Patila Distillers K Limited has launched a fierce defense against allegations of manufacturing illicit alcohol, categorically rejecting claims circulating on social media while issuing a stern warning to politicians and media houses attempting to link the company to counterfeit trade.

Speaking at a press conference held at the company's facility, Brian Muriithi, Director of Legal Affairs, read a formal statement on behalf of the management, asserting that the company is a fully licensed, multi-billion-shilling enterprise operating under strict regulatory oversight from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). "We categorically reject these allegations and urge the public to disregard claims that misrepresent the authenticity of our products or the legitimacy of our operations," Muriithi stated. "Our products are authentic. Counterfeit goods bearing our name are not our products."

The press conference took a sharp political turn when the legal team addressed swirling rumors linking Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki to the company. The allegations, which have circulated widely on social media and in mainstream media, were vehemently denied.

"He is not a director, is not a shareholder, is not associated with Patiala anywhere," the legal representative stated, referring to the Deputy President. "Those are political statements that are aimed to hurt the business of this enterprise."

The company revealed that it has issued firm instructions to pursue legal action against any politician, blogger, or influencer who attempts to politicize the private entity. "We shall take you head on because this is the sweat of private investors. There is no single coin of government investment," the legal team warned, adding that the company is apolitical and employs over 650 Kenyans directly, with 35,000 indirectly employed. Danstan M. Omari also issued a direct warning to any individuals or groups attempting to mislead the public regarding the company's operations or products. He emphasized that Patiala Distillers will not tolerate the deliberate spread of falsehoods and will take decisive action against anyone found to be circulating misleading information.

Government officials, conservation leadership, research executives and cross-sector partners gathered in Nairobi today for a consultative stakeholder workshop to shape the inaugural five-year Strategic Plan (2025–2030) for the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (WCTF). Established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, the WCTF serves as a dedicated financial body designed to mobilize sustainable resources, bridge critical funding gaps, and establish long-term economic stability across Kenya's wildlife conservation sector.

Opening the consultative proceedings, Lucy Waruingi of the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund emphasized the significance of creating the nation's first dedicated trust fund for natural heritage. She noted that because Kenya's national identity, foreign exchange earnings, and socio-economic welfare rely heavily on wildlife tourism, establishing a trust fund strategically positioned to leverage public-private partnerships represents a major shift in securing resources for protected spaces and host communities. Waruingi added that conservation directly underpins essential ecosystem services such as clean air, water, agricultural productivity, and climate mitigation, making broad-based participation necessary.

The ongoing strategic planning process, supported by consultants from the University of Nairobi Enterprise Services, is currently mapping out specific funding gaps and engagement frameworks across civil society, youth, local communities, private enterprises, and political leadership.

Addressing the operational necessity of the fund, Silvia Museiya, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Wildlife, highlighted the need for alternative and innovative financing mechanisms. She observed that while traditional tourism revenue systems generate substantial proceeds, those funds are frequently directed into general public expenditures such as security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare rather than being reinvested directly into ecosystem maintenance. PS Museiya committed to advocating for minimum statutory backing during upcoming budget cycles to ensure the trust fund operates effectively and maintains long-term structural support.

Detailing the tactical priorities of the fund, Dr. Patrick Omondi, Director and CEO of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), outlined four primary areas of focus: wildlife research, training priorities, protected area management, and community livelihood programs. Dr. Omondi explained that the WCTF will provide essential capital to execute emergency recovery plans for critically endangered and endemic species facing severe population declines. These targeted interventions include protecting the remaining population of around 30 Sable Antelopes in the Shimba Hills, restoring the Mountain Bongo in Mount Kenya, safeguarding Grevy's Zebras in northern Kenya, and conserving the Hirola in Ijara, Garissa County.

In addition to species restoration, Dr. Omondi emphasized the importance of funding major conservation infrastructure projects, such as constructing a dedicated wildlife overpass across the Magadi/Nairobi–Namanga road corridor to reconnect Nairobi National Park with the Athi-Kapiti plains and enable vital genetic exchange. To ensure the fund's sustainability, he urged WCTF leadership to enhance public visibility through media engagement and actively present the trust fund to key legislative bodies, including the National Assembly Committee on Tourism and Wildlife and the National Treasury, to secure direct government budget allocations alongside private and donor support.

Stakeholders, sustainability leaders, and environmental innovators gathered in Nairobi today for the 11th Annual Circular Economy Conference, marking over a decade of concerted efforts to transition regional economies away from linear, wasteful models toward regenerative and inclusive growth. Convening under the theme "Resilience," this year's summit focused on delivering practical circularity, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and implementing real-world solutions to address resource depletion, waste management, and climate vulnerabilities across Africa.

Opening the proceedings, Karin Boomsma, Project Director of Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya (SIB-Kenya), an initiative launched 11 years ago under the Kenya Private Sector Alliance ecosystem and administrator of the Kenya Plastics Pact, highlighted the steady growth of the movement. Addressing an audience of nearly 300 cross-sector delegates, Boomsma noted that the strong attendance reflects a growing momentum to integrate sustainability into mainstream economic planning. She emphasized that the conference serves as a critical platform for sharing ground-level progress and navigating regulatory frameworks across diverse industries, including textiles, organics, plastics, and property development.

A central focus of the morning discussions centered on the structural economic barriers hindering circular adoption. Boomsma observed that conventional linear models fail to reflect the true price of products because they ignore environmental degradation and social impacts, making virgin materials appear artificially cheaper than recycled alternatives. However, she pointed to significant regulatory milestones, such as the implementation of the Sustainable Waste Management Act and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines in Kenya, as key catalysts for change. According to Boomsma, keeping materials within the economic loop not only protects natural resources but also unlocks substantial financial value and generates employment through repair, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and organic waste recovery.

Framing circularity through the lens of socio-economic development, Albert Wambugu, Chief Executive Officer of Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, argued that circular strategies are fundamental to poverty alleviation and community resilience. Wambugu emphasized that sustainable resource management directly impacts essential human needs, including health, nutrition, and shelter. He explained that by equipping waste management communities and micro-enterprises with practical business skills, local economies can turn waste streams into profitable ventures. Wambugu noted that circular value chains hold the potential to employ more than double the number of people currently engaged in traditional linear systems.

To demonstrate this potential, Wambugu pointed to agricultural value chains as a prime example of untapped economic opportunity. While traditional markets view crops like bananas solely as food products, circular approaches utilize every part of the plant to create high-value products, including textiles, cosmetics, and specialty materials. By broadening community awareness and supporting adaptation, local enterprises can capture hidden economic value while reducing environmental impact.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has released its 2025/2026 Annual Statistics Report, revealing a significant acceleration in Kenya's energy transition, highlighted by a 14.62% growth in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consumption, equating to an additional 475,943 metric tonnes. The surge in LPG use is attributed to a concerted government initiative to promote clean cooking solutions in motor vehicles, homes, and learning institutions, which has resulted in a notable improvement in LPG per capita consumption from 7.9 kilograms to 8.9 kilograms.

Speaking on behalf of the Acting Director General, Dr. Eng. Joseph Oketch, Cyprian M. Nyakundi, Director of Public Education, Advocacy, and Consumer Protection at EPRA, expressed optimism about the sector's trajectory, stating that the overall energy and petroleum sector has registered continued growth, but it is commendable that clean energy consumption continues to grow. He noted that the increase in LPG consumption has been supported by expanded importation, storage, and distribution infrastructure, improved product availability, and government policy interventions aimed at promoting clean cooking solutions.

The report also detailed significant developments in the electricity sub-sector, where domestic electricity consumption recorded the strongest growth among customer categories, increasing by 18.87% to 4,327.07 GWh. This growth was driven by 411,710 new individual connections, bringing the cumulative number of grid-connected customers to 10.43 million, while large commercial and industrial consumers remained the largest consumer category, accounting for 47.57% of total electricity consumption. Electric mobility emerged as the fastest-growing area in electricity consumption, recording a staggering 143.01% year-on-year increase from 5.04 GWh to 12.25 GWh, following increased uptake of the e-mobility tariff, with EPRA also reviewing the tariff to remove the 15,000 kWh monthly consumption cap to facilitate greater use by electric mobility customers.

Increased activity in key economic sectors, particularly transport and construction, drove petroleum product imports up by 11.52% to 10.88 million cubic metres, while domestic consumption also rose to 6.33 million cubic metres, an 8.41% increase. On the infrastructure front, total installed capacity grew by 3.81% to 3,987.20 MW as of June 2026, comprising 3,263.02 MW of interconnected generation capacity, 676.60 MW of captive generation capacity, and 47.58 MW of off-grid generation capacity, with installed captive solar PV capacity recording a 24.22% growth during the period.

Other key statistics from the report include the approval of 10 Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for electricity generation, along with 11 generation licenses, 8 distribution and retail supply licenses, and one export and import license. Petroleum imports under the Kenya Government-to-Government framework accounted for 72.42% of the total import volume, while the period recorded the highest number of electrical worker and contractor licences issued in five years, with worker licences rising by 53% to 884 and contractor licences increasing by 22% to 648. Out of 489 complaints reported to the Authority, 482 were resolved, with 7 under review at the close of the financial year, and development of the country's discovered petroleum resources is on course across 50 exploration blocks, with regulatory and technical processes underway.

The 4th Kenya Social Protection Conference 2026 officially opened at the Kenya School of Government, bringing together government officials, international delegates, and private sector leaders to strengthen adaptive, transformative, and sustainable social safety systems amid escalating climate and economic challenges. Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Dr. Alfred Mutua, representing His Excellency President William Ruto, delivered the keynote address outlining major policy shifts. CS Mutua reaffirmed the government's firm commitment to prioritizing vulnerable citizens, noting that executive state payrolls are remitted only after monthly Inua Jamii funds are fully disbursed. Official records indicate that cash transfer coverage has expanded from 1.2 million households in 2023 to 1.7 million today, with a target to reach 2.5 million beneficiaries, while over KSh 3.5 billion is remitted monthly via mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa to reduce travel expenses for citizens.

The official opening highlighted key legal and institutional milestones achieved since 2023, including the enactment of the Social Protection Policy 2023, the Persons with Disabilities National Policy 2024, the Social Protection Act 2025, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, and the Social Protection Regulations 2026. Between FY 2023 and FY 2026, the government allocated KSh 7.947 billion toward disability programs, disbursing KSh 7.277 billion and registering over 330,000 persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the transition of the former NHIF into the Social Health Authority, backed by the Primary Health Care Act, the Social Health Insurance Act, and the Digital Health Act, has registered over 32.97 million Kenyans, supporting more than 8 million treatment visits and 1.2 million safe maternal deliveries.

Addressing the delegates on behalf of the private sector, Jacqueline Mugo, EBS, Executive Director and CEO of the Federation of Kenya Employers, presented three core priorities to ensure social safety nets remain sustainable and viable. First, FKE urged the government to diversify welfare financing through a National Social Protection Diversification Strategy that leverages green bonds and international climate adaptation funds, drawing on models like Nigeria's sovereign green bond. Second, Mugo recommended establishing a digitized mobile micro-contribution framework using USSD and mobile money platforms to enable the 18 million workers in Kenya's informal sector to contribute flexibly, citing Rwanda's Ejo Heza micro-pension scheme as a regional proof of concept. Third, FKE stressed the importance of linking social safety net stipends directly to TVET training and industry apprenticeships to address a reported 40 percent skills gap, commending the government's NYOTA program for adopting a model similar to Indonesia's Kartu Prakerja.

To move households from cash relief dependency toward sustainable economic independence, the government announced the expansion of its Economic Inclusion Program under the Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project, implemented alongside the World Bank, FCDO, and CIFF, from five pilot counties to twenty counties. Concluding the opening proceedings, state leadership issued a policy directive committing the government to establish a unified National School Meals Program that will cover pre-primary, upper primary, and junior secondary learners across all 47 counties.

The finals and prize-giving ceremony for the 14th edition of the eKitabu Digital Essay Competition (DEC) were held during the ongoing Nairobi International Book Fair at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.

The event marked the culmination of a rigorous competition that encouraged teachers and learners across Kenya to embrace Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning. This year's competition saw 24,984 students submit essays, representing 285 schools across the country.

Since its inception in 2013, the DEC has received over 137,000 submissions from 3,350 schools, with representation from all 47 counties at various points. Organized by eKitabu, the competition recognizes and rewards students for their creativity, originality, and digital literacy. Prizes included scholarship money, computing devices, gift hampers, and national recognition with the Kenya Ministry of Education for the achievements of learners and schools.

Speaking at the ceremony, eKitabu CEO Will Clurman highlighted the importance of the competition in preparing Kenyan students for a technology-driven future. "Everyone is talking about the impact technology will have in Kenya. We want to hear from the people who will impact them most, you, the students!" said Clurman.

This year's theme, "Let Me Speak," encouraged students to share their stories, experiences, and ideas in their own voices. Topics ranged from teenage relationships, family breakups, politics, football, peace and unity, misconduct in school, culture and tradition, to how teachers can motivate learners.

A standout feature of this year's competition was the inclusion of mother tongue languages, with 34 languages represented and 371 entries submitted in these categories. Languages included Luo, Kikuyu, Kisii, Turkana, Samburu, Luhya, Maasai, Somali, Teso, Meru, Kalenjin, and many others, including Burundi and Nubia.

"We got poetry. We got essays. We got art. We got videos. Kenyan Sign Language videos," said Clurman. "Kenyan Sign Language, as I think most of us know, is recognized as a recognized language in the Constitution of Kenya."

The competition also incorporated Kenyan Sign Language, Braille, and audio formats, ensuring inclusivity for learners with disabilities. For the first time, 371 entries were received in mother tongue categories, which organizers found particularly encouraging.

"If you want to talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you want to talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart," he quoted Nelson Mandela. "Don't be ashamed of that language that you know. That language that you look down upon today, that you've not started speaking or writing in, will one day put food on your table."

Representatives from the Ministry of Education, including Sheila Mukholi Lutta from the Directorate of Special Needs Education, also attended and commended the competition for its inclusivity and growth. The competition has grown to become a flagship initiative for promoting digital literacy in Kenyan schools, providing a platform for students to express their ideas while developing essential ICT skills.

The finals and prize-giving at the Nairobi International Book Fair underscored the growing intersection of technology, education, and publishing in Kenya.

East African Educational Publishers (EAEP) has unveiled The Abduction Squad, a new crime novel by Kenyan author John Kiriamiti that examines what happens when institutions entrusted with enforcing the law operate outside its boundaries.

The unveiling marks Kiriamiti's return to fiction more than a decade after his last published book and more than 40 years after his debut, My Life in Crime, which established his reputation as one of Kenya's notable crime writers.

Published under EAEP's Spear Books imprint, The Abduction Squad is Kiriamiti's sixth published book and is set in the fictional Republic of Magendo. It follows Tom Baraza, a newly appointed Police Commissioner who is drawn into an unconventional operation following the unexpected death of his predecessor.

Rather than relying on conventional law enforcement, Baraza proposes assembling a covert unit of convicted criminals, each selected for a particular skill. The group is given a dangerous assignment that requires them to operate on behalf of the very institution tasked with upholding the law.

The author raises a broader question: what happens when the pursuit of justice begins to blur the line between lawful authority and criminality?

"What happens when people who have lived outside the law are brought together and given a task in the name of the very institutions meant to uphold the law?" said Kiriamiti. "The Abduction Squad is a story about crime, power and the choices people make when they believe the usual rules no longer serve their purpose."

By placing convicted criminals inside an operation sanctioned by those in authority, the novel examines questions of accountability, loyalty and the use of power. The fictional Republic of Magendo provides a setting to explore these questions without tying the narrative to a specific real-world institution or political system.

