Matatu operators are staging weekly strikes, demanding a meeting with President Ruto over boda boda lawlessness, causing transport disruptions and police action in Nairobi. In response to economic pressure, the government plans tax relief for Kenyans earning under 30,000 shillings monthly. Sugar workers called off their strike after the Ministry of Agriculture pledged 1 billion Kenyan Shillings for unpaid salaries. Elsewhere, residents dangerously siphoned fuel from a tanker crash on the Eldoret-Malaba Highway, while schools face legal action for publishing student exam results without consent. Public opinion shows 77% of Kenyans believe the 50,000 shillings Nyota Fund is sufficient to start a business, yet 64% remain unconnected to the program.
A series of legal actions and rulings are impacting Kenyans. A Nairobi lawyer, Rogers Monda, has sued the government over its failure to regulate the boda boda business, citing rampant road carnage, mob violence, and sexual assaults across the country. Separately, a landmark data protection ruling means Kenyan parents can now sue schools for publishing their children's exam results and names without consent. This follows a decision where the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) ordered a city school to pay Ksh 637,500 for unlawfully advertising a minor's information. Concurrently, recent debates have re-examined the Law of Succession Act (Cap 160) regarding inheritance disputes, spurred by a case where a judge's will disinherited siblings.
Chaos erupted on Monday, February 2, 2026, across Nairobi and other major Kenyan towns as a significant portion of the matatu industry went on strike, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Matatu operators have vowed to continue their strike every Monday until President William Ruto addresses their grievances regarding what they term as increasing lawlessness by boda boda operators. The operators, who were also on strike on January 28, are demanding a direct meeting with the president. In response to the protests, police in Nairobi's Central Business District removed number plates and towed matatus that were blocking streets. Officers also used tear gas to disperse protestors as they worked to restore normal traffic flow.
New opportunities have opened for Kenyans in international and digital spheres. The Australian government has opened applications for fully funded Australia Awards Scholarships for postgraduate study in 2027, targeting eligible professionals from Kenya and other African countries. Simultaneously, the Kenyan government has announced it is unlocking new opportunities for citizens to work abroad. In the technology sector, Google has expanded its WAXAL speech dataset to include Kikuyu, Dholuo, and Luganda. This initiative aims to boost artificial intelligence (AI) accessibility for millions of African language speakers. The goal is to enable the development of AI tools that can understand local languages.
Several Kenyan public figures have recently made personal announcements and addressed public speculation. Digital creator Georgina Njenga opened up about battling "depressive episodes" following her separation from actor Tyler Mbaya. Actress Jackie Matubia announced she is born again, embarking on a spiritual transformation that began after the passing of her stepfather in 2025. Comedian Dem Wa Facebook also surprised her online following by announcing her pregnancy with a maternity photoshoot. Meanwhile, Ruth K, partner to comedian Mulamwah, vehemently denied "wicked" allegations that she intentionally pinched her infant son for attention. Celebrity Akothee sparked online debate with her remarks that men no longer approach her, while discussing relationships and self-discipline.
Nairobi commuters faced paralysis from matatu operators' go-slow. The Met Department warns of 28 dry, hotter-than-average days. Meanwhile, Jackie Matubia embraces a spiritual transformation. Georgina Njenga opened up about depression after her breakup with Tyler Mbaya, and Ruth K denied allegations of harming her son.
President Ruto addresses Nairobi garbage cartels and defends education reforms while UDA faces internal Mt Kenya dissent. IEBC warns of a 22 billion shillings funding gap for 2027 polls. ODM plans tough talks with Ruto's party as Gachagua church attack probe raises concerns.
Kabras Sugar continue their Kenya Cup dominance with a 48-13 win, while MMUST and Impala boost survival hopes. Gor Mahia extends their lead in the SportPesa Premier League after beating Sofapaka 3-0.
Google, with African institutions, launched WAXAL to give over 100 million Africans a voice in AI. Separately, WhatsApp is reportedly developing a subscription plan with premium features, potentially altering its revenue model and impacting Kenyan users.
Matatu operators are staging weekly strikes, demanding a meeting with President Ruto over boda boda lawlessness, causing transport disruptions and police action in Nairobi. The government plans tax relief for Kenyans earning under 30,000 shillings monthly to boost the economy. Meanwhile, sugar workers have called off their strike after the Ministry of Agriculture pledged 1 billion shillings for unpaid salaries. In other news, a tanker crash on the Eldoret–Malaba Highway saw residents dangerously siphoning fuel. Schools face legal action for publishing student exam results without consent. Lastly, while 77% of Kenyans believe the 50,000 shillings Nyota Fund is sufficient to start a business, 64% remain unconnected to the program.
Matatu operators planned a nationwide strike to protest attacks by boda boda operators, causing significant transport disruption in Nairobi. On Monday morning, commuters were left stranded and faced hiked fares as many matatus remained off the roads. The protest led to unusually light traffic in the city. In response, police in Nairobi confiscated registration plates from matatus blocking roads in the Central Business District. Several matatu drivers were arrested and their vehicles were impounded following the strike.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi branch has suspended its strike for 30 days. The suspension follows a court warning and is intended to allow the County Government time to resolve their grievances. Meanwhile, medical officers in Nakuru, Nandi, and Garissa counties have returned to work. Their return follows the signing of an agreement after a consensus was reached between the Council of Governors and medical officials for them to resume duties immediately.
President William Ruto has condemned recent violence in churches and called for politics to be kept out of places of worship. He issued a stern warning against church invasions, vowing to punish politicians who use hooligans, and instructed police to ensure security. The opposition has questioned President Ruto's leadership regarding the attacks. Opposition leaders also threatened nationwide protests if those responsible for a recent church attack in Othaya are not apprehended.
As the Kenyan government moves forward with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) transition to Grade 10, several issues have emerged. A recent report highlights a significant shortage of Grade 10 textbooks, which is adversely affecting students' education. In addition, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised concerns regarding the placement of Grade 10 students under the new curriculum. KUPPET warned that the current placement process could lead to the elimination of C4 schools.
Kabras Sugar maintained their undefeated streak in the Kenya Cup by beating Kenya Harlequin 48-13, marking their seventh consecutive bonus point win. In football, Gor Mahia established a four-point lead at the top of the SportPesa Premier League after a 3-0 victory over Sofapaka at Nyayo Stadium. At the Nairobi Polo Club, Tusker Malt advanced to the finals of the 2026 Chairman’s Cup with a 5-3.5 victory over NPC. Tusker Malt will now face BMW in the final, who secured their spot by defeating Pure Travel 6-5.
