President Ruto has signed bills decentralizing civil registration, ensuring a birth and death certificate office in each sub-county, and assented to the Pyrethrum Repeal and Social Work Professionals Bills. The government also plans to reclassify MCAs' job groups, potentially increasing their salaries. The Social Health Authority now requires two doctors' approvals for Kenyans seeking overseas treatment if a condition cannot be treated locally. Separately, a postmortem confirmed Vincent Ayomo died from a single gunshot wound at a Kitengela rally. Over 1,000 Kenyans are reportedly fighting for Russia in Ukraine according to NIS, a claim the Russian Embassy denies while stating Kenyans are free to join its armed forces if legally present in Russia.
The Kenyan government has cleared Ksh 177 billion in pending bills owed to road contractors, as announced by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. This settlement resolves payments that have been outstanding since 2020. The clearance of arrears affects 6,000 kilometers of roads that had stalled, allowing for the resumption of these projects nationwide. Following the payment, contractors are now on notice to strictly adhere to timelines and quality standards. Contractors have been instructed to accelerate work without compromising on quality.
Varun Beverages, a major PepsiCo bottler, is setting up a manufacturing plant in Kenya, with construction slated for completion by Q4 2027. In the telecommunications sector, Airtel Africa is partnering with Starlink to significantly expand internet access in underserved areas across Airtel's 14 markets, including Kenya, by leveraging satellite technology. This collaboration aims to overcome backhaul infrastructure challenges hindering rural network expansion. Concurrently, the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) initial public offering (IPO) has been extended by three days to February 24, 2026. The extension was necessary as the state-owned firm struggles to reach its Sh106.3 billion sales target due to low uptake among high-net worth investors.
Kenya receives 21,000 doses of a new injectable HIV prevention drug, with rollout expected in March. Starlink users face an April 30 ID verification deadline or risk service loss. Globally, YouTube services were restored after an outage, while UK inflation fell due to lower food and fuel costs. A gold rush has begun in South Africa after a lucky find.
MPs rejected a TikTok ban, urging strict regulation to protect users and grow the digital economy. In personal news, Betty Kyallo advised women not to ignore DMs, revealing her relationship with Charlie Jones started that way.
DCI reportedly used Israeli tech for surveillance on activist Boniface Mwangi's phone. Meanwhile, Milimani Court acquitted a student in a cybercrime case, raising concerns about digital rights. NETSCOUT was recognized as a top employer.
President Ruto has signed bills decentralizing civil registration, ensuring a birth and death certificate office in each sub-county, and assented to the Pyrethrum Repeal and Social Work Professionals Bills. The government also plans to reclassify MCAs' job groups, potentially increasing their salaries. Meanwhile, the Social Health Authority now requires two doctors' approvals for Kenyans seeking overseas treatment if a condition cannot be treated locally. In other news, a postmortem confirmed Vincent Ayomo died from a single gunshot wound at a Kitengela rally. Separately, over 1,000 Kenyans are reportedly fighting for Russia in Ukraine according to NIS, a claim the Russian Embassy denies while stating Kenyans are free to join its armed forces if legally present in Russia.
The High Court in Kenya has dismissed petitions challenging the Privatisation Act, 2025. This ruling clears the way for the government to proceed with the sale of stakes in major State-owned enterprises. The decision specifically paves the way for the proposed privatization of the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited (KPC). The court's upholding of the act allows the government to move forward with its multi-billion plan to sell stakes in various state firms.
President William Ruto has signed the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill into law. This mandates the establishment of at least one registration office in each of Kenya's 290 sub-counties to improve access to essential documents. The President assented to the bill at State House, Nairobi, where he also signed two other significant bills. These included the Pyrethrum Repeal Bill 2024 and the Social Work Professionals Bill 2023. These new laws aim to streamline agricultural sectors and professionalize social work in the country.
A National Intelligence Service (NIS) report revealed that over 1,000 Kenyans are reportedly fighting for Russia in the Russia-Ukraine war. The findings, presented in Parliament, suggest some were enticed by high salaries and promises of Russian citizenship. In response, the Russian Embassy in Nairobi denied the allegations of recruiting Kenyans, calling the claims "dangerous and misleading propaganda." The embassy stated that Kenyans are free to join its armed forces if they are legally present in Russia. Kenya's DCI also reportedly uncovered a network facilitating recruitment.
The United Opposition alliance, led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua, announced it will hold multiple rallies in Nairobi starting Sunday. The alliance has cancelled a planned march to the Inspector General of Police’s office, which was scheduled for Friday. Instead, the opposition intends to initiate private prosecutions against twelve police officers. The legal action also targets two unnamed Members of Parliament implicated in the Witima ACK Church attack. The opposition accuses Inspector General Douglas Kanja of obstructing justice in the investigation.
CS Kithure Kindiki has promised comprehensive food relief to residents of Kajiado County who are grappling with a severe drought that has impacted livelihoods. In Isiolo County, two consecutive failed rainy seasons have left pastoralists facing significant challenges, with an expected influx of livestock from neighboring counties threatening to cause conflicts over pasture and water. The severe drought conditions are also a factor in an unfolding eviction crisis at the Mutara ADC settlement, which is escalating tensions in the area. Food vendors in Limuru market also report a significant increase in the prices of various food items.
President Ruto has defended a cooperation deal concerning Nairobi, highlighting its importance for national development. Despite previous intentions to impeach Nairobi Governor Sakaja, a majority of ward representatives have now declared their support for him and his collaboration with President William Ruto. COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli also publicly endorsed the agreement between the Nairobi County Government and the National Government, believing it is crucial for development. However, the deal faces opposition as two Nairobi residents have filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify the cooperation agreement signed yesterday. The agreement has sparked discussions about whether it signifies a surrender of power to the state.
Bonfire Adventures CEO Simon Kabu announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, that he is “officially and legally single” following the finalization of his divorce from Sarah Mtalii. Following this, the entrepreneur garnered online praise for publicly defending his former wife. In separate public discussions on relationships, media personality Betty Kyallo advised women not to ignore direct messages (DMs), revealing her own relationship with partner Charlie Jones began with a casual message. Additionally, digital creator Miss Choice (Choice Gatwiri) defended her rapid romance with a mzungu man, which she stated began as a chance encounter at an airport.
Internal disputes have become public within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) concerning party leadership. Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga challenged the removal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as the party's secretary general, calling the process unprocedural and advocating for internal mediation. In a separate but related development, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, the ODM National Chairperson, urged residents to reject leaders from the Linda Mwananchi faction. Wanga claims this group, led by Senator Sifuna, intends to push the party into opposition. Additionally, a public dispute has erupted between Ruth Odinga and businessman Oketch Salah over Salah's claims of closeness to the Odinga family and his involvement with Raila Odinga.
