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2 storiesThe government clashes with dairy farmers over plans to split New KCC, while Turkana's oil plant is projected to consume 34MW of electricity, impacting energy demand.
Clinical officers have ended their 36-day strike after signing a Return-to-Work Formula with the Council of Governors, bringing relief to public hospitals. Health CS Aden Duale is set to expose hospitals implicated in 11 billion Kenyan Shillings of fraudulent Social Health Authority claims, as DCI and KMPDC intensify efforts against fake clinics. Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku has directed HR managers to take action against absent government employees. Meanwhile, the ODPP has approved murder charges against two police officers linked to a fatal shooting in Mukuru kwa Njenga, as matatu owners threaten a national strike over boda boda "lawlessness." Reports indicate a rise in gender-based violence targeting older women, and 45% of Kenyans are dissatisfied with the CBC grading system, according to Infotrak. President Ruto's 5 trillion Kenyan Shillings infrastructure fund faces trust issues over governance.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved murder charges against two police officers, Sergeant Godwin Mjomba and Constable Patrick Mutunga Titus, for the fatal shooting of Shukri Adan Ibrahim Isaac in Mukuru kwa Njenga on January 11. In Mombasa, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested one suspect involved in the brutal assault of a watchman with a panga, an incident captured in viral CCTV footage. The suspect was apprehended at a guest house in the Bondeni "A" area. Meanwhile, a Kenyan businesswoman was robbed of ₹66.45 lakh (Ksh9.3 million) in Mumbai by individuals impersonating Indian Police on Tuesday, January 27.
The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has called off its 36-day strike after signing a Return-to-Work Formula with the Council of Governors (CoG), allowing for the resumption of normal operations in public hospitals. The agreement addresses stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations and other demands. In separate news, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has committed to publicly naming hospitals implicated in Ksh11 billion in fraudulent claims rejected by the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) fraud detection system. Duale affirmed these claims, identified through forensic audits, will not be paid. Concurrently, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) have initiated a crackdown on unlicensed health facilities in Nairobi, leading to arrests.
A petition has been filed in Kenya's Parliament seeking the removal of Isaac Ruto from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) due to alleged political bias. The petition claims his attendance at a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council meeting violates constitutional provisions on independence. Separately, former President Uhuru Kenyatta denied social media claims that he directed Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua to organize a meeting for Mt Kenya leaders, calling them "false and misleading." In another denial, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula asserted his independence, rejecting allegations that he receives orders from President William Ruto to manipulate parliamentary proceedings.
President William Ruto announced plans for the construction of a new airport and an international football stadium in Kisii County, with a development tour of the region scheduled for next month. In diplomatic engagements, the President met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the State House in Nairobi to review trade and security cooperation. The discussions on Thursday, January 29, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional security. Additionally, President Ruto promised Kenya's assistance to South Sudan for its December 2026 elections, a commitment made after a meeting with South Sudan's presidential special envoy, Tut Gatluak.
An audit by Kenya's Ministry of Health has revealed that the Social Health Authority (SHA) lost Sh11 billion due to fraudulent claims from private hospitals. Separately, Tower Sacco revealed a loss of Sh149.5 million in cash deposits held at the embattled Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) amid a mismanagement scandal. In other financial news, Moody’s Ratings has upgraded Kenya’s sovereign credit rating from B3 to Caa1, reflecting a decline in the country’s near-term default risk. Additionally, Kenya is funding the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Road with Sh4.5 billion from securitised Roads Maintenance Levy (RML) funds, part of a larger Sh21 billion allocation.
Oracle has confirmed that iXAfrica Data Centres in Nairobi will host its first public cloud region in East Africa, fulfilling a previous announcement by President William Ruto. In another initiative, Huawei launched its ICT Competition 2025/2026 Bootcamp Training in Kenya, selecting 21 students from nearly 3,000 applicants to equip them with advanced digital skills. During Data Privacy Week, Binance launched a "Safety Campaign" in Nairobi to connect road safety practices with digital asset protection. Also during the week, Absa Bank Kenya's Chief Data Officer, Hartnell Ndungi, emphasized the critical importance of data privacy. Separately, developers faced significant issues with the sandbox for Safaricom's M-Pesa Daraja 3.0, leading them to create a community-built open-source alternative.
The government clashes with dairy farmers over plans to split New KCC, while Turkana's oil plant is projected to consume 34MW of electricity, impacting energy demand.
MrBeast's philanthropy provided 1000 free surgeries in Kenya, aiding patients with various conditions. Separately, radio personality Alex Mwakideu highlighted a study showing nearly 10% of young Kenyan men aged 18-35 suffer from erectile dysfunction, a growing concern.
The Opposition demands IEBC reforms, threatening protests, while the Commission seeks legal changes for fair polls. The Supreme Court will rule on Gachagua's impeachment. Governor Mbarire faces Senate scrutiny over a 10 million Kenyan Shillings fund diversion.
CAF will inspect Kenyan stadiums next month for the 2027 Afcon. Meanwhile, selection trials for the World Universities Cross Country Championships are set for Kitui this Saturday, and Nyali Golf Club hosts a tournament with 250 players.
Clinical officers have called off their 36-day strike after signing a Return-to-Work Formula with the Council of Governors, restoring normal operations in public hospitals. Elsewhere in health, CS Aden Duale will name hospitals involved in 11 billion Kenyan Shillings of fraudulent Social Health Authority claims. The DCI and KMPDC are also cracking down on fake clinics in Nairobi. On governance, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku has ordered HR managers to punish absent government employees. Meanwhile, the ODPP has approved murder charges against two police officers involved in a Mukuru kwa Njenga fatal shooting. Matatu owners are threatening a nationwide strike over boda boda "lawlessness." A new report highlights a rise in GBV targeting older women, while a recent Infotrak poll shows 45% of Kenyans are dissatisfied with the CBC grading system. President Ruto's 5 trillion Kenyan Shillings infrastructure fund faces a trust crisis over governance concerns.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Internal Affairs Unit have launched an investigation into an attack at the ACK Witima church in Othaya, Nyeri. The probe seeks to determine if police officers were involved in the incident, which occurred during a Sunday service attended by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Investigations are ongoing to identify the specific police officers who may have been involved in the attack. Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha stated that anyone found responsible for the incident will face legal action. The attack occurred at ACK Witima in Othaya.
Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba updated Parliament on the progress of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, specifically addressing the transition from Junior to Senior School. A significant crisis is unfolding as over half of grade ten students have not yet enrolled in senior secondary school. This issue highlights widespread challenges families face in affording school fees and accessing education. Concurrently, CS Ogamba admitted that the government lacks official data on the actual cost of educating a learner in the country. This admission reveals a significant gap in educational financial planning and transparency.
Workers at Nzoia Sugar Company staged peaceful protests demanding payment of outstanding debts totaling over 10 billion shillings, and also reported widespread harassment from factory management. Separately, public transport drivers are threatening a strike next Monday to protest the government's perceived inaction over vehicles being set ablaze by motorcycle taxi operators, as announced by the Matatu Owners Association. Meanwhile, the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) have signed a Return-to-Work formula. This agreement officially ended a 36-day strike by clinical officers.
