AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch: Kenya reported no new cases after 293 tests; 108 of the 122 identified contacts are quarantined, while border screening continues. The Health Ministry has also proposed a national disease-control centre to coordinate outbreak preparedness. Genomics: African researchers say the continent’s genetic diversity remains largely missing from medical studies—just 0.15% of participants in genome-wide studies are African—limiting the accuracy of some health findings for African patients. Digital Payments: A Nairobi workshop highlighted how fragmented networks, high fees and fraud risks still keep many people and small businesses from benefiting fully from instant payments. AI and Floods: Kenya Re is turning to artificial intelligence to help insurers predict flood risks, with university students invited to develop solutions.

Ebola Response: Kenya has quarantined 108 of the 122 contacts linked to its first imported case. No new infections have been recorded, and all contacts are being monitored. The Health Ministry has also proposed a national disease-control centre to coordinate outbreak preparedness and emergency response. Genomics: African researchers remain severely underrepresented in genetic studies, making health findings less reliable for African patients. Only about 0.15% of participants in genome-wide association studies are from Africa, researchers say. Applied AI: Kenya Re is turning to university students to develop an AI-powered tool to help insurers predict flood risks. Digital Economy: Kenya and Equity Group are exploring a partnership to advance digital services and financial inclusion.

Ebola Alert: Kenya’s first imported Bundibugyo case exposed gaps in border screening: the patient travelled from the DRC through Uganda and went undetected for weeks before dying in Nairobi. The outbreak has spread to another health zone in eastern DRC. Blockchain: Nairobi hosts the Africa Blockchain Festival on October 15–17, with discussions focused on practical uses for digital finance, trade and investment. Digital Economy: Kenya is exploring a partnership with Equity Group to link digital infrastructure and financial services, while plans for a central database aim to reduce privacy risks from recycled phone numbers. AI and Floods: Kenya Re has challenged university students to build an AI-powered tool to improve flood-risk assessment for insurers. Climate-Smart Farming: Kenyan scientists at the University of Eldoret are using tissue culture to develop clean, resilient planting materials as erratic weather threatens crops and food security.

Climate-Smart Farming: Kenyan scientists at the University of Eldoret are using tissue culture to produce cleaner, more resilient planting material as drought, crop disease and erratic rains threaten harvests. AI for Flood Risk: Kenya Re has challenged 90 students from 30 universities to build AI tools for assessing flood risks and helping insurers prepare for climate-related losses. Digital Privacy: The Communications Authority is proposing a central database to flag recycled phone numbers, helping banks and other services avoid sending sensitive messages to a number’s new owner. Ebola Response: Kenya is tracing contacts after its first confirmed imported Bundibugyo Ebola case; the patient travelled from the DRC through Uganda before being diagnosed in Nairobi, exposing gaps in cross-border screening. Agricultural Research: President William Ruto has launched cocoa as a scheduled cash crop in selected areas, with KALRO and KEPHIS expected to support seedling production.

Ebola Response: Kenya has identified 66 possible contacts of its first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case, whose symptoms were not flagged on arrival in Nairobi. The Health Ministry plans to distribute Sh171 million in lab equipment and protective gear to high-risk facilities; a suspected case in Wajir tested negative. Digital Safety: ICT officials faced Senate questions on digital safety, coordination and regulation as Kenya works to strengthen its online safeguards. Enterprise Tech: Safaricom has appointed Richard Muthua to lead cloud, cybersecurity and IoT, expanding its focus on business technology services. Wildlife Science: Researchers used machine learning to analyse elephant calls from Samburu and Amboseli, finding signs that elephants use distinct calls like names for one another. Clean Energy: Cabinet approved a Sh1.1 billion programme to support the uptake of 100,000 electric cooking appliances in four counties.

Ebola Response: WHO says Kenya’s first imported Ebola patient may have contracted the virus while receiving care in the DRC, highlighting infection-control concerns as investigators trace his journey and contacts. A suspected case in Wajir tested negative and was diagnosed as malaria. AI and Insurance: Kenya Re is turning to AI to help insurers assess flood risks, with 90 students from 30 universities developing catastrophe-modelling tools at its AI4I hackathon. Digital Economy: Kenya is reviewing its ICT law and pursuing accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, while exploring a partnership with Equity Group on digital infrastructure and financial inclusion. Health Research: Kenyan scientists are extracting venom from live snakes to develop an antivenom tailored to East African species. Tourism Technology: The Kenya Tourism Board is making online destination information easier for AI assistants to read and recommend as travellers increasingly use them to plan trips.

AI Infrastructure: Cassava Technologies has brought Dan Kwach back to lead its AI data-centre expansion, with Kenya among the markets targeted for NVIDIA-powered computing capacity. Coffee Research: President William Ruto ordered Sh100 million for a quality-analysis lab at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, aimed at supporting specialty coffee and small-lot auctions. Digital Connectivity: Access Partnership and AfriTrade will help companies navigate licensing and regulation for satellite, connectivity and other digital infrastructure projects in Kenya and East Africa. Digital Finance: M-KOPA says it has reached 10 million customers across five African markets and recorded $600 million in 2025 revenue. Public Health: A 20-year-old man suspected of Ebola in Wajir tested negative, easing fears of another Kenyan case; the country’s first confirmed patient died earlier this week.

