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Treasury Revokes Kenya Pipeline Company’s SOE Status After Landmark IPO
The National Treasury has officially revoked the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) status of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) following its recent privatization through a landmark IPO. The Treasury faces a significant challenge in disbursing Sh139.03 billion to county governments by the June 30 deadline, amidst competing financial demands and reduced fiscal space. Separately, Kenya is actively seeking to attract Italian investment through strategic partnerships, participating in the ongoing Italy–Kenya Economic Forum in Rome to boost key sectors. Meanwhile, Kenyan President William Ruto urged African nations to invest their substantial domestic savings into industrialization at an African summit, emphasizing the need for regional integration and improved infrastructure to unlock economic growth.
Safaricom Sued Over Alleged AI Rights Violations
Kenyan telecommunications giant Safaricom is facing a lawsuit for its alleged unconstitutional use of artificial intelligence (AI) in customer service and financial decisions involving its M-PESA platform. A Kenyan court has ordered Meta Platforms and its contractors to have senior officials testify in a separate lawsuit filed by 187 former Facebook content moderators who accuse the companies of forced labour, human trafficking, and mental health harm. At the same time, African nations are strengthening their regulatory frameworks for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data protection as the adoption of stablecoins grows within the financial sector. Nairobi is also set to host the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference (KBCC 2026) on May 14–15, focusing on the growing role of stablecoins and blockchain in Africa's payment systems.
Duale Tells Senate SHA System Under Strain From Fraud
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, has highlighted significant fraud within Kenya's Social Health Authority (SHA), revealing that digital audits have uncovered widespread abuse of the system. Mater Misericordiae Hospital is aiming to raise Sh150 million through its annual Heart Run fundraiser on May 23, 2026, to address a critical gap in paediatric cardiac care. Members of Parliament on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are raising serious concerns about the sustainability of Kenya's Free Education Programme due to significant funding shortfalls and delayed disbursements.
