Garissa’s Hagadera Market suffered extensive fire damage, exposing gaps in emergency response, while Postal Corporation employees nationwide protested seven months of unpaid salaries. In public safety, the government ordered the immediate closure of businesses selling uninspected meat. KRA intensified tax evasion efforts, securing warrants for directors involved in a 200 million Kenyan Shillings loss. Security forces thwarted an Al-Shabaab terror attack in Garissa, and education officials warned against exam malpractice as 3.4 million learners started national examinations.
The 2025 national examination season has commenced, with 3.4 million learners participating. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba issued a strong warning against examination malpractice. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued final guidelines for the KPSEA and KJSEA exams, which began on Monday, October 27, and run concurrently with the KCSE exams. Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok officially began the season by opening exam containers in Kibra, Nairobi, assuring the nation of comprehensive preparation for the KJSEA, KCSE, and KPSEA. PS Bitok also warned schools against barring students from exams, stating the government has released all necessary funds, including capitation.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced a series of memorial services across Kenya to honor its late party leader, Raila Odinga, who passed away on October 15. The party has pledged to uphold his values and ideals, focusing on unity and democratic principles during its transition. ODM has also demanded Ksh12.6 billion from the National Treasury for outstanding disbursements from the Political Parties Fund to support its operations. Regarding the future, ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir indicated that Gladys Wanga could be a running mate for President Ruto in 2027 if the party organs approve. In a separate tribute, residents of Njiru in Kasarani constituency named an estate road "Raila Odinga Road" in his honor.
President William Ruto officially handed over keys for 220 affordable housing units to new homeowners at the Boma Yangu Elburgon Estate in Nakuru County. The President also led the launch of a government project to restore 33,000 degraded hectares in the Mau Forest, which is part of a broader plan to plant 15 billion trees. This initiative aims to integrate community livelihoods with conservation. Additionally, President Ruto announced the expansion of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway to extend to Kisumu, Kericho, Uasin Gishu (Eldoret), and Busia (Malaba). The highway project will use a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to improve connectivity and trade.
Kenya's Special Operations Group (SOG) successfully thwarted a planned Al-Shabaab bomb attack in Garissa County, intercepting eight militants attempting to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In a separate event, the Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking a 30-day detention for six foreign nationals linked to an estimated Sh8 billion narcotics haul after their apprehension in a multi-agency operation at Kilindini Port. Meanwhile, chaos erupted in Kisumu’s Central Business District on Monday morning when a 21-year-old man armed with an AK-47 opened fire on police officers on Otieno Oyoo Street, leading to a dramatic standoff.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) announced Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as its new party leader, succeeding the late Raila Odinga. The party reaffirmed its commitment to the existing broad-based government arrangement until 2027. In the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale challenged the party to remove him as Senate Majority Chief Whip. This dare followed his public support for an Opposition candidate in the Malava parliamentary by-election, defying a UDA directive. Meanwhile, a significant political rift has emerged in Murang’a between Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly, rooted in differing allegiances within the ruling party. This conflict signals early realignments ahead of the 2027 polls.
President William Ruto has conditionally lifted the ban on logging in Kenya, allowing for the harvesting of only mature trees in forests to be used for commercial purposes. Following an announcement by President Ruto, Kenya's National Treasury has also released the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, 2025. The bill aims to expand funding sources and create a flexible investment framework for natural resource revenues and public investments. In a separate development boosting Kenya's coastal tourism and trade sectors, Turkish Airlines has reinstated direct flights between Istanbul and Mombasa. The service, which had been on a five-year hiatus, resumed on October 26 and will operate three times a week.
Jiji Kenya has launched a free online course, “Zero to Profit: The Essentials of Business Building,” aimed at transforming aspiring entrepreneurs into profitable business owners. This initiative, launched in partnership with Mount Kenya University (MKU), is designed to empower young Kenyans and address high youth unemployment. In a separate initiative, the Interledger Foundation awarded a grant to United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) in Kenya. The grant is part of the foundation's "NextGen Higher Education Grant Program." Its purpose is to promote open-payment technology and foster a workforce knowledgeable in open-source payment systems to enhance financial inclusion.
