AGP Executive Report

Press Freedom Under Fire: Standard Group associate editor Alex Kiprotich was abducted by masked gunmen near Gilgil and later found safe near Masinga Dam, as media groups and politicians demand accountability and warn of shrinking space for journalists. Nairobi Planning Clash: The Nairobi County Assembly Planning Committee suspended the county’s Development Control Policy over alleged discrepancies, saying it was not properly approved and aligned with public interest. El Niño Preparedness: Nairobi drainage works are underway across identified flood-risk zones as the county ramps up clearance ahead of heavy rains, with health officials also stepping up crisis readiness. Education Disruptions: Kenya’s Ministry of Education moved to resume school operations after a union-related shutdown, with discussions held with BEMU and labour officials. Digital Safety: UNICEF estimates about 20 million internet-using children across 21 countries faced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with social media the main channel. Aviation Costs: Kenya Airways reported losses and disruption costs after a three-day aviation strike, even as operations returned to normal. Foreign Traders Crackdown: President Ruto ordered foreigners running small businesses to close from September 7, pushing local hawking and retail to be reserved for Kenyans. Insurance Growth: Kenya’s insurance sector grew in 2025, with premiums crossing Sh466b and penetration rising to 2.63%.

Press Freedom Under Fire: Kenya’s media community and rights groups have condemned the abduction of Standard Group associate editor Alex Kiprotich, seized by armed men on the Gilgil–Nakuru road and later found dumped near Masinga Dam; ODM, MCK, KHRC, Amnesty and others demand immediate, transparent investigations and accountability. Election Security Prep: IEBC says it will review election security handbooks and police role cards ahead of 2027, while the police election-security roadmap runs from September through the post-election period. Public Debt and Health: Experts warn Kenya’s Sh13 trillion debt is choking healthcare funding, with most budget space going to debt servicing and little left for investment and Universal Health Coverage. El Niño Readiness: Government unveils measures to map flood hotspots, clear drainage choke points, and step up evacuation and response planning for anticipated El Niño rains, including in Nairobi. NACADA Crackdown: NACADA arrests 11 in Nairobi over counterfeit and unsafe alcohol, seizing uncoded and expired products. Kenya Airways Shake-up: Capt. George Kamal resigns as acting CEO; Company Secretary Habil Waswani is appointed interim acting CEO.

Aviation Disruption Eases: Kenya aviation workers called off a strike that had paralysed JKIA and other airports, after talks with Kenya Airports Authority and the government, with Transport CS Davis Chirchir saying the economic hit was “huge.” Labour Rights Push: COTU-K is urging “respect” for workers’ rights and full implementation of CBAs, hours after the aviation walkout ended. Housing Tensions: Mukuru residents remain discontented after a meeting with the affordable housing CEO over unresolved issues in the programme. Education Funding Confusion: Universities admissions are causing confusion for freshers as new university funding arrangements roll out. Press Freedom Under Threat: Standard Group says Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich was abducted along the Gilgil-Nakuru Road, demanding his immediate and unconditional release and independent investigations. Police Reform Spotlight: Maraga’s taskforce flags gaps in police training and instructor preparedness, while another report points to weaknesses in police transport. Health Sector Strain: Nurses’ strike enters its fifth week at facilities like Mbagathi Hospital, with management relying on locum staff to keep services running. Kenya Airways Leadership Shake-up: KQ acting CEO George Kamal resigns; Habil Waswani is appointed acting boss as the board moves to recruit a substantive CEO. Regional Politics: President Hakainde Hichilema is sworn in for a second term in Zambia, with Kenya’s leaders attending and pledging stronger ties.

Nurses vs Counties: KNUNM says its nationwide strike will continue until the 2017 CBA is fully implemented, rejecting Council of Governors claims the deal is unaffordable and accusing CoG of intimidation. El Niño Readiness: The Interior Ministry issues evacuation notices for people in riparian and other high-risk areas as government rolls out seven measures ahead of October–December rains. Aviation Disruption: Kenya’s airport workers have called off a strike that stranded thousands at JKIA and other airports, with talks set to continue on bargaining and non-victimisation. NACADA Crackdown: NACADA moves against counterfeit and unsafe alcohol, arresting 11 suspects in Nairobi and seizing products including fake KRA excise stamps. Power & Jobs: Kenya Power will deploy 426 young engineers after a graduate trainee programme to speed up grid modernisation and improve response times. Local Politics: Machakos Governor Wavinya rejects a Sh17.7bn budget, escalating the fight with MCAs. Business & Tech: Epson expands its Nairobi office by 50% to boost East Africa operations, while Chinese AI models are gaining popularity in Kenya for being cheaper and easier to customise. Sports: Pitso Mosimane is confirmed as Bafana Bafana coach, with Kenya in their Afcon qualifying group.

