The government has reshuffled senior police leadership and plans comprehensive reforms. North Eastern MPs are pressing for drought to be declared a national disaster as the Met Department forecasts hotter, drier conditions. In Washington, President Ruto secured a 162 billion shillings debt-for-food security swap deal with the US and is addressing DRC-Rwanda peace. Meanwhile, the High Court has challenged a presidential proclamation on a Compensation Taskforce, and a Mombasa court halted a 17 billion Kenyan Shillings waste deal. KMTC students will now receive HELB support, and new 30-year sugar mill lease terms have been unveiled.
The National Assembly's Public Investment Committee has uncovered Ksh1 billion in unsupported expenditure at the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU), a government company. The committee noted significant financial and administrative irregularities. Separately, DCI detectives arrested Maroa Sammy Maroa, a civil servant and economist with the State Department for Cabinet Affairs, for alleged forgery schemes. Maroa is accused of forging a letter to influence the police recruitment process. He was also previously accused of forging a letter to promote himself to director.
Kenyan politician Shadrack Maritim, who disappeared in October, has been found alive in Mbale, Uganda. His family had previously alleged threats from a senior officer at the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). Another report identified the man as a missing Nandi politician found alive in Uganda. In a separate incident, the United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk issued a warning to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The warning regarded the arbitrary arrest and detention of activists and opposition politicians, specifically highlighting the enforced disappearance of two Kenyan activists.
President William Ruto arrived in Washington, D.C., to witness a peace agreement signing between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. During the visit, Kenya secured a Health Cooperation Framework Agreement with the U.S., which provides $1.6 billion (Ksh207 billion) over five years for the healthcare system. In addition, an agreement was reached for a debt-for-food swap to boost food security. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) approved a Sh162 billion (approximately $1 billion) debt-for-food-security swap to replace expensive loans. Another account of the deal reported it as USD 1 billion (Ksh129 billion) after a meeting between President Ruto and DFC CEO Ben Black.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party announced it will hold grassroots elections in 20 counties on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This decision was made after a joint meeting of the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Election Board (NEB). Concurrently, President William Ruto's UDA party is facing a legal challenge to a recent by-election victory. Two voters have petitioned against the win of Leo Wa Muthende in Mbeere North, alleging irregularities and claiming he was not a registered voter. In a related development, rights organizations led by Vocal Africa gave the IEBC and EACC a 14-day ultimatum to act on alleged widespread electoral offences during recent by-elections, threatening legal action.
Global medical technologies company Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies has opened its Africa headquarters and regional training centre in Nairobi to revolutionize blood management on the continent. In another initiative launched in Nairobi, the Million Lives Collective and the Judith Neilson Foundation have started the African Cities Innovation Fund, a grant initiative to boost urban innovation. This new fund aims to support collaborative solutions to urban challenges across African cities. Additionally, Equity Group Holdings has won the 2025 CIO100 Africa Award in the PlusOne Banking Sector category. The award, presented at a symposium in Naivasha, recognizes the group's leadership in financial technology and digital transformation.
Family Bank has successfully completed its private placement of ordinary shares, raising KES 8.004 billion in an oversubscribed round that exceeded its KES 6.090 billion target by 131%. In a separate deal, the Government of Kenya plans to sell a 15% stake in Safaricom PLC to Vodafone Kenya, which could generate between KES 240.5 billion and KES 244.5 billion. This divestment is aimed at funding the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Additionally, global insurtech firm Bolttech has acquired mTek, a Nairobi-based digital insurance platform. The acquisition will expand Bolttech's presence in East Africa and strengthen its embedded insurance capabilities.
Safaricom has partnered with Vivo Energy Kenya to enhance its Bundle Ya Deree digital productivity bundle, introducing weekly fuel discounts at Shell stations for cab drivers. In another partnership, Airtel Money customers in Kenya can now directly pay DTB Till Moja merchants and deposit funds into DTB accounts, a move aimed at enhancing financial convenience for individuals and small businesses. Separately, Zoho has extended its Young Creators Program (YCP) across East Africa. This initiative has trained over 150 participants in low-code application development using Zoho Creator to empower students and professionals with digital skills to solve local challenges.
