The World Bank met with officials from Kenya's National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project to review its progress and address challenges, particularly concerns over delayed Ksh25,000 payments to beneficiaries.

• The project aims to disburse Ksh25,000 grants to over 122,000 youth.
• Key players included the World Bank, the NYOTA Fund manager Augustine Mayabi, and the Co-operatives Ministry, represented by Principal Secretary Susan Mang'eni.
• Delays in the second tranche of payments were attributed by the government to budgetary constraints, with a promise of disbursement by June 30, 2026.

The Auditor-General has identified significant revenue shortfalls in the Affordable Housing Levy collection, with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) failing to onboard all eligible taxpayers. This comes as lawmakers scrutinize the Finance Bill, 2026.

• KRA failed to register eligible taxpayers on the levy platform, leading to under-collection.
• The issue was highlighted by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.
• Weaknesses in the KRA's tax administration system, including revenue leakages and compliance failures, were also pointed out.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) insists that enhanced National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions remain valid despite ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding the NSSF Act, 2013.

• COTU, through its Secretary General Francis Atwoli, is defending the current contribution rates, citing a Court of Appeal ruling from February 3, 2023.
• The union warns some private sector employers and pension schemes against undermining the deductions, suggesting commercial interests are behind the resistance.
• COTU urges compliance from both workers and employers, highlighting risks to workers' retirement savings if contributions are not maintained at the current enhanced levels.