The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eric Murithi Mugaa, has admitted that the government is yet to complete a single mega dam despite promising to build 1,000 across the country. Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, the CS provided updates on several stalled irrigation and dam projects in Kitui and Embu counties, citing bureaucratic delays, financial hurdles, and complications with Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as major challenges. Responding to questions from senators, Mugaa confirmed that no large-scale dam has been delivered since the current administration took office, despite water being a top development agenda. In Kitui County, he was…
Author: David Wafula
The National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation has concluded its review of key regulations submitted by the National Treasury, including a proposal to introduce a new Public Officers Medical Fund. The committee, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, met at Bunge Towers to examine five sets of regulations. These included the Public Finance Management (Public Officers Medical Fund) Regulations, 2023, among others. Appearing before the committee were Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, and Public Service Principal Secretary Dr Jane Imbunya. The officials responded to questions from MPs on the objectives and implications of the…
A Parliamentary committee has accused the Equalisation Fund Board of violating the Constitution by financing projects outside its legal mandate. The National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee, chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani, raised concerns over the misallocation of billions of shillings meant to provide water, roads, health services, and electricity in marginalised areas. The lawmakers criticised the Board for funding projects such as cabro paving, street lighting, staff housing, and kitchen renovations, which are not among the basic services listed under Article 204 of the Constitution. The Committee questioned why the Fund was involved in constructing classrooms—typically handled…
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has come under fire from Members of the National Assembly over delays in loan disbursements, a high number of loan defaulters, and growing concerns about the sustainability of Kenya’s new university funding model. During an oversight visit to HELB offices in Nairobi County, the National Assembly’s Committee on Education, led by Chairperson Julius Melly, questioned HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari and Board Chairperson Ekwe Ethuro on the funding gaps that have left thousands of students without support. MPs expressed frustration over the Means Testing Instrument (MTI), which determines how much financial aid a student receives.…
The National Assembly’s Committee on Education has raised alarm over a Sh9.6 billion shortfall in university scholarship funding, even as pending bills owed to universities—both public and private—surpass Sh72.2 billion. During an oversight visit to the Universities Fund (UF) headquarters in Nairobi, the Fund’s Acting CEO Dr. Edwin Wanyonyi told MPs that while the agency received Sh16.5 billion for student scholarships and Sh342 million for operational expenses this financial year, a significant funding gap still exists. “The deficit stands at over Sh9.6 billion,” said Dr. Wanyonyi. Members of the Committee expressed concern over the ballooning pending bills, especially the parity…
A tense Senate session on Tuesday exposed major gaps in Kenya’s support systems for people living with invisible disabilities, with Senators and government officials clashing over delays, poor services, and lack of clear policies. The Senate Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, chaired by Vice Chairperson Senator Crystal Asige, convened the session following a petition by Beatrice Likwop, a Kenyan living with invisible disabilities. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari, and representatives from the Council of Governors appeared before the Committee to respond. Beatrice, in an emotional statement, described the struggles she and others…
The Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning on Thursday held a meeting with the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) to address growing concerns about the regulation of the popular Aviator Game of Chance. The meeting followed a statement sought on April 16, 2025, by Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, who called for urgent government action on what she termed the unregulated and widespread use of the game. Wangari accused Aviator operators of aggressively targeting vulnerable populations through media campaigns, worsening financial hardship among many Kenyans. “This is an addictive game of chance. I rise to seek a statement from…
The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) has come under sharp scrutiny after senior officials were questioned by the Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Commercial Affairs and Energy over a series of audit queries spanning three financial years. Appearing before the committee at Parliament Buildings, REREC CEO Dr. Rose Mkalama and General Manager of Finance Davis Cheruiyot faced tough questions over alleged financial mismanagement, including the irregular spending of more than Sh1.79 billion on land survey services. The session was chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing. According to the Auditor General’s report, the corporation paid surveyors large sums…
Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has sharply criticised the government over the recent spike in fuel prices, describing the official explanation as misleading and lacking in transparency. Speaking on Tuesday, Nyoro questioned the justification provided by the Ministry of Energy, which linked the price hike to global oil prices. He noted that international oil prices were actually higher last year compared to current levels, suggesting that the latest increase is not being driven by global trends. “The problem is not global prices—it’s excessive taxation and the securitisation of fuel levies. Over Sh80 per litre of petrol and Sh76 for…
Kenya is among nine African countries selected to introduce Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, by January 2026. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed the development, noting that Kenya will roll out the new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug alongside Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Lenacapavir, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2025, has also been endorsed in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines released in July. The drug is administered only twice a year, offering a discreet and highly effective alternative to daily oral PrEP…
Burna Boy has apologised for comments he made distancing himself from Afrobeats. The Nigerian singer-songwriter is seen as a trailblazer who has helped to bring the genre to a global audience. But he faced backlash over a 2023 Apple Music interview where he said it “lacks substance” and most artists in the space had “almost no real-life experiences”. Speaking to 1Xtra’s Eddie Kadi, Burna says the reaction to his comments made him realise why it was important to have an umbrella term to advance the Afrobeats movement. Burna, real name Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, made history in 2023 when he became…
Kenya Railways has announced that it will issue refunds to passengers affected by the suspension of the 10pm Madaraka Express passenger train from Mombasa to Nairobi on July 6, 2025. The train was cancelled due to what the corporation described as a technical hitch. In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 15, Kenya Railways said refunds will be given to those who were unable to travel using the alternative train services that were made available that day. “For passengers who had not printed their tickets, refunds will be automatically processed to the mobile number used during ticket purchase,” the statement…
African exporters are set to benefit from a new set of trade reforms introduced by the United Kingdom aimed at making it easier for developing countries to access the UK market and strengthen economic ties. The changes, announced on July 10, are part of an upgrade to the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). A key highlight of the reforms is the simplification of rules of origin, which will allow exporters in African countries to source raw materials and inputs from anywhere on the continent while still enjoying duty-free access to the UK. “This will make it easier for developing…
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is mobilising more resources to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts and tackle a growing funding shortfall that threatens the future of the country’s biodiversity. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, July 11, 2025, KWS announced a nationwide public participation process scheduled between July 29 and August 8. The process will give Kenyans a chance to give their views on proposed changes to access and conservation fees in parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and marine protected areas. KWS is currently grappling with a Sh12 billion annual budget gap. In the 2024/25 financial year, the agency generated Sh7.92 billion…
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued a directive requiring all financial institutions, motor vehicle dealers, and public and private entities to use only licensed providers for vehicle tracking and fleet management services. In a public notice released on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, CA Director General David Mugonyi said the directive aims to ensure safety, protect consumers, and improve service quality in the vehicle tracking sector. “In line with this mandate, CA licenses individuals and companies to provide ICT-related services under defined terms and conditions to ensure secure, innovative, and high-quality services,” Mugonyi stated. “Licensed providers are issued with…