January 5 - January 11, 2026
Top Kenya news stories for the week of Monday, January 5 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, organized by weekday.
Monday
January 5
Authorities Investigate and Seek Powers After South C Building Collapse - January 2026
Following the collapse of a 16-storey building in South C, Nairobi, on January 2, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions gave Inspector General of Police Dougas Kanja a seven-day deadline to investigate. Investigations revealed the structure, which had been flagged multiple times, grossly violated approved building plans. The government has hinted at the potential deregistration of the architect if they are deemed criminally liable. The incident prompted Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson to renew calls for county governments to regain prosecutorial powers to curb rogue developers. The collapse has highlighted issues of professional negligence and substandard practices in Kenya's construction industry.
Fatal Karai Highway Crash Prompts Road Safety Crackdown and Scrutiny - January 2026
On Monday, January 5, a head-on collision between a Greenline bus and a Nanyuki Cabs shuttle at Karai on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway resulted in 10 deaths. The crash occurred around 2:00 a.m., and survivors claimed it was caused by the bus driver's reckless driving. In response to a spike in road accidents, the Motorists Association of Kenya called for a crackdown on "rogue" driving schools, alleging they provide inadequate training. Amid these safety concerns, the government has ordered strict compliance checks on school transport vehicles as students return for the 2026 academic year.
Political Conflicts Emerge Within UDA and Over Gachagua's New Party - January 2026
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of intimidation and coercion. Wamuchomba claims Gachagua is pressuring her to leave the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join his new party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). Similarly, Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, a close ally of Gachagua, has dismissed calls for him to resign from the UDA party despite his association with the DCP. Nyutu stated he will only leave UDA "at his own will" and challenged President William Ruto's moral authority to demand his resignation. In a separate incident, Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende condemned a violent attack on Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu during a burial ceremony, calling for peaceful politics.
More from Monday:
Tuesday
January 6
Multiple Fatal Road Accidents Reported Across Kenya, Including Collisions in Kericho and Kimende - January 2026
A fatal road accident in Kericho County on January 6 claimed six lives and injured 46 others when a Uwezo Sacco bus collided with a trailer. This incident occurred amid a nationwide surge in road accident fatalities, prompting a new road safety campaign by authorities. Separately, at least four passengers are feared dead after another Uwezo bus collided with a lorry on the Londiani–Muhoroni road in Kericho County. A bus carrying students was also involved in a road crash in Kimende as they returned to school. In response to the incidents, the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) has accused KeNHA and the police of contributing to fatal accidents by neglecting drivers' concerns.
KUPPET Accused of Mismanagement, TSC Deregisters Teachers, and Sossion Raises CBE Concerns - January 2026
Teachers in Embu and Kilifi Counties are accusing the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) of mismanaging funds and obstructing fair elections. In Embu, officials allege leadership failure and misuse of Branch Benevolent Funds (BBF). Concurrently, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has deregistered three teachers and issued a stern warning that unregistered individuals face imprisonment or fines. Former KNUT Chairman Wilson Sossion has warned of a potential education crisis, blaming inadequate teacher preparedness and confusion over the Competence-Based Education (CBE) system's rollout. Sossion also called for a continuous review of Kenya's CBE pathways to ensure their relevance to learners and the country's socio-economic needs.
ODM Grapples with Internal Disputes and Scrutiny of MP Junet Mohamed - January 2026
A group of ODM Members of Parliament urged party leader Oburu Odinga to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to address internal disputes and "self-cannibalisation" within the party. Separately, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch has withdrawn a motion seeking to expel ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, a decision that followed consultations with Oburu Oginga who invoked the party constitution to resolve disputes amicably. Meanwhile, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed is embroiled in controversy regarding the handling of ODM party agents during the 2022 General Election, with his attempts to clarify the situation reigniting past grievances. He is also facing scrutiny from his constituents who claim he is largely absent from his constituency and focuses more on national political affairs.
More from Tuesday:
Wednesday
January 7
CBC Grade 10 Transition Marked by Financial Demands and Teacher Preparedness Concerns - January 2026
As Kenya prepares for the first CBC cohort to transition into Senior Secondary School, challenges have emerged. Parents are raising alarms over schools allegedly demanding up to Ksh150,000 to secure Grade 10 placements, despite the Ministry of Education relaxing placement rules. Furthermore, former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion has warned that the Grade 10 rollout faces a crisis due to unprepared teachers. This warning comes despite ministry figures showing nearly 100,000 new teachers have been hired. In contrast, Kilifi County has announced a full scholarship program for students transitioning to Grade 10 after excelling in the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) examination.
