Counties are set to receive an additional 67.68 billion Kenyan Shillings for the 2025/26 financial year following a parliamentary bill. This comes as Siaya nurses protest unresolved grievances and lecturers’ strike persists, leading the government to pursue court intervention. ICPAK demands an inquiry into SHA recruitment and backs a fired auditor, highlighting whistleblower protection concerns. Separately, KDF recruitment faces corruption allegations, with claims of slots sold for 400,000 Kenyan Shillings. A Kenyan has been charged in the US for allegedly stealing KEMSA supplies from an 83 billion Kenyan Shillings USAID project. The Education CS plans to merge schools with low student numbers, and MPs mandate public institutions to remove asbestos roofing within a year. Electricity prices have increased, contributing to inflation.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) has demanded an inquiry and due process in the case of auditor CPA Andrew Kipkirui Rotich. Rotich was fired and dropped from a shortlist after exposing large-scale billing fraud at the Social Health Authority (SHA), sparking a national debate on whistleblower protection. In a separate matter, the Kenyan Senate raised concerns about alleged corruption in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment process, with claims that slots are being sold for up to Ksh400,000. Additionally, the US government has charged a 40-year-old Kenyan for allegedly conspiring to steal medical supplies from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). The supplies, including HIV test kits, were part of a Ksh83 billion USAID program.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has called off its planned strike following successful negotiations with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), resolving tensions that affected the air travel sector. In a separate incident, the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) has threatened a nationwide strike after twenty nurses were injured when armed goons disrupted their protest in Siaya County. The union accused Siaya Governor James Orengo of facilitating the attack as protests over unresolved grievances entered their 19th day. Meanwhile, the Kenyan government is pursuing court intervention to address the ongoing lecturers' strike that has halted learning in all public universities. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that both parties will appear before the court on October 6 to find a way forward.
The Mt Kenya region is experiencing a significant political realignment ahead of the next General Election as questions emerge over who is the region's 'kingpin'. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's potential comeback is challenging Rigathi Gachagua's political influence. Separately, Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje has publicly criticized Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, accusing him of causing disunity among opposition parties. These political shifts are occurring amid concerns over low voter registration turnout for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) aims to register six million new voters, primarily Gen Z, to reach a target of 28 million eligible voters for Kenya's 2027 elections.
President William Ruto has inaugurated the construction of the Sh5 billion China-Kenya International Commerce Centre, a mixed-use development at the Jamhuri Showground in Nairobi. In the aviation sector, Flynas, a privately owned Saudi low-cost airline, has launched direct flights between Nairobi and Riyadh. This new route aims to capitalize on increasing traffic and strengthen economic ties between Kenya and Saudi Arabia. In a separate development, Eldoret hosted the first Biashara Pawa Dialogue, an initiative under the IYBA-SEED program. The program, run by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, is aimed at empowering women and youth entrepreneurs in underserved sectors.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) launched a new Banking Sector Index on October 1, 2025, which will serve as a benchmark for investors and support the creation of new products like exchange-traded funds. Following this, Family Bank announced its shareholders will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on October 27, 2025, to vote on listing the bank’s shares on the NSE by introduction. This move is intended to enhance liquidity for shareholders and improve transparency. In the financial technology space, Visa has launched a pilot program in Kenya enabling businesses to use stablecoins to pre-fund cross-border payments. This initiative, utilizing the Visa Direct platform, aims to reduce costs and ease liquidity pressures for financial institutions like banks and remittance providers.
Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is introducing iris recognition technology for the first time in its voter registration process ahead of the 2027 General Elections. In infrastructure, the country plans to invest Ksh 6.12 billion ($47.26 million) to deploy 10,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to address the current shortage. On the commercial front, TECNO has launched its official online store, ke-store.tecno.com, in Kenya, offering a direct platform for purchasing devices on a click-and-collect basis for now. Meanwhile, Safaricom confirmed its Fuliza service is experiencing a technical issue preventing users from repaying loans and has stated that a fix is underway.
