Audio By Vocalize Artificial intelligence is the focus of the United Arab Emirates’ US$1 billion initiative to support development projects across Africa. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is backing a US$1 billion (Sh129.8 billion) initiative to help African countries use artificial intelligence in education, agriculture and infrastructure. The AI for Development initiative aims to support projects that apply artificial intelligence to development challenges, improve public services and expand digital infrastructure across the continent. The programme also seeks to strengthen local capacity and equip African countries with skills needed to participate in the global artificial intelligence economy. The initiative has gained…
Author: By David Njaaga
Audio By Vocalize President Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the handover of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa chairmanship at the bloc’s 25th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Thursday, October 22, 2026. [PCS] President William Ruto has handed over the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) chairmanship to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Ruto took over the one-year chairmanship from Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye at the 24th COMESA Summit in Nairobi on October 9, 2025. His tenure focused on using digital technology to deepen regional integration, expand trade and…
East African summit targets skills gaps, cross-border employment Published Date: 2026-10-22 10:33:00 Author: By David Njaaga Source: The Standard
Audio By Vocalize Philip Pande, chairperson of the East African Employability Summit Convening Committee, addresses the media alongside stakeholders during an engagement workshop at Daystar University’s Valley Road campus in Nairobi. [Benard Orwongo,Standard] East African stakeholders are seeking ways to improve skills recognition and labour mobility across the region ahead of the East African Employability Summit scheduled for November 11-12 in Nairobi. The third edition of the summit will bring together government representatives, employers, universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and development partners to discuss youth employment, skills development and cooperation between education institutions and industry. The…
Audio By Vocalize Safina Deputy Party Leader Willis Otieno during an interview on Spice FM, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. [Screen grab] Safina Deputy Party Leader Willis Otieno has challenged opposition leaders to offer economic solutions beyond removing President William Ruto from office. Otieno spoke on Wednesday, October 21, during an interview on The Situation Room on Spice FM, a day after Mashujaa Day celebrations where Ruto announced proposed tax relief measures and 50,000 additional internship opportunities. He argued that removing Ruto would not automatically resolve Kenya’s economic challenges, including public debt, unemployment, poverty and the cost of education and…
Audio By Vocalize Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who was presented as the leader of The Equitable Party, which is seeking to change its name to Linda Mwananchi Movement. [File,Standard] An aspirant for the Chepalungu parliamentary seat has asked the Registrar of Political Parties to verify whether The Equitable Party secured the required approval to change its name to Linda Mwananchi Movement. In a written submission dated October 21, Ruto Festus argues that the party must demonstrate compliance with its constitution before the proposed changes to its name, constitution, colours and symbol take effect. He says he could not find publicly…
Audio By Vocalize Art of Luxury Chief Executive Officer Mahesh Shahani, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei (centre) and TimeVallée Deputy Chief Executive Officer Hélène Maslin during the opening of the luxury watch boutique at Nairobi’s GTC Mall. [Courtesy] Nairobi’s luxury retail market is attracting international brands seeking to reach wealthy consumers, with high-end watches emerging as one of the categories competing for a share of premium spending. The wider retail sector is showing signs of recovery. Cytonn’s 2025 annual market review puts average retail occupancy in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area at 85.5 per cent, up from 82.2 per cent…
President William Ruto says Kenya is upgrading major stadiums, including Raila Odinga International Stadium and Kasarani, ahead of AFCON 2027 and the 2029 World Athletics Championships. Published Date: 2026-10-20 15:27:29 Author: By David Njaaga Source: The Standard
Audio By Vocalize Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi with Siaya political leaders after a meeting in the county on Monday, October 19. [Courtesy] Siaya leaders are rallying behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi says, in a push to retain the region’s support after Raila Odinga’s death. During a meeting with leaders from Siaya County on Monday, October 19, Wandayi said they were seeking to consolidate their numbers behind the Tutam movement and keep the region aligned with Ruto. “We had an unofficial meeting with leaders from Siaya County to consolidate our numbers behind Tutam and…
Audio By Vocalize KMPDU National Chairperson Dr Abidan Mwachi speaks on behalf of the union on Sunday, October 18, after it endorsed Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has endorsed its Secretary-General Davji Atellah for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat, saying it wants workers’ rights and welfare addressed through legislation. Speaking in Naivasha on Sunday, October 18, the union’s National Advisory Council unanimously endorsed Atellah’s candidature, with its leaders arguing that workers need direct representation in Parliament to influence decisions on labour rights, employment conditions and healthcare. KMPDU National…
Audio By Vocalize Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. [Courtesy] Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has questioned how emerging political parties will develop the structures and policies needed to compete in the 2027 General Election, warning against gambling with national leadership. Mudavadi challenged politicians forming or joining new political outfits to explain how they would build credible organisations capable of competing nationally with established parties. “Leadership of the nation is not a game of chance,” Mudavadi told worshippers during an Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) service in Nandi County on Sunday, October 18. He questioned where the parties would obtain their…
