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

Safaricom

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

Safaricom — Kenya's leading telecommunications company investing in AI, financial services, and digital platforms; declared record dividend in FY2026.

2026-04-242026-08-08

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeWiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised the government's sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom PLC to Vodacom, describing the transaction as an "economic abduction" and raising concerns over transparency, valuation and constitutional compliance.

    Kalonzo: Sale of Safaricom was a national abduction
  3. Citizen Digital

    'Economic abduction!' Opposition to appeal court ruling clearing Safaricom stake sale to Vodacom By Emmanuel Too July 03, 2026 09:30 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka with other o

    'Economic abduction!' Opposition to appeal court ruling clearing Safaricom stake sale to Vodacom
  4. Citizen Digital

    Kindiki said the Fund has already received Ksh.100 billion from the sale of a stake in Kenya Pipeline Company and Ksh.245 billion from a similar sale in Safaricom.

    Kindiki defends sale of government shares in companies, says will reduce borrowing
  5. Capital News

    The law is in place and we have seed money which is already with us for that Fund over Sh100 billion from the sale of the stake in Kenya Pipeline and another Sh245 billion from the sale of the stake in Safaricom and we are very happy with that progress.

    Kindiki defends sale of stake in government agencies to fund major infrastructure projects
  6. Citizen Digital

    er 50 local professional golfers expected to compete.The par-71 coastal course is set to provide a distinctly different challenge from the inland venues that hosted the opening three legs of the circuit, testing players with its unique conditions and playing environment.Safaricom

    PGK Equator Tour heads to Nyali for fourth leg
  7. The Standard

    The National Treasury will get a Sh244.2 billion cash injection after the sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom to South Africa’s Vodacom Group, a transaction that hands the telecom giant’s majority control to foreign investors and ends an era of State dominance in it.

    Broke Treasury eyes Sh244b boon as Safaricom sale deal concludes
  8. The Standard

    The National Treasury will get a Sh244.2 billion cash injection after the sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom to South Africa’s Vodacom Group, a transaction that hands the telecom giant’s majority control to foreign investors and ends an era of State dominance in it.

    Broke Treasury eyeing Sh244 billion in Safaricom sale deal
  9. Citizen Digital

    "If they want the formal systems to help them mobilise taxes, then we need to reduce the cost on payments." Safaricom also opposed the proposal, estimating that combining the proposed VAT with the existing 15 per cent excise duty would have raised the effective tax burden on digi

    Relief for Chamas as Finance Act 2026 removes proposed VAT on digital payments
  10. June 2026
  11. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 30 – Petitioners challenging the Government’s proposed sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom PLC have urged the High Court to declare the transaction unconstitutional, arguing that it amounts to the unlawful disposal of a strategic national asset.

    Petitioners Ask High Court to Block Planned Sale of Govt Stake in Safaricom
  12. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeThe government's bid to sell its 15 per cent stake in Safaricom to Vodacom Group intensified on Monday after activist Tony Gachoka and other petitioners urged a three-judge bench of the High Court to declare divestiture unconstitutional, illegal and void.

    Activists urge High Court to declare Safaricom share sale unconstitutional

Thursday 6 August

  1. PGK Equator Tour reaches midpoint, races intensify

    The PGK Equator Tour moves to Nakuru for its sixth leg (August 6–9), with more than 50 professional golfers competing for Order of Merit points and qualification to the 2027 Magical Kenya Open and 2028 Olympic Games. Samuel Njoroge leads the standings with 2,852 points.

    6 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 5 August

  1. eSIM providers target Kenyan diaspora workers abroad

    eSIM providers are exploring Kenya's diaspora market, particularly targeting workers abroad who struggle with expensive roaming charges and connectivity issues. The article notes that slow adoption is hindered by the need for high-end smartphones to support eSIM technology, which many diaspora workers do not possess.

