The Daily Brief

By Gedion Nzyoki - KITENGELA, Kenya |August 28, 2026 — More than 400 local fundis, plumbers and contractors have received technical certification from the National Construction Authority (NCA) as BioTank Africa launched a nationwide, county-by-county training programme aimed at improving skills and standards in Kenya’s construction and sanitation sector. Participants at the BioTank Africa Fundi Forum during the event. Photo: BioTank Africa Press Unit The certification was issued on Friday morning during the fourth edition of BioTank Africa’s Fundi Forum in Kitengela, Kajiado County, which brought together artisans for practical training on modern biodigester technology, wastewater management, site safety and business development. The Kitengela forum marked the largest edition of the initiative since its inaugural event in 2023 and signalled a shift from localised training sessions to a broader nationwide rollout targeting thousands of construction tradespeople. Why Kitengela Was Cho...

By Gedion Nzyoki - NAIROBI, Kenya | August 28, 2026 — Professor John Okumu has been installed as the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University (KU), taking charge of the institution with a pledge to strengthen academic excellence, financial sustainability, staff welfare, student support and digital transformation. A photo collage featuring newly installed Kenyatta University 7th Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Okumu. Photo: Kenyatta University/Facebook Professor Okumu, a physicist and longtime KU administrator, formally assumed the university’s top leadership position on Friday, August 28, after decades of service in teaching, research, administration and institutional management. In his inaugural remarks, the new Vice Chancellor said his long association with the university had given him a deep understanding of its achievements, challenges and future opportunities. “I accept this responsibility not as a stranger to this institution but as someone who knows its history, un...

By Gedion Nzyoki -  NAIROBI, August 27, 2026 — Kenyan youth organisations have petitioned Parliament to declare the country’s KSh13 trillion public debt a national emergency, demanding constitutional and legislative measures to curb borrowing and protect funding for essential public services. Dr. Samuel Kinyanjui, Country Director, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Kenya. Photo: AHF Press Unit The youth presented what they described as a constitutional “charge sheet” during a high-level Parliamentary Breakfast Meeting convened by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Kenya and a coalition of civil society organisations at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi. The petition, filed under Article 119 of the Constitution, calls for prior parliamentary approval of all sovereign borrowing, statutory budget floors for health and education, and an automatic suspension of debt servicing during national crises. The meeting brought together Members of Parliament, civil society leaders, youth represen...

By Gedion Nzyoki -   NAIROBI, Kenya | August 26, 2026 —  The newly appointed Government Spokesperson Charles Owino has condemned what he described as growing disrespect towards President William Ruto, warning that abuse of the Head of State risks undermining national unity, peace and democratic values. Government Spokesperson Charles Owino during a press briefing at his offices at Harambee Annex in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Christopher Mbiti Speaking during a press briefing at Harambee Annex in Nairobi on Wednesday, Owino said the presidency remains a symbol of national unity regardless of political differences, urging Kenyans to distinguish between legitimate criticism of the government and personal attacks against the President. “We must have moral threshold and we cannot manage to police morals. It is very sad and very unacceptable to hear especially a young upcoming Kenyan abuse the head of state and the president of the republic,” Owino said. The Government S...

By Gedion Nzyoki - NAIROBI, Kenya | August 26, 2026 — Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over allegations concerning the Government’s crackdown on small-scale liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) traders, warning him against dragging public officers into what he termed political disputes. A photo collage featuring former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. Photo: Courtesy. Wandayi said the Government would not be intimidated by politicians or individuals involved in illegal LPG trade, insisting that enforcement measures were aimed at protecting consumers from the dangers posed by illegally refilled and traded gas cylinders. Speaking during a press briefing at Kasneb Towers in Nairobi on Wednesday evening, Wandayi dismissed Gachagua’s remarks as “very unfounded allegations” but said the Government had been compelled to respond because the matter directly concerns public safety. “Ordinarily, w...

By Gedion Nzyoki -  NAIROBI, Kenya|August 25, 2026— At least 100 NYOTA beneficiaries will be among Kenyan entrepreneurs participating in the 2026 East African Community (EAC) MSME Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda, in a move aimed at exposing young businesses to regional markets, customers and investment opportunities. Speaking on Tuesday Morning in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Susan Mang’eni said the beneficiaries will form part of Kenya’s delegation to the regional trade fair, which is expected to bring together thousands of exhibitors from across East Africa. “I also want to announce that Nyota beneficiaries, part of the participants in Nyota beneficiaries, out of the 500 so far this month, at least 100 of them will be Nyota,” Mang’eni said. The inclusion of NYOTA beneficiaries is part of the government’s efforts to move entrepreneurs beyond financial support by connecting them to markets and helping them bu...

By Gedion Nzyoki - NAIROBI, Kenya | August 24, 2026 — Kenya has unveiled its National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036, setting an ambitious target of mobilising KSh100 billion by 2030 to accelerate investment, innovation, industrialisation and job creation from the country’s biological resources. Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa Centre Director Niall O’Connor and other industry stakeholders pose for a photo after unveiling the National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036. Photo: Stockholm Environment Institute Press Unit The strategy, launched in Nairobi on Monday at the Iconic Pullman Hotel, provides a national framework for transforming biological resources—including plants, animals, microorganisms and organic waste—into higher-value products, industries and economic opportunities. Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak said th...