Aviation Strike Hits Nairobi: Kenya Aviation Workers Union go-slow has paralysed JKIA and other airports for a second day, leaving hundreds stranded and flights delayed or cancelled as talks stretch into the evening. Health Costs Cut: President Ruto says a new Pfizer deal with KEMSA will slash cancer medicine prices by more than seven times, with some treatments dropping from about Sh1m to under Sh50,000 per cycle. Inflation Watch: KNBS reports August inflation rose to 6.6%, driven mainly by food (up 9%) and transport (up 15.7%), squeezing household budgets. Energy Supply Move: Kenya imported 30,000 tonnes of jet fuel outside the usual government-to-government contract to avert shortages at JKIA and Mombasa after demand spiked. Rail Travel Boost: Kenya Railways announced extra special Madaraka Express services between Nairobi and Mombasa for booking on Aug 31 and Sept 1. Policy Push on Traditional Medicine: Health CS Aden Duale says Kenya is finalising a national policy to integrate traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into formal healthcare under UHC.

Airport Disruption: A workers’ strike at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has slowed air traffic for a second day, with Kenya Airports Authority warning of delays and cancellations and urging passengers to check with airlines. Aviation Labour: The Kenya Aviation Workers Union says grievances include failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with KCAA and lack of cooperation from KAA and Jambojet. Compensation Update: Thirty-two Kenyan families of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 victims are set to receive a combined $87.3m from a Boeing crash-victim fund after US legal steps. Health Sector: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged quick resolution of the nurses’ strike, calling on the Council of Governors and SRC to settle outstanding issues to restore services. Crime & Security: Detectives in Mandera are probing the killing of a man shot while heading to a mosque; in Eldoret, a GSU constable was arrested over the fatal shooting of a woman. Local Economy: CBK approved Nedbank’s plan to acquire up to 66% of NCBA, reshaping ownership of the Nairobi-listed bank. Public Safety: Nairobi County stepped up flood-prevention clean-ups, raising daily waste collection to 3,000 tonnes ahead of El Niño rains.

El Niño Preparedness: Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja urged residents to brace for October rains, saying City Hall is widening and deepening drainage, unclogging channels and running civic education ahead of the downpours. Airport Disruptions: Kenya Airways and KAA confirmed flight delays at JKIA after a go-slow by aviation workers, with some departures delayed by 2–3 hours; travellers also reported disruptions at Kisumu airport. Politics & Campaign Tensions: In Meru, a Linda Mwananchi rally led by Edwin Sifuna was briefly disrupted when teargas was lobbed into the crowd; leaders resumed meetings while condemning violence ahead of 2027. Security Crackdown: Police and Uganda counterparts arrested suspects linked to the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso in a cross-border operation spanning Nairobi and Kampala. Education Pressure: Uncertain enrolment is forcing closures and shrinking class sizes, with reports that nearly 30% of public secondary schools have fewer than 150 learners. Sports: FKF postponed the opening round of the 2026/27 Premier League amid promotion and relegation disputes.

Police Reform & Procurement: The National Police Service says Bedi Investments—not Nalitex—was awarded the contract to manufacture new Kenya Police Service General Duty uniforms, after sample submissions and evaluation under the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya push. Airport Disruptions: Kenya Airports Authority warns of delays at JKIA and other airports, with a go-slow by KAA/KCAA staff reported to have left passengers stranded for hours. Dr Victoria Mutiso Murder Probe: DCI detectives arrest three more suspects linked to the killing, including a serving police constable, with operations spanning Nairobi and Kampala. Diplomacy & Training: Outgoing French envoy Arnaud Suquet says Kenya still carries regional diplomatic weight through trade and economic influence, while Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi seeks Sh3.9bn to upgrade the Foreign Service Academy. Politics & 2027: Wetang’ula urges youth to shun political violence; Murkomen tells opposition to stop interfering with IEBC; Ugenya MP Ochieng challenges Orengo to make way for younger leaders. Education Funding: KUPPET warns schools may send students home over a KSh6,000 capitation shortfall. Compensation Update: 32 Kenyan families to share about Sh11.3bn from Boeing over the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash.

