Health CS Duale has revoked nursing internships for 306 individuals while a Malindi court has allowed DCI to exhume bodies linked to a suspected cult. President Ruto assented to the Conflict of Interest and Social Protection Bills, providing stipends to vulnerable Kenyans, as the government seeks to freeze assets of suspected drug lords. This comes as Kenya protests Tanzania's new discriminatory taxes, which also affect Kenyan firms. In other news, MPs endorse a proposal to punish businesses rejecting cash payments, even as one in six Kenyans default on loans. PayPal's M-Pesa service will cease operations next year, replaced by direct integration, while Safaricom's 5G routers are selling out. Politically, the IEBC states MP recalls are not possible without a legal framework. ODM faces internal rifts amid a controversial MoU with President Ruto's party, with some leaders urging Raila to disown those involved. Kenya Kwanza also grapples with internal divisions, and Meru's Mwangaza has launched a new party, vowing revenge against those who supported her ouster.
The Cabinet has approved a significant step to privatize a portion of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) by listing its shares on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), as part of President William Ruto's government's privatization agenda to reduce state budget allocations and enhance efficiency. This decision, however, has sparked public outrage, with the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) opposing the move due to concerns over transparency and the potential threat to a vital national asset. In a related development, the Cabinet has also cleared the rollout of the World Bank-backed National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, a Sh30 billion initiative aimed at supporting over 820,000 young Kenyans, despite facing significant funding challenges. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved increasing payouts to road contractors from 40 percent to 80 percent of verified claims, leveraging funds from the securitization of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), a measure set to unlock stalled projects nationwide.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) clarified that its new alcohol policy, launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, contains recommendations, not immediate bans, on issues such as alcohol advertising and online sales, ensuring public participation before enactment. The Kenyan government further explained that proposed restrictions on alcohol sales in supermarkets and restaurants are currently proposals from a draft policy, not enacted regulations, with assurances for extensive public consultation. In a separate development, the government has approved the duty-free import of 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 white milled rice until December 31, 2025, to alleviate a rice shortage, aiming to ease pressure on the local market and aligning with the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004.
Kenya has formally requested Tanzania to withdraw its newly imposed excise duties, industrial development levy, and laws that restrict foreign businesses, including Kenyan-owned enterprises, labeling them as discriminatory. This follows Tanzania's ban on certain Kenyan businesses, intensifying trade tensions between the two East African nations. In response, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei urged the Kenyan government to ban Tanzanian businesses and deport street beggars from Tanzania as a retaliatory measure. Amidst these tensions, President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed eight new bilateral agreements in Nairobi, bringing their total trade and cooperation deals to 25, a move that occurred just a day after Tanzania's restrictions on Kenyan businesses, highlighting efforts to strengthen alternative regional economic ties.
President William Ruto has signed the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, into law on July 30, 2025, at State House Nairobi. This legislation, also referred to as the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023, is a crucial step against graft, aiming to close corruption loopholes and strengthen public service accountability by establishing clear rules for public officers. Additionally, President Ruto signed the Social Protection Bill 2025, which significantly expands social welfare coverage to provide monthly stipends to more vulnerable Kenyans. These legislative actions underscore the government's commitment to enhancing accountability and ethical conduct among public officers while addressing social welfare needs.
Kenya and Uganda signed eight new bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Nairobi, building on 17 existing agreements to strengthen cooperation across key sectors, with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenyan President William Ruto witnessing the ceremony. Despite this progress, both leaders raised concerns over existing trade restrictions within East Africa. However, Kenya has strongly criticized new trade restrictions and tax measures implemented by Tanzania, including changes in their Finance Act 2025 and Excise (Management and Tariff) Act 2019, viewing them as detrimental to inter-regional trade and the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda. These Tanzanian measures are perceived to specifically lock out Kenyan firms.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), marking the first time the regional bloc jointly hosts a major continental football tournament, scheduled from August 2 to August 30, 2025. SuperSport has confirmed it will broadcast all matches, with the tournament kicking off in Dar es Salaam and Harambee Stars playing in Nairobi. Kenya's Harambee Stars, making their debut in CHAN 2024 Group A, will face formidable opponents including former champions, vying for a share of the Sh 1.3 billion total prize fund. Despite this, the Harambee Stars suffered a setback with forward Mohammed Bajaber ruled out due to a thigh injury, though defender Daniel Sakari remains optimistic about reaching the final at home.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has proposed a comprehensive set of new regulations aiming to curb alcohol abuse across Kenya. Key proposals include a ban on alcohol sales in all public places, supermarkets, and online platforms, as well as an increase of the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years. These changes are part of a broader policy launched by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, which also suggests banning alcohol advertisements on social media.
President William Ruto has signed the Conflict of Interest Bill into law, transforming it into new legislation in Kenya. This new law significantly empowers the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) by granting it the authority to pursue forfeiture of undeclared or unexplained assets from public officials. The legislation aims to ensure public servants operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability, marking a significant step in the nation's legislative agenda against corruption.
Kenyan firms face new restrictions in Tanzania while MPs endorse a proposal to punish businesses rejecting cash payments. Meanwhile, one in six Kenyans have defaulted on loans as Family Bank gets 2.6 billion shillings from BII for MSME lending. SBM Bank eyes lower money transfer fees and Uber Boda launches a GPS tracker.
MP Babu Owino shared views on marriage as a power outage is planned for July 2025. In entertainment, Otile Brown's management changes sparked a feud with Bien and KRG, while Maureen Kabu addressed incest allegations and Baba Talisha's wife discussed their relationship.
IEBC stated recall of MPs is not possible without a clear legal framework. Meanwhile, ODM faces internal rifts amid an MoU with Ruto's party, as Raila pushes for its implementation. MP Hamisi urged Raila to disown some ODM leaders over government involvement. Gachagua affirmed keeping their presidential candidate secret until the last minute. Kenya Kwanza also faces internal rifts, while Joho's role in Ruto's 2027 bid is debated. Meru's Mwangaza launched a party, vowing revenge on leaders who supported her ouster.
The 2025 National School Games are underway in Kakamega, with over 5,300 learners participating as officials call for integrity and digital registration. Meanwhile, Kenya will debut in the CHAN 2024, hosting the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania, where a 1.3 billion shillings prize fund is on offer. Locally, Musingu Scorpions and Agai Mixed Secondary started their KSSSA football campaigns with dominant wins. Internationally, Bryan Mbeumo joins Manchester United, Luis Diaz moves to Bayern Munich, and Viktor Gyokeres eyes an Arsenal debut.
PayPal's M-Pesa mobile money service will cease operations in August 2025, to be replaced by a direct integration within the M-Pesa app. Meanwhile, Safaricom's 5G routers are selling out on Masoko due to increased demand. Tanzania's ban on non-citizens in 15 business categories contradicts EAC protocols. In other news, Visa launched its first African data centre in South Africa, while Liquid Intelligent Technologies empowered 101 learners through a STEM program in South Africa. Airtel Kenya briefly added then removed a feature to manage home Wi-Fi in its My Airtel app. RESPECT, a Digital Public Infrastructure for Education, has been launched in Africa, aiming to revolutionize the continent's EdTech landscape.
Health CS Duale revokes internships for 306 nurses who hadn't graduated. Meanwhile, a Malindi court allows DCI to exhume bodies linked to a suspected cult. President Ruto assents to the Conflict of Interest Bill and the Social Protection Bill, providing monthly stipends to vulnerable Kenyans. The government also seeks to freeze assets of suspected drug lords, while Kenya protests Tanzania's new discriminatory taxes.