Audio By Vocalize Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has defended the broad-based government, saying President William Ruto’s administration is spreading development across the country and will maintain the partnership until the end. Wandayi spoke during an Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) service in Nandi County on Sunday, October 18. “President William Ruto has ensured development in every part of the country. Equality is fairness, and that is why we will continue to support the broad-based government to the very end,” Wandayi said. The broad-based arrangement followed an agreement between Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement…
Audio By Vocalize Winnie Odinga announces bid to contest Nairobi County Senate seat. [File,Standard] Winnie Odinga has declared her intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election. “Let it not be a rumour. I will contest the Senate seat of Nairobi County,” Winnie announced on Thursday during the first anniversary commemoration of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in Bondo, Siaya County. Her announcement puts the seat held by Edwin Sifuna in focus as he pursues his own presidential ambitions through the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has endorsed him as its presidential candidate for the…
Audio By Vocalize Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina during a meeting to discuss opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election. [Edwin Sifuna, X] Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has met Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina as opposition leaders push to agree on a common candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Sifuna, who leads the Linda Mwananchi movement, said Maina and Senator Kamau Murango visited his office on Tuesday to discuss efforts to unite the country and strengthen the opposition. “Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina and Senator Kamau Murango are solid…
Audio By Vocalize Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who declared Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus a formidable epidemic disease under the Public Health Act. [File,Standard] Kenya has declared Ebola virus a formidable epidemic disease, introducing new rules governing screening, isolation, quarantine, contact tracing and the handling of bodies. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale issued the declaration through a legal notice published in the Kenya Gazette on Monday, October 12, under Section 35 of the Public Health Act. The declaration follows Kenya’s confirmation of its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease on October 6, after a Kenyan citizen…
Audio By Vocalize President William Ruto during a public meeting in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, on Monday, October 12, 2026, where he criticised former President Uhuru Kenyatta over his role in opposition politics ahead of the 2027 General Election. [PCS] ‘You conned me’: Ruto accuses Uhuru of 2022 betrayal President William Ruto has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of betraying him in the 2022 election, claiming his former boss abandoned him after years of political support and campaigned against his presidential bid. Speaking in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, on Monday, October 12, Ruto said he stood by Kenyatta during the…
Audio By Vocalize President William Ruto during a public meeting in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, on Monday, October 12, 2026, where he criticised former President Uhuru Kenyatta over his role in opposition politics ahead of the 2027 General Election. [PCS] President William Ruto has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of betraying him in the 2022 election, claiming his former boss abandoned him after years of political support and campaigned against his presidential bid. Speaking in Ziwa, Uasin Gishu County, on Monday, October 12, Ruto said he stood by Kenyatta during the 2013 and 2017 elections but received no support when…
Audio By Vocalize Visitors engage with an exhibitor showcasing construction-related products and technology during a trade exhibition, as industry players explore solutions for Kenya’s growing construction sector. [Courtesy] Kenya’s construction sector grew by 6.8 per cent in 2025 after contracting by 0.7 per cent in 2024, with a reported Sh3.4 trillion pipeline of projects pointing to potential opportunities for local businesses. The growth, reported in the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2026, came as the country’s economy expanded by 4.6 per cent in 2025, down from 4.7 per cent in 2024. Kenya accounts for 64.4 per cent…
Audio By Vocalize ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga speaks during the Imwatok Super Cup in Teso South, Busia County, flanked by party leaders during activities marking the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death. Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairperson Gladys Wanga has dismissed claims that the party is weakening after Raila Odinga’s death. Speaking during the Imwatok Super Cup in Teso South, Wanga said ODM would retain all its elective seats in Busia County, urging residents to remain united behind the party. “Some people were saying that after Baba left us, ODM is buried with him. But we want to…
Athletes, coaches and fans gathered in Iten on Sunday evening to celebrate Kenyas Amos Kipruto after he won the 2026 Chicago Marathon in a personal best of 2:01:09. Published Date: 2026-10-11 20:03:02 Author: By David Njaaga Source: The Standard
Grassroots football competitions could become a pathway to professional careers for young people if the government invests in structured training programmes. Published Date: 2026-10-11 17:49:00 Author: By David Njaaga Source: The Standard