Sydney Marathon Spotlight: Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena smashed the Sydney course record in the men’s race, while Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir dominated the women’s event to claim her fourth marathon major. Nairobi Traders vs Taxes: Small-scale traders shut shops and marched in central Nairobi after a 28% customs tax hike, with police firing tear gas as protesters headed to KRA offices. Volleyball (Kenya vs Nigeria): Kenya’s Malkia Strikers and the women’s team both beat Nigeria 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the CAVB Africa Nations Championship. Politics & Tensions in Western Kenya: President William Ruto stepped up attacks on the opposition in Busia as campaigns for 2027 intensify, while Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo hit back at Gachagua over insecurity claims. Labour News: COTU Treasurer General Albert Njeru Obed has died after a short illness. Health Alert: Kenya’s dengue cases rise again, with Garissa and Wajir leading the latest figures.

Maasai Mara University vs MPs: The National Assembly Public Investments Committee postponed audit cross-examination after the VC failed to bring key officials, sparking a tense clash over why the substantive finance officer was sent on leave and why procurement and legal officers were absent. Nairobi security: Police in Kondele, Kisumu, arrested a suspect in a phone theft and hacking syndicate, recovering 32 phones, M-KOPA HMD batteries, and laptops with suspected hacking tools. Nairobi traders under pressure: Police used tear gas to disperse traders protesting higher taxes/import duty hikes, as businesses say the new costs are squeezing them. Affordable housing levy debate: President Ruto defended the 1.5% Affordable Housing Levy deductions, saying workers already got a 10% minimum wage rise, while critics push for scrapping the levy. Energy and LPG row: Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi dismissed claims that a special police unit targets small LPG traders, saying the allegations are baseless. Wildlife probe: Kenya arrested four people over the deaths of 18 elephants in Amboseli, with preliminary findings pointing to a toxic substance. Food supply move: Kenya plans to buy 10.8 million bags of maize from Zambia to cover a domestic grain deficit. Public service careers: The PSC proposed new career progression pathways for civil servants, including vertical and horizontal movement and dual tracks for technical/professional staff.

Police & Recruitment Scrutiny: Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has given the NPSC, TSC and KDF seven days to disclose recruitment details from the past five years, including numbers, criteria and regions, amid concerns over fairness and independence. Nairobi Protests Over Import Taxes: Police fired teargas as small-scale traders and importers protested higher import duties in Nairobi, with many shops closing and demonstrators vowing to keep protesting every Friday. Education Funding Worry: MPs say NEMIS data gaps may mean billions meant for schools may not reach the intended learners, raising fears over verification of learner numbers. Police Modernisation Push: The US launched a Sh930m initiative to modernise and professionalise Kenya’s police training, as over 6,000 officers graduated in Kiganjo. Energy Update: Kenya Power announced planned outages in parts of Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia on Saturday, 9am-5pm, for network maintenance. Wildlife Rescue: KWS and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust freed an about 8,000-pound elephant trapped in a mud pit in Isiolo. Business & Food Innovation: Stories highlight how Kenyans are building fish businesses—from cold-chain and digital tools to family-run farms turning single orders into aquaculture growth.

Education & Inclusion: MPs passed the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to formally recognise Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) schools—aimed at unlocking capitation and support for learners in informal settlements. Police Reform: Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen says Kenya will expand police field training grounds to new regions, including Kerio Valley, northern Kenya and the Coast, as continuous training drives reforms. El Niño Health Prep: The Ministry of Health stepped up El Niño contingency measures, focusing on water- and food-borne diseases like typhoid, cholera and diarrhoeal illnesses, with county rapid-response support. Elections & Security: President Ruto warned that hired gangs and recruited youth have no place in 2027 politics, urging action against financiers and organisers of political violence. Nairobi Business Climate: Nairobi County and KNCCI launched a Trade Fair Digital Portal under “Jenga Biz, Jenga Nairobi” to cut red tape and help MSMEs access markets. Nairobi Crime & Policing: A video showed a man hurling insults and threatening a traffic police officer in Nairobi CBD, highlighting tensions between residents and law enforcers. Livestock Theft Fight: CS Mutahi Kagwe proposed digital IDs and traceability for goats, cows and sheep under ANITRAC to curb theft and improve disease surveillance.

