magicnewskenya

Agano National Party has called on the government to halt and reconsider the proposed Religious Organisations Bill, No. 44 of 2024, warning that it could undermine constitutional freedoms and allow undue state interference in religious affairs. In a statement issued by its Secretary General on behalf of the party leadership, Agano urged the Executive, Legislature, and policymakers to proceed cautiously and conduct wide public consultations in line with Article 10 of the Constitution, which outlines the national values and principles of governance. The party argued that, as currently drafted, the Bill risks “muzzling churches” and could in future be misused by hostile regimes to control religious organisations. Agano warned that such control would threaten the freedom of worship guaranteed under Article 32 of the Constitution. “It should be remembered that Article 8 of the Constitution provides that there shall be no State religion, and that all law-making must respect relig...

By Jane Muthusi  Kenya’s floriculture industry has renewed its call for a predictable and supportive business environment, warning that policy, taxation and liquidity challenges could undermine one of the country’s most important export sectors. In a statement issued in Nairobi on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) said the floriculture industry remains among Kenya’s most resilient and globally competitive sectors, contributing about 1.6 per cent of national GDP and accounting for nearly 18 per cent of total export earnings. According to KFC, the sector generated KES 108 billion (USD 835 million) in export earnings in 2024, directly employs more than 200,000 workers and supports over two million livelihoods, particularly among women and youth in rural areas. Export volumes and farm gate values recorded modest growth in 2024 despite global inflationary pressures and high freight costs, reflecting sustained international confidence in Kenyan flowe...

By Grace Mwende  Human rights defenders, legal experts and democracy advocates have warned that Kenya’s 2027 General Election could be compromised unless urgent reforms are undertaken to protect civic space, curb political violence and safeguard the independence of electoral institutions. The warnings were issued during the National Symposium on Human Rights and the Ballot in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, themed “Securing Human Rights Before the Ballot – Lessons for Kenya 2027”, convened by the Chapter IV Institute. Speaking at the forum, Chapter IV Executive Director Njeri Kabeberi cautioned that shrinking civic space, political repression and weakened electoral institutions across Africa pose serious risks to Kenya’s democratic stability if left unchecked. Drawing lessons from across the continent, Kabeberi cited violent and compromised elections in countries such as Cameroon, Tanzania and Uganda, warning that Kenya is not immune to similar regression. “We hav...

The Secretary Administration in the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Isaac Masinde, delivered a rallying call for deeper collaboration, innovation, and investment in Kenya’s emerging space sector.  Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Defence during the official opening of the Kenya Space Innovation and Investment Forum 2025, he said Kenya must strengthen partnerships between government, academia, industry, and international actors to unlock the full potential of its space economy. He praised the forum's participants—drawn from academia, young professionals, innovators, investors, and global space stakeholders—saying their expertise is essential for advancing Kenya’s ambitions in the rapidly growing global space industry. “This forum provides an excellent opportunity to learn, share ideas, and explore solutions that can take our space sector to the next level,” he said.  “Unlocking the full potential of our space economy requires enhanced cooperation, knowledg...

Cherangany Member of Parliament Patrick Simiyu Barasa has once again led his constituency to national recognition after it was named among the winners of the 2025 FiRe Awards, earning praise for excellence in financial reporting and prudent management of public funds. The FiRe Awards — jointly organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) and the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB) — celebrate institutions that demonstrate transparency, accountability and good governance in financial disclosures. Cherangany was feted for the 2023–2024 financial year, reaffirming its reputation for strong financial stewardship and responsible use of public resources. The award ceremony took place on December 5, 2025, at the Safari Park Hotel & Casino in Nairobi. This year, only five constituencies received the prestigious recognition: Cherang...

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has increased its dividend payout after posting strong financial results for the year ended June 30, 2025, signaling renewed momentum in its long-term growth and clean-energy strategy. At the company’s 73rd Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi on Thursday, shareholders approved a first and final dividend of Ksh.0.90 per share, up from Ksh.0.65 last year. The 38% increase follows a robust financial performance marked by a 54% rise in profit after tax to Ksh.10.48 billion, driven by tighter cost controls, expanded income streams and a favourable foreign exchange environment. KenGen Chairman Hon. Alfred Agoi said the higher dividend reflects the company’s strong fundamentals and its commitment to delivering value in the long term. “This dividend uplift is not only a reflection of strong financial results but a reaffirmation of KenGen’s commitment to delivering value to shareholders,” Hon. Agoi said. “We are optimizing efficie...

By Judith Mwai The Kenyan government has launched the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at accelerating economic growth, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating new job opportunities for thousands of Kenyans.  This multi-million dollar project is being implemented across all 47 counties, targeting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Business Membership Organizations (BMOs), associations, and other cluster-based enterprises operating within priority value chains. Transforming Kenya's Economy The KJET project is a key pillar of the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to promote economic growth, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of Kenyans. With a focus on empowering at least 45,000 Kenyans, including 6,800 women, the project is poised to make a significant impact on the country's economic landscape. Key Interventions The KJET project has four core co...