Kenya just agreed with China to extend its stalled Standard Gauge Railway during President Ruto's visit to China. The deal covers road projects like the Rironi-Mau Summit Highway under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China sees Kenya as an important hub for its African development strategy. Both countries signed a railway agreement back in 2014 for the Mombasa-Nairobi line as a public-private partnership. The new SGR extension involves phase 2B from Naivasha to Kisumu and phase 2C from Kisumu to Malaba.
The first phase, spanning 480 kilometers, ran from Mombasa to Nairobi, with phase 2A connecting Nairobi to Naivasha. The agreements also feature plans for widening the Northern Bypass, expanding Kiambu Road, and building Nithi Bridge...
Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu faces treason charges that could bring the death penalty. He survived sixteen gunshots during a 2017 murder attempt. The government arrested him two weeks ago for allegedly calling people to rebel against the upcoming October elections. His party, Chadema, cannot join these elections after refusing to sign an official code of conduct. Armed police surrounded the courthouse on Thursday, where his case continued without him present.
Lissu took control of Chadema from Freeman Mbowe, whom he thought was not tough enough against the government. He traveled across Tanzania, telling people that no reforms meant no elections. He believes the current system helps only the ruling CCM party, which has won...
Uhuru Kenyatta told young Africans they must protect their continent. The former president spoke at Makerere University during a meeting with student leaders. He said youth serve as the final defense against forces threatening Africa. He stressed that rich nations focus more on themselves these days, creating a new independence period for African countries.
African countries trade very little with each other compared to global business. Kenyatta wants to remove obstacles to goods moving between African nations. He believes young people can lead this change through new ideas. He warned students that nobody will come to rescue Africa from its problems. He called them freedom fighters for modern times.
According to Kenyatta, universities...
Former farm chief Mithika Linturi joined ex-deputy president Rigathi Gachagua yesterday. He brought other important Meru region leaders with him to visit Gachagua at his home. These politicians met to plan their next moves as power shifts across Mt Kenya area. Their group represents one of the largest from the eastern mountain communities. This might hurt current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who wants control of these voters before the 2027 elections.
Gachagua gains more followers despite losing his government job earlier. President William Ruto recently visited the Mt Kenya region with Kindiki. During that trip, Ruto promised jobs to both Linturi and former Meru leader Peter Munya. He told people he had plans for these leaders...
Kenya's top official says the government will keep every promise before asking people to vote again. Deputy leader Kithure Kindiki talked with locals near Nakuru yesterday about projects happening right now. He looked at a market being built that workers should finish early next month. The national government pays for this project. Kindiki wants better living standards for all citizens.
The government is building 19 modern markets across Nakuru County, with two more starting soon. Three markets are already rising in the Bahati area. These spaces help small traders sell their goods properly. The market buildings will have cold storage for food that spoils easily. They will also offer internet access for young people looking for online...
A sports official told lawmakers that Kenya will host big soccer tournaments with its neighbors. Sports leader Elijah Mwangi promised these games would show Kenya can run major events well. A new 60,000-seat stadium called Talanta Sports City should finish by February 2026, later than originally planned. The Kasarani stadium, with 55,000 seats, needs work done by April 2025. Kipchoge Keino Stadium must be ready for games by May 2026.
Workers have finished 60 percent of repairs at Nyayo Stadium, which should open in December 2025. Each country must pay $30 million to help run the Africa Cup tournament. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will give $90 million for all expenses together. African soccer leaders picked these East African nations...
Kenya health officials found fake medicine being sold around the country. The Pharmacy Board told people to stop using these drugs right away. Bad batches of Augmentin, a common antibiotic, are making people sick. Two specific batches marked 8X3K and EU7C contain dangerous fake medicine. The board wants all these pills returned to health centers or suppliers.
Certain pain medicines also caused problems. Several batches of paracetamol shots made in India failed safety tests. Officials discovered another issue: the wrong pills were put inside some medicine packages. They found antibiotics mixed with stomach acid pills. This mistake could harm patients who take the wrong medicine without knowing it. Everyone should check their medicine...
Kenyan health officials plan to release rules about paying for medical care for poor families next week after talks between national officials and county leaders. Counties need these guidelines to make their budget plans for next year. The health ministry and social protection department will team up to identify people who need help with health costs.
Council of Governors vice chair Mutahi Kahiga said health care makes up the largest part of county work. He believes everyone must work together to give all Kenyans the good medical care they can afford. The Thursday meeting between county governors and health ministry staff covered many topics about health care for all citizens. They talked about strengthening health systems and better...
Kenya wants China to help build a new bridge where many people died. President William Ruto made this deal during his trip to China. The dangerous Nithi Bridge sits on the Embu-Meru road. State House official Hussein Mohammed said Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to fund the project. China will work with Kenya on several major road projects across the country.
Ruto promised in March that the bridge would be finished by 2027. The government looks at two plans - one costs about $38 million, another around $380 million. The current bridge dates back to the early 1980s. People call it the killer bridge because of all the crashes there. A bus accident in 2000 killed more than 45 people. Another crash in 2022 took 33 lives. Just last...
