Kenya Minute.
Friday, 26 June 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 26 June 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Archive Minute from Friday, 26 June 2026
Politics

Martha Karua detained at Uganda airport; EAC principles questioned

The News

Senior Counsel Martha Karua was detained at Entebbe International Airport while travelling to defend opposition figures in Uganda's courts. The Standard editorial argues the incident and similar treatment of Kenyan lawyers in neighbouring EAC states undermine the bloc's stated principles, noting Kenya opens its courts to lawyers from other EAC members while its own advocates face restrictions.

26 June 2026 · The Standard

Politics

  1. Martha Karua detained at Uganda airport; EAC principles questioned

    Senior Counsel Martha Karua was detained at Entebbe International Airport while travelling to defend opposition figures in Uganda's courts. The Standard editorial argues the incident and similar treatment of Kenyan lawyers in neighbouring EAC states undermine the bloc's stated principles, noting Kenya opens its courts to lawyers from other EAC members while its own advocates face restrictions.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Duale found in contempt over flouted court orders

    The article argues that Kenya faces a persistent struggle with "constitutions without constitutionalism"—where the Constitution and rule of law are ignored. Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was found in contempt of court on June 22, 2026, for flouting orders that barred construction of the United States Ebola facility, continuing a pattern of government officials disregarding judicial decisions.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Parliament pushes for stricter oversight of Kenya's Sovereign Wealth Fund

    MPs are seeking tighter control over the proposed Kenya Sovereign Wealth Fund, with the National Assembly's Finance and Planning Committee recommending that withdrawals require approval from both the Controller of Budget and Parliament to prevent unconstitutional withdrawals. The Fund will collect and invest government revenues from oil and mineral resources.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. High Court allows odious debt case against government to proceed

    A three-judge High Court bench rejected Attorney General Dorcas Oduor's bid to dismiss Senator Okiya Omtatah's petition challenging the legality of Kenya's Sh7 trillion public debts. The court ruled the petition, which alleges odious debts of Sh6.95 trillion accumulated between 2014/2015 and 2023/2024, shall proceed to hearing on its merits.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Government establishes taskforce to reform Public Trustee Department

    The government has created a taskforce to improve access to estates of deceased relatives and reduce delays in succession processes. The taskforce has four months to audit the Public Trustee Department, streamline administration of estates and trusts, clear case backlogs, and recommend legal and institutional reforms.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Duale avoids contempt charge over quarantine facility misunderstanding

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale evaded jail-time for contempt of court by claiming he "misunderstood" two court orders halting the construction of a quarantine facility for US Ebola patients in Laikipia.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. June 2024 youth-led tax protest changed Kenya's political course

    In June 2024, a generation previously perceived as apathetic and distracted by social media altered the course of Kenya's history through a tax revolt.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  8. Wreaths, barriers mark Gen Z protest anniversary

    Families and human rights defenders laid wreaths on Parliament Road in Nairobi on June 25, 2026, marking the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax protests that brought the country to a standstill.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  9. 355 arrested during Gen Z anniversary demonstrations

    At least 355 people were arrested across the country during Gen Z anniversary demonstrations, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  10. High Court allows Sh7 trillion debt petition to proceed

    The High Court has declined to strike out a petition challenging the legality of Kenya's Sh7 trillion public debt, clearing the way for a full hearing and dealing a setback to President William Ruto's administration.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  11. Interior CS's 'normal day' claim undermined by Nairobi roadblocks

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen declared Thursday would be "a normal business and school day," but Nairobi experienced significant police roadblocks during Gen Z anniversary protests, contradicting his assertion.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  12. Parliament summons CS Wahome over stalled housing projects

    Parliament has directed Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to appear before a Speaker's Kamukunji next Thursday to respond to questions on stalled projects across the country, including the Affordable Housing Programme.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  13. Katiba Institute files contempt case against IG Kanja over roadblocks

    The Katiba Institute has filed contempt of court proceedings against Inspector General Douglas Kanja for police roadblocks and razor-wire barricades mounted on major Nairobi roads during Thursday's Gen Z protest anniversary, arguing the National Police Service violated existing High Court orders barring unlawful road closures without prior public notice.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  14. Police chief orders investigation into activist arrest during protests

    Inspector General Douglas Kanja has ordered the Internal Affairs Unit to investigate the arrest of Nakuru activist James Mbugua during June 25 anniversary protests, after video footage showed police officers manhandling him. The National Police Service condemned the conduct as a breach of Standard Operating Procedures and said appropriate action would be taken based on findings within seven days.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  15. Kenya marks June 25 anniversary of deadly Gen-Z protests

    On the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 anti-government protests that left 62 young Kenyans dead after security forces opened fire, families of victims, opposition leaders and civil society groups commemorated the events. Police deployed heavily across Nairobi and other cities, erecting roadblocks and closing Parliament buildings and businesses.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  16. Government declares normal business day as Gen Z marks protest anniversary

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced Wednesday that Thursday would be "a normal business and school day," as Gen Z prepared to mark the second anniversary of its protest movement.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  17. Parliament summons Lands CS over stalled housing projects

    Parliament has directed Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to appear before a Speaker's Kamukunji next Thursday to respond to questions on stalled projects across the country, including the Affordable Housing Programme, a flagship undertaking of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  18. Police presence keeps protest towns calm on Gen Z anniversary

    Kitengela and Ongata Rongai, recent flashpoints for anti-government protests in the Nairobi metropolitan area, remained unusually calm on Thursday as the country marked the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z demonstrations, with police maintaining a visible presence.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  19. Labour CS Mutua denies role in recruiting Kenyans for Russia

    Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua denied involvement in illegal recruitment of Kenyans to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine, stating that Kenyans who went to Russia through his program were vetted by Kenya's ambassador to Russia and are employed there.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  20. Leaders dismiss Gen Z protest demands ahead of 2027 elections

    Human rights defenders and families of Gen Z protest victims have addressed the press, highlighting what they describe as political arrogance and mockery directed at the demands of Gen Z activists, amid concerns about how leaders are positioning themselves for upcoming elections.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  21. Parliament fortified with razor wire during Gen Z protests

