AGP Executive Report

Digital Commerce Trust: Visa’s Stay Secure study says 89% of Kenyans use AI for shopping, but only 29% trust it to complete transactions—so fraud-proofing and safer checkout remain the big gap. Tourism Payments Fix: Nairobi travel firms are pushing for integrated booking and payment systems as delayed settlements and fragmented platforms squeeze cash flow. Ebola Preparedness (No Cases): Kenya says it has no confirmed Ebola cases, with 90 negative samples, 23 isolation centres, 34,000 trained health workers, and screening at key entry points. Fuel Price Anger: Motorists Association of Kenya blasts EPRA’s latest petrol cut as too small (Ksh0.22), calling it political rather than formula-based. Clean Cooking Push: Makueni will bar biomass energy in new/renovated public buildings, backing solar to cut costs and smoke-linked health risks. Roads for Growth: KeNHA plans to upgrade 536km of Rift Valley rural corridors to bitumen under the RREDP. Medical Training Standards: Mt Kenya University tops EAC compliance for medical schools, joining Maseno and Kisii as fully compliant. Digital Hubs for Youth: Nyandarua launches the Ol Kalou Jitume Digital Hub with devices and training for digital jobs. EAC Trade & Cables: President Ruto’s Europe push highlights EU market access plus digital wins like the Blue-Raman submarine cable. Ebola Facility Transparency: A lobby group demands public participation and safeguards over a proposed Ebola research/containment site and any impacts on Nairobi National Park. Women in Dairy Finance: A 2026 report says women farmers are blocked by lack of collateral—only 23% have titled land and 19% documented cattle ownership. Company Strike-Offs: Kenya plans to dissolve 700+ firms, raising risks for workers and small businesses.

Ebola Response & Public Safety: The US has deployed troops to Laikipia to help set up a temporary Ebola isolation unit, with planners and logistics support (not frontline care) as Kenya faces court challenges and public opposition. National Addressing System: MPs are consulting on the National Addressing Bill, 2025, aiming to replace Kenya’s fragmented addressing with a unified, digital-ready framework for services like e-commerce, emergency response, and security coordination. Space Governance: Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to space law and sustainable space governance at COPUOS in Vienna, signaling continued focus on responsible space policy. Digital Infrastructure & Data Independence: Africa is being urged to fund its own digital infrastructure and protect digital independence, with Kenya highlighted in broader regional push for connectivity and AI-ready systems. Marine & Offshore Oil Debate: Earth Insight warns Kenya’s revived offshore oil licensing could threaten coral reefs, mangroves, and protected coastal areas. Health Tech Impact: Malawi’s IMPALA AI monitoring system is cutting child deaths in paediatric wards, offering a model for low-resource care improvements across the region.

Ebola Response in Kenya: The U.S. has deployed personnel to Laikipia to help set up a temporary Ebola isolation unit tied to the DRC outbreak, with new U.S. funding of Ksh6.5B (about $50m) aimed at countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain. National Addressing Bill: Parliament’s Communication committee held stakeholder consultations on the National Addressing Bill, 2025, pushing a unified, digital-ready addressing system to improve e-commerce logistics, emergency response, security coordination and public services. Cooperatives & Savings: President Ruto launched Shirikiana Sacco in Kakamega, positioning it as a grassroots savings and credit engine for Western Kenya’s economic empowerment. Education Stability: MPs moved to investigate school fires, student unrest and property destruction, citing overcrowding, drug abuse, weak support systems and fire-safety preparedness gaps. Digital Infrastructure Push: African leaders are urged to fund digital infrastructure domestically (including data centres) to protect digital independence and accelerate AI-ready capacity. Agri-Tech Adoption: KALRO urged farmers to adopt post-harvest technologies like drying, refrigeration and grading to cut losses and raise profits. Network Resilience: Vodacom says it invested R23.6B to modernise networks and boost resilience, spectrum value and IT upgrades.

