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Government Dismisses Finance Bill “Propaganda” as Child Abduction Cases Hit Alarming Levels

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The Government has pushed back against growing criticism surrounding the Finance Bill 2026, accusing unnamed individuals of spreading false and politically motivated information to mislead Kenyans. Addressing the media in Nairobi, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said many of the claims circulating online about new taxes are inaccurate and intended to create fear among citizens. “There is a lot of misinformation and disinformation being spread online regarding the Finance Bill. We urge Kenyans to read the document for themselves instead of relying on propaganda and negative narratives,” Mwaura said. He dismissed reports alleging that the Government plans to introduce a motor vehicle circulation tax, increase taxes on Mitumba clothes, impose VAT on bread, or introduce fresh levies on mobile phones and digital transactions. Mwaura clarified that some of the controversial proposals initially discussed during consultations were either revised or dropped completely before the b...
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Kenya to Host Africa Forward Summit 2026 as 30 Heads of State Confirm Attendance

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The Kenyan government has announced that Nairobi will host the Africa Forward Summit 2026 from May 11 to 12, bringing together African leaders, global development partners, investors, innovators and civil society representatives for high-level discussions on Africa’s development agenda and global partnerships. In a statement issued Friday at Lake Naivasha Resort, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the summit marks a historic milestone as it will be held outside the Francophonie bloc for the first time. According to the government, the summit is expected to strengthen Africa-France cooperation while promoting an Africa-led partnership model focused on mutual respect, sustainable development and shared prosperity. The event comes ahead of France’s G7 Presidency in June 2026 and is expected to provide a platform for African leaders to push for reforms in global governance and economic systems. President William Ruto is expected to use the summit to advocate for equitabl...
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NCCK Warns of ‘Goon Economy,’ Governance Failures as Church Leaders Call for Urgent Reforms

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By Wilson Amondo The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has raised alarm over what it describes as deepening governance failures, a rise in politically sponsored violence, and worsening socio-economic conditions, following a two-day regional meeting in Nairobi. Delegates drawn from NCCK member churches in Nairobi, Kiambu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera convened at the YMCA Central Conference Hall under the theme “Strengthening Governance, Accountability, and Trust for credible elections,” where they expressed concern that Kenya’s democratic ideals are being undermined by what they termed a transactional political culture. In a strongly worded statement, the church leaders condemned the normalization of “goonism” in politics, warning that unemployed youth are increasingly being exploited by political actors.  “Paying a young Kenyan as little as 200 to 500 shillings to disrupt a meeting or intimidate a fellow citizen is not just a security issue; it is a grave viola...
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Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura Highlights Education, Health and Housing Gains, Defends UDA Strength

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Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has outlined key achievements across education, healthcare, housing and employment, while affirming the political strength of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Speaking during a weekly press briefing on Monday, Mwaura said the government had released KSh23.4 billion in capitation funds to support learners in public schools, easing the burden on families and improving access to education. He noted that accountability systems such as the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) are helping eliminate ghost students and ensure equitable distribution of resources. On staffing, Mwaura said the government has hired 100,000 teachers out of a planned 116,000, alongside constructing more than 23,000 classrooms nationwide. He added that reforms are ongoing, including curriculum improvements, expansion of technical training, and plans to build 1,600 laboratories. The spokesperson also highlighted the revised higher education fund...
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North Horr MCA Tura Ruru Elema Wins National Award, Cites Peace Gains and Education Reforms in Marsabit

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Tura Ruru Elema, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for North Horr Ward in Marsabit County, has been recognized as the Outstanding MCA of the Year in Peace, Security, and Education Development at the Jamhuri Kenya Leadership Awards. Speaking during the award ceremony, Elema attributed the recognition to collective efforts in restoring peace and improving education in the region, which has historically faced insecurity and marginalization challenges. The MCA paid tribute to the late Bonaya Adhi Godana, describing him as a source of inspiration in his leadership journey. He recalled Godana’s commitment to unity and peace, noting that his legacy continues to shape development efforts in Marsabit County. “When North Horr is mentioned, many remember the legacy of the late Hon. Dr. Bonaya Adhi Godana… his unwavering pursuit of peace continues to guide my service,” Elema said. He also reflected on the inter-communal conflicts that rocked Marsabit between 2020 and 2022, emphasizin...
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The What Holds the Line: Why Support to Northern Kenya’s Community Systems Is Not Optional

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By the time the rains arrive in northern Kenya, the outcome is already determined. Not in the sky, but on the ground—in decisions made weeks and months earlier about where livestock will move, which pastures will rest, and how scarce water will be shared.  Those decisions are rarely visible beyond the communities that make them. Yet they shape everything that follows: whether grass returns or disappears, whether livestock survive or weaken, whether tensions escalate or are contained. For a long time, these landscapes were managed largely through reaction. When pasture failed, people moved. When water ran out, they followed it. The system was adaptive, but it was also exposed—vulnerable to the increasing unpredictability of climate and the growing pressure on land. What has been changing, steadily and often quietly, is the shift from reaction to coordination. Across northern and coastal Kenya, the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) has worked with communities to bui...
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Campbell Bridges Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award for Gemstone Legacy

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The family of renowned gemstone pioneer Campbell Bridges has expressed gratitude after he was posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the global gemstone industry. In a statement, the Bridges family said they were deeply honoured to accept the award on behalf of their father, noting that they were unable to attend the ceremony as they are currently overseas. They described Bridges as the father of coloured gemstone mining in East Africa, crediting him with building and shaping an industry that has had a lasting impact both regionally and globally. His work led to the introduction of some of the world’s most sought-after gemstones. Among his notable achievements was bringing Tanzanite to the United States and to Tiffany & Co., where the gemstone was later named and marketed internationally. The family highlighted Bridges’ discovery of Tsavorite in Tanzania and later in Kenya, a milestone that eventually saw Tsavorite recog...
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