As Kenya prepares for the first CBC cohort to transition into Senior Secondary School, challenges have emerged. Parents are raising alarms over schools allegedly demanding up to Ksh150,000 to secure Grade 10 placements, despite the Ministry of Education relaxing placement rules. Furthermore, former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion has warned that the Grade 10 rollout faces a crisis due to unprepared teachers. This warning comes despite ministry figures showing nearly 100,000 new teachers have been hired. In contrast, Kilifi County has announced a full scholarship program for students transitioning to Grade 10 after excelling in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) examination.

Two Kenyan police officers have been arrested by Tanzanian authorities during an attempted cross-border arrest in the Horohoro area of Tanzania. The officers, from Tononoka Police Station Crime Office, were reportedly pursuing a suspect wanted for alleged false pretenses in Kenya. The pursuit was conducted without authorization from Tanzanian authorities. The officers were found with two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, which were confiscated. A separate report states that a total of 5 Kenyans were detained after crossing the border at Horohoro. One of the officers was accompanied by a driver during the incident.

President William Ruto announced that the Kenyan government will establish rehabilitation centres in all 47 counties as part of a renewed national campaign against drug and substance abuse. This initiative followed a multi-agency meeting at State House on January 7, where the President outlined plans to integrate prevention, enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. The meeting focused on accelerating legal, institutional, and operational measures, in line with priorities set in the President’s New Year Address. In enforcement actions, Nairobi Police arrested four suspects in separate operations in South B and Kahawa West. During the raids, police confiscated significant quantities of suspected cannabis sativa, demonstrating a commitment to combating drug trafficking.

Migori Senator Eddy Oketch issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leadership, demanding a response to allegations of constitutional violations by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna. Following this, ODM Party Leader Oburu Oginga met with Sifuna after a petition to expel the Nairobi Senator from the party was withdrawn. The meeting focused on party unity and growth. According to political analyst Alenga Torosterdt, the ODM is at risk of losing its traditional strongholds due to such internal divisions. These events come three months after the passing of Raila Odinga. Separately, the Jubilee Party leadership, led by Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, defended former President Uhuru Kenyatta against attacks from a faction within the ODM Party.

Concerns about the integrity of Kenya's voting and tallying system have reignited due to a New York court case. New accusations against indicted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have cast a shadow over the company that supplied the technology for Kenya's 2017 and 2022 general elections. The charges against Maduro were brought by the US in a New York court. These revelations have brought the integrity of Kenya's entire electoral process under renewed scrutiny, with the opposition expressing wariness about the IEBC's polls system.

At CES 2026, Dell reintroduced its XPS line as its flagship premium brand, unveiling completely redesigned XPS 14 and XPS 16 models with a focus on performance and repairability. In Las Vegas, Infinix teased its upcoming NOTE 60 Series, showcasing features like satellite calling and messaging. The company also unveiled a broader range of technologies at the event, including a global satellite communication solution, advanced cooling systems, and AI-powered wearables. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics initiated its CES 2026 Tech Forums with a panel discussion that emphasized smart home interoperability and seamless device integration across different manufacturers.

Several Kenyan celebrities have signaled new beginnings in the first week of January 2026. Musician Willy Paul hinted at a new relationship through an Instagram post captioned "New Year, New Beginning! My Love." Similarly, digital creator Thee Pluto held a private ruracio ceremony, introducing a new partner following his high-profile split from Felicity Shiru. In another symbolic act, actress Marya Okoth shaved her head to signal a "fresh start" for the new year, which she shared with followers on January 7, 2026. On the same day, rapper Toxic Lyrikali also publicly declared an end to his perceived "beefs" with fellow artists. He stated that he holds no grudges and wants to focus on his music.

Several separate killings and violent crimes have been reported across Kenya. In Kaliet, South Narok, a land dispute tragically escalated into killings. The family of a bodaboda operator, Peter Orina, is seeking justice following his killing in Kisii. In a separate incident in Mbita, a 17-year-old girl was reportedly raped and murdered. Additionally, police in Mathare, Nairobi have launched a manhunt for a man accused of fatally assaulting his daughter.

An ownership dispute at Gatoto Primary School in Mukuru kwa Reuben, Nairobi, has escalated into violence, preventing the school from reopening for the new term. The conflict has caused violent clashes between two opposing parties. This situation has left nearly 4,000 learners stranded without a clear path for their education. Following an uproar and a recent attack, government officials have affirmed that Gatoto Primary remains a public institution. NTV Kenya has reported on the dispute, which has caused chaos at the school.

Nigeria has cruised into the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a dominant 4-0 victory over Mozambique in their last-16 tie on Monday. Egypt also secured its place with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin in the round of 16. Egypt's Captain Mohamed Salah scored a crucial goal in the 124th minute to seal the win. In another match, Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals after a 1-0 victory over Tanzania, with Brahim Diaz scoring the decisive goal. Morocco will now face Cameroon, who defeated South Africa 2-1. In the final Round of 16 fixture, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso are set to clash at the Grand Stade Marrakech.

A rescue operation for a collapsed 14-storey building in South C, Nairobi, has entered its fifth day. The rescue efforts are reportedly now entering their final phase. A guard, identified as Ali Adan Galgallo, was found deceased in the rubble after dying from injuries sustained during the collapse. He has since been buried at Lang'ata Cemetery. KTN News Kenya has been providing live coverage and updates on the rescue operation.