School Safety & Unrest: MPs will probe a wave of school fires and unrest, with concerns ranging from overcrowding and drug abuse to weak fire preparedness and poor student–administration communication. Agri-Tech Adoption Gap: A new push highlights how farmers still struggle to access practical innovations from research, from pest control to affordable irrigation and post-harvest tech. Insurance Push: Low insurance uptake in East Africa is pushing insurers toward tech-led retail distribution to reach Sacco members, SMEs, women and gig workers. Ebola Response Funding: The US adds Ksh6.5B for countermeasures against the Bundibugyo strain as Kenya maintains Ebola-free status with intensified surveillance. Healthcare Breakthrough: MTRH performs Kenya’s first TIPS procedure for advanced liver disease after setting up an advanced angiographic suite. Sickle Cell Centre Plan: JOOTRH is set to become Africa’s sickle cell centre of excellence, expanding specialised care ahead of World Sickle Cell Day. Digital Connectivity: EU-backed Blue-Raman cable expansion aims to boost East Africa’s global connectivity, while Kenya’s addressing bill moves toward a unified national system. Education & Policy: The Ombudsman secures KCSE certificates for former students denied access, reinforcing that certificates shouldn’t be used to settle school disputes. Kenya–EU Education Corridor: Five Kenyan universities join a Kenya–Romania EU programme to open EU-accredited degree pathways.

Maternal Health: WHO-backed Lancet work spotlights postpartum hemorrhage as a fast-moving killer after childbirth, pushing for quicker recognition and treatment to save women. Ebola Preparedness: Kenya’s Ministry of Health says the country remains Ebola-free, with tighter surveillance, screening at entry points, lab readiness and county response capacity. Aviation & Infrastructure: President Ruto says construction of a new airport starts in July, following a reported KSh375.4bn JKIA upgrade deal with a Chinese firm. Digital Finance: A new gold-backed mobile platform lets Kenyans buy fractions of gold from as low as Sh20, aiming to offer a steadier store of value. Education & Skills: Ruto says education bottlenecks are being streamlined as Budget 2026/27 boosts the sector, while KPC Foundation and Power Learn launch an AI fellowship for job-ready youth. Conservation Tech: Kenya moves toward a national wildlife database and a draft marine spatial plan, using centralized data to improve planning and reduce conflicts. Health Systems: MoH highlights partnerships expanding specialized care, including advanced apheresis services for sickle cell patients. Tech Policy & Tax: Deloitte warns Budget/Finance Bill proposals may shift compliance and pricing for businesses and households.

UN Leadership: Monica Juma was sworn in as UNODC Executive Director and Director-General for UN Office in Vienna, pledging integrity and a focus on peace, security, justice and the rule of law. Digital Governance: Kenya’s government plans to roll out secure digital identities and electronic signatures across public institutions, with legal reforms to support digital transactions. Budget & Planning: Treasury CS John Mbadi presented the 2026/27 budget (KSh 4.82T), with big allocations for education and health, plus a new Planning Bill to better align national priorities with spending. Media & Trust: Kenya’s media industry is urged to strengthen ethics and credibility as social media and AI reshape how Kenyans get news. Inclusive Tech: A UN General Assembly visit highlighted DigiKen’s push for inclusive digital transformation, including tech access for persons with disabilities. Climate & Gender: Reporting flags how climate shocks hit women and girls hardest, worsening access to health, education and livelihoods. EdTech at Scale: Africa launched an EdTech policy toolkit aimed at reaching 200M learners by 2030. Biodiversity Shock: A Kenya field study links elephant loss to dung beetle coextinctions, showing cascading ecosystem damage. Maritime Security: Mombasa hosted an EU-backed conference to expand secure maritime information sharing and coordination.

Digital Tax Push: KRA will start monitoring business transactions in real time from July 1, 2026, rolling out integrated digital tax systems, expanded e-invoicing, POS links and e-customs to curb evasion. Health Budget Boost: Treasury proposes Sh177.2B for health in 2026/27, with big gains for referral hospitals, primary care, Global Fund programmes, KMTC and medical interns under UHC. Education Funding: Education gets Sh784.5B, led by Sh424.3B for teachers via TSC, plus major support for basic education and TVET. Ebola Preparedness: Kenya Medical Association issues an urgent Ebola alert, urging facilities to isolate suspected cases immediately and heighten clinical vigilance. Ebola Response Funding: US injects more billions into Ebola preparedness in Kenya and East Africa as cases top 600 in DRC and Uganda. Clean Cooking Summit Postponed: Africa’s clean cooking summit in Nairobi is delayed, with a virtual session planned to keep momentum. Conservation Science: A Kenya field study links local elephant loss to dung beetle coextinction, showing how removing one species can trigger ecosystem collapse. Agri-Tech & Business Software: Nigeria’s Bumpa enters Kenya, letting MSMEs manage online/offline sales and accept payments via M-Pesa. Oil Jobs: Gulf Energy announces 39 roles ahead of Kenya’s first oil project in Turkana, targeting first oil by Dec 1, 2026. Climate Risk Watch: NOAA declares El Nino is back, warning of more extreme weather and higher global temperatures.

Digital Inclusion: Kenya commits to permanent digital access for all citizens, moving from short-term pilots to national systems, with policy and infrastructure funding led by the state. Public Safety & Crime: DCI says five arrests followed a chilling double murder plot in Tharaka Nithi, after forensic and intelligence-led operations. Health Budget: The 2026/27 health spending plan rises to Sh175.5bn amid donor cuts, boosting UHC rollout and emergency/chronic care funds. Blue Economy Planning: Kenya edges closer to its first Marine Spatial Plan, a 20-year framework to balance ocean development, conservation and social inclusion. Ebola Response: US adds $20m for Ebola preparedness in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan as the DRC outbreak worsens and global travel risks rise. Tech, Data & Governance: Kenya’s Data Commissioner calls for stronger accountability in global data sharing programmes. AI & Media: Media leaders warn that AI-era survival depends on trust, identity and audience relationships. Internet Competition: Starlink’s new cheaper 100Mbps tier could disrupt Kenya’s broadband market if it lands locally. Education Support: US-based Alpha Queen Collective expands education and mentorship support for Kenyan schools, with a focus on girls. Disaster Management Law: Kenya enacts a National Disaster Risk Management Act to end years of ad hoc emergency response.

Digital Government: NTSA has activated an electronic logbook system, letting motorists pull vehicle ownership records via eCitizen and verify documents using QR codes and an NTSA mobile app. Construction Tech: Kakamega launched an online platform to streamline development approvals, track applications, and improve oversight, with plans to integrate monitoring with the Engineers Board of Kenya portal. Blue Economy Push: Ahead of Mombasa’s Our Ocean Conference (June 16–18), State says Kenya aims to unlock Sh350bn in blue economy opportunities, with focus on fisheries, pollution, marine protected areas and financing. Kenya–Finland Tech & Climate: Ruto and Finland’s Stubb signed MoUs on education, digitalisation/innovation, and climate resilience. Agriculture Resilience: Makueni farmers are using climate-smart practices like zai pits, mulching and advisories to keep producing despite erratic rains. Ecosystems & Research: Experts gathered in Nairobi for a biodiversity and cultural heritage conference, highlighting the Kenya–China “Flora of Kenya” work. Logistics Expansion: Uber is seeking a Kenya courier licence to expand parcel delivery beyond rides and food. Public Safety: A fire at Utumishi Girls’ School in Gilgil killed at least 16 pupils and injured 79.

