Friday, 11 September 2026

Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Friday, 11 September 2026

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Kenyan press · Person

Soipan Tuya

Also known as: Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya · Ms Tuya · Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya

Soipan Tuya — Defence Cabinet Secretary overseeing military operations and international defence partnerships under President Ruto.

2026-04-272026-09-11

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
18 MayCitizen Digital
… The pact had earlier been signed on October 29, 2025, by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet. …
Kenya-France military pact sparks sovereignty concerns over troop immunity
2 MayCitizen Digital
… In a Gazette notice dated April 30, 2026, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya revoked Omanga’s appointment with immediate effect. …
Gov’t revokes appointment of Millicent Omanga to Kenya Shipyards amid fallout with UDA
April 2026
28 AprCapital News
… Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Kabarnet University College main campus grounds on Monday, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya said the Sh 1 billion project to be undertaken by a Chinese company in collaboration with Kenya Defence Forces, will support access to q …
Govt Launches Sh1bn Kabarnet University Project in Baringo
28 AprThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeDefence CS Soipan Tuya, before the Committee on Appointments at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. …
State allocates Sh1b for construction of Kabarnet College
27 AprCitizen Digital
… Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on Monday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the institution, which will operate as a constituent college of Moi University. …
Gov't announces construction of Kabarnet University College in Baringo

Mining & Energy

Kenya to process raw materials locally, not export for processing abroad

The News

President Ruto announced that Kenya will no longer export raw materials for processing abroad, instead pushing for local value addition to create jobs and retain wealth. The government is moving away from an extractive model in the exploitation of minerals, oil and other resources, with all raw materials including soda ash from Lake Magadi to be processed in Kenya.

6 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 6 September

Kenya to process raw materials locally, not export for processing abroad
President Ruto announced that Kenya will no longer export raw materials for processing abroad, instead pushing for local value addition to create jobs and retain wealth. The government is moving away from an extractive model in the exploitation of minerals, oil and other resources, with all raw materials including soda ash from Lake Magadi to be processed in Kenya.
6 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
ODM SG challenges Ole Lenku to leave party if dissatisfied
Acting ODM Secretary General Catherine Omanyo has challenged Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to quit the party if he is unhappy, arguing at a Busia rally that the Maasai community has benefited from President William Ruto's Broad Based Government through senior state appointments.
6 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 7 August

Dignitaries attend wedding of Kilgoris MP Sunkuli's son
A high-profile wedding ceremony in Narok County brought together senior government officials, political leaders, and dignitaries including Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro to celebrate the marriage of Saitoti Sunkuli and Viola Neyian.
7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 31 July

Kindiki represents Kenya at AUSSOM summit in Uganda
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki arrived in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 31 to represent President William Ruto at the 2nd Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, where leaders are deliberating on the peacekeeping mission's operational strategy, financing, and the transition of security responsibilities to the Somali National Army by December 2029.
31 July 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 24 July

Murkomen accuses Gachagua of reviving Mungiki gang sect
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of attempting to revive the outlawed Mungiki sect and mobilise criminal gangs to intimidate government officials and electoral officers, during a security assessment tour in Baringo County. The accusation marks an escalation in the political feud between the two leaders.
24 July 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 21 July

Oburu dismisses Ol-Kalou by-election loss as minor setback
ODM Party leader Oburu Oginga said the broad-based Government remains strong despite the opposition Democracy for the Citizens Party winning the Ol-Kalou by-election, arguing the coalition had previously won nine parliamentary and senatorial by-elections and describing the loss as a small bump on the road.
21 July 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 20 July

Raila Odinga family hands over mausoleum site in July 2026
The family of late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga handed over the site for a Sh30 million mausoleum to be constructed by the Kenya Defence Forces, expected to be complete by end of September ahead of the first anniversary of his death. His son said the former premier's legacy lay in building a constitution and peace rather than personal glory.
20 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Raila Odinga mausoleum construction begins in Siaya County
Construction of the state-backed Raila Odinga Mausoleum has officially commenced after the Odinga family handed over the Kang'o ka Jaramogi site in Siaya County to the Kenya Defence Forces. The National Museums of Kenya allocated Sh30 million for the project, with Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya directing military engineers to complete it within two months.
20 July 2026 · Capital News →
Raila Odinga's mausoleum to be completed in two months
ODM Party leader Oburu Odinga said the mausoleum honouring former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be completed within two months, with the structure designed to reflect his stature, values and public service record. The monument will serve as a permanent site for Kenyans and visitors to learn about and pay tribute to the late leader's legacy.
20 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 14 July

Defence CS Tuya defends Ruto's economic reforms, condemns tribal politics
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya defended President William Ruto's administration at a church fundraiser in Narok, arguing that the government's tough reforms—including health sector changes, the Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Infrastructure Fund—are necessary for economic transformation and poverty reduction. She said development requires difficult decisions that Kenyans should support, and criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly encouraging communities to reject development initiatives for political reasons.
14 July 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 19 June

Ministry of Defence wins best-performing ministry award
The Ministry of Defence was ranked the best-performing ministry in the 2024/2025 Performance Contracting Evaluation, recognised for improvements in institutional efficiency, accountability, service delivery and implementation of results-based management. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya received the award from President William Ruto at the inaugural National Productivity and Performance Conference.
19 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya to host global military AI summit in April 2027
Kenya has been selected to host the fourth Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in April 2027, becoming the first African nation to stage this high-level global conference on artificial intelligence in defence and security. The summit brings together governments, defence institutions, technology firms, academia and international organizations to discuss responsible use of AI in military operations and global governance frameworks for emerging defence technologies.
19 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Defence Ministry named best performer in inaugural 2024/25 evaluation
The Ministry of Defence has been recognized as the best performing ministry under the 2024/2025 performance contracting evaluation. President William Ruto said the public service will now reward results and impact rather than attendance and routine.
19 June 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 18 June

Ruto calls for global action to protect oceans
President William Ruto, closing the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa on Thursday—the first held on African soil—called for more global political will and action in protecting oceans, saying commitments without means to deliver them cannot match the scale of what the ocean demands, and urging the world to turn political promises into real action including greening ports and creating sustainable jobs.
18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 17 June

Kenya hosts 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa
Deputy President Kindiki opened the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, affirming the government's commitment to preserve Kenya's ocean for economic growth and future generations. President Ruto highlighted in a video-link address that the ocean powers industries and feeds families but faces threats including global warming, plastic pollution, and illegal fishing.
17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 12 June

Mutahi Kagwe tops Cabinet Secretary approval at 86 percent
An Ipsos survey ranking Cabinet Secretaries on service delivery, leadership, accountability and policy implementation ranked Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe highest with 86 per cent approval, followed by Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi at 82 per cent and Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku at 79 per cent.
12 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 5 June

Ruto announces KDF senior leadership changes and promotions
President William Ruto has announced a series of senior appointments, promotions and postings within the Kenya Defence Forces affecting top leadership positions in the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Defence Headquarters, made on the recommendation of the Defence Council.
5 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 1 June

Ruto apologises for decades of Northern Kenya marginalisation
President William Ruto issued a formal apology to the people of Northern Kenya for state-sanctioned marginalisation and neglect resulting from a 1965 Cabinet Sessional Paper that concentrated development on so-called "high potential" areas, leaving the northern frontier without adequate roads, water, healthcare or schools.
1 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 25 May

Kenya and Angola sign defence cooperation agreement
Kenya and Angola have signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement to strengthen military collaboration and regional security, covering military training, defence diplomacy, peace support operations, capacity building, and strategic defence engagement.
25 May 2026 · Capital News →

Sunday 24 May

Kenya and Rwanda push expedited defence cooperation agreement
Kenya and Rwanda are working to deepen military cooperation and regional security coordination through an expedited new defence cooperation agreement, with both countries citing concerns over terrorism, organised crime, and emerging security threats in East Africa. Defence officials reaffirmed commitment to strengthening defence relations and the Kenya–Uganda–Rwanda Mutual Defence Pact for coordinated responses to regional security challenges.
24 May 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 18 May

Kenya ratifies France defence pact, sparking sovereignty concerns
Kenya ratified a Defence Cooperation Agreement with France on April 8, 2026, granting French soldiers legal immunity from Kenyan prosecution. The move has drawn criticism from lawyer Dr. Miguna Miguna, who warns the deal undermines national sovereignty and risks repeating past failures linked to foreign military presence.
18 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 2 May

Government revokes Millicent Omanga's Kenya Shipyards board appointment
The government has revoked the appointment of former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga as a member of the Board of Directors of Kenya Shipyards Limited, effective April 30, 2026. Omanga, who had been appointed to the board in January 2025 for a three-year term, reacted on social media claiming she was unaware she was still serving on the board.
2 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 28 April

Government launches Sh1bn Kabarnet University project in Baringo
The National government has begun construction of the first public university in Baringo at Kabarnet, with a Sh1 billion project to be undertaken by a Chinese company in collaboration with Kenya Defence Forces. The first phase of academic infrastructure is expected to be completed in one and half years, with phase two to follow in subsequent financial years.
28 April 2026 · Capital News →
State allocates Sh1 billion for Kabarnet University College construction
Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya announced that Sh1 billion has been allocated to construct Kabarnet University College in Baringo County, a constituent of Moi University. The college admitted its first cohort of students in September at Moi Teacher College in Seretunin.
28 April 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 27 April

Government announces Kabarnet University College construction in Baringo
The government has announced construction of Kabarnet University College in Baringo County as a constituent college of Moi University, aimed at expanding access to higher education and easing pressure on existing facilities. The project will be carried out in phases, with the first phase including tuition blocks, library, auditorium, and administration block, projected for completion within 12 months.
27 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →