The Sultanate of Oman has issued a strong warning to Kenyans against using unofficial channels for employment, clarifying that tourist visas cannot be used for work after numerous Kenyans were defrauded. This comes as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates over 200 Kenyans have been deceptively recruited to fight for Russia since 2022, highlighted by the death of a Kenyan soldier. In business, the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has warned potential investors against the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Initial Public Offering due to an ongoing legal challenge scheduled for February 19. Separately, following a ruling by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), Kenyans are being warned that recording someone's voice without their consent is a criminal offense that could lead to serious legal consequences.

The Environment and Land Court has ordered Nairobi County Government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to pay Ksh25.8 million to 1,032 waste pickers at the Dandora dumpsite. The court found that prolonged air pollution at the dumpsite violated the pickers’ constitutional rights. In a separate case, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has urged the Court of Appeal to reject attempts by Rashmi Chamanlal Kamani and Deepak Kumar Kamani to delay the ongoing Anglo Leasing corruption trial, emphasizing the need for justice to proceed. Additionally, Nandi Senator Kiprotich Cherargei denounced the transfer of senior police officers implicated in the Nandi Hills assault case as a "travesty of justice," calling for disciplinary action and criminal prosecution instead.

President William Ruto is scheduled to launch the NYOTA project in Malindi, overseeing the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries in Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu Counties. He oversaw the disbursement of Sh126 million to 5,040 young entrepreneurs under the NYOTA Programme's Business Start-Up Capital component. This initial support provides Sh25,000 per beneficiary, with Sh22,000 designated for business and Sh3,000 for NSGF savings. Amid criticism from opposition leaders, the World Bank has publicly defended Kenya's National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme. The global lender asserts its support for the initiative as an "innovative, inclusive and transparent way to deal with unemployment among the youth" in Kenya.

Hussein Marjan, the longest-serving senior official at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has left the agency after more than a decade of service. His departure, described as a “termination by mutual consent,” marks the third consecutive CEO to leave the position prematurely, less than two years before the 2027 elections. The exit is reportedly surrounded by controversy and has raised questions about the IEBC's credibility. This development comes amidst ongoing scrutiny over a controversial contract with voting technology provider Smartmatic. In connection with this, the IEBC announced it has not extended Smartmatic's contract. IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon stated Marjan's exit was "in the best interest of the nation" but did not confirm if it was linked to the KIEMS kits contract.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of making irregular changes to the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leadership. ODM states that Mr. Kenyatta lacks the authority to appoint or dismiss coalition officials without a properly constituted council meeting. This conflict arises as ODM's attempts to form a new alliance with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are complicated by its legally binding affiliation with the Azimio coalition. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir defended recent leadership decisions within ODM, insisting all resolutions were reached unanimously and according to the party's constitution. Nassir also addressed the party's leadership structure following Raila Odinga's pursuit of the AU position.

A Kenyan parliamentary committee has approved the sale of a 15% government stake in Safaricom PLC to raise Sh204.3 billion for critical infrastructure development. The sale aims to ease pressure on public finances as only Sh29.8 billion was available for development in the 2025/26 financial year. In separate infrastructure initiatives, the National Treasury and KeNHA have begun plans for the upgrade of the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba Road PPP project. Following online discussions, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) defended its investment in the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway project, stating that contributors' savings are safe. Meanwhile, Treasury CS John Mbadi defended the controversial National Infrastructure Fund in court after the High Court suspended its operation.

After a 15-year closure, Kenya has reopened its border with Somalia to resume road exports of miraa (khat), a decision approved by the National Security Council to boost trade. On another front, trade between Kenya and the United Kingdom reached a record high of Sh360 billion in the third quarter of 2025, marking the second consecutive quarter at this level. Concurrently, Kenyan business lobby groups KAM and KEPSA welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to December 31, 2026. Following its reauthorization by the U.S. President, the extension is expected to protect numerous jobs and enhance Kenya’s access to the U.S. market.

LG Electronics showcased its "Affectionate Intelligence" concept at CES 2026, demonstrating how AI can integrate into daily life across homes and entertainment. In a related development focused on practical application, AI Kenya held its 3rd Industry Breakfast in Nairobi on January 29th. The event brought together over 120 professionals to discuss "AI Powered Operational Efficiency for Teams and Systems," focusing on actionable AI integration in operations. Separately in Kenya, Infinix launched the Note Edge smartphone. This new device is the world's first with MediaTek's Dimensity 7100 5G chipset and Android 16. The phone targets the midrange market with a focus on battery endurance and sustained everyday performance.

The transition from Kenya's 8-4-4 education system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE) is facing significant challenges, primarily due to insufficient resources. A lack of infrastructure and training equipment is hindering education in many public schools across the country. Some schools in Mombasa are specifically facing challenges in acquiring the necessary resources to implement the CBE. In Eldoret, stakeholders have expressed great concern about the high costs required to carry out the CBE system. Residents of Nairobi are also voicing their opinions regarding the CBE education system.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced new changes in preparation for the 2027 General Election. The commission has appointed Moses Ledama Sunkuli as its new Acting Chief Executive Officer, with Marjan Hussein Marjan's departure being cited as a significant development. The IEBC has also released its roadmap for the August 10, 2027 general election. As part of this plan, the commission aims to register 6.3 million new voters. A primary focus for the IEBC within this roadmap is the prompt establishment of election technology.

The January 2026 transfer window saw a significant increase in overseas moves for Kenyan footballers, mirroring a global trend. The signing of Kenyan international defender Collins Sichenje by English club Charlton Athletic generated a significant buzz from Kenyan fans on social media. Additionally, former Gor Mahia winger Enock Wanyama has signed with Taiwanese football club Tatung FC. This activity involved several young Kenyan talents securing deals with European clubs. The transfers indicate a growing international interest in Kenyan players.