By Gedion Nzyoki - NAIROBI, Kenya | August 24, 2026 — Kenya has unveiled its National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036, setting an ambitious target of mobilising KSh100 billion by 2030 to accelerate investment, innovation, industrialisation and job creation from the country’s biological resources. Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa Centre Director Niall O’Connor and other industry stakeholders pose for a photo after unveiling the National Bioeconomy Strategy 2026–2036. Photo: Stockholm Environment Institute Press Unit The strategy, launched in Nairobi on Monday at the Iconic Pullman Hotel, provides a national framework for transforming biological resources—including plants, animals, microorganisms and organic waste—into higher-value products, industries and economic opportunities. Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak said th...

By Gedion Nzyoki -  Nairobi, Kenya|August 24, 2026 — Built environment professional associations have rejected the Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, calling for its withdrawal in its current form and a comprehensive review of the proposed regulatory framework. Built environment professionals led by Dr. Karani George, President of the Interior Designers Association of Kenya, Ephraim Kakui of the Association of Construction Managers of Kenya, and Muchiri Waititu of The Architects Alliance during a joint press briefing on Monday. Photo: Courtesy Speaking on Monday afternoon during a joint press briefing, Dr. Karani George, President of the Interior Designers Association of Kenya; Ephraim Kakui of the Association of Construction Managers of Kenya; and Muchiri Waititu of The Architects Alliance said they are not opposed to regulation but want a system that recognises the distinct roles, competencies and responsibilities of the various professions within Ken...

By Gedion Nzyoki -  NAIROBI, Kenya — August 20, 2026 — The High Court has rejected an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) seeking to withdraw criminal charges against businessman Jayesh Kumar Kotecha Prabhudas and Midland Hauliers Limited, paving the way for the case to proceed before the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court. Justice Alexander Muasya Muteti, sitting at the Milimani High Court, dismissed the revision application filed by the ODPP and upheld the decision of Principal Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthi Mugo, who had declined an earlier request to withdraw the charges. The ruling, delivered on August 18, 2026, effectively vacated the stay of proceedings and directed that the criminal case be returned to the lower court for further proceedings. Kotecha and Midland Hauliers are facing charges including conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent disposition of mortgaged goods, performing a management function in a company under administration without th...

By Gedion Nzyoki -  NAIROBI, Kenya|August 20, 2026 — Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) has announced the 20 entrepreneurs who will advance to the 2026 Semi-Final, with the announcement made on Thursday afternoon at the iconic Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road in Nairobi. The Top 20 Africa’s Business Heroes 2026 semi-finalists and panel of judges pose for a photo during the announcement of the finalists in Nairobi on Thursday. Photo: ABH Press Unit The 20 entrepreneurs were selected from an expanded Top 100 cohort drawn from more than 24,000 applications submitted across all 54 African countries. The 2026 ABH Semi-Final will take place in Nairobi on August 21 and 22, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and other key players in Africa’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Four Kenyan Entrepreneurs Make the Cut Kenya has secured four spots in the 2026 Africa’s Business Heroes Top 20, with entrepreneurs drawn from the health, energy and climate technology sectors...

By Gedion Nzyoki -  Nairobi, Kenya | August 21, 2026 — Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has said construction and upgrade works at the Raila Odinga International Stadium are progressing well as Kenya steps up preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A photo collage featuring Sports CS Salim Mvurya and an aerial view of the iconic Raila Odinga International Stadium. Photo: Courtesy Speaking on Wednesday afternoon after inspecting the facility, Mvurya said substantial progress had been made, with the main pitch already ready as contractors race against time to complete the remaining works. “We've been able to see substantial progress in the implementation of our Raila Odinga International Stadium. The pitch is ready,” Mvurya said. The CS said the government was confident the stadium would be completed in time to support Kenya’s preparations for the continental tournament. “As a ministry, on behalf of the government of Kenya, I want to tell all Kenyans that we...

By Gedion Nzyoki - NAIROBI, Kenya, August 17, 2026 — Youth political movement Vijana na Ruto has called for parliamentary action against Starehe MP Amos Mwago over alleged derogatory remarks directed at President William Ruto. Members of the Vijana na Ruto youth movement during a press briefing at Second Avenue, Garden Estate, Nairobi, on Monday, August 17, 2026. Photo: Courtesy Speaking during a press briefing on Monday afternoon at Second Avenue, Garden Estate, Nairobi, the group said it was concerned by reports attributing insulting remarks to Mwago while referring to the President. “We have followed with deep concern the reports attributed to the Member of Parliament for Starche, Hon. Amos Mwago, in which he referred to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya H.E. William Ruto as (TAKA TAKA) during a political engagement in Nakuru Last week. Regardless of political disagreements that may exist between any Leader and the Executive, there exists a basic standard of dec...

By Gedion Nzyoki - NAIROBI, August 14, 2026 — The Nairobi Hospital has stepped up efforts to support children living with congenital and acquired heart conditions through its annual Children’s Charity Heart Fund Golf Tournament held at Karen Country Club. A photo collage featuring The Nairobi Hospital CEO Felix Osano alongside sponsors, corporate partners and golfers during the Children’s Charity Heart Fund Golf Tournament at Karen Country Club. Photo: The Nairobi Hospital Press Unit The fundraising event brought together corporate partners, sponsors, golfers, philanthropists and members of the public to mobilise resources for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who require specialised cardiac treatment but cannot afford the cost of care. Speaking on Friday evening during the event, The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Felix Osano called for increased support for the Children’s Charity Heart Fund, noting that many children requiring heart surgery reach the hospital af...