Kenya Minute.
Saturday, 8 August 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 8 August 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

M-Pesa

Also known as: M-Pesa revenue · Lipa na M-Pesa

M-Pesa — Safaricom's financial services platform facing merchant fee reductions and planned migration to the My OneApp consolidated platform.

2026-04-242026-08-08

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Standard

    Kalonzo described Safaricom as a strategic national asset whose influence extends beyond telecommunications, citing its central role in Kenya's digital economy through M-Pesa, communications infrastructure, payments systems and public services.

    Kalonzo: Sale of Safaricom was a national abduction
  3. Capital News

    Burns described Kenya as one of Africa’s foremost innovation hubs, crediting the country’s pioneering role in digital finance through M-Pesa and its growing leadership in artificial intelligence, financial technology, agriculture, healthcare and clean energy.

    U.S. Marks 250 Years of Independence with Grand Celebration in Nairobi
  4. Capital News

    Burns said Kenya has emerged as one of Africa’s leading innovation hubs, citing the global success of M-Pesa and the country’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence, financial technology, clean energy, healthcare and agricultural innovation.

    Mudavadi Hails Trump’s Trade-First Africa Policy As Kenya Eyes Stronger U.S. Economic Ties
  5. June 2026
  6. Citizen Digital

    dsters could exploit digital payment channels to scam unsuspecting motorists. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); "When it is M-Pesa

    NTSA boss Kondiwa explains why instant traffic fines aren't paid through eCitizen
  7. The Standard

    Lempaa told the court Nyakera had pegged Safaricom's weighted fair value at Sh57.90 per share, representing a 41.3 per cent discount and foregone public proceeds of approximately Sh143.7 billion, a figure that could rise to Sh277.5 billion once M-PESA is properly valued as a stan

    Activists urge High Court to declare Safaricom share sale unconstitutional
  8. Capital News

    The M-Pesa ecosystem is one of the most sophisticated platforms in the world and most of our developers cannot build on it properly.” He argues that training should prioritize technologies such as M-Pesa integrations, USSD applications, mobile-first development, AgriTech, county

    From Coding to AI: How the Digital Jobs Market Is Being Rewritten
  9. Capital News

    The platform is also developing a digital directory that will enable users to identify businesses offering Lipa na M-Pesa services before physically visiting them.

    Safaricom to Introduce AI Features in My OneApp for Automated Payments
  10. Capital News

    The platform is intended to eventually replace both the standalone M-Pesa and MySafaricom applications by consolidating mobile connectivity and financial services into a single digital interface.

    Safaricom My OneApp Hits 4.7mn Users as Legacy Apps Face Phase-Out
  11. Citizen Digital

    Key initiatives include: • A collaboration with Safaricom to enhance payment acceptance across the M-PESA ecosystem, supporting more than 636,000 merchants.

    Mastercard SME Confidence Index: Kenyan SMEs look ahead with confidence as 70% expect revenue growth #AD
  12. The Standard

    The President highlighted Kenya’s digital transformation journey, pointing to mobile money platform M-Pesa as a globally recognised example of African innovation and financial inclusion.He noted that Kenya’s young entrepreneurs continue to build solutions in fintech, agriculture,

    Ruto calls for reformed global governance
Business

Samsung launches direct-to-consumer digital store in Kenya

The News

Samsung Electronics has partnered with local retailer Housewives Paradise to launch the Samsung Brand Store, a mobile-focused digital platform designed to reach Kenyan shoppers. The platform offers exclusive inventory, curated product bundles, and extended warranties to deepen customer relationships in a market with growing mobile internet penetration.

5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Samsung launches direct-to-consumer digital store in Kenya

    Samsung Electronics has partnered with local retailer Housewives Paradise to launch the Samsung Brand Store, a mobile-focused digital platform designed to reach Kenyan shoppers. The platform offers exclusive inventory, curated product bundles, and extended warranties to deepen customer relationships in a market with growing mobile internet penetration.

    5 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Kenya not ready for first-world status yet, diaspora says

    A diaspora perspective argues that Kenya has built credible foundations but sits in the lower-middle-income bracket and is not yet ready to achieve first-world living standards, which require high per-capita income, reliable utilities, functional healthcare, competitive education, low corruption, and functional infrastructure.

    4 August 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 2 August

  1. Safaricom cuts M-Pesa merchant fees by up to 50 percent

    Safaricom has reduced charges on transferring funds from M-Pesa business tills to mobile wallets and Paybill numbers by as much as 50 per cent, effective 7 August 2026, aligning with Central Bank of Kenya pricing principles and providing relief for small traders and consumers.

