Tanzania Central Bank Boosts Reserves with 28 Tonnes of Gold Purchases: The Bank of Tanzania has significantly boosted its foreign exchange reserves by purchasing approximately 28 tonnes of gold over the past 18 months. Meanwhile, the Kenya Literature Bureau is seeking Parliament's assistance to recover over Sh251.5 million owed by state agencies, citing regulations that prevent legal action between government institutions. Separately, Safaricom shareholders are set to vote on a proposal that would grant Vodafone Kenya the power to nominate the company's Chief Executive Officer following Vodacom's acquisition of a majority stake. Dangote Picks Lamu for Sh2.2tn Oil Refinery Project: Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote has chosen Lamu County, Kenya as the site for a proposed Sh2.2 trillion oil refinery aimed at significantly boosting East Africa's petroleum processing capacity. Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia's Mabani Aljazeera Holding Group has acquired a minority stake in the Jabali Towers mixed-use development at Tatu City, signaling growing foreign investment in Kenya's real estate sector. Just months after the collapse of the controversial Adani deals, the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is also reviving private power transmission deals worth up to KSh65 billion, demonstrating renewed confidence in Kenya's infrastructure sector. Sovereign Wealth Fund Allocates 30pc of Resource Revenue for Future Generations: President William Ruto has signed into law the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, 2026, mandating that 30 percent of Kenya's mineral and petroleum revenues be allocated to a fund for future generations. Kenya's National Assembly will now vet nominees for Central Bank of Kenya Deputy Governor after President Ruto assented to the new Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Act, 2026. New proposed amendments to Kenya's Public-Private Partnerships (Amendment) Bill, 2026 could soon require private investors to reimburse the government for project preparation costs, representing a shift in how infrastructure projects are financed.

Fredrick Marwa States Plans For Three Wives And Ten Children: Kenyan travel content creator Fredrick Marwa has publicly stated his strong intentions to enter into a polygamous marriage, aiming for three wives and at least ten children. Meanwhile, Kenyan actress and content creator Sandra Dacha celebrated her family as her greatest blessing and expressed her hope of one day finding a loving husband. Separately, gospel musician Mr Seed penned a heartfelt birthday tribute to his wife Nimo Gachuiri, expressing profound gratitude for her presence in their family. Tahmeed Bus Collides With Five Vehicles On Mombasa Highway, Multiple Fatalities Feared: A horrific multi-vehicle accident involving a Tahmeed bus and at least five other vehicles resulted in multiple fatalities and dozens of critically injured passengers along the Mombasa Highway. Separately, six civil rights activists arrested during the Saba Saba anniversary protests in Nairobi pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing public transport. Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a warning of intensely hot daytime conditions across Kenya from July 7 to July 13, 2026, with temperatures expected to soar above 30°C in at least 10 counties. Marya Prude Opens Up About Letting Go of Late Daughter’s Hospital Bag Six Years After Her Death: Media personality Marya Prude has shared her emotional journey of letting go of her late daughter's hospital belongings six years after her death in 2019. In a separate development, Faith Wanjiku is mourning the death of her baby son Mikhael Patrick Ottmanns, who passed away at just over six months old, with the sad news shared through an online funeral fundraiser poster. Additionally, Marya Prude revealed that she relocated to Dubai for two years to heal after her highly publicized divorce from media figure Willis Raburu.

Government launches KSh10bn projects ahead of Ol Kalou by-election: The Kenyan government has unveiled projects worth over KSh10 billion in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, weeks before the July 16 by-election. Campaigns are intensifying, with the United Democratic Alliance party employing tactics similar to those used in the Mbeere North by-election last November. The political future of Kithure Kindiki as William Ruto's running mate is reportedly in jeopardy should UDA lose the Olkalou parliamentary by-election. Student died of blunt force trauma to the head during demonstrations- autopsy: An autopsy on a student who died during demonstrations in Naivasha last week has revealed blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of death. Heavy police presence and road blockades characterized the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests and Saba Saba Day commemorations in Nairobi. During the Saba Saba Day commemoration, a human rights group urged the government to address enforced disappearances and rising insecurity. Kalonzo Musyoka, Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader, has strongly condemned the National Police Service for their actions on Saba Saba Day, accusing them of excessive force and violation of citizens' rights. Race against time as MPs scrutinise IEBC poll reform proposals: The National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee is urgently reviewing proposals from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for the 2027 polls, aiming to report back when the National Assembly resumes later this month. The IEBC needs all election matters concluded by August 31. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to intensify peace efforts ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning of potential violence. Former Attorney General Ken Muturi has endorsed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the most suitable candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the upcoming presidential race. Governor Sang in hot soup over unsustainable wage bill: Nandi Governor Stephen Sang is facing scrutiny from the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) over the county's unsustainable wage bill and questionable expenditure on road maintenance and a stalled industrial park project. A petition has been filed seeking the removal of Felix Koskei from his position, submitted to the relevant authorities detailing the grounds for his dismissal. The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) board has launched a QR code system to enhance transparency and accountability for projects across all 290 constituencies in Kenya.

Argentina produce epic World Cup fightback to beat Egypt, reach quarters: Argentina staged an epic World Cup fightback, coming from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2 and reach the quarter-finals, ensuring Lionel Messi's tournament career continues. Switzerland also advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a scoreless draw. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Football Federation filed a formal complaint with FIFA demanding the removal of the officiating crew after their controversial loss to Argentina.

