Kenya News - Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | Daily Summary - The Online Kenyan
Daily Summary
Kenya News - Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Mandera Senator Ali Roba has raised concerns about alleged Jubaland forces threatening Kenya's sovereignty, leading to school closures and business disruptions in border areas. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has refuted these claims, attributing them to political motives and assuring national security. In education, KNUT is protesting teacher transfers, warning of academic disruption, while thousands of students risk missing national exams due to unpaid fees. On health, President Ruto announced the government will cover SHA contributions for 1.5 million vulnerable Kenyans, and Health CS Aden Duale stated NHIF's pending bills will be settled within two months as DCI investigates healthcare fraud.
Controller of Budget flags Treasury for spending 77.48 billion shillings outside budget law. Pesapal wins VAT exemption case against KRA. Metropolitan Sacco approves forensic audit after 15 billion shillings loan gap. Milk intake on track to cross 1 billion litres in 2025.
entertainment
3 stories
Singer Bahati starts building a new apartment block, "Majesty Heights," after gifting his wife 1 million Kenyan Shillings. Meanwhile, Tanzanian singer Zuchu faced criticism for her CHAN performance, and Kate Actress publicly celebrated her boyfriend amid cheating rumors.
politics
5 stories
Sakaja narrowly avoided impeachment after Raila Odinga's intervention swayed ODM MCAs, who had also reported threats. Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka slammed Ruto's government over corruption.
sports
5 stories
Grimsby Town was fined 3.4 million shillings for fielding an ineligible Kenyan midfielder. Phanuel Koech eyes Tokyo after a strong season, while Ethan Gwendo is a finalist for the US Youth Athlete of the Year award. Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy won Coach of the Month.
tech
4 stories
Safaricom is merging its MySafaricom and M-PESA apps for a unified user experience. Airtel Kenya has cut 5G Home Internet prices, making them more competitive. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, with AI features, has launched locally. In the US, Google won an antitrust case, avoiding Android/Chrome breakup, which could keep smartphone prices stable for Kenyans.
top
10 stories
Mandera Senator Ali Roba warns President Ruto over alleged Jubaland forces threatening Kenya's sovereignty, claiming school closures and business paralysis. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen denies the presence, attributing claims to political motives and assuring national security. Meanwhile, KNUT protests teacher transfers, cautioning academic impact. Thousands of students face missing national exams due to unpaid fees and delayed government capitation. President Ruto announced the government will cover SHA contributions for 1.5 million vulnerable Kenyans. Health CS Aden Duale stated NHIF's pending bills will be cleared within two months as DCI probes healthcare fraud.
Officials Clash Over Alleged Presence of Jubaland Forces in Mandera County - September 2025
Mandera Senator Ali Roba issued a strong warning to President William Ruto regarding the presence of Jubaland forces in Mandera town, stating it threatens Kenya's sovereignty and security (6). Roba claimed the situation has led to school closures and business paralysis (9). Several leaders, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, called on President Ruto to address the alleged violation of national sovereignty (23). In contrast, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen assured Kenyans there is no cause for alarm, emphasizing that national security remains intact (13). Murkomen denied the presence of Jubaland forces, suggesting that Somali residents are fleeing insecurity in their country and attributed the allegations to political motivations (17).
K
C
Read Stories
Motorists faced significant frustration after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) experienced a payment system malfunction on September 3, causing issues like double payments and incorrect invoices (19). In the education sector, thousands of students are at risk of missing national examinations because schools sent them home over unpaid fees amidst delayed government capitation funds (10). Separately, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika faced intense scrutiny from a Senate committee over her administration's failure to fill critical positions. The committee highlighted the absence of key accounting professionals and a qualified Head of Accounting Services in the county (1).
K
Read Stories
6+6 videos
School Heads Warn of Shutdown as Government Delays Capitation Funds - September 2025
Secondary school heads are warning of a potential shutdown as the government has delayed disbursing funds for two terms. Principals expressed serious concerns about continuing operations, a situation that threatens to disrupt third-term learning. The funding delay for Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) has led school heads to threaten sending students home. This funding shortfall also jeopardizes the ability of thousands of students to sit for national examinations. Consequently, the Kisumu Parents’ Association and others are urging the state to release capitation funds promptly for both secondary schools, universities, and TVETs that are admitting new students.
K
C
Read Stories
Harambee Stars Prepare for World Cup Qualifier as Striker Ryan Ogam Moves to Austria - September 2025
Kenya's Harambee Stars are set to face Gambia in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier at Kasarani Stadium on Friday at 4pm. Gambia's head coach, Jonathan McKinstry, expressed caution ahead of the match, citing Kenya's recent fighting spirit and the anticipated hostile home crowd. Captain Michael Olunga stated that playing at home will be a significant boost after years of international match bans on Kenyan stadiums. In other team news, Harambee Stars striker Ryan Ogam is joining Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC. The 21-year-old's move was confirmed by his previous club, Tusker FC, which bid him farewell after one exceptional season.
S
Read Stories
President Ruto Initiates Push to Make Kenya a Global Sports Powerhouse - September 2025
On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, President William Ruto called upon all Kenyans and stakeholders to collaborate in transforming the nation into a global sports powerhouse. To support this vision, the President has established a technical committee involving the government, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and the private sector to boost investment and collaboration in sports. This initiative aims to leverage Kenya's abundant sporting talent after years of mismanagement. As an example of this talent, Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech has set a world U20 record in the 1500m and is preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo. Furthermore, Kenya is hosting the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Handgun Pre-World Shoot competition in Mombasa, which will prepare the national team for the 2025 World Handgun Championship in South Africa.
S
Read Stories
Several Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) claim they were coerced into abandoning an impeachment attempt against Governor Johnson Sakaja. The allegations suggest that threats were used to save the governor's position. The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Secretary General, Barack Muluka, has criticized Kenya’s political elite for using power for self-preservation. Muluka cited the recent impeachment saga of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja as a prime example of this behavior.
S
Read Stories
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has criticized Kenya’s National Treasury for the unauthorized spending of Sh77.48 billion outside the budget law, citing a misuse of Article 223 of the Constitution. In a separate matter, the Metropolitan National Sacco Society has approved a forensic audit after a Sh15 billion loan book asset was revealed to be untraceable. This decision was made during the Sacco's 47th Annual General Meeting to address concerns about its financial stability and a negative equity position. Meanwhile, the High Court has ruled in favor of Pesapal Limited in a tax case, exempting the firm's commissions from Value-Added Tax (VAT). This judgment overturns a tax tribunal decision and will save Pesapal from paying the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) KSh 76.8 million in unpaid VAT and KSh 33.9 million in penalties and interest.
C
T
Read Stories
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has officially launched in Kenya, offering a large-screen experience with advanced Galaxy AI features. In another development affecting local consumers, Airtel Kenya significantly dropped prices for its 5G Home Internet plans, with the 15Mbps plan now priced at KES 1,999/m. This move by Airtel is a direct response to increasing competition in the Kenyan 5G market. Additionally, Google largely triumphed in an antitrust battle with the U.S. Department of Justice, avoiding a breakup of Android or Chrome. The ruling, which prevents Google from using exclusive contracts, is noted to impact Kenyans by keeping smartphone prices stable and Chrome secure.