    Police barricaded Parliament with razor wire on Thursday during anniversary protests by Gen Z, two years after youth stormed the building during 2024 anti-government demonstrations, transforming it into what the article describes as a fortress.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  22. Opposition split over participation in Gen Z anniversary protests

    Several United Opposition leaders participated in the second anniversary of the Gen Z revolution despite former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging protesters to stay away from the streets.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  23. Armed officers escort Mombasa protesters demanding justice for 2024 violence

    Security officers from multiple agencies escorted protesters in Mombasa as they marched from a cathedral to regional police headquarters, demanding justice for those killed in 2024 violence and calling for accountability and compensation for survivors.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  24. Suba South MP suspended five days for unparliamentary language

    Suba South legislator Caroli Omondi was suspended from the National Assembly for five sitting days after being found guilty of using unacceptable words during a house session and refusing to retract or apologize. The suspension came after a heated exchange during discussion of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, when Omondi allegedly told the Speaker to "stop being stupid," though he later denied the remark and claimed he said "We're not stupid."

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  25. Activist warns unresolved Gen Z protest issues still fuel anger

    Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi says the grievances that sparked Gen Z-led protests two years ago—high cost of living, poor governance, corruption, and economic hardship—remain unresolved, with public anger undiminished. On the anniversary of the June 25 demonstrations, he noted that heavy police deployment and restrictions reflected government fear of public dissatisfaction, and that Kenyans now regard the date as an unofficial national day of remembrance for those killed in the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  26. Over 90 Gen Z protesters charged with traffic offences

    Over 90 protesters arrested during Gen Z anniversary demonstrations in Nairobi on June 25, 2026, were arraigned at Milimani Law Courts and charged with obstructing motor vehicles on public roads under the Kenya Roads Act. The accused came from multiple police stations and allegedly heaped stones and burned tyres on roads, causing obstruction to motor vehicles.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  27. Mount Kenya region faces political unity test

    Mount Kenya West and East have historically voted as a bloc, making the region influential during general elections. The article examines whether the region can maintain this political cohesion.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  28. Over 200 Gen Z protest suspects released on KSh1,000 cash bail

    More than 200 suspects arrested during Thursday's Gen Z anniversary protests were released on KSh1,000 cash bail each after being arraigned at Milimani Law Courts, charged with obstructing vehicles and disrupting traffic. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, accompanied by Senior Counsel James Orengo and Advocate Babu Owino, paid the bail for the accused.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  29. Gachagua says he avoided Gen Z protests to prevent violence

    Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua explained his absence from the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests, stating he had gathered intelligence indicating a plot to trigger violence, loot businesses, and blame the Mt Kenya region. Gachagua made the decision during a 45-day political hiatus, citing that his appearance would have created an opportunity for goons and rogue security officers to cause mayhem.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  30. EACC warns against branding public projects with political names

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has cautioned state and public officers against branding government-funded projects and programmes with their personal names, images, or political symbols, stating that the practice constitutes abuse of office and misuse of public resources.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  31. Two women arrested at Gen Z candlelight vigil in Mwea

    Two young women were arrested during a candlelight vigil in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, held to commemorate Gen Z victims killed during anti-government protests. Police dispersed the gathering, destroyed candles, and arrested Margaret Wambui and Doreen Mworia; both were released later that night following intervention by a local ward MCA.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  32. Kenya deports Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister over fraudulent passport allegation

    Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji was denied entry and deported from Kenya on Wednesday at JKIA after immigration officers suspected he possessed a fraudulently obtained Kenyan passport. According to sources, Haji acknowledged having the Kenyan passport but refused to surrender it, insisting the matter be handled through court.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  33. EACC warns against branding public projects with officials' names

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has directed public institutions to stop branding taxpayer-funded projects with the names, portraits, images or symbols of serving public officials, saying the practice amounts to abuse of office and misuse of public resources.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  34. NTSA introduces annual vehicle inspections starting July 1

    Kenya's National Transport and Safety Authority will require mandatory annual inspections for vehicles older than four years under new Traffic Rules, with inspection and booking fees of Ksh.1,000 each. With more than six million registered vehicles in Kenya, the government could potentially collect at least Ksh.12 billion annually, though actual amounts may be lower.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  35. 200 Gen Z protest suspects charged with obstructing traffic

    More than 200 suspects arrested during June 25 demonstrations in Nairobi have been arraigned and charged with unlawfully assembling on roads and obstructing motor vehicles by blocking roads with stones and burning tyres. They were released on cash bail of 1,000 Ksh each.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  36. Police arrest disabled man accused of incitement during Nakuru protests

    National Police Service officers were captured on video violently arresting James Thuku, a physically challenged man, during anti-government protests in Nakuru on Thursday. According to Senator Crystal Asige, Thuku is being held at Nakuru Central Police Station on allegations of incitement to violence.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  37. Court holds activist Bob Njagi seven days pending Gen Z probe

    A Kajiado court has ordered the seven-day detention of activist Bob Njagi to allow police to complete investigations into allegations of incitement linked to Gen Z memorial protests. The court also directed that two mobile phones recovered from Njagi be submitted for forensic examination.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  38. Kibera court bars media from Utumishi murder case virtual hearing

    The Kibera High Court has excluded media from virtual proceedings in the Utumishi Girls School murder case, in which eight suspects facing charges over a May dormitory fire that killed 16 students are following proceedings remotely from police custody. Lawyers for the accused and prosecution argued over whether the suspects should undergo mental assessment before the case proceeds.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  39. DPP drops charges against young mother arrested during Gen Z protests

    The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has withdrawn charges against a young mother who was arrested during the June 25 memorial protests. The woman, who appeared in court with her toddler, was among 58 initial suspects but the only female accused; the prosecution cited her status as a young mother with a small child in withdrawing the charges.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  40. ODM credits Oburu's peace call for June 25 protests restraint

    The Orange Democratic Movement has attributed the peaceful conduct during June 25 Gen Z anniversary commemorations to a call for peace issued by party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga on June 24, urging both protesters and police to uphold the law. ODM lauded its members and supporters for exercising restraint and demonstrating commitment to the rule of law.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  41. Nairobi court allows UK extradition proceedings for Kenyan national

    A Nairobi court has allowed the Director of Public Prosecutions to recognize and enforce two arrest warrants issued by a UK court against Kenyan national Brian Kiprop Kiplagat to face charges of murder, manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, and fraud by false representation. The court also opposed his release on bail, keeping him in custody as extradition proceedings move forward.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  42. Court of Appeal rescinds NSSF ruling issued in procedural error

    Kenya's Court of Appeal has rescinded its May 29 ruling that blocked implementation of revised NSSF contribution rates, finding the decision was issued in error on an application that was not properly before the court and on which parties had not been heard.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  43. IEBC committee dismisses Muhia's jurisdiction challenge

    An IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee has rejected a jurisdictional challenge by Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia's legal team and affirmed its authority to hear allegations of code of conduct breaches stemming from her remarks at an Ol Kalou by-election campaign rally on June 14. Muhia's lawyers objected to the committee's composition and claimed procedural unfairness before walking out of the hearing.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  44. ODM praises Kenyans for peaceful June 25 commemorations

    The Orange Democratic Movement has praised Kenyans for conducting peaceful June 25 anniversary commemorations, saying demonstrators' restraint reflected the country's democratic maturity. The party called on security agencies to continue exercising restraint in future demonstrations.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  45. Kipipiri MP Muhia's lawyers walk out of IEBC hearing

    Lawyers representing Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia walked out of an IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee hearing, citing bias, procedural unfairness, and a predetermined outcome. The legal team sought an adjournment to seek High Court interpretation of relevant procedures, but the committee declined and proceeded without the defendant and her counsel.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  46. Broad-based government leaders accuse opposition of inciting Gen Z protests

    Leaders from the broad-based government, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, have accused opposition parties of inciting youth into protests, saying the opposition lacks a development record and uses street protests for selfish gains rather than presenting policy alternatives.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  47. Kenya launches five-year disaster risk financing strategy

    Kenya has unveiled a Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for 2026–2030, launched by the National Treasury with UN support, aimed at shifting from emergency response to preparedness and investment in financial resilience against climate-driven disasters.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

Business

  1. Appeals Court lifts block on government's Safaricom-Vodacom sale

    Kenya's Appeals Court has lifted an order that was blocking the government's sale of its stake in Safaricom to Vodacom.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Brookside strengthens partnership with hospitality sector for growth

    Milk processor Brookside is expanding its market presence in the hospitality industry through strengthened partnerships with the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, leveraging new product innovations and its national distribution footprint to grow its share of the hotel, restaurant and catering market.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Rwanda tea commands higher prices than Kenya at Mombasa auction

    At last week's Mombasa tea auction, Rwandan tea achieved an average of Sh354.75 per kilogramme compared to Kenyan tea at Sh299.28 per kg. Kenya's 9,424.6 tonnes generated Sh2.8 billion, while Rwanda sold 552 tonnes for Sh196.1 million; some Kenyan factories' tea went unsold as buyers and sellers failed to agree on prices.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Equity shareholders approve record Sh21.7bn dividend payout

    Equity Group shareholders have approved a first and final dividend payout of Sh21.70 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, representing a 35.5 per cent increase from Sh16.04 billion paid in 2024. Shareholders also ratified the incorporation of three new insurance subsidiaries in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Kenyan woman builds property empire from hospitality roots

    Sarah Aluoch transitioned from hotel work to found Sarahfine Investments Limited, a property management and real estate company in Utawala, through determination and calculated risk-taking, becoming a successful entrepreneur in her early 40s.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Court of Appeal lifts block on Safaricom stake sale

    The Court of Appeal has lifted High Court orders that had blocked the government's planned Sh204.3 billion sale of its 15 per cent shareholding in Safaricom Plc to Vodacom Group Ltd.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. Young carpenter builds furniture business in male-dominated Kenyan industry

    Mercy Murugi Munyi, a 26-year-old artisan known as "Shawry for Wood," transitioned from studying criminology at Chuka University to carpentry in Ruiru after facing Kenya's tough job market. She started selling curved wooden chairs from home in Embakasi and has since built her reputation in the furniture industry.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

Mining & Energy

  1. Bloomberg Philanthropies commits $285 million to clean energy

    Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $285 million commitment to accelerate renewable energy deployment globally, with a focus on strengthening clean energy industries and removing barriers to the transition in emerging economies. Clean energy advocates say the funding signals a shift toward scaling deployment and addressing market reforms and regulatory capacity in developing nations.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. Bloomberg Philanthropies commits $285m to clean energy

    Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a $285 million commitment to accelerate clean energy industries in emerging and developing economies by strengthening institutions, improving technical expertise, supporting market reforms and unlocking private investment. The initiative targets countries responsible for nearly 70 percent of global power-sector emissions with the goal of helping solar and wind energy generate more than half of their electricity by 2030.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. Bloomberg launches $285m clean energy fund for developing economies

    Bloomberg Philanthropies has launched a $285 million initiative to help emerging and developing economies build institutions, market systems and investment pipelines needed to scale clean energy. The fund addresses barriers including weak power grids, limited funding, unclear policies and lack of technical skills that prevent millions of households and businesses across Kenya and Africa from accessing reliable, affordable renewable energy.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Agriculture & Land

  1. Vihiga county advances food security through mixed farming

    Vihiga, one of Kenya's smallest counties, has made significant progress toward food security and agricultural self-sufficiency through county government and development partner interventions promoting mixed farming, climate-smart agriculture, and farmer cooperatives. The county has particularly accelerated fish farming, with a Sh69 million aquaculture initiative funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Technology key to empowering African farmers and transforming agriculture

    Technology is essential to improve productivity and profitability for African farmers, who lack access to tools, technologies, and knowledge needed to increase output. Climate change, pests, and diseases are intensifying production challenges, with climate change projected to reduce crop yields by up to 10–20% by 2050 in parts of Africa, and pests and diseases causing 20–40% annual crop losses.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. CS Kagwe launches Quality Based Milk Payment scheme

    Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced a new Quality Based Milk Payment (QBMP) model to reward farmers based on milk quality rather than volume alone. The scheme aims to improve milk production and quality by encouraging better dairy management practices, including proper animal nutrition, disease control, and hygienic milking practices.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. Kihiu Mwiri residents receive 750 title deeds after years

    Over 700 residents of Kihiu Mwiri in Gatanga Sub-County, Murang'a County, received 750 title deeds from the government, ending years of uncertainty over land ownership. Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said the deeds enable families to invest in land, access credit, and participate in economic activities.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Society

  1. Uganda health ministry warns Ebola survivors on sexual transmission risk

    Uganda's Ministry of Health has advised male Ebola survivors that while they have recovered, the virus can remain in semen for at least six months, posing a risk of sexual transmission to partners.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Mombasa County leads Kenya in drug and substance abuse rates

    A NACADA survey shows that more than one in every three residents of Mombasa County is using at least one drug or substance of abuse, with the county recording a 34.4 per cent prevalence rate. Nationally, an estimated 4.7 million Kenyans aged 15–65 years are using at least one drug or substance, with the Coast region at 29.3 per cent prevalence.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. KWS officer found dead in Nakuru with six gunshot wounds

    A Kenya Wildlife Service officer, Corporal Leonard Odero, was found dead in Nakuru with gunshot wounds to his head, mouth, chest, upper left arm, and left palm; authorities suspect suicide, and DCI recovered six spent cartridges and a five-page suicide note at the scene.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Mozzart Kenya installs solar borehole at Thika special school

    Gaming firm Mozzart Kenya commissioned a 220-meter-deep solar-powered borehole at St Patrick's Special School in Thika through its Action 100 Wells initiative, aiming to address water access challenges at the institution and in the wider community.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Families search for missing relatives vanished without trace

    A personal account of a family member's disappearance while traveling towards Tanzania, part of a broader pattern of missing persons that has affected many Kenyan families.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. TECH Global University achieves highest student ratings globally

    TECH Global University has been positioned as the highest-rated university in the world by its students on major review platforms. The institution scored 4.9 out of 5 on both Google Maps (with over 4,000 reviews) and Trustpilot, which awarded it the "Excellent" rating.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. LSK and civil groups condemn arrests at Gen Z anniversary protests

    The Law Society of Kenya and civil society groups have condemned what they described as "collective" arrests during Thursday's Gen Z second anniversary protests, in which more than 350 people were arrested nationwide. LSK has deployed volunteer lawyers to offer free representation to those being charged in various courts.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  8. High Court orders mental assessments for eight Utumishi murder suspects

    The Kibera High Court has ordered eight students accused of murdering 16 fellow learners in the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire to undergo mental health assessments to determine if they are fit to stand trial. The minors were remanded at the Nairobi Children's Remand Home pending a court mention on July 1.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  9. Fire destroys Wall Street Business Park in Embakasi

    A fire broke out at Wall Street Business Park in Embakasi's Kiang'ombe area on Friday morning, spreading from the second godown to the third and destroying property; residents criticized the fire department for taking about one hour to arrive, while the cause remains unknown.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  10. Eight Utumishi Girls students charged in dormitory fire deaths

    Eight students from Utumishi Girls Academy are to appear before Kibera Law Courts facing 16 counts of murder over a dormitory fire that killed 16 schoolgirls. The case was transferred from Naivasha to Nairobi; one of nine initially arrested students was cleared and released.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  11. Government releases 4.2 billion shillings for university scholarships

    The government has released Ksh.4.2 billion in scholarships to public universities to support more than 400,000 continuing undergraduate students under the Student-Centred Funding Model, bringing the total 2025/2026 allocation to Ksh.18.4 billion.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  12. Man sentenced 15 years for raping student in Kilifi

    A 32-year-old barber in Kilifi was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a 21-year-old student on July 10, 2024. Medical and forensic evidence, including DNA profiling, confirmed the assault.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  13. Universities Fund releases Sh4.2bn for over 400,000 students

    The Universities Fund has released Sh4.2 billion in scholarships to public universities to support over 400,000 continuing undergraduate students under the Student-Centred Funding Model, raising the 2025/2026 financial year allocation from the National Treasury to Sh18.4 billion. The funds are meant to cover tuition fees for students who enrolled in universities in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  14. Eight Utumishi students charged with 16 counts of murder over fire

    Eight students aged 15–18 linked to the May 28 fire at Utumishi Girls' School in Gilgil will be formally charged in court; the dormitory blaze killed 16 students. Investigators believe the fire was deliberately started after mattresses were allegedly set ablaze near an exit, and prosecutors have identified the suspects based on forensic investigations, CCTV footage, and witness accounts.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  15. Man sentenced to 40 years for child sexual abuse in Mombasa

    A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for defiling an eight-year-old girl in Likoni Sub-county, Mombasa, between July 2023 and September 2024. The court heard testimony from six witnesses, including the minor and her mother, detailing how the man lured the child with sweets and bicycle enticements.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  16. Court orders mental assessment for eight Utumishi fire suspects

    A Nairobi court has directed that eight minors charged in connection with the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy undergo mental assessment before a child psychiatrist at Mathare Mental Hospital ahead of the murder case hearing. The court also appointed pro bono advocates for the minors and ordered their continued remand at Kabete Children's Home pending further directions.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  17. 4.7 million Kenyans aged 15-65 using drugs, government intensifies crackdown

    At least 4.7 million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 years are using at least one drug or substance of abuse, according to a NACADA national survey revealed during Kenya's commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Coast region is the most affected, with Mombasa County recording the highest prevalence at 34.4 per cent.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  18. Building collapses at Nairobi's Gikomba Market, killing two

    Two people died after a section of a building at Gikomba Market in Nairobi collapsed on Thursday evening. The structure had been weakened by a fire that gutted part of the market on Sunday, and witnesses said young men were dismantling scrap metal from the damaged building when it caved in.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  19. High Court defers plea-taking for eight Utumishi girls students

