AGP Executive Report

Our Ocean Conference: African and Commonwealth nations in Mombasa urged fast implementation of the High Seas Treaty, warning ocean protection still exists “on paper” despite big pledges, as leaders push measurable action. Parliament & taxes: MPs passed the Finance Bill 2026 after heated debate, with opposition amendments rejected and the bill cleared for President Ruto’s assent. Education crunch: KNEC says it faces a Sh5bn deficit to run exams for 3.5 million learners, as Kenya moves deeper into CBE and new assessment systems. Transport disruptions: KeNHA announced a three-month partial closure on Waiyaki Way from June 25 to Sept 25 for footbridge works, with motorists warned of delays. Road safety: A viral video shows two truck drivers bullying each other on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway, raising fresh calls for enforcement. Politics & governance: ODM says it can proceed with disciplinary action against Edwin Sifuna after a tribunal ruling; TSC also unveiled new career progression pathways for teachers. JKIA controversy: Transport CS Davis Chirchir denied JKIA upgrade costs of Sh375bn and said the contract ceiling is Sh154.2bn, amid renewed scrutiny of the project.

Our Ocean Conference Diplomacy: Taiwan accused Kenya of bowing to “Chinese pressure” after two Taiwanese delegates were detained and deported from the Mombasa oceans forum, while Kenya said it acted under its “one China” policy. Small Business Pressure: Nairobi traders say rising transport costs, expensive stock and weak consumer spending are squeezing sales, with the new budget offering little relief. Health Training Expansion: Kirinyaga is set to get its first KMTC campus in Kerugoya by year-end, easing reliance on neighbouring counties. Water & Roads for ASALs: Turkana is fast-tracking a Sh3bn World Bank-backed water project after land verification, while Wajir secured funding to upgrade 31 urban roads to bitumen standards. Land Rights in West Pokot: Five communities received community land titles as West Pokot launched a 2026–36 land use plan. Crime & Accountability: EACC arraigned a former Taita Taveta official over alleged Sh8.3m fraud, and police are investigating the suspected murder of an OCS found dead in a church compound. Climate & Mental Health: A study links flood-prone informal settlements to much higher depression, anxiety and PTSD rates. Plastic Pollution Warning: Activists say toxic chemicals and microplastics from plastic waste are contaminating marine ecosystems and seafood.

G7 & Global Economy: G7 leaders wrapped up talks in Évian, France, pledging stronger multilateral cooperation as trade, energy security and new technologies keep shaking global growth; Kenya was named among partner countries backing the push. US-Iran Tensions: Trump said the US-Iran deal could be signed soon and warned the military option is still on the table, while also saying US forces will stay in the Gulf “for a while.” Agriculture Jobs Push: Kenya launched the $11.4bn Kenya AgriConnect Compact (2025-2030) to modernise farming, cut staple imports and create 2.4m jobs by 2030. Health & Tobacco: A coalition urged Parliament to fast-track the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill as youth vaping rises. Ocean & Fisheries: Fifteen countries signed the Mombasa Declaration to improve fisheries transparency and fight illegal fishing. Anti-Graft Research: EACC launched Africa’s first anti-corruption studies and research centre in Nairobi, calling for cross-border action. Local Governance: Trans Nzoia set a target to raise over Sh1bn in own-source revenue for 2026-27, while Garissa leaders renewed calls to upgrade the referral hospital to level 6.

G7 Diplomacy: Kenya joined G7 leaders in France to back tougher action against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, including sanctions on networks and closer work with online platforms to remove facilitation content. Security & Trade: G7 also agreed to strengthen sanctions on Russia, including oil and gas sectors, while backing a deal meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Road Safety & Enforcement: Kenya warned motorists to avoid fake insurance certificates as a joint crackdown targets fraudsters and protects road users from unpaid claims. Nairobi Traffic: Kilimani residents protested KURA’s planned State House Road expansion, warning it could worsen congestion and threaten mature trees. Economy & Cost of Living: A CBK survey points to mixed food prices ahead—maize flour, bread and cooking oil may rise, while some vegetables and fresh milk could ease. Diaspora Impact: A new KNBS/CBK/FSD Kenya survey says remittances increasingly fund household needs like education, food, healthcare and housing, with informal transfers adding a big extra layer. HELB Update: HELB told KCSE 2025 candidates to prepare documents for the July loan portal, including IDs, guarantor details and photos. Corruption Watch: EACC arrested a former Taita Taveta county political affairs director over alleged Ksh12.4m fraud ahead of court arraignment.

