KRA Forgoes Sh9.1bn in Taxes to Cushion Consumers from Fuel Price Surge: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has waived Sh9.1 billion in taxes over two months to shield consumers from escalating fuel prices, following the government's decision to slash Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products. Additionally, the Kenyan government plans to use the Affordable Housing Levy collections as collateral for a Sh100 billion loan, potentially making the deduction a long-term feature on workers' payslips post-Ruto administration. Further, Kenya's Ministry of Health is proposing new rules to completely ban shisha smoking and all waterpipe tobacco products, including herbal and flavored variants, citing evolving public health risks. Danish Chamber Taps KEPSA Network to Expand Business Footprint in East Africa: The Danish Chamber of Commerce (DCC) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to boost trade and investment between Denmark and East Africa, positioning Kenya as a key business hub. Kibo Africa, an electric mobility company, plans to deploy 10,000 electric motorcycles in Kenya within the next 12 months, aiming to expand the company's presence in the nation's burgeoning boda boda sector. Separately, a Kenyan court has dismissed an application by Bia Tosha Distributors Limited to block the sale of Diageo's 65 per cent stake in East African Breweries Limited (EABL) to Japan's Asahi Group Holdings for Sh305 billion. NSSF Defends Pension System After Court Refuses Stay Bid: The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is reaffirming that current pension contribution rates remain in effect, despite ongoing court challenges to the NSSF Act, 2013. Kenya's Competition Authority (CAK) and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) are intensifying efforts to combat tender cartels that inflate government project costs. At the same time, new regulations have significantly increased the minimum wage for domestic workers in Kenya, raising monthly pay to Sh18,047 and introducing penalties for non-compliance.

Robert Burale Warns Kenyan Schools Against Excessive Entertainment: Renowned image consultant and preacher Robert Burale has warned Kenyan schools against excessive entertainment, stating it contributes to student unrest by creating emotional highs followed by destructive lows. This comes amid heightened concern over school safety following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that claimed the lives of 16 students, where Janet Mbugua is calling for broader shared responsibility for such incidents. Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has summoned management officials from Risen Sacco and Royal Swift Express Limited following two separate road accidents, including a fatal crash involving a customized PSV known as a "Nganya."

Orengo Sets Four Conditions for Reconciliation with ODM Leader Oburu: Siaya Governor James Orengo has laid out four stringent conditions for reconciliation with ODM party leader Dr Oburu Oginga, signaling a deepening rift within the Orange Democratic Movement. The dispute impacts the party's direction in the post-Raila Odinga era. At the same time, ODM party leader Oburu Oginga is facing significant internal challenges within his faction, with a recent rally exposing rifts where key officials were absent, highlighting management disputes. Meanwhile, the ODM splinter group Linda Mwananchi, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, is expanding its national outreach beyond traditional ODM strongholds and targeting vote-rich regions like Mt Kenya as part of its 2027 election strategy. Gachagua Opposes Ebola Quarantine Facility in Laikipia County: Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly opposed the proposed establishment of an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Laikipia County, claiming it is a plot to harm the Mount Kenya community. Separately, Gachagua, through the Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP), is urging Kenyans to reject the proposed 2026-27 budget, citing it as punitive and disconnected from the country's economic realities. Earlier, outspoken former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter re-entered active politics, forming an alliance with the Linda Mwananchi faction of the Orange Party to challenge President William Ruto's UDA party in the Rift Valley ahead of the 2027 general election.

Shujaa Face South Africa and Fiji at Bordeaux Sevens Tournament: The Kenya Sevens team, known as Shujaa, faces a critical challenge at the Bordeaux Sevens tournament as they aim for promotion back to the top-tier HSBC SVNS Division One. At the same time, Kenya's Wafalme Stars men's national volleyball team is on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 CAVB Nations Championship after defeating Uganda in the Zone Five qualifiers. Additionally, the Nairobi City Marathon takes place on Sunday with defending champions Benson Murkomen and Emily Chepkemoi facing stiff competition, while a separate initiative pairs air quality monitoring with a 5,000-tree planting effort tied to the marathon.

FIFA Ticket Glitch Affects 60 Fans as KBC Secures Free World Cup Broadcast: Approximately 60 football fans who were mistakenly sold 2026 World Cup tickets for $0 due to a website glitch now have seven days to pay the correct price or forfeit their seats. Meanwhile, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation announced it has secured free-to-air rights to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup, potentially allowing millions of Kenyans to watch the tournament without a subscription. Separately, Google's Gemini app, which generates music using the Lyria model, has been found to include stock music watermarks in its AI-generated tracks, suggesting potential issues with its training data.

