The Social Health Authority faces a 116 billion shillings deficit despite collecting 142 billion shillings in premiums, leaving many Kenyans, including a teacher stranded in India, without critical care. This comes as KNEC attributes delayed payments for 2025 KCSE and KPSEA examiners to budgetary constraints while launching e-certificates. In efforts to boost tax compliance, KRA introduced the eTIMS Fuel Station System. Meanwhile, the DCI warned against meeting unknown online contacts due to rising crime, even as the EACC and FBI opened an investigative hub in Nakuru. Energy CS Wandayi launched a last-mile electricity project in Kisii as the NLC reserved 12,000 acres in Mandera for KDF camps ahead of Kenya's border reopening with Somalia. Separately, four new drug-resistant malaria variants were identified in eight counties.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) arrested a man in Kandara, Murang'a County, for illegally rebranding gas cylinders from various companies. To bolster the fight against corruption, phase two of modern interview facilities was launched at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission's (EACC) South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru on February 13. This investigative hub is a collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Embassy. In another case, the High Court in Mombasa sentenced former Likoni OCS Yunus Athman to life imprisonment for the 2018 murder of Mbaraka Maitha Omar. The case had highlighted concerns about excessive force within the police service.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) gazetted significant changes to electricity billing in Kenya, which were announced on Friday, February 13. These adjustments concern the fuel energy cost charges, foreign exchange fluctuation adjustment, and the WRMA levy. Separately, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced temporary lane closures on the A8 Road between Rironi and James Gichuru Road Junction from February 20 to April 4, 2026, for surface dressing works. Meanwhile, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wadayi launched Phase Six of the last mile electricity connectivity project in Kisii County to connect homes in areas lacking access to the national grid.
The government announced that the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination result slips are now ready for collection at candidates' respective schools. The Ministry of Education also revealed that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will introduce electronic certificates (e-certificates) and an online verification service. This initiative is being backdated to 2023 to modernize examination administration and enhance credential authenticity. Concurrently, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba addressed delayed payments for professionals who administered and marked the 2025 national examinations. The Ministry attributed the delay impacting supervisors, invigilators, and examiners to budgetary and cash flow constraints.
President William Ruto urged African banks to finance the local pharmaceutical industry to enhance Africa's health security and independence from imported commodities. He also pushed for a shift from negotiating to fully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock its potential for Africa's 1.4 billion people. President Ruto emphasized the need for disciplined execution and sustained political leadership to drive intra-African trade. In a separate action, the President announced a new round of appointments and reappointments to various Kenyan state agencies. These leadership changes, detailed in the Kenya Gazette notice dated February 13, 2026, aim to reinforce leadership in key regulatory bodies.
President William Ruto urged African nations to leverage the global shift in climate investments to become a leading hub for green industrialization. During the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he emphasized that the continent should leverage global economic shifts toward climate-positive growth. President Ruto cited Africa's vast renewable energy resources as ideal for clean energy investments and climate adaptation. He noted the global surge in climate investment is projected to reach $2.3 trillion in 2025. President Ruto urged African States to position the continent as a leader in green industrialization by taking advantage of this investment surge.
The family of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga is reportedly experiencing significant internal divisions over succession politics and the future direction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. These succession disputes threaten to cause an ideological rift in the political dynasty. Winnie Odinga, a Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), has become a prominent and outspoken figure, actively engaging in discussions about the party's direction and challenging its current leadership. Amid these tensions, Ida Odinga affirmed that Edwin Sifuna remains the party's Secretary General, addressing rumors of his removal. Despite this, opposition parties are extending invitations to disgruntled members of the ODM following reports of Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna's removal, signifying a broader political realignment.
vivo has officially launched the vivo Y31d in Kenya, targeting the mid-range market with a strong emphasis on battery life and durability, now available from KES 26,999. In a separate development, Co-operative Bank has partnered with World Vision Kenya to launch a secure e-commerce donation platform. This platform is integrated into the Inuka Angaza website and powered by the Chapa Pay gateway to streamline online contributions. Meanwhile, Westcon-Comstor has partnered with Meter, a California-based Networking-as-a-Service (NaaS) provider. Westcon-Comstor will become its first distributor across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). This agreement introduces Meter’s integrated networking solution, which bundles hardware, software, and managed services into a single subscription.