    The High Court in Kibera has deferred plea-taking for eight Utumishi Girls Academy students charged with the murder of sixteen schoolmates who died in a dormitory fire on May 28, ordering that they undergo mental and age assessments before standing trial. A ninth student was released after investigators found no evidence linking her to the incident.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  20. NACADA reports 4.7 million Kenyans using drugs or substances

    According to the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, about 4.7 million Kenyans aged 15–65 are currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse, with the Coast region recording the highest prevalence at 29.3 percent and Mombasa County at 34.4 percent. Senior government officials warned of a growing national crisis driven by rising substance abuse among young people during commemorations of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  21. DPP closes case against six Iranians in meth trafficking trial

    The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has closed its case against six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking more than one tonne of methamphetamine worth over Ksh.8.2 billion before the Shanzu Chief Magistrate's Court, after calling 12 witnesses including the investigating officer from the Anti-Narcotics Unit.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  22. Government deploys 6,360 healthcare interns nationwide from July

    The Ministry of Health will deploy 6,360 healthcare interns across the country beginning July 1, 2026, for a mandatory 12-month placement in various healthcare facilities as part of the annual internship programme aimed at strengthening the health workforce.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  23. Vocal Africa reports five activists missing after Gen Z protest arrests

    Human rights organisation Vocal Africa has alleged that five activists arrested outside Parliament during Thursday's Gen Z anniversary protests have disappeared, despite the release of more than 200 other demonstrators following court proceedings. The organisation identified the missing activists as Fredrick Ojiro, Colins Ochieng, Muteti Mulinge, Michael Ngige and Ochieng Alam, saying they were arrested in broad daylight while laying wreaths at barbed wire barricades outside Parliament.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  24. NTSA delays enforcement of stop-sign arms, telematics for school buses

    The National Transport and Safety Authority said it will announce enforcement timelines for mandatory reflectorised stop-sign arms and telematics systems in school transport vehicles, but has not yet begun enforcing these requirements under the Traffic (School Transport) Rules, 2026. School buses must continue to undergo annual inspections and maintain valid inspection stickers.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  25. NTSA requires vehicle owners to book annual inspections from July 1

    The National Transport and Safety Authority has directed owners of motor vehicles older than four years to book annual inspections from July 1 under new Traffic (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Rules. Vehicles that pass will receive inspection stickers and reports; those that fail will get defect reports requiring repairs before re-inspection, though enforcement for private vehicles will not begin immediately.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  26. Government deploys 6,360 healthcare interns nationwide from July

    The government will deploy 6,360 healthcare interns across the country starting July 1, having committed Sh 9.3 billion towards the programme to strengthen Kenya's health workforce and advance Universal Health Coverage. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the plans after meeting with health professional regulatory bodies to assess readiness for the 2026/2027 deployment.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  27. DPP closes case against six Iranians in Sh8.2bn methamphetamine trial

    The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has closed its case against six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking more than one tonne of methamphetamine worth Sh8.2 billion, after calling 12 witnesses to the Shanzu Chief Magistrate's Court. The prosecution detailed how Kenyan security agencies intercepted a vessel carrying the narcotics haul on the high seas in October 2025.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  28. Government disburses 49.8 million shillings to wildlife conflict victims

    The Kenyan Government has paid out KSh 49.8 million in compensation to 187 victims of human-wildlife conflict in Kajiado County, as part of efforts to protect livelihoods in communities living alongside wildlife and promote coexistence between people and animals.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  29. Six activists missing after arrest during Gen Z protest

    Six activists arrested on Thursday during Gen Z protest commemoration are now reported missing; their whereabouts cannot be traced, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, which has called on the government to release them or present them in court.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  30. KMPDU welcomes smooth deployment of 2026/2027 medical interns

    The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has praised the government's planned deployment of the 2026/2027 cohort of medical interns, calling it a major victory from years of advocacy. KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah noted this marks a significant change from previous years when young doctors protested over delayed postings and unpaid salaries.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  31. Police officer killed during arrest attempt in Migori County

    A police officer attached to Awendo sub-county was stabbed to death while attempting to arrest a murder suspect in North Sakwa Ward, Migori County. The suspect was subsequently lynched by an angry mob following the attack.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  32. Police chief orders probe into assault of disabled protester in Nakuru

    Inspector General Douglas Kanja has ordered an urgent internal investigation into police officers' conduct after video emerged of officers violently manhandling a person with a disability during June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests in Nakuru. The National Police Service condemned the officers' actions as unprofessional and a violation of Standard Operating Procedures.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  33. Nairobi water supply cut across 17 areas for pipeline repairs

    The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company temporarily shut down the Kigoro–Gigiri pipeline to repair a major leak on the NCT Fresh Water Pipeline in Kiambu County, affecting water supply to Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Upper Hill, Ngong Road, Madaraka, Lang'ata, Kibera, Karen, Uthiru, Kawangware, Kangemi, Ruai, Ngundu, Kamulu, and customers served by MAVWASCO and Oloolaiser Water Company. Supply is expected to resume by Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

Culture

  1. Oxford Dictionary's 11th edition adds 2,000 new words

    Oxford has released its latest edition of the Advanced Learner's Dictionary with 2,000 new words, including Kenyan terms like mbuzi, mabati, bongo flava and gomesi, designed to align with Kenya's Competency-Based Education and support independent learning, communication and critical thinking skills. The edition also covers modern language use including artificial intelligence, climate change and digital culture.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding planned in New York

    Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly planning a wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York, according to reports citing entertainment industry sources. The New York Times reported that Swift has booked the arena for an intimate gathering of around 100 people on July 2 and a larger event with around 1,000 guests the following day.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Comedian Prof. Aduol gains fame mimicking ODM leader Oburu Oginga

    Bronik Odhiambo, known as Prof. Aduol, has built an entertainment career by mimicking ODM party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, particularly after Oginga assumed the party leadership following his brother Raila Odinga's death in October 2025. Aduol's breakthrough came when he created a skit imitating Oburu mourning Raila, which resonated with audiences.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Sport

