The Kenyan Report

Some of the influencers during the Odoo Influencer Night in Nairobi, held ahead of the first Odoo Experience Africa. By: Gladys Karuga Odoo brought together some of Kenya’s leading content creators and influencers for an exclusive Influencer Night in Nairobi on Friday 28 as the global business software company stepped up preparations for the first-ever Odoo Experience Africa. The gathering brought together established and emerging content creators for an evening centred on interaction, networking and entertainment ahead of the major business and technology event scheduled for next week. Odoo had specifically positioned the gathering as an opportunity to host content creators and influencers, both active and prospective, for networking and interaction ahead of Odoo Experience Africa. The influencer engagement comes as Odoo prepares to host its first Odoo Experience Africa on September 3 and 4 at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi. The two-day event is expected to bring together businesses, ent...

Panelists engage in a high-level discussion during Africa Global PR Week 2026, exploring the role of strategic communication in redefining Africa’s narrative.(Photo credits) By: Gladys Karuga. Africa Global PR Week 2026 has concluded in Nairobi after three days of high-level conversations bringing together public relations practitioners, communications professionals, policymakers, media experts, academics, business leaders and storytellers from across Africa and beyond. The three-day event, held from August 26 to 28 at the Mövenpick Hotel and Residences in Nairobi, focused on the theme “Redefining PR, Redefining Africa”, with a central message that Africans must play a greater role in defining how the continent is represented to the world. The organisers said the gathering brought together more than 500 senior delegates and over 70 speakers, with discussions centred on communication, reputation, technology, nation branding, policy, storytelling and Africa’s position in the global infor...

A Shell-sponsored rally car, as the Shell Autocross Rally Championship heads to Stoni Athi for Round 5 this weekend. By: Gladys Karuga The Shell Autocross Rally Championship is set for another thrilling weekend as drivers converge at Stoni Athi on August 29 and 30 for Round 5 of the 2026 championship. The competition is expected to test drivers and their machines on speed, precision, endurance and technical preparation, with winners set to be crowned on Sunday. The event marks the second consecutive year that Shell is serving as the title sponsor of the Autocross Rally, following its partnership with the championship in 2025. Through the partnership, Shell aims to bring its global motorsport heritage closer to Kenyan consumers while supporting local drivers and contributing to the growth of the country's motorsport community. Vivo Energy Kenya Marketing Manager Joanne Nyaga said the partnership goes beyond sponsorship, noting that it is also aimed at celebrating performance and sup...

Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs speaks during the launch of the National Youth Council voter registration portal ahead of the October elections, (photo credits). By: Gladys Karuga. The State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy has launched the voter registration portal for the National Youth Council (NYC) elections, paving the way for young Kenyans to register and participate in the long-awaited elections scheduled for October. The announcement was made on Thursday during a high-level consultative and coordination meeting bringing together senior national and county government officials, county commissioners, County Executive Committee Members responsible for youth affairs, National Youth Council officials and other stakeholders at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Nairobi. The elections are set to be conducted in three phases, with ward-level elections scheduled for October 6, constituency elections on October 16, and the National Youth Congress on Octo...

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi (centre) addresses the media during a briefing in Nairobi on the Government’s enforcement of LPG regulations and crackdown on illegal refilling and illicit trade. By: Gladys Karuga The Government has defended its ongoing crackdown on illegal activities in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, saying the enforcement measures are necessary to protect consumers and enhance public safety. Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi said the Government was compelled to respond to criticism by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua because the remarks touched on the safety of LPG consumers. Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Wandayi said the Cabinet approved the LPG National Growth Strategy in October 2023 as part of efforts to support the transition from biomass to LPG, a cleaner source of energy. He said the strategy places emphasis on legal and regulatory reforms aimed at eliminating illegal refilling and il...