The Controller of Budget warns against Kenya becoming an IMF puppet, urging diverse budgetary support. Gulf Energy commits US$6 billion to Turkana oil production. Green finance mainly benefits large corporations, neglecting MSMEs and climate-vulnerable communities. CA launches digital radio trials in Nairobi. SNV boosts women-led businesses in Nakuru. Jumia's Q4 revenue jumps to 7.9 billion shillings. Bolt partners with HSBC SVNS Nairobi rugby.
MC Jessy announces 2027 parliamentary bid to fix the creative economy. Pastor Kanyari plans to ordain Marion Naipei. Bernice Saroni explains her decision to leave a polygamous marriage. Tyler Mbaya and Georgina Njenga spark reunion rumours.
President Ruto is engaging the Odinga family ahead of 2027 elections. Meanwhile, internal divisions are rocking the ODM party, with Winnie Odinga challenging the leadership as Mama Ida affirms Edwin Sifuna's role. Other parties are now courting disgruntled ODM members.
CAF confirms Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host AFCON 2027. Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums close for renovations, disrupting local football. Meanwhile, the Rising Starlets face Tanzania U20 in World Cup qualifiers. Shujaa beat Belgium 33-0, and the Lionesses lost to China but earned a bonus point.
Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, formerly of M-PESA, joins Absa as CEO for Personal & Private Banking, enhancing Absa's digital strategy. Co-op Bank partnered with World Vision Kenya for secure online donations via Chapa Pay. Westcon-Comstor introduced Meter’s Networking-as-a-Service to EMEA.
The Social Health Authority faces a 116 billion shillings deficit, impacting Kenyan patients like a teacher stranded in India, despite collecting 142 billion shillings in premiums from 29.4 million registered Kenyans. Meanwhile, delayed payments for 2025 KCSE and KPSEA examiners and invigilators are attributed to budgetary constraints, as KNEC prepares to roll out e-certificates for national examinations. KRA launched the eTIMS Fuel Station System to boost tax compliance from petrol stations. In security news, the DCI warns against meeting unknown online contacts due to rising crime, while the EACC and FBI opened an investigative hub in Nakuru. On development, Energy CS Wandayi launched the last-mile electricity project in Kisii. The NLC has reserved 12,000 acres in Mandera for KDF camps as Kenya prepares to reopen its border with Somalia. Separately, four new malaria variants causing drug resistance have been identified in eight counties.
Leaders from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), led by Governor Wanga, have expressed their fatigue with being in the opposition and are exploring a potential alliance with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). In discussions with UDA, ODM leaders have reiterated their demand for the Deputy President position to be reserved for a woman from their party. In response, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stated he is unfazed by those eyeing his position for the upcoming general election. Kindiki also dismissed threats from ODM leader Oburu Oginga regarding the 2027 presidential race, vowing not to be intimidated by the party's ambition to take his position.
Residents of Suguta Marmar in Samburu County protested on Friday over alarming maternal deaths at Suguta Marmar Hospital by blocking the Maralal-Nyahururu road. Following this, the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, approved the immediate release of Ksh. 2 billion from the National Treasury to initiate free maternal services. In a separate directive, Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok ordered schools across the Gusii region to unconditionally re-admit over 200 teenage mothers, emphasizing their right to continue their education.
Kenya Sevens, known as Shujaa, began their 2026 Nairobi HSBC SVNS Division Two campaign with a 29-12 victory over Canada at an electrifying Nyayo Stadium, with Patrick Odongo scoring a brilliant brace. They continued their dominant performance by thrashing Belgium 33-0, maintaining their unbeaten run. In their final match of the day, Shujaa made a remarkable comeback to defeat Germany 15-10 in sudden death. These victories maintained the team's unbeaten streak on the opening day of the tournament in Nairobi. The team's stated goal is to earn a return to Division One next season.
