Finance Act 2026: President William Ruto assented to the Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill, saying the laws fund the Bottom-Up agenda and improve tax fairness by closing loopholes—while lawyers in Lodwar move to challenge the Finance Act as unconstitutional over alleged parliamentary absenteeism. Compensation for protests: The government began paying reparation for human rights violations linked to demonstrations, releasing KSh 448.7m to 348 verified victims in the first phase. SME push: Absa Bank Kenya partnered with Google Hustle Academy to train and support 3,000 SMEs over 12 months, building digital and AI skills. AI data centers and resources: Forty mayors backed a pact to curb how AI-driven data centers are sited and powered, amid fears of electricity and water strain on urban grids. JKIA upgrade: Kenya signed a KSh 154.2b contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation to modernise JKIA, including a new terminal and airside/landside upgrades. Tourism growth plan: Tourism PS Julius Bitok unveiled measures to revive a sector that has stagnated for two decades, targeting 10m arrivals and faster digital travel authorisations. Education staffing: Ruto announced hiring 24,000 new teachers and regularising 20,000 contract teachers to permanent, pensionable terms. Widows’ rights bill: Equality Now and CTWOO urged MPs to pass the Widowed Persons Protection Bill 2026 to tackle eviction and abuse.