    2 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 31 July

  1. Safaricom declares record Ksh.80.13 billion dividend for FY2026

    Safaricom shareholders approved a final dividend of Ksh.1.15 per share for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, bringing the total annual dividend to Ksh.2.00 per share—the largest payout in the company's history. The announcement comes as Safaricom's share price rose 50.3 per cent during the year, lifting the company's market value to Ksh.1.10 trillion by March 31, 2026.

    31 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 30 July

  1. Safaricom invests billions in AI to diversify beyond telecoms

    Safaricom is investing billions of shillings to embed artificial intelligence into its products and services across financial services, healthcare, content streaming, agriculture, and government payments, as part of a strategy to transition into Africa's leading AI-driven technology service provider by 2030.

    30 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Digital lenders surpass microfinance banks using real-time credit signals

    Kenya's over 250 licensed digital credit providers have grown to a loan book exceeding microfinance banks' portfolios, with around eight million Kenyans using their phones for credit. Digital lenders assess borrowers on real-time behavioural signals and transaction patterns rather than historical documents, a method the article argues proves more effective than traditional credit committee approaches.

    29 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 28 July

  1. South African banks pursue Kenya shares after retail failures

    South African companies are increasing their stake in Kenya's financial sector through investments in NCBA, Safaricom, and Absa Bank Kenya, after previous retail ventures like ShopRite and Massmart failed in the market.

    28 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 23 July

  1. Kenyan bettors shift to Norwegian-licensed platforms for fairer odds

    More Kenyan gamblers are moving to platforms licensed in Norway, drawn by what they describe as fairer odds, transparent terms, and tax-free winnings, reflecting awareness of regulation and player protection.

    23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Safaricom CFO Esther Waititu announces departure after three years

    Esther Waititu, Safaricom's Chief Financial Services Officer, has spoken publicly following her departure announcement, saying "the time feels right for a new chapter" after nearly three years leading the company's financial services business, which includes M-PESA.

    21 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 6 July

  1. Regulated saccos see medical loans jump 31 percent

    SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority data shows regulated saccos disbursed Sh2.79 billion in medical loans in Q1 2026, a 31 per cent increase from Sh2.13 billion in Q1 2025. This opinion piece argues the surge reflects weakened community safety nets and signals a troubling shift in the cooperative movement's role away from building economic resilience toward managing immediate healthcare crises.

    6 July 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 4 July

  1. Kalonzo criticises government sale of 15% Safaricom stake

    Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised the government's sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom PLC to Vodacom as an "economic abduction," raising concerns over transparency, valuation, and constitutional compliance, and questioning why the sale was completed while a constitutional petition remained pending before the High Court.

    4 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 1 July

  1. U.S. celebrates 250 years of independence at Nairobi embassy

    The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi hosted a reception marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, bringing together Kenyan government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to celebrate shared democratic values, innovation, and trade partnerships.

    1 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Mudavadi welcomes U.S. trade focus, seeks bilateral agreement

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has welcomed the Trump administration's shift in U.S.-Africa policy from aid-focused to trade and investment-driven, and said Kenya looks forward to concluding negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement with the United States.

    1 July 2026 · Capital News

Tuesday 30 June

  1. NTSA defends KCB-only payment method for instant traffic fines

    NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa said the authority requires motorists to pay instant traffic fines physically at KCB branches or agents rather than through eCitizen to protect Kenyans from fraud, as digital payment channels like M-Pesa could be exploited by scammers.

    30 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Activists petition High Court to block Safaricom share sale

    Activist Tony Gachoka and other petitioners urged a three-judge bench of the High Court to declare the government's planned sale of its 15 per cent Safaricom stake to Vodacom Group unconstitutional, arguing it would hand majority control to foreign entities. The petitioners' lawyers argued the divestiture of more than six billion government-held shares violated the Constitution and the Privatisation Act on grounds including unconstitutional revenue-raising, absent public participation, and undervalued share pricing.

    30 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 29 June

  1. AI is reshaping digital jobs market, creating net growth opportunities

    AI is fundamentally reshaping digital careers rather than eliminating them. The World Economic Forum projects technology will create 170 million new jobs globally by 2030 while displacing 92 million, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs, with AI specialists, Big Data specialists, FinTech engineers and software developers among the fastest-growing occupations.

    29 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. Safaricom to add AI features to My OneApp platform

    Safaricom plans to integrate artificial intelligence into My OneApp to automate financial tasks, analyze spending patterns, and generate reminders for recurring payments. The platform currently has 4.7 million registered users, including 1.3 million daily active users.

