for the Office of the Auditor-General to address concerns about audit delays and a significant backlog impacting public finance oversight. This comes as public finance oversight faces challenges amid the substantial fiscal gap.

The Jubilee Youth League has challenged Mount Kenya MPs to confront President William Ruto directly instead of blaming UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar for coalition tensions. Several elected leaders from the Mt Kenya region affiliated with President Ruto's United Democratic Alliance party are reportedly planning to run as independents or under smaller parties in the lead-up to the 2027 Polls. Meanwhile, the Orange Democratic Movement faces an uncertain future as escalating factional rivalries emerge following the departure of its long-time party leader, Raila Odinga. These developments reflect broader coalition tensions and shifting political alliances in Kenya's political landscape.

Absa Bank Kenya reported a Sh5.3 billion profit after tax for the first quarter ending March 2026, driven by growth in customer deposits and balance sheet expansion despite economic challenges. Enwealth Trustees Services Limited received approval from the Capital Markets Authority to operate as a licensed corporate trustee in Kenya, expanding financial services offerings. Meanwhile, Ulwazi Place in Nairobi expanded its facilities by adding a new conference wing to capitalize on Kenya's growing conference tourism market and position it as a regional hub for MICE tourism.

Kenya is struggling to help smokers transition to less harmful alternatives, ranking 75th globally in a new report released ahead of World No Tobacco Day. On World No Tobacco Day, the Campaign for Safer Alternatives argued that a tobacco-free world is achievable by embracing safer nicotine alternatives for adult smokers. Separately, Kenya became the center of a social media storm fueled by AI-generated satire and political commentary regarding a potential U.S. plan to manage Ebola exposure cases on its soil.

The Kenyan government ordered state agencies to purchase all unsold rice stocks from the Mwea Irrigation Scheme to stabilize market prices and prevent farmer losses during persistent surplus harvest seasons. Kenya launched the Kenya Coffee Hub, a new trade convention connecting international buyers directly with local farmers to boost export earnings and producer returns. These interventions address Kenya's heavy reliance on imports while supporting domestic producers in both rice and coffee sectors.

A devastating dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, claimed the lives of 16 students and injured 79 others, with several hospitalized with severe injuries. Education CS Julius Ogamba declared the fire an act of arson and confirmed that eight students have been arrested in connection with the incident. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has demanded the resignation of Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over the tragedy. Authorities are utilizing DNA analysis to identify victims, with families awaiting sampling at Naivasha Funeral Home as some bodies were burned beyond recognition. Education stakeholders have criticized the government over school safety failures, while questions continue to emerge about emergency response times during the fire.

Kenya is poised to defend its title at the UFAK Region East Africa Karate Championships, commencing tomorrow at Nyayo Gymnasium. The championship features teams from the East Africa region competing for regional supremacy. Meanwhile, Kenya's Shujaa rugby sevens team is competing in the second leg of the HSBC SVNS Championship in Valladolid, Spain, renewing rivalries with South Africa and Australia. Kenya Sevens, known as Shujaa, narrowly lost their opening match at the Valladolid Sevens to Australia in sudden death, with the final score of 15-10. Top riders are also set to compete in the second Kenya Polo Association (KPA) tournament of the year at Timau Sports Club starting Friday afternoon.

Absa Bank Kenya has announced a significant KSh 5.3 billion profit after tax for the first quarter of 2026, demonstrating resilience amidst economic challenges. The bank joins other financial institutions showing strong performance in the region. Meanwhile, Tanzanian fintech company Swahilies has officially received a Payment Service Provider license from the Central Bank of Tanzania, enabling it to expand its digital payment services. Additionally, Airtel Kenya is set to receive a substantial $100 million equivalent in local currency from the International Finance Corporation to bolster its mobile network expansion and refinance existing debt.