President Ruto Leads National Campaign Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse - January 2026
President William Ruto announced that the Kenyan government will establish rehabilitation centres in all 47 counties as part of a renewed national campaign against drug and substance abuse. This initiative followed a multi-agency meeting at State House on January 7, where the President outlined plans to integrate prevention, enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts. The meeting focused on accelerating legal, institutional, and operational measures, in line with priorities set in the President’s New Year Address. In enforcement actions, Nairobi Police arrested four suspects in separate operations in South B and Kahawa West. During the raids, police confiscated significant quantities of suspected cannabis sativa, demonstrating a commitment to combating drug trafficking.
Kenyan Police Officers Arrested in Tanzania During Unauthorized Cross-Border Pursuit - January 2026
Two Kenyan police officers have been arrested by Tanzanian authorities during an attempted cross-border arrest in the Horohoro area of Tanzania. The officers, from Tononoka Police Station Crime Office, were reportedly pursuing a suspect wanted for alleged false pretenses in Kenya. The pursuit was conducted without authorization from Tanzanian authorities. The officers were found with two Ceska pistols, each loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, which were confiscated. A separate report states that a total of 5 Kenyans were detained after crossing the border at Horohoro. One of the officers was accompanied by a driver during the incident.
More from Wednesday:
Thursday
January 8
Government and KMPDU Announce Measures on Health Worker Employment and Strikes - January 2026
The Ministry of Health in Kenya has announced new directives, effective January 7, prioritizing Kenyan-trained health professionals for licensing and employment over foreign doctors. This policy aims to ensure that Kenyans educated with public funds serve their country first. Separately, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced a nationwide crackdown on private hospitals underpaying doctors, a practice it described as "modern-day slavery." Meanwhile, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued new directives to striking clinical officers, demanding a fully inclusive Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) before he signs it to end their 16-day strike.
Police and NTSA Launch Nationwide Crackdowns on Traffic Violations - January 2026
Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja has ordered a nationwide crackdown on traffic violations following an alarming spike in road accidents since the start of the new year. The National Police Service (NPS) has also announced intensified road safety operations targeting accident blackspots nationwide as schools and colleges reopen. In a related action, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has mandated retests for drivers violating traffic rules. This directive followed a viral video of a Tahmeed bus dangerously overtaking on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, with the driver being traced and ordered to undergo a retest.
President Ruto and MP Condemn Gachagua's Remarks on School Placements - January 2026
President William Ruto has strongly criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his remarks concerning secondary school placements, asserting that children should not be used for political or ethnic mobilization. Molo MP Kuria Kimani echoed this sentiment, slamming Gachagua for what he termed "retrogressive and primitive" tribal remarks regarding Grade 10 school placements. In Molo Subcounty, MP Kuria Kimani and local teachers have also raised strong concerns over a separate issue of increasing parental negligence, fearing negative impacts on children's development and morals.
More from Thursday:
Friday
January 9
Education Ministry Releases 2025 KCSE Results; 270,000 Qualify for University - January 2026
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results at AIC Chebisaas High School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. A total of 993,000 candidates sat for the examination. President William Ruto was briefed on the results, which revealed that 270,000 candidates achieved a C+ and above, qualifying them for direct university entry. Shortly after the release, the KNEC online portal experienced a technical glitch, prompting the examination council to provide toll-free and direct lines for assistance. CS Ogamba assured candidates that university fees would remain affordable through the Student-Centred Funding Model. Among the top performers was Ashley Kerubo Momanyi of Kenya High School, who scored a rare straight A. The results also showed that male candidates generally outperformed girls in STEM subjects.
Ombudsman Demands Action on Teacher Pension Delays and First Choice Job Scam - January 2026
The Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) has urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to overhaul its teachers' pension system due to extensive delays. The Ombudsman criticized the TSC for merging its pension unit with human resource functions, linking the decision to significant delays in pension and death gratuity payments, with some cases extending up to six years. It was recommended that a stand-alone unit be established to end the delays. In a separate matter, the Commission on Administrative Justice demanded urgent disciplinary action against four police officers and two National Employment Authority (NEA) officials. The officials are cited for negligence in the First Choice job scam that left thousands of Kenyans stranded.
