The government plans to offer permanent terms to Junior Secondary School intern teachers by 2026 to prevent strikes. Meanwhile, the Treasury seeks public input for the 2026 Finance Bill. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised alleged secret sales of national assets and reckless debt. The EACC reports tracing 22.9 billion shillings in illicit wealth and recovering 3.4 billion shillings. President Ruto made new appointments to a trade agency, while public participation begins on selling a 15% Safaricom stake. IEBC Chair Ethekon warned against political interference, stating election theft is impossible. Kenya and the UK have boosted their health partnership, and Ikolomani residents demand rights to gold-rich land after clashes.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused the Kenya Kwanza government of reckless debt management and covert attempts to privatize national assets, citing the country's escalating public debt. Concurrently, the National Assembly has initiated public participation for the government's plan to sell a 15% stake in Safaricom PLC, a move projected to raise Sh244.5 billion. This proposal is facing significant backlash over potential undervaluation and lack of transparency. In a related financial matter, the National Treasury has invited Kenyans to submit tax policy proposals for the 2026/2027 budget and Finance Bill 2026. This initiative aims to enhance public participation following protests over a previous finance bill in 2024.
The Government of Kenya has outlined nine conditions for Vodacom to acquire a 15% stake in Safaricom as part of a KES 245 billion deal giving Vodacom majority control. This divestment aims to raise between KES 240.5 billion and KES 244.5 billion for the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund. In separate service updates, Safaricom introduced a new confirmation step for M-PESA transactions via its SIM Toolkit, requiring users to re-enter the recipient's number to reduce wrong transactions. The company also introduced new promotional pop-ups within its M-PESA SIM Toolkit, offering discounted data and minutes bundles to users attempting to send money to Airtel Kenya.
Parliament seeks public views on the government's 15% Safaricom stake sale. The High Court ordered the government to pay 24 billion shillings to a sugar investor over a failed land deal. KenGen assures stable power supply through hydropower. Credit Bank aims to raise 4.5 billion shillings. NCBA and HEVA target the creative economy with new financing.
Kabras Sugar dominate Kenya Cup, KPA women's basketball team reaches WBLA quarters. Kenyan boxer Wandera advances in Dubai. Local teams win polo tournaments in Gilgil. Lando Norris clinched the 2025 Formula One driver's title for McLaren.
Safaricom is seeing a major corporate shift as Vodacom takes majority control in a 245 billion Kenyan Shillings deal. Safaricom also updated M-Pesa's SIM Toolkit, adding recipient confirmation and promotional offers. Meanwhile, Google Chrome and Edge now natively support HLS playback.
The government promises permanent terms for JSS intern teachers by 2026 to avert a strike. Meanwhile, the Treasury invites Kenyan public input for the 2026 Finance Bill. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka alleges secret sale of national assets and reckless debt management. EACC reported tracing 22.9 billion shillings in illicit wealth, recovering 3.4 billion shillings. President Ruto made new appointments in a trade agency. Public participation has begun on selling a 15% Safaricom stake. IEBC Chair Ethekon warned against political interference by "super agents" in elections but stated that stealing an election is now impossible. Kenya and the UK have enhanced their health partnership. Lastly, Ikolomani residents demand rights to gold-rich land after deadly clashes.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Edung Ethekon confirmed a 99% functionality rate for KIEMS kits during the November 27 by-elections. He stated that thanks to enhanced transparency, improved technology, and strict audit trails, stealing an election in Kenya is now "an impossibility". Ethekon emphasized that the electoral system is designed to prevent manipulation without immediate detection. However, he also issued a severe warning about "super agents," identified as senior politicians, who allegedly disrupted elections through intimidation and unlawful interference. This interference was noted as a particular issue during the by-elections held on November 27.
Bomet County is experiencing a troubling surge in cases of teenage pregnancy, defilement, and domestic violence, which are often compounded by cultural cover-ups. The county has been identified as one of the regions experiencing a high percentage of gender-based violence. In Nyatike constituency, Migori County, stakeholders are also calling for collaborative strategies to combat the rising cases of teenage pregnancies. As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence conclude, calls have been made for the government to improve laws addressing digital crimes that target girls and women. In a related incident, detectives in Embakasi are investigating the murder of a young girl aged between 10 and 13 years.
AFC Leopards defeated arch-rivals Gor Mahia 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium in the 98th edition of the Mashemeji Derby. In rugby, defending champions Kabras Sugar are leading the Kenya Cup table after a record-breaking 123-0 victory over Impala. At the Manyatta Polo Club in Gilgil, two teams, Sosian Energy and Play With Fitness, emerged victorious in the Moi Cup and Martin Kesier Memorial Trophy polo tournaments. The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) basketball team stormed into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women Basketball League Africa in Cairo after defeating Nigeria's FirstBank 82-53. In boxing, Kenya's Washington Wandera advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the Elite World Men Boxing Championships in Dubai after a unanimous points' decision victory.
The seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) has officially commenced at the UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi, hosting high-level environment talks. In connection with these themes, Kenya has pledged to increase funding and resources for women engaged in peace, security, and climate change initiatives. This commitment was highlighted as women at the grassroots level are recognized for their crucial role in these efforts. It was also noted that women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.
Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have criticized President William Ruto for allegedly authorizing the sale of government shares in Safaricom without public input. In another challenge to the president's camp, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is reportedly distancing himself from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), marking a potential political shift in Western Kenya. This development suggests a brewing political battle and enmity that could redefine regional allegiances. Furthermore, recent by-elections have become a significant political indicator, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's prominent role sparking debate and potentially causing concern for President William Ruto.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has issued a stern warning to political actors attempting to influence or intimidate election officials, emphasizing that such schemes are futile in Kenya's transparent system. Separately, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua expressed alarm over increasing repression and democratic decline across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Karua cited state-sanctioned brutality and shrinking civil liberties as concerns. The integrity of political processes is also being questioned due to the high cost and political motivations behind governors' impeachments, with legal experts noting substantial resources are expended in these trials.
Several financial and investment entities have announced significant capital and business initiatives. Credit Bank is seeking approval from its shareholders to raise up to Sh4.5 billion through a private placement to bolster its capital base and fund growth. In a move to support a different sector, NCBA Bank and HEVA Fund have partnered to launch bespoke credit products targeting Kenya’s creative economy. This partnership aims to address a long-standing gap in financial services for artists and creative enterprises. In the real estate sector, GenAfrica Asset Managers has acquired The Cube, a commercial property on Riverside Drive. The acquisition was made through its Batian Property Fund as part of a strategy to boost pension returns.
Digital creator Gloria Ntazola has publicly responded to viral claims from her homeless brother, dismissing his allegations of abandonment as false. Following the death of singer Betty Bayo, her mother, Joyce Wairimu, declared herself the rightful next of kin. Wairimu has demanded a postmortem and the immediate removal of Betty's children from their current home. Pastor Victor Kanyari, the father of Betty Bayo’s children, then urged the widower Hiram Gitau (Tash) to heed the advice of Betty's mother. In a TikTok video on December 7, 2025, Kanyari expressed sorrow for Betty's mother, noting her profound loss and Betty's role as her primary provider. Gloria Ntazola stated her family had provided her brother with housing and financial aid.
