President Ruto defended the Kenya-US health deal, vowing to protect Kenyans, even as COFEK moved to court to challenge it on privacy grounds. Governors are now pushing for expanded roles in security and foreign affairs. Clinical officers continued their protests for better welfare, while Kenya Power attributed a recent widespread blackout to a network disturbance. A new report highlighted rising digital violence and early marriages among girls. Chief Justice Koome stressed the importance of ethics in constitutional enforcement, as economic, social, and cultural rights violations emerged as the top reported abuses. KNCHR urged corruption reforms, warning of potential human rights index downgrading due to delayed reports.
President William Ruto has defended the Kenya–United States Health Cooperation Framework, assuring Kenyans it will not lead to exploitation and is anchored on firm legal ground. The Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has filed a lawsuit challenging the Ksh 200 billion health deal, citing concerns over governance, consumer representation, and data privacy. President Ruto responded that the agreement was thoroughly vetted by the Office of the Attorney General and that Kenyan data protection laws would take precedence. In a separate development, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has labeled at least 15 Kenyans as the 'worst of the worst' illegal aliens. This designation refers to alleged criminal illegal aliens with serious convictions and was announced on a new public webpage.
Safaricom's debut green bond was significantly oversubscribed, attracting Sh41.4 billion against a target of Sh15 billion. The telecommunications firm will take up Sh20 billion, which is the maximum allowed in this first tranche, after exercising a Sh5 billion greenshoe option. Green bonds are an investment tool for financing environmentally friendly projects, such as renewable energy and clean transport. In other sustainability efforts, Ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands has launched The Green Room, a fully solar-powered events space to reduce the hotel's carbon footprint. Additionally, Ampersand Energy has launched Africa's first open battery-swap network for third-party electric motorcycle manufacturers in a bid to accelerate electric transportation.
Absa Bank Kenya has launched two innovative customer service models, "Branch on the Move" and "Absa Service Pods," to expand its national presence and improve access to banking services. Similarly, Access Bank Kenya and the National Bank of Kenya (NBK) have launched the “W Initiative”. This is a unified financial proposition aimed at closing the funding gap for women-owned businesses in Kenya. The initiative provides credit, capacity building, and market access. In the technology sector, Zoho's Young Creators Program completed a tour across East Africa, including Kenya, teaching 150 individuals to build apps using low-code platforms and AI with little to no coding knowledge.
Vertiv has successfully completed its acquisition of PurgeRite Intermediate for approximately $1 billion. This strategic move aims to bolster Vertiv’s thermal management capabilities for data centers. In a separate deal, Capitec Bank has signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of Walletdoc Holdings, a South African fintech company. This acquisition aims to integrate Walletdoc's technology into Capitec's digital payments ecosystem. Meanwhile, the Government of Kenya has outlined nine stringent conditions that Vodacom must meet before acquiring a 15% stake in Safaricom. The government's goal for this divestment is to raise between KES 240.5 billion and KES 244.5 billion for national funds.
CBK has cut its lending rate to 9% to spur credit uptake. Safaricom's green bond drew 41.4 billion shillings, taking up 20 billion shillings. UNICEF and Standard Chartered are funding 750 job opportunities for young women. Ampersand launched Africa's first open battery-swap network for e-motorbikes.
Larry Madowo denies claims he was paid to tarnish Tanzania's government. Corazon Kwamboka reveals early menopause due to endometriosis treatment. Maverick Aoko announces pregnancy, while Julie Gichuru shares a family moment with her son.
President Ruto has directed ministers to lead his 2027 re-election campaign, aiming for two million additional votes. The united opposition faults Ruto for constitutional shortcuts and alleges an IEBC re-election scheme. Former Governor Sonko launched a new party, NEDP, looking towards the 2027 elections.
Kenyan golfers Njoroge Kibugu and Naomi Wafula made history by securing full playing cards on the Sunshine Tour. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig appointed Tatjana Haenni as German football's first woman CEO. Internationally, Lionel Messi won his second MLS MVP, while Wilfried Zaha returns for Ivory Coast's AFCON defense.