Satellite Internet Race: Amazon has selected Kenya for its first African satellite gateway under Project Kuiper/Amazon Leo, applying to CAK for an International Gateway Operator licence—setting up direct competition with Starlink. Digital Connectivity: The EU pledged €37m to extend the Google-backed Blue-Raman subsea cable into East Africa, linking Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti to a Europe–India digital corridor. Blue Economy Jobs: President Ruto told Norway it’s Kenya’s gateway to Africa, while Norwegian firms committed to recruit 120 Kenyan seafarers by December 2026 and 1,000 by 2030. Education & Skills: Kenya’s Ministry of Education says Malaysia is offering fully funded 2026–2027 postgraduate Master’s scholarships via MTCP across multiple fields. Science for Society: Nairobi hosted STRI4Society Week 2026, pushing science and research to deliver real jobs and solutions beyond labs. Public Health Watch: Lake Victoria leaders urged tougher Ebola screening and preparedness along cross-border water routes. Policy & Courts: A court allowed withdrawal of a forgery case over a fake degree used to land a KPC job. Tech Governance: A court declined to halt Kenya’s Business Laws (Amendment) Bill as premature.

Blue Economy & Jobs: President Ruto secured a commitment for Norwegian shipping firms to employ 1,000 Kenyan seafarers by 2030, with the first batch of 120 expected by December 2026, alongside talks on new shipping routes linking Mombasa and Lamu to Norway and plans for green shipping and ocean sustainability. Maternal & Women’s Health Tech: Kenya’s Ministry of Health received 108 electric obstetric theatre beds plus women’s cancer screening and management equipment worth KSh43M from WHO, targeting emergency maternal/newborn care and cervical and breast cancer services in priority counties. Ebola Preparedness & Tensions: Kenya is ramping up Ebola readiness with 23 isolation/treatment centres and four specialised labs, while protests against a proposed US-linked quarantine facility in Nanyuki turned violent, with a protester reportedly killed by police. Digital Privacy Shift (Meta): Meta says it will use activity shared by other businesses to personalize not just ads but also Feed content and AI chatbot responses, expanding user controls under “Activity from other businesses.” Kenya–China Creative Exchange: China-Hunan Film Week opened in Nairobi to deepen cultural ties, with Kenya pushing for training, talent development and technology transfer in the creative industry. TVET Growth in Siaya: Siaya National Polytechnic’s upgrade is driving enrollment growth from 3,396 students (2021) to 7,589, with modular training helping learners progress faster into the job market. Crypto Regulation (Nigeria): Nigeria’s Senate advanced a bill to regulate virtual asset service providers, aiming to curb fraud and bring digital finance under licensing and compliance rules. Kenya–US Health Deal Unblocked: Kenya and the US officially launched a five-year, $1.6B health partnership after court rulings cleared delays, focusing on disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.

Ebola Response Clash: Laikipia County asked the High Court to stop a US-backed Ebola quarantine, monitoring and treatment facility at Laikipia Air Base, arguing lack of consultation and risks to schoolchildren, tourism and residents. Satellite Internet Race: Amazon applied for a 15-year international gateway licence in Kenya to build its first African satellite ground station for Amazon Leo, directly challenging Starlink’s growing footprint. EU Digital Push: President Ruto secured €102m (Sh15.37bn) under the EU–Kenya Digital Partnership plus €37m (Sh5.58bn) for the Blue Raman cable extension, with talks also advancing EU data adequacy steps for safer digital trade. Healthtech Expansion: Tibu Health won Proparco financing to scale pharmacy-based “Minute Clinics” and expand primary care access across Kenya. Transport Jobs & Skills: The Roads Ministry, SHA and EACC announced a mass recruitment drive covering engineering and instructor roles plus other entry positions via the PSC portal. Aviation Infrastructure Worry: Wilson Airport rehabilitation is facing delays and workmanship concerns, with progress reportedly lagging expectations. EV & Clean Energy Momentum: Spiro raised $215m to expand battery-swapping and electric mobility across African markets, including Kenya.

