President William Ruto's government has unveiled a Finance Bill that reintroduces a sweeping array of taxes on everyday goods and services including mobile phones, bottled water, coal, plastic basins, and credit card transactions, echoing the 2024 Gen Z uprising that resulted in dozens of deaths and Parliament being set ablaze.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), once the region's biggest party, is experiencing rapid decline due to constant bickering, supremacy battles, alleged leadership crisis, and intense sibling rivalries as leaders pursue personal goals.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has criticised the Finance Bill 2026's proposed 25 per cent excise duty on mobile phones, arguing that phones are a necessity rather than a luxury in Kenya, where millions depend on handsets for banking, work and government services.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto's government has unveiled a Finance Bill that reintroduces a broad array of taxes on everyday goods and services including mobile phones, bottled water, coal, plastic basins, and credit card transactions, echoing the taxes that sparked the 2024 Gen Z uprising that resulted in dozens of deaths and Parliament being set ablaze.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata's decision to leave President Ruto's UDA party marks a turning point in Mt Kenya politics, driven by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's campaign to replace UDA elected leaders with his Democratic Citizen Party allies.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece argues that political zoning—pre-determining electoral outcomes through elite bargains—contradicts the 2010 Constitution's design and functions as managed democracy that reduces citizens to spectators. The writer contends zoning substitutes competitive politics with negotiations among power brokers, entrenching elite cartelisation rather than allowing power to flow from voters upward.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has arrived in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit scheduled for May 11–12, 2026, where African leaders will discuss economic transformation, governance, innovation, climate resilience and intra-African trade.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto led an inspection tour of ongoing roadworks and Non-Motorised Transport projects in Nairobi's Central Business District on Saturday, assessing progress on pedestrian walkways, street lighting, and road rehabilitation aimed at easing movement and improving security.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Civil society and pan-African groups are organising a counter-summit in Nairobi to oppose the Africa-France Summit, which they characterise as France repackaging neo-colonial influence. The main summit, set for Monday and Tuesday, will bring together heads of state and about 1,500 delegates to discuss economic cooperation, financial reform, green industrialisation, energy transition, and related topics.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Senator Godfrey Osotsi was assaulted by hooded youths in Kisumi; he alleged the attack was politically motivated. The incident has reignited concerns about a resurgence of politically sponsored criminal gangs, which historically have been used for electoral intimidation and were a major factor in the post-2007 election violence that killed about 1,500 people.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Sammy Ngotho has won the Democracy for the Citizens Party nomination for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026, after garnering 12,957 votes in the party primaries. The seat fell vacant following the death of MP David Njuguna Kiaraho on March 29, 2026.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto held bilateral meetings with visiting African leaders at State House on Sunday ahead of the Africa Forward Summit, discussing trade, diplomacy, regional cooperation and global financial system reforms. Kenya agreed to open an embassy in Côte d'Ivoire and appoint its first ambassador to the country, while talks with Liberia focused on cooperation in agriculture, education, technology and trade.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing has proposed that county governments receive 49 per cent of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund under a proposed Roads Act amendment bill, while the Ministry of Roads and Transport recommends only 15 per cent. The Committee argues that since road maintenance functions have shifted to county governments, resources should follow those functions.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has agreed to withdraw the stoppage of Meru County Government funds and pay Sh139 million to a French investor, following President Ruto's alleged declaration that the national government would clear a Sh640 million debt owed by Meru County over the takeover of Leopard Rock Hotel Limited.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Heads of State are arriving in Kenya ahead of the Africa Forward summit scheduled for May 11–12 in Nairobi, jointly hosted by President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit will bring together at least 30 presidents, innovators, and business leaders to address regional and global challenges.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Martha Karua, People's Liberation Party leader, toured Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties calling for voters to reject leaders focused on self-interest and elect those committed to service delivery. She criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration for failing to deliver essential public services, particularly in the healthcare sector.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici has accused Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and senior state officers of abandoning constitutional responsibilities in favor of early campaigns for the 2027 General Election, claiming the government has shifted focus from service delivery to political mobilization despite economic hardship and unmet promises on cost of living and agricultural revival.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on supporters of President William Ruto to register as voters in large numbers to ensure his reelection victory is so decisive that it avoids Supreme Court petitions. Mudavadi noted that only President Mwai Kibaki's 2002 election victory was not challenged in court among Kenya's multi-party elections, and he wants President Ruto to break this cycle of petitions.