Kiriamiti's earlier works include My Life with a Criminal, The Sinister Trophy, Son of Fate and My Life in Prison. His latest novel continues his exploration of crime while shifting attention towards the institutions that respond to it and the ethical questions that arise when they adopt unconventional methods.

The book also extends Kiriamiti's more than four-decade relationship with EAEP, which published his debut, My Life in Crime.

"John Kiriamiti has been part of EAEP's journey for more than four decades, and The Abduction Squad represents an important continuation of that relationship. The novel engages with questions of crime, power and institutional authority, while giving readers a fictional setting through which to consider the consequences of crossing the boundaries between lawful enforcement and criminality," said EAEP Managing Director and CEO Kiarie Kamau.

The launch took place during the ongoing Nairobi International Book Fair at Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi.

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), in collaboration with the European Union, has launched the Biodiversity Outlook for Eastern & Southern Africa (BOESA), a regional resource designed to strengthen access to biodiversity knowledge and support evidence-based conservation and policy action.

The publication was launched during the Regional Workshop on Integrated Landscape-Seascape Modelling for Climate Resilience Development in East Africa, taking place in Nairobi from 22-24 September 2026.

BOESA brings together biodiversity information, regional perspectives and practical experiences to support a deeper understanding of the region's biodiversity and the actions required to conserve it. Covering 24 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, the resource highlights the importance of accessible, credible and locally relevant information in informing conservation planning and decision-making.

“We have seen many programmes over the years conduct incredibly valuable research, but we often lack the next step of translating it into policy and, therefore, into action. Collecting data is not enough. This programme is translating that data into very accessible information for young people as well as decision-makers, while also building the capacities of different countries to take action based on the information collected,” said Sanne Willems, Regional Partnerships, Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.

The launch comes at a critical time as countries work towards the 2030 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It also precedes the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), scheduled to take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19-30 October 2026.

COP17 will feature the first global review of collective progress in implementing the KMGBF, making regional knowledge products such as BOESA important references for understanding progress, identifying gaps and strengthening action for nature.

“BOESA reflects the importance of bringing together data, knowledge and regional experiences to support informed decisions for biodiversity conservation,” said Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Director General, RCMRD. “By making this information more accessible, we aim to support policymakers, conservation practitioners, researchers, development partners and communities in advancing nature-positive action across the region.”

Developed under the RCoE-ESA initiative, the publication reinforces RCMRD's commitment to applying geospatial information, Earth observation and knowledge-sharing to address environmental challenges and support sustainable development.

As countries intensify efforts to meet the 2030 biodiversity targets, BOESA provides a platform for shared learning, regional visibility and stronger collaboration towards a nature-positive future.

AAR Insurance has been officially awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification following exhaustive independent audits across its regional operations. The certification, conducted by global certification body Bureau Veritas in partnership with implementation partner Ace Analytiq, establishes an internationally audited operating standard for policy underwriting, claims adjudication, consumer data privacy, and governance.

The milestone comes as regulators across East Africa enforce stricter compliance standards, led by the Insurance Regulatory Authority's Risk-Based Capital framework, Market Conduct Guidelines, and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner's sector-specific guidelines.

By embedding ISO 9001:2015 into its core operating architecture, AAR Insurance is directly addressing these new operational and regulatory requirements. The internationally recognised standard specifies requirements for organisations to consistently provide services that meet customer and applicable legal and regulatory requirements through disciplined, audited processes. Built on principles of risk-based thinking, process-driven execution, leadership governance, and continuous improvement, the framework codifies internal workflows into repeatable, accountable systems designed to eliminate process waste, prevent operational errors, and elevate service speed.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony, AAR Insurance CEO and Principal Officer Justine Kosgei said: "Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification is our promise to the market that behind every AAR Insurance policy lies an audited, world-class operational engine. By standardising our processes, we have cut outpatient approvals to 10 minutes and inpatient admissions to 30 minutes, proving that a digital-first, purpose-led insurance model is the most resilient engine to close East Africa's protection gap."

As AAR Insurance scales regionally, transitioning AAR General Insurance Uganda Limited into a fully licensed non-life underwriter and entering the Democratic Republic of Congo. ISO 9001:2015 acts as a standardised operational blueprint, ensuring consistent service quality across borders.

AAR Insurance Group Chief Financial Officer Hosea Kiprop noted: "ISO 9001:2015 is a vital risk-management shield. Operational discipline de-risks our business and supports our adoption of the global IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 standards. Our focus on operational efficiency has delivered a 60% reduction in paper consumption, driven a 12% drop in administrative overheads, and supported our 'A Tree, A Life' initiative, which has grown over 96,000 trees with an audited 93 per cent survival rate while creating 719 local jobs. It proves that sustainable governance builds long-term shareholder value."

These audited workflows also underpin AAR Insurance's paperless access channels, including AAR on the Go, the smart CBD branch at ABSA Towers, and the MyWAKALAAR mobile platform. MyWAKALAAR has empowered over 10,000 intermediaries to complete agent quotation and client onboarding in under five minutes, down from 48 hours.

AAR Insurance's ISO 9001:2015 certification gives the over 40-year-old underwriter a solid operating base as East Africa's insurance sector shifts towards digital, more transparent, and more sustainable ways of working.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has declared a state of crisis in Kenya's public university sector, citing a convergence of serious challenges that threaten the quality of higher education and the welfare of academic staff. Led by UASU Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga, the union issued a press release dated Friday, September 18, 2026, outlining critical issues including the government's failure to conclude the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the persistent casualization of academic work through part-time teaching, inadequate staffing, and the failure to honor retirement-age provisions. The union warns that unless the government intervenes urgently, the damage to university education will become irreversible.

At the heart of the union's concerns is the stalled negotiation for the 2025–2029 CBA. Dr. Wasonga noted that while other workers in the education sector concluded and signed their CBAs last year, the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) only began negotiations in November 2025. Nearly a year later, the government has yet to table a financial counter-proposal, creating deep anxiety among public university staff. Consequently, UASU has issued a one-month ultimatum from today for the government to table a substantive counter-proposal, negotiate, sign, and implement the new CBA.

The union has also raised alarm over the government's funding model for public universities, specifically noting that the recently published "Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026" fails to address the mechanism for remunerating academic staff. UASU argues that it is untenable to finance the salaries of university professors from student fees, and they are demanding that any Bill before Parliament include a clear provision safeguarding the remuneration of academic staff from the Exchequer, as envisioned by the Constitution.

Furthermore, UASU is demanding a roadmap to university-level CBAs, expressing concern that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has proposed that universities negotiate individual CBAs. The union views this as an attempt to precipitate further crises in public universities, citing the recent example of the University of Nairobi's 2017–2021 CBA, which was signed after three years of negotiations but has since been abandoned by the university. UASU insists that the SRC provide a practical pathway for the registration and implementation of signed internal CBAs.

The casualization of academic labor is another major point of contention. UASU is alarmed by the increasing reliance on part-time academic staff, which is being used as a substitute for the recruitment of permanent academic staff. This expansion of student enrollment has not been matched by corresponding recruitment, resulting in excessive workloads and a growing dependence on insecure employment. The union is calling for an immediate review of part-time teaching policies to ensure that part-time lecturers are not used to replace established permanent positions, and that they are considered for immediate absorption into available permanent roles.

Additionally, UASU remains concerned about continuing attempts to reduce the retirement age of academic staff in public universities, viewing this as a violation of the current CBA. The union argues that the loss of a single professor represents an immense accumulation of intellectual capital, and the retirement-age question cannot be separated from the pension crisis in public universities. They warn that if academic staff retire earlier than the retirement age provided for in the CBA, the pension schemes may collapse, especially given that universities collectively owe pension schemes more than KSh 20 billion in remittances and related obligations, while Kenya has fewer than 2,000 professors.

Specific attention was drawn to Moi University, where UASU demands that the government immediately suspend the redundancy process. Reports indicate that Moi University is severely understaffed, yet the university has advertised for part-time lecturers while seeking additional teaching staff, a move the union describes as contradictory. UASU is calling for an independent staffing audit at Moi University and the suspension of all redundancy notices.

In conclusion, Dr. Wasonga called on the government to address these fundamental issues without delay to protect the quality of university education, the welfare of academic staff, and the future of students.

EmpServe Kenya, in partnership with the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH), today officially launched the South Eastern & Metropolitan Innovation Week 2026 (SEM-IW 2026). The initiative sets the stage for a five-county regional summit designed to take technology, green solutions, and creative economies beyond the capital.

Scheduled for November 16–20, 2026, the build-up to the summit will span Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties. Held under the theme "Innovation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Communities: Leveraging Green, Creative Economies and Technology," the platform brings together local innovators, investors, policymakers, and development partners to strengthen grassroots business ecosystems.

Today's kickoff at Riara University marks the transition into the regional activation phase, introducing county bootcamps and local ecosystem mobilization ahead of the November summit.

The program, hosted by the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH) and the EmpServe Kenya organization, brings together innovators, government representatives, and private sector partners like Microsoft. The central theme, echoing the event's official website, is "Empowering Innovation for Sustainable Futures."

Savio Wambugu, President of the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs (ACIH), set an optimistic tone at the launch, emphasizing the importance of regional focus.

"The original innovation weeks have been really impactful because if you look at Kenya, there are different kinds of value chains," he noted, highlighting the unique opportunities in the coastal and metropolitan regions. "Our mission is to ensure that where you come from does not determine how far your idea can go."

Wambugu further underscored the association's mandate to make innovation hubs sustainable and to empower innovators across all regions.

"Across the county, innovation does not begin abode. It begins with a problem, an idea and someone courageous to say, 'I can solve this,'" he stated. "Through the Southeastern and Metropolitan Innovation Week, we are bringing together the digital, green and orange economies and local opportunities to create jobs and transform communities."

Martin W. Irungu, EmpServe Executive Director, reinforced the need for homegrown solutions.

"We need to approach [innovation] by addressing a problem... When we get the problems from our own problems, we understand them better," he said. "Let's think local, but act global—creating solutions from here and getting them to Africa and the wider globe."

A key takeaway from the morning's discussions was the focus on a bottom-up approach. The initiative aims to build a "strong pipeline" that connects innovators at the community level with the infrastructure provided by the government and the demand from the private sector.

This vision was underscored by the presence of Konza Technopolis, a flagship government project and a key partner in the initiative. Eng. Anthony Sang, Chief Manager of Construction Operations Management, delivered a speech on behalf of CEO John Paul Okwiri during the kickoff and media briefing. In his remarks, Eng. Sang reaffirmed Konza's commitment to providing the critical infrastructure and enabling environment necessary for innovators to thrive. He emphasized that Konza Technopolis is not just a physical space but a strategic investment in Kenya's future as a knowledge-based economy, designed to connect local talent with global opportunities.

The conversation also touched on the global debate surrounding Artificial Intelligence. In a nod to recent news cycles, speakers discussed the tension between rapid AI innovation and government regulation. The consensus among the assembled tech leaders was clear: innovation should not be slowed down.

Amos Wachanga, Partnership Lead at Sebasi/Microsoft, represented the technology giant and shared his perspective on Kenya's competitive edge in the global innovation landscape.

"We are a Kenyan company but we serve customers who are global," he stated. "We see ourselves competing with organizations that come from the EU, from Asia, from the Americas... and we are able to win."

He attributed this success to local teams who understand African challenges and can develop solutions that resonate with the market. Wachanga reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to supporting innovators through mentorship, technology infrastructure, and hosting facilities, noting that the company would be actively engaged throughout the Innovation Week and beyond.

The Innovation Week is positioned as a direct response to the challenge of creating "commercially viable" solutions and ensuring that promising ideas don't fail due to a lack of sustainability. By linking talent, institutions, markets, and capital, the organizers are building a movement to turn the region's challenges into opportunities for job creation and community transformation.

The event's message to the innovators in attendance was one of empowerment: "Your ideas matter. Your communities can be your laboratory, and your solution can change Kenya and perhaps the world."

Africa currently insures only 3 to 5 per cent of its disaster losses, compared with approximately 40 per cent globally, leaving governments to absorb more than 90 per cent of losses estimated at USD 7 to 15 billion annually. This stark reality was the central focus as the inaugural Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (CDRFI) Africa Forum opened today in Nairobi.

Held under the theme "Increasing Insurability to Close the Protection Gap in Africa," the two-day Forum brings together senior government officials, insurance regulators, development partners, and industry representatives from 21 countries. The event is convened on the sidelines of the 8th East Africa Insurance Supervisors Association (EAISA) and ZEP-RE Strategic Forum.

The Forum opened with a strong call for countries to identify assets exposed to disaster risks, strengthen risk information systems, and put financing arrangements in place before shocks occur. To support this, counterparts from Jamaica and the Philippines were invited to share their national experiences in disaster risk financing and insurance.

The CDRFI Africa Forum is a ZEP-RE initiative, convened for the first time this year with EAISA and hosted by the Government of Kenya through the National Treasury. It builds on the EAISA and ZEP-RE Strategic Forum, which has been convened annually for eight years, and brings Ministries of Finance into the dialogue following the 2025 Zanzibar Declaration adopted by EAISA.

Under the Declaration, insurance regulators from 12 countries pledged to support programmes to protect critical public infrastructure. The Forum called for these commitments to move from declaration to implementation through a sustained, government-led Community of Practice.

Representing the Guest of Honour, Hon. Felix K. Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Dr. Boniface Makokha, Principal Secretary for Economic Planning in Kenya's National Treasury, emphasised the critical importance of pre-planning. "The question is no longer whether disasters will occur, but whether our countries are financially prepared when they do," he said.

"Disasters should not become fiscal crises," Murera said. "Resilience is not a cost. It is an investment in growth and stability."

Commissioner of Insurance and CEO of the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Kenya, Mr. Godfrey Kiptum, described closing the protection gap as a development priority. He called for regulation that protects policyholders while enabling innovation, citing the impending El Niño event as a reminder of the need to act before shocks occur.

EAISA Interim Chairperson Dr. Protazio Sande, Acting CEO of Uganda's Insurance Regulatory Authority, linked insurability to investment. "If it is not insurable, perhaps it is not investable," he said.

The Secretary General of the Insurance Development Forum, Ekhosuehi Iyahen, said the challenge is one of insurability, not insurance alone. "Prediction has improved faster than protection," Ms. Iyahen said. "A protection gap is rarely just an insurance gap. It is almost always a development gap." She also highlighted Shock-Resilient Loans, an emerging area of work exploring whether sovereign lending can be designed so that risk transfer mechanisms provide governments with automatic fiscal breathing space following a major shock.

Emiko Todoroko of the World Bank Group's disaster risk finance practice called for financing strategies that are matched to each country's risk profile. She noted that governments could combine budget reserves, contingent financing, insurance, and investment in risk reduction to address different levels of risk.

The first panel, "From Policy to Practice: Sovereign Risk Finance in Africa and Southeast Asia," moderated by James Sinah of the World Bank Group, examined the financial instruments governments currently use and which risks may be better transferred to the private sector. Panellists included Ronald Inyangala from Kenya's National Treasury, Herbert Asimwe from Rwanda's Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Likezo Musabani from Zambia's Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, Sharon Almanza, National Treasurer of the Philippines, and Hope Murera of ZEP-RE. In closing, Sinah identified three priorities: protecting public assets as an immediate development priority, recognising that no single financial instrument can address every risk, and strengthening government leadership alongside regulatory support.

The second panel, moderated by Linet Odera, ZEP-RE Group Chief, Public Sector and Inclusive Solutions, examined why protection gaps persist despite growing disaster losses. Participants identified thematic risk pools as a potential avenue for countries participating in the Zanzibar Declaration to address uninsurability and limited underwriting capacity arising from the systemic nature of climate and disaster risks and the relatively small market size in Africa. In closing, Ms. Odera highlighted three priorities for narrowing the protection gap: reliable data, stronger analytics and modelling capabilities, and innovation to advance insurance markets.

