AGP Executive Report

Fuel Relief: EPRA cut petrol and diesel pump prices for the June–July cycle, with Super Petrol at KSh214.03/litre and Diesel at KSh222.86/litre in Nairobi, easing costs slightly after global import price moves. Courts & Governance: Kenya’s courts are again debating what “public participation” must look like after a High Court ruling upheld Gachagua’s impeachment, while lawyers raise concerns over missing pages and signatures in the judgment. Health & Investment in Care: JOOTRH in Kisumu performed the region’s first neonatal peritoneal dialysis for a 17-day-old baby, reducing costly referrals to Nairobi/Eldoret and strengthening specialised paediatric services. Corruption Watch: A fresh spotlight on county-level graft follows the arrest of Nairobi planning chief Patrick Analo over alleged bribes, underlining how procurement and approvals remain high-risk business areas. SME/Finance Angle: Access Holdings eyes bigger scale after acquiring 20 banks in four years, signalling intensified competition in Kenya’s banking sector. Business-Policy: Kenya’s Finance Bill 2026 debate continues as stakeholders question taxes, compliance, and the wider cost of governance. Regional Trade & Capital: A Nairobi summit on financing Africa’s food systems targets the continent’s $100bn agriculture funding gap, with Kenya pushing investment deals.

Water Crisis & Education: OpBlue delivered two truckloads of water to Esonorua Primary and Junior School south of Nairobi, easing a shortage that had forced food gaps and raised student absence. Agriculture Revival: Busia farmers received 24 tonnes of cotton seed as Kenya pushes to restart the cotton value chain, using e-vouchers and linking growers to off-taker Vistari. Education Stability: Gender CS Hanna Wendot urged parents and schools to curb unrest, warning that arson and destruction can bring long prison terms, while scaling up school mentorship programmes. Co-ops & Savings: Speaker Wetang’ula backed legal reforms to protect Sacco savings as President Ruto launched Shirikiana Sacco in Kakamega, pledging Ksh50m to kick-start it. Transport Disruption: Nairobi Expressway will close for 24 hours for an Airtel footbridge installation, with detours via Eastern and Southern bypass interchanges. Business & Finance: Access Holdings says it has completed major acquisitions and now wants to be judged against Africa’s biggest bank on returns. Public Health & Travel: Israel imposed Ebola-related travel restrictions affecting passengers linked to Kenya and other countries, adding uncertainty for regional travellers.

Value Addition for Coffee Farmers: A Nyeri youth group (NOHEFE) is boosting earnings by roasting coffee and processing herbs after training under a value-addition initiative, selling roasted natural coffee at about Sh2,500 per kilogram. Education Oversight: MPs have launched a probe into the rising wave of school fires, unrest and property destruction, citing overcrowding, drug abuse, weak support systems and poor communication as key concerns. Insurance Push: Low insurance uptake remains a drag on protection for households and SMEs, with firms turning to mobile and digital channels to expand retail coverage. Tax Enforcement Tightens: KRA is seeking stronger powers to act on employers who deduct pension contributions but fail to remit, including account freezes and asset preservation. Aviation Funding: Kenya Airways is seeking about Sh194bn ($1.5bn) in fresh capital to expand fleet, grow cargo and restore profitability. Budget Pressure: Commentators warn that fiscal discipline must come before new taxes as the 2026/27 budget leans heavily on borrowing. Women and Credit Gap: CRB data shows women-led MSMEs get a much smaller share of outstanding credit than men, pointing to collateral and lending-model barriers. Health Upgrade: Government plans to turn JOOTRH into Africa’s sickle cell centre of excellence, aiming to improve care in high-burden regions. Ebola Tensions: Protests over a proposed US-backed Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia underline rising public resistance to external health arrangements. Crypto Regulation Abroad: Zimbabwe moves to regulate crypto with mandatory registration and annual fees, aiming to bring the sector into the formal economy.

Kenya–India Ties: India’s High Commissioner met Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim to discuss deeper cooperation and investment in agriculture, agro-processing, health, sports, education and capacity-building. Power & Rural Electrification: Treasury approved Sh3.5bn to settle Kenya Power’s outstanding dues under the Last Mile Connectivity Project, a push toward universal electricity access. Budget 2026/27: Kenya tabled a Sh4.8tr budget aimed at sustaining growth amid global shocks, with education set to take the biggest slice at Sh784.5bn; the government also says it has streamlined education to cut bottlenecks. Aviation & Infrastructure: President Ruto says construction of a new airport starts in July, following the award of a Ksh375bn JKIA upgrade contract to a Chinese firm. Digital & Transport Friction: Motorists Association rejected NTSA’s plan to charge for converting physical logbooks to e-logbooks, calling it backdoor taxation. Health & UHC Delivery: State pushed county health leaders to accelerate UHC reforms, citing SHA registration of 31.39m Kenyans and Sh147.37bn paid in claims since October 2024. Energy Training for Oil Readiness: LAPSSET ran oil spill drills in Lamu ahead of full oil production, focusing on prevention and response. Tech Talent Pipeline: KPC Foundation and Power Learn Project launched the Inuka Tech Fellowship to train youth in AI, data analytics and operational tech. Ebola & Regional Tensions: Protests over a US-backed Ebola facility in Kenya turned violent, underscoring rising public anger over sovereignty and “double standards.”

Anti-Corruption Clampdown: The High Court froze Nairobi City County official Patrick Analo Akivaga and his wife’s accounts for six months after EACC recovered Sh65m in cash during a raid, tightening pressure on alleged misconduct. Court Orders on Mobile Evidence: Investigators secured orders to unlock two M-Kopa handsets tied to Safaricom and Airtel lines in the Rechael Wandetto murder probe, with court access sought to subscriber and transaction details. Housing Finance Scrutiny: President Ruto faced fresh questions over claims that the Affordable Housing Fund has generated Ksh1.2 trillion, as reporting points to lower collections from the Housing Levy and unclear definitions of “investments.” Budget & Digital Push: Treasury CS John Mbadi presented the 2026/27 budget and flagged reforms to enable secure digital identities, electronic signatures, seals and time-stamping across public institutions. Public Services & Compliance: Employers’ body FKE told firms to keep deducting and remitting NSSF contributions at enhanced rates despite a court challenge, urging caution until the dispute is conclusively resolved. Business & Infrastructure: Kenya awarded a $2.9bn JKIA upgrade contract to China Communications Construction Co after the Adani deal collapsed, reviving large-scale airport modernization. Security & Rights: Family of abducted South Sudanese businessman Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit says he is held in military intelligence detention in Juba, after Amnesty raised concerns over his transfer from Nairobi. Transport Disruption: A crash on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway left travellers stranded for hours amid major congestion as responders worked to clear wreckage.

G7 Diplomacy: Europe and G7 allies head into a France summit seeking to narrow differences with Donald Trump on Iran, Ukraine and trade imbalances, with Kenya among invited leaders. Kenya Budget Focus: Treasury defended a Sh4.8trn budget strategy amid a still-high deficit, leaning on alternative financing like the National Infrastructure Fund. Public Spending Priorities: Education gets Sh784.5b (including big TSC allocations), health rises to Sh177.2b for UHC and referral hospitals, and transport is set for Sh261b with roads taking the lion’s share. Tax & Compliance: Mbadi says no new taxes in the Finance Bill, but KRA will monitor real-time transactions in a digital tax crackdown; PAYE relief for low earners is still promised despite delays. Agriculture & Jobs: Agriculture is allocated Sh64b for productivity, with fertilizer and seed support highlighted. Trade Pressure: U.S. meat exporters urged Trump’s administration to push Kenya to ease “restrictive” non-tariff barriers under AGOA. Digital Business: Nigeria’s Bumpa launches in Kenya, offering MSMEs tools and M-Pesa payments. Energy & Oil: Gulf Energy opens 39 roles for Kenya’s first oil project, targeting first oil by Dec 1, 2026. Security & Governance: Government allocates Sh3.9b for a monthly stipend for 110,000 village elders. Climate Risk: NOAA declares El Nino is back, raising odds of extreme weather that could hit food and costs.

