Politics
Senate Committee meets budget and audit officials on debt
The News
A Senate Committee met with the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General to discuss public debt.
11 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Kenya Minute.
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Kenyan press · Organization
Auditor-General
Also known as: Auditor-General reports
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- July 2026
The Standard
… It has the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Auditor-General and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. …
Heads should roll over payroll heist in Public ServiceCitizen Digital
… Nor is this a problem confined to the national government.For years, reports from the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General have repeatedly highlighted payroll anomalies within county governments, including payments outside approved payroll systems, irregular recruitment, …
BONYO'S BONE: When wage bill eats wage bill- June 2026
The Standard
… Subscribe to our newsletterOnly licensed practitioners will be allowed to use the title "Professional Sign Language Interpreter."The legislation also contains accountability measures, including annual audits by the Auditor-General, mandatory reporting requirements and conflict-of …
MPs approve Kenyan Sign Language Bill for deafThe Standard
… forcement provisions and support from Parliament, Nairobi could generate up to Sh63 billion annually, significantly reducing dependence on national government allocations while improving service delivery across the city.Sakaja also addressed concerns raised by the Auditor-General …
Sakaja seeks Senate support to unlock Sh63 billion revenue potentialThe Standard
… According to Wanjigi, the change weakened oversight mechanisms involving Parliament, the Controller of Budget (COB) and the Auditor-General. …
How Kenya lost billions: Wanjigi links debt crisis to 2014 law changeThe Standard
… Subscribe to our newsletterThe reforms are intended to improve transparency, efficiency and accountability in both national and county governments.Responding to concerns raised by nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana regarding unresolved audit queries flagged by the Auditor-General, …
Treasury defends economic resilience, debt strategy and public finance reformsCapital News
… The report further highlighted concerns raised by the Auditor-General’s 2020 Performance Audit on Fire Safety Preparedness and a recent Ministry of Education school safety assessment, both of which identified widespread non-compliance with prescribed safety standards, including o …
Education Committee probes rising cases of school fires and student unrestCapital News
… The association has called on NTSA and other government agencies to withdraw any proposed e-logbook conversion fees and urged Parliament, the Controller of Budget, the Auditor-General and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to investigate the legality of recurring charg …
Motorists Association rejects NTSA e-Logbook conversion fees as ‘backdoor taxation’The Standard
… Separately, the Special Funds Accounts Committee (SFAC), led by its Vice Chairperson, Rahim Dawood examined the Auditor-General’s Report on the Financial Statements of the National Assistance Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons.Department for Children Services Princi …
MPs demand urgent action over surge in missing children casesThe Standard
… However, even as prison authorities push for greater land utilisation, a recent audit by the Auditor-General paints a worrying picture of widespread encroachment and illegal acquisition of prison land across the country.According to the Auditor-General’s 2023/24 report, several p …
Prison boss pushes for proper land use to increase revenue amid land-grabbing concerns
Today
Senate Committee meets budget and audit officials on debt
A Senate Committee met with the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General to discuss public debt.
11 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Wednesday 22 July
Nairobi County saves 8.4 billion shillings through in-house legal work
Nairobi City County Government has saved an estimated KSh8.48 billion over the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years by reducing reliance on external law firms and strengthening its internal legal department. The county's in-house advocates handled 84 of 174 court cases during the review period, with 47 decided in the county's favour.
22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Monday 20 July
World Bank must strengthen accountability in developing-country loans
An opinion piece argues that World Bank lending in developing countries, including Kenya, often fails to deliver development outcomes proportional to borrowed amounts, due to weak oversight, political interference, and poor transparency. The writer calls for stricter accountability mechanisms to ensure funds are traced from Washington through national treasuries to ground-level project delivery.
20 July 2026 · The Standard →
World Bank must strengthen accountability in development lending
An opinion piece argues that the World Bank should impose stricter accountability measures before and after lending to developing countries. The article contends that while the bank aims to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity, weak oversight and poor transparency have allowed development loans to become tools of political convenience rather than instruments of transformation, with Kenya cited as an example where public debt has risen sharply but development outcomes have not matched the scale of borrowing.
20 July 2026 · The Standard →
Thursday 16 July
MPs order fresh probe into Sh844m university hostel project
Parliament's Public Investments Committee has ordered fresh investigations into a 1,000-bed hostel at JOOUST following audit queries over contract variations and payments totalling Sh844 million. The committee plans to summon the former Vice-Chancellor, project consultants, auditors and other parties to address concerns over escalating costs and procurement compliance.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
Wednesday 15 July
MPs warn universities to respond seriously to audit queries
The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has warned universities and technical training institutions against treating Auditor-General audit queries casually, insisting that accounting officers must uphold transparency and accountability in managing public funds. The committee is examining Auditor-General reports covering 2018/19 to 2024/25 financial years for several education sector institutions.
