Kenya's Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho has suspended the mining operations of Tata Chemicals Magadi due to alleged non-compliance with mining laws. The company has been ordered to halt work until it meets all legal and regulatory requirements.

• The suspension follows years of inadequate compliance with statutory obligations under the Mining Act and related regulations.
• Key issues include lack of a mineral beneficiation strategy, outstanding royalty payments, and inadequate export reporting.
• Tata Chemicals Magadi must submit proof of full compliance and resolve all outstanding liabilities before operations can resume.

The High Court has quashed the government's ban on shisha smoking, ruling that its enforcement was unlawful due to the reliance on expired regulations.

• The court declared the Public Health (Control of Shisha Smoking) Rules, 2017 ceased to have legal effect after the government failed to regularize them by the April 26, 2019 deadline.
• The ban was challenged by the Novel Tobacco Products Association.
• The ruling prevents authorities from acting against association members under the expired rules.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is under scrutiny for its perceived lack of enforcement against hate speech, despite announcing investigations into prominent figures including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

• The NCIC, established in 2008 following post-election violence, has a history of warnings but limited convictions, leading to questions about its effectiveness.
• Aden Duale publicly challenged the NCIC, stating he would only appear if Rigathi Gachagua was summoned alongside him, highlighting politicians' perceived willingness to negotiate with the commission.
• Experts criticize the NCIC's inconsistent application of its mandate, arguing that politicians' ability to challenge the commission undermines public confidence and its deterrent effect.