    5 August 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Kenya forex reserves hit record $15.4 billion in July

    Kenya's foreign exchange reserves surged to a record $15.4 billion (Sh1.99 trillion) in the week ended July 30, providing 6.4 months of import cover. The report notes it was unclear whether the figure included proceeds from the government's partial divestiture of Safaricom.

    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

Saturday 1 August

  1. Pension funds boost corporate bond allocation by 77.6 percent

    Pension fund investments in commercial paper and corporate bonds grew 77.6 per cent in 2025 to Sh17.4 billion, the highest growth in five years, fuelled by double-digit returns on notes listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The growth coincides with major bond listings by Safaricom and East African Breweries Ltd, both oversubscribed at over 150 per cent.

    1 August 2026 · The Standard

  2. Safaricom shareholders approve governance changes, record dividend

    Safaricom shareholders have approved governance changes that formalise the end of State dominance in the company and backed a record Sh80.13 billion dividend at its 18th Annual General Meeting.

    1 August 2026 · The Standard

  3. AFTV founder visits Kenya for Arsenal fan celebration tour

    Arsenal Fan TV founder Robbie Lyle arrived in Kenya with content creators for a six-day tour, citing Kenya as having the best Arsenal fan base in Africa. The visit includes watch parties, a trophy parade in Nairobi CBD, and a content creation workshop at Zetech University.

    1 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

  2. Eric Musyoka on Kenya's music industry challenges and talent

    Veteran Kenyan music producer Eric Musyoka, who has worked with artists including Sauti Sol, Juliani, and Nonini since the late 1990s, discusses what he sees as the obstacles facing Kenya's music industry, arguing that a lack of talent is not the problem.

    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

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

Monday 27 July

  1. Nzioka Waita leaves Tony Blair Institute to run for Machakos governor

    Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita is stepping down as Managing Director for Africa Advisory at the Tony Blair Institute at the end of September to pursue the Machakos governorship in the 2027 General Election. This is his second attempt at the seat, having lost the 2022 race.

    27 July 2026 · Capital News

Sunday 26 July

  1. Al-Shabaab attack damages Safaricom mast in Garissa

    Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked Abakaile Village in Dadaab, Garissa County on Saturday night, opening fire on a Safaricom telecommunications mast before fleeing. No injuries were reported, though initial confusion led to reports of a missing teacher who was later accounted for.

    26 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Youth skills and digital access can transform economic opportunity

    An opinion piece argues that access to digital tools, financial services, and skills training—not lack of talent—determines whether young people can build better futures, citing the example of a delivery rider who increased his earnings after acquiring a smartphone and using digital platforms.

    22 July 2026 · The Standard

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

Sunday 19 July

  1. Wakhu wins fifth PGK Equator Tour leg at Ruiru

    David Wakhu of Golf Park won the fifth leg of the PGK Equator Tour at Ruiru Sports Club with a four-round total of 274 (-10), ahead of a field of 50 players. Wakhu currently sits fifth on the Order of Merit standings with 1800 points.

    19 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 16 July

  1. PGK Equator Tour's fifth leg begins at Ruiru Golf Club

    The PGK Equator Tour reaches its fifth leg at Ruiru Golf Club this week, featuring more than 50 of Kenya's leading professional golfers competing for ranking points toward qualification for the 2027 Magical Kenya Open and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Samuel Njoroge leads the Order of Merit standings with 2,377 points after the circuit's opening four legs.

    16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. PGK Equator Tour fifth leg begins at Ruiru Golf Club

    The PGK Equator Tour heads to Ruiru Golf Club this week for its fifth leg, where Kenya's top professional golfers compete for ranking points toward qualification for the 2027 Magical Kenya Open and 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The four-day tournament, which runs through Sunday July 19, has attracted more than 50 leading professional golfers.

