AGP Executive Report

Fuel Crisis Fallout: Kenya’s nationwide public transport strike has been called off after President William Ruto met operators in Mombasa and pledged diesel relief in the June fuel review—following deadly protests earlier in the week that left four dead and 30+ injured. Policy Clash: Ruto defended keeping fuel taxes, saying VAT cuts already cost billions and scrapping more levies would cripple public services. Ebola Watch: Health CS Aden Duale says three suspected cases and four contacts tested negative, but Kenya has intensified screening at airports and borders and put 22 counties on high alert as the regional outbreak spreads. Finance Bill Pressure: Professional bodies are pushing back on Finance Bill 2026 proposals, including taxes on digital transfers and card transactions, warning they will hit households and businesses. Education & Digital Gap: A new spotlight on rural school infrastructure shows a widening ICT gap that could leave learners behind as AI reshapes jobs. Environment & Community: Kenya is also facing fresh public debate—from conservation-led Indigenous funding models to protests against a planned nuclear plant near Lake Victoria.

Fuel Relief & Governance: President William Ruto told Kenyans fuel prices will stay unchanged for now, but ordered EPRA to cut diesel by Sh10 in the June/July cycle after a consultative meeting with transport stakeholders in Mombasa—while warning against calls to scrap petroleum taxes that he says would break revenue plans. Judiciary Accountability: The Judiciary says it will start publishing individual performance data for judges and officers, aiming to improve court clearance, backlog handling and public confidence. Power Expansion: Ruto flagged off a Sh616m Lamu electrification push that targets 1,667 families this year, as part of a wider Coast grid connection plan. Trade Modernisation: East Africa’s revenue authorities are accelerating digital customs and electronic cargo tracking to speed clearance and cut fraud. Regional Finance Markets: Kenya’s Nairobi Securities Exchange listed its first infrastructure fund, the Spearhead Africa Infrastructure Fund, raising KSh3.4bn for tradable infrastructure debt.

Sustainability & Built Environment: UIA and UN-Habitat named winners for the UIA 2030 Award, spotlighting projects that link architecture to climate adaptation, restoration, housing and inclusion. Banking & MSMEs: NCBA posted Sh6bn net profit on strong digital lending growth, while Stanbic doubles down on family-owned firms with governance and succession support. Public Delivery Focus: Nairobi will host a government project-management forum as Kenya pushes to cut delays and cost overruns in public works. Health & Social Stress: One in four Kenyans may face a mental health condition, and AMWIK warns GBV and femicide are escalating into a national crisis. Ebola Watch: Kenya is on alert for possible spillover as regional outbreaks and aid cuts strain response capacity. Trade & Industrialisation: AfCFTA picked Rendeavour as its first implementation partner to drive infrastructure-led industrial zones. Transport & Cost of Living: Ruto’s Coast tour included a Sh3bn Likoni ferry plan and rural electrification promises, while fuel-price fallout continues to shape business and household costs.

Kenya–Kazakhstan Trade Push: President William Ruto and Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrapped landmark talks in Astana, with a clear agenda to deepen trade, launch direct flights, and explore a Kazakhstan-based Kenyan trade and logistics hub to open Eurasian markets. AI Skills & Entrepreneurship: Google relaunched its Hustle Academy across South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, pitching a $100bn generative-AI opportunity and offering free bootcamps plus Career Certificates for small businesses. Fuel Crisis Fallout: Kenya’s nationwide transport strike over fuel prices has been paused for a week to allow talks after deadly protests and hundreds of arrests. Energy & Mobility Growth: Kenya Power says e-mobility electricity sales jumped 113% in three years to KSh382m, setting the stage for Nairobi’s EV conference and expo. Health & Regional Security: Kenya’s UNODC leadership transition continues with Monica Juma taking the helm in Vienna, while Ebola response pressure rises across East Africa.

Fuel Crisis Fallout: Kenya’s inflation jumped to 5.6% in April as transport and food costs surged, with the latest pump-price shock still feeding into daily expenses and public anger. Transport & Business Disruption: The fuel squeeze has already triggered strikes and border chaos, including reports of riots paralysing Busia trade and traders stranded. Tech & Power Bottleneck: Kenya’s bid to attract big tech is hitting a hard wall—Microsoft’s $1bn AI data centre plan reportedly stalled after power-capacity concerns. AI Push in Public: Nairobi is doubling down on AI branding, with Sakaja pledging long-term support for AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA. Clean Energy Agenda: Kenya also used the Green Hydrogen Symposium to market its renewable-heavy power base as a pathway to green hydrogen. Regional Trade Digitisation: AfCFTA’s ADAPT programme selects Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria for the first digital trade pilots. Banking Resilience: KCB and Equity both posted strong Q1 results, with deposits and regional growth cushioning tougher conditions. Sports & Opportunity: Naivasha’s Loop Safari Gravel leg is now a UCI Gravel World Championships qualifier, putting local cyclists on a global ticket.

Fuel Crisis Fallout: Kenya’s transport strike that followed deadly fuel protests has been suspended, but the fight over pump prices is far from over—EPRA has also raised pipeline transport tariffs, adding fresh pressure to consumers. Climate & Food Security: AGRA unveiled ClimVAT, a satellite-backed tool that pinpoints where climate risk is highest down to sub-county level, aiming to help smallholders protect yields. Dairy Crackdown: CS Kagwe ordered an end to unregulated milk hawking, warning it’s a public health risk and a drag on Kenya’s dairy value chain. Legal & Rights: A court ruling clears the way for Kenyans to change gