Kenya plans to import one million 90-kilogram bags of maize to address a projected shortfall in the 2026 harvest, driven by adverse weather conditions. This comes as the country faces a potential deficit of up to 5.4 million bags.

• A total of one million 90-kilogram bags of maize will be imported to replenish strategic reserves.
• The Kenyan government, through Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, announced the plan.
• Unfavorable weather, including early rains followed by a prolonged dry spell, disrupted crop development, impacting yields in key maize-growing regions.

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) are renewing their push for a reduction in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax to boost workers' take-home pay amidst rising living costs.

• The organizations propose broadening PAYE bands and lowering tax rates to increase disposable income.
• Key figures include FKE Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo and KAM representative Tobias Alando.
• This push comes as the National Treasury begins preparations for the Finance Bill, 2027, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2026.

Nairobi County staff are facing a salary delay for July due to a hold-up in the approval and uploading of the county budget.

• The delay impacts the release of funds needed for staff salaries.
• Key individuals/groups involved include Nairobi County staff and Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration.
• This incident occurs amidst broader scrutiny of Nairobi County's public finance management, including a decline in budget transparency scores and an anti-corruption recovery of Ksh65.3 million.

The Kenyan government is planning a Ksh12.9 billion palm oil processing plant in Lamu County, aiming to reduce reliance on imports.

• The plant is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs.
• Key figure: Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion Abubakar Hassan.
• This initiative coincides with plans for a major oil refinery in Lamu by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.