JKIA Upgrade: Kenya awarded China Communications Construction Company a Ksh375.4bn deal to expand and upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under the National Infrastructure Fund, signalling a return to large-scale infrastructure financing. Budget Watch: East African finance ministers table 2026/27 budgets as investors push for a credible fiscal path amid Middle East-linked cost shocks; Kenya’s growth outlook is also trimmed by CBK to 4.9%. Tax & Cost of Living: Opposition unveils a “People’s Budget” accusing the Ruto administration of deepening debt and raising household burdens, ahead of Treasury’s budget statement. Public Finance Risks: The Controller of Budget flags Ksh115.57bn in unpaid statutory deductions, including PAYE, NHIF and SACCO amounts already withheld from civil servants. Health Funding: The health sector gets Sh175.5bn for 2026/27 as donor support falls, including UHC acceleration and emergency/chronic care funds. Ebola Preparedness & Misinformation: The US adds Ksh2.59bn for Ebola readiness in Kenya and the region, while DR Congo response is slowed by misinformation. Digital Inclusion: Kenya commits to permanent digital access for all citizens, moving from pilots to national systems. Transport & Business Disruption: KeNHA orders a 24-hour closure on parts of Mombasa Road and Nairobi Expressway for footbridge beam installation. Maritime Jobs: Norway-Kenya arrangements target at least 1,000 Kenyan seafarers employed by 2030, with initial recruitment expected this year. Trade & Payments: Yuno partners with Onafriq to expand cross-border payments across 43 African markets, aiming to unlock scale for merchants.

Ocean Conference & Blue Economy: Kenya will use the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (June 16-18) to unlock Sh350bn in blue-economy opportunities, with a push on fisheries, pollution, marine protection and financing. Regional Trade: The East African Business Council and the Kenyan Consulate in Arusha pledged closer cooperation to cut barriers and boost intra-EAC trade, including at the Namanga border. Public Health & Healthcare Costs: Government warns hospitals against charging civil servants unauthorised fees under the POMSF tariff framework, with locked SHA rates and sanctions for violations. Transport Digitisation: NTSA activated an e-logbook system via eCitizen, letting motorists access and verify vehicle ownership records using QR codes and the NTSA app. Finance & Markets: CBK projected continued shilling stability against the dollar, citing alignment of KESONIA with the 8.75% CBR. Tech & Payments: Yuno partnered with Onafriq to expand pan-African payments access across 43 markets and nearly 1 billion mobile wallets. Logistics Expansion: Uber applied for a National Courier Operator licence to enter Kenya’s parcel delivery market. Aviation Growth: Kenya Airways eyes widebody freighters and is considering Embraer E2s as it targets fleet growth to 60 aircraft by 2030. Security Benchmarking: Kenya is benchmarking Italy’s urban policing ahead of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit rollout. Illicit Alcohol Crackdown: Police destroyed 3,300 litres of illicit brew in Kisumu and Migori and arrested two suspects.

Tax & Governance: Critics say Kenya’s Finance Bill 2026 would give KRA sweeping powers to reclassify deals as tax avoidance, seize bank accounts while appeals run, and mine payment data—sparking pushback from bankers, lawyers and major audit firms. Labour & Pensions: COTU warns employers against undermining enhanced NSSF deductions, insisting workers should keep contributing despite court-linked disputes. Youth Jobs: UNDP plans a NextGen platform to place at least 500 young Kenyans into one-year private sector roles with monthly stipends. Ebola & Economy: Kenya’s Ebola quarantine facility row keeps escalating—protests, court orders to disclose details, and US praise for Kenya’s response amid sovereignty and transparency concerns. Digital & Connectivity: EU backs the €37m Blue-Raman cable extension into East Africa, while Amazon selects Kenya for its first African satellite gateway, boosting the connectivity race. Energy/EV Policy: Finance Bill proposals could roll back VAT incentives for e-mobility, worrying investors and manufacturers. Housing Levy Oversight: Auditor-General flags major gaps in Affordable Housing Levy collection due to failures to onboard eligible taxpayers. Business & Trade: Kenya courts Chinese investors to build tea processing and packaging locally as export value becomes the goal. SME Finance: Credit Bank sets aside Sh1bn to support SME growth through credit and broader banking solutions. Court Watch: A Nairobi court allows withdrawal of a forgery case against a man accused of using a fake engineering degree to land a KPC job.

Ebola & Public Safety: Police used tear gas and water cannon in Nanyuki as protests turned violent over a proposed US-run Ebola quarantine centre for Americans, despite court orders—one death reported and dozens arrested. Jobs & Blue Economy: President Ruto secured a Norwegian commitment to hire 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030, with the first 120 expected by December, alongside plans to explore new shipping routes linking Mombasa/Lamu to Europe. Health Partnership: Kenya and the US officially launched a $1.6bn, five-year health cooperation after court delays, targeting disease surveillance and emergency preparedness. Education Shake-up: Ruto reshuffled senior officials, moving Julius Bitok to Tourism and appointing John Lekakeny Ololtuaa as Basic Education PS amid school unrest and fires. Digital Economy: Meta said it will use data shared by other businesses to personalize Facebook/Instagram feeds and AI responses, expanding user controls. Finance & Markets: CBK invited Kenyans to invest in new KSh bonds and a tap sale, while Zanzibar plans a stock exchange and investment bank to unlock capital. Trade & Investment: China-Africa agri-tech forum opened in Nairobi to deepen agricultural innovation and partnerships.