Starlink Freezes New Sign-Ups in Seven Kenyan Counties as Network Fills Up: Starlink has temporarily halted new customer sign-ups in seven Kenyan counties, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Machakos, Murang'a, Kirinyaga, and Kwale, due to network capacity issues. Vodacom is set to significantly alter Safaricom's internal rules through a series of special resolutions proposed by its new majority shareholder at the 31 July AGM. Chinese AI company DeepSeek is reportedly designing its own artificial intelligence chip to reduce its reliance on Nvidia and Huawei, signaling efforts to develop independent semiconductor capabilities. Nothing Phone (4b) Launches With Glowing Back and Glyph Bar at £299: Nothing has launched the Phone (4b), a new budget smartphone featuring the brand's distinctive glowing back and Glyph Bar, priced globally at £299 / €329. The July 2026 Pixel security update is now rolling out, marking a significant milestone for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro as they approach the end of their guaranteed software support. Several Samsung Galaxy devices released in 2023 are set to receive One UI 9.0, based on Android 17, as their final major operating system update, representing the last major software upgrade these devices will receive.

Ruto Appoints Committee for Ksh2.2 Trillion Lamu Refinery as Dangote Confirms Location: President William Ruto has appointed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to chair a government committee overseeing the implementation of the Ksh2.2 trillion East African oil refinery project in Lamu. Africa richest man Aliko Dangote has officially confirmed Lamu as the site for his planned Ksh2.59 trillion ($20 billion) East African oil refinery, ending speculation about its location. The National Treasury plans to amend the Public-Private Partnerships Act, proposing to remove the 30-year limit on PPP contracts and alter the approval and oversight processes. President Ruto has also signed the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, 2026 into law, establishing Kenya first national savings fund to manage oil and mineral wealth for future generations. Nigeria Dangote Group plans to finance the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery using a combination of internal cash flow, bonds, and an initial public offering. 14 Dead After Kenyan Trailer Collides With Bus on Kampala-Gulu Highway: A tragic head-on collision between a Kenyan-registered trailer and a passenger bus on the Kampala-Gulu Highway in Uganda resulted in the deaths of 14 people at Bobi Trading Centre on the night of Tuesday, July 7. Police in Kenya have separately intercepted a public service vehicle (PSV) and seized a significant haul of cannabis, arresting one passenger in connection with the illegal operation. The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced the upcoming arrival of a crucial jet fuel shipment alongside 47 other cargo vessels at the ports of Mombasa and Lamu within the next 14 days, ahead of an EPRA review. KETRACO Revives Private Power Transmission Deals Worth KSh65 Billion: Just months after the collapse of the controversial Adani deals, the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is reviving private power transmission deals worth up to KSh65 billion. At the same time, delegates at the Adaptation Investment Summit for Africa concluded their two-day meeting in Nairobi with a unified call for increased and sustained financing for climate adaptation initiatives across the continent. Meanwhile, as the world celebrated International Kiswahili Day, stakeholders are urging for increased attention and resources to promote the Swahili language, with Swahili speakers globally celebrating the day dedicated to recognizing and promoting the language. Saba Saba Day Commemoration Highlights Calls for Democratic Reforms: Kenyan leaders commemorated Saba Saba Day with reflections on the nation's democratic progress, though the anniversary was observed with minimal public fanfare. Kenya's democratic journey remains incomplete 36 years after Saba Saba, as indicated by ongoing nationwide matatu strikes protesting rising fuel prices. During the commemoration, a human rights group urged the government to address enforced disappearances and rising insecurity. The Kamukunji Grounds, once notorious for its history of political rallies often marred by violence, is undergoing a significant transformation, signalling a new era for the iconic venue. Saba Saba Day: IG Kanja Conducts Security Assessment as Activists Cite Safety Fears: Following the commemoration of Saba Saba Day, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja led a security assessment in parts of Nairobi and Kiambu counties, which saw heightened police presence and traffic disruptions. Kisumu experienced an unusual calm during the annual Saba Saba commemorations, with activists cancelling planned protests due to fears of infiltration by criminal gangs and a lack of government security guarantees. Veterans of Kenya 1990 Saba Saba struggle for democracy drew parallels between the historic pro-democracy protests and recent nationwide security crackdowns, arguing that the fight for accountable governance remains incomplete. A human rights group at the Kondele area urged the government to address enforced disappearances and rising insecurity during the commemoration. KNEC Opens November 2026 Exam Registration as KUCCPS Releases University Placements: The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has opened registration for the November 2026 Business and Technical examinations, requiring candidates to complete the process online with no manual applications accepted. The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has released the 2025 KCSE placement results, showing a significant increase in students placed in higher learning institutions. The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially opened applications for its Undergraduate Subsequent Loan program for continuing students in their second, third, and fourth years of study. The Ministry of Education has also opened the Higher Education Financing (HEF) application portal for first-time applicants placed in universities and colleges for the 2026/2027 academic year. DCI Uncovers Suspected Gang Hideout in Eldoret, Recovers Military Gear: The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has uncovered a suspected gang hideout in Eldoret, recovering military-style gear linked to violent robberies across the North Rift. Detectives also recovered Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) jungle jackets and other items believed to be linked to a gang impersonating security officers. The Kenyan government is demanding answers from South Sudan regarding the prolonged detention of Kenyan citizen Timothy Mainana Nderi, who has allegedly been under house arrest for over eight months without judicial charges. Several police officers sustained injuries during an intelligence-led operation in Garissa County on July 8, where three suspects were arrested with crude weapons. Government Launches KSh10bn Projects Ahead of Ol Kalou By-Election: The Kenyan government has launched a massive development drive, unveiling projects valued at over KSh10 billion in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, just weeks before the July 16 by-election. The political future of Kithure Kindiki as William Ruto's running mate is reportedly in jeopardy should the UDA party lose the upcoming Olkalou parliamentary by-election. Former Attorney General Ken Muturi has endorsed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the most suitable candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the upcoming presidential race.