The US has issued a terror alert for Kenya. A political standoff is brewing as MPs shut down Parliament, protesting President Ruto’s claims of bribery, demanding evidence for his allegations of 10 million Kenyan Shillings taken by MPs and 150 million Kenyan Shillings by Senators. Ruto has since formed an 11-member anti-graft team and launched a 100-day fight against illicit alcohol. Teachers’ unions threaten a strike over Raila Odinga’s education devolution proposal. The High Court adjusted rice import orders to avert a shortage, while CEOs foresee economic growth but limited job creation. The UN considers intervention following attacks on Kenya’s judiciary.
The Kenyan government has launched several initiatives targeting illicit goods and unregulated services. The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) started a crackdown on unlicensed tour vans to restore order and protect tourism revenue from unqualified individuals and scams. Concurrently, the government launched a 100-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to combat the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of illicit alcohol, a move announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. As part of new measures to curb drug use, the government is also targeting the sale of cannabis-laced snacks, such as bread and mandazi, in universities.
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has disbursed Ksh9.46 billion in financial aid to 309,178 university students for the new academic year. The funding is intended to cover both tuition fees and living costs, and applicants are advised to check their portals for confirmation. Meanwhile, Kenya's major teachers' unions, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have strongly opposed a proposal by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to devolve education to the counties. The unions are threatening a nationwide strike if the plan proceeds.
Kenya's major transport corridors are facing significant disruptions and planned developments. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced a two-week partial closure of a section of the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway from Makupa Bridge to the Changamwe Interchange, beginning August 23, 2025. This comes as severe traffic gridlock has left thousands of travelers stranded for nearly two days on the Nairobi–Nakuru and Nairobi–Narok highways. Separately, the government has initiated stakeholder consultations for the dualling of the 175-kilometre Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, a project announced by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.
President William Ruto ignited a major controversy by alleging that some Members of Parliament demanded Ksh10 million to pass a bill and that unnamed Senators pocketed Sh150 million to influence an impeachment vote. In protest against the President's claims of extortion and bribery, MPs have shut down all committee activities. This move escalated tensions between the executive and legislative branches. Subsequently, Senators are demanding that President Ruto be summoned by the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate to provide evidence for his allegations. They warn his remarks undermine parliamentary credibility.
Several companies have announced new technology-focused initiatives and events. Vertiv is hosting its AI Solutions Innovation Roadshow in Cairo, Egypt, on August 20, 2025, to address the growing AI economy. In Kenya, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ has been launched, designed to support professionals and students with hybrid work. Additionally, Anza Grow Academy has opened applications for its 12-week Cohort 7 program to equip creative and impact-driven founders. Safaricom has also partnered with the Kenya Judiciary to integrate technology and make justice more accessible, a key theme at the 2025 Judges Colloquium in Mombasa.
The Harambee Stars have emerged as strong contenders in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), advancing to the quarterfinals after an unbeaten run in the preliminary matches to top Group A. The team secured a historic 1-0 victory against Zambia at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 17, 2025. President William Ruto's financial pledges have significantly motivated the Harambee Stars during their impressive run. The team is set to face Madagascar in a home quarter-final in Nairobi. High fan interest resulted in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) online ticketing portal crashing minutes after sales went live for the group stage matches.
President William Ruto has accused Parliament of corruption, vowing to prosecute Members of Parliament involved in bribery. The President alleged that senators demand up to 150 million shillings from governors appearing before the senate for questioning. In response, Members of Parliament have called on President Ruto to appear before Parliament to substantiate the corruption allegations. Senators have also publicly challenged the President to provide evidence supporting his claims that some of them accept bribes when handling cases involving impeached governors. The issue has sparked alarm, with ODM Leader Raila Odinga also issuing stern warnings against corrupt legislators.
Celebrity Diana Marua, wife of musician Kevin Bahati, sparked a heated debate after revealing her family's monthly shopping budget of Ksh160,000 on August 19, 2025. In a separate event, entrepreneur Shorn Arwa also caused online debate with her candid views on fame and privacy. A long-standing rivalry between Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz and his former signee Mbosso erupted into a public feud across social media, featuring accusations and stark warnings. Meanwhile, gospel musician Ben Githae is facing public controversy over accusations of neglecting the twin children he fathered outside of marriage. The children's mother has publicly claimed that Githae has failed to provide consistent financial and parental support.
CBK reopens the market with a 50 billion shillings bond sale. Lamu Port sees increased ship calls. Family Bank's H1 profit grew 38.7% to 2.2 billion shillings. Promitto's 168 million shillings claim against Amana Capital was struck out. Henbon launches its 6th Nairobi project. Private firms take over four public millers. Laura Akunga Mwenje elected CONWOBAA treasurer. Calls for a Poultry Board of Kenya intensify.
Diana Marua's 160,000 Kenyan Shillings monthly shopping budget sparked online debate, alongside Shorn Arwa's views on fame. Meanwhile, music rivals Diamond Platnumz and Mbosso publicly feuded.
Parliamentary sittings stalled as Ruto accused MPs of bribery, prompting senators to demand his summoning for evidence. Meanwhile, nurses' strikes affect 15 counties, and Kericho Governor Mutai faces a second impeachment attempt. Lastly, ODM cracks widen amid UDA talks, and Ruto allies target Gachagua's Mt. Kenya influence.
Harambee Stars are unbeaten and topped Group A in CHAN 2024, beating Zambia 1-0 at Kasarani and setting up a quarter-final against Madagascar in Nairobi. President Ruto’s pledges have fueled their dream run, but the CAF ticket portal crashed as sales went live.
County bureaucracy is frustrating digital growth as a new framework aims to boost internet resilience in Africa. Safaricom has partnered with the Judiciary to improve justice access, while cybersecurity experts highlight retrospective analysis in fighting advanced cyber threats.
The US issued a terror alert for Kenya, citing ongoing threats from extremist groups. Meanwhile, a dispute brewed between the executive and legislative branches as MPs shut down Parliament, protesting President Ruto's claims that some legislators took KSh 10 million and Senators 150 million shillings in bribes. Senators now demand Ruto provides evidence for his allegations. Amidst this, Ruto established an 11-member multi-agency team to steer anti-graft efforts. The government also launched a 100-day initiative against illicit alcohol. Separately, teacher unions threatened a strike over Raila Odinga’s proposal to devolve education, while the High Court adjusted orders on rice imports to avert a shortage. CEOs predict economic growth but limited job creation in the next year. The UN is considering intervention after attacks on Kenya's judiciary.