Cold Chain & Farmers: Solar-powered cold storage is helping Kenyan farmers cut post-harvest losses from 40–50% to under 2%, using pay-per-use refrigeration to preserve high-value crops for export markets. Ebola Response: G7 leaders meeting in France urged a strong, coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo, warning of cross-border spread risks. Health Milestone: Kenya has been officially validated by the WHO as free of sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis), becoming the 10th African country to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. Reparations Debate: Siaya Governor James Orengo criticised President Ruto’s KSh 2 billion protest victim compensation plan, saying it normalises state violence and fails to address root causes. Ocean Governance: African and Commonwealth nations called for faster implementation of the High Seas Treaty at Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, saying much ocean protection still exists “only on paper.” G7 Cancer Push: G7 leaders renewed commitments to accelerate cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and care, with Kenya among partner countries backing the call. Sports & Youth: Nairobi City Thunder secured a new KSh 10 million sponsorship deal, while Kenya’s Junior Starlets continue CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship preparations for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Sovereignty Row: Political analyst Prof Peter Kagwanja says reports of immigration officials selling Kenyan IDs to foreigners are an assault on Kenya’s sovereignty and could inflame tensions ahead of 2027. Labour & Social Protection: COFEK has sued NSSF over enhanced contribution rates, asking the High Court to stop enforcement and revert to the Sh200 deductions pending appeal. Transport Overhaul: NTSA says it will overhaul the matatu/PSV system with support from the World Bank and JICA, including a dedicated reform fund, while also pushing changes to driving licences and number plates. Public Finance & Cost of Living: KNBS reports Kenyans abroad sent home KSh931.8bn (Jun 2024–May 2025), mostly used for food and household needs. Environment & Land Use: Rhino Ark wants NEMA to halt an airstrip construction in Upper Imenti Forest Reserve, citing missing approvals and public participation. Ocean Agenda in Mombasa: Kenya hosts the Our Ocean Conference, where new research highlights climate-resilient coral reefs and calls for faster protection beyond pledges. Security Update: DCI confirms three more arrests linked to the All Saints’ Cathedral attack, bringing suspects held to five. Business & Safety: Glovo riders in Kenya will get emergency support through a partnership with AURA. Remembrance: Former Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchellah’s burial is set for June 20.

G7 Diplomacy: President William Ruto departs for Evian, France, to represent Africa at the G7 and push for lower borrowing costs, better trade and investment access, and AI governance, with planned talks and tech partnerships on the sidelines. Reparations: Kenya will start compensating nearly 2,000 victims of protest-related human rights abuses from next week after vetting by the KNCHR, with payouts expected to total about $15 million. Local Courts/Officials: Nairobi Finance CEC Charles Kerich faces confusion over his whereabouts and employment status as his case returns to court, with his lawyer saying he is on official trip/work leave. Ebola Travel Row: Israel has reversed course on Kenya’s Ebola travel restrictions after Kenya protested, as the country remains on high alert. Weather: KMSA warns of continued cold across parts of Kenya for the next week, with Nairobi lows around 13°C and Nyahururu as low as 4°C. Transport/Business: Mombasa car dealers protest NTSA enforcement changes affecting KD number plates, saying it disrupts vehicle movement and hurts trade. Maritime/Blue Economy: Bandari Maritime Academy urges AI adoption in maritime training as Our Ocean Conference 2026 opens in Mombasa.

G7 Summit Watch: Leaders of the Group of Seven meet in France’s Evian-les-Bains as the US and Iran announce a preliminary deal to end their war, with talks also set to cover Ukraine, global economic imbalances and AI safety. Kenya-Linked Diplomacy: France has invited Kenya among other partners to the summit, as global leaders look to shape outcomes on Middle East next steps and critical minerals. County Relief: Kisumu County offers a 100% waiver on accrued interest and penalties for outstanding land rates until June 30, urging landowners to clear arrears. Energy & Prices: CS Opiyo Wandayi warns oil firms could be pushed out of business if fuel prices are cut too sharply, saying EPRA pricing follows cost-of-service studies. Business Dispute: Kenya Pipeline Company is dragged to court in a Ksh 10.87bn claim over delayed payments and extension-of-time/interest charges. Tech & Courts: Safaricom faces a High Court order to pay Sh1.4bn for copyright infringement tied to its child-focused M-Pesa products. Public Services: Huduma Kenya suspends services nationwide temporarily after a power outage hit its Nakuru data centre, affecting ID and passport-related processing.

G7 Protest Fallout: Riot police in Geneva fired tear gas and water cannons as stone-throwing youths clashed with protesters ahead of the G7 summit in France, with reports of smashed windows and a car set ablaze. Tourism Cashflow Crunch: Nairobi travel firms say fragmented booking and payment systems are draining cash, pushing demand for integrated digital platforms to manage bookings, payments and finances. World Cup Officiating Row: Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the U.S., will still receive his full FIFA tournament fee despite not officiating. Healthcare Reform Push: Health PS Mary Muthoni says Kenya has no confirmed Ebola cases, citing negative test samples and heightened screening, while also defending the Social Health Authority rollout and urging leaders to stop politicising health. Security & Unity: Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and NCIC condemned goons disrupting a budget forum at All Saints Cathedral; police say two suspects are in custody and CCTV is being reviewed. Sports: Tusker FC beat Kenya Police 2-1 to lift the MozzartBet FKF Cup and secure CAF Confederation Cup qualification. Digital Skills: Nyandarua launched the Ol Kalou Jitume Digital Hub, graduating 106 trainees with devices and mentorship for youth entrepreneurship.

Fuel Watch: EPRA cut June-July pump prices slightly, with Super Petrol at Ksh214.03/litre and Diesel at Ksh222.86/litre in Nairobi, easing pressure for motorists. Public Health: A UN report warns HIV prevention is being set back as pre-exposure prophylaxis use fell 38% from 2024 to 2025, with major condom cuts and aid disruptions blamed. Justice & Rights: President Ruto extended the Panel of Experts on Compensation of victims of human rights violations by 90 days, aiming to speed up restorative justice redress. Education Tragedy: Utumishi Girls Academy principal Joycelyn Karanja broke her silence after the dorm fire, saying she “lost daughters” as victims are laid to rest. Courts & Democracy: A High Court ruling on Gachagua’s impeachment reignited debate on what “public participation” demands in court decisions. Health Access: People with albinism marked International Albinism Awareness Day with free cancer screening in Kenya. Sports: JOOTRH performed the region’s first neonatal peritoneal dialysis for a 17-day-old baby, a milestone for Western Kenya.

Ebola Response & Court Battle: The US has deployed personnel to Laikipia to help build a temporary Ebola isolation facility, even as Kenya’s court process has been at the centre of a legal fight and public backlash over the project. Public Safety & Civic Space: Religious leaders, lawyers and rights groups condemned the violent disruption of a Nairobi public budget forum, warning that “goons” are being used to silence civic engagement. Education Under Strain: CS Julius Ogamba warned that rising school unrest is threatening learning and urged parents, teachers and faith leaders to curb arson and property destruction. Health Access in Nairobi: Nairobi Governor Sakaja launched a fully operational 36-bed maternity wing at Pumwani Majengo Health Centre to bring safer deliveries closer to residents. Agriculture Revival: Busia farmers received 24 tonnes of cotton seed as the government pushes to revive the cotton value chain, using e-vouchers and linking farmers to off-takers. Transport Disruption: Nairobi Expressway will close for 24 hours from 10pm Saturday for footbridge beam installation, with diversions for CBD-bound motorists. Sports & National Mood: Ruto hit out at critics for “no plan, just noise,” while Kenya’s World Cup viewing rights and African teams’ fixtures dominated sports chatter.

Western Politics: United Opposition leaders stepped up a Western Kenya tour, pushing unity ahead of 2027 and hinting they will settle on one presidential flag bearer later. Education & Safety: MPs resolved to investigate a wave of school fires, unrest and property destruction, citing overcrowding, drug abuse, weak learner support and poor communication between students and school management. Public Finance: A post-budget forum at All Saints Cathedral was disrupted, with NCCK condemning “state-sponsored goons” and demanding arrests, as citizens seek scrutiny of the Sh4.84trn budget. Ebola Tensions: Kenya’s Health CS Aden Duale said the government will obey a court order pausing a planned US Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, while the US and other partners expand Ebola funding amid protests. Economy & Business: KRA asked MPs to back amendments to strengthen enforcement, including action against employers who deduct pension contributions but fail to remit them. Security: Three SOG officers were injured in an Al-Shabaab attack on a camp in Mandera near the Somalia border. Crime: A Nairobi man dragged a dating-app match to court over an alleged Sh108,000 robbery at iron-point, forcing him to reveal his M-Pesa PIN. Health & Society: Tributes continued for 16 girls killed in a dormitory fire, with memorials held in Gilgil, Nakuru.

School Fire Tragedy: Kenya marked the deaths of 16 girls from Utumishi Girls Academy with a memorial in Gilgil, as police say the blaze was started by arson and nine suspects remain in custody. Public Safety & Security: Kenyan forces repelled a suspected Al-Shabaab night attack on a military base in Mandera’s Lafey, with attackers retreating after brief gunfire and no reported damage. Politics & Accountability: The DCI dismissed viral claims that Raila Odinga was poisoned, calling the story fake and misleading. Governance & Economy: Treasury released Sh3.5bn to settle Kenya Power’s Last Mile Connectivity Project dues, pushing rural electricity access forward. Diplomacy & Travel: President Ruto defended frequent foreign trips in Helsinki as constitutional “chief diplomat” work, amid scrutiny of travel spending. International Relations: India’s High Commissioner met Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii to discuss cooperation in agriculture, health, sports, education and investment. Infrastructure: Ruto said construction of a new airport will start in July after a JKIA modernisation contract worth about Ksh375.4bn was awarded to a Chinese firm.

Justice & Rights: Residents of Ziwa, Uasin Gishu, protested after ex-military officer David Muigei says a death certificate was issued under his name while he is alive, demanding investigations and his release from remand. Anti-Corruption: The High Court froze suspended Nairobi City County official Patrick Analo and his wife’s accounts for six months after an EACC raid recovered Sh65 million in cash, pending probe into the South C building collapse matter. Crime & Courts: Detectives secured orders to unlock M-Kopa phones linked to the Rechael Wandetto murder probe, seeking transaction and subscriber details from Safaricom and Airtel lines. Public Safety: A crash involving two trailers on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway at Masimba left travellers stranded for hours in heavy congestion as responders cleared the wreckage. Governance & Economy: Questions grew over President Ruto’s claim that the Affordable Housing Programme generated Ksh1.2 trillion, with critics challenging how the figure was reached. Land & Devolution: Mombasa urged Mwakirunge residents to form a committee to help resolve title deed disputes within 90 days. Climate Watch: Scientists warn El Niño is here and could intensify, raising fears for food security and drought impacts. Sports: Police FC coach Nicholas Muyoti says the Mozzart Bet Cup final vs Tusker is a chance for redemption after a tough league season.

Budget & Economy: Kenya’s Treasury defended its 2026/27 fiscal strategy as deficit concerns remain, with MPs pointing to off-budget financing via the National Infrastructure Fund and a focus on delivering big-ticket sectors like education and health. Health: Pumwani Maternity Hospital installed a heating system to cut newborn hypothermia risks, while the U.S. pledged more funding for Ebola preparedness across Kenya and the region. Ebola Protests: Tensions flared around a proposed U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine centre, with the British High Commission denying BATUK involvement in Nanyuki policing and warning uniforms were misappropriated. Trade & Business: American meat exporters urged the U.S. to push Kenya to ease non-tariff barriers under AGOA, while Nigerian platform Bumpa launched in Kenya to help MSMEs manage sales and payments via M-Pesa. Conservation: Marsabit police recovered 13 elephant tusks in an anti-poaching raid, and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shared footage of bull elephants guided back into Tsavo after getting stuck outside park fences. Politics: Rigathi Gachagua met Western leaders to rally for a united opposition candidate ahead of 2027.

JKIA Upgrade: Kenya awarded China Communications Construction Company a Ksh375.4 billion deal to upgrade and expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport under the National Infrastructure Fund, after seed capital from the privatisation of KPC. Ebola Politics & Protests: Health CS Aden Duale told MPs Kenya will not consult citizens on the Ebola response, as court battles and public anger continue over the US-backed quarantine facility in Nanyuki, with protests turning deadly. Public Finance Pressure: The Controller of Budget flagged Ksh115.57 billion in unpaid statutory deductions, warning it could expose civil servants to loan risks and harm welfare. Education Delays: A budget implementation review says major school infrastructure projects are badly behind schedule, with some running for over a decade due to funding shortfalls. Digital Inclusion: Government reaffirmed plans for permanent digital access for all citizens, moving from pilots to national systems. Transport Tech: NTSA clarified e-logbook rules—applications before June 10 get physical logbooks, while later ones receive e-logbooks. Crime & Justice: DCI detectives arrested five suspects over a May 21 double murder in Tharaka Nithi. Business & Trade: KNCCI backed the Kenya Coffee Hub 2026 to boost Nairobi’s role in coffee trade and expand export market access.