President William Ruto is using a multi-pronged approach to consolidate power and weaken the opposition, particularly the Orange Democratic Movement party, ahead of the 2027 General Election, including fueling regional divisions to confuse voters, according to pundits.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
An ODM retreat intended to strategise coalition engagement with President Ruto's side over 2027 became a factional dispute within the Oburu Oginga-led wing, with high-ranking politicians split over three Cabinet Secretaries' bid to join the party's Central Management Committee.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Muranga Governor Irungu Kangata's political career since 2002 shows he has never lost an election, leading observers to debate whether his shifting allegiances reflect shrewd tactical thinking or opportunistic fence-sitting to align with popular political sentiment.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Charles Kanjama, the new head of the Law Society of Kenya, has drawn criticism for being quieter than expected after taking office weeks ago, disappointing those who anticipated the legal body would continue its previous assertive role in defending civil liberties and confronting state power.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Two former and current Kenyan presidents addressed a crisis of trust gripping the continent, speaking on the same day from different locations, underscoring the depth of the problem.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
An Africa–France Summit scheduled to take place in Nairobi on Monday and Tuesday has drawn heavy criticism from civil society organisations, which describe it as a re-engineering of imperialism.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto has endorsed legal reforms granting hundreds of internal auditors across Kenya's public service immunity from dismissal or harassment, aimed at tackling systemic corruption estimated to cost the nation two-thirds of a trillion shillings annually.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has issued a legal demand notice to her successor, Governor Isaac Mutuma, requiring him to retract and apologise for statements made on or about May 8, 2026, in which Mutuma allegedly claimed Mwangaza was using proxies to institute court proceedings to halt county staff recruitment and damage the Public Service Board website.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto signed the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, and the Technopolis Bill into law on May 11, 2026, aimed at strengthening Kenya's investment climate, improving tax administration, and accelerating technology-driven economic growth. The Technopolis law establishes a legal framework for technology and innovation hubs, while amendments to the Special Economic Zones Act aim to improve efficiency of investment zones, and Income Tax amendments seek to streamline tax administration.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
The ruling UDA party has nominated Muchina Nyaga, the late MP David Kiaraho's personal assistant, to contest the Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for July 6, while the opposition DCP has selected former town MCA Kamau Ngotho. The by-election was triggered by Kiaraho's death.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has received ballot papers and statutory election forms for by-elections scheduled for May 14, 2026, in Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County, Porro Ward in Samburu County, and Endo Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The materials arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday and have been transported to secure storage ahead of distribution to polling stations.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has called on Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and Senator Hillary Sigei to resolve land issues delaying KTDA's Kipsonoi hydro power project, which has burdened smallholder tea farmers with high electricity costs for the last 12 years.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
The High Court halted National Assembly Speaker Wetang'ula's decision to suspend Bumula MP Jack Wanami Wamboka from chairing the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, finding that Wamboka was denied a fair hearing before the disciplinary action over bribery allegations was taken.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a Kenya-France partnership targeting education reforms, youth employment and innovation to prepare Africa's workforce for the digital economy. The leaders inaugurated a new Engineering and Science Complex at the University of Nairobi as part of the cooperation.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Civil society organisations from across Africa have urged African leaders to reconsider governance, economic transformation, and the continent's global role, saying that despite abundant natural resources and a young population, Africa's wealth has not translated into prosperity for its people. The organisations, gathered at the Social Innovation Pavilion Summit ahead of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, have prioritised human rights protection, regional security, and Artificial Intelligence as key issues for African leaders to address.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Sports Act of 2013, though well-intentioned, has failed in practice due to weak enforcement and structural loopholes that sports federation officials have learned to exploit through legal maneuvers. The article argues the Act requires not just replacement but genuine enforcement mechanisms to prevent federations from circumventing governance rules.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya and African leaders are rejecting a system that treats their genetic pathogen data as free, citing lessons from HIV and Covid-19 crises. With negotiations over the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system deadlocked at the WHO, civil society groups are demanding a legally binding framework instead of what they describe as a "days of charity" approach.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua and former PSRA director general Fazul Mahamed agreed to launch a nationwide sensitisation campaign centred on workers' welfare and taxation, pledging to make the issue a key agenda item for voters at the next general election and to push for protections for both formal and informal sector workers.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Jubilee Party deputy leader Jeremiah Kioni has called on retired president Uhuru Kenyatta to relinquish his position as party leader and instead play an elder statesman role in uniting opposition parties. Kioni, described as emerging as the second most truthful figure in opposition ranks, spoke to The Standard about uncomfortable political issues.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
At the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, President Ruto said Africa no longer seeks loans but demands balanced, mutually beneficial investment partnerships and equal voice in the global financial order, moving away from one-sided relationships. He plans to present Africa's case to the Group of Seven summit.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation have reaffirmed their partnership in combating corruption, money laundering and transnational financial crimes, with both institutions emphasising the need for global cooperation to address what they describe as an increasingly cross-border threat to economies and governance systems.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Charles Kanjama, the newly elected president of the Law Society of Kenya, has faced criticism for remaining silent and inactive on constitutional issues and police accountability matters, despite expectations that he would continue his predecessor's assertive interventionist approach in defending civil liberties and responding to high-profile legal cases.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto defended ongoing education sector reforms during a Maseno visit, urging Kenyans to focus on progress and reject what he called unnecessary pessimism and blame games.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Senators are facing mounting scrutiny as chronic absenteeism in both plenary and Senate committee meetings raises questions about their commitment to their constitutional mandate.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has filed in court seeking permission to cross-examine cardiologist Dr Daniel Kibuka Gikonyo over a supplementary affidavit filed in the impeachment case involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Kindiki argues that the affidavit, sworn on April 28, introduces contested medical and factual issues that require oral testimony and cross-examination, and contends that the medical records were never presented before the Senate during the original impeachment proceedings despite only being submitted to court nearly 18 months after the events in question.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
Night campaigns have intensified in Emurua Dikirr as the DCP and UDA trade barbs ahead of the May 14 by-election, with women taking a leading role in the campaign activities.
