Kenya News updates

By Irene   Kenyan scientists have unveiled new molecular surveillance tools and promising clinical trial results that could significantly strengthen the country’s fight against drug-resistant malaria Speaking at the KASH Conference in Nairobi, Prof. Isabella Oyier, Head of Bioscience, presented groundbreaking research focused on enhancing health facility-based surveillance systems to detect early warning signs of antimalarial drug resistance. The innovations aim to integrate advanced molecular diagnostics into routine healthcare settings, allowing scientists and policymakers to respond swiftly to emerging resistance patterns. “Molecular surveillance allows us to detect resistance markers early, track transmission patterns, and guide evidence-based policy decisions,” Prof. Oyier said. “If we act swiftly on data, we can stay ahead of emerging resistance.” Drug resistance remains one of the greatest threats to global malaria control efforts. While Kenya has made notab...

By Irene   Shareholders of Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) have approved sweeping changes to the company’s governance framework in a move aimed at strengthening board independence, protecting minority investors, and reinforcing market confidence in the state-backed power producer. The resolutions were passed during a virtually convened Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), reflecting growing investor focus on governance discipline and long-term capital allocation within Kenya’s listed state-controlled enterprises. KenGen, which generates more than 60 percent of the country’s electricity supply, emphasized that the amendments do not dilute or alter the Government of Kenya’s majority ownership.  Instead, company leadership described the reforms as a structural enhancement designed to align the utility with international best practices for publicly listed firms with significant state shareholding. “These changes are about predictabili...

By Irene  The Speaker of the Garissa County Assembly has called for stronger collaboration between county governments and financial institutions to accelerate economic growth and fully operationalise devolution. Speaking during the KCB MD – Kenya Engagement Corporate & MSME Dinner, Garissa Chapter, hosted by KCB Bank Kenya Limited Managing Director Ms. Annastacia Kimtai, the Speaker emphasized the central role of the banking sector in advancing fiscal decentralisation and enterprise development. The high-level engagement, graced by H.E. Governor Nathif Jama, brought together political leaders, religious leaders, and entrepreneurs, creating a structured platform for direct dialogue between financial institutions and the local business community. In his remarks, the Speaker underscored that banks are not peripheral actors in the devolution agenda but rather critical drivers of capital flow, investment, and sustainable county growth. He noted that strategic...

By Irene Mwende The Agriculture and Livestock Committee of the National Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural regulation following a productive three-day retreat in Mombasa focused on enhancing the performance of two key regulatory agencies—the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KePHIS) and the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). The retreat provided Members of Parliament with an in-depth understanding of the operational environments of the two institutions, including their mandates, scope of work, internal and external linkages, institutional capacities, and their critical role in safeguarding Kenya’s agricultural sector. The engagement was designed to align legislative oversight with the practical realities facing the agencies. Speaking after the retreat, Committee Chairperson Hon. John Mutunga emphasized the importance of robust regulatory systems in protecting farmers, consumers, and the environment while promoting trade ...

By Irene  Kenya is steadily positioning itself as a continental leader in Africa’s ambition to achieve 60 percent vaccine self-sufficiency by 2040, with progress anchored under the Kenya Vision 2030 development blueprint. Speaking at the 16th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference, Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat Director General Mr. Kenneth Mwige outlined milestones the country has achieved in strengthening local vaccine manufacturing, policy coordination, and health-sector investment. The conference, held under the theme “The Future of Health: Scientific Research, Innovations, Technologies and Manufacturing for a Resilient UHC,” brought together leading scientists, policymakers, and global health partners. Mr. Mwige noted that sustained governance reforms, results-based planning, and strategic public–private partnerships have laid a firm foundation for technology transfer, industrial growth, and investment mobilization in Kenya’s health sector. He empha...

Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with the World Bank to accelerate growth in Kenya’s aviation and infrastructure sectors. Speaking after chairing a high-level meeting with senior World Bank officials and key stakeholders in the infrastructure sector, PS Mbaika described the discussions as productive and forward-looking, particularly as the country prepares for the modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). “The World Bank remains a vital strategic partner in Kenya’s development journey. Its historic support for transformative projects such as the Northern Corridor demonstrates the impact of strong collaboration. We are now exploring similar partnerships to unlock growth in aviation and aerospace development,” she said. The meeting brought together World Bank representatives Joseph Sasia and Megersu Abate, alongside officials from th...