Audio By Vocalize Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. [File,Standard] The government has records of 354 Kenyans linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, including 84 classified as killed or missing in action and five being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi gave the updated figures in a response to Parliament on the recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military and the detention of Kenyans in Ukraine on Thursday, October 8. The records show that 77 Kenyans remain on the front lines, 38 are in camps, 52 have an unknown…
Audio By Vocalize Kenya National Police DT SACCO Chairman David Mategwa (left), Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe (centre) and CEO Solomon Atsiaya (right) during the delegation’s visit to the SACCO. Kenya is drawing interest from Botswana as it seeks lessons from the local cooperative sector to strengthen savings and credit cooperative societies (SACCOs). Kenya National Police DT SACCO hosted a Botswana delegation on Thursday, October 8, for discussions on governance, digital financial services, financial sustainability and how SACCOs can adapt to changing member needs. The visit brought Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe to the SACCO, where he led…
Audio By Vocalize Learners attend a session of the Samsung Innovation Campus at JKUAT, which is training students in artificial intelligence and advanced coding. [Benard Orwongo,Standard] Kenya is stepping up efforts to build artificial intelligence (AI) skills as the technology reshapes workplaces and increases demand for workers who can develop and use AI systems. The push is taking shape in universities, technical institutions and government programmes as the country seeks to close a shortage of advanced digital skills. At Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), 80 students have started a three-month programme in AI and advanced coding, with…
Audio By Vocalize Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga greets President William Ruto as Mama Ida Odinga and Raila Odinga Junior look on during the dedication of Raila’s mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, on Wednesday. [PCS] Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s family has called for a political truce ahead of his first anniversary, urging leaders to make October 15 a day of remembrance rather than political rivalry. Raila’s daughter Winnie Odinga, an East African Legislative Assembly MP, appealed on Wednesday during the dedication of his mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County. She said the…
Audio By Vocalize Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Muriithi (right) interacts with World Bank Eastern and Southern Africa Region Divisional Director Dr. Qimiao Fan during the Eastern and Southern Africa Private Sector Forum on Irrigation in Nairobi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Kenya is seeking private-sector financing for 61 per cent of its Sh598 billion irrigation plan as it targets more than 1.5 million irrigated acres by 2035. The plan, known as the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP) 2025–2035, seeks to expand irrigation as the Government works to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The Government made the call…
Audio By Vocalize Voters queue at Ol Kalou Comprehensive School polling station during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election on July 16, 2026. [David Gichuru, Standard] Trust in Kenya is increasingly divided by income and social differences, with higher-income citizens expressing greater confidence in institutions while many Kenyans remain reluctant to trust people outside their social circles. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer found that the trust index among higher-income Kenyans stood at 73, compared with 66 among lower-income groups, a seven-point gap. The report also found that 66 per cent of Kenyans were hesitant or unwilling to trust people who were…
Audio By Vocalize The “100 Portraits of Becoming” project will document the identities, experiences and personal stories of 100 people across five countries, beginning in Kenya. [AI Generated] A global portrait project will document the lives and identities of 100 people across five countries, beginning in Nairobi with Brazilian artist Angélica Dass behind the camera. The two-year initiative, “100 Portraits of Becoming”, will start in Kenya before moving to the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Brazil. Participants will have their portraits taken in natural light, without filters and in clothing of their choice. They will also share personal accounts of…
Audio By Vocalize Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna plans to rename The Equitable Party (TEP) the Linda Mwananchi Movement after a tribunal ruling cleared the way for the movement to reserve its name. Sifuna announced the planned rebranding on Sunday, October 4, as his allies unveiled him as the leader of Linda Mwananchi in Nairobi. “So, in the coming days, and as has been resolved by the principals of Linda Mwananchi, who you see here, we shall be seeking to rebrand this party, the Equitable Party, to the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” said Sifuna. The Registrar of Political Parties, John Lorionokou, approved…
Audio By Vocalize African giant snails feed on cabbage leaves in a plastic tub. Farmers are being urged to sell their meat, shells and slime. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] Farmers are being encouraged to turn snails into a source of income by selling their meat, shells and slime to the food, cosmetics and livestock industries. The opportunity was showcased at the Nairobi International Trade Fair on Wednesday, September 30, where researchers from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) demonstrated how farmers can extract value from the often-overlooked creatures. Anne Muthui from JKUAT’s Department of Horticulture and Food Security urged…
Audio By Vocalize President William Ruto with Dangote Industries President and CEO Aliko Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) CEO Samaila Zubairu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA. [PCS] President William Ruto has offered Kenya as a test case for how African risk is assessed, saying the country will open its default and recovery data to rating agencies and accept changes to the methodology if the evidence supports them. Ruto said financial rules are steering African pension savings towards government securities rather than infrastructure, even where regulations allow greater investment in projects. He…