Kenya News - Thursday, September 4, 2025 | Daily Summary - The Online Kenyan
Daily Summary
Kenya News - Thursday, September 4, 2025
President Ruto has assured permanent employment for UHC workers despite opposition from governors, with their salaries now released. In finance, CBK has approved 27 more digital lenders, bringing the total to 153. NTSA has streamlined vehicle inspections and plate applications via eCitizen, and HELB urged employers to remit loan deductions. KMPDC announced medical internship exams for October 2025. The government plans digital ID collection notifications and automatic voter registration. The 82 billion Kenyan Shillings Thwake Dam project in Makueni and Kitui is nearing completion. Meanwhile, NLC issued a 30-day notice to reclaim over 5,000 land parcels in Mandera, and Cabinet Secretaries Moses Kuria and Peninah Malonza raised concerns over insecurity deterring investors in Nairobi and Kitui respectively.
Mr. Tanui is the new Hustler Fund CEO, aiming to boost collections. Pending government bills hit 524.84 billion shillings. Bonto Kenya halted money transfers due to market pressures. IXAfrica secured 200 million US dollars for Nairobi data center expansion, while Mantrac Kenya embraces AI for heavy machinery.
entertainment
7 stories
Harambee Stars striker Ryan Ogam joins Austrian club Wolfsberger AC. Diana B makes a music comeback to mixed reactions. Eve Mungai dismisses heartbreak rumors while Terence Creative addresses Shalkido's financial pleas. Chef Ombachi links Nairobi insecurity to political goons.
politics
3 stories
Political parties face de-registration over compliance issues, with some citing lack of funding. Meanwhile, Governor Sakaja is urged to reconcile with MCAs for harmonious county operations, as ODM's nomination woes could benefit smaller parties.
sports
5 stories
Grimsby Town was fined 3.4 million shillings for fielding ineligible Kenyan midfielder Clarke Oduor. Young Kenyan athlete Phanuel Koech is set for Tokyo after an impressive season, as Ethan Henry Gwendo is a finalist for US Youth Athlete of the Year. Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy won Coach of the Month.
tech
6 stories
OpenAI introduces parental controls for ChatGPT globally after a teen suicide lawsuit, impacting Kenyan users. Absa Bank launches a card usage drive. Samsung unveils the affordable Galaxy S25 FE, while Instagram finally releases an iPad app. Netflix upgrades its Moments feature for scene clipping, and Vertiv expands its PowerIT line for AI data centers.
top
10 stories
President Ruto affirmed permanent jobs for UHC workers despite governors’ objections, with salaries released. CBK licensed 27 more digital lenders, totaling 153. NTSA streamlined vehicle inspections and plate applications via eCitizen. HELB urged employers to remit loan deductions. KMPDC set dates for medical internship exams from October 2025. Government plans digital notification for ID collection and automatic voter registration. The 82 billion Kenyan Shillings Thwake Dam project nears completion, benefiting Makueni and Kitui. NLC issued a 30-day notice to reclaim over 5,000 Mandera land parcels. Moses Kuria warned Nairobi insecurity deters investors, while Peninah Malonza appealed to Ruto to address Kitui insecurity.
Kenya has strengthened its partnership with the United States through new agreements on security and labour. The United States and Panama have proposed changes to the United Nations to bolster the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Mission (MSS) in Haiti, potentially increasing its size from under 1,000 to over 5,000 officers. Separately, Kenya signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the U.S. State of Nebraska to deepen bilateral cooperation. This includes a labor migration agreement creating new job opportunities for Kenyans in the US, particularly in the trucking and medical sectors, to address labour shortages in Nebraska. President William Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to its partnership with the United States.
K
C
Read Stories
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has taken action against non-compliant public service vehicles and initiated system changes. Popular Nairobi 'nganya' matatus, known for extravagant modifications, have been impounded and banned from the Central Business District. Following a viral clip showing a matatu crew performing dangerous stunts, the NTSA had the driver arrested and charged with various traffic offenses. Concurrently, the authority announced significant overhauls to its motor vehicle inspection and number plate application processes. These processes will be moved to the eCitizen platform to increase efficiency and transparency.