Katiba Day Politics: President William Ruto says parts of the 2010 Constitution need relooked at 16 years on, citing court injunctions that frustrate government programmes. Police & Public Safety: Nairobi and the wider country face fresh scrutiny as unions warn of possible strikes over delayed county salaries, while debate grows over billions to clothe police in a new uniform. Health & Weather: Kenya Met warns El Niño rains could be above average from October to December, with Nairobi among high-risk areas and up to 1.5 million people potentially affected. Nairobi Crime & Enforcement: KEBS faces pressure over the counterfeit alcohol crisis, with illicit drinks estimated at 60% of alcohol consumed, as NACADA raids continue in Nairobi’s Jericho area. Education & Jobs: Government pushes TVET skills for global opportunities, including a TVET partnership with Australia to align training with industry needs. Aviation Reform: Kenya Airports Authority has transitioned to Kenya Airports Authority PLC to strengthen governance and performance. Sports: Malkia Strikers start strong at the CAVB championship, sweeping Mali 3-0 at Kasarani.

Katiba Day & Rights: President William Ruto told Kenyans no one should lose life, liberty or dignity for criticising government or peaceful protest, while warning that violence and lawlessness are not protected. Faith & Peacebuilding: NCIC, faith leaders and World Vision launched a coordinated push against political violence ahead of 2027, including early warning and mediation. Constitution in practice: Human rights groups marked 16 years of the 2010 Constitution, praising gains in media freedom and faster justice, but urging full implementation and action against ongoing rights violations. Nairobi schools feeding: Nairobi’s Dishi na County rolled out a chapati-making machine as the programme races toward its 100 millionth meal this term. Health system pressure: Clinical officers’ strike continues to overwhelm KNH as county facilities shut down, leaving patients stranded. Electricity squeeze: Kenya’s power reserve margin has fallen sharply, raising fears of rationing if generation or supply disruptions hit. Environment & plastic: Campaigners handed over refill-and-reuse recommendations, urging the government to plug loopholes letting illegal single-use plastics flood markets. Sports: Marathon world record holder Sebastian Sawe withdrew from Berlin due to injury. Business & transport: Kenya Airways is seeking new investors as losses deepen, with options including loans, equity and even aircraft-for-stake deals.

Kenya Airways turnaround push: The carrier says passenger numbers rose to 2.2 million and cargo revenue jumped 18% as it expands freighter capacity and MRO services, but losses widened to about Sh16bn in the first half as jet fuel costs and parts shortages bite. Election tech tension: IEBC’s temporary pause on procurement of 2027 election technology is raising fears of delays to the electoral calendar, while Rigathi Gachagua alleges a South Korean firm is being favoured. Nairobi security focus: Police commanders met to intensify the fight against goonism and gangs, ahead of the graduation of 10,000 officers, with NCIC and faith leaders also pushing for peaceful 2027 polls. El Niño readiness: Kenya Met warns rains could start as early as September, urging community-level preparation and faster flood planning. Devolution and early childhood: As the country marks 16 years of the 2010 Constitution, coverage highlights corruption risks in counties and the need to protect children’s early years. Health workers strike: Nurses’ strike continues into its fourth week, disrupting admissions and care in public facilities. Energy squeeze: Kenya’s power reserve margin has fallen to under 3.3%, increasing blackout risk. Sports & youth: Kenya’s Under-20 Rising Stars squad is set for CECAFA U20 qualifiers, while Wanyonyi and Cherotich headline Diamond League action.

Emergency Response Tech: AURA is integrating Google Maps Platform into its responder apps across South Africa, Kenya, the UK and the US to improve routing and ETA accuracy. Judiciary Misinformation: Kenya’s judiciary says a fake social-media “statement” attributed to CJ Martha Koome about alleged Supreme Court interference is not genuine. Nairobi Security & Policing: President Ruto will unveil new look uniforms for general duty police officers on Friday, as police also move to curb gangs and goonism in Nairobi. Anti-Corruption Crackdown: EACC arrested a senior Turkana county health officer and two others over a KSh 92m conflict-of-interest scandal, ordering more suspects to surrender. Fire in Kibra: Several homes and businesses were destroyed in Gatwekera, Kibra, with residents rushing to contain the blaze near SHOFCO. Politics & 2027: Tribunal temporarily freezes the “Linda Mwananchi” name dispute while election tech and voter-register allegations continue to swirl around IEBC. Transport & Planning: Nairobi’s BRT lines are said to be fully funded, with Line 3 (Dandora to Ngong) backed by EIB and French funding. Business & Courts: Mombasa Cement won a Sh4.2bn insurance claim from Kenindia Assurance over a collapsed silo.