Kenya News - Saturday, November 15, 2025 | Daily Summary - The Online Kenyan
Daily Summary
Kenya News - Saturday, November 15, 2025
Inspector General Douglas Kanja has issued new guidelines for the nationwide police recruitment set for Monday, November 17, after the High Court lifted its suspension. President William Ruto handed over keys to 176 new affordable housing units in Machakos. The IGAD climate centre predicts intensified drought for Kenya and neighbouring countries through January 2026, while the government is planning to repatriate Kenyan mothers and children stranded in Saudi Arabia. Separately, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino criticized ODM leadership and pledged protests over the cost of living.
Supreme Court rules banks don't need new securities for extra loans, cutting compliance costs. Kenya faces severe drought impacts with 1.8 million facing food insecurity. Kenya and Ghana implement crypto oversight laws. CAK identifies cartels as an "invisible tax." President Ruto launches 20 billion Kenyan Shillings projects in Kitui. 303.9 million shillings disbursed for youth businesses via NYOTA. Kenya Power seeks 1,112MW new power deals after a moratorium lift, as audit reveals connection delays.
entertainment
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Rozinah Mwakideu cautions abusive men. Kabi Wajesus reveals daughter Luxe's face, joking about his strong genes.
politics
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Former CS Fred Matiang'i criticized the current administration, citing widespread confusion and corruption. Meanwhile, ODM celebrates its 20th anniversary in Mombasa with a large delegation and boosted local business, as 2027 political discussions intensify.
sports
5 stories
NOC-K is strategizing for the LA28 Olympics, focusing on support and investing in medal-potential sports. The Kenya Lionesses dominated Ivory Coast 44-0 in Rugby Africa Sevens. Harambee Stars lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea, while KCB's winless streak continued in the Premier League with a goalless draw.
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Inspector General Douglas Kanja has issued new guidelines for the nationwide police recruitment set for Monday, November 17, after the High Court lifted its suspension. The exercise aims to recruit 10,000 new constables across 427 centers. President William Ruto handed over keys to 176 new homeowners in Machakos as part of the Affordable Housing Programme. Meanwhile, the IGAD climate centre predicts intensified drought for Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia through January 2026. The government is also outlining a repatriation pathway for Kenyan mothers and their children stranded in Saudi Arabia. Amidst this, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino criticized ODM leadership and vowed protests over the cost of living.
Factions Within ODM Clash Over Party's Relationship with President Ruto's Government - November 2025
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is facing significant internal turmoil regarding its alliance with President William Ruto's government. EALA MP Winnie Odinga described the party's current broad-based pact with Ruto as "complicated" and called for a National Delegates Convention to decide its future. She also alleged a plot to sell the ODM party during its 20th-anniversary celebrations in Mombasa. Siaya Governor James Orengo dismissed the push for a coalition by some ODM ministers in Ruto's government as "idiotic," warning it would erode the party's identity. In a similar vein, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino criticized his party's leadership appointments. Tensions are also evident in the Coast region, where allies of Mining CS Hassan Joho are asserting his leadership, and within the wider opposition, where DCP's Cleophas Malala accused a DAP-K leader of colluding with Ruto.
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Regional bodies in East Africa are addressing significant cross-border issues. The IGAD weather centre has predicted an intensified drought in the Horn of Africa, with forecasts of continued below-normal rainfall through January 2026 threatening millions across eastern Kenya, southeastern Ethiopia, and southern Somalia. Separately, the East African Community (EAC) launched the preview of the Lake Victoria State of the Basin Report 2025 at the COP30 conference in Brazil, assessing the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the basin. At the 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair, Rwanda advocated for a regional strategy to boost culture-driven entrepreneurship and market access for small businesses.
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ISIS Financing Arrests, Lamu Kidnappings, and Police Recruitment Highlight Security Actions - November 2025
Security operations are underway across Kenya, with a lawyer in Mombasa arrested on suspicion of financing ISIS terrorist activities. A prominent city lawyer was also arrested as part of an ongoing crackdown against Isis activities. Separately, residents of Kiunga village in Lamu County staged demonstrations and are experiencing increased fear due to a series of kidnappings by masked individuals. In a national security measure, Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced that the recruitment of 10,000 police recruits will proceed after a court lifted an order that had halted the process.
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President Ruto and Opposition Leaders Clash Over Policies and Remarks in Ukambani - November 2025
President William Ruto, while in the Ukambani region, defended his government's policies on healthcare, the cost of living, and housing, and criticized his opponents for engaging in divisive politics. Responding from Hola town, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua criticized President Ruto for engaging in abusive politics and urged him to serve citizens. Kalonzo Musyoka also fired back at the President for his critical comments made in Ukambani regarding opposition leaders. Furthermore, the Wiper Patriotic Front responded to President Ruto's claims that the opposition lacks a constructive agenda, asserting they are not "stupid."
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Uhuru Kenyatta Donates KSh 1M for Betty Bayo's Funeral as Public Mourning Continues - November 2025
Following the death of gospel singer Betty Bayo from cancer, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta donated KSh 1 million to assist with her funeral expenses. In response to public grief, the TikTok community is organizing a candle lighting ceremony at Pastor Victor Kanyari's Salvation Healing Ministry in Kayole Junction on Monday, November 18, 2025. Pastor Kanyari, the late singer's ex-husband, has responded to criticism about his emotional mourning, stating his emotional display is simply his personality. Amid these events, a resurfaced interview with Betty Bayo has reignited debate about her past relationship with Kanyari, detailing their rapid romance and eventual separation.
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President William Ruto handed over 176 keys to new homeowners at the Machakos Affordable Housing Phase 1 project in Machakos County, part of a government initiative for low-income earners. In Mwingi North, the new Kamuw’ongo ESP Market, constructed at a cost of Sh59.4 million, opened, providing hundreds of small-scale vendors a secure and hygienic trading environment. This new facility aims to reduce losses and improve daily turnover for traders previously operating in challenging conditions. In a separate development, the Supreme Court declared the award of a license and wayleave by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) for a second bulk-grain facility at the Port of Mombasa unconstitutional. This ruling followed a case brought by activist Okiya Omtatah against KPA and the firm Portside Freight Terminals Limited.