Murang'a County launches tree planting initiative for indigenous and medicinal species: The Murang'a County has launched an ambitious new initiative focused on planting indigenous and medicinal trees. This effort complements separate activities in Nandi South, where efforts to restore the indigenous forest have commenced following reports that indicate a significant decline in the population of monkeys. In Kajiado, residents of Ilbisil are facing significant losses after a widespread invasion of their farms by monkeys, resulting in extensive crop destruction. Additionally, residents of Sweetwaters in Laikipia County are expressing deep concern over persistent daily invasions by elephants, which have caused significant crop destruction for the past two years. CS Wandayi orders oil marketers to release hoarded fuel to the market: Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Wandayi has issued a directive to oil marketers, demanding the immediate release of fuel allegedly being hoarded and hidden from the market. This action comes amid concerns about fuel availability and pricing. Meanwhile, demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Kenya experienced a significant surge, increasing by 14.6% in the latter half of 2025, highlighting a notable shift in energy consumption patterns across the country. Separately, the Mombasa-Nairobi highway experienced significant traffic gridlock throughout the day, disrupting travel between the two major cities. 33 Bodies Exhumed from Kericho Mass Grave, 25 Confirmed to be Infants: In a shocking discovery in Kericho, Kenya, authorities have exhumed 33 bodies from a mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery, with 25 of the victims being infants. The exhumation exercise was carried out by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). This grim discovery follows earlier reports of 32 bodies being found in a mass grave in Kericho. The case has drawn significant attention to child welfare and grave management practices in the region. Governors demand UHC funds be treated as equitable revenue share: Governors are demanding that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) funds be treated as an equitable share of revenue, not a conditional grant, for the 2026/2027 financial year. The Council of Governors (CoG) is advocating for a significant restructuring of UHC funding initiatives in Kenya. A new government proposal aims to streamline the Universal Health Coverage program and prevent financial delays at the county level. Meanwhile, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Health has issued a stern warning regarding the persistent burden of Tuberculosis nationwide, despite a significant 48% decrease in TB-related deaths. Police Kill Al-Shabaab Militants, Foil Attack: Special Operations Group (SOG) officers successfully thwarted an Al-Shabaab infiltration attempt near the Kenya-Somalia border, resulting in the deaths of two militants and injuries to four others. This security incident comes amid heightened concerns over terrorist threats. At the same time, the Missing Voices alliance is urging Kenya's Parliament to criminalize enforced disappearances and ratify an international convention, citing a rise in police killings. Their Annual Report 2025 documents significant violations by security forces. Meanwhile, Nairobi has been named Kenya's deadliest county for the fourth consecutive year, with a new report highlighting a sharp rise in police killings in 2025, largely driven by crackdowns on protests. Additionally, Kenya is considering using KDF to escort ships to the Middle East due to ongoing conflict disrupting trade routes. Governors Demand Larger Share of KSh 2.9 Trillion Budget: The Council of Governors (CoG) is pushing for a Ksh 534 billion budget share for counties in the 2026/27 fiscal year, citing increased responsibilities and financial strain. The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) proposes a lower figure, creating a row with the national government. This demand comes as Kenyan counties are increasingly adopting solar power to combat the escalating costs and debts associated with high electricity bills, particularly for streetlights, offering a potential solution to county financial challenges. EACC raids Embu County offices over major corruption scandal allegations: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has raided the offices of the Embu County Government following allegations of a major corruption scandal. A separate report has revealed that corruption is the primary driver behind humanitarian crises in Kenya, highlighting the pervasive nature of graft and its devastating impact on the populace. Meanwhile, mounting questions are surrounding Kenya's long-standing issues of inaction and mismanagement, which have exacerbated the devastating impact of recent flooding. In Kericho County, 32 bodies were discovered in a mass grave, with another report indicating 33 bodies were exhumed from a piece of land by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Kenya to host women's FIFA Series tournament featuring Australia, India, and Malawi: Kenya has been selected to host a women's FIFA Series tournament in April, with matches scheduled at the Nyayo National Stadium. The tournament will feature Australia, India, and Malawi. Separately, the Harambee Stars, Kenya's national football team, have safely arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament. Benni McCarthy, the Harambee Stars coach, has explained the delay in Zak Vyner's arrival to join the national team, citing the defender's commitment to his club as the reason for his postponed joining. Mozambique President Chapo in Kenya for Three-Day Working Visit: Mozambique President Daniel Chapo is in Kenya for a three-day working visit following an invitation by President William Ruto, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore new partnerships. The visit comes as Kenya and China have solidified their bilateral ties by signing four MoUs covering economic partnership, agriculture, livestock, and trade, following discussions between President William Ruto and China's Vice President Han Zheng. Separately, Kenya, represented by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei, attended the G7+ Sherpas Meeting in Aix-en-Provence, France, to help shape the agenda for the upcoming G7 Summit in Évian, highlighting Africa's agenda. CoG Pushes for UHC Funds Shake-up Amid New Proposal: The Council of Governors (CoG) is advocating for a significant restructuring of funding for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiatives in Kenya. Governors want UHC staff money to be treated as an equitable share of revenue, not a conditional grant, for the 2026/2027 financial year. A new proposal has been introduced by the Kenyan government aimed at streamlining the UHC program and preventing financial delays at the county level. Meanwhile, Kenya is intensifying efforts to combat tuberculosis, aiming to eliminate it as a public health threat as cases hit 90,900, while addressing the gap in diagnosis and treatment and scaling up community-based initiatives.