  1. Ivory Coast reaches World Cup knockouts for first time

    Ivory Coast advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history after beating Curacao 2-0, finishing second in Group E. Forward Nicolas Pepe, who scored both goals, said the team is "setting no limits" and will face the runner-up from Group I in the last-32.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Germany loses 2-1 to Ecuador despite World Cup qualification

    Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann blamed "tactical suicide" after Ecuador came from behind to beat the Germans 2-1 in Group E. Though already qualified for the last 32, Germany conceded early momentum and suffered the loss on a Gonzalo Plata winner that sent Ecuador through in third place.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Japan draws with Sweden, faces Brazil in World Cup knockouts

    Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to finish runners-up in Group F behind the Netherlands, securing a last-32 World Cup clash with Brazil. Sweden also qualified for the knockouts as one of the best third-placed finishers.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Netherlands top World Cup Group F, avoid Brazil

    The Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3–1 on Thursday to finish Group F with seven points, topping the group and avoiding a knockout encounter with Brazil. The Dutch will face Morocco in the second round in Monterrey on Monday.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Australia advances to World Cup last 32 with draw

    Australia qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds after drawing 0-0 with Paraguay in Group D, securing second place in the group. It marks only the third time Australia has advanced beyond the group stage in seven World Cup appearances.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Turkey beats USA 3-2 in World Cup dead-rubber with late winner

    Turkey defeated a heavily changed United States 3-2 with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in a Group D dead-rubber match. Already eliminated, Turkey scored their first goal in the tournament after two losses, while the US fielded a reshuffled lineup ahead of their knockout match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. DRC's historic World Cup draw brings joy to Ebola-hit Bunia

    The Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first World Cup point when Yoane Wissa scored against Portugal on June 17, providing rare celebration in Bunia, the epicentre of the country's Ebola outbreak which has infected over 1,100 people and caused 279 deaths across the DRC and Uganda.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  8. Tunisia coach Renard expresses no regrets after World Cup exit

    Tunisia finished bottom of their World Cup group after defeats to Netherlands (3-1), Sweden (5-1), and Japan (4-0). Coach Hervé Renard, hired as emergency replacement after the opening loss, said the team "were not at the level for this World Cup" but expressed no regrets about accepting the role.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  9. Lemayan defends Lewa Safari Marathon title on Saturday

    Samson Lemayan, 32, will defend his men's title at the 26th Lewa Safari Marathon in Meru County on Saturday, while 2012 women's winner Gladys Otero attempts to reclaim the women's title after a 14-year hiatus. The event, which aims to raise 15 million shillings for conservation, has attracted over 1,300 runners.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  10. Serena Williams faces Maya Joint in Wimbledon singles return

    Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, returns to singles action at Wimbledon after four years away, having been drawn to play Australia's Maya Joint in the first round following a wild card entry.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  11. Climate change threatens Kenya's grassroots football pitches

    A climate analysis presented at the British High Commission in Nairobi warns that extreme weather is already disrupting community football pitches in Mathare and could worsen significantly; by 2100, major storm rainfall in the area could increase by as much as 68 per cent, the analysis by Football for Future and Jupiter Intelligence found.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  12. Usyk vacates heavyweight world title belts, remains unretired

    Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk announced on Friday that he is vacating his three boxing world title belts but is not retiring, saying he wanted to free the titles so other fighters could compete for them.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  13. Hamilton credits neck injury for Ferrari debut season struggles

    Lewis Hamilton revealed he suffered a significant neck injury in testing ahead of his debut Ferrari season, crashing hard at Circuit de Catalunya in January 2025 and compressing a disc that affected a nerve. He said the injury left him in pain for three months, requiring daily physiotherapy, chiropractic care, painkillers, and injections.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  14. PUBG Mobile opens Africa's last PMGC 2026 qualifying path

    PUBG MOBILE has opened registration for Road to 2026 PMGO Season 2, offering competitive players across Sub-Saharan Africa their final opportunity this year to qualify for the PUBG MOBILE Global Championship and compete for a share of a Ksh. 388,800,000 prize pool. The Season 2 champion will earn direct qualification to the 2026 PMGO Season 2, where an additional Ksh. 64,800,000 prize pool awaits.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  15. Ivory Coast advance to World Cup knockout phase

    Nicolas Pepe scored twice to lead Ivory Coast to a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday, securing the team's first World Cup knockout appearance and eliminating Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  16. DR Congo seeks World Cup advancement against Uzbekistan

    In their final Group K match, the Democratic Republic of Congo will face Uzbekistan on Saturday, with victory offering them the chance to advance to the last 32. Uzbekistan, making their World Cup debut, have yet to earn any points after losses to Colombia and Portugal, while DR Congo have one point from a draw with Portugal and a loss to Colombia.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  17. Formula One declares heat hazard for Austrian GP weekend

    Formula One's governing body declared a heat hazard for the Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg's Red Bull Ring, the first time this season, after temperatures exceeding 31 degrees Celsius were forecast. The designation requires teams to fit driver cooling systems such as liquid-cooled vests, though drivers can decline and take a ballast penalty instead.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  18. Senegal coach calls Iraq World Cup match a final

    Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his team will approach their game against Iraq on Friday like a final to stay alive in the World Cup, after losses to France and Norway left them with zero points in Group I.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  19. Japan advances to World Cup knockouts with Sweden draw

    Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to advance to the World Cup last-32 round behind the Netherlands in Group F, where they will face Brazil in Houston.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  20. Kenyan sprinter Anthony Lemachira rises from humble roots

    Anthony Lemachira, who discovered athletics at age 13 at Gatu Primary School in Mashuru, Kajiado County, has emerged as one of Kenya's promising sprinters and earned the opportunity to compete alongside Victor Omanyala during the 2026 Commonwealth Games trials.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  21. Zetech Sparks seek strong display against Stanbic Aces

    Zetech Sparks head coach Job Munene says his team is confident and improving ahead of a National Women's Basketball Premier League match against Stanbic Aces at Nyayo Gymnasium on Saturday, noting the team has shown greater resilience and understanding of their game plan in recent performances.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  22. France squad aims to honour Deschamps in final group match