K
Read Stories
Motorists on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway faced severe delays lasting hours due to a significant sinkhole that formed on the Nakuru-bound carriageway at the Eveready Roundabout. The disruption began on Wednesday, September 3, and continued into Thursday morning. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) later announced it had successfully repaired the sinkhole and reopened the Nakuru–Eldoret (A8) Road. In a separate incident on Thursday, September 4, traffic on the Southern Bypass was severely disrupted after a lorry overturned and fell onto a private car, causing a major gridlock.
C
K
Read Stories
Various leaders have raised alarms over growing problems in Nairobi. Former Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria warned that increased insecurity in the Central Business District (CBD) is jeopardizing the city's economy and scaring away international investors, citing reports of gangs attacking and robbing individuals. Due to dangerously high levels of air pollution, Nairobi County's Chief Environment Officer, Geoffrey Mosira, has advised residents to wear facemasks when visiting the CBD, Woodley, and Juja Road. Additionally, a group of Kenyan lawmakers urged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and MCAs to resolve their grievances, warning that an impeachment battle could return the city to the era of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).
K
Read Stories
6+6 videos
Police Launch Crackdown on Cults and Gangs in Kilifi and Trans Nzoia - September 2025
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja called for a multi-agency crackdown on cultic extremism in Kilifi County. The IG also visited the Kwa Binzaro area, where 34 bodies have been exhumed in a suspected cult case, and police have arrested 11 suspects in connection with the massacre. Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has appealed to Kenyans to help security agencies combat these dangerous cults. In a separate multi-agency operation in Trans Nzoia, police arrested 170 suspects targeting gangs. This followed a wave of fear in Kitale where gangs of underage youth armed with crude weapons were terrorizing residents.
N
C
K
+1
Read Stories
+5 videos
Sinkholes and Cracks Disrupt Major Roads in Nakuru - September 2025
A massive sinkhole emerged on the Nakuru-Eldoret road near the Ever-ready area following a heavy downpour, causing panic and paralyzing transport. Cracks also reappeared on the ground at the Ever Ready roundabout in Nakuru West, which is the second such occurrence within a year. Another report cited cracks on the Nakuru to Nairobi highway, causing fear among travelers and residents. The incidents disrupted the normal flow of traffic at the Eveready Roundabout. Following response efforts, the significant sinkhole on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway was repaired, restoring full traffic flow on the route.
K
C
Read Stories
A new committee has been sworn in at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to oversee compensation for victims of protests in Kenya. A separate report stated the panel was sworn in at the Supreme Court. The panel is tasked with leading the process of compensating victims of the recent unrest, a step committed to by the government. The committee is led by Presidential Advisor Professor Makau Mutua. It was scheduled to hold its first meeting at KICC.
C
Read Stories
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga jointly intervened to protect Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, in what some have described as a "selfish union" diminishing the opposition. This intervention resulted in a "gentleman’s agreement" brokered by Ruto and the ODM leader, which temporarily halted a motion to impeach Sakaja, granting him a 60-day reprieve. However, Ngara Ward MCA Chege Mwaura expressed doubts that the governor could resolve the underlying issues within the given timeframe. In a separate event, the United Opposition announced the appointment of Mukhisa Kituyi as its new spokesperson and Head of Secretariat. The announcement was made by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday, September 3.
S
Read Stories
T
C
Read Stories
India has significantly cut taxes on hundreds of goods by simplifying its Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure into two main slabs of 5% and 18%, effective September 22. This policy change is aimed at boosting domestic consumption and mitigating the potential economic impact of steep 50% US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which became effective on August 27. The US tariffs have put Delhi in a difficult position, leading to geopolitical signaling rather than direct retaliation. In a separate move to increase government revenue, Ethiopia has broadened its Value Added Tax (VAT) system through Directive No. 1104/2025. The new regulations mandate more businesses and professionals to register for VAT, a move designed to boost compliance and expand the nation's tax base.