Multi-Agency Teams Launch Crackdowns on Illicit Alcohol and Drugs - January 2026
Following President William Ruto's directive to intensify the war against drug abuse, a multi-agency security team launched crackdowns in Kakamega and Vihiga counties, resulting in eight arrests. In a separate operation, a team led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) dismantled a major counterfeit alcohol manufacturing hub in Joska, Machakos County. Meanwhile, a family in Nyamira County is seeking justice after a 39-year-old man allegedly died weeks after an assault by an assistant chief and Nyumba Kumi members. The man, a father of two, was assaulted on December 11 on suspicion of transporting illicit brew.
More from Friday:
Saturday
January 10
National Schools Dominate 2025 KCSE Results, Securing 8 in 10 Straight A's - January 2026
Provisional results for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations show national schools secured the top spots, contributing to an improved overall performance. According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos, a total of 1,932 candidates achieved a straight Grade A, with national schools accounting for 8 in 10 of these top grades. Moi High School Kabarak emerged as a top performer, with other schools like Kapsabet, Bunyore, and Kamusinga also posting impressive results. In a related event, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli denied social media claims that he gifted his nephew an Ksh8 million car for performing well in the exams.
Gachagua Alleges Police Disruption of Rallies as Kihika Threatens Lawsuit Against Senator - January 2026
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused the government of forming a special police squad to disrupt his political rallies, alleging the squad attacked his convoy in Kirinyaga County on Friday, January 9. Separately, speaking in Nyeri County, Gachagua called for an end to preferential treatment for marginalized areas in national school placements. Meanwhile, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has demanded a public apology and retraction from Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja over alleged false and defamatory remarks. Governor Kihika threatened to file a defamation lawsuit if the claims are not withdrawn within seven days.
Authorities Investigate Multiple Fraud Schemes Involving Healthcare, Car Imports, and Teacher Recruitment - January 2026
A hospital director in Kakamega County has been charged with defrauding the Social Health Authority (SHA) of Ksh2.5 million by submitting alleged fake medical claims as part of a government crackdown. Separately, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is searching for Timothy Njeru Wanjuki, Director of East Africa Motors Limited, in a multi-million shilling car import fraud where victims paid for vehicles that were never delivered. In another crackdown, police arrested four suspects in connection with a Teachers Service Commission (TSC) recruitment scam. The fraudsters allegedly used fake employment letters to con unemployed teachers out of over Ksh40 million ahead of a mass hiring drive.
More from Saturday:
Sunday
January 11
American Streamer IShowSpeed Visits Nairobi for 'Speed Does Africa Tour' - January 2026
American streamer IShowSpeed, also known as Darren Jason Watkins Jr., visited Nairobi as part of his "Speed Does Africa Tour." During his time in the city, he set a unique milestone by reaching 48 million subscribers on YouTube. The online personality explored Nairobi's Kenyatta Market, where he generously paid Sh20,000 for a Sh3,000 Kenyan-themed shirt, delighting the vendor. His visit was marked by intense fan enthusiasm, highlighted when one fan bypassed security to get his face signed during a stream. This moment quickly went viral, showcasing his significant popularity in Kenya.
Political Tensions Involving Ruto and Gachagua Fuel Allegations and Loyalty Declarations - January 2026
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused President William Ruto of a new plan to destabilize the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. Gachagua claims Ruto is encouraging key figures to demand leadership roles or form new parties. Separately, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa alerted authorities to an alleged plot against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his Gatundu visit. The senator cited threatening messages and the mobilization of "goons" aiming to harm Gachagua. Amid these tensions, Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to President Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), dispelling rumors of defection to Gachagua's party. Kahiga's declaration came days after he hosted Gachagua, which had led to speculation about his political alignment.
UDA Holds Grassroots Elections Amidst Chaos, Confusion, and Mobilisation for Ruto's 2027 Campaign - January 2026
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) held grassroots elections across 20 counties, in an exercise characterized by low voter turnout and delayed delivery of election materials. President William Ruto cast his vote at Koilel Primary School in Ainabkoi, Uasin Gishu County. However, the party primaries held on Saturday were marred by chaos, confusion, and accusations of rigging. These disruptions were particularly noted in Mumias East Constituency in Kakamega County and parts of Bomet. The troubled exercise has raised concerns about the party's strength ahead of the 2027 General Election. Amidst these party polls, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka was appointed to coordinate President William Ruto's 2027 re-election campaign in the Western Region, pledging to mobilize grassroots support.