    16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Kenya launches unified emergency medical response system in July

    Kenya is rolling out a centralized National Ambulance Dispatch Centre at the Social Health Authority headquarters by end of July, operating SHA 112 Lifeline as a single emergency number coordinating ambulance services nationwide. The platform has integrated 97 accredited ambulances with 186 total registered ahead of the national rollout.

    16 July 2026 · Capital News

  4. Safaricom sale, World Bank funding to boost forex reserves

    Kenya's foreign exchange reserves are set to reach a seven-month high following proceeds from the government's sale of a 15 per cent stake in Safaricom totalling Sh244.5 billion, World Bank funding of $750 million, and Kenya Pipeline Company privatisation receipts of Sh103.45 billion received in April, with the CBK expecting the shilling to remain stable.

    16 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 13 July

  1. National Infrastructure Fund establishes Kenya's largest development capital pool

    Kenya has established the National Infrastructure Fund with approximately Sh347 billion capitalised from partial privatisation of Safaricom and Kenya Pipeline Company, positioning it as one of Africa's largest pools of development capital. The Fund aims to mobilise long-term equity capital and systematically develop nationally significant infrastructure through commercially viable enterprises.

    13 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 9 July

  1. Vodacom gains Safaricom CEO nomination power after stake purchase

    Following South Africa's Vodacom Group's completion of a Sh244.2 billion majority stake acquisition in Safaricom, the company will gain the power to nominate the next chief executive, though the board must maintain a "predominantly Kenyan character" in senior management under governance changes headed for shareholder vote.

    9 July 2026 · The Standard

  2. Vodacom gains CEO nomination power at Safaricom

    South Africa's Vodacom Group, which has gained majority control of Safaricom following a Sh244.2 billion stake sale, will nominate the next chief executive under governance changes set for shareholder vote. The board must maintain a "predominantly Kenyan character" in senior management.

    9 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Ndindi Nyoro seeks annulment of Safaricom stake sale

    MP Ndindi Nyoro is pursuing the annulment of a Safaricom stake sale.

    8 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 7 July

  1. South African firms invest over Sh400 billion in Kenya deals

    Three South African corporate giants have announced more than Sh400 billion in acquisitions and stake increases in Kenya over seven months, including Nedbank's acquisition of NCBA, Absa Group's increased ownership of Absa Bank Kenya, and Vodafone's increased stake in Safaricom, marking one of the biggest waves of South African investment in Kenyan blue-chip companies in recent years.

    7 July 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 5 July

  1. Ruto vows to prevent tribal politics from thriving in Kenya

    President William Ruto said he would not allow tribal politics to thrive and urged Kenyans to shun those who preach it, stating that national unity is the foundation of a strong society and that economic progress depends on collective effort and trust.

    5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ruto vows to prevent tribal politics in Kenya

    President William Ruto urged Kenyans to reject tribal politics and those who preach it, saying national unity is the foundation of prosperity and that his government is focused on unity-driven development where economic progress depends on collective effort.

    5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Ruto criticizes tribal politics and abusive political rhetoric

    President William Ruto criticized leaders using abusive language to stir ethnic divisions and urged Kenyans to judge politicians by their development record rather than divisive rhetoric. Speaking at a church service in Embu, Ruto said his administration will not tolerate tribal politics and ruled out collaborating with leaders who rely on tribalism, insults, and hate speech.

    5 July 2026 · The Standard

  4. South African xenophobia rooted in inequality, not just immigration targeting

    A Kenyan writer explores South Africa's paradox of xenophobia against African immigrants alongside significant Kenyan investment in blue-chip South African firms, arguing that underlying inequality rather than simple immigrant targeting explains anti-foreigner sentiment.

    5 July 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 4 July

  1. Mbadi defends government's partial Safaricom stake sale

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the government's partial sale of its Safaricom stake, saying it was lawful and transparent and intended to finance infrastructure rather than budget deficits. Mbadi rejected opposition criticism, stating the divestiture followed extensive public participation and parliamentary approval.

    4 July 2026 · Capital News

Safaricom — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute