The Online Kenyan

The Thika Superhighway has been partially closed at the Globe Roundabout from March 12 to March 19 for essential bridge repair works, significantly impacting thousands of commuters using one of Nairobi's busiest routes. Traffic along Thika Road will experience significant disruptions due to this partial closure, which is facilitating the reinstatement of the Nairobi River bridge. The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya 2026 has also cancelled its third competitive stage due to poor road conditions caused by heavy rains, meaning drivers will start Friday's action later than initially scheduled. A series of road accidents across Kenya has resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including a four-year-old pupil, renewing urgent calls for stricter road safety measures.

President William Ruto on Thursday handed over keys to 120 new homeowners at the Emgwen Boma Yangu Estate in Nandi County, marking a significant milestone for the Affordable Housing Programme. The State Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is requesting a significant budget to recover defaulted loans from the Hustler Fund, with the state needing Ksh 300 million to recover these loans. Parliament has invited public comments on a Ksh316.87 billion supplementary budget that significantly increases government spending beyond initial approved estimates.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is challenging his removal from office before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, calling the decision unlawful. The Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) planned Special Delegates Convention on March 27, 2026, is facing a significant challenge. An article uses the lens of Greek tragedy to explore the current state of ODM after the departure of its prominent leader Raila Odinga, focusing on his elder brother Oburu Oginga, who has taken a more prominent role within the party.

The Controller of Budget has clarified that Sh44.5 million in spending was mislabelled in a report concerning the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President. The Kenya Revenue Authority has appointed Mohamed Abdul M'maka as the new Commissioner for Investigations and Enforcement, effective March 11, to combat financial crimes and tax evasion. Kenyan Members of Parliament have directed the National Treasury to dissolve nine State corporations and merge 42 others within the next eight months, by the end of October 2026. These actions represent ongoing efforts to strengthen financial oversight and accountability across government institutions.

President William Ruto has signed new laws, transferring coffee sector regulation to the Coffee Board of Kenya and establishing a dedicated Coffee Research and Training Institute. The Kenyan government has launched a separate initiative to boost local production of sunflower and soybean oil, aiming to significantly reduce the country's substantial import bill. President William Ruto has overseen the disbursement of a Sh250 million credit facility from the Kenya Development Corporation to Trans Elite County SACCO, aiming to significantly expand access to credit for over 10,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises in the North Rift region.

The US has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil for vessels already at sea, aiming to stabilize global energy markets amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. This measure responds to escalating tensions in the Gulf and disruptions to vital shipping routes. The International Energy Agency reports the global oil market is experiencing its largest supply disruption ever due to the escalating Middle East conflict. Separately, Kenya's agricultural exports, particularly meat, are facing significant disruption due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, potentially costing the country up to Sh1.2 billion monthly. Kenya meat exports to Middle East markets have been directly impacted by shipping route disruptions.

The 2026 WRC Safari Rally officially kicked off in Naivasha on Thursday with a thrilling shakedown and official flag-off, though drivers are already exercising caution due to challenging and wet conditions. The third leg today introduces the longest competitive section, Loldia, spanning 25.04 kilometres through stages SS4 and SS9, set to test top drivers. Meanwhile, the government has confirmed it will continue paying affiliation and related fees for the WRC Safari Rally, signaling ongoing support for the event as a major sports tourism driver.

The 2026 WRC Safari Rally officially kicked off in Naivasha on Thursday with a thrilling shakedown and official flag-off, but drivers are already expressing caution due to challenging and wet conditions. Sudden downpours are drastically altering stage conditions, turning what is typically a dusty event into a muddy ordeal. At the same time, drivers are navigating routes shared with wildlife, and thankfully, no incidents were reported on the opening day. The third leg features the longest competitive section, Loldia, spanning 25.04 kilometres, which will test top drivers. Japanese rally driver Takamoto Katsuta has navigated a challenging path to become a globally recognized motorsports competitor, driven by a deep-rooted family passion for racing. Meanwhile, Kenya's government will continue paying affiliation and related fees for the WRC Safari Rally, signaling ongoing support for the event as a major sports tourism driver.