Public Health: Kenya is tracing contacts after confirming its first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case; the patient, who travelled from the DRC via Uganda, died in Nairobi. Regional health officials are coordinating on cross-border surveillance. AI Skills: JKUAT has enrolled 80 students in three-month courses in AI and advanced coding, part of a wider push to close Kenya’s shortage of specialist digital talent. Medical Technology: IFC plans to lend Mombasa-based Revital Healthcare $10 million to expand cold-chain capacity and build a logistics hub, boosting its ability to serve regional markets. Wildlife Research: Scientists used machine learning to analyse 902 recordings from Amboseli, finding that elephant rumble choruses may convey coordinated group messages. Digital Finance: M-KOPA says it has reached 10 million customers and recorded $600 million in 2025 revenue, up 45% year on year. Agritech: East Africa Foods has raised about $40 million to expand infrastructure linking smallholder farmers with urban food markets.

Ebola Response: Kenya is tracing contacts after its first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case proved fatal; 10 people are quarantined and officials are trying to reach 57 more. The case has raised questions about airport screening. Smart Farming: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged farmers to adopt drones and precision tools to target fertiliser and pesticides, cut waste and improve yields. AI Adoption: Kenya ranks among sub-Saharan Africa’s leading AI hubs, but many firms still rely on basic tools rather than integrating AI at scale. Digital Safety: The government says it is strengthening responses to cybercrime, online abuse and misuse of personal data, while Kenya prepares to host an African AI governance forum. Space Technology: The Kenya Space Agency called for fair access to orbital resources and real-time tracking data to help manage space debris and support safer operations. Health Technology: Hospitals performed 9,852 minimally invasive procedures in 2025/26, surpassing the national target, with robotic-assisted surgery expanding at Nairobi’s Aga Khan University Hospital.

Ebola Response: Kenya is tracing contacts after its first confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola case; 57 contacts have been identified and 10 people quarantined. Africa CDC is sending experts to support the response. Cybersecurity: Kenya and the UK are expanding cooperation to protect digital payments, public services and personal data, while Kenya plans a 24/7 system for urgent requests to preserve electronic evidence. Clean Energy: More than £2 million in UK-backed funding will support 10 projects across eight African countries, scaling renewable alternatives to fossil-fuel generators for services including hospitals, telecoms and food businesses. Digital Trade: Kenya is aiming to grow its share of global digital commerce, with the sector projected to contribute Sh662 billion to GDP by 2028.

Ebola Response: Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo Ebola case after a Kenyan national died in Nairobi following travel from DR Congo via Uganda; authorities activated surveillance, contact tracing, isolation and safe burial, while Nairobi County said 923 health workers and 1,598 CHPs were trained and Rapid Response Teams stood up across all 17 sub-counties. Public Trust & Preparedness: Doctors and former CJ David Maraga questioned how the patient passed airport screening and raised concerns about testing and contact-tracing speed, as Africa CDC announced a high-level team would fly in to support the response. Carbon Markets: Kenya launched a new guide to strengthen participation in global carbon markets, aiming for high-integrity climate investments that protect communities, ecosystems and national climate targets. EV Push: Kenya signed an MoU for a KSh390bn electric vehicle manufacturing and green mobility investment, including local assembly and solar charging hubs. Digital Health: Nairobi’s shift from paper records to systems like Tibabu/taifa care is improving continuity of care and reducing paperwork bottlenecks. Fintech & Crypto Payments: Binance Pay rolled out a 20% mobile top-up discount promotion in Kenya and other markets, testing crypto-linked everyday payments. Energy & Industry: Dangote said its $16bn Lamu refinery will be delivered in 40 months, with an offer of 30% equity to East African countries.

Ebola Response: Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case (Bundibugyo) after a Kenyan citizen died in Nairobi following travel from the DRC via Kampala; health authorities isolated the patient, tested samples at national labs, and launched contact tracing of 28 contacts plus follow-up on passengers and crew, with monitoring set for 21 days. Rail Electrification: Kenya Railways opened applications for four expert roles to support the KSh 65bn Nairobi commuter rail electrification project funded through the World Bank’s KUMIP, with services expected to start in December 2026. Women-in-Tech: Absa Kenya, GirlCode and Konza Technopolis crowned four young Kenyan women winners of the GirlCode Kenya Hackathon for an AI-powered public transport fare collection platform aimed at improving payments and accountability. Digital Finance: KCB Kenya partnered with Stima Sacco to let members deposit directly via the revamped KCB Mobile Banking app, pushing interoperability across Kenya’s cooperative sector. Public Health Tech Governance: A new Africa-focused discussion highlights the need for AI accountability as adoption grows, asking who is responsible when systems fail. Startup Ecosystems: WOI.eco pitched a “Startup Nations” model to help countries build entrepreneurship ecosystems at national scale.