Education Ministry Requests Additional 100 Billion Shillings in Budget: The Ministry of Education is urgently requesting an additional 100 billion shillings in its budget to cover existing funding gaps that threaten to cripple the education sector. In Makueni County, education stakeholders are urging the Ministry of Education to actively address the escalating issue of student unrest and school fires, amid a rising national debate on the causes and consequences of such incidents in boarding schools. The government has ordered audits of boarding schools to address these concerns, with ongoing discussions about responsibility and safety measures. TIFA Survey Shows Three in Four Kenyans Believe Country Heading Wrong Direction: A recent TIFA survey reveals widespread pessimism among Kenyans regarding the nation's direction and their personal economic circumstances, with three out of every four citizens believing the country is heading in the wrong direction. Church leaders in Embu have issued a stern warning to Parliament against passing new tax proposals in the Finance Bill, which critics describe as the worst in Kenya's history due to heavy taxation increases. A decline in public trust towards government announcements is highlighted, noting a past where citizens would at least give official statements the benefit of the doubt, a practice seemingly absent today. NTSA Summons PSV Saccos After Deadly Car Crashes: The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has summoned officials from Risen Sacco and Royal Swift Express Limited following two separate road crashes that claimed lives and raised concerns over public transport safety. The authority issued a stern warning to all PSV operators and crew to strictly adhere to traffic regulations following a fatal crash that claimed five lives. However, the NTSA's instant fines system faces fresh backlash, primarily due to confusion about who is liable for the fines and concerns about potential abuse. Meanwhile, a matatu driver and conductor were sentenced to 10 years in prison each for the murder of a 21-year-old college student who fell from their speeding vehicle on Thika Road. In a separate tragic incident, five people died following an accident involving a matatu on the Nairobi-Komarock route, occurring amidst nationwide protests by matatu operators against increasing fuel prices. Treasury Announces Changes to Nil Returns Filing Ahead of Deadline: The National Treasury is introducing a new staggered system for filing tax returns, including a specific timeline for nil filers, to alleviate congestion on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)'s iTax platform. The NSSF has directed employers to continue remitting contributions at the enhanced rates, despite a recent Court of Appeal decision that did not suspend a ruling declaring the NSSF Act, 2013, unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Nairobi County's budget transparency score has dropped to 67 out of 100, a decline from 72 in 2024, according to the 2025 County Budget Transparency Survey. Matatu Operators Stage Nationwide Strike Over Rising Fuel Prices: Kenyan matatu operators have initiated a nationwide strike to protest escalating fuel prices, significantly disrupting public transportation across the country. The strike has led to tragic consequences, including a fatal accident on the Nairobi-Komarock route that claimed five lives, and another incident in Nairobi where a matatu performing dangerous stunts crashed, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Transport operators are demanding relief from the rising costs, with KRA facing pressure to reduce fuel taxes amid the demonstrations. The strike continues to paralyze the transport sector as operators hold their ground. Kenya, South Africa Sign Six Deals as Ruto Calls for United Africa: Kenyan President William Ruto concluded a two-day State Visit to South Africa by signing six agreements aimed at deepening economic, diplomatic, and strategic ties, emphasizing the need for a united Africa on the global stage. At the joint Kenya-South Africa Business Forum in Midrand, South Africa, President William Ruto challenged African businesses to prioritize intra-Africa trade, emphasizing the continent as the next major frontier for investment and innovation. Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is establishing the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit with a focus on public order and business protection, drawing inspiration from the City of London Police. President Ruto Defends Ebola Quarantine Facility Plan for Laikipia Military Base: President William Ruto has strongly defended a plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility for Americans at a military base in Laikipia, stating that rejecting the US offer would be 'inhuman' and citing significant funding from the United States. However, residents of Busia county are strongly opposing government plans to transform Alupe Hospital into an Ebola quarantine center, causing that initiative to stall. Concerns and anxieties are rising nationwide amid questions surrounding the potential threat of the Ebola virus, with intensified surveillance along border crossings in Busia. Deputy President Gachagua has also raised alarm over the Ebola center plan among other security concerns. DCI Launches Hunt for Man Captured on CCTV in Nakuru Reverend Murder Probe: The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is seeking public assistance to identify a person of interest in the murder investigation of PCEA Reverend Julius Ndumia Ngari, who was killed on May 3 in Nakuru North Sub-County. The DCI is also seeking public help to identify a key person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Reverend Julius Ngari. Nine years after a landmark 2017 ruling by the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights recognized the Ogiek people as ancestral owners of Kenya's Mau Forest, they continue to face evictions and exclusion from their ancestral lands. Bitok Tells Teachers Not to Force Exams: Kenya's Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, has advised teachers and school administrators not to force students to take examinations if they are experiencing anxiety or are unprepared, emphasizing that school stability is paramount. Kenya's Parliament has approved the 2026/27 national budget, with significant allocations towards education and health, including billions to absorb 20,000 intern teachers. Following the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy, the Architectural Association of Kenya has proposed stricter design and safety standards for school dormitories. A tragic accident on the Kenol-Marua Highway in Kirinyaga County resulted in the death of one pupil and serious injuries to several others.