Your Thursday News Digest
The UK has issued a travel advisory for several Kenyan counties citing terrorism and banditry risks. Meanwhile, the Controller of Budget called out 39 counties, including Nairobi and Mombasa, for exceeding salary limits and Nairobi for low developmen...The UK has issued a travel advisory for several Kenyan counties citing terrorism and banditry risks. Meanwhile, the Controller of Budget called out 39 counties, including Nairobi and Mombasa, for exceeding salary limits and Nairobi for low development spending. Nairobi County workers are on strike over delayed salaries, while Nairobi, Kitui, and Machakos incurred 500 million shillings in travel expenses. The EACC is investigating a 1.2 billion Kenyan Shillings corruption scandal in Garissa. In other news, the High Court halted a Bill seeking Constitutional entrenchment of the NG-CDF, and CS Murkomen warned MPs and governors against hiring goons. The JSC promoted 117 judicial officers.••• Listen for full story (6 min)(more in audio brief)
Controller of Budget Flags Ksh 220B Irregular Salary Payments
39 Kenyan county governments, including Nairobi and Mombasa, exceeded the legal limit for salary payments, spending over 35% of their total revenue on wages in the 2024/2025 financial year. This irregularity was highlighted by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang'o, in her recent report.
TSC Announces New Medical Cover for Teachers
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) announced that Kenyan teachers will transition to a new medical insurance scheme provided by the Social Health Authority (SHA) by December 1, 2025. This move comes as the current private insurance scheme nears its expiry, despite significant opposition from teacher unions.
High Court Deals Blow to MPs, Senators in New Ruling
The High Court has halted the progression of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aimed to enshrine the NG-CDF kitty into the Constitution, preventing its forwarding to President William Ruto for assent.
Sakaja's Nairobi County Ranked Last in Development Expenditure
Nairobi County, led by Governor Sakaja, has been ranked last in development expenditure according to a report by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o. The county spent significantly less than legally mandated on development projects.
Nairobi County Workers Go on Strike as Pressure Mounts on Sakaja
Nairobi County workers initiated a "go-slow" strike on Thursday, September 18, due to two months of delayed salaries and remittances, pressuring Governor Sakaja's administration.
Nairobi, Kitui, Machakos Splash Ksh 500M on Domestic Travel, Report Reveals
A recent report reveals that several Kenyan counties, including Nairobi, Kitui, and Machakos, have collectively spent hundreds of millions of shillings on domestic and foreign travel, often at the expense of development projects.
EACC Raids Homes of Three Govt Officials in Ksh1.2B Probe
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raided the homes and offices of three county officials and one former county official in connection with a Ksh1.2 billion corruption scandal in Garissa County. The raids, conducted under lawful search warrants, yielded critical evidence for the ongoing investigation.
Murkomen Threatens to Arrest MPs, Governors in Fresh Crackdown
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to politicians, including MPs and governors, threatening a crackdown on those hiring "goons" to disrupt political campaigns ahead of the upcoming by-elections. Murkomen stated that the government would apprehend both the hired individuals and their political sponsors within the next month.
JSC Announces Promotion of 117 Judicial Officers
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the immediate promotion of 117 Judicial Officers to higher ranks, effective September 18. This decision came after interviews conducted between August 4 and 13, with ratification occurring on September 11 and 15.
Court Proceedings Address Mathira Murder, Govt Compensation, and US Terrorism Charges
Govt Announces Crackdowns on Political Goons, School Arsons and Ghost Students
Kenya Launches Agroforestry Strategy and Mau Forest Restoration Drive
Nairobi County Cracks Down on Illegal Billboards and Bans Business Tents in CBD
Court Issues Arrest Warrant for UK Soldier Over 2012 Murder of Agnes Wanjiru
University Lecturers Strike Demanding Over Sh10 Billion in Payouts
All top stories from yesterdaySecond Africa Climate Summit Opens in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - September 2025
Authorities Warn on Fake Police Recruitment Links, Unpaid Pension Levies, and Counterfeit Seeds - September 2025
Nairobi Authorities Address Expressway Safety, Plan Demolitions, and Announce Eastleigh Crackdown - September 2025
Investigation into Murder of Lawyer Kyalo Mbobu on Magadi Road - September 2025