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during the launch of the Foreign Service Academy Resource Mobilization Strategy, where he called for stronger investment in diplomacy and the development of Kenya’s diplomatic capacity. By: Gladys Karuga Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has launched the Foreign Service Academy Resource Mobilization Strategy 2026–2029, setting the stage for increased investment in Kenya’s diplomatic training, research and capacity building. The strategy was launched on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, during an event held at Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi and attended by senior government officials, diplomats, development partners and other stakeholders. The initiative seeks to mobilise resources to strengthen the Foreign Service Academy and position it as a centre of excellence for diplomatic training not only in Kenya but across Africa. Mudavadi said Kenya needs to invest in institutions that build the ...

CS for Cooperatives and MSME Development Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya (right) and PS State Department for MSME Development (centre) during a media address on Kenya’s participation in the 26th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair in Kigali, Rwanda. By: Gladys Karuga Kenya has stepped up preparations for its participation in the 26th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Trade Fair, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 30 to November 8, 2026. Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSME Development Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya has commissioned a multi-sectoral National Organizing Committee tasked with coordinating Kenya's participation in the regional business exhibition. The 10-day trade fair will be held under the theme “Advancing Regional Value Chains in Leather and Horticulture”, with the leather and horticulture sectors taking centre stage because of their potential to drive industrialisation, create jobs, increase value addition and expand regional trade...

Human rights activist saddresses the media in Nairobi, calling for an independent probe into the death of KCB Head of Data Protection Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu and the contested Sh146.3 billion transaction involving Fox Capital Investment Limited. By: Gladys Karuga A civil society group has called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, the Head of Data Protection at KCB, while also demanding scrutiny of the bank’s handling of a disputed Sh146.3 billion transaction involving Fox Capital Investment Limited. Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, human rights activist and public interest advocate Francis Awino said the circumstances surrounding Koech-Kimwatu’s death, together with questions raised over the multi-billion-shilling transaction, require urgent and impartial investigation. Koech-Kimwatu died suddenly on August 21, 2026, in circumstances that the activists described as unclear. The gro...

Babu Owino unveils his ‘Nairobi First’ agenda, promising to transform the capital and deliver key solutions to residents within his first term if elected Governor of Nairobi (Photo credits). By: Gladys Karuga Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has unveiled his “Nairobi First” agenda as he seeks to become the next Governor of Nairobi, promising to transform the capital into a cleaner, safer, greener and more economically vibrant city within one term. Owino’s plan focuses on six key areas that he says require urgent attention, including waste management, flooding, traffic and mobility, jobs and the economy, as well as the protection and expansion of Nairobi’s green spaces. Under his “Clean Nairobi” proposal, Owino says his administration would establish a waste-management system that works, with reliable garbage collection, proper waste and recycling facilities, enforcement against illegal dumping and cleaner streets. On flooding, the gubernatorial hopeful proposes cleaning and expanding draina...

Built environment professionals address the media in Nairobi as they reject the proposed Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill in its current form, calling for a review of the legislation to ensure fair and effective regulation of the sector. By: Gladys Karuga A coalition of built environment professional associations has rejected the Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026, calling for its withdrawal in its current form and demanding a comprehensive review of how Kenya regulates professionals in the construction and built environment sector. The Interior Designers Association of Kenya (IDAK), Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK) and The Architects Alliance said the proposed legislation attempts to regulate architects, quantity surveyors, interior designers, landscape architects, construction project managers and technicians under a single regulatory framework despite the professions having different areas of expertise, training, ...

Africa's Business Heroes proudly presents the ABH 2026 Top 20 By: Gladys Karuga, The Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition, the flagship philanthropic initiative supported by Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation, has announced its Top 20 finalists for the 2026 edition ahead of a high-stakes Semi-Final set for Nairobi, Kenya from August 21-22, where the selected founders will pitch for a spot in the Top 10.  Selected from a highly competitive pool of over 24,000 applicants across all 54 African nations, the 2026 Top 20 cohort represents 12 countries and 11 core industries, with eight female entrepreneurs making up 40% of the group. The 2026 cohort brings significant commercial strength, having collectively generated approximately US$85 million in revenue in 2025. Their businesses span Agriculture and agritech, healthcare, manufacturing, climate technology, financial services, education, energy and technology. The selection process advanced through rigorous ...