Ebola Response Backlash: Laikipia County has asked the High Court to stop a US-backed Ebola quarantine, monitoring and treatment facility at the Laikipia Air Base, warning of risks to schoolchildren, tourism and residents after protests turned violent. Child Protection Alarm: MPs are demanding urgent action over a surge in missing children cases, citing fears of trafficking, abduction and exploitation and calling for faster tracing and better coordination across agencies. Public Health Supply Chain: KEMSA will close its Nairobi and regional distribution centres for five days (July 6–10) for stock-take, with only emergency deliveries handled. Digital Economy Boost: Kenya secured €102m (Sh15.37bn) in EU funding for digital transformation and connectivity, plus €37m for the Blue Raman cable extension to cut costs and deepen regional links. Satellite Internet Race: Amazon has applied for a Kenya licence to build a satellite ground station, moving to compete directly with Starlink in Africa’s fast-growing broadband market. Jobs & Recruitment: Transport, SHA and EACC announced mass recruitment with 260 vacancies across roles from engineering to drivers and security, applications due by June 30. Trade & Investment Push: Ruto’s Brussels engagements delivered EU deals and renewed calls for value addition, while Belgian investors signalled interest in Kenya’s renewables, minerals and agribusiness. Governance in Focus: The High Court upheld Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, while awarding Sh50m damages over rights violations, setting up a likely appeal.

EU Digital Push: President Ruto secured about Ksh20.7bn in EU-backed funding for Kenya’s digital economy, including Ksh15.3bn under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership and support to extend the Blue Raman submarine cable for better connectivity. Tax Deadline: The Kenya Revenue Authority reminded taxpayers to file 2025 Income Tax Returns by June 30, warning of penalties and default assessments, with limited flexibility for some expenses not yet supported by eTIMS/TIMS invoices. Health Deal: Kenya and the US formalised a US$1.6bn (Ksh207bn) five-year health cooperation programme focused on surveillance, labs, commodities, frontline health workers and digital health systems. Trade Barriers: AfCFTA rollout faces friction as customs delays and incompatible digital systems still block intra-Africa food trade, with high cross-border payment costs hitting SMEs hardest. Environment & Wildlife: Nairobi National Park protests erupted over plans to expand the animal orphanage; KWS says it’s a conservation upgrade, while critics warn of encroachment. Blue Economy Day: Kenya marked World Oceans Day in Kilifi, reaffirming ocean conservation and maritime development priorities. Maritime Skills: Bandari Maritime Academy expanded access to sea and offshore jobs through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification. Crypto Use Case: Binance says stablecoins are increasingly used for everyday pay, savings and cross-border payments across emerging markets. Security Flash: Migori police arrested a man found with a pistol during a football match after he allegedly stormed the VIP dais while masquerading as a KDF officer.

EV Charging Tariff Push: Kenya Power has started shifting EV owners from standard electricity accounts to a cheaper e-mobility tariff, aiming to grow metered EV chargers from 331 to 1,000 by year-end to better plan grid upgrades. Trade & Investment Diplomacy: President Ruto departs for Europe (Belgium, Norway, Finland) to court investors and expand exports, with talks tied to the EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Education Pipeline Deadline: KUCCPS TVET and KMTC placement applications close today (June 8, 2026), with KCSE holders from 2000–2025 eligible for skills-focused training. University-Exchange Deal: Five Kenyan universities are set to join a Kenya-Romania EU-accredited education corridor via Erasmus+ pathways, opening dual-recognition master’s routes. Local Market Upgrade: Gikomba traders are being relocated to make way for a modern Sh5bn market complex, betting on safer operations after years of fire fears. Wildlife Health Boost: KWS launches a regional veterinary laboratory at Lewa Conservancy to strengthen disease surveillance and rapid response across Northern Kenya. Agribusiness & Jobs: Del Monte Kenya highlights its 60-year impact, linking growth in exports and rural livelihoods to evolving sustainability expectations. Energy Milestone: South Lokichar oil development gets renewed momentum after approval of a revised field plan, moving Kenya closer to commercial production.