Kenya's para-badminton squad secured two gold medals in their debut at the World Ability Sports Beach Games in Mersin, Turkey, winning the Mixed Triples and Mixed Triples Relays events. In football, Gor Mahia ended Posta Rangers' unbeaten run with a 3-0 victory in the SportPesa Premier League. Tusker also recorded their first win of the season against Murang’a Seal, while Mathare United defeated Shabana 1-0. In golf, Boniface Mouti won the I&M Bank Golf tournament at Nakuru Golf Club, scoring 43 stableford points. At a separate event, Julius Kioko emerged as the winner of the 2025 King of the Course grand finale at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa.
Five people lost their lives in separate murder incidents in Machakos and Nakuru counties. In Machakos, a man was fatally beaten by a mob after he allegedly killed his girlfriend with a machete. In a tragic incident in Mai Mahiu, a father reportedly killed his two children before taking his own life. That event has sent ripples through the community. Another disturbing discovery caused fear in Lurambi after the body of a young girl was found in a septic tank.
Approximately 2.4 million Kenyan students have officially begun their national KCSE examinations. Millions of grade 6 and grade 9 students are also set to begin their Competency-Based Examinations (CBE). This marks the first cohort of learners under Kenya's Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) to sit for national examinations, which include the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA). In preparation, the government is implementing advanced locking mechanisms for the tests. A stern warning was also issued to individuals selling fake examination papers to students.
Six Iranian nationals were arrested in connection with a drug bust involving Sh8.2 billion worth of methamphetamine and are expected to face charges in Mombasa. The Shanzu Court is hearing a case involving six Iranian nationals apprehended in connection with heroin. Six individuals suspected of drug trafficking have been arraigned in court at Shanzu, Mombasa County. In a related action, the Kenyan government is set to destroy a large shipment of narcotics, valued at billions of shillings, which was intercepted in the Indian Ocean. This is part of the government's ongoing commitment to combat drug trafficking.
Postal workers across Kenya have launched a nationwide strike to protest unpaid salaries. In Nairobi, Posta employees staged a protest to demand six months of unpaid wages. Concurrently, operations at the Embu Posta center have ground to a halt after employees went on strike demanding five months' worth of unpaid salaries. The industrial action by Posta employees highlights significant labor disputes within the postal service. The striking workers in Embu have vowed to continue their industrial action until the government addresses their grievances.
Kenya's Treasury proposes a Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill to boost funding. New rules cap auditor tenure for insurers. The Ombudsman wants CMA to probe Uchumi’s disclosure breaches. Turkish Airlines resumes direct Istanbul-Mombasa flights, boosting tourism.
Nairobi United aims for CAF Confederation Cup history. Daniel Ebenyo and Maurine Chebet will lead Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships. Hit Squad finished second to DRC in boxing. Chepkwony and Chepkorir won the Stanchart Marathon.
Jiji launched a free online business course with MKU. USIU-Africa received an Interledger grant for open-payment tech. Tether invested in Kenyan fintech Kotani Pay. Binance emphasizes strong AML and cybersecurity for Africa's crypto future. Samsung rolls out Android 16 to several Galaxy devices in Kenya.
Traders in Garissa's Hagadera Market suffered significant losses after a fire, highlighting local emergency response challenges. Elsewhere, Postal Corporation of Kenya employees are protesting nationwide over seven months of unpaid salaries, impacting their livelihoods. In a public health move, the government has ordered the immediate closure of businesses selling uninspected meat nationwide. Meanwhile, KRA is cracking down on tax evasion, securing arrest warrants for company directors implicated in a 200 million Kenyan Shillings tax loss in Mombasa. Security forces foiled a major Al-Shabaab terror attack in Garissa, intercepting militants planning IED placements. Education CS Ogamba and PS Bitok have warned against national exam malpractice, assuring readiness as 3.4 million learners begin their examinations.