During the opening session, ZEP-RE also unveiled its third annual Sustainability Report, Building Resilience Across Africa, which is available on the organisation's website.

As Kenya navigates a complex political landscape marked by growing mistrust, diminishing rule of law, and the rise of goonism, scholars and political stakeholders convened at the University of Nairobi to dissect the state of the nation's democracy.

In a discussion paper presented by Dr. Otele, the forum posed a fundamental question: Can Kenyan democracy withstand pressure? The consensus was clear. For democracy to survive, it must move beyond the ballot box and become a daily practice.

Dr. Otele's presentation highlighted critical challenges bedeviling the nation, including identity issues in youth mobilization and the diminishing rule of law. The forum specifically called out the rise of goonism and misinformation and disinformation, warning that these cannot become the norm. Participants emphasized that policing reforms must go hand in hand with the rule of law, while press freedom and the rights of journalists must be protected as pillars of a functioning society.

The discussion challenged the conventional metrics of democratic success. Participants asked whether the country is measuring democratic outcomes or merely counting activity. A resilient democracy, the forum argued, must protect the rights and interests of everyone, including political and civil liberties. Public good must supersede individual interests. Democracy should not be a four day event every five years, but an everyday practice, the takeaways noted, stressing the need for early sensing, inclusive voices, and the protection of rights.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on anticipatory governance and strategic foresight. The forum urged that the interests of current and future generations be placed at the center of governance, with a specific focus on minority and marginalized groups, including Persons with Disabilities, young people, and women. The paper stated that disability inclusion is everyone's priority and need. The forum also called for the integration of indigenous knowledge, exemplified by the Maasai community, into building a resilient nation across sectors such as agriculture, education, and health.

With the 2027 General Elections on the horizon, the forum described the upcoming polls as a critical juncture. The discussion stressed that political parties must be a true reflection of the democratic country they envisage, prioritizing the rule of law and credible elections. The electoral institution was urged to work tirelessly to improve trust among citizens and political players.

The youth were given a direct mandate to keep demanding accountability from institutions and leaders. The forum urged them to demand meaningful participation, reminding them of their power in the 2024 mobilization efforts. It also called for mutual collaboration between the UoN Department of Political Science and Parliament. Suggestions included embedding a course on anticipatory governance and partnering with the legislature to build practical tools for policy implementation. To ensure continuity, the department was encouraged to host the event annually.

The event concluded with a powerful parting shot from Nancy Muigeia: Democracy don't just work, it must be made to work by the citizens. As Kenya prepares for the next electoral cycle, the message from the UoN forum is a resounding call for a shift from passive observation to active citizenship, demanding transparency, accountability, and the protection of sovereignty, which lies with the people.

As Kenya gears up for the 2027 General Election, politicians and citizens have been warned to respect constitutional limits on rights and to reject political hooliganism and premature campaigning.

The warning came at a public dialogue on democracy convened by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in partnership with the University of Nairobi's Department of Political Science and Public Administration, marking International Day of Democracy 2026. Held under the theme "Democracy Under Strain, Futures in Focus: Advancing Anticipatory Governance and Citizen-Centred Solutions for a Changing Nation," the forum brought together policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, government institutions, Parliament, the Commission on Administrative Justice, students, and other democratic actors.

The dialogue focused on how student-led democracy can contribute to democratic development and strengthen youth participation ahead of 2027, while also exploring actions required today to strengthen democratic resilience, accountability, and responsive governance.

Narok County Senator Ledama Ole Kina said Article 37 of the Constitution allows Kenyans to demonstrate and picket, but it does not permit the destruction of property or the storming of Parliament. He said constitutional rights cannot be used to justify violating other people's rights and condemned deaths during political demonstrations.

Ole Kina linked political violence to economic frustration, anger, criminal activity, and political mobilisation. He said the 2027 election should not be treated as a "do or die" affair, but as a democratic process rather than a winner-takes-all confrontation.

The senator criticised politicians for campaigning before the official campaign period, accusing them of insulting one another and inflaming the public before the Electoral Commission declares the campaign period open. He rejected the tendency to blame only one politician or the State for hooliganism, saying politicians collectively have a responsibility to provide mature leadership.

Blocking roads is not democracy, he said, citing politicians mobilising vehicles and supporters to block a highway to create a large crowd. Such conduct, he warned, interferes with ordinary citizens and undermines democracy. He also asked how a 20-year-old exposed to today's political hooliganism will behave 10 years from now, warning that current conduct is shaping future generations.

Winnie Odinga, who also addressed the forum, shifted the focus to governance, youth, and the health of Kenya's democracy. She called for "anticipatory governance," asking what citizens need before a problem becomes a crisis.

"It means looking at the weather before the storm rather than blaming the sky after the winds have blown off the roof," she said. "No normal person will fix that roof before the rain begins. That is what we should be doing."

She criticised leaders for dancing on stages and using school buses to transport supporters in the middle of the week while flood-prone areas such as Kano suffer. She said heavy rains destroy mattresses, food, school books, and entire livelihoods, and expose families to overflowing sewage, contaminated water, mosquitoes, and skin infections.

"Democracy cannot survive on promises alone. It must produce visible improvement in people's lives," she said.

Odinga said government too often waits until a problem becomes impossible to ignore, then holds conferences, forms committees, releases statements, and promises to look into the matter. Kenyans, she added, are tired of hearing that "the matter is being addressed."

She said universities must remain connected to realities outside the elites, including food prices, unemployment, education, healthcare, and housing, because these are lived experiences for millions of Kenyans, not abstract policy issues.

Odinga warned that Kenya risks sliding into oligarchy. She said the last election was tight, but Parliament now effectively lacks an opposition, giving the government a supermajority. She argued that government in Kenya only responds when it is pushed, screamed at, or when people make noise.

She lamented the erosion of political parties and democratic voice, saying democracy is the right of choice and the will of the people cannot be inherited or coerced. She condemned intimidation, coercion, conscription, maligning, and killings, warning against normalising the loss of life in political competition as mere statistics.

On young people, Odinga said they are not merely leaders of tomorrow but citizens and partners today. They are already shaping public opinion, organising communities, building businesses, and creating art. They are demanding accountability through policy papers, hashtags, memes, videos, and podcasts. "Sometimes, let's be honest, a hashtag is more effective than a policy paper," she said.

She urged institutions to listen where citizens actually speak, including on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. "Government should be like TikTok: cheap, quick, convenient, and anyone can participate," she said.

Inclusion must be meaningful, not symbolic, she added. "Being present does not mean welcome." She asked whether people can access venues, afford to attend, be taken seriously, and have a real role in decision-making. "The table is important, but having a voice at the table is even more important," she said.

She said democracy depends on trust and is a daily practice, not a 48-page exercise. Disagreement is not the failure of democracy, she said; failure comes when people are afraid to speak and institutions refuse to listen. She urged Kenyans to build a democracy that does not wait for protests before listening, and institutions that repair the roof before the rains. She also thanked sign language interpreters at the event.

The dialogue explored Kenya's democratic future ahead of 2027 and beyond, public trust, democratic accountability, citizen-centred governance, meaningful public participation, youth engagement, evolving forms of civic action, digital technologies, anticipatory governance, and practical reforms needed to strengthen democratic resilience.

Ecopreneur Dr. Isaac Kalua Green has called on Kenyans to go beyond planting trees and take accountability for their survival and growth. Speaking during the annual Plant Your Age Day on September 14, Dr. Kalua said institutions, governments, and individuals are rushing to plant trees but doing little to nurture them.

The event also marked the launch of his new book, Come Back and Check, which focuses on tree accountability and his fifty year journey of planting and nurturing trees. The book's central principle is simple but uncomfortable: "Do not count what you planted. Count what survived. Then come back and check."

Dr. Kalua, who served as the inaugural Chairperson of the Kenya Water Towers Agency and is Founder and Chief Steward of Green Africa Group, noted that from 1.2 billion trees planted since 2011, 981 million can be traced as surviving. He placed the figure honestly within a range of roughly 700 million to 1.2 billion and kept it distinct from an independently verified count of living trees.

"Every country reports the trees it plants. None reports the ones still alive," Dr. Kalua said. "Between what the world announces and what actually survives lies the largest unaudited space on earth."

But before turning his scrutiny on the world, Dr. Kalua turned it on himself. The book opens with a startling admission: for thirteen years, he believed a certain tree in Kenya's Mau Forest was exactly his age. While writing the book, he asked a forester and the cherished story began to unravel. He kept the story and printed the correction.

"The first number he audits is his own. The first person he holds to account is himself," the book's synopsis states.

That same honesty is applied to the Plant Your Age movement, which he founded. He put the movement through his own "Seven Questions" framework, found it could answer only two, and those only in part, and published the limits, inviting independent institutions to examine the records.

"No government has audited itself like this. No corporation has," the synopsis notes. "He does it first, so the rest of the world is left without an excuse." The Green Africa Foundation launched the Plant Your Age App, which allows users to plant, track, and care for trees, including pruning, watering, and survival ratings. The app is designed to turn a birthday into an appointment with a living legacy: grow trees for the years you have lived, provide for their care, record honestly what happens, and pass the responsibility forward. Plant Your Age ambassador Baraka Moruri, 13, urged Kenyans to care for trees as an internationally accepted accountability measure.

Government's 15 billion trees campaign ambassador Hillary Kibiwott called for safeguarding and nurturing planted trees.

Green Africa Foundation executive director John Kioli stressed the environmental benefits, including oxygen. Come Back and Check draws on Kenyan experience, South Korea's forest recovery, farmer managed regeneration in Niger, and a Philippine government audit to show how responsibility, livelihoods, ecological judgment, and honest evidence determine what lasts. It offers practical tools anyone can use: the Seven Questions for testing a tree claim, the Count What Survives Standard, an Evidence Ladder, and a Living Tree Account. Losses stay in the record. Replacements are counted separately. Every piece of evidence carries a date.

Dr. Kalua also introduces the "Stake Gradient," offered openly as a hypothesis to test, not a finding to accept, inviting scholars to study how a person's stake in a tree's future shapes the care it receives.

But the book is about more than trees. In a section titled "The Law of the Second Visit," Dr. Kalua applies the discipline of returning to work, learning, friendship, faith, and family.

The book is expected to resonate with a wide audience. Heads of state and governments will find a blueprint for turning pledges into proof. Boards, captains of industry, and CSR leaders will find an honest answer to greenwashing. Entrepreneurs will find a model for ecological responsibility bound to livelihoods and commercial discipline. Universities, schools, and researchers will find a method teachable in a single afternoon. And environmentalists will find restored "the one thing it has been quietly losing: the right to be believed."

Dr. Kalua is also the author of Green for Life, a life manual of responsibility, efficiency, and discipline, with a foreword by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. He is the Chief Steward of Green Africa Group.

The 6th National Agribusiness Summit concluded Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) with a resounding message from both government and private sector: Kenya's agricultural sector is done talking about policy and is ready to deliver prosperity.

Held under the theme "From Policy to Productivity and Prosperity," the three-day event brought together policymakers, investors, financiers, and farmers to chart a practical path forward for one of the country's most critical economic sectors. What emerged was a clear picture of a sector in transition, one embracing digital tools, targeted investment, and a no-nonsense approach to implementation.

A recurring theme across panel discussions was the urgent need to de-risk agriculture in the eyes of investors. Participants identified the "lack of reliable information" as a persistent barrier that has unfairly branded the sector as high risk, suppressing capital flows.

In response, the government is accelerating the rollout of the Kenya Agricultural Digital System, a platform designed to consolidate data on investment opportunities, production trends, and sector challenges into a single accessible source.

The private sector, meanwhile, pointed to encouraging signs on the financing front. Stakeholders noted that falling interest rates and the establishment of dedicated agriculture desks within commercial banks are gradually improving the environment for farm sector borrowing and investment.

Rather than treating agriculture as a single, undifferentiated sector, the summit showcased a strategic shift toward targeted value chain development. A livestock master plan, reported to be in its final stages, aims to pinpoint specific investment opportunities across dairy, meat, poultry, pig, camel, and donkey production, as well as apiculture, with regions like Baringo highlighted for their beekeeping potential.

The summit's theme itself, "From Policy to Productivity and Prosperity," captured this collective impatience with abstract dialogue, serving as a bridge between the ambitions of policymakers and the on-the-ground realities of businesses and farmers.

The government's commitment to the sector was reaffirmed during the closing ceremony, when Ms. Juliana Yiapan, Principal Administration Secretary in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS), delivered a speech on behalf of Prime Cabinet Secretary H.E. Musalia Mudavadi during the Second National Agribusiness Excellence Awards Gala.

Addressing distinguished guests, including representatives of Principal Secretaries, senior government officials, leaders of the agricultural sector network, development partners, private sector members, farmers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, Yiapan conveyed the Prime Cabinet Secretary's recognition of the summit's significance.

"It is with great honour to join you this afternoon for the second National Agribusiness Excellence Award, and to be part of the closing ceremony of the sixth National Agribusiness Summit," she read, congratulating the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the agriculture sector network, and all partners for successfully convening the platform.

Yiapan noted that over the three days, the summit had brought together government, the private sector, farmers, investors, development partners, researchers, and innovators across agricultural value chains, "precisely the kind of partnership we need if we are to move from policy to prosperity."

Reaffirming agriculture's central role in Kenya's economic and industrial development, she cited the latest national economic data showing that agriculture, forestry, and fishing accounted for 23.2% of Kenya's GDP in 2025. The sector, she said, feeds the nation, creates employment, generates exports, and supports rural economies, while increasingly presenting opportunities for innovation, technology, and investment.

"Agribusiness cannot go unnoticed," Yiapan stated, urging a broader view of the sector as a strategic economic system connecting farmer to processor, processor to market, investor to opportunity, and ultimately consumer to safe, affordable, nutritious food.

She reiterated the government's role in creating an environment where businesses can invest, innovate, grow, and thrive, anchored in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda aimed at providing employment and livelihoods to the majority of Kenyans.

The summit closed on a high note with the presentation of the National Agribusiness Awards, honoring outstanding contributions to the sector. The night's crowning moment came when Millicent Okumu, Founder and CEO of Agriflex, was named the overall winner, claiming the title for an unprecedented second time.

Okumu's repeat victory was met with a standing ovation, underscoring her enduring impact on Kenya's agribusiness landscape. The award carried added weight, a recognition not only of her business success but of her willingness to speak plainly about the challenges that remain.

Governments, scientists, NGOs, conservationists, and financial institutions today signed the Nairobi Flyways Declaration, an unprecedented commitment to coordinated protection of migratory routes across borders. The declaration coincides with more than $6 billion in conservation finance being mobilised by three multilateral banks since 2021.

The event also saw the unveiling of the State of the World's Birds report by BirdLife International. Published every four years, this is the first edition devoted to migratory birds and the flyways they depend on. Together, these milestones signal a coordinated global response for flyway conservation.

The report's findings are stark: 45% of migratory bird species are in decline, and one in nine is threatened with extinction. The 2025 extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, last recorded at a Moroccan lagoon in February 1995, marks the first global bird extinction in mainland Eurasia and Africa in recent centuries, with six other migratory species confirmed or suspected to have been lost in the last 150 years. Species dependent on marine habitats, forests and coastal wetlands are faring particularly poorly; seabirds and shorebirds are among the most threatened.

Yet the report also documents hope. These declines stem from well-understood, human-caused factors: invasive species, agricultural intensification, climate change, and unsustainable hunting. When farming, fishing and land practices are addressed across a whole migration route, rather than at single sites, bird populations respond. For example, multi-country action for the Egyptian Vulture has halted the decline of the Balkan breeding population.

"Migratory birds are sentinels, and their declines reveal growing pressure on the natural systems that sustain us. But the science is equally clear: conservation works, with co-ordinated action preventing extinctions and helping populations recover. The solutions exist: what is needed now is their implementation at flyway scale," said Dr Stuart Butchart FRS, Chief Scientist, BirdLife International, and senior editor of State of the World's Birds.