More than 300 nurses in Kajiado County have reportedly not been paid for over six months, and their efforts to meet with Governor Joseph Ole Lenku have been unsuccessful. In Embu County, a workers' strike over unpaid salaries and promotions has entered its fourth day, paralyzing services across the county. Similarly, health services have been halted in the Bondo sub-county after health workers went on strike to protest the harassment of their colleagues. The strike in Bondo has affected access to essential medical services for citizens.
Recent by-elections in Kenya were marred by widespread irregularities, according to reports from observer groups including ELOG, Elap, and Vocal Afrika. The findings highlight significant issues including violence, voter intimidation, bribery, and breaches within polling stations. An ELOG report exposed widespread violations that contributed to chaos during the polls. Additionally, news reports indicate that elected officials and law enforcement have been implicated in the election irregularities, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
A family dispute has erupted following the burial of gospel singer Betty Bayo, who passed away on November 10 from advanced blood cancer. Her brother, Edward Mbugua, has publicly challenged the marital status of her widower, Hiram Gitau (Tash). Mbugua is also staking a claim for the custody of the children. According to her brother, the family was unaware of the seriousness of Bayo's illness before her death at Kenyatta National Hospital. Separately, musician Bahati (Kevin Kioko) publicly addressed viral social media claims from two elderly individuals alleging to be his long-lost biological parents, urging them to respect his late mother's memory.
A lack of rainfall is causing distress among farmers in Kenya, raising fears of an impending hunger crisis. Members of Parliament from Kenya's North-Eastern region have issued a stark warning about an imminent drought and are urging the government to declare it a national disaster to facilitate assistance. In a move to enhance food security, Kenya has launched four new climate-smart rice varieties. This initiative aims to significantly reduce reliance on rice imports and bolster domestic production to support local farmers.
Three people have been killed in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, during clashes related to anti-gold mining protests. The individuals were reportedly shot dead by police. The unrest erupted after angry residents disrupted gold mining operations, leading to violent clashes between residents and police. The violence, which also resulted in injuries among security officers and journalists, underscores escalating tensions surrounding resource extraction in the region.
The government sold a 15% Safaricom stake for 244.5 billion shillings for infrastructure, increasing Vodacom's control. A new court battle challenges Ruto's plan to sell 65 State firms, citing lack of MP oversight. Terumo BCT opened its Africa HQ in Nairobi. Directline Assurance was fined 85 million Kenyan Shillings for abusing buyer power, while lenders Platinum Credit and DTB were fined for data privacy breaches.
Media Council condemns Gachagua's attack on reporter Stephen Letoo. Raila Odinga was Kenya's top searched public figure on Google in 2025. The Kenyan film industry mourns actor Bilal Wanjau who passed away from diabetes.
Only two women are among 181 contenders in ongoing by-elections, prompting calls for urgent reforms to ensure fair participation. Meanwhile, chaos marked some by-election areas like Mbeere North, with allegations of voter bribery and physical confrontations.
Nairobi City Thunder is professionalizing Kenyan basketball, qualifying for the BAL. Kenya's boxing team is in Dubai for the World Championships, while Nakuru swimmers eye glory at the Mombasa gala for national team selection.
The government plans to sell a 15% Safaricom stake for up to 244.5 billion Kenyan Shillings to fund national infrastructure. Family Bank raised 8 billion Kenyan Shillings in an oversubscribed placement. Airtel Money now allows direct payments to DTB Till Moja merchants. Zoho expands its Young Creators Program in East Africa, and Spotify Wrapped 2025 shows Kenyan artists like Njerae topping charts. BAKE Awards voting was extended to December 11.
The Government has made changes to senior police leadership and plans comprehensive reforms. North Eastern MPs are urging the declaration of drought as a national disaster, as the Kenya Met Department forecasts hotter and drier conditions for the next three months. President Ruto secured a 162 billion shillings debt-for-food security swap deal with the US and is addressing DRC-Rwanda peace while in Washington. The High Court challenged Ruto's presidential proclamation on a Compensation Taskforce, and a Mombasa court halted a 17 billion Kenyan Shillings waste deal. KMTC students will receive HELB support, and new 30-year sugar mill lease terms have been unveiled.