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has filed an application requesting permission to cross-examine cardiologist Dr. Daniel Kibuka Gikonyo over a supplementary affidavit filed in the impeachment case involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, arguing that disputed factual and medical issues can only be tested through oral examination.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Sammy Ngotho won the Democracy for the Citizens Party ticket to contest in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026 in Nyandarua County, after securing 12,957 votes in party primaries.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has urged Kenyans to assess leaders based on their development track record and service delivery rather than political rhetoric, saying effective leadership should be measured by tangible transformation in citizens' lives. Speaking at a fundraiser in Marsabit County, Ruku criticized opposition leaders for lacking a clear development agenda and expressed confidence that President William Ruto will win the 2027 General Election.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto made an impromptu late-night tour of Nairobi's central business district on Saturday, May 9, inspecting ongoing infrastructure and beautification projects jointly implemented by the national and county governments, including non-motorised transport walkways, street lighting, and roadworks.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Rigathi Gachagua has praised the Democracy for Citizens Party primaries in Olkalou Constituency, where Sammy Kamau Ngotho won the party ticket with 12,957 votes, describing the exercise as a demonstration of internal democracy and calling it one of the most transparent nominations since 1992.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres will inaugurate the UN's Nairobi Expansion Project in Gigiri, a $340 million initiative approved by UN member states in December 2023 that includes upgrades to conference facilities and office blocks at the UN headquarters.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku attacked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for suggesting Mt Kenya residents should "let" President Ruto visit, stating the President is a national leader elected by all Kenyans and requires no one's permission to tour any part of the country.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata said he will continue speaking truth to power and will not be intimidated, accusing state agencies of being deployed to harass political leaders who fall out with the government. He cited allegations that anti-graft and security agencies are sometimes used to politically target leaders, singling out the EACC.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa has criticized the government over rising insecurity targeting leaders and clergy, calling recent fatal attacks a red flag. He praised the clergy for speaking out on governance issues and urged religious leaders to defend democracy and leadership.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has hinted at a possible 2032 presidential bid, saying his years in public service as an MP, assistant minister, Cabinet minister, senator and Speaker have prepared him for higher office. He also criticized former President Uhuru for politicking in retirement.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has attacked Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua for promoting tribal politics and risking national polarization, saying Gachagua lacks the capacity to unseat President William Ruto at the ballot. Atwoli also defended the broad-based government and criticized the opposition as lacking the ideals to challenge Ruto in 2027.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto are co-chairing the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on Monday and Tuesday, which will focus on security cooperation, economic investment, and green energy. Around 30 African heads of state and government officials are expected to attend, with discussions centred on Africa-France cooperation, trade, investment, and reforms to the global financial system for indebted African nations.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has publicly accused Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of launching a personal attack against the Odinga family during an ODM party retreat in Mombasa on May 3, claiming Mbadi questioned the family's influence within the party and suggested Raila Odinga's political era had ended.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations hosted the Co-Deputy Director of the FBI in a high-level visit aimed at strengthening cooperation in combating transnational crime, including terrorism, cybercrime, organised crime, financial fraud, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and crimes against children. The talks also explored emerging areas such as artificial intelligence in investigations, digital forensics, cryptocurrency tracking, and predictive analytics.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed the upcoming Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, claiming Kenya was chosen to host due to divisions among Francophone nations rather than merit, and urged President Ruto not to celebrate the event while the country faces public distress and human rights violations.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya and France have signed 11 agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across strategic sectors, following bilateral talks between President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron at State House, Nairobi. Key agreements include the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Ksh.12.5 billion Nairobi Commuter Rail project.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Africa Forward Summit, bringing together about 3,000 participants, is expected to promote a new relationship between Africa and its international partners, especially in economic growth and investments. African countries hope to use the opportunity to push for partnerships that create jobs, industries and local value instead of simply exporting raw commodities.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has faulted the government for insufficient attention to the murder of Reverend Julius Ndumia, a PCEA minister killed at a Nakuru church, warning that the silence from authorities could embolden perpetrators to attack more clergy.
10 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula says retired President Uhuru Kenyatta risks ruining his legacy if he continues to undermine the Kenya Kwanza administration, and urges him to act as a statesman and support national unity instead of joining disgruntled leaders.
10 May 2026 · Capital News →