Kenya Minute.
Friday, 8 May 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 8 May 2026
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Organization

Safaricom

Also known as: Safaricom Group · Safaricom PLC · Safaricom Kenya · Safaricom Ethiopia · Safaricom Ethiopia Plc

Kenyan telecommunications company that posted Sh99.7 billion net profit for the year ending March 2026, facing a High Court order to pay Sh1.4 billion in copyright damages over M-Pesa USSD infringement.

Safaricom posted a record net profit of Sh99.7 billion for the year ending March 2026, driven by M-Pesa growth and digital service adoption. However, the company faces significant headwinds: a High Court order to pay Sh1.4 billion in damages for infringing an M-Pesa USSD application and to pay ongoing royalties of 0.5 percent of M-Pesa revenue, and a court petition seeking to block the government's planned sale of its 15 percent stake to Vodacom on constitutional grounds.

2026-04-242026-05-09
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Business

High Court orders Safaricom to pay 1.4bn in copyright damages

The News

Kenya's High Court found that Safaricom infringed the copyright of an M-TIN Mobile Wallet USSD application and ordered the telecommunications company to pay Sh1.4 billion in damages to a businessman, plus ongoing royalties of 0.5 percent of its gross M-Pesa revenue annually from March 31, 2025.

Why it matters

The High Court's order for Safaricom to pay Ksh.1.4 billion in copyright damages plus ongoing M-Pesa royalties is a landmark ruling affecting Kenya's largest telecom operator.

22 hours ago · Capital News →

Thursday 7 May

  1. High Court orders Safaricom to pay 1.4bn in copyright damages

    Kenya's High Court found that Safaricom infringed the copyright of an M-TIN Mobile Wallet USSD application and ordered the telecommunications company to pay Sh1.4 billion in damages to a businessman, plus ongoing royalties of 0.5 percent of its gross M-Pesa revenue annually from March 31, 2025.

    22 hours ago · Capital News →

  2. High Court orders Safaricom to pay Ksh.1.4B for USSD infringement

    Safaricom has been ordered to pay a businessman Ksh.1.4 billion after the High Court found the company infringed on the MTIN Mobile Wallet USSD application. The court also directed Safaricom to pay royalties of 0.5 per cent of M-Pesa revenue annually from March 31, 2025, for as long as the service remains in operation.

    23 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  3. Safaricom reports record Sh99.7 billion profit on M-Pesa growth

    Safaricom has posted a record net profit of Sh99.7 billion for the financial year ending March, maintaining its position as the most profitable company listed on the Kenyan bourse and in the region.

    8 May 2026 · The Standard →

  4. Safaricom reports record Sh99.7 billion profit on M-Pesa growth

    Safaricom posted a record net profit of Sh99.7 billion for the financial year ending March, driven by M-Pesa growth, maintaining its position as the region's most profitable company listed on the bourse.

    8 May 2026 · The Standard →

Yesterday

  1. Safaricom posts Ksh.100B profit on Ksh.414B revenue

    Safaricom recorded net earnings of Ksh.100 billion for the year ended March 31, 2026, with revenue hitting Ksh.414 billion, driven by customer growth, digital service adoption, and strong core product performance. Kenya service revenue grew 10% to Ksh.400.8 billion, EBIT rose 15.3% to Ksh.182.3 billion, and M-PESA generated Ksh.182.7 billion with 41 million active users.

    7 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Coast students explore social media as income source

    Young people at Coast universities are turning to social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube for income as formal job opportunities remain limited. While many are active online, few understand how to monetize their engagement, though some students have begun earning through brand deals and content creation, though income remains inconsistent.

    7 May 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 27 April

  1. Kalonzo petitions court to stop Safaricom stake sale to Vodacom

    Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka filed a court petition seeking to block the government's planned sale of its 15 percent shareholding in Safaricom to South Africa's Vodacom, claiming the transaction is unconstitutional and lacks proper public participation and transparency.

    28 April 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Kenya launches Mukuru Digital Classroom at New Mukuru Primary

    The government officially launched the Mukuru Digital Classroom at New Mukuru Primary School as part of the Connected Africa Summit 2026, equipped with 20 laptops and supported by the broader Mukuru ICT Hub to enhance digital literacy and learning outcomes in an underserved area. ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the initiative reflects the government's commitment to embedding technology in education and ensuring learners have access to skills needed for the digital economy.

    28 April 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Kalonzo seeks court orders to halt Safaricom stake sale

    Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has asked the court to issue conservatory orders to block the government's sale of its 15 percent stake in Safaricom to Vodacom, arguing the transaction is unconstitutional, threatens public interest, and violates Article 209 of the Constitution protecting public resources.

    27 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Corporate Kenya not sufficiently backing sports investments

    Kenya faces a significant sporting decade ahead—hosting Afcon 2027 with Uganda and Tanzania, seeing the final state-funded Safari Rally, and returning the Harambee Starlets to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after nine years—but corporate sector backing remains largely absent from these efforts.

    27 April 2026 · The Standard →

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