    29 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. Safaricom My OneApp reaches 4.7 million users in Kenya

    Safaricom's unified "My OneApp" platform has reached 4.7 million registered users as the company accelerates plans to phase out legacy M-Pesa and MySafaricom applications. The platform consolidates mobile connectivity and financial services with enhanced security features, including direct SIM card linking to prevent fraud.

    29 June 2026 · Capital News

Thursday 18 June

  1. Kenyan SMEs optimistic on growth, mobile money adoption spreads

    A Mastercard study finds 66% of Kenyan SMEs optimistic about business outlook and 70% expecting revenue growth over the next 12 months, with 95% accepting mobile payments that account for 41% of transaction volume.

    18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 11 June

  1. Ruto calls for reformed global governance at Finland talks

    President William Ruto has called for urgent reforms in global governance systems, warning that the world is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancement and shifting centres of power. Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, Ruto stressed that Kenya and Africa are active participants shaping emerging systems of cooperation rather than passive observers.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Kenya and Finland sign three cooperation agreements

    Kenya and Finland signed three memoranda of understanding on education, digitalisation, and environmental cooperation during President Ruto's state visit to Helsinki. The agreements aim to expand collaboration in technical and vocational training, digital public services, and climate resilience.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Nigerian MSME platform Bumpa launches in Kenya

    Bumpa, Nigeria's business management platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises, is entering the Kenyan market with tools for recording sales, creating online storefronts, customer communication, and M-Pesa payment collection.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 8 June

  1. Senators push for faster mobile money transfer error reversals

    Senators have raised concerns that consumers who lose funds through erroneous mobile transfers on platforms like M-Pesa are left to pursue recipients directly with limited support from service providers, despite the transactions occurring on platforms owned and operated by the service providers who earn revenue from them.

    8 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. School fires correlate with exam pressure, education columnist argues

    A Standard opinion piece links Kenya's recurring second-term school fires to mounting academic pressure on students, suggesting that young people are reaching psychological breaking points under intense expectations from parents, teachers, and officials who prioritize examination results over student wellbeing.

    8 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 7 June

  1. Man arrested for SIM-swap fraud draining M-Pesa account

    Oscar Livondo was arrested by the DCI's Operation Support Unit after investigators linked him to a SIM-swap scheme that drained Sh450,500 from a woman's M-Pesa account while she was abroad. The victim, who had activated Safaricom's Daima service while in the United States, discovered the fraud only after returning to Kenya in December 2024, finding her account depleted after Sh450,500 was withdrawn in October 2024.

    7 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. SIM-swap fraudster arrested for siphoning Ksh.450,500

    A suspected fraudster has been arrested after allegedly siphoning Ksh.450,500 from a victim's M-Pesa account through an unauthorized SIM swap. According to the DCI, the victim discovered the theft upon returning to Kenya in December 2024, after her SIM had ceased functioning in May 2024.

    7 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 4 June

  1. Tech firms intensify competition to digitize Kenya's small businesses online

    Technology firms are increasingly targeting Kenya's micro, small and medium enterprises to bring them online, with thousands of businesses still lacking digital presence despite growth in internet access and digital payments. The government plans to launch a digital platform targeting more than 100,000 businesses by 2027 through Posta Kenya and M-Pesa infrastructure.

    4 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Mudavadi calls for Global South unity and multilateral cooperation

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi addressed Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, calling for renewed Global South solidarity and stronger multilateral cooperation, and warning that rising unilateralism and weaponisation of economic tools are straining multilateralism as countries rethink their diplomatic and economic strategies.

    2 June 2026 · Capital News

Monday 25 May

  1. Crypto and payments industry opposes Finance Bill 2026 tax proposals

    Kenya's Finance Bill 2026 proposes a 16% VAT on payment service provider services, a 25% excise duty on mobile phones, and a withholding tax on card payments. The digital payments and cryptocurrency sectors are calling on the government to grant tax exemptions, warning that the levies could hinder industry growth and financial inclusion.

    25 May 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 23 May

  1. Professional bodies seek removal of controversial Finance Bill 2026 tax proposals

    ICPAK and the Kenya Bankers Association are calling for an overhaul of the Finance Bill 2026, specifically opposing proposals to tax money transfers through platforms such as M-Pesa and PayPal, and to introduce withholding tax on bank card transactions like VISA cards.

    23 May 2026 · The Standard

M-Pesa — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute