Kenya News updates

Several roads in Nairobi will be temporarily closed from midnight on Saturday ahead of the 2026 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon scheduled for Sunday, October 25, with approximately 30,000 participants, including 1,000 foreigners, expected to take part.  Nairobi County Traffic Commandant Joseph Chirchir said the Southern Bypass would be temporarily closed as police implement traffic diversions to ensure the safety of runners and minimise disruption to other road users. " Motorists approaching from Mombasa will be diverted at Ole Sereni towards the Central Business District (CBD), while those coming from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) will be directed to Mombasa Road before proceeding towards the city centre. "He said  Drivers arriving from Western Kenya through the Kikuyu Bypass will use James Gichuru Road towards the CBD and Mombasa Road. Motorists from Lang’ata will use Lang’ata Road towards the CBD, while those travelling from Karen will be red...

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has announced intensified nationwide enforcement operations targeting counterfeit and illicit alcohol, tobacco products, agricultural inputs and school learning materials ahead of the festive season and planting period.  In a press statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, ACA Board of Directors Chairperson Nelson Ributhi Gaichuhie said counterfeit goods pose serious risks to public health, farmers’ livelihoods, education and government revenue.  The authority cited recent operations conducted between August 20 and September 3, which resulted in 36 arrests and the seizure of more than 5,555 suspected counterfeit alcohol bottles and approximately 39,580 litres of illicit brew across high-risk areas in Nairobi. In a separate operation in Makindu on September 15, officers seized 8,459 suspected counterfeit alcoholic products valued at approximately KSh2.1 million, while seizures in Eldoret during September involved goods wort...

Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Patrick Musili Mbangula, MBS, has pledged to give young people a greater role in county leadership and decision-making if elected governor in the August 2027 General Election.  Mbangula said his proposed administration would ensure that the youth have a voice, a seat at the table and meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping Nairobi’s future. He described young people as an important part of the city’s development and promised to prioritise their involvement in county governance. Under the slogan “Nairobi Deserves Better,” Mbangula called on Nairobi’s youth to prepare to take up a more active role in determining the city’s future.  His message places youth participation at the centre of his gubernatorial agenda as aspirants begin outlining their priorities ahead of the 2027 polls. The pledge comes amid growing public discussions about youth inclusion, employment opportunities and representation in county leadership, with resi...

Incoming Nairobi Governor  Patrick Musili Mbangula has criticised Governor Johnson Sakaja following the dismissal of Geoffrey Mosiria as Chief Officer for Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, arguing that the challenges facing the capital city go beyond individual county officials. Mbangula questioned the county administration’s approach to addressing Nairobi’s persistent problems, maintaining that leadership decisions and accountability should be central to efforts to improve service delivery. Mosiria’s removal was part of a county administration reshuffle announced on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Mbangula argued that changes in personnel alone may not resolve the challenges facing Nairobi residents, calling attention to the broader leadership issues within the county government.  His remarks add to the ongoing public debate over Sakaja’s administration, service delivery and accountability as political discussions around Nairobi’s guberna...

The Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) has launched nationwide demonstrations as the strike by public health officers enters its 92nd day, demanding enhanced risk allowances, payment of interns’ stipends, and the employment of more public health professionals.  The demonstrations come amid concerns over disease surveillance and prevention following reports of nine confirmed Ebola cases in the country.  Union officials warned that the prolonged industrial action was straining public health services, calling on the government to urgently engage workers and address their grievances. “We are the people who prevent diseases and protect communities. Prevention is a priority, not an option,” the officials said, insisting that public health officers must receive better recognition and support for their work. KEHPHPU National General Secretary Brown Mashira said the government must prioritise preventive healthcare, strengthen disease ...

Incoming Isiolo North MP Hon. Mwenda Thuranira, popularly known as Mambo Fresh, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of increased sand loading fees imposed on sand loaders operating in the Isiolo–Meru area, citing lack of consultation and the potential impact on livelihoods.  Thuranira said the affected loaders were caught off guard on October 12, 2026, after receiving letters notifying them of a substantial increase in the fees, which he described as unilateral and unfair. He expressed concern that the decision had been made without involving the affected traders, warning that the move was disrupting businesses and placing additional economic pressure on families dependent on the sand trade. Thuranira called on the relevant county officials and community leaders to convene an urgent consultative meeting involving representatives of the sand loaders to negotiate a fair and mutually acceptable solution. He maintained that any changes to fees affecting livelihoods should...

Mwala Member of Parliament Vincent Musyoka Kawaya has urged the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) to tone down its threats and return to the negotiating table to resolve the ongoing lecturers’ strike. Kawaya said dialogue and mutual understanding were necessary to end the standoff and restore normal learning in public universities. The MP expressed concern over the continued loss of valuable learning time, noting that students should not bear the burden of prolonged disputes between university lecturers and relevant stakeholders. He called on the union and the government to prioritise constructive engagement and reach an amicable solution that would allow lecturers to resume their duties and students to continue with their studies without further disruption.