Senior representatives from the World Bank and regional development banks attended the summit, signalling unprecedented institutional commitment. Three multilateral development banks are integrating flyway conservation into their lending frameworks, bringing commitments made since 2021 to more than $6 billion.

The Asian Development Bank is mobilising $3 billion over the next decade to protect at least 50 priority wetlands across the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, supporting nearly 200 million people who depend on these ecosystems. In the Americas, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean is mobilising $3 to $5 billion through 2050 to safeguard more than 30 landscapes and seascapes. The World Bank and BirdLife are mobilising several billion dollars across Africa, Europe and Asia along flyways used by more than two billion migratory birds.

Momentum is also growing for community-led action. In June 2026, the Global Environment Facility approved the Global Flyways Grant Mechanism, providing $8.97 million in direct grants and $107 million in co-financing for conservation and restoration across nine million hectares of wetlands, benefiting an estimated 330,000 people.

"As a proud co-host of the Global Flyways Summit, Nature Kenya is honoured to bring African perspectives. The birds that breed in Europe, Asia and the Arctic depend on our wetlands, grasslands and forests. The Nairobi Declaration and finance commitments recognise that African nations are not just stakeholders: we are stewards of solutions," said Dr Paul Matiku, Executive Director, Nature Kenya.

"The State of the World's Birds report is unambiguous: we are losing migratory birds at an alarming rate. But today's Nairobi Declaration signals a turning point. We need everyone to step up and play their part. That means governments, business and civil society. Development banks are rising to the challenge. The BirdLife partnership is prepared to act. We now need others to step up to reverse the declines and save the wonder of migration," said Martin Harper, Chief Executive, BirdLife International.

This report highlights a fundamental truth: a flyway is not simply a line on a map, but a broad interconnected network of critical sites and essential habitats supporting migratory birds across continents and seasons. When one link is broken or weakened, the entire chain is at risk.

Recognising this interconnectedness, BirdLife International, the only global Partnership conserving birds and all life on our planet, with 125 Partners in 120 countries, developed the Global Flyways Programme. Rather than focusing on individual sites, species or national borders, this approach aims to secure and restore entire flyways, with Partners working together from breeding grounds to stopover sites and non-breeding areas.

The Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD), in partnership with Speak Up Africa, Amref Health Africa, the Africa Health Research, Innovation and Development Alliance (AHRIDA), and Faith to Action Network, convened the Culture of Science Conference 2026 from 8 to 10 September 2026 at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

Held under the theme “Shaping Africa’s Future through Science,” the conference brought together policymakers, researchers, financiers, regulators, innovators, educators, youth, media practitioners, and civil society actors from across the continent, and issued its final communiqué on 10 September 2026.

The communiqué situates Africa’s science agenda within a stark financing and regulatory reality. Most African governments invest an average of 0.5 percent of GDP in research and development, against the 1 percent target set by the African Union’s Algiers Declaration, and only three countries currently meet the Abuja Declaration’s commitment to allocate 15 percent of national budgets to health. Meanwhile, the African Medicines Agency is working toward harmonized regulatory review across the continent’s Regional Economic Communities, but the conference described these conditions as a lived constraint on what Africans can research, innovate, manufacture, regulate, and trust.

Across three thematic days focused on financing and governing science, executing and innovating science, and embedding and sustaining science, the conference examined the mechanisms required to close these gaps. It called for ring-fenced domestic research budget lines, accelerated regulatory harmonization under the African Medicines Agency and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and expanded local manufacturing of medicines and diagnostics. Parallel sessions explored education and the future health workforce, artificial intelligence in healthcare, faith and science in conversation, genomics, traditional and alternative medicines, and the leadership of communities, faith leaders, women, and youth in shaping the continent’s science agenda.

Throughout the conference, delegates affirmed that science in Africa is not a distant technical enterprise but a public good, a cultural practice, and a determinant of sovereignty, embedded in how the continent governs, invests, communicates, and trusts.

On that basis, CHReaD made a series of commitments and calls to action. It called upon members of parliament to establish science and research caucuses nationally and regionally to advance the Culture of Science Agenda. On financing, it called on national governments and Ministries of Finance to ring-fence a research and development budget line, raise domestic R&D spending to 1 percent of GDP, and direct 15 percent of their annual budgets to the health sector in line with the Abuja Declaration. It also called upon African governments to establish coordination mechanisms for research, development, and innovation.

On regulation, CHReaD called on AU Member States and the African Medicines Agency to complete the operational integration of harmonized regulatory standards across all Regional Economic Communities by 2030, and on national governments to establish functional National Regulatory Authorities in all AU Member States, with at least 10 reaching WHO Maturity Level 3. On research, innovation, and access, it called on pharmaceutical manufacturers, AUDA NEPAD, and procurement partners to raise local production to 50 percent of Africa’s pharmaceutical needs and 25 percent local procurement of priority diagnostics and devices by 2030, and on Ministries of Education and institutions of higher learning to expand the research workforce toward 500 researchers per million population. It further urged African nations to urgently establish health-focused regulatory sandbox initiatives to pioneer agile, data-driven regulatory science, safely accelerating the deployment of AI, digital health, and biotechnology innovations to transform healthcare delivery across the continent.

On public trust, CHReaD called on traditional and media institutions, science communicators, and its own Secretariat to sustain science journalism. It also called upon the private sector to establish and foster a coordinated mechanism that brings stakeholders, including philanthropists and foundations, together to align their investments in financing health research, development, and innovation.

The communiqué marks a significant step toward positioning science as a central pillar of Africa’s development agenda, emphasizing that stronger financing, better regulation, broader innovation, and stronger public trust must move together if the continent is to build resilient, sovereign, and people-centered health systems.

Agrimedic East Africa, in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and Agrimedic Global, has officially unveiled PLANTOS VERDE, a mineral-based plant technology designed to support regenerative soils and a more sustainable agricultural future for the region.

The announcement marks what the partners describe as the beginning of a new journey in agricultural innovation, positioning the technology as a response to mounting challenges facing Kenyan farmers, including soil degradation, climate pressures, and rising input costs.

PLANTOS VERDE represents a shift from conventional approaches to crop nutrition, focusing instead on enhancing plant performance through improved photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient utilization, and resilience to environmental stress. The technology is designed around the principle that improving plant performance is not simply about adding more conventional fertilizer, but rather about supporting the entire crop-soil system.

According to Agrimedic, the product functions as a mineral-based plant support technology that enriches soil microbiology while reducing dependency on chemical inputs. Field demonstrations have shown notable physiological improvements in treated crops, including stronger root systems, higher chlorophyll density, and faster establishment.

Speaking at the launch event, Ian Mkare, Executive Chairman of Agrimedic East Africa, expressed pride in bringing the technology to the region. "We're so happy and proud today to be here in front of everyone to launch one of its own products that is going to bring climate sustainability and food security to the East African nations and particularly Kenya, because I'm a Kenyan and I come from here," he said.

"So this is a project that is going to assist put more money into the farmer's pocket. We're going to save on health disasters because it's an organic product that is made to unlock the full potential of your plant. And when I say full potential of your plant, it means we reduce the maturity period for the plant itself in the farm, we increase the yields and by that, I think it's what Kenya needs at the moment, or the world needs, because we don't need more land, we just need more outputs from what we have."

Mkare emphasized the product's organic nature as a key differentiator from conventional synthetic fertilizers. "This technology was brought in because all actually fertilizers in general, most of them are synthetics. So we came with something organic that is going to cost less, give more, and give more returns to the farms, and that is why we came up with this. And also for health hazards, because as we know, all these toxins that have been going into our ground and everywhere, and the humans are consuming them, they're also risky for health and the future of this generation."

Henry Potgieter, Co-founder and director of Agrimedic Global, explained the science behind the product. "The beautiful thing about Plantos Verde that we are distributing here through Agrimedic East Africa is our unique technology. It's called PBAT, Plant Biology Activator Technology. It's extremely small micronized elements. We have over 62 trace elements in our product that immediately enter the plant. So with regards to that, it immediately enhances the plant's growth, its resilience against pest diseases, as well as increases crops."

Potgieter stressed the versatility of the technology across diverse growing conditions. "It's very important to understand that our product is workable in every single climate and every single soil type, re-establishing the market and giving growth to the entire community."

Asked why Kenya was chosen as a key market, Potgieter was emphatic: "Why not? Agriculture is a very big part of any economy sustainability, sustenance for the farmers, for the growth, the health sector. It boosts the entire economy with regards to additional yields, fruit, whether the crop is wheat, maize, corn, sugarcane, it assists with every single crop, doesn't matter what the climate conditions."

Potgieter was careful to position PLANTOS VERDE as complementary to existing agricultural inputs rather than a replacement. "Huge benefits, it's a fraction of fertilizer cost. We still support the fertilizer companies. We're not a replacement. Like I said, we're not a fertilizer, we're not a biostimulant. We've got our own category. So we work in conjunction with the current distributors, the current infrastructure that is there, and it assists greatly with every small-scale farmer."

He highlighted the practical advantages for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Kenya's agricultural sector. "It doesn't need to do anything different. There's a huge price discrepancy as well with regards to the input cost and using less pesticides, fungicides. It certainly aids the farmer to achieve a greater yield, hence putting more money back in the farmer's pocket, and that is the key aim that we should take back from this. We're trying to improve lives here."

On application rates, Potgieter noted: "It's only 12 kilograms for a complete crop cycle — three kilograms per hectare spray. It's a huge reduction of input cost for the farmer, and once again, great sustainability and a better future for everyone."

Potgieter acknowledged the critical role played by KALRO and the Kenyan government in validating the technology. "Firstly, the Kenyan government as well as this institution, the ground that we're standing on here today, KALRO, the scientists have been a huge assistance. We've worked hand in hand to confirm that it's completely independent studies that have been done here on these grounds, and with associate commercial and private partners here, and we greatly support it."

Hez Gikang'a, Technical Advisor to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who represented the Cabinet Secretary at the launch, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the government's commitment to science-based agricultural solutions and its insistence on rigorous regulatory compliance. Gikang'a opened with a sobering observation about the flood of agricultural products entering the Kenyan market, warning that many offers make promises with little evidence behind them.

"To my colleagues from KALRO, independence and fidelity to the dominant principles of science are not mutual. If the data is good, say so. If the data is thin, let the product owner know so we can improve it with countermeasures, extension service workers, labour dealers, and the farmers themselves. This is co-creation. It improves product standards and use across the board," Gikang'a said.

He was unequivocal about regulatory compliance: "Let us also follow the procedures for all products. This also applies to PCPB. Go through KEPHIS, go through KRA, go through the full regulatory process under the law."

According to Agrimedic, PLANTOS VERDE offers multiple benefits for farmers and service providers, including increased yield and crop health through resilient plants, healthy soil regeneration through enriched soil microbiology, reduced irrigation needs through improved water retention and root efficiency, a lower carbon footprint through less irrigation and reduced chemical dependence, and sustainable farming practices that support biodiversity and long-term food security.

The introduction of technologies such as PLANTOS VERDE into Kenya is part of a larger conversation about how African agriculture can become more productive and resilient in the face of climate change. As Kenyan farmers face increasing pressure from climate variability, soil degradation, and rising costs, innovations that support both productivity and environmental stewardship are gaining traction.

The collaboration between Agrimedic East Africa, KALRO, and Agrimedic Global represents a commitment to equipping farmers with tools that address these interconnected challenges. With its focus on soil regeneration and sustainable practices, PLANTOS VERDE aims to contribute to building resilient, climate-smart food systems that support both farmers' livelihoods and the long-term health of Kenya's agricultural lands.

As the 6th National Agribusiness Summit kicked off at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) today, the buzz was not just about policy papers and panel discussions, but about a pressing question echoing through the halls: what will it take to make agriculture a real opportunity for young people?

The summit, running from September 9 to 11 under the theme "From Policy to Prosperity: Fixing Kenya's Agribusiness Ecosystem for Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Growth," brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and financiers. While the potential of agriculture is undisputed, the conversation is shifting from telling young people to go into farming to fundamentally redesigning the systems that often leave them out.

Setting the tone for the summit, Dr. Bimal Kantaria, EBS, OGW, Managing Director of Elgon Kenya Limited, Chairman of ASNET, and Board Director of KEPSA, delivered a candid assessment of the sector's progress and the work that remains.

"This time we're doing it slightly differently, we're partnering with the private sector company called Radical to do an expo as well as a conference together. The idea is that we will show practitioners that although we are talking but there's also a practical approach to the agriculture field," he said.

Dr. Kantaria emphasized that the theme reflects a sector that has moved beyond policy formulation to implementation. "As private sector we feel that there's enough policies in place now. Government over the last few years has solved most of the big government issues in the private sector, there's enough policies out there, so now we have to get action-oriented."

He highlighted significant government investments over the last two years that are already yielding results. The livestock traceability program has helped open export markets for Kenyan meat, while between 25 and 27 billion shillings has been invested in the fertilizer program to subsidize inputs. He also pointed to lower interest rates and an improving macroeconomic environment.

Kenya's expanding export markets were another sign of progress. Dr. Kantaria cited the China agreement and Kenya's position as the largest exporter of avocados into the Chinese market, as well as the growing share of African countries in Kenya's total exports. He also referenced textile exports to the United States under the existing trade agreement.

The private sector leader stressed that policy stability is essential for attracting investment. "The private sector says that it's better to have a predictable environment to attract more investment. Also, we have a pricing for agriculture so that we can quantify our profits and attract more," he said.

He noted that discussions between the private sector and the Ministry of Finance on budget formulation have increased, with policies becoming more stable and predictable than they were three or four years ago. "There has been an improvement and we see government is listening," he said.

Addressing the perception that banks do not want to finance agriculture, Dr. Kantaria offered a revealing insight: agricultural financing is often misclassified. A tractor purchase may be recorded under transport, while fertilizer financing may be assigned to another sector, even though the money is ultimately supporting agriculture.

He pointed to the agriculture desks now established by banks including KCB, Equity Bank, and Prime Bank, and said the decline in interest rates was among the most positive developments for farmers and agribusiness investors.

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Christopher Wanga, Director of Livestock Policy Research and Regulations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, outlined the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for investors and young agripreneurs.

"I wish to thank ASNET most sincerely for putting together these six summits on agribusiness and agri-tech. One of the critical issues and delivery point of this government is the digital technology uptake," Dr. Wanga said.

He encouraged investors and businesses to take advantage of the positive environment established by the government, noting that the ministry is ready to provide technical support around investment opportunities in the sector.

Dr. Wanga announced the establishment of the Kenya Agricultural Digital Information Platform and Analytics (KADIPA), previously known as the Agricultural Information Resource Center. The platform will make information available on investment opportunities, sector challenges, and ways to address them.

"People don't like putting their money in it because of lack of information. This heavy investment in amazing information and data will help to support critical investments in the sector," he explained. KADIPA is intended to help investors identify the most promising value chains in different counties, from camel and dairy milk in Nyeri to honey production in Baringo.

Dr. Wanga said the returns on agricultural investment are real because people consume both crop and livestock products, providing a ready market for what farmers and businesses produce.

In the livestock sector, he revealed that the government has rolled out an animal identification and traceability system. The system will enable livestock products to be identified, build consumer confidence, and improve access to better markets.

He also announced that the government is finalizing the Livestock Master Plan, which will address the entire livestock value chain and create investment opportunities across dairy, meat, poultry, pig, camel, and donkey production.

"Depending on the interest of the investor, we will be able to have an investment venue whereby targeted investments now can be made. Whether by the private sector, county government, national government, foreign direct investors, development partners," Dr. Wanga said.

With its focus on investment, technology, reliable information, market access, and youth inclusion, the summit is seeking to move Kenya's agribusiness conversation from policy to practical prosperity.

