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5 storiesTreasury seeks public input on 2026/27 tax proposals. School internet costs have dropped after procurement reforms. Airtel Africa partners with SpaceX to bring Starlink mobile connectivity to 14 African markets.
The Cabinet has approved a policy for inclusive public service hiring and procurement, while President Ruto launched a 500 billion Kenyan Shillings scholarship for minorities and ordered their enrollment in cash transfer programs. The government eyes equitable water use and will relocate Mukuru slum dwellers to 5,000 new housing units. KNEC released 2024 KCPE and KCSE certificates. The Kenya Bankers Association seeks PAYE changes to boost income, as NTSA warns of an instant fine SMS scam. Kenya safely repatriated 18 citizens from Russia amidst a report of 525 billion Kenyan Shillings government debt.
Newly released CCTV footage shows the moment a 65-seater bus collided head-on with former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo's car on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, instantly killing him. In another incident, several passengers and a driver were injured after a Dreamline passenger bus collided with a lorry near Kijabe on the Nairobi–Naivasha highway in the early hours of Thursday. Amid these events, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) issued a public alert warning Kenyan motorists about a new scam. The scam involves fraudulent SMS messages demanding instant payments for alleged traffic violations and directing recipients to a fake website.
President William Ruto is urging Members of Parliament to pass the National Infrastructure Fund Bill, which he says will unlock Sh5 trillion for national development. In a separate move, the National Treasury of Kenya has invited public participation for tax policy proposals for the 2026/27 financial year budget. Additionally, the National Construction Authority (NCA) has halted construction at a residential development on Peponi Road in Westlands, Nairobi, following a structural failure on Monday, December 15. On the topic of procurement, a UNICEF-Giga report noted that Kenya's decision to open up the process for school internet connectivity has drastically reduced broadband costs.
TechArena is set to debut a new documentary series titled "Africa’s Blockchain and AI Story from Nairobi," produced by BeyondTheCode.ai and XRAgency.co to highlight the city's role in innovation. In a separate technology launch, TECNO has officially released its MEGAPAD SE tablet in Kenya for KES 18,999. This device emphasizes an AI-first strategy with integrated artificial intelligence tools for students and professionals. Additionally, Airtel Africa has partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink's Direct-to-Cell connectivity to its 14 markets in Africa. The service, launching in 2026, aims to provide mobile network connectivity via satellite to compatible smartphones. This collaboration targets areas underserved by traditional terrestrial networks.
Treasury seeks public input on 2026/27 tax proposals. School internet costs have dropped after procurement reforms. Airtel Africa partners with SpaceX to bring Starlink mobile connectivity to 14 African markets.
Counties spent 1.5 billion shillings on travel in three months. Meanwhile, President Ruto continues his efforts to gain political ground in the Nyanza region, even as some local leaders seek development commitments.
Ugandan teams join the Enterprise Cup as Kabras Sugar eye another title. Kenya Police lead the Premier League after rivals draw. Kenyan boxers excelled at the World Championships, while Pipeline and Postbank won in the KVF season opener. Lionesses named a squad for SVNS 2, and youth swimmers are in Angola for the African Games.
Swedfund invested $20 million in Helios CLEAR Fund for African climate businesses. Airtel Africa partnered with SpaceX to launch Starlink Direct-to-Cell across 14 markets by 2026. Safaricom celebrated Shangwe @25, recognizing drivers and riders as key to Kenya's mobility.
The Cabinet has approved a new policy to ensure marginalized communities are included in public service hiring and procurement. President Ruto also launched a 500 billion Kenyan Shillings National Minority Scholarship Programme and ordered urgent enrollment of minority groups into cash transfer programs. The government eyes equitable water use via new allocation thresholds and will move Mukuru slum dwellers to 5,000 new housing units. KNEC has released 2024 KCPE and KCSE certificates. The Kenya Bankers Association wants PAYE changes to boost disposable income. NTSA warns against a new instant fine SMS scam. Kenya safely repatriated 18 citizens from Russia, while a report revealed 525 billion Kenyan Shillings of government debt.
President William Ruto announced the establishment of a Sh500 billion National Minority Scholarship Programme aimed at supporting children from marginalized communities. This initiative was unveiled during his address to 5,000 leaders from ethnic minorities at State House, Nairobi, marking International Minorities Rights Day. On the same day, President Ruto directed the urgent enrollment of thousands of families from Kenya's minority and marginalized communities into existing cash transfer programs to strengthen household resilience. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the National Policy on Ethnic Minorities, Indigenous, and Marginalised Communities, a new blueprint aimed at reforming public service hiring. This policy will mandate the inclusion and representation of marginalised communities across all government institutions and ensure affirmative action in public service and procurement.
A recent report by the Office of the Controller of Budget has revealed that the Kenyan national government's pending bills reached Ksh525.44 billion by September 2025, with state corporations accounting for the vast majority of this debt. Separately, the Kenya Bankers Association has proposed significant changes to the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax bands in a submission to the National Treasury, aiming to increase the minimum taxable income and boost disposable income. In another development, the Government of Kenya, through the Water Resources Authority (WRA), has invited public participation for its Draft Water Allocation Guidelines and Allocation Thresholds 2025 to ensure equitable and sustainable water use.
Canon has expanded its coral conservation program to East Africa, partnering with Kenya's Oceans Alive Foundation to link reef restoration with coastal economies. In the telecommunications sector, Airtel Africa has partnered with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 African markets. This marks the continent's first satellite-to-mobile service at scale. Meanwhile, Safaricom Business has launched its Shangwe @25 promotion, rewarding its first 25 enterprise customers. Prizes include vehicles, business restocking funds, and support for corporate social responsibility projects.
Diageo, a global beverage alcohol company, is reportedly planning to sell its stake in East African Breweries Limited (EABL) to Japan's Asahi Group Holdings. The sale is for a significant sum, with reports mentioning figures of Sh297 billion and an estimated Sh300 billion. This divestment represents a significant shift in ownership for one of East Africa's largest brewing companies. The acquisition of EABL by ASAHI is described as a significant event and a milestone for the Nairobi Securities Exchange. This development highlights major activity within Kenya's financial markets.
Several large-scale government financial matters have been reported. Kenya has spent a staggering Ksh507 billion on debt repayment within the last three months, signaling significant outflows towards loan obligations. Separately, the Kenyan government has allocated Kshs 1.57 billion for voluntary early retirement packages, a move likely aimed at streamlining the public workforce. Concurrently, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa is demanding the immediate disbursement of Ksh 27 billion which he states is owed to county governments by the National Treasury.
Gospel singer Moji Short Baba and his wife, Nyawira Gachugi, have welcomed their first child together, sharing the joyful news with their fans. Separately, Kenyan hitmaker Iyanii shared a harrowing account of surviving a near-fatal shooting in Mathare during his youth, revealing the dangers of his former life before achieving musical success. In another event, CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo discussed a "frightening ordeal" he experienced while covering political rallies in Uganda. Madowo stated he "thought I was dying" after being caught in an unusually harsh tear gas deployment.
President William Ruto has made several announcements on various national issues. He delivered a full speech on Minority Rights Day. In a separate matter, the President recently revised the timelines for Kenya's transition to first-world status, altering the projected duration. Additionally, President Ruto has pledged to ensure peace between Kenya and Uganda concerning the disputed Migingo Island. This commitment aims to resolve long-standing tensions over the island’s ownership and fishing rights.