President Ruto defends the Kenya-US health deal, assuring Kenyans against exploitation, while COFEK challenges it in court over privacy concerns. Governors seek greater roles in security and foreign affairs, and clinical officers protest for better welfare. Kenya Power attributes a widespread blackout to an interconnected power network disturbance. A new report reveals an explosion of digital violence and increased early marriages for girls. CJ Koome stresses ethical foundations for constitutional enforcement. Meanwhile, economic, social, and cultural rights violations top reported abuses, with KNCHR urging corruption reforms and warning of downgraded human rights index due to delayed reports.
Kenya is lauding 230 police officers returning from an 18-month tour of duty in Haiti, while another contingent of 230 officers has departed for Haiti to join the Gang Suppression Force. The returning officers were part of the now-defunct Multinational Security Support Mission. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya's 5th Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 5) has escalated patrols amidst allegations of ceasefire breaches, despite a recent peace accord facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Domestically, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will be deployed to Kisumu County to assist in the upgrade of Moi Stadium. This project followed a meeting between the Ministry of Defence and the Kisumu County Government and is expected to be completed within the next year.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has urged the government to promptly submit two overdue human rights reports, warning that delays could jeopardize Kenya's international standing. According to the KNCHR's State of Human Rights Report 2024–2025, violations of Economic, Social, and Cultural (ECOSOC) rights were the most reported abuses in Kenya over the past year. These violations accounted for nearly half of all complaints received by the commission. A separate KNCHR report identifies rising corruption as a major threat to human rights and faults half-hearted anti-corruption measures. The commission has called for comprehensive reforms to combat this corruption. Upholding Kenya's commitments under regional and international law is dependent on the submission of the overdue reports.
The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has raised concerns regarding the US–Kenya Health Cooperation Framework, citing potential data-privacy and sovereignty risks for Kenyans. In a separate issue concerning digital rights, a new report by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) warns that millions of Africans are being locked out of essential services due to the imposition of biometric digital-ID systems, which raise significant privacy and access concerns. Addressing another form of digital barrier, Nairobi-based advocate Francis Wanjiku has petitioned Chief Justice Martha Koome to remove geo-restrictions on the Judiciary’s e-filing and cause-list portals. Wanjiku argues that the current system disadvantages millions of Kenyans living or traveling abroad. Cofek is pushing for stronger safeguards and consumer representation to be included in the health agreement's governance.
The first contingent of Kenyan Police officers has returned to Kenya after serving on a successful 18-month mission in Haiti. The team was welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by various leaders, including Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also met with the returning officers and advised them to invest their earnings wisely. Murkomen urged them to make prudent spending choices and invest in appropriate opportunities upon their return. As confirmed by the Inspector General, the returning group will be honored during the upcoming Jamhuri Day parade at Uhuru Gardens on Friday.
The Kenyan government is contemplating a new Kshs 5 per litre fuel levy to generate an estimated Kshs 125 billion for stalled road projects across the country. In a related development, President William Ruto affirmed that a new Infrastructure Fund will be launched this week, despite opposition concerns. The opposition has raised concerns that the fund will be financed through the sale of the government's shares in Safaricom. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has explained the government's strategy for selling these shares. Separately, the High Court has suspended a contentious Ksh.2.1 billion road agreement between Nakuru County and the National Youth Service, halting the deal for now.
Star player Mohamed Salah was benched for recent Liverpool games, including three consecutive matches, and was omitted from the squad for a Champions League tie against Inter Milan. Following this, Salah publicly criticized manager Arne Slot and the club, stating he was "thrown under the bus." The fallout has led Egyptian football fans to turn away from Liverpool matches, impacting viewership in Cairo. While Liverpool manager Arne Slot refused to discuss Salah after a 1-0 win against Inter Milan, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has urged Salah to reconcile with the club. Salah's Egypt teammates have also publicly supported him ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
A media report has offered an inside look at the new Mukuru Affordable Housing Project and future plans for Makongeni. This project is part of the government's "Boma Yangu" affordable housing program, which was recently discussed to explain how individuals can own a house under the initiative. These housing developments are highlighted as a devastating fire in the Mukuru-Kayaba slums in Nairobi has left over 100 families displaced after their houses were destroyed. The displaced residents are now appealing for aid following the extensive damage. The housing projects in Mukuru and Makongeni were featured as part of the #FixingTheNationNTV series.
