A tragic Nairobi-Nakuru highway crash has reignited calls for driving school reforms. Following the South C building collapse, the government considers deregistrering the architect, with the DPP ordering a police probe. Governor Sakaja advocates for counties to regain prosecutorial powers to tackle rogue developers. In other news, school transport will face strict compliance checks, and authorities will act against medics linked to 'prophetic healing'. A Kajiado court sentenced a man to life for child defilement.
Following the collapse of a 16-storey building in South C, Nairobi, on January 2, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions gave Inspector General of Police Dougas Kanja a seven-day deadline to investigate. Investigations revealed the structure, which had been flagged multiple times, grossly violated approved building plans. The government has hinted at the potential deregistration of the architect if they are deemed criminally liable. The incident prompted Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson to renew calls for county governments to regain prosecutorial powers to curb rogue developers. The collapse has highlighted issues of professional negligence and substandard practices in Kenya's construction industry.
On Monday, January 5, a head-on collision between a Greenline bus and a Nanyuki Cabs shuttle at Karai on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway resulted in 10 deaths. The crash occurred around 2:00 a.m., and survivors claimed it was caused by the bus driver's reckless driving. In response to a spike in road accidents, the Motorists Association of Kenya called for a crackdown on "rogue" driving schools, alleging they provide inadequate training. Amid these safety concerns, the government has ordered strict compliance checks on school transport vehicles as students return for the 2026 academic year.
A group of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmakers is calling for urgent talks to address deepening party divisions caused by a public feud between Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei alleges that Sifuna faces imminent removal as both Senate Deputy Minority Whip and ODM Secretary General this week. In a separate incident involving ODM politicians, Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai denied drawing a gun on Embakasi East MP Babu Owino during an altercation. Alai offered a conflicting account of the incident, which contradicts Owino's claims of physical harm.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of intimidation and coercion. Wamuchomba claims Gachagua is pressuring her to leave the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join his new party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). Similarly, Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, a close ally of Gachagua, has dismissed calls for him to resign from the UDA party despite his association with the DCP. Nyutu stated he will only leave UDA "at his own will" and challenged President William Ruto's moral authority to demand his resignation. In a separate incident, Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende condemned a violent attack on Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu during a burial ceremony, calling for peaceful politics.
The price of gold surged by 1.8% to around $4,408 per ounce after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an event which raised geopolitical risk concerns among investors. In the energy market, OPEC+ announced it will continue to pause oil output increases for February and March, citing seasonal factors. This decision, made during a virtual meeting, follows a similar hold on increases that began in January of 2026. Separately, a new record was set at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market, where a 243kg bluefin tuna fetched a staggering 510.3 million yen ($3.2m). The winning bid at the year's first auction was placed by Kiyomura Corp, operator of the Sushi Zanmai chain.
NSSF plans new twin towers in Nairobi CBD. KMPDC is probing doctors' faith-healing claims in Nakuru. Funding for counties increased in absolute terms but fell as a percentage of revenue. Kenya opted out of the COMESA sugar safeguard after 24 years.
Westcon-Comstor and Nokia are expanding their partnership in the MEA region to boost channel-led growth. Meanwhile, LG will unveil new Aerominum-made ultralight laptops with AI capabilities at CES 2026.
A tragic crash on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway killed several people and sparked calls for a crackdown on driving schools. Following the South C building collapse, the government may deregister the architect, while the DPP has given the IG seven days to investigate. Governor Sakaja pushed for counties to regain prosecutorial powers to curb rogue developers. Meanwhile, the government announced strict compliance checks for school transport vehicles and will act against medics linked to 'prophetic healing' claims. A Kajiado court sentenced a man to life for defiling an 11-year-old boy.
Clergy in Meru are calling for the prompt disbursement of school capitation funds to alleviate the financial strain on parents. Juja MP George Koimburi has urged the Ministry of Education to review the placement of Grade 10 students, citing concerns that many have been sent to schools far from their homes. In Baringo County, Loromoru Primary School will not reopen after it was demolished by officials believed to be from the Kenya Forest Service. Meanwhile, an upcoming news segment aims to explain Kenya's new school grading system to students and parents. Education Commentator Janet Ouko has highlighted these and other significant challenges, calling for a comprehensive plan for the education system.
President William Ruto has proposed changing laws to allow for the execution of drug traffickers, stating that current laws do not provide adequate punishment for such crimes. He announced strict new laws to combat drug trafficking in Kenya. In response, Mombasa Governor Abdulswammad publicly supported President Ruto's call to implement the death penalty for drug traffickers. Governor Abdulswammad also announced his commitment to collaborating with the national government in the fight against drug abuse to tackle the pervasive issue of narcotics within his region.
President William Ruto announced a significant peace achievement in the Kerio Valley, declaring the area ready for development after years of banditry. He issued a stern warning to individuals possessing illegal firearms, ordering them to surrender the weapons to law enforcement or religious leaders. Separately, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government is intensifying efforts to combat banditry in the Kerio Valley. Murkomen stated that a coordinated multi-agency security approach is being implemented to restore peace in the region.
The Kenyan government has officially terminated the Adani-sponsored Power Transmission Lines project, which was among four major Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects halted in the transport and energy sectors. According to the provided summary, President William Ruto canceled the Adani project due to integrity concerns. In a separate development concerning national infrastructure, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has attributed the rising number of fatal road crashes along the Northern Corridor to road design flaws and inadequate enforcement, rather than driver error. This view contrasts with the long-held position of the NTSA and KeNHA. Meanwhile, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has announced plans for a significant twin-tower development in Nairobi's central business district. This project at the junction of Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue is set to include office spaces, a hotel, and residential apartments.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed President William Ruto's vision for Kenya to emulate Singapore, indicating a divergence in their approaches to national development. Gachagua also called on President Ruto to prioritize job creation and fulfill the promises of the bottom-up economic agenda domestically before pursuing overseas labor opportunities. The Kenyan political landscape is reportedly heating up as President Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua exchange words, reflecting intensifying general election politics.