In a historic moment for African science advocacy, the inaugural Culture of Science Conference opened its doors in Nairobi today, bringing together policymakers, researchers, civil society, and communities under one roof. The three-day convening, organized by the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD), marks a pivotal shift in how the continent approaches the intersection of indigenous knowledge, scientific evidence, and health policy.

At the heart of the opening ceremony stood Mary Muia-Mukhwana, President of SIAF 2025/2026, Vice Chair of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY (NGOCSD-NY), Chair of CHReaD, and Founder and Director of WEMA WEALTH AFRICA, alongside Hon. Stephen Mutinda Mule, Member of Parliament for Matungulu Constituency. Together, they set the tone for a conference that seeks not only to advance health research but to root it deeply in African culture.

Speaking to delegates from across the continent, Muia-Mukhwana traced the origins of the conference back to 2015, when more than 40 civil society organizations came together to form CHReaD under her leadership as Chair. Their mission was clear: to bring the scientific agenda, particularly health research and development, out of the shadows and onto national and regional tables.

"We have made tremendous progress in health advocacy across various sectors," she said. "But when it comes to health research and development, there has been a glaring gap. This conference is our answer to that gap."

"Our roots carry traditional knowledge. They carry indigenous knowledge," she emphasized. "Yet the body of science often forgets this, or it is not highlighted enough. We want to bring together the culture of science so that we never forget the native skills and wisdom that contribute to the evidence base, especially in health."

This fusion, she argued, is not just about preserving heritage; it is about building trust, confidence, and accessibility in the health products and innovations that reach African communities. Muia-Mukhwana, whose global perspective is shaped by her roles in sustainable development, civil society, and health advocacy, stressed that disease knows no borders, and neither should health research.

The conference's four thematic pillars, domestic financing, manufacturing, regulatory frameworks, and research innovations, are designed to foster collaboration not just within Kenya, but across East, Central, and the entire African continent.

"We are calling for one voice for Africa," she declared. "We must domesticate the production of innovations and ensure that quality medicines and products are accessible to all our citizens. Market access should not be a privilege, it should be a right."

On the critical issue of domestic financing, Muia-Mukhwana acknowledged progress while calling for accountability. She referenced Hon. Mule's earlier remarks that 0.87% of Kenya's health budget is currently allocated to health research and development, with up to 2% of GDP going to general research, though absorption rates stand at just 60%.

"Yes, there is allocation," she said. "But it can be better. We want to track the results of what has already been allocated, even as we advocate for more."

To this end, CHReaD has established four committees, including one dedicated to domestic financing. The coalition has already equipped its members with tools to understand Kenya's budget cycle and engage effectively at every phase, from the Budget Policy Statement to final appropriation.

"Are we prepared for the next budget cycle?" she asked the room. "Because the Honorable Member reminded us that we have been left behind before. For the next budget, we must be ready."

Perhaps the most urgent call to action came when Muia-Mukhwana tackled the growing threat of misinformation in health, a challenge she is uniquely positioned to address through her combined roles in sustainable development, civil society, and health advocacy.

"Too much unverified information gives communities the wrong notion of things," she warned. "We must ensure that research is conducted properly, funded adequately, and most importantly translated into action."

She challenged researchers and institutions to move beyond publications and into practical impact: improved livelihoods, economic empowerment, and access to quality medicine.

"We can have excellent research papers," she concluded, "but if they do not translate into action, we have not done justice to the communities we serve. This conference is our chance to change that narrative."

Africa's scientific future cannot afford to wait for politicians to notice it, but neither can it succeed without them. This was the dual message delivered this morning as the first-ever Culture of Science Conference opened in Nairobi, with Kenyan leaders issuing an urgent call for researchers and innovators to engage directly with Parliament and the Treasury or watch their work remain confined to laboratories.

Hon. Stephen Mutinda Mule, MP for Matungulu Constituency and Chair of the TB Parliamentary Caucus, delivered a blunt warning to the more than 40 member organizations represented in Nairobi. "If you are a scientist and you don't find yourself in this gap, when legislation, policy and the budgeting process is being done, science will still be just science. It will wait," Mule declared. "Because it requires this particular intervention to make sure the science which helps our people is implemented."

His remarks were preceded by an opening address from Mary Muia-Mukhwana, President, SIAF 2025/2026; Vice Chair, NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY (NGOCSD-NY); Founder and Director, WEMA WEALTH AFRICA; and Chair of the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD) Steering Committee. She declared that the three-day gathering marks a turning point in how Africa engages with science, not as a distant discipline, but as the fabric of society itself. "Science is not a distant discipline. It is not reserved just to people that are in the laboratory or the academic journals," Muia-Mukhwana told delegates from across Kenya and the continent. "Without science, how our societies are governed, how our economies grow, how our communities thrive, these three cannot be put together."

Both leaders acknowledged that the gathering was long overdue. "This is the opening ceremony of the first-ever conference of culture of science in Africa," Muia-Mukhwana said. "The Culture of Science agenda has taken so long to be part of our agenda." Mule echoed the sentiment: "It's a conference which is completely overdue. We should have had these conferences a while back. The simple reason is that whatever we do in the labs and in society purely depends on science."

The conference theme, "Shaping Africa's Future through Science," reflects a collective conviction that the continent must embrace science as a cultural, political and economic force. Muia-Mukhwana emphasized that CHReaD now brings together more than 40 member organizations from different sectors across the continent, all united by a commitment to evidence and African expertise.

Mule delivered a blunt assessment of the current state of science in Africa, declaring that "research and development on this continent remains structural and unfunded." He stressed that without resources, scientific progress would stall, not because returns are absent, but because science has been treated as a technical matter rather than a political and economic priority that Parliament and Treasury must own. "That has changed and it has to change starting within this conference," he declared.

Drawing on his experience leading the TB Parliamentary Caucus, Mule offered a powerful example of what sustained political engagement can achieve. "Back in 2013, this country had a zero budget for TB. Zero. Not one, zero," he recounted. "And we sat down as members of parliament and made sure that TB had priority on budgeting." Today, he said, the TB caucus is one of the best-funded programs in the country and the region working to safeguard humanity.

"TB caucus has shown what sustainable political engagement can do when parliamentarians treat a health and research priority as a standing commitment rather than an annual debate," Mule said. "Financing follows. Domestic resource mobilization follows. Accountability follows. That is not unique to TB. It is a model this coalition can extend to the wide science innovation agenda this conference is viewing towards."

In a surprising revelation, Mule told delegates that Kenya already has a science fund, but it has remained largely unused since its establishment. "There is a science fund in this country. But it has been silent since 1972," he said, challenging delegates to leverage existing laws rather than demand new legislation. "Don't send me to parliament to make any new law. The law is there. It's you to dig that law out and know what it says. And look at the best way we can leverage on it."

He issued a direct challenge to researchers and scientists in the room: engage with Parliament's committee structures, and do it now. "Most of the African parliaments are working. The structure is more of the same. More work if you want to achieve your goal. You work with committees of parliament," Mule said, naming the committees on health, research and technology, education, and budget as key targets.

He offered a clear timeline for action, cautioning that the budget cycle for the next financial year begins in October. "Don't expect much on this financial year. You are already late. To be honest. Because the cycle of budgets starts in October," he said. "You are well-timed now to have this meeting. By the time the government brings in what we call the budget policy paper, whatever you need to achieve, it is that budget policy paper. If you want to do anything within the budget cycle of this country, don't wait when we will be setting out to reject the budget. It will be too late. Budget starts in October."

Mule warned that the Culture of Science Action Agenda 2026–2028, which will be negotiated and signed at the close of the conference, must be designed for legislative action. "An action agenda that only speaks to research and institutions will circle out what we need to achieve," he said. "An action agenda that names a parliament, a specific cost, timeline on act, on budget line, regulatory reform, on procurement, is an action agenda we can actually move. There is no option."

He urged delegates to identify the political champions needed to drive each recommendation forward. "Name the political position each recommendation depends on. Name who needs to make it. Give us something we can carry back to the committee rules of parliament." Reinforcing the conference theme, Mule insisted that the continent must shape its own future. "Shaping Africa's future through science, not borrowing, not waiting for it. Shaping it is in our own terms. The terms are within ourselves. And that's why I'm always insisting: African problems require African solutions."

He emphasized that political will is not a soft input but a precondition, noting that every regulatory path, every procurement guarantee, and every condition to scale runs through legislation and Treasury before it runs through a laboratory.

Over three days, delegates will engage in sessions across four pillars that form the backbone of a scientific society: financing scientific ambition through domestic resources, investment and philanthropic partnerships; enabling through policy and regulation to ensure rules facilitate rather than hinder innovation; catalyzing research and innovation by celebrating milestones across sectors including artificial intelligence and local manufacturing; and building public trust and legitimacy by confronting misinformation through evidence and science literacy.

Muia-Mukhwana identified building public trust as one of the most delicate challenges the conference will address. "Without a backup of evidence of science, we will be always confronted with misinformation," she warned. "We really want to confront misinformation through evidence and science and making that as our culture in our undertaking."

During the signing of the Culture of Science Action Agenda 2026–2028, delegates will set out a continental commitment framework addressing the stark reality that Africa bears 24 percent of the global disease burden but receives less than one percent of global health research and development investment.

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to reimagining Africa's clean energy future through circular innovation, inclusion, and measurable impact. The commitment was articulated by top government officials during the opening of the Kenya International Summit 2026, held under the theme "Sustainable Futures Reimagined: Sustainable Africa's Clean Energy System through Circular Innovation, Inclusion and Impact."

Speaking during the opening of the summit, Dr. Eng. Isaac Kiva, Secretary for Renewable Energy at the State Department for Energy, outlined Kenya's progress in building an affordable, flexible energy system capable of supporting rapid industrial growth. He emphasized that the government is strengthening policy frameworks, including the National Energy Policy and National Energy Framework, to create stronger conditions for investment, competition, and innovation.

"The system is now affordable, flexible, and capable of supporting a rapidly growing and increasingly industrial economy," Dr. Kiva stated. He noted that new industry consortiums would create opportunities for a faster, greener, and more sustainable economy, supported by investments in transmission infrastructure, energy storage, and more than 300 new technologies.

Dr. Kiva stressed the importance of moving beyond individual projects toward a unified national energy vision. "The need of energy practitioners must be mapped out by a coordinated system, rather than a combination of individual and national projects," he said, adding that "government alone cannot finance what the needs of the scale of the economy are." He called for enhanced cooperation between governments, the private sector, financial institutions, universities, research institutions, and communities, emphasizing that the energy transition must be inclusive. "We need young people and local communities to have the opportunity to participate in the global economy," Dr. Kiva added.

Also speaking during the opening of the summit, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng'eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, reinforced the message of inclusive transition, emphasizing that clean energy is not solely about decarbonisation but about empowering all segments of society. He noted that 90 per cent of Kenya's electricity generation comes from renewable sources.

"This transition means geographic inclusion," Dr. Ng'eno said. "It means that women who bear the biggest part of energy over the continent appear in this transition as engineers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers, not only as beneficiaries." He also highlighted that about 53 percent of Kenya's population is under 20 years old, underscoring the need for generational inclusion and green jobs for Africa's youthful population.

Dr. Ng'eno pointed to the government's broader environmental governance efforts, citing the National Sustainable Waste Management Act (2022), the Climate Change Act (2023), and Extended Producer Responsibility regulations as key frameworks driving the country's transition from waste-as-disposal to waste-as-resource. He commended Kenya's progress in renewable energy and said the country is well-positioned to advance these agendas as one of Africa's leaders in renewable energy and environmental policy. "The economy must be both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive," he concluded.

The summit comes at a pivotal moment as Kenya prepares to host the second International Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa in 2026, alongside Norway, the United States, and the International Energy Agency, underscoring the country's role as a central actor in Africa's new energy agenda.

Both officials reiterated the government's commitment to advancing a sustainable, inclusive, and safe clean energy transition through supportive policy frameworks, innovation, research, and investment. They called for deliberate action beyond rhetoric, anchored in policy certainty, innovative financing, and strong public-private collaboration.

Kenya's religious leaders and constitutional office holders have issued a raft of stern warnings and far-reaching commitments following a high-stakes national convention that laid bare five critical threats to the country's electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 General Election. The gathering, convened under the auspices of the Kenya Religious Leaders Forum, brought together over 150 delegates from constitutional, security, civil society, and professional institutions for two days of deliberations on the nation's preparedness and the path toward peaceful and credible polls.

The Forum brings together the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims. Opening the proceedings with urgent moral authority, NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui warned that institutional inaction and political bad faith could ignite widespread public frustration long before polling day. He emphasized that an election is a long-term process, not an event on a single day, and that electoral integrity depends on the independence and transparency of public institutions starting immediately.

SUPKEM Secretary General Sheikh Abdullahi Salat stressed that faith communities have a fundamental responsibility to contribute constructively to the protection of peace, justice, and national unity, while demanding that state organs demonstrate neutrality early enough to build public trust. Dr. Elias Mokua of the KCCB added a sharp warning against early political goonism, systemic hate speech, and the weaponization of state instruments.

Perhaps the most striking intervention came from EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde, who addressed the corrosive relationship between corruption and electoral politics. Oginde warned that dirty campaign financing could distort voters' choices by giving wealthy candidates an unfair advantage and fueling systemic corruption once politicians assume office. He cautioned that politicians who finance campaigns through proceeds of corruption, money laundering, or unexplained wealth may later reward financiers through inflated tenders and manipulated procurement processes.

Oginde urged religious leaders to prevent the normalization of illicit wealth during the electoral period and to speak truth to power without fear or favour. He argued that the country cannot build a society of integrity if citizens become beneficiaries of illicit resources.

Institutional responses also shaped the convention's discourse. IEBC Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana, representing the Commission's Chairperson, reaffirmed the electoral body's commitment to delivering a credible, transparent, and peaceful election while calling on stakeholders to hold the Commission accountable through sustained dialogue. The National Police Service, represented by Dr. Masoud Mwinyi, pledged strict police impartiality, enhanced public accountability, and improved security coordination to protect democratic space and shield citizens from political intimidation and electoral violence.

The convention's final communique distilled the deliberations into five central threats. Delegates condemned the normalization of political violence and state-sponsored goonism, warning that selective policing can blur the line between law enforcement and illegal armed gangs. Religious leaders committed to campaigning publicly for the arrest and prosecution of anyone paying citizens to commit violence and to mobilizing congregations against electoral aggression.

The convention also addressed institutional capture and the co-option of faith institutions by political actors. Delegates resolved to deny political actors access to church pulpits and mosque podiums for political gain, promote anonymized giving in places of worship, and refuse to allow faith institutions to legitimize political actors seeking electoral advantage.

Growing political monetization drew further criticism, with delegates warning that Kenya risks transitioning from democracy to plutocracy as wealthy interests exploit poorer citizens. They called for legal and policy reforms to cap campaign spending and improve transparency in political financing.

On misinformation and hate speech, religious leaders committed to building positive narratives that enhance national cohesion and to working with stakeholders to establish fact-checking structures capable of countering falsehoods in real time, particularly on digital platforms.

Finally, delegates condemned the structural exclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities. They noted that youth represent 75 percent of the population but hold only 4 percent of elected parliamentary seats, while women hold 23 percent and persons with disabilities only 1 percent of elective positions. Delegates called on religious organizations to review their own leadership frameworks while advocating national reforms to strengthen inclusion and representation.

Industry leaders and stakeholders gathered today at the Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi for a press conference ahead of the inaugural Africa Events Summit (AES), set to take place September 10-11, 2026. The summit, a private sector-led initiative, is being hailed as a historic first for the region, bringing together event planners, producers, venues, suppliers, brands, tourism stakeholders, and global manufacturers under one roof.

