business
5 storiesCivil society groups report ID vetting persists despite repeal. Nairobi to host a medical expo focusing on healthcare financing. Equity Group leads a trade mission to DRC.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) is demanding hospitals account for 3 billion Kenyan Shillings in flagged claims, mirroring a wider dispute between Health CS Duale and the KMA over SHA debt. Further, the KMPDC has banned hospitals from detaining bodies over unpaid bills. In politics, the IEBC plans to register 6.3 million new voters by 2027. A court has also reinstated a corruption case against Wycliffe Oparanya, with calls for his arrest. The CA proposes increasing postal and courier license fees to 1.5 million Kenyan Shillings as Interior CS Murkomen reforms his ministry. Separately, fake land titles are exposing banks and investors to billions in risk, and the US announced visa revocations for those celebrating assassinations.
The High Court in Nairobi quashed a decision to withdraw a Ksh57 million graft case against Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya. Following the ruling, the National Integrity Alliance is demanding Oparanya's immediate arrest. In a separate matter of public accountability, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma was grilled by the Senate County Public Accounts and Special Funds Committee. The interrogation was over allegations of widespread misuse of county funds. These allegations were detailed in the Auditor General’s FY 2023/2024 Report.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has announced that detectives have obtained new leads in the murder of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu, who was fatally shot on September 8 along Magadi Road. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also revealed that it is successfully using the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number to track and recover stolen mobile phones. In a separate incident, an accidental firearm discharge at the Bungoma Law Courts injured two officers and three civilians at 10:50 AM. The incident involved a pistol belonging to a DCI officer during a court hearing.
Under Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the Ministry of Interior has implemented a radical overhaul to improve the delivery of government services like passport issuance and identity cards. The reforms are intended to reduce bureaucracy and broaden access for citizens. Meanwhile, a report from the Administration and Internal Security Committee of Parliament revealed that Nakuru State House is in a deplorable condition with a leaking roof. This has raised concerns about the use of Ksh240 million allocated for upgrades between 2021 and 2023. In another government action, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) proposes to raise licensing fees for postal and courier services from Ksh50,000 to Ksh1.5 million.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has mandated several hospitals to provide supporting documents within 15 days for over Ksh3 billion in flagged claims to combat fraud. This action follows a heated exchange between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Kenya Medical Association President Simon Kigondu concerning SHA's debt and fraud prevention measures. Kigondu criticized the authority's accumulated debt, while Duale defended the Practice 360 App as a tool to prevent fraud. Separately, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has declared that hospitals have no legal right to detain the bodies of deceased patients over unpaid medical bills. This ruling came after a man complained to the Office of the Ombudsman about a hospital unlawfully holding his wife's body.
Security remains a significant challenge for Kenyans, marked by a surge in urban gang violence, livestock theft, and homicides. An alarm has been raised over the return of criminal gangs, with 300 arrests made in Nairobi, as groups victimize citizens through extortion and violent robberies. In response, the Kenya Kwanza administration launched the "Maliza uhalifu" operation against banditry in the North Rift region to restore peace. Separately, residents in Meru County have criticized the State over rising insecurity following a cattle rustling incident. Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has identified reopening schools and implementing strict punishments as key strategies to steer youth away from banditry.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) will oversee the upcoming police recruitment in Kenya to ensure transparency and fairness. This intervention follows a dispute with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). Inspector General of Police Kanja has vowed that the recruitment will be entirely transparent and warned that corrupt individuals will face jail. To further ensure public oversight, CS Murkomen has directed that all recruitment be conducted during daylight hours. The government has also doubled its budget for police recruitment from the initial allocation for 5,000 officers, with plans for further increases.
Public figures have been addressing their romantic and personal lives. Emillianah Mwikali declared herself single on Instagram Stories, ending speculation she was dating comedian Mulamwah, who had deleted all her photos from his social media. Similarly, breakup rumors are swirling around content creators Lydia Wanjiru and Frank Doso due to changes in their online activity. In contrast, singer Iyanii publicly introduced his girlfriend, Diana Kemunto, on stage at the Mkisii Fest. Separately, forex trader Kenyan Prince addressed allegations by publicly stating his sexual preference for women and revealed what was described as an astonishingly high “body count.”
Fresh uncertainty has emerged over the future of junior secondary schools in Kenya as teachers' unions clash with the government regarding their implementation. This adds to other challenges in the education sector, as stakeholders have also raised concerns about the state of higher education. Furthermore, CS Murkomen has emphasized the critical need for an enhanced security presence in all higher learning institutions. Separately, the government and various organizations are being urged to fund the provision of sanitary pads in schools. This plea is intended to combat absenteeism among female students.
Civil society groups report ID vetting persists despite repeal. Nairobi to host a medical expo focusing on healthcare financing. Equity Group leads a trade mission to DRC.
RBA services are now on eCitizen, simplifying retirement planning. MP Babu Owino clarified a 2018 photo with Nick Ruto, discussing his sobriety and Nairobi governor ambitions. Forex trader Kenyan Prince addressed ‘Sim 2’ rumors. Breakup rumors surround content creators Lydia Wanjiru and Frank Doso, while singer Iyanii publicly declared love for his girlfriend Kemunto.
Over 50 political parties claim IEBC and Registrar of Political Parties are orchestrating their deregistration before 2027 polls. Meanwhile, a petition seeks to bar Seth Panyako from the Malava by-election for failing to resign from public office.
Faith Kipyegon won her 4th world 1,500m title. Kenyan football champions will now get 15 million shillings. FIFA will pay 45 billion shillings to clubs for players in the 2026 World Cup. Kenya Police Bullets finished third in CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers. Harambee Stars goalie Byrne Odhiambo won August Player of the Month. Kenyan polo players face South Africa in a historic match.
African agri-tech startups can now apply for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026, a fully funded program. Apple's revenue from services now outpaces hardware sales. Spotify is offering new users a 3-month free Premium trial.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) requires hospitals to justify 3 billion Kenyan Shillings in flagged claims, amid a clash between Health CS Duale and KMA over SHA debt and fraud. The KMPDC has also banned hospitals from holding bodies over unpaid bills. The IEBC targets 6.3 million new voters for the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, a court has quashed the DPP's decision to drop a corruption case against Wycliffe Oparanya, with a lobby demanding his immediate arrest. The CA proposes raising postal and courier license fees to 1.5 million Kenyan Shillings, while Interior CS Murkomen conducts radical overhauls enhancing service delivery. Separately, fake land titles expose banks and investors to billions in risk. The US will revoke visas for foreigners celebrating assassinations.