February 2 - February 8, 2026
Top Kenya news stories for the week of Monday, February 2 to Sunday, February 8, 2026, organized by weekday.
Monday
February 2
Matatu Strike Paralyzes Transport in Nairobi and Major Towns - February 2026
Chaos erupted on Monday, February 2, 2026, across Nairobi and other major Kenyan towns as a significant portion of the matatu industry went on strike, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Matatu operators have vowed to continue their strike every Monday until President William Ruto addresses their grievances regarding what they term as increasing lawlessness by boda boda operators. The operators, who were also on strike on January 28, are demanding a direct meeting with the president. In response to the protests, police in Nairobi's Central Business District removed number plates and towed matatus that were blocking streets. Officers also used tear gas to disperse protestors as they worked to restore normal traffic flow.
Lawsuits and Rulings Address Boda Boda Regulation, Data Privacy, and Inheritance - February 2026
A series of legal actions and rulings are impacting Kenyans. A Nairobi lawyer, Rogers Monda, has sued the government over its failure to regulate the boda boda business, citing rampant road carnage, mob violence, and sexual assaults across the country. Separately, a landmark data protection ruling means Kenyan parents can now sue schools for publishing their children's exam results and names without consent. This follows a decision where the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) ordered a city school to pay Ksh 637,500 for unlawfully advertising a minor's information. Concurrently, recent debates have re-examined the Law of Succession Act (Cap 160) regarding inheritance disputes, spurred by a case where a judge's will disinherited siblings.
New International Work, Scholarship, and AI Language Opportunities for Kenyans - February 2026
New opportunities have opened for Kenyans in international and digital spheres. The Australian government has opened applications for fully funded Australia Awards Scholarships for postgraduate study in 2027, targeting eligible professionals from Kenya and other African countries. Simultaneously, the Kenyan government has announced it is unlocking new opportunities for citizens to work abroad. In the technology sector, Google has expanded its WAXAL speech dataset to include Kikuyu, Dholuo, and Luganda. This initiative aims to boost artificial intelligence (AI) accessibility for millions of African language speakers. The goal is to enable the development of AI tools that can understand local languages.
More from Monday:
Tuesday
February 3
Kalonzo Musyoka Named Azimio Leader as High Court Voids 21 Presidential Advisor Roles - February 2026
Kalonzo Musyoka has been appointed the new leader of the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition following a leadership overhaul ratified on February 2, 2026, which also saw the replacement of Secretary General Junet Mohamed. In events concerning the executive, the High Court of Kenya rejected a request to halt its earlier ruling that invalidated the appointment of 21 presidential advisors, with Justice Bahati Mwamuye deeming the applications res judicata. This decision dismissed applications seeking to suspend the nullification of the appointments. Separately, Marjan Hussein Marjan has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after serving since 2015.
Probes Launched into Deaths in Kenyatta Market, Nairobi Street Families, and Mwenda Mbijiwe's Disappearance - February 2026
Postmortem exams revealed that Daniel Nuthu, 45, and James Nzau, 29, died from severe blunt force trauma and torture after an alleged assault at Kenyatta Market, with findings showing red pepper and maize were forced down their throats, intensifying allegations of police involvement. In a separate case, the Kenyan government has launched an investigation into the deaths of nine people believed to be part of Nairobi's street families following their mass burial on January 29, 2026. The probe aims to confirm their identities and causes of death. Additionally, the mother of missing security analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe has pressured the government to account for his disappearance from nearly five years ago. During a habeas corpus hearing, she claimed he was abducted by State agents and accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of stonewalling.
Turkish Businessman Charged with Al-Shabaab Membership; Two Arrested with Ammunition in Kitui - February 2026
A Turkish businessman, Osman Erdinc Elsek, has been charged in a Mombasa court with multiple terrorism-related offenses, including alleged membership in the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and illegal possession of a firearm. His co-accused, Gokmen Sandikci, is facing charges for consorting with him and assault. In a separate security incident, two suspects were arrested in Kitui County. Police discovered 30 rounds of live ammunition in a backpack on a passenger bus traveling along the Garissa-Thika Highway. The discovery was made during a routine security operation in Kanyonyoo.
More from Tuesday:
Wednesday
February 4
Kalonzo Musyoka Appointed Azimio Leader; IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan Resigns - February 2026
Kalonzo Musyoka has been appointed the new leader of the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition in a leadership overhaul ratified by the coalition's governing bodies on February 2, 2026. The changes, which also saw the replacement of Secretary General Junet Mohamed, are aimed at revitalizing the coalition. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accepted the appointment, promising principled leadership focused on national renewal. The goal is to enhance the coalition's internal coordination and operational effectiveness. In a separate leadership change, Marjan Hussein Marjan has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Marjan had served in the role since 2015 and his resignation was announced after consultations within the commission.
Court Proceedings Involve Presidential Advisors, Mike Sonko Graft Case, and Kilifi Defilement Conviction - February 2026
The High Court of Kenya rejected a request to halt its ruling that invalidated the appointment of 21 presidential advisors, deeming the applications to be res judicata. In a separate matter, the Anti-Corruption Court summoned OCS Tusca Opondo of Capitol Hill Police Station and advocate Steve Ogolla. They are scheduled to testify in defense of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in a Sh20 million graft case. This development followed testimony from former county official Tom Tinega. Meanwhile, in Kilifi, a 26-year-old casual labourer was sentenced to life imprisonment. Chief Magistrate Charles Obulutsa found the accused guilty of defiling his five-year-old female cousin in November 2023 under the Sexual Offences Act.
Kipchoge Named Olympic Flag Bearer; Teams Selected for Para-Athletics and Golf Championships - February 2026
Long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge will be one of eight athletes to carry the Olympic Flag at the Milano Cortina 2026 opening ceremony at the San Siro Olympic Stadium on February 6. In other national selections, The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) has chosen an eight-player team to represent Kenya at the 2026 Africa Amateur Championship in South Africa. The tournament for the continent's leading male amateur golfers will run until Saturday. Additionally, new talent emerged from the 2026 Para athletics national trials held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya County. At the trials, 312 para-athletes from 26 counties competed for national team slots.