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.

• Bitok stated that preventing unrest should be prioritized over rigid adherence to testing schedules, suggesting postponement of exams rather than risking damage to institutions.
• The warning comes amidst a wave of unrest in several secondary schools, although the Ministry of Education reports that only about 0.8% of schools have been affected.
• To address underlying issues, schools are urged to strengthen student leadership, counseling, mentorship, and mental health support services.

Kenya's Ministry of Health is seeking to deepen its partnership with Novartis to bolster efforts in combating non-communicable diseases, cancer, sickle cell disease, and advancing palliative care across the nation.

• The call for enhanced collaboration was made by Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, during a meeting with a Novartis delegation.
• Novartis has been supporting Kenya's health sector through initiatives like the Afya Dhabiti Project for Sickle Cell Disease and the Cancer Path to Care Programme, aligning with the Universal Health Coverage agenda.
• Dr. Oluga emphasized that all partnerships must align with national health priorities and contribute to strengthening health systems through sustainable interventions.

Kenya's Parliament has approved the 2026/27 national budget, with significant allocations towards education and health.

• The education sector received a record Ksh781.4 billion, including Ksh4.9 billion to absorb 20,000 intern teachers into permanent roles.
• Key allocations include Ksh175.5 billion for the health sector, focusing on Universal Health Coverage, and Ksh138.2 billion for affordable housing.
• Concerns were raised over the projected Ksh1.1 trillion public debt servicing, while the mandatory rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system was endorsed.