Kenya Minute.
Thursday, 2 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 2 July 2026
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Politics

High Court orders Ruto to reconstitute cabinet for gender parity

The News

The Standard's editorial welcomes a High Court ruling ordering President William Ruto to reconstitute his cabinet to comply with the constitutional two-thirds gender rule, arguing that the President should set an example by demonstrating fidelity to the Constitution and that gender inclusion promotes better governance.

Why it matters

High Court's binding order on cabinet gender parity represents a constitutional victory with implications for governance and women's representation.

5 hours ago · The Standard →

Politics

  1. High Court orders Ruto to reconstitute cabinet for gender parity

    The Standard's editorial welcomes a High Court ruling ordering President William Ruto to reconstitute his cabinet to comply with the constitutional two-thirds gender rule, arguing that the President should set an example by demonstrating fidelity to the Constitution and that gender inclusion promotes better governance.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  2. Inspector General Kanja faces NPSC conflict and public pressure

    Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, once seen as a reformer, is now under siege in a bitter dispute with the National Police Service Commission while facing mounting public pressure over alleged abuses.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  3. PS Omollo denies abductions under Ruto administration

    Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo stated that Kenya has moved beyond the era of abductions, asserting that such incidents occurred only under the previous regime, not under President Ruto's administration.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  4. High Court declares Ruto Cabinet illegal and unfit for office

    The High Court has struck a blow to President William Ruto by declaring his Cabinet illegal and full of rejects not fit for office.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  5. Civil servants to receive salary increases under proposed new deal

    National Government Administration Officers and other civil servants would receive a security risk allowance and significantly higher basic salaries if the proposed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement is approved, with increases ranging from Sh6,990 to Sh55,364 across salary bands.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  6. AG defends registrar's irregular cancellation of hospital lease

    The Attorney General's office has defended former Nakuru Land Registrar Eric Nyamu's illegal cancellation of War Memorial Hospital's lease renewal, arguing he acted with good intentions despite lacking legal authority. The hospital, situated on 25 acres in Milimani, Nakuru, was closed by the County Government on January 23, 2024.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  7. PS Omollo denies abductions under current regime

    Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo stated that abductions occurred only under the previous regime and not under President Ruto's administration, while families continue to search for missing relatives.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  8. Murkomen warns Gachagua against violence in Ol Kalou by-election

    Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has warned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against attempting to foment violence in Ol Kalou ahead of the July 16 parliamentary by-election, after Gachagua alleged that the government had deployed security operatives and state-sponsored goons to intimidate his Democracy for Citizens Party supporters.

    38 min ago · Capital News →

Business

  1. Wall partitions affect feasibility of converting homes to rentals

    An architect advises that homeowners planning future rental income should use easily assembled and disassembled wall partition materials like gypsum boards, rather than permanent brick walls, to make conversion into rental units more cost-effective.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  2. Treasury receives Sh244b from Safaricom stake sale to Vodacom

    The National Treasury will receive a Sh244.2 billion cash injection after selling a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom to South Africa's Vodacom Group through a block trade on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, effective June 30. The transaction increases Vodacom's stake in Safaricom to 55 per cent from 35 per cent, ending an era of State dominance in the telecom giant.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  3. WhatsApp adds privacy feature to hide phone numbers

    WhatsApp is introducing a feature that lets users interact with strangers without revealing their phone numbers, allowing new contacts to reach them only via a unique username. The platform is also rolling out monetisation tools including paid channel subscriptions and advertisements in Status.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  4. EU carmakers lobby for UK parts in Made-in-Europe rules

    European automakers called for British vehicles and car parts to be included in the "made in Europe" definition under new EU rules tying companies' access to public money to minimum thresholds for EU-made parts. The ACEA car lobby argues that the European automotive industry operates an integrated value chain with the UK even after Brexit.

    3 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  5. Swedish court orders Google to pay damages for unfair search practices

    A Swedish market court ordered Google to pay approximately 14.3 billion kronor ($1.46 billion) in damages plus interest to price comparison site Pricerunner for unlawfully promoting its own shopping comparisons in search results over many years. The damages cover Sweden, Denmark, and the UK.

    4 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  6. Oparanya pledges MSME support via credit, innovation programmes

    The Co-operatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting MSMEs through progressive policies, affordable credit, and capacity-building programmes, including MSME Connect and regional trade fairs to expand market access and promote enterprise growth.

