17 March 2025
Good morning. From a dramatic health sector showdown to diplomatic tensions affecting your tea imports, Kenya's starting the week with some significant shifts. While doctors prepare their placards for tomorrow's strike, we're keeping an eye on the moves that matter most to you.
POLITICS
Ruto's Nairobi Tour: Promises, Chapatis and a Sh2 Billion Development Plan
President William Ruto concluded his ambitious five-day tour of Nairobi, leaving behind a trail of promises and a Sh2 billion development plan aimed at transforming Kenya's capital. The tour, which covered extensive ground from Kibera to Eastlands, marked a significant push to address urban challenges while raising eyebrows over potential early campaigning.
The President's agenda focused heavily on infrastructure development, with major announcements including Sh500 million for modernizing Toi market in Kibera and Sh2 billion earmarked for road improvements in Eastlands. Education took center stage with Sh40 million allocated for new classrooms in Embakasi and Sh50 million for Kamukunji Technical Vocational College.
However, the tour wasn't without controversy. A pedestrian tragically lost their life after being hit by the presidential motorcade, casting a shadow over the proceedings. The President's promise to provide chapati-making machines for school feeding programs sparked both amusement and criticism, earning him the nickname "El Chapo" on social media.
HEADLINES
🆔 The Kenyan government has abolished all national ID fees. The move eliminates the previous Ksh300 charge for new applications and Ksh1,000 for renewals, while targeting expanded ID access for marginalized groups including prisoners, border communities, and students. This initiative aims to boost Social Health Authority insurance coverage and streamline access to government services through eCitizen, with over 800,000 high school students already registered in 2024.
⛽ Fuel prices in Kenya remain steady for the next month. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has maintained current pump prices by increasing fuel subsidies, with petrol staying at Sh176.58, diesel at Sh167.06, and kerosene at Sh151.39 in Nairobi. This comes despite an increase in landed costs, with EPRA raising subsidies by up to 2.4 times to cushion consumers.
💊 Kenya's Health Ministry releases vital HIV commodities amid funding challenges. With 1.4 million Kenyans living with HIV, Health CS Barasa has announced secured stock levels of key ARVs and testing kits lasting up to 24 months, while KEMSA CEO Waqo Duracha commits to enhanced transparency in drug distribution through technology-driven solutions. The development comes as the sector grapples with a US aid freeze that has created funding gaps of approximately $80 million.
💰 KUSCCO takes drastic measures to recover billions in lost funds. The organization is selling its insurance subsidiary and auction houses while the government assumes control of its lending unit to recover over Sh13.3 billion lost through financial mismanagement. A new nine-member board and Sacco Liquidity Fund will replace the central finance unit, operating under independent leadership to strengthen the cooperative sector.
🏥 Kenyan doctors and civil servants are set to down their tools on Tuesday. The nationwide protest comes as frustrations mount over the inactive Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover, with accusations that the government has failed to remit deducted healthcare funds. The mega demonstration will kick off at Kenyatta National Hospital, affecting at least 40 counties, with ongoing doctor strikes already paralyzing services in Kilifi, Nairobi, and Siaya counties.
🚢 Sudan has imposed an immediate ban on all Kenyan imports in a diplomatic standoff. The ban, triggered by Kenya's decision to host Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left Sh1.3 billion worth of tea stranded at the Mombasa port. Sudan's move includes suspending imports of food, pharmaceuticals, and other goods, citing national security concerns. The East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) has urged President Ruto to negotiate a one-month window to clear existing shipments, particularly as the ban coincides with Ramadan, a peak tea consumption period.
EDUCATION
Mathematics Optional in Senior School: What This Means for Your Child
In a significant reform in Kenya's education system, mathematics will no longer be mandatory for senior secondary school students starting January 2026. This change comes as part of broader reforms that introduce specialized pathways for Grade 9 learners.
Students will now focus on four core subjects: English, Kiswahili (or Kenya Sign Language), Physical Education, and Community Service Learning. Beyond these fundamentals, learners can choose three optional subjects from diverse pathways including STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports.
The Ministry of Education expects 60% of learners to pursue STEM pathways, with 15% focusing on arts and sports. This structured approach aims to nurture students' interests and abilities while providing clear career trajectories.
Here's what parents need to know about the new system:
- Students will select their preferred schools and pathways in the second term of Grade 9
- Schools are now classified as either triple or double pathway institutions
- Triple pathway schools offer all streams: STEM, social sciences, arts, and sports
- Double pathway schools combine STEM with one additional pathway
- Each student can choose up to 12 schools based on their preferred pathways
ACROSS THE COUNTY
- UASIN GISHU — A man's unauthorized police station has sparked national debate on community policing.Collins Leitich Chepkulei established the makeshift station in response to persistent insecurity and the nearest police post being seven kilometers away. Though operational for five days without assigned officers, Chepkulei consulted local leaders before the project's inception. While acknowledging procedural oversights, he expressed willingness to rectify and legitimize the station, highlighting a growing trend of citizens taking proactive approaches to community security.
- NYANDARUA — Former Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi has been found guilty in a Ksh50 million corruption case. The Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court convicted Mwangi alongside former County Executive Committee member Grace Wanjiru Gitonga for procurement irregularities involving the unlawful procurement of services from TAHAL Consulting Engineers Limited. The case involved a county water master plan and sewerage system contract where the consultant fled after receiving payment. The case is set for mention on March 20, 2025.
- MERU — Isaac Mutuma is set to be sworn in as the new Meru Governor following Kawira Mwangaza's impeachment. The High Court upheld the impeachment process led by the County Assembly, with Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruling it was conducted fairly. Mutuma, the former deputy governor with a background in Kenya Prisons Service and Methodist Churches, brings extensive experience in Forensic Psychology, Theology, and Governance to the position. The transition has sparked mixed reactions, with County Assembly members welcoming the ruling while Mwangaza's supporters remain subdued.
- NAROK — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered a major security operation along the Narok-Kisii border following deadly clashes. The crackdown targets criminal gangs and cattle rustlers, with three people dead and several injured in recent violence. The government has deployed additional police units, announced road upgrades, and initiated peace-building measures including tournaments to foster community cohesion. Local leaders are collaborating with authorities to combat illicit drinks and drugs, while new administrative units have been operationalized to enhance security presence in the volatile region.
ONE-LINERS
- The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) is reviewing a proposal to restrict pension access for contributors under 50 years old, aiming to boost retirement savings for Kenyan workers. (Source)
- KICC unveils an ambitious Ksh100M dancing fountain project featuring AI-powered robotics and sustainable design, positioning the iconic landmark as a cutting-edge tourist attraction while boosting Kenya's MICE tourism sector. (Source)