At the heart of the briefing was a bold call for stronger collaboration within East Africa's events industry, which has long been hindered by silos and a lack of trust among key players.

"The main objective of the event is to act as a catalyst for industry collaboration, networking, and knowledge exchange. This is one of a kind, bringing together event stakeholders across the region for the first time in history," said Ian Migwi, AES Convener and CEO of Billion Events.

While the private sector is driving the summit, its ambitions are firmly rooted in policy. Recommendations from the two-day gathering will be submitted to Kenya's Principal Secretary of Tourism to help shape future decision-making.

One of the most pressing issues raised during the press conference was the long-delayed operationalization of a national convention bureau, a body seen as critical to positioning Kenya and the region as a competitive MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination.

"Lest we forget, the convention bureau is still yet to take off due to budgetary constraints competing with education and healthcare budgets in Parliament," noted Simon P., a MICE analyst, during the briefing.

Despite the setback, the AES Secretariat acknowledged positive strides from the public sector, including the recent waiver of visas for 52 African countries, the ongoing expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and the construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex.

Security also took center stage. Litali Kingsley, CEO of CRIMESHIELD SECURITY LTD, urged event organizers to prioritize attendee safety, warning against treating security as an afterthought.

"The security and safety of attendees is paramount for the overall event experience. During the summit, we shall be hosting a masterclass on event security with real case studies. We believe that no one should lose their personal belongings in pursuit of great experiences," said Kingsley, pointing to rising insecurities at some popular event venues that threaten the region's appeal.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Otwal, talent manager for Tanzanian superstar Alikiba, will lead a masterclass on creative alignment and experience design. He called on corporates to invest more in local artists for campaigns and events, emphasizing the need to nurture the creative economy.

The Kenya Religious Leaders Forum, comprising the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), today successfully concluded a two-day National Stakeholders' Convention at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, held on September 2 and 3, 2026. The high-level forum brought together a broad coalition of state and non-state actors, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Police Service (NPS), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), civil society organizations, and media practitioners, all united by a shared objective to assess Kenya's preparedness for the 2027 General Election and to forge a collective roadmap toward a peaceful, transparent, and accountable electoral process.

Throughout the two days of robust deliberation, key stakeholders delivered powerful messages reaffirming their institutional commitments to the nation. IEBC Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana, speaking on behalf of the Commission's Chairperson, assured Kenyans of the IEBC's unwavering resolve to deliver a credible and transparent election, urging all actors to chart the country's peaceful path to 2027 while holding the Commission accountable through sustained dialogue. Similarly, the National Police Service, represented by Dr. Masoud Mwinyi, Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, pledged to uphold impartiality and accountability throughout the election cycle, emphasizing that public safety and collaborative partnerships remain central to the Service's mandate. The faith community's voice was powerfully articulated by SUPKEM Secretary General Sheikh Abdullahi Salat, who led the Council's delegation, asserting that faith communities have a responsibility to contribute constructively to the protection of peace, justice, and national unity, while reiterating SUPKEM's steadfast commitment to peaceful democratic engagement. Complementing these sentiments, the NCCK and other forum members issued a clarion call for a multi-sectoral approach, urging religious institutions, state bodies, civil society, and the media to work in unison to protect the integrity of the electoral process and uphold the dignity of the Kenyan voter.

After exhaustive discussions, the convention distilled its deliberations into several key resolutions and actionable recommendations designed to safeguard the 2027 elections. First and foremost, participants resolved to sustain inclusive dialogue and mutual accountability, recognizing that only through continuous engagement can emerging challenges be addressed and every actor remain answerable to the Kenyan people. On institutional preparedness, the forum underscored the urgent need to intensify coordination between the IEBC, security agencies, and other constitutional bodies to ensure operational readiness, technical robustness, and elevated public confidence in the electoral infrastructure. Crucially, the convention affirmed that safeguarding the upcoming elections is a shared national duty, with religious leaders, state institutions, civil society, and the media each expected to play their distinct yet complementary roles in mitigating risks, countering disinformation, and promoting national cohesion. Finally, the participants committed to moving beyond rhetoric by formulating concrete, practical interventions, including early warning mechanisms and risk mitigation strategies, to address potential threats before, during, and after the election cycle.

In conclusion, the Kenya Religious Leaders Forum and all convention participants reiterated their solemn dedication to a free, fair, and peaceful election in 2027, and called upon all Kenyans, political leaders, citizens, and institutions alike, to embrace dialogue, reject divisive rhetoric, and work collectively for the stability, unity, and prosperity of the nation. As a tangible next step, a technical working group has been established to translate the convention's recommendations into implementable actions, with progress to be reviewed in subsequent stakeholder engagements. The Forum remains resolute in its conviction that Kenya's democratic destiny is a shared inheritance, and that with collective will and moral courage, the country will once again demonstrate to the world its capacity for peaceful democratic transitions.

The second day of the Africa Global Public Relations Week (AGPRW) 2026 shifted from broad aspirations to urgent strategy, with a powerful warning from one of the continent's leading communications technologists: Africa must not be "a chapter written by others" in the age of artificial intelligence.

Addressing PR professionals from 25 countries, Phyllis Migwi, Founder of DRYL Strategies, delivered a stirring keynote that reframed the entire conversation around the "Trust Paradigm Shift." "In this era of intelligence, Africa must not be a chapter written by others," Migwi declared. "We must be its authors. Ours is a story of agency, ingenuity, and innovation, built for our own context and told in our own voice."

Migwi introduced the concept of an "AI-mediated information economy," describing a world where citizens no longer search for answers on Google but instead ask AI systems, receiving a single, confident, synthesized reply, often without visible sources and rarely verified.

"Reputation is now being assembled by machines," she warned. "What information is shaping what people, and increasingly AI systems, believe about your organization?" She cited stark data. Analysis of AI citation behavior shows that 75% to 90% of AI generated answers cite under-media and third-party sources, not official company websites. This means communicators are losing control of their own narratives to algorithms they do not govern.

The numbers painted a picture of an industry at a crossroads. While generative AI use among PR professionals has plateaued at 76%, and daily use stands at 92% according to an Insight VR survey, only 12% have moved beyond basic drafting into workflow-embedded AI. Migwi called this a "table stakes" approach that leaves vast opportunities, especially in governance and strategic oversight, untouched.

"None of this works if you don't have data governance," Migwi insisted. "This is not a compliance checkbox. This is how we build trust."

"For the leaders, put communicators in the room when data governance and AI policies are being planned. Communication experts must not come to the table after the strategy is written. They must be at its development."

The second edition of the Africa Global Public Relations Week (AGPRW) opened today with a powerful call to action: Africa must stop responding to narratives and start shaping them. The three-day conference, running until August 28th, has brought together over 1,000 delegates from the public relations, communications, media, government, and business sectors to explore the evolving role of strategic communication in shaping Africa's narrative, influence, and global engagement.

The opening session was marked by impassioned speeches from industry leaders who challenged the continent to move beyond reactive storytelling and embrace intentional narrative building.

Mary Njoki, CEO and Founder of Glass House PR, set the tone with a stirring address that drew on the transformation stories of China and Singapore as lessons for Africa. She reminded delegates that China's economic transformation, which lifted 800 million people out of poverty and Singapore's deliberate nation-building from a small resource-constrained state were not accidents of history but the results of intentional storytelling.

"China did not wait for anyone to tell their story. They actually took their own narrative and told their story of transformation, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, education," Njoki said. "We, as Africa, must communicate our innovation, our creativity, our entrepreneurship, our culture, and our human potential."

In a moment that resonated deeply with the audience, Njoki declared: "The pen was never really lost. We simply gave it away. Today, at Africa, we are big. I'm inviting you to join me. Take the pen, and let's write the story of Africa."

H.E. Ms. Salome Zulu Mmola, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Kenya, reinforced this message, drawing on her extensive experience in public diplomacy and strategic communications. She emphasized that every diplomatic action communicates something from bilateral meetings to presidential visits to cultural showcases.

"A nation's reputation is not built by local laws alone; it is built by the totality of its actions and by how we effectively communicate those actions," she said. "From 2018 to 2019, Africa has become very good at responding to narratives. A story appears, a perception develops, a stereotype is repeatedly repeated, and then we mobilize to correct things. But reputation cannot be built on reaction. We must move from being reactive in communication to intentional narrative building."

The High Commissioner underscored that Africa's story must be complete acknowledging challenges while celebrating achievements: "Authenticity also means refusing to allow one dimension of our reality to become the definition of our entire continent. We can speak about employment while also speaking about entrepreneurship. We can discuss conflict while showcasing that many African countries are peaceful and stable."

She called for coherence in Africa's communication efforts: "Not uniformity, but coherence. We need a shared understanding of values and aspirations that we want to associate with Africa. Three principles should guide us: consistency, authenticity, and agency. Consistency builds cognition. Authenticity builds trust. And agency ensures that Africa remains at the center of defining the African brand."

Dr. Ike Alienaku, FNIPR, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, delivered a hard-hitting address that identified critical gaps undermining Africa's brand. He cited the gap between leaders and citizens, the failure in policy marketing, and the disconnect between talking and doing as key challenges.

"We design policies fantastic policies but we don't pay attention to how these policies are marketed, how they are promoted, how they are packaged and presented," Dr. Alienaku said. "It is only after the policies have run into a big wall that we rush back and bring communicators to the table, who ought to have been there at the point when the policy was being formulated."

All speakers converged on a shared vision: Africa's narrative requires an ecosystem of storytellers working in concert. Diplomats, government communicators, PR professionals, media, businesses, and the creative industries must collaborate to project a coherent and authentic African brand.

"Diplomats cannot build reputation alone. Governments cannot do that alone. Neither can PR professionals, media, business, and the creative sector alone," said High Commissioner Mmola. "We need an ecosystem of African storytellers."

The stage is set at the Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) 2026 Semi Finals in Nairobi, where 20 of the continent's top entrepreneurs are pitching their ventures for a share of the $1.5 million prize. Among them, representing Côte d'Ivoire, is Green Agro Valley, a company turning the challenge of unreliable water access into a story of year-round agricultural abundance. The two day event, held in Kenya's capital, marks a critical juncture for the 20 semi finalists selected from over 24,000 applicants across 54 African countries. These entrepreneurs, hailing from 12 nations and spanning sectors like agritech, healthcare, and renewable energy, are competing for one of the 10 spots at the Grand Finale in Kigali this December.

Green Agro Valley, founded in 2018 by Ivorian engineer Appessica Laurent KOFFI, has distinguished itself with its mission to democratize access to sustainable irrigation. The company provides solar-powered irrigation systems, laser spray technology, and solar drilling solutions to farmers across 2 African countries, helping them reduce costs and boost productivity. After presenting his company's impressive track record, including recognition from EDF Pulse Africa and the GIZ-led WE4F program, the CEO and Founder made a startling declaration.

"I don't need funding," KOFFI told the judges and assembled audience, his voice steady with conviction. "What I need is more than money." He challenged the investors present to think beyond traditional capital injections, revealing that Green Agro Valley is prepared to offer equity to strategic partners who can bring something more valuable than funding: networks, connections, and market access.

"We are incredibly proud to be among the Top 20," KOFFI said after his presentation. "This recognition validates our vision for a modern, sustainable, and accessible agricultural sector in Africa. Our goal is to transform African agriculture through innovative, high-impact solutions like solar irrigation and drilling, which improve the living conditions of rural communities. But to truly scale, we need partners who share our vision and can bring more than just capital to the table."

The Semi Finals in Nairobi hold particular significance, as the city hosted the inaugural ABH semi final in 2019. This year, the event is providing entrepreneurs with invaluable opportunities to connect with investors and strategic partners from Africa and beyond. As Abraham Mbuthia, a 2025 ABH runner-up, advised the participants, the key is to "sharpen your story, know your numbers," and build lasting relationships beyond the judging process.

For Green Agro Valley and the other 19 heroes, the journey is a testament to the vibrant and innovative spirit driving Africa's entrepreneurial landscape.

In a landmark moment for Beninese agribusiness, Zodome Gildas, Agronomist Engineer and PhD in Environment, Health and Sustainable Development, has been named one of the 20 finalists of the prestigious Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) 2026 competition. Selected from a staggering pool of over 24,000 applicants across all 54 African nations, Gildas stands as the sole representative from Benin, a testament to the transformative power of his company, BIO PHYTO SA.

Founded in 2011, Biophyto has grown from a local initiative into a regional powerhouse, specializing in the production of certified organic fertilizers and bio pesticides. As the only producer of ECOCERT approved agricultural inputs in Benin, the company offers patented alternatives to harmful chemicals like glyphosate, with flagship products including TopBio, AgroBio, and Neem Oil. This commitment to quality and sustainability has fueled remarkable financial growth, with revenues leaping from approximately €328,000 in 2020 to over €3 million in 2025, supported by a €2.75 million loan from the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries and backing from partners like Enabel and Kampani.

However, Biophyto's impact extends far beyond its balance sheet. The company's operations are deeply rooted in community empowerment, directly engaging over 3,000 rural women to collect neem seeds for production, collaborating with more than 2,000 smallholder suppliers, and creating dozens of direct jobs. By promoting biological farming methods, the company simultaneously protects farmers from toxic exposure, reduces environmental pollution, and champions a circular economy by recycling agricultural waste into organic compost.

Speaking about his selection, Gildas shared, "It is with immense pride that I announce my selection among the 20 finalists of Africa's Business Heroes 2026. I am honored to be the sole representative from Benin, a recognition that highlights BIOPHYTO SA, Beninese innovation, and sustainable agriculture."

The journey now advances to the semi finals in Nairobi, Kenya, where Gildas will present Biophyto's vision before an international jury of investors and business leaders. He dedicated the recognition to his entire team, their partners, and the thousands of farmers who have placed their trust in their products.

"This distinction is the fruit of the hard work of the entire Biophyto team," Gildas added. "Together, let's continue to make Benin shine."

As the semi finals approach, Biophyto stands as a shining example of how a purpose driven business can achieve commercial success while creating lasting environmental and social value, proving that sustainable agriculture is not just good for the planet, but a powerful engine for economic growth and community resilience in West Africa and beyond.

The African Business Heroes (ABH) competition returned to its birthplace this week, welcoming 20 exceptional entrepreneurs from across the continent to Nairobi for the 2026 semi-finals.

The event, hosted by the philanthropic initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation, has evolved significantly since its launch in 2018. What began as a gathering of 20 entrepreneurs in Nairobi has now grown into a continent-wide movement that has received over 24,000 applications this year alone.

The choice of Nairobi as this year's semi-final venue holds special significance. Kenya has produced nine ABH award-winning companies to date, including recognizable names like Pula Advisors, Group Clean Soap, Endoshoes, Blue Pass, London Point, Solutex, and Fortune Credit, all companies that are transforming lives across the country and beyond.

This year's semi-finalists represent 12 African countries across 10 different sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, education, energy, climate technologies, AI, and IT. The diversity extends beyond sectors; eight of the entrepreneurs are women, and participants range from their 20s to their 50s.

"The numbers tell us something about the scale and strength of the businesses represented here," Andy noted. "These businesses generated approximately $85 million in revenue in 2025."

The entrepreneurs hail from across the continent, including Morocco, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, and beyond. Thomas Njeru, Co-founder and CEO of Pula Advisors and last year's first runner-up, addressed the semi-finalists with words of encouragement and wisdom.

"I know exactly how you feel sitting in those seats, the nerves, the excitement, the conflict, the uncertainty of whether you prepared enough," Njeru shared. "Making it from 24,000 applications to just 20 entrepreneurs is no small thing."

Njeru emphasized that while the competition is intense, the true value lies in the community. "By the end of this weekend, we all live as winners because we now have access to one of ABH's greatest assets, the ABH community. It's a network of thousands of entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, mentors, and ecosystem partners across Africa and beyond."

