May
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Labour Day dominated coverage, with President Ruto announcing a 12% minimum wage increase for general workers and 15% for agricultural workers during celebrations in Vihiga, the first time the event was held outside Nairobi. The wage hike fell short of union demands, drawing criticism from COTU's Atwoli. Earlier in the day, flash floods paralyzed Nairobi's Mombasa Road, prompting the Nairobi Expressway to suspend tolls. The Treasury proposed a Ksh4.82 trillion budget for 2026/27 and moved to cut fuel levy allocations. Other developments included the Supreme Court suspending a ruling on TSC internships, Purity Ngirici's ouster from Kenya Seed Company after leaving UDA, and the death of veteran gynaecologist Dr. Job Obwaka.
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The day began with reports that Millicent Omanga had been removed from the Kenya Shipyards board, days after joining the Wantam movement. By early afternoon, the government officially revoked her appointment, citing fallout with UDA. Meanwhile, former President Uhuru Kenyatta dominated coverage by defying calls to retire and publicly criticizing President Ruto, referencing Moi and Kibaki. In the afternoon, the death of veteran gynaecologist Dr. Job Obwaka at 83 led to a woman's arrest. The Treasury submitted a Sh4.82 trillion budget proposal, and 10 Kenyan truck drivers were detained in South Sudan. By evening, political infighting in ODM was exposed by Sifuna's fallout, and a new highway linking Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan was announced.
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The day's dominant story was Governor Irungu Kang'ata's exit from President Ruto's UDA party, announced in the afternoon and covered by multiple outlets. Kang'ata said he would not defend his seat on a UDA ticket in 2027, citing lost popularity. Earlier, the morning focused on flood deaths rising to 18, with the government mapping 59 flood-prone areas in Tana River. The interception of a bus carrying ammunition along the Thika–Garissa Highway was reported by several sources around midday. In the evening, Gachagua defended former President Uhuru Kenyatta amid renewed attacks from Kenya Kwanza allies, and said the opposition is ready to 'call Uhuru' if needed.
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The day's dominant story was President Ruto's state visit to Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu publicly rebuked him over the Tanga refinery announcement, marking a rare diplomatic rift. Earlier, Governor Irungu Kang'ata's exit from UDA continued to dominate, with multiple outlets covering his announcement not to seek re-election on the party ticket and his potential move to DCP. In the morning, Babu Owino admitted he should be in jail for the 2020 shooting of DJ Evolve, revealing he spent Sh70 million on medical bills. By midday, Senator Cherargei filed a motion to withdraw former President Uhuru Kenyatta's retirement benefits, drawing sharp responses from Jubilee leaders. Tomato prices soared to Sh25 per fruit, pricing out many Kenyans.
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The dominant story was President Ruto's state visit to Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu publicly reprimanded him over the Tanga refinery announcement, though eight MoUs were signed and Ruto received a standing ovation in Tanzania's Parliament. Former CJ Maraga accused Ruto and Suluhu of creating an 'axis of tyranny' against Gen Zs. Meanwhile, Senator Cherargei's motion to withdraw former President Uhuru Kenyatta's benefits advanced, with a petition filed to block it. The ODM internal rift deepened as Linda Mwananchi issued conditions for a ceasefire with the Sifuna-led faction. Education data revealed 151,691 pioneer CBE learners dropped out before Grade 10. In the evening, Uhuru warned that trust deficit is Africa's biggest threat to peace.
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The day's dominant story was the confusion in the Trump administration over the Strait of Hormuz, with the military declaring wins while the president halted operations, and Rubio stating US offensive operations against Iran had ended. Domestically, the fuel shortage dominated morning coverage, with CS Wandayi attributing it to a technical hitch. By midday, the focus shifted to the Linda Mwananchi rift, as Sifuna and Orengo differed on Uhuru's involvement, and youth arrests in Kisumu. In the afternoon, President Ruto appointed Justice Warsame to the Supreme Court. Gachagua insisted the opposition would field a single candidate against Ruto in 2027. The day also saw the revelation of Ruto's phone call to Gachagua's doctor, proving Gachagua was medically unfit for his ouster trial.
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The day was dominated by the ongoing impeachment battle of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In the morning, Gachagua returned to court to challenge his impeachment, listing 11 prayers in his petition. By midday, his legal team challenged the Senate's impeachment procedure and sought removal of his supplementary affidavit. In the afternoon, a push for a fresh medical exam emerged, and the court adjourned after respondents declined to proceed. Meanwhile, President Ruto ordered full digitisation of education data to eliminate ghost learners, and the Kenya Met warned of intensified heavy rains and flood risk in Nairobi and 30 counties. The TV47 crew was attacked while covering a disputed land in Runda. Former CS Matiang'i blamed Ruto for failing to challenge Tanzanian President Samia over her Gen Z remarks.
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The day's dominant story was the government's discovery of over 800,000 ghost learners in a schools audit, with disciplinary action against 30 principals, as reported by Citizen. This followed President Ruto's order on May 7 to digitize education data. In the morning, the Kenya Times reported TSC lowering teacher training entry grades from C+. By midday, the focus shifted to the West Pokot gold mine collapse killing 15, covered by multiple outlets. In the afternoon, Nairobi County won a legal battle against KRA's Sh8.3 billion tax claim, a story that gained traction across Citizen, TV47, and Kenyans. Meanwhile, Oburu Odinga resurfaced after a two-week absence, addressing health concerns. The US-Iran conflict in the Strait of Hormuz continued to affect global markets and local food prices, with food prices rising for the third consecutive month.