The Africa Food Show Kenya 2026 gets underway at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. By:Gladys Karuga Experts have called for stronger and more sustainable financing mechanisms to support smallholder farmers and accelerate the transformation of Africa’s agri-food systems amid climate change, food losses and limited access to affordable credit. The call was made as the fourth edition of the Africa Food Show Kenya 2026 continues at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi under the theme, “Transforming Agrifood Systems for Healthy Diets: From Seed to Plate.” The three-day event is running from August 20 to 22, bringing together producers, processors, traders, investors, policymakers, researchers, innovators, development partners and private-sector players from across Africa and beyond. The Africa Food Show is positioning itself as a pan-African business-to-business platform focused on innovation, investment, trade and partnerships across ...

Waridi Tournament organizer Jenniffer Wairimu joins young players on the pitch during the grassroots women’s football tournament in Lamu, as teams line up ahead of the action. By: Gladys Karuga More than 2,000 fans gathered in Lamu for the Waridi Women Tournament, as grassroots sporting talent from across the region took centre stage in a major competition bringing together women and young people. The tournament, organized by Lamu Woman Representative aspirant Jenniffer Wairimu, President of the Kenya Youth Organization and founder of the Waridi Foundation, attracted 18 teams that competed in football, volleyball, netball, handball and basketball. In women’s football, Lake Amu claimed the championship, with Sinambio finishing second, followed by Uzida and Shekale. Tigres emerged winners in women’s volleyball, ahead of Umoja and Kihongwe. Mpeketoni Ladies took the netball title, while Mpeketoni Pride and Minivalley Ladies finished second and third. Vikings won the handball competition, ...

Vijana na Ruto leaders address the media in Nairobi on Monday, August 17, 2026, during a press briefing calling for accountability, loyalty and unity within the party. By: Gladys Karuga The Vijana na Ruto National Youth Political Movement has called for greater accountability, political discipline and loyalty within the political establishment, while urging young Kenyans to remain united in support of President William Ruto's development agenda. In a statement issued in Nairobi on Monday, the youth lobby raised concerns over recent political developments which it said risk undermining respect for national institutions and the office of the President. The movement particularly criticised remarks attributed to Starehe Member of Parliament Amos Mwago during a political engagement in Nakuru last week, where he allegedly referred to President William Ruto as "taka taka." Vijana na Ruto said political leaders have the right to disagree with the government and criticise its poli...

Starehe Boys riders cycle through Mombasa as they complete their remarkable 1,100-kilometre charity bikeathon from Busia to Mombasa in support of the school’s education fund. By: Gladys Karuga. Thirteen students from Starehe Boys Centre have completed a remarkable 1,100-kilometre charity bikeathon from Busia to Mombasa, cycling through 19 counties to raise funds for the school’s education fund. The riders embarked on the Dr. Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Charity Bikeathon on Monday, 3rd August, and arrived in Mombasa today after completing the challenging journey. The team arrived in Nairobi on Monday, 10th August, where they spent a day resting and recovering before resuming the final leg to the Coast on Wednesday. The Bikeathon aims to raise KSh 10 million for the Starehe Boys Centre education fund, while honouring the legacy of the late Geoffrey Griffin, the founder of Starehe Boys Centre and a lifelong champion of education and opportunity for young people. For the riders, the journey ...

The Starehe Boys riders pose for a photo as they prepare to resume their 1,100-kilometre charity bikeathon to Mombasa. By: Gladys Karuga Thirteen students from Starehe Boys Centre have resumed their 1,100-kilometre charity cycling challenge, setting off from Nairobi on Wednesday for the final leg of their journey to Mombasa, where they are expected to arrive on Sunday, August 16. The students arrived in Nairobi on Monday, August 10, after cycling from Busia through several counties. They spent Tuesday resting and recovering before getting back on the road Wednesday morning as they continued their mission to raise KSh10 million for the Starehe Boys Centre education fund. The Dr. Geoffrey Griffin Memorial Charity Bikeathon, which began on August 3, is named after the late Dr. Geoffrey Griffin, the founder of Starehe Boys Centre and a long-time champion of education and opportunities for young people. Beyond the fundraising objective, the demanding journey is designed to equip the student...