The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension from Naivasha to Kisumu is set to launch next month, with construction anticipated to finish by June 2027, according to Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga.

• The 12-month project is fully funded by the government and aims to link Kisumu to the existing SGR line.
• Key stakeholders involved include Kenya Railways, the National Land Commission, and Kisumu County leaders.
• The extension is expected to significantly boost trade with neighboring countries and reduce transport costs for cargo.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is actively recruiting for a new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a position held in an acting capacity for nearly two years. This search follows the departure of the previous acting MD, Mohamud Gedi.

• The new MD/CEO will serve a renewable three-year term, with the role requiring over 10 years of experience, including five at a top management level.
• The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), established in 1991, is responsible for managing and maintaining Kenyan airports.
• The vacant position stems from the exit of former MD Alex Gitari in August 2023, after disruptions at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

County governments in Kenya are facing significant hurdles in their transition to digital services due to high costs, poor connectivity, and cybersecurity threats. A new report highlights that these structural barriers are preventing uniform progress across the 47 devolved units.

• A rapid assessment under the Kenya Vision 2030 monitoring framework revealed these challenges.
• Murang’a County topped the performance ranking with a score of 98.3 percent in automation and citizen experience.
• Key obstacles include substantial automation costs, limited internet penetration, digital illiteracy, and a lack of binding legal frameworks for automation.