    France will play Norway in their final World Cup group game on Friday without head coach Didier Deschamps, who returned home to attend his mother's funeral. The squad expressed their determination to make Deschamps "as proud as possible" during his absence, with assistant coach Guy Stephan leading the team.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  23. Norway reaches World Cup knockout stage after 28-year absence

    Norway has advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup, their first return in 28 years. Norwegian Football Federation chief Lise Klaveness attributes their success to a grassroots development model that keeps young players with local clubs under volunteer coaches, a system that produced players including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  24. Potter says Sweden will be underdogs in World Cup knockout stage

    Sweden advanced to the World Cup last 32 as one of the best third-placed finishers after drawing 1-1 with Japan. Coach Graham Potter said Sweden will be underdogs regardless of their knockout opponent, which could be France, Norway, or Germany.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  25. Mbappe and Haaland face off in World Cup group decider

    France play Norway in a crucial World Cup Group I match on Friday, with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland both in fine form. The two forwards have each scored four goals in the tournament, trailing leader Lionel Messi on five.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  26. Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch postponed indefinitely

    A planned rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao has been postponed indefinitely, Pacquiao's camp said, after the two boxers disagreed over whether the bout would be a competition or an exhibition. The postponement follows an ESPN report that a Mayweather exhibition in Greece was cancelled after an events company connected to the Pacquiao bout sought an injunction.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  27. Ivory Coast reaches World Cup knockouts for first time

    Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, finishing second in Group E. Forward Nicolas Pepe, who scored both goals, said the team is "setting no limits" and has "huge potential" going forward.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  28. Kenya Prisons defeats GSU in volleyball playoffs opening

    Kenya Prisons defeated defending champions GSU in straights of 25-17, 26-24, 25-23 in the first leg of the Kenya Volleyball Federation National League playoff quarterfinals at Makande Hall in Mombasa on Friday. GSU must win Saturday's second leg to keep their title defence alive and force a decider on Sunday.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  29. Chapa Dimba season five kicks off in Western region

    The fifth edition of Safaricom Chapa Dimba begins on Saturday with grassroots matches across Western region, followed by other regions. Nationwide, 3,178 teams (2,367 boys' and 811 girls') have registered for the youth football tournament, exceeding the target of 3,000 teams.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  30. 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon set to attract 25,000 athletes

    The 2026 Lewa Safari Marathon is underway at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Meru County, with defending champion Samson Lemayan targeting retention of the men's full marathon title. The event has attracted over 25,000 athletes from over 40 countries, and features defending half-marathon champion Michael Kirwa and returning 2012 women's champion Gladys Otero in a field strengthened by the absence of last year's women's winner Mercy Kwambai.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  31. Tunisia coach Renard stands by World Cup role despite poor results

    Tunisia national team head coach Hervé Renard, hired as emergency replacement midway through the tournament, expressed no regrets about taking the job despite the team finishing bottom of their World Cup group with losses to Sweden (5-1), Japan (4-0), and the Netherlands (3-1). Renard said Tunisia "were not at the level for this World Cup" and noted the federation would need to reassess.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tourism & Environment

  1. Aviation policies limit Kenya's 2025 tourism arrivals

    Kenya recorded 2.7 million tourists in 2025 against a 5 million target, with hoteliers citing restrictive aviation policies that limit airline numbers and weekly flights. The Tourism PS said the government will review restrictions on airlines and flights to boost arrivals, weighing air access requests against airport capacities and security considerations.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Green Belt Movement challenges forest law allowing infrastructure projects

    Environmental groups Green Belt Movement and Just Act have filed a court petition against the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Act, 2026, warning that permitting roads, power lines and utility corridors in Kenya's gazetted public forests could cause irreversible ecological damage including forest fragmentation and disruption of wildlife corridors. The petitioners argue the law was enacted without adequate public participation and unlawfully grants the Kenya Forest Service powers to authorize easements in protected forests including the Mau Forest Complex, the Aberdares, Mt Kenya, Kakamega, Karura and Ngong Road forests.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Konza Technopolis uses drones to restore degraded land

    The Technopolis Development Authority deployed drones to broadcast over 36,000 tree seeds across the Konza Technopolis Wildlife Conservancy, dispersing 75 kilograms of seedballs containing three indigenous tree species across 1,000 acres to regenerate vegetation cover and advance sustainable land management.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. First Lady leads tree-planting drive in Mau Forest Complex

    First Lady Rachel Ruto and Kenya's Ambassador to UNEP Ida Odinga led a tree-planting exercise in the Mau Forest Complex as part of a long-term conservation programme targeting the planting of more than 40 million seedlings over the next decade to restore degraded forest landscapes. The First Lady adopted 33 hectares within the forest as part of the restoration campaign.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  5. First Lady leads Mau Forest tree-planting restoration drive

    First Lady Rachel Ruto and Ida Odinga led a tree-planting exercise in the Mau Forest Complex as part of the Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme, which aims to plant more than 40 million tree seedlings over the next decade to rehabilitate the forest and support the national campaign to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  6. Kenya to review airline restrictions to boost tourism

    Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced plans to review restrictions on the number of airlines and flights allowed into Kenya, assessing requests against airport capacity, security, and national interests. The move is part of efforts to double tourist arrivals by 2028 and eliminate bottlenecks hindering tourism growth.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

World & Region

  1. Summer Davos forum highlights China's innovation integration strategy

    The World Economic Forum's 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, from June 23–25 brings over 1,700 participants from more than 90 countries to discuss scaling innovation into economic gains. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized that innovation-driven development is key to China's long-term economic resilience, describing a path where technological innovation leads industrial upgrading.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Somali President Mohamud makes surprise visit to Kenya

    Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made an unexpected visit to Kenya and met with President William Ruto at Ruto's private residence in Narok County. According to official information, the two discussed bilateral issues and mechanisms for regional peace and stabilisation, though insiders noted Mohamud had been summoned to receive a brief from G7 leaders concerned about Somalia's deteriorating political situation.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. DRC files genocide case against Rwanda at ICJ

    The Democratic Republic of Congo filed a case at the International Court of Justice on Friday accusing Rwanda of atrocities, genocide, and widespread human rights violations in eastern DRC since 1996, including massacres, extrajudicial executions, torture, and sexual violence. Kinshasa also accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda denies.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. US judge allows lawsuit against Trump compensation fund to proceed