Ebola Preparedness: Kenya has screened over 77,000 travellers at entry points, with 37 people in quarantine, as authorities ramp up surveillance and lab capacity to keep the country Ebola-free. Digital Economy Boost: President Ruto secured EU-backed funding of about Ksh20.7B for Kenya’s digital push, including Sh15.3B under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership and support for the Blue Raman submarine cable expansion. US Health Deal: Kenya and the US have moved to implement a controversial five-year Ksh207B health cooperation partnership focused on surveillance, labs, health commodities, frontline workforce support and digital health systems. Power Sector Digitisation: Kenya Power begins a phased closure of all banking-hall payment counters, targeting completion by June 2027 as digital channels grow. Green Transition & Biodiversity: Chinese and Kenyan researchers renewed cooperation to protect biodiversity hotspots and support habitat resilience, food and water security. Local Innovation: A Kenyan startup is building eco-ride bicycles from bamboo, aiming for greener urban mobility.

EV Charging Shift: Kenya Power is moving more home/work EV chargers onto a cheaper e-mobility tariff, aiming to grow metered users from 331 to 1,000 to better plan grid upgrades. Education Pathways: Five Kenyan universities (AMREF, Strathmore, Kabarak, Moi, Pwani) are joining a Kenya–Romania EU-accredited corridor with Danubius International University for dual degrees and Erasmus+ mobility. TVET Deadline: KUCCPS placement applications for TVET and KMTC diploma/certificate programmes close today for KCSE holders, with the portal shutting at 11:59pm. One Health Lab: KWS has launched a regional veterinary laboratory at Lewa Conservancy to strengthen wildlife-livestock-community disease surveillance and rapid response. Health Tech & Care: KNH research highlights a non-drug recovery model for cancer patients, while Bungoma County pushes blood donations to close a monthly blood deficit. Malaria Breakthrough: Africa CDC welcomed approval of Coartem Baby, a newborn/infant malaria treatment trialed across Kenya and other countries. Digital Economy: Kenya plans to sell anonymised non-personal eCitizen and other government datasets via a new data marketplace. ICT Talent: Kenyan university teams won a Huawei ICT global grand prize in the Cloud category in Shenzhen. Tourism Innovation: Kenya is pitching remote-work tourism to digital nomads as a growth engine beyond safaris.

Kenya Data Economy: Kenya plans to monetise anonymised non-personal eCitizen and other government datasets via a new data marketplace, with a proposed council to oversee commercialisation and sale of at least 1,000 datasets over five years. Digital Platforms: Meta rolls out paid “Plus” subscription tiers across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, a move that could reshape how Kenyan users and small businesses buy visibility and analytics. Ebola Watch: CS Aden Duale says Kenya remains Ebola-free after 67 tests came back negative, while screening has reached 88,000 travellers and labs/referral hospitals are on high alert. Smart City Leadership: President Ruto appoints Abdul Bahari Ali as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority board. Public Health & Care: Advocates warn Kenya has fewer than 10 geriatric doctors for 3.6 million older persons. Ports & Transport Tech: KPA pushes ahead with Port of Mombasa expansion, starting berth 19B to handle larger container vessels. AI for Public Servants: UNESCO invites Kenyan institutions to bid for scaling AI and digital transformation training for civil servants under DigiKen.

Cancer Care: Kenya marked Cancer Survivors Day at KNH, with experts citing 42,000 new cases and 27,000 deaths annually, and urging earlier breast and cervical screening. Ebola Preparedness: WHO and Africa CDC unveiled a $518m continental plan (June–November) as Kenya pushes for fully operational quarantine centres; locally, officials report zero confirmed cases while screening rises at borders like Malaba. Legal & Public Trust: The Laikipia Ebola quarantine facility row continues to spark protests and court action over transparency and who the facilities are meant to serve. AI Governance: Kenya’s National AI Strategy is highlighted alongside calls for an Africa-wide AI governance framework to guide ethical, practical adoption. Digital Health: Kenya’s telehealth push for pensioners is gaining attention as a model for easier access to care. Wildlife & Pets: A report flags Kenya’s exotic pet trade surging, with most traded reptiles declining in the wild. Education Oversight: Government ordered a nationwide audit of boarding schools after unrest, deploying 1,000 quality assurance officers. Youth Mental Health: APHRC warns mental health disorders affect 1 in 8 young people (12%), calling for more research and funding.