A judge who has been involved with ABH for over five years addressed the shifting dynamics in the social impact sector, highlighting two major forces reshaping the landscape: artificial intelligence and the growing emphasis on local solutions.

"AI can actually widen the gap instead of closing it if not carefully nurtured," she warned. However, she also noted the immense potential for African innovation to define the continent's place in the AI era.

"When you think about the innovation and the work, it's not just innovation, it's the concept of social impact as one that is really rooted in the local," she explained. "We no longer need just people to solve problems, but ones that are commercially viable, with sound fundamentals that can demonstrate social impact and environmental protection that can coexist together."

The semi-finalists will pitch to judges over the coming days before an audience of more than 2,000 registered attendees, including entrepreneurs, investors, media, and students from local universities. The top 10 will be announced at a gala dinner on Saturday, November 22nd, and will advance to the grand finale in Kigali this December.

"Behind every business represented here are sacrifices that many people will never know, the product that fails, the deals that almost happened, the days when you've had every reason to give up and you've chosen to keep going," Njeru reminded the entrepreneurs. "Make your teams proud. Make your families proud. Make your communities proud. And most importantly, make your country proud."

The Kenya Health Summit 2026 officially drew to a close on Wednesday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, capping two days of intense deliberation with a decisive shift in focus from celebrating policy milestones to guaranteeing tangible improvements in patient care.

The summit, which brought together over 5,000 delegates including government officials, county governors, healthcare workers, development partners, and civil society representatives, had opened on a high note with President William Ruto announcing that 32.3 million Kenyans are now registered under the Social Health Authority. However, the final day's conversations were decidedly more grounded, with the overarching sentiment being that registration numbers and policy wins are meaningless without reliable, accessible services that reach every citizen regardless of where they live.

The central discussion on the final day pivoted from establishing the architecture of Universal Health Coverage to ensuring that this architecture delivers consistently and effectively across all 47 counties. Speakers from both national and county governments acknowledged that the greatest challenge ahead is not policy formulation but implementation coordination, particularly given that counties bear the primary responsibility for frontline health service delivery.

The conversation repeatedly returned to the need for seamless collaboration between the two levels of government, with delegates emphasizing that health investments must translate into shorter waiting times, better equipped facilities, and ultimately, healthier communities.

Among the key recommendations that emerged from the final deliberations, a powerful consensus formed around the need for Kenya to achieve health sovereignty by investing in domestic manufacturing of medicines, vaccines, and medical diagnostics. The goal is to reduce reliance on volatile international supply chains, create jobs, and ensure that essential commodities are always available when and where they are needed.

Delegates also recommitted to strengthening primary healthcare as the dependable front door to the health system, calling for the full operationalization of the 278 Primary Care Networks across the country. This includes ensuring that the Primary Healthcare Fund, which has already disbursed 23.3 billion shillings to over 9,300 facilities, translates into better equipped centers and more responsive services for the 20 million outpatient visits recorded annually.

Another critical recommendation addressed the persistent threat of industrial unrest among healthcare workers, with stakeholders calling for the development of a unified, long-term health workforce plan covering recruitment, fair compensation, and retention. Structured dialogue was urged to prevent future strikes that disrupt care for vulnerable patients. Additionally, the summit recommended deepening digital health integration by linking the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority supply chain systems with the Digital Health Agency, allowing for real-time data tracking to anticipate and prevent medicine stock-outs before they occur.

The summit culminated in the adoption of the Joint UHC Acceleration Plan and a formal Summit Communique, which set binding targets for the next two years. These include growing SHA enrollment to exceed 45 million Kenyans, reducing out-of-pocket health expenditures to below 15 percent of total health spending, and increasing local pharmaceutical manufacturing to 75 percent of KEMSA-supplied products by 2028.

Parliament made a firm commitment to support these goals through robust legislation and oversight, with a particular focus on cracking down on fraud and waste within the health sector. The SHA-922 Lifeline and National Ambulance Dispatch Center were also highlighted as critical tools for ensuring no Kenyan is turned away from emergency care due to inability to pay, reinforcing the principle that health is a right, not a privilege.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki underscored the need for reliability above all else, stating that the objective is a health system that works the first time, in every county and for every Kenyan, and that success will not be measured by the policies passed but by the mother who delivers safely, the child who gets immunized, and the family that does not go bankrupt seeking care.

He made a direct appeal to healthcare workers, urging dialogue over industrial action and reminding them that strikes have a direct, devastating impact on patients, with the ultimate victim always being the most vulnerable Kenyan.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi framed health as a matter of national survival, declaring that health is no longer only a social sector concern but a question of national resilience, economic security, and sustainable development. He called for a decisive move from reacting to emergencies to anticipating and preventing them, emphasizing that a healthy nation is a productive nation.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reflected on how far the country has come, contrasting the past with the present by noting that there was a time when KEMSA could only fill 35 percent of orders, but today that figure stands at 95 percent. He stressed that behind every number is a Kenyan mother who delivered safely, a child who was immunized, a grandfather who received dialysis he could not previously afford, and a frontline health worker who is, for the first time in years, being paid what they are worth, and that this is the true measure of the reform.

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula pledged legislative backing for the reforms, stating that Parliament stands ready to provide the legal framework and oversight needed to protect these gains and will not tolerate impunity or wastage of public resources meant for health.

President William Ruto delivered a powerful and candid keynote address that framed Kenya's healthcare transformation as one of the most consequential social transformations in the nation's history, urging citizens to safeguard these gains from political disruption and declaring that universal healthcare must become part of the national covenant, not merely an achievement of a single government or president.

His speech was notable for its honesty and personal commitment, as he acknowledged a critical funding gap by admitting that while countries successfully providing Universal Health Coverage typically contribute up to fifteen percent of their income to health, Kenya currently contributes only 2.75 percent, signaling an urgent need for increased domestic investment and a shift away from overreliance on external donors.

President Ruto positioned Africa as a leader rather than a follower in global health innovation, stating emphatically that the continent has the intellectual capability to create locally relevant health solutions and should not remain a mere consumer of health technologies but must take the lead in their development, a vision that resonated deeply with the international delegates present.

In a touching gesture that underscored the human-centred approach of his administration, the President made a personal pledge to support new mothers by providing diapers for those leaving hospitals after childbirth, a commitment that drew widespread applause and highlighted his focus on maternal and child health as a priority area within the broader reforms.

Beyond the rhetoric, President Ruto detailed concrete contributions and milestones achieved under his watch, most notably the registration of over 32 million Kenyans with the Social Health Authority, a massive leap from the eight million covered under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund, which he presented as evidence that the transition was not only necessary but already yielding tangible results.

He highlighted the deployment of 107,800 Community Health Promoters who have reached more than nine million households across the country, and announced a significant financial commitment whereby the national government would pay half of the Social Health Authority contributions for these promoters, with counties covering the other half, ensuring that community health workers are not left behind in the quest for universal coverage.

The President also underscored his administration's investment in health infrastructure, pointing to the KSh9.6 billion National Equipment Service Programme that has seen 862 specialised medical equipment units, including CT scanners, renovated theatres, and laboratories, deployed across 251 health facilities in 44 counties, while the Digital Health Agency has distributed over 42,000 digital devices to support real time processing of health claims.

On the supply chain front, President Ruto celebrated the KSh10 billion recapitalisation of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, which dramatically improved the order fill rate from a dismal 35 percent to an impressive 95 percent, ensuring that health facilities across the country now receive essential medicines more consistently and reliably.

Perhaps most significantly, President Ruto issued a strong appeal for domestic health financing and local manufacturing, urging African nations to invest more from within and reduce dependency on external partners by expanding the local production of essential health products and medical supplies, a move he described as critical for long term health security and economic sovereignty.

He also made a direct call to Kenyans to embrace the reforms as a shared national project, warning that the benefits of the transformation would only be realised if citizens actively participated in protecting the gains and holding all stakeholders accountable.

The day culminated in a Presidential Town Hall session, an interactive platform where President Ruto directly engaged with citizens, listening to their experiences, concerns, and priorities regarding the ongoing reforms, a move that underscored his commitment to inclusive governance and his belief that healthcare transformation must be driven from the ground up.

His closing remarks reinforced the message that while the journey towards Universal Health Coverage was ongoing and not without challenges, the benefits of prioritising health were far reaching and transformative, setting a determined and hopeful tone for the remainder of the summit and reaffirming his personal and administrative commitment to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every Kenyan.

Police arrested several human rights activists earlier this morning during a picket outside the Inspector General of Police's office, where the group had gathered to demand the immediate resignation of IG Douglas Kanja over rising deaths in police custody and allegations of police misconduct.

The activists, operating under the banner "Concerned Citizens of Kenya," had assembled outside police headquarters to present their demands and address members of the media regarding what they describe as a crisis of public confidence in the National Police Service. Their protest comes amid mounting pressure on Kanja's leadership, with human rights organizations documenting alarming statistics on custodial deaths that have intensified calls for accountability. police moved in swiftly to disperse the demonstrators, making multiple arrests before the group could deliver their petition or hold the planned press briefing. The specific charges the arrestees will face remain unclear, though they are expected to be presented in court in the coming days.

The demonstration reflects deepening public frustration over police accountability, driven by recent data that paints a grim picture of the country's policing practices. The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) has documented 20 deaths in police custody so far in 2026, matching the 20 recorded for the entire year of 2025, representing a troubling escalation. Among the victims recorded this year are 19 adults aged between 25 and 64, including 18 men and one woman, as well as an infant boy who was accompanying his mother in custody when he died at Mamba Police Post. Forensic autopsies conducted on 18 of the 20 cases have revealed disturbing patterns in custodial deaths. Eight victims died from suffocation caused by hanging or neck compression, while five succumbed to severe physical violence and blunt-force trauma, including critical head injuries. An additional five died from underlying medical conditions—including severe hypertension, diabetes, ulcers, and internal infections—that deteriorated fatally due to neglect, poor detention conditions, and lack of timely medical care while in custody.

Another human rights organization, VOCAL Africa, has reported even higher figures, documenting 22 deaths in police custody and more than 70 people shot by police this year, including 20 killed during protests over fuel prices. The activists' demand for Kanja's resignation also reflects broader concerns about the use of lethal force against protesters and alleged collaboration between police and vigilante groups. A lawsuit filed at the Milimani High Court by five Kenyans accuses Kanja and the National Police Service Commission of failing to take action against officers accused of abducting and killing peaceful protestors during the 2024-2025 protests, with petitioners alleging more than 80 deaths and multiple abductions during that period. The morning's events underscore the growing confrontation between civil society demanding police accountability and a police leadership struggling to restore public confidence amid mounting evidence of systemic failures in custodial care and use of force.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Government of the Republic of Kenya have solidified their commitment to sustainable development with the signing of a Host Country Agreement (HCA) today. The pact formalizes the institutional framework for GGGI’s operations in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the country’s partnership with the intergovernmental organization.

The agreement was signed in Nairobi on Thursday by H.E. Hon. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, and Dr. Mallé Fofana, GGGI’s Deputy Executive Director and Head of the Green Growth Implementation Directorate. Dr. Fofana is visiting Kenya specifically for the signing ceremony.

This development follows Kenya’s accession to GGGI on 18 April 2025, when it became the Institute’s 50th Member State. GGGI subsequently established its Kenya Country Office in August 2025, reinforcing its in-country presence and long-term engagement with the government.

The Host Country Agreement provides a crucial institutional foundation for GGGI’s continued collaboration with Kenya to advance green growth, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development. It legally establishes GGGI’s presence, allowing for deeper cooperation and streamlined project implementation.

Dr. Mallé Fofana echoed these sentiments, noting the strategic importance of the partnership. "Kenya’s accession as GGGI’s 50th Member State marked the beginning of an important new chapter in our partnership, and the signing of the Host Country Agreement now provides the institutional foundation to deepen that relationship," he said. "Kenya has demonstrated strong leadership on climate action, green growth and sustainable development, and GGGI is committed to working alongside the Government to translate that ambition into practical solutions, mobilise investment and strengthen partnerships that deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits. We are particularly pleased to establish Kenya as an important platform for advancing green growth solutions and knowledge across Africa."

Kenya’s partnership with GGGI reflects a broader national ambition to accelerate a green economic transformation that creates jobs, strengthens resilience, protects natural capital, and mobilises investment for sustainable development. GGGI’s Kenya program currently supports a range of national priorities, including climate finance and carbon market development, green hydrogen, integrating biodiversity into economic planning, circular economy policy, and sustainable agriculture and wetland management.

The formalization of GGGI’s presence also creates new opportunities to deepen knowledge exchange and regional cooperation. Given Kenya’s established leadership on climate action and sustainable development, the country is well-positioned to serve as an important platform for advancing green growth solutions and investment across the African continent.

The HCA builds on several years of collaboration between Kenya and GGGI. Prior to Kenya’s membership, the partnership included work on the Kenya Green Growth Index, which provided an evidence-based framework for understanding opportunities related to sustainable resource use, natural capital protection, green economic opportunities, and social inclusion.

Following Kenya’s accession, GGGI established an in-country presence with offices embedded within the National Treasury and Economic Planning, as well as the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. This structure supports stronger government ownership and ensures alignment with national development priorities.

Through its Kenya program, GGGI is actively working with the government and other stakeholders to translate policy ambition into tangible investment and implementation opportunities. Current initiatives include support for Kenya’s readiness to mobilize climate finance through carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the development of the green hydrogen sector, biodiversity mainstreaming through the SYMBIOTIC program, and efforts to advance circular economy and sustainable natural resource management.

The signing of the Host Country Agreement therefore represents more than a legal formality; it establishes a resilient framework for a long-term partnership focused on helping Kenya achieve inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic growth for years to come.

A Russian film premiere in Nairobi has opened fresh prospects for cultural exchange and creative collaboration between Kenya and Russia. More than 100 people attended the Kenyan premiere of Mission Sky at Greenspan Mall, bringing together government representatives, filmmakers, cultural enthusiasts and members of the Kenyan and Russian communities.

Organisers said the event was more than a film screening. It was an opportunity to deepen understanding between the two countries and create new avenues for cooperation in film, education and the creative industries.

Paul Tobiko, an official from the Bido County Department of Education in the Governor's Office, said his visit to Moscow last year for the Russia-Africa Tourism and Investment Forum changed his perception of Russia. “What we probably knew all along is what we see in the headlines, what we see in the newspapers, in the news,” Tobiko said. “But I was amazed at how, by interacting with people, you get to appreciate more about their culture and all that.” He said films could help audiences understand societies beyond news headlines and stereotypes.

Opening doors for creatives

Eric Ochieng, coordinator of Path to Russia, the NGO behind the screening, said Mission Sky tells a story of resilience, courage and determination through the experiences of a Russian pilot facing major challenges during a mission. He said bringing the film to Kenya was intended to introduce audiences to Russian cinema while laying the groundwork for wider cultural cooperation. “This is the beginning of it. Actually, this is the first Russian film to be premiered in Kenya,” Ochieng said.

A two-way cultural exchange

Tatiana Magarshak, a Russian national who has lived in Kenya for more than 30 years, said the initiative was particularly important for young people. She said cultural exchange could expose Kenyan youth to new ideas in technology, history, education and cinema while encouraging them to compete on the international stage. She said cultural exchange should also help Russians see Kenya beyond the Maasai Mara, wildlife and beaches. Kenyan films, she argued, could give Russian audiences a broader picture of the country's diverse communities, traditions, food and way of life.

Technology and the future of film

The growing role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking also featured in discussions surrounding the premiere. Tobiko said AI could make production more efficient and give filmmakers access to vast amounts of information, but human creativity would remain central to storytelling. Magarshak agreed that AI offered significant opportunities but stressed the need to verify information generated by the technology.

