The Cabinet has approved an additional Sh12.83 billion to complete the Thwake Multipurpose Dam, a major water infrastructure project expected to supply 150,000 cubic metres of water daily to about 1.3 million people. In a dispatch following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House on Friday, the government said the project would serve communities in Makueni and Kitui counties, including Wote town and surrounding areas, as well as Konza Technopolis. “It will also support irrigation and future hydropower generation, strengthening water security, agricultural production and economic development,” the dispatch read. The Thwake Multipurpose Dam is located…
Author: David Wafula
The Cabinet has approved Sh45.44 billion ($350 million) in shareholder financing for Kenya Airways to help the national carrier meet urgent financial obligations, maintain aircraft and return grounded planes to service. In a dispatch following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House on Friday, the government said the funds would be disbursed in tranches under the oversight of the National Treasury. The financing will have a repayment period of up to 10 years, with the possibility of conversion into equity, subject to the necessary approvals. The Cabinet also endorsed a proposal to convert Sh122 billion in…
The Cabinet has adopted the National Insurance Policy, 2026, aimed at making insurance more affordable and accessible, particularly for farmers, informal sector workers and small businesses. In a dispatch following a meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House on Friday, the government said the policy would introduce reforms to strengthen consumer protection, improve oversight of insurers, promote fair business practices and combat insurance fraud. With insurance penetration standing at 2.45 per cent, the policy also seeks to expand digital insurance services and increase access to coverage among underserved groups. “It also seeks to protect households and businesses against…
The Cabinet has endorsed a major hospital infrastructure programme aimed at expanding access to specialised treatment, strengthening referral services and accelerating the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In a dispatch following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House on October 9, the government said the programme would include the construction of a new 2,000-bed Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and a 1,000-bed Level Six hospital in Mombasa. The plan also provides for the expansion of 13 Level Five hospitals, each set to receive an additional 300 beds. The targeted counties are Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Kilifi,…
The Cabinet has approved the settlement of verified government pending bills worth Sh50 million and below, paving the way for payments to thousands of suppliers and contractors. In a dispatch following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House, the government said 28,726 verified bills totalling Sh23.74 billion would be paid, representing 98 per cent of the 29,257 claims recommended for settlement. The payments are expected to provide relief to businesses, some of which have been waiting for government payments since 2005. The decision follows a review by the Pending Bills Verification Committee, which received 115,617 claims…
Kenya Power has announced a five-hour suspension of telephone services at its contact centre on Sunday night due to scheduled system maintenance. In a statement on Friday, the company said the maintenance would run from midnight on Sunday, October 11, to 5am on Monday, October 12, 2026. “Dear Esteemed Customer, please note that we will carry out a system maintenance on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) to 5:00 a.m.,” Kenya Power said. The company warned that customers would be unable to reach its contact centre through telephone calls during the maintenance period. However, other communication channels, including…
Detectives from Kiminini in Trans Nzoia County have arrested a suspect linked to the alleged sexual assault and subsequent death of a minor. In a statement on Friday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the suspect as Erick Wamalwa Namukana, alias Funje, who is the child’s stepfather. According to the DCI, the suspect went into hiding following the incident, prompting detectives to launch a manhunt to track him down and bring him to justice. Preliminary investigations indicate that the minor was allegedly sexually assaulted between March 2 and 3, 2026, before being rushed to Bikeke Health Centre for treatment.…
The Kenya Meteorological Department has listed counties expected to receive rainfall over the next seven days, from Friday, October 9, to October 16, 2026. In a statement, the department said rainfall is expected in several parts of the country, including the Coast, North Eastern, Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Central regions. The counties expected to receive rainfall are Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale. Others are Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Kisumu, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia. Rainfall is also expected in…
The government has set aside Sh25 billion to compensate people affected by the construction of the Narok-Bomet-Kisumu of the Naivasha-Kisumu- Malaba Standard Gauge Railway project. Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Philip Mainga said the National Land Commission is conducting public participation ahead of the compensation of affected landowners Mainga said the NLC has also granted Kenya Railways early access to some sections of land as negotiations and valuation with affected landowners continue. The affected landowners have expressed willingness to participate in the public participation process and work with the government to ensure the compensation negotiations are smooth. Speaking during a…
Elon Musk has questioned whether billionaire Mukesh Ambani is the “real boss of India” as his satellite internet company Starlink struggles to secure final approval to launch in the country. The remark came a day after Musk accused unnamed powerful business interests of trying to block Starlink’s entry into India. He then singled out Ambani, whose Reliance conglomerate owns Jio, India’s biggest mobile network operator. India has rejected Musk’s allegations, saying its satellite communications rules are fair and non-discriminatory. Ambani and Reliance Group have not responded to Musk’s remarks. The BBC has reached out to them for comment The row…
At least 24 vehicles were set ablaze and foreign-owned shops looted in South Africa as anti-immigration protests descended into violence in two major cities, police say. Clashes broke out on Thursday in Soweto, a sprawling township outside Johannesburg, the country’s largest city, and Durban, a major port on the east coast. The violence comes amid growing anger over a court ruling requiring the government to remove barriers that had prevented some migrants from applying for asylum. South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence, often targeting migrants from neighbouring countries. Thursday’s demonstration turned violent following allegations that a foreign…
Robert Smith has an estimated net worth of $25 million. The English musician built his wealth through his long career as the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of The Cure, one of the most influential rock bands to emerge from the late-1970s post-punk scene. Over more than four decades, Smith has earned recognition and income through album sales, music publishing, touring, live performances and collaborations with other artists. Smith is known for his distinctive voice, emotionally charged lyrics and guitar-driven sound. His signature appearance, featuring teased black hair, dark eyeliner and red lipstick, also made him an enduring figure…
Fred Smith was an American entrepreneur and business executive who had an estimated net worth of $6 billion at the time of his death on June 21, 2025, at the age of 80. He was best known for founding FedEx, the global shipping and logistics company that transformed the delivery industry through its overnight package service. Smith founded Federal Express in 1971 with money from his inheritance and outside investors. His business model relied on a central hub-and-spoke network that allowed packages to be transported efficiently between cities using aircraft. The approach helped establish a new standard for speed and…
Patti Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, author, and visual artist with an estimated net worth of $4 million. She rose to prominence in New York’s music scene during the 1970s by combining poetry, spoken word, and rock music, becoming one of the most influential figures in the development of punk rock. Her debut album, Horses, released in 1975, helped establish her reputation as an artist who challenged traditional boundaries between music and literature. Smith achieved wider commercial success with albums such as Radio Ethiopia, Easter, and Wave. Her best-known song, “Because the Night,” was co-written with Bruce Springsteen…
Patty Smyth is an American singer and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $100 million, a figure that represents her combined wealth with her husband, tennis legend John McEnroe. Smyth built her fortune through her career as the lead singer of the rock band Scandal, her successful solo music career, songwriting, and other entertainment projects. McEnroe has also accumulated substantial wealth through professional tennis, broadcasting, and business activities. Smyth rose to fame in the 1980s when Scandal became known for songs such as “Goodbye to You” and “The Warrior.” She later achieved major solo success with “Sometimes Love Just…