    49 min ago · Capital News →

Society

  1. Tatu City and GIZ launch youth vocational training in construction

    A partnership between Tatu City and German development agency GIZ has been launched to promote vocational training and improve youth employability in the construction sector through the Build4Skills programme, which integrates practical training into real infrastructure projects using a dual-training model inspired by Germany's approach.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  2. Two deaths reported during Mathare protests over missing men

    One person died on Tuesday and a second, identified as a businessman named Warqo, died on Wednesday evening, during fierce protests in Mathare and Kiamaiko where residents demanded information about two young men, Maxwell Kiarie and Abdulasiz Molu, missing for more than ten days. Parents and residents claim the men were picked by people believed to be security agencies.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  3. RUPHA chairman resigns citing hostile ties with health ministry

    Dr Brian Lishenga has stepped down as chairman of the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya, citing an increasingly hostile working relationship with the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority. Lishenga said the relationship has deteriorated to a point where meaningful engagement on issues affecting private healthcare providers and SHA payments is no longer possible.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  4. Seafarers Union warns policy gaps leave Kenyan workers vulnerable

    The Seafarers Union of Kenya has warned that Kenya's maritime employment sector is being undermined by the absence of a national wage structure and weak labour protections. The union is pushing for comprehensive legislation to standardise wages, strengthen oversight of recruitment agencies, and improve welfare for Kenyan seafarers, saying local workers earn less than foreign counterparts performing the same duties.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  5. Kilifi student wins national NACADA essay competition on drug abuse

    Faith Munyazi Wugoma, a Grade 10 student from Helping Hands Senior School in Kilifi, won the 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, beating more than 1,100 entrants. The NACADA-organized competition formed part of the government's campaign against substance abuse among young people.

    54 min ago · Capital News →

Culture

  1. Kenya Music Festival Nairobi regionals showcase student talent

    The Kenya Music Festival Nairobi regional competitions kicked off at Buruburu Girls High School, with hundreds of learners from senior schools across Nairobi performing in traditional folk songs, choral pieces, sacred music, original compositions, spoken word, Afrobeat and Hip-Hop. Students used performances to raise awareness on tuberculosis, promote responsible tax payment, and inspire hope and social responsibility.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

Sport

  1. Nyanza Region secondary school basketball 3x3 games begin next week

    Defending regional champions Ng'iya Girls and St Mary's School Yala will compete in the Term Two Games at Homa Bay High School. Ng'iya Girls, also East Africa secondary school basketball 3x3 champions, aim to defend their Nyanza title and qualify for the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association National Games.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  2. Nakuru County schools begin rugby sevens competition

    Giants dominated the first day of Nakuru County Secondary Term Two Games at Njoro Boys High School, with Afraha, Koelel and Menengai High School registering wins in their rugby sevens matches ahead of the Rift Valley Regional Games in Narok.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  3. Belgium stages comeback from two goals down, beats Senegal 3-2

    Belgium mounted a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to defeat Senegal 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match in Seattle, with Youri Tielemans scoring the winning penalty in the 125th minute. Senegal had taken the lead through Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr before Belgium forced extra time with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans in the final five minutes of regulation.

    5 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  4. Djokovic, Sinner advance; French Open champion Andreeva exits Wimbledon

    Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round to reach Wimbledon's third round, while defending champion Jannik Sinner also advanced. French Open champion Mirra Andreeva suffered a shock exit.

    1 hour ago · Citizen Digital →

  5. FKF president welcomes FIFA, CAF engagement on reforms

    FKF President Hussein Mohamed described a joint meeting with FIFA and CAF delegations in Nairobi as "a good day for football," saying the discussions marked an important step towards strengthening the game ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and addressing key issues affecting the federation.

    2 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

World & Region

  1. Singapore costs over $10,500 to restart life, report finds

    A study by online trading platform Atmos analysed relocation costs across 35 major cities, finding that restarting life in Singapore requires over $10,500 (Sh1.4 million) to cover rent deposits, first month payment, and three months of living expenses, with housing costs making up roughly two-thirds of the total budget.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  2. AU criticized for inaction on South Africa anti-immigrant tensions

    Experts are expressing growing concern over the African Union's silence and lack of action in response to escalating anti-immigrant mobilization in South Africa.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  3. Sudan war kills tens of thousands, displaces millions

    A new report reveals that tens of thousands of people have been killed, many more injured, and millions displaced since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

  4. Israel says troops to stay in security zones indefinitely

    Israel's defence minister said Israeli forces would remain in security zones established in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza "until further notice" to protect Israel's residents from jihadist terrorists. Israeli officials have repeatedly ruled out withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, where forces continue to clash with Hezbollah fighters.

    5 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  5. UK PM Starmer says racism and intolerance worsened

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said racism and intolerance have worsened in Britain over the past decade, warning it is damaging social cohesion. He spoke after a Reuters report found some British people of colour fear a resurgence of racism linked to anti-migrant rhetoric and political focus on crime, following recent unrest including protests in Southampton and rioting in Belfast.

    6 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  6. Prince Harry's Daily Mail case judgment due July 7

    Prince Harry, Elton John and five other high-profile British figures will learn on July 7 whether they won their case against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over allegations of unlawful newsgathering, including phone hacking and tapping, between the 1990s and 2011.

    8 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  7. UK migrant boat crossings fall 41 percent in first half 2026

    Migrant arrivals to Britain via small boats across the English Channel fell 41 percent in the first six months of 2026, with 11,884 arrivals compared to 19,982 in the same period in 2025, according to UK interior ministry data.

    3 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

Opinion

  1. Kenya's political factions prioritize short-term survival over long-term leadership

    An opinion piece argues that Kenya's 'Tutam' and 'Wantam' political factions are driven by immediate political survival rather than national transformation, with politicians prioritizing re-election over statesman-like governance as Election 2027 approaches.

    5 hours ago · The Standard →

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