The One UI 8 update is now available in Kenya for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, rolling out as firmware version S9xxBXXU9CYI5. This update includes the September 2025 security patch. The One UI 8 update, based on Android 16, has also started rolling out to Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 devices in Kenya. This significant update for the A-series weighs 2.3GB and includes the same September 2025 security patch. Separately, Samsung announced the expansion of the Samsung Art Store. The company is adding 15 new artworks from the esteemed Tate collection, a partnership which integrates masterpieces directly into homes.
The strike by university lecturers and staff in Kenya has entered its third week, paralyzing learning across all public universities. The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) insists the strike will not be called off until they are paid 7.9 billion shillings. Unions are demanding the full implementation of a collective bargaining agreement from 2017-2021. Lecturers have vowed not to return to work until their demands for the payment are met. In response, students from public universities are threatening to protest if the government does not resolve the ongoing impasse, which has disrupted their studies.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) is calling for an independent investigation into recruitment practices and an employment scandal at the Social Health Authority (SHA). The demand follows the dismissal of a whistleblower, CPA Andrew Kipkirui Rotich, who was the Deputy Director of Forensic Audit & Risk Assurance. Rotich was reportedly terminated after exposing a multi-billion shilling fraud and raising concerns about alleged irregularities in SHA recruitment. The controversy arises one year after SHA's launch, at which point an evaluation is underway to determine if its health goals are being met. Meanwhile, one year after converting from NHIF, some Kenyans are without SHA services, and multiple hospitals have reportedly been closed due to alleged fraudulent claims.
Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge with Benfica for a UEFA Champions League match on September 30, 2025, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. Mourinho, who previously won seven major trophies with the club, stated that he "fed himself with victories" rather than memories. In other Champions League news, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is set to face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after returning from injury. The 18-year-old's return is seen as an opportunity to build his case for the next Ballon d'Or. Meanwhile, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola stated that Rodri is not yet ready for the team's schedule after returning from a serious knee injury. Despite this, Rodri travelled with the squad for the upcoming Champions League match against Monaco.
Kenya loses 40% of its harvest to waste as hunger bites. Inflation rose to 4.6% despite a drop in training fees, while power blackouts declined 7% though system losses remain high. MPs demand a KQ repayment plan for bailouts. Miraa exports lose 50 million shillings annually in undeclared sales, but LPG consumption is up 15%. China starts a 5 billion Kenyan Shillings Nairobi commerce center. Family Bank inches closer to NSE listing.
Kenya aims to be Africa's economic anchor by hosting the COMESA Summit in 2025. Meanwhile, forex trader Kenyan Prince and designer Bolo Bespoke clashed publicly over wealth, and Esther Musila expressed admiration for her husband, Guardian Angel.
Political parties face challenges with Secretaries General overstepping roles. Meanwhile, parties are actively strategizing to win over female voters. Separately, Ferdinand Waititu was denied bond for the third time, with his main appeal directed to conclude in 120 days.
Faith Kipyegon heads to NYC for another race. Victor Wanyama joins FIFPRO's Global Player Council. Esports Kenya launches a national series. In local football, Tusker seek recovery, Bandari appoints John Baraza as coach, and KCB secured a win. Ruaraka A and Samaj B are cricket champions.
Google's Gemini AI is now integrated into Google Drive mobile apps for Android and iOS, enhancing workflow. Meanwhile, Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 15 4G in Kenya, available on Jumia for 17,050 Kenyan Shillings, featuring a 7,000mAh battery.
Counties are set to receive an additional 67.68 billion Kenyan Shillings for the 2025/26 financial year following a parliamentary bill. This comes as Siaya nurses protest unresolved grievances, with 20 injured during a demonstration, and lecturers' strike persists, leading the government to pursue court intervention. ICPAK demands an inquiry into SHA recruitment and backs a fired auditor who exposed billing fraud, highlighting whistleblower protection concerns. Separately, KDF recruitment faces corruption allegations, with claims of slots sold for 400,000 Kenyan Shillings. A Kenyan has been charged in the US for allegedly stealing KEMSA medical supplies from an 83 billion Kenyan Shillings USAID project. The Education CS plans to merge schools with low student numbers and MPs mandate public institutions to remove asbestos roofing within a year. Meanwhile, electricity prices have increased, contributing to inflation.