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The day began with reports of a building collapse in Oloolua/Ngong', trapping several people, which remained a focus throughout the day as rescue efforts continued. By midday, the dominant story shifted to a deadly attack in Mandera, where gunmen ambushed a matatu, killing six and leaving four missing. This attack, covered by multiple outlets, underscored ongoing insecurity in the region despite a reported decline in terror incidents in 2025. In the afternoon, President Ruto announced a Sh767 billion education budget and appointed nine individuals to government, including a new ambassador to the Vatican and NCIC members. The day also saw the Treasury explaining proposed KRA return deadline changes under the Finance Bill 2026, and activist Boniface Mwangi rallying Gen Z voters for his 2027 presidential bid.
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The day was dominated by the arrival of French President Macron and other heads of state for the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, with road closures and security preparations. Kenya and France signed 11 cooperation agreements, including a Ksh12.5 billion commuter rail expansion. Meanwhile, the building collapse in Ngong' continued to draw rescue efforts, and the Mandera matatu attack aftermath saw police manhunts. Political developments included DP Kindiki seeking to cross-examine a doctor in Gachagua's impeachment case, and Ruth Odinga publicly criticizing John Mbadi over ODM internal tensions. Aliko Dangote's interest in a Sh2.2 trillion refinery deal in Kenya also emerged.
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Editors prioritized the outcomes of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, with the arrival of UN Secretary-General António Guterres for a Sh44 billion UNON expansion and President Ruto’s multi-billion infrastructure deals with Emmanuel Macron dominating the morning headlines. Concurrently, Deputy President Gachagua shifted the security narrative by blaming Jubaland forces for the recent Mandera attack, marking a strategic development from the previous day's reporting on the massacre itself.
By midday, attention moved toward economic policy as Treasury CS John Mbadi defended the Finance Bill 2026. Outlets highlighted his justifications for a 25% levy on imported phones and the reintroduction of taxes on second-hand clothes (mitumba), while addressing criticisms regarding PAYE tax relief. This coverage reflected an editorial focus on the tension between government revenue needs and public concern over the cost of living.
The day’s narrative concluded with Macron’s cultural engagements in Nairobi and his public scolding of summit attendees over noise. Late reports focused on the government’s response to the West Pokot mine collapse and the IEBC’s distribution of ballot papers for upcoming by-elections.
By midday, attention moved toward economic policy as Treasury CS John Mbadi defended the Finance Bill 2026. Outlets highlighted his justifications for a 25% levy on imported phones and the reintroduction of taxes on second-hand clothes (mitumba), while addressing criticisms regarding PAYE tax relief. This coverage reflected an editorial focus on the tension between government revenue needs and public concern over the cost of living.
The day’s narrative concluded with Macron’s cultural engagements in Nairobi and his public scolding of summit attendees over noise. Late reports focused on the government’s response to the West Pokot mine collapse and the IEBC’s distribution of ballot papers for upcoming by-elections.
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The day's editorial focus was on Deputy President Gachagua's multi-front legal battle to halt his impeachment appeals, moving to the Supreme Court (Capital FM) and seeking UN intervention against President Ruto (Nairobi Leo), while the Senate rejected illness claims for his absence during trial (TV47 Digital). Morning coverage was dominated by the Africa Forward Summit's second day, with Presidents Ruto and Macron rallying African youth on digital economy (Eastleigh Voice) and Ruto approving Dangote's East African refinery in Mombasa (The Kenya Times). Protests near the summit led to 11 arrests (Capital FM). By afternoon, attention shifted to election preparations: Gen Zs innovated to independently tally the 2027 presidential poll (Daily Nation), while IEBC warned of a Sh33.4 billion funding gap (Eastleigh Voice). Late reports included doctors' strike notices in Meru and Isiolo (Citizen) and anti-France protests in Nairobi (Eastleigh Voice).
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The day's editorial focus was on Deputy President Gachagua's impeachment trial, with The Kenya Times reporting President Ruto's frantic phone call to Dr. Gikonyo during the proceedings, while Citizen covered National Assembly lawyers rejecting Gachagua's fair hearing claims. Dr. Gikonyo testified, confirming he treated Gachagua but denying hiding him. Morning coverage was dominated by the Africa Forward Summit aftermath, with 153 arrests (Citizen) and Ruto's diplomatic wins: the Court of Appeal upheld the Kenya–US health deal (The Kenya Times), and UN chief Guterres responded to Ruto's reform demands (Kenyans). By afternoon, attention shifted to Justice Njoki Ndung'u's ICC candidature launch (Citizen) and the LSK moving to the Supreme Court over surveillance (TV47 Digital). Late reports included KRA's sweeping powers in the new Finance Bill (Daily Nation) and IEBC warnings on ballot photo fines (Capital FM).
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The day's dominant story was the sharp fuel price hike announced by EPRA, with diesel crossing Sh240 per litre and petrol rising by Sh16.65, marking the third increase in a month. This overshadowed the Emurua Dikirr by-election, where voting proceeded amid minor clashes. In politics, a TIFA poll showed Ruto leading the 2027 race at 24%, with Kindiki as preferred running mate, while Gachagua's DCP gained ground. The Gachagua impeachment aftermath continued, with a court warned that quashing his ouster could create a two-DP crisis. Other developments included the University of Nairobi appointing Prof. Ayub Gitau as VC, and the government proposing a stipend increase for village elders.
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