Beyond one film

Organisers hope the Mission Sky premiere will become the starting point for broader Kenya-Russia cooperation in film and culture. Future initiatives could include additional film screenings, educational exchanges, creative partnerships and opportunities for Kenyan content to reach Russian audiences. For filmmakers, such partnerships could provide access to new ideas, audiences and international markets. For viewers, they could offer a chance to discover stories and cultures beyond their usual experience.

Spotify today announced a landmark move aimed at protecting the artist-fan relationship with the rollout of a new label designed to bring unprecedented clarity to the streaming landscape. The "AI Persona" badge will begin appearing in mid-September on artist profiles, in search results, and on track rows across playlists. The label clearly signals when an artist profile represents an AI-generated, human-like identity rather than a biological person.

With generative AI reshaping the creative landscape, this initiative ensures that fans can always trust who, or what, is behind the music they love.

Putting Listeners First

"We know that true artist-fan connection is built on a foundation of trust," a Spotify spokesperson shared. "Listeners have been clear. They don't like feeling misled by a profile that seems human but isn't. This badge gives them the transparency they deserve."

The new feature is part of Spotify's broader "Artist Identity and Trust" initiative, which has already introduced tools like Verified by Spotify, AI Credits, and Artist Profile Protection in 2026. The AI Persona badge is the next evolution in making Spotify the most transparent destination for music discovery.

How It Works

The process is designed to be fair and artist-friendly.

• Self-Disclosure: Starting August 11th, artists can proactively disclose through the "Spotify for Artists" platform if their profile represents an AI Persona.
• Independent Review: Spotify won't rely on honesty alone. The company will use a combination of human review and AI investigative tools to ensure accuracy, starting with artists who have the largest audience reach. [1]
• Right to Appeal: Artists who are labeled by Spotify will receive a notification and will be given the chance to appeal or self-disclose.

A Level Playing Field for Human Artists

In a significant move to support authentic human creators, Spotify has confirmed that music labeled with the AI Persona badge will be excluded from personalized recommendations by default. This means algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar will focus on elevating music from real artists building genuine careers, unless a listener chooses to follow an AI persona directly.

"While we believe all artists have creative choice, Spotify's programming is focused on elevating music from authentic artists," the company stated.

Tapping the Badge for Full Context

When listeners tap on the new badge, they will instantly see whether the artist voluntarily disclosed their status or if it was determined through Spotify's review process. This empowers fans to make their own informed decisions about the music they engage with.

More Than Just a Badge

The AI Persona label is part of a series of 2026 updates designed to make the streaming experience richer and more honest. This includes SongDNA, which details the human contributors behind a track, and AI Credits, which allows artists to explain how they used AI in the creative process. Tens of thousands of AI credits are submitted daily.

Building for the Future

Starting in the coming months, listeners will even be given the ability to report profiles they believe represent AI Personas to the review team, ensuring the system remains community-driven and accurate.

"This is about the artist's public identity, not about how the music was made," the spokesperson clarified. "We are hoping artists will embrace this opportunity for transparency, just as they have with AI Credits. The music ecosystem is evolving, and so are we."

The AI Persona badge is set to appear across mobile platforms in mid-September.

The People's Renaissance Movement Party convened its National Delegate Congress today in Nairobi, a day marked by colorful displays of unity and political resolve. Among the key figures at the event was Honorable Francis Lwenya, the party's candidate for the Sabatia Constituency parliamentary seat in Vihiga County, who used the platform to address party loyalty, opposition unity, and his vision for change.

Contrary to earlier reports, today's gathering was not a political rally but the party's official National Delegate Congress, bringing together delegates, leaders, and supporters from across the country to deliberate on the party's direction ahead of the 2026 elections.

Speaking at the congress, Honorable Francis Lwenya explained his decision to run on the People's Renaissance Movement ticket, citing a close personal friendship with the party leader and the party's ideological commitment to Renaissance, a push for transformative change in Kenya. He said that the People's Renaissance Movement is all about change and under Renaissance they must have changes, adding that in this country as it is now they need change and the PM Party is the most suitable vehicle for him to bring that change they deserve. He also emphasized the party's accommodative nature, noting that he has been embraced as part of the team and feels he is in the right place to serve the people of Sabatia.

A significant highlight of the congress was the presence of top leaders from the United Opposition coalition, which Honorable Francis Lwenya said effectively put to rest persistent claims that PM was a covert ally of President William Ruto's administration. He stated that there was this narrative that the PM party is actually a mole working for Ruto but that is not the case, and by the fact that the leaders of the United Opposition have come here he thinks that narrative is now dead. He reaffirmed that PM is firmly in the United Opposition and part of the one term movement committed to political change through the ballot.

Honorable Francis Lwenya, who is eyeing the Sabatia parliamentary seat, outlined the core responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, which include legislation, oversight, and representation. However, he argued that meaningful legislation cannot be achieved under the current administration, which he accused of disregarding court orders and buying off legislators. He said that for them to bring the change they want this regime must go, and even as legislators they cannot implement anything with this regime in office, adding that the current legislature has been bought by this government and they are not observing the rule of law or obeying court orders. He pledged that an opposition led government would restore judicial integrity and pass legislation that prioritizes the needs of ordinary Kenyans.

Honorable Francis Lwenya took a direct swipe at the current Sabatia MP and the broader Ruto regime, accusing them of being out of touch with the struggles of the people. He particularly condemned the MP's vote in favor of the Finance Bill 2024, which he linked to the deaths of young people during subsequent protests. He said that a person in the Ruto regime has nothing to offer, adding that this person voted for the Finance Bill 2024 which led to the death of many young people and this is something they cannot forget as a people. He called for the removal of all leaders allied with the current administration. He also criticized what he termed Kujanga Magorofa, a reference to superficial public relations stunts, while Kenyans grapple with hunger and economic hardship. Drawing from his local roots, he asserted that he was born and raised in his home county, he understands the people well and knows what they want, and if elected he knows what to do which is much better than the current person.

Reflecting on the day's proceedings, Honorable Francis Lwenya described the National Delegate Congress as colorful and a resounding success, thanking opposition leaders and delegates for their solidarity and support. He said that today has been a success and he really wants to thank all those who have come to support them, adding that going forward he sees a bright future with all of them united. The People's Renaissance Movement continues to position itself as a key player in the opposition coalition, with the Sabatia Constituency race emerging as a closely watched contest in Vihiga County as the 2026 general elections draw nearer.

State agencies, civil society organisations and security stakeholders have called for urgent collaborative action to dismantle political goonism and hold its financiers accountable, warning that unchecked violence could undermine preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The call was made during a high-level stakeholders’ forum convened by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya, bringing together representatives from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the National Police Service (NPS), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), civil society organisations and research institutions.

ICJ Kenya Chairperson Christine Alai said the meeting sought to examine the growing trend of politically sponsored violence, identify its root causes and develop a coordinated strategy to prevent further escalation.

“The purpose of the convening is to take stock of the patterns and trends that we are observing, understand the root causes and triggers, and leave with a specific plan of action on how we can collaboratively prevent the escalation of political goonism as we move towards the elections,” Alai said.

She stressed that the focus should shift from the youths carrying out attacks to those orchestrating and financing the violence.

“We want to move beyond the young men whose faces we see perpetrating political goonism and ask who is behind it. We are underscoring that it is a structural problem and part of a political economy of violence,” she said.

Alai further noted that many young people involved in political violence were being exploited because of economic vulnerability, urging government and other stakeholders to address unemployment and poverty as part of the long-term solution.

Representing IPOA, officials said the authority had been monitoring by-elections across the country and had already submitted recommendations to the Inspector General of Police aimed at improving election security and reducing politically related violence.

“As IPOA, we commit to ensuring that we discharge our mandate and support the country’s security apparatus to ensure the election is peaceful,” the authority said.

National Police Service Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the police were committed to working with other stakeholders to eliminate political goonism, describing the vice as both a security and societal challenge.

“The Inspector General has spoken to commanders at all levels to ensure the National Police Service commits to doing exactly what it is supposed to do. We are committed to dealing with this threat with finality and firmness,” Nyaga said.

Responding to questions from journalists on allegations that politicians sponsor criminal gangs, Nyaga maintained that the police were actively investigating such cases and would not shield criminal elements.

“The National Police Service is not part of the goons. Where we have police officers involved in criminality, they will be dealt with as criminals,” he said.

He disclosed that a special investigative team had been established to examine recent incidents of political violence, including the attack at the All Saints Cathedral and the Alkalao incident.

Nyaga said eight suspects had already been charged over the All Saints incident, including two alleged planners, while investigations into other attacks were ongoing.

“The continued mapping of goons and hotspots is underway. We have identified areas of high, moderate and emerging risk as we move towards the General Election,” he said.

He added that regional police commanders would be held personally accountable for security lapses in their jurisdictions, noting that intelligence-led operations would form the cornerstone of policing ahead of the elections.

Rahma Ramadan, Research Fellow and Programme Manager at the Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies (CHRIPS), said the organisation was undertaking research to generate evidence on political violence and security governance.

She said the study would help policymakers understand the problem from community and stakeholder perspectives and support evidence-based interventions.

“One of the key gaps we have identified is the lack of current data on the architecture of political violence. The data we are generating will be important in informing solutions and ensuring a peaceful election period,” Ramadan said.

ICJ Kenya Executive Director Dismas Kiprono said Kenya’s election history demonstrated the need for early interventions to prevent human rights violations.

“We know elections present a challenge in Kenya. We have seen warning signs of political mobilisation that seeks to disenfranchise people and promote violence. We must ensure planners and perpetrators are held accountable,” Kiprono said.

Participants warned that recent trends mirrored the patterns witnessed before the 2007/2008 post-election violence and urged security agencies to act decisively before the situation deteriorates further.

Alai said the country could not afford to ignore the warning signs.

“We are not satisfied. We want to see more than statements. We want to see tangible action against organisers, financiers and mobilisers of political violence. As citizens, we are ready to work with duty bearers because we want a peaceful society,” she said.

The stakeholders resolved to strengthen collaboration among state institutions, civil society and security agencies while pushing for greater accountability to safeguard peace and protect democratic participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Harriet Chiggai, the Women's Rights Advisor to His Excellency the President of Kenya, delivered a powerful and unflinching address at the Women Achievers Africa Conference and Awards, challenging women to step into their greatness, reject societal pressures, and confront the difficult issues plaguing Kenyan families. Speaking before a gathering of diplomats, development partners, and women leaders from across Africa, Chiggai framed women's empowerment not as an act of charity but as an essential pillar of nation building.

Chiggai opened her address by celebrating the women in attendance, urging them to recognize themselves as superwomen from the very moment they were conceived. She emphasized that the conference was designed to be a celebration of living women, rejecting the common tendency to wait until extraordinary women have passed away before honoring their contributions. She declared that women must crown each other and celebrate one another while they are still standing strong and making history.

Drawing inspiration from iconic figures such as Harriet Tubman, Wangari Maathai, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chiggai reminded the audience that true leadership is rooted in courage, perseverance, and selfless service. She cited Tubman's declaration that she never lost a passenger on the road to freedom and urged the women to keep going no matter the challenges they face. She recalled the image of Wangari Maathai with her hair pulled out, a symbol of the struggles women endure in their quest to do good, and encouraged them to stand tall even when standing alone feels difficult.

The Presidential Advisor did not shy away from addressing the painful realities of gender based violence and femicide, expressing her exhaustion with discussions that remain confined to boardrooms. She pointed to data revealing that the majority of abuse against women is perpetrated by their love partners and relatives, demanding that society stop hiding these issues under the carpet. She called on men, the church, and the community to take responsibility and address the violence happening within homes and neighborhoods. She insisted that government intervention comes at a tail end and that true solutions must begin at the community level.

Chiggai also turned her attention to the challenges of parenting, delivering a stern message to parents who allow their children to control them. She rejected excuses made for Generation Z and insisted that discipline must be instilled and rules must be followed. She raised the issue of the boy child, citing data that over 2,600 boys were subordinated in 2023, and made a powerful statement that it takes another man to shape a young man into a man. She questioned why society has produced so many single mothers carrying the burden of raising children alone and called on men and pastors to mentor young boys growing up without fathers.

In a moment of direct encouragement to single mothers, Chiggai told them they have no apologies to make and should raise their children with pride. She urged women to walk like queens and peacocks, refusing to be defined by societal expectations, divorce, or the way others think they should speak or present themselves. She embraced the emotional nature of women, arguing that emotions are what define and differentiate women and should never be a source of shame.

Chiggai also emphasized the importance of mentorship and legacy, sharing her personal story of how mentors like Gladys Boshole and Nancy Barraza gave her first opportunities. She challenged every woman in the room to create spaces for other women, holding their hands and planting seeds that will grow into future leaders. She warned that if women do not cultivate the next generation, their legacy will die with them when they leave their positions.

The Women's Rights Advisor concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the women's cause and her belief that collaborative efforts will resolve the problems facing society. She called on women to dream big, stretch their brains, and continue doing the work that transforms communities, reminding them that they are born for greatness and that their contributions are vital to shaping the nation.

In a powerful display of unity and resolve, Kenya’s religious leaders, government officials, and development partners gathered in Nairobi on 7th August 2026 to mark the 28th anniversary of the tragic 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing, while simultaneously launching a new, coordinated front against the scourge of violent extremism. The solemn commemoration, jointly organized by the Inter Religious Council of Kenya and the National Counter Terrorism Centre, began with an interfaith prayer service led by Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders at the very site of the blast that claimed over 200 lives and left thousands injured, before moving to the Pullman Nairobi Upper Hill for the formal proceedings. The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and loss inflicted by terrorism, with the leaders resolving to honour the memory of the victims, stand in solidarity with survivors and first responders, and translate the lessons of that dark day into renewed, collective action against the forces of extremism. Twenty eight years on, the event marked a significant strategic shift from remembrance to proactive partnership, as the leaders officially activated the National Interfaith Forum on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, a standing coordination platform that has been under discussion for several years and whose Terms of Reference were unveiled earlier this year during the National Interfaith PCVE Convention.

The activation of the Forum, which directly supports the National Strategy to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism for the period 2025 to 2030, was accompanied by the launch of the Scripture Referenced Faith Guide Booklet on Countering Violent Extremism, a practical resource designed to empower religious leaders in their frontline role as trusted community figures. Recognizing the evolving and complex nature of radicalization, the leaders committed to addressing the family, youth, identity, religious, social, digital, and economic pressures that extremist groups exploit for recruitment, while simultaneously strengthening protective factors by reinforcing shared values, belonging, and hope through theological reflection on peace and non violence. Drawing inspiration from sacred texts, including Micah chapter four verse three, Surah Al Ma'idah chapter five verse thirty two, and the Bhagavad Gita chapter sixteen verses two and three, they emphasized a compassionate, dignified approach to prevention, vowing to walk with vulnerable individuals and families rather than judging or excluding them, and to support early warning and early response mechanisms by remaining vigilant to the early signs of radicalization. The leaders resolved to operationalize the Forum as a dynamic mechanism for coordination, dialogue, and joint action among faith communities, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, and other stakeholders, and committed to identifying priority actions and a collaborative roadmap for sustained engagement in promoting social cohesion across the country.

In their closing declaration, the leaders issued an impassioned call to all stakeholders, including government, civil society, development partners, and the media, to support and sustain this interfaith initiative, urging the media to continue sharing stories of hope and resilience and calling upon national and county governments to maintain an enabling environment for peace and security. The statement concluded with a firm conviction that Kenya deserves a future of peace and resilience, anchored on the collective commitment of faith and state working together in harmony. The Inter Religious Council of Kenya, which comprises nine Religious Coordinating Bodies and works across peacebuilding and social cohesion, reaffirmed its dedication to this cause and invited the public and partners to engage with its Communications and Advocacy Desk for further information, as the nation embarks on this renewed journey of remembrance, partnership, and hope.