Ebola Readiness at Busia: Kenya and Uganda have launched a joint assessment at the Busia One Stop Border Post with ECSA-HC to plug gaps in screening and Standard Operating Procedures, aiming to stop any viral threat crossing undetected. Digital Economy Monetisation: Kenya plans to sell anonymised non-personal data from eCitizen and other state systems via a new data governance council, targeting at least 1,000 datasets over five years while keeping personal data protected. Electricity Costs Warning: Kenya Power says leaving appliances on standby can add up to 10% to monthly bills, urging customers to switch off and unplug “phantom power” users. Power Policy Update: Kenya has withdrawn a tariff review application, sparing households from potential higher power costs. Meta Subscription Push: Meta rolls out paid tiers for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp in Kenya, signalling a shift from pure ad-driven reach to monetised visibility tools for businesses and creators. Trade & Investment Drive: President Ruto departs for Europe (Belgium, Norway, Finland) to attract investment and expand market access under the Kenya–EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Port of Mombasa Expansion: KPA is building berth 19B to boost capacity for larger container ships, supporting rising cargo volumes through East Africa’s gateway. Konza Technopolis Leadership: Ruto appoints Abdul Bahari Ali as non-executive chair of KoTDA for three years, as Kenya’s smart-city push continues. Youth Credit Shift: Sacco-led youth lending is expanding as banks remain tough for young borrowers, with lower collateral demands and cheaper rates. Sports & Economy: Nairobi Expressway returns to normal after marathon disruptions, while Ruto celebrates Gor Mahia’s league win with cash support for sports development.

Media & Welfare: Sports broadcaster Diblo Kaberia’s family and fans are reeling after reports he couldn’t raise Ksh 125,000 for treatment despite decades in broadcasting, reigniting debate on employee support in Kenya’s media industry. Immigration & Regional Labour: Despite rising anti-immigrant tensions in South Africa, IOM and UNHCR say there’s no surge in requests for assisted returns, suggesting no mass exodus yet—though countries like Nigeria and Ghana are repatriating citizens. Tax & Trade: A new Finance Bill 2026 excise-duty clause is drawing sharp pushback from manufacturers, warning it could wipe out about a third of Sh350bn in EAC trade by removing long-standing exemptions for goods from partner states. Fuel Standards: Plans to relax diesel quality rules are under scrutiny as experts warn motorists may not see lower prices even if standards drop. Public Finance Oversight: Parliament is shifting toward results-based oversight with performance contracts and independent evaluations for senior staff. Health & Ebola Anxiety: Kenya’s Ebola preparedness remains in focus amid border screening updates and ongoing public concern over quarantine arrangements. Business & Investment: Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi spotlighted new France-Africa investment momentum, especially for food security, alongside calls for stronger private-sector delivery. Transport & Cost of Living: Nairobi’s City Marathon road closures are set to disrupt major routes, adding to the week’s pressure on mobility and daily spending.

Ebola Preparedness: Interior PS Raymond Omollo says Kenya is ready at border entry points with screening, isolation facilities and response protocols after renewed regional concerns. Minimum Wage Update: Labour CS Alfred Mutua announces a 12% rise in minimum monthly pay for domestic workers and other urban informal employees, with Nairobi now at KSh18,047, and penalties for non-compliance. Road Safety Court Ruling: A Kerugoya High Court order suspends NTSA’s smart driving licence rollout and automated traffic fines system pending a constitutional petition. Public Procurement Push: KISM calls for full county rollout of the e-GP system to curb graft and stop billions leaking from cash-based procurement. Energy & Payments Help: Kenya Power tells customers how to reverse or reallocate mistakenly bought prepaid tokens via an official prepaid reallocation form. Climate & Water Risks: Dr Joyce Kithure links climate action to livelihoods, while Machakos environmentalists warn polluted rivers are threatening food security. Agribusiness Trade: Kenya launches an origin-based coffee convention (Kenya Coffee Hub) and reports tea exports up 6% in Q1 2026, with Pakistan still the top buyer. Transport Infrastructure: Transport CS Davis Chirchir says a World Bank-funded 143km road linking Nakuru–Nakuru/Narok/Bomet/Migori is set to start construction in January 2027.