11 May 2026 · The Standard →
Several central Nairobi roads including City Hall Way, Parliament Road, Harambee Avenue, and Taifa Road will close from midnight May 11 for the Africa Forward Summit 2026 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre; commuters on other major routes are advised to expect delays due to security checks and convoy movements.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will visit Kenya on May 11, 2026, to join President William Ruto in launching a USD 340 million expansion of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri, which will modernise facilities and increase conference capacity from 14 to 30 rooms and delegate capacity from about 2,000 to 9,000 participants.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
Several Heads of State and governments have arrived in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by Kenya and France, scheduled for May 11 and 12, 2026. Arrivals include the Presidents of Nigeria, Senegal, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire, as well as France's President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission received ballot papers and statutory election forms for May 14, 2026 by-elections in Emurua Dikirr Constituency and Porro and Endo wards, with materials now in secure storage ahead of distribution to polling stations.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has blamed Jubaland forces in Kenya for an attack on May 9 along the Mandera-Arabia road in which six passengers were killed and three injured. Gachagua claims the foreign forces are present illegally in Kenya's North Eastern region and called for their immediate removal.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto has signed the Income Tax Bill, Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, and Technopolis Bill into law at State House, Nairobi. The new laws aim to streamline Kenya's regulatory framework and strengthen the country's position as an attractive investment destination.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the proposed Finance Bill 2026's 25 per cent excise duty on mobile phones, arguing it consolidates multiple existing taxes (including Import Declaration Fee, Railway Development Levy, VAT, and customs duty totalling about 55 per cent) into a single levy payable only upon activation, not at importation.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
Parliament has invited public participation on the Finance Bill 2026, which proposes tax changes on mobile phones, mitumba imports, digital platforms and cryptocurrency transactions. The Clerk of the National Assembly set a May 25 deadline for written submissions to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron held a youth dialogue at the University of Nairobi during the Africa-France Summit, where they engaged hundreds of young innovators, entrepreneurs and creatives and reaffirmed commitment to supporting youth-led enterprises, digital innovation and the creative economy.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has linked the killing of six civilians in Arabia Sub-County, Mandera to an alleged incursion by Jubaland forces operating illegally inside Kenyan territory, saying their presence poses a growing security threat in the region.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto and UN Secretary-General António Guterres broke ground for the expansion and modernisation of the United Nations Office in Nairobi, which Ruto said will position Nairobi as a premium hub for conferences and exhibitions. Kenya is investing $1.1 billion in support of Nairobi's infrastructure upgrade, including roads, street lighting, river regeneration, and ICT systems.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nigeria's Federal Government has banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the "Dr" prefix in official, academic, or professional contexts, treating misuse as academic fraud. The Minister of Education said the policy aims to end decades of indiscriminate conferral of degrees for political patronage and financial gain.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto is campaigning for Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung'u, Kenya's candidate for the International Criminal Court, introducing her to regional and international leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron. The election is set for December 2026 during the 25th Assembly of State Parties in New York, with seven candidates competing for the position.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The High Court in Thika issued orders to maintain the status quo on disputed Paradise Lost land in Kiambu County, owned by Ndunde Investments, and prohibited any dealings on the property pending the hearing and determination of the case. The court also ordered the Deputy Registrar to visit the land and file a report within 14 days on current occupation.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto announced that Kenya is investing $1.1 billion (KSh143 billion) to upgrade Nairobi's infrastructure in support of the United Nations Office expansion, including roads, street lighting, river regeneration, ICT security, and a UN One-Stop Shop, positioning Nairobi as a hub for global diplomacy and conferencing.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto said Kenya is reforming its education system through Competency-Based Education to ensure learners keep pace with a fast-changing global labour market, particularly in technology. He noted the government has laid 30,000km of fibre optic cable to expand digital infrastructure and position Kenya as an innovation hub.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →
CP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has called for an overhaul of Nakuru's security team following the murder of Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia at Tabuga PCEA Church in Lanet, accusing security officers of failing to contain rising crime in the region. Gachagua also questioned the silence of senior security officials and urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to release CCTV footage of the killing.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has received ballot papers and statutory forms for by-elections scheduled for May 14 in Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Porro Ward, and Endo Ward. The commission says it will distribute the materials to polling stations by Wednesday evening following bulk-breaking operations on Wednesday.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenyan opposition leaders and civil society groups have raised concerns that a new defence cooperation agreement with France, which allows French military personnel to operate in Kenya alongside existing British and American forces, could undermine Kenya's sovereignty and weaken accountability for crimes by foreign troops, citing troubling immunity provisions that shield foreign soldiers from local prosecution.
11 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President Ruto called on Africa to position sports at the centre of economic transformation, positioning the continent's young population as a historic opportunity to build profitable sports industries that create wealth and jobs. At a University of Nairobi dialogue attended by French, Botswana, and Senegal leaders, Ruto said Africa must invest in African-owned sports enterprises and warned the continent risks being left behind if it remains on the margins of the global sports industry.
11 May 2026 · Capital News →