AI Governance: Kenya’s telecom regulators met in Nairobi to push “ethical deployment” of AI with stronger policy and legal guardrails, focusing on education and health while keeping innovation safe. Digital Economy Regulation: The same forum will tackle rules for digital platforms, next-gen networks, cybersecurity, consumer protection, competition, online safety, data governance and inclusion. Energy Transition: Ember expects Africa to install a record 17GW of solar in 2026, with most growth in distributed systems; Kenya is reported to have connected about two million people. Payments & Remittances: The UAE and Morocco signed MoUs to enable direct instant payments, aiming to cut remittance costs for hundreds of thousands of expats. Capital Markets: Kenya’s CMA cleared a GDR route so eligible local investors can access the Dangote refinery IPO. Health Insurance Compliance: Kenya’s SHA will only contract facilities for services they’re licensed to provide, tightening lab, pharmacy and imaging requirements. Modern Slavery & Tech: Kenya reaffirmed plans to fight forced labour and modern slavery, warning that poverty, conflict, climate change, migration and misuse of technology are raising risks. Education Tech & Integrity: CS Ogamba warned 2026 exam candidates against malpractice as KNEC secures containers with smart padlocks and remote monitoring.

Cybersecurity & Finance: Kenya proposes rules forcing mobile money providers to report cyber theft and major breaches immediately to the Central Bank, with fines up to KSh 1m or permit revocation—after data showed half of bank thefts in 2024 involved mobile banking. Digital Inclusion: A GSMA/PDAA study finds Kenya’s biggest barrier to mobile internet use is the cost of internet-enabled phones (27% urban aware but offline; 49% rural use; 38% aware but offline). AI for Africa: UNDP and GSMA partner to expand access to compute infrastructure for African AI pilots, including work on Kiswahili and other local languages. Education & Work: President Ruto directs TSC to raise teacher promotion slots from 34,016 to 50,000 for World Teachers’ Day, while another report warns learning poverty persists without well-trained, well-equipped teachers. Health Systems: A Dagane analysis argues “time theft” talk misses the deeper “hollow clinic” problem—clinics lack tools, consumables and functioning infrastructure. Housing Pressure: Habitat for Humanity’s global report says 75% of people cut essentials to afford housing, with many delaying medical care. Mining Tech: India’s CSM Tech deploys Kenya’s nationwide digital mineral royalty management system (RMS) for declarations, assessments and payments. Business & Courts: Kenyan court orders e-commerce firm Copia into liquidation after administration failed to revive operations.

Mobile Money Security: CBK and Treasury propose rules forcing M-Pesa and Airtel Money providers to report mobile cash theft, fraud and hacking incidents to the regulator, with penalties up to Sh1m or permit risk. Agriculture Finance: SBP flags inadequate insurance, lack of accredited warehouses and limited finance access as key blockers to farm lending. Climate & Girls’ Safety: A major global study links climate disasters to higher child marriage, teen pregnancy and violence against girls, with Kenya included in the analysis. Public Communication Strategy: Kenya plans to use social media influencers to promote government programmes as digital consumption shifts. Health & Community: Vet guidance urges immediate wound washing after dog bites to prevent rabies, which remains largely fatal once symptoms start. AI & Education: UNESCO and Codemao push AI/coding training across Africa using a train-the-trainer model. Wildlife Tech: KALRO’s waterbuck-scent “Tsetse Fly Shield” aims to reduce tsetse bites and disease transmission for livestock and people. Governance Focus: NCIC’s mandate is clarified as a national cohesion and security responsibility, not just election-period hate-speech response. Business & Regulation: Registrar of Companies strikes off 440 firms across sectors, with construction/real estate hit hardest. International Tech/Politics: Anthropic reports Russia-linked AI disinformation tactics using Claude in the Central African Republic.

AI Education Push: UNESCO and Codemao are training teachers across Africa to embed AI and coding in schools, using a train-the-trainer model that has already reached 200+ teachers in multiple countries. Kenya-Digital Policy: A new report argues that “every country has its own internet” as democracies fragment online rules around privacy, child safety, and disinformation. Korea-Kenya Tech & Trade: The 2026 K-Lifestyle in Kenya Showcase in Nairobi brought 30+ Korean brands (including Samsung and LG) to match with Kenyan importers and distributors, with 200+ B2B engagements. Health & Universities: Kenya’s health reform agenda is getting a push for tighter links with universities for research, innovation, and skills—while lecturers warn proposed tertiary funding changes could shift costs to students. Cybercrime Cooperation: China is expanding law-enforcement ties with East Africa and launching an alliance targeting cross-border telecoms and online fraud, with Kenya among founding countries. Jet Fuel Market: Rubis leads Kenya’s jet fuel market with a 33.6% share (year to June 2026), as regulators publish new sector market-share data. Dangote Refinery Politics: Health CS Aden Duale defends the Lamu refinery deal amid renewed scrutiny.