    A US District Judge said a lawsuit challenging a $1.8 billion compensation fund for Trump's political allies can proceed after administration officials declined to provide sworn assurances that the programme has been abandoned. The judge ruled that remarks by the acting attorney general stating the fund was "not moving forward" were insufficient to declare the case closed.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Small aircraft crashes into Beijing's tallest skyscraper

    A small aircraft about the size of a car crashed into CITIC Tower, a 108-storey skyscraper in Beijing's central business district, on Friday, causing damage to glass panels on a high floor. Police closed roads and restricted photography at the scene, with no immediate official comment.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  6. Paris bans public alcohol consumption during record heatwave

    French authorities banned public alcohol consumption and takeaway alcohol sales in Paris from Friday, citing hospital saturation during a record-breaking heatwave. The ban applies to streets and public places on weekends, though permitted restaurant and bar areas are exempt.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  7. Twin earthquakes kill at least 188 in Venezuela

    Twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, killing at least 188 people and injuring 1,520, with residents searching for survivors trapped in collapsed buildings.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  8. European hospitals overwhelmed as record heatwave kills scores

    Hospitals across Europe reported surge in emergency calls and admissions as a deadly heatwave with temperatures exceeding 35°C affected at least 101 million Europeans; French authorities banned public alcohol consumption in Paris and warned of hospital saturation, with Paris recording 25 cardiac arrests over 24 hours on Wednesday compared with fewer than 10 usually.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  9. UN suspends evacuation after attack on ship in Strait of Hormuz

    An attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday prompted the UN to suspend evacuation efforts for trapped mariners. The Iranian authority regulating the strait warned that passage outside designated routes will not receive safe passage guarantees, as the US cautioned against Iran charging fees for transit through the vital waterway.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  10. French court orders TotalEnergies to account for clients' emissions

    A French court has ordered TotalEnergies to account for its clients' emissions and outline measures to address them in a climate case, though it stopped short of imposing specific measures like halting new fossil fuel projects or cutting oil and gas production that plaintiffs demanded.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  11. UN pauses Strait of Hormuz sailor evacuation after ship struck

    The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused its planned evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck by what US officials said was Iranian fire. The IMO chief said the agency wanted to ensure "necessary safety guarantees" would continue.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  12. Amnesty condemns Uganda detention and deportation of Kenyan lawyer Karua

    Amnesty International condemned the detention and deportation of Kenyan human rights lawyer Martha Karua by Ugandan authorities on June 22, describing the incident as "unlawful and outrageous." Karua, part of the legal team representing detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, was arrested at Entebbe International Airport, held incommunicado, and later deported; Amnesty said the action violated regional legal protections and reflected a pattern of intimidation targeting Besigye's defence team.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  13. Ruto attends Madagascar independence day, pledges stronger ties

    President William Ruto attended Madagascar's 66th Independence Day celebrations at Barea Stadium in Antananarivo and reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Madagascar anchored on shared history, trade, and maritime cooperation. Ruto highlighted both nations' shared colonial resistance history and their commitment to sovereignty and African partnership.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  14. Somalia Deputy PM deported from Kenya for alleged passport fraud

    Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji was deported from Kenya after immigration officers at JKIA suspected he had fraudulently acquired a Kenyan passport. The official, who arrived on a valid Somali diplomatic passport, admitted to possessing the fraudulent document but refused to surrender it, citing court proceedings.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  15. Russia's digital ruble poses surveillance risks for Kenyan expatriates

    Russia's Central Bank is advancing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) intended to replace physical currency. Experts warn the digital ruble could enable state surveillance, freezing of remittances, and control over personal freedom for Kenyans working or studying in Russia.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  16. Ecuador reaches World Cup knockout stage, beating Germany

    Ecuador's national team advanced to the 2026 World Cup knockout stages by defeating four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their final group match, prompting President Daniel Noboa to declare Friday a national holiday.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  17. DRC files ICJ case against Rwanda over alleged genocide and abuses

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo has filed proceedings at the International Court of Justice accusing Rwanda of committing genocide and widespread human rights abuses in eastern Zaire and later eastern DRC from 1996 to the present, allegedly targeting Hutus who fled the 1994 Rwandan genocide and several Congolese ethnic groups.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

Opinion

  1. Editorial questions Maraga-Matiang'i political alliance messaging

    An opinion piece in The Standard cautions that Chief Justice emeritus David Maraga's meeting with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i sends problematic signals to Kenyans seeking transformative leadership ahead of 2027, arguing that political alliances with figures tied to Kenya's troubled past undermine hopes for genuine change.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Kenyans fighting for Russia made fateful deal

    An opinion piece warns that Kenyans who signed up to fight for Russia in foreign wars made a Faustian bargain that rarely ends well, comparing the arrangement to a devil's deal in classical literature.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Blaming parents alone for school indiscipline is incomplete

    An opinion piece argues that while families play a key role in children's socialization and values, attributing student indiscipline solely to parental abdication of duty ignores other institutions and agents that shape young people's behavior.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Opinion column on Gen Z Parliament protests and youth remembrance

    A poetic commentary on Gen Z anniversary protests at Parliament, where police deployed razor wire. The author criticizes the government's response to protesting youths and references a Sh2 billion allocation.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Banks market financial products during Nairobi lockdown period

    A columnist received unsolicited promotional calls and texts from financial institutions offering M-Shwari loans and money market funds while the country was on lockdown, raising questions about transparency in interest rate disclosure.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Kenya's health workforce posting now predictable, timely

    An opinion piece by the Principal Secretary for Medical Services notes that 6,360 young Kenyans will receive posting letters on time this Monday, marking a shift from past delays that triggered industrial action in the health sector.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  7. Service provision excluding persons with disabilities fails consumers

    An opinion piece argues that when service provision excludes persons with disabilities (PWDs), it fails to meet the standard of putting customers first. The writer references South Korea's consumer protection agency model as an example of rigorous product testing and transparency.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Kenya Minute