15 July 2026 · Capital News →
Education funding delays due to inadequate budget allocations
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba told Parliament that persistent delays in funding to schools, TVET institutions and universities stem from inadequate budget allocations and delayed releases by the National Treasury, rather than the Ministry withholding funds. He said the ministry submits funding requests on time and disburses funds immediately after receiving them, but the gap between the education sector's financial requirements and allocated resources is the core challenge.
15 July 2026 · Capital News →
Delayed capitation driving public institutions into financial crisis
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged that persistent delays in capitation disbursements and inadequate budget allocations from the National Treasury are pushing public universities, TVET institutions, and teacher training colleges into financial distress, prompting Parliament to demand urgent reforms.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
Saturday 11 July
Petition filed to suspend advocates in county legal fraud case
A High Court petition seeks suspension of several advocates accused of illegally operating multiple law firms, conflicts of interest, and orchestrating fraudulent litigation to siphon billions from county governments and public institutions. The petitioners also seek orders barring Nairobi City County, Marsabit County Government, LAPFUND, and the Kenya County Government Workers Union from issuing new legal instructions or processing payments to the advocates.
11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Thursday 9 July
Parliamentary panel probes Sh844m JOOUST hostel project overspend
Kenya's Public Investments Committee has launched investigations into payments totaling Sh844 million for a 1,000-bed hostel at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, following audit concerns over contract variations and rising costs from the original Sh663.9 million contract awarded in 2010. The committee will summon the former Vice-Chancellor, project consultants and auditors to explain the additional expenditure and whether procurement laws were followed, amid a contractor lawsuit and missing completion certificates.
9 July 2026 · The Standard →
Saturday 4 July
Ghost workers fraud in government payrolls demands visible prosecutions
The Standard's editorial argues that ongoing revelations of ghost workers embedded in government payrolls must trigger immediate reforms and thorough investigations, noting that billions meant for public services are being diverted to fraudulent salaries. The piece warns that without visible prosecutions, asset recovery, and institutional reforms, President Ruto's latest orders for investigations risk becoming mere rhetoric like previous administrations' unfulfilled anti-corruption promises.
4 July 2026 · The Standard →
Thursday 2 July
Cabinet orders DCI investigation into public sector payroll fraud
The Cabinet has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe payroll fraud across Kenya's public service. A sample audit of 12 out of 53 state departments revealed suspected payroll irregularities totaling Ksh.6.2 billion, highlighting systemic weaknesses in payroll management.
2 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Wednesday 24 June
National Assembly passes Kenyan Sign Language Bill
Parliament has approved the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, 2023, legislation co-sponsored by Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo-Mabona and Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun that seeks to strengthen recognition and use of Kenyan Sign Language across public institutions, schools, courts, media and telecommunications. The law establishes the Kenya Sign Language Council to oversee development, promotion and regulation of the language, and addresses longstanding gaps in access to education, justice, healthcare and government services for deaf and hard of hearing Kenyans.
24 June 2026 · The Standard →
Saturday 20 June
Sakaja seeks Senate backing to unlock Sh63 billion revenue from land rates
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja told the Senate County Public Accounts Committee that the capital has untapped revenue potential of up to Sh63 billion, primarily through land rates collection. He noted that only 20 per cent of Nairobi's 256,000 registered property owners regularly pay land rates, and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms through the National Rating Act, 2024.
20 June 2026 · The Standard →
Wanjigi claims debt crisis linked to illegal 2014 borrowing
Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has claimed Kenya's growing debt burden includes billions borrowed illegally outside the constitutional framework, and that cancelling such debts could save Sh2.8 trillion. According to Treasury figures, Kenya's public debt has risen to approximately Sh12.8 trillion, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of about 69.5%.
20 June 2026 · The Standard →
Wednesday 17 June
Treasury defends Kenya's economic resilience amid debt concerns
Kenya's Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the Senate that the economy expanded 4.6 per cent in 2025, slightly down from 4.7 per cent in 2024, and that public and publicly guaranteed debt stood at approximately Sh12.842 trillion (69.49 per cent of GDP) as of February 26, 2026, attributing the economic slowdown to external shocks including Middle East conflict and drought risks.
17 June 2026 · The Standard →
Monday 15 June
Education committee to investigate school fires and student unrest
Kenya's National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into rising cases of school fires, property destruction, and student unrest. Previous studies identified examination stress, poor student-teacher relationships, inadequate grievance mechanisms, weak counseling, overcrowding, poor living conditions, and drug abuse as major causes, while safety audits found widespread non-compliance with fire safety standards.
15 June 2026 · Capital News →
Friday 12 June
Motorists Association opposes NTSA e-logbook conversion charges
The Motorists Association of Kenya has rejected NTSA plans to charge vehicle owners for converting physical logbooks into electronic logbooks, arguing that motorists have already paid for logbooks during registration and should not incur additional costs for the government's digitisation agenda.
12 June 2026 · Capital News →
Tuesday 9 June
MPs raise alarm over surge in missing children cases
Members of Parliament have raised concerns over rising numbers of children reported missing, with reports from government and protection agencies indicating hundreds disappear in unclear circumstances linked to trafficking, abduction, and exploitation. A Kisii County MP called for urgent intervention and a statement from the National Assembly committee on the effectiveness of child protection mechanisms and speed of response in tracing missing minors.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Prison commissioner directs farms expansion amid land-grabbing concerns
Kenya's prison commissioner-general has directed correctional facilities to expand farming and livestock production to boost revenue, but the initiative faces challenges from illegal land acquisitions on prison properties across the country.
9 June 2026 · The Standard →
Monday 8 June
Karua accuses government of over-taxing citizens
People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has accused the government of overtaxing citizens while failing to address corruption, wasteful spending, and poor service delivery. She presented a "Rescue Budget" as a people-centered alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration's economic policies, arguing that Kenya's economic challenges stem from poor leadership and fiscal indiscipline rather than insufficient revenue.
8 June 2026 · The Standard →
Sunday 7 June
Opinion: Northern Kenya judged by outsiders who ignore funding disparities
An opinion piece argues that national discourse on Northern Kenya relies on stereotypes and shifting accusations (insecurity, piracy, corruption) while ignoring that county governments receive only a fraction of nationally raised revenue, approximately 85 per cent of which is controlled centrally.
7 June 2026 · The Standard →
Saturday 6 June
Senator Omtatah calls for Senate inquiry into Affordable Housing projects
Senator Okiya Omtatah has requested a Senate inquiry into the Affordable Housing Programme, citing Auditor-General findings that flagged projects for lacking proper land ownership documentation and failing to follow legal procedures governing land allocation and public participation. Omtatah warned that the programme risks becoming "a cover for land grabbing."
6 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Monday 18 May
Government push to force school fees via e-Citizen criticized
The Standard editorial argues the government should abandon its plan to compel parents to pay school fees through the e-Citizen platform, citing unreliable connectivity in rural areas, lack of smartphone access among many families, and the reality that some parents pay fees in kind rather than cash.
18 May 2026 · The Standard →
Thursday 30 April
Ichung'wah receives Ksh.5 million from Gachagua, raises accountability questions
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah revealed in an interview that he received Ksh.5 million in cash from then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with Ksh.1 million later donated at a harambee. The disclosure has prompted questions about money exchange procedures in government and whether the funds were private or public.
30 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Monday 27 April
Parliamentary committee orders NLC to recover grabbed NTSA land
A parliamentary watchdog committee has directed the National Land Commission to recover a six-acre parcel of land in Voi Municipality that was earmarked for an NTSA motor vehicle inspection centre but has been grabbed and encroached upon by squatters. The land, originally set aside in 1969 and later transferred to NTSA, is the subject of an ongoing court case with the NLC mandated to determine the legitimacy of competing claims and recommend a resolution within 180 days.
27 April 2026 · Capital News →
KHRC sues UDA over unpaid taxes and public fund mismanagement
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has announced plans to sue the ruling United Democratic Alliance, alleging the party failed to remit Sh69 million in PAYE taxes during 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, despite disbursing over KSh128 million in net salaries, and also failed to remit withholding tax and other mandatory contributions.
27 April 2026 · Capital News →
Sunday 26 April
KHRC to sue UDA over Ksh69 million unpaid PAYE tax
The Kenya Human Rights Commission says it will take legal action against the United Democratic Alliance over alleged tax evasion and misuse of public funds. According to the KHRC, an Auditor-General's report found that UDA paid over Ksh128 million in net salaries but failed to deduct and remit Ksh69 million in PAYE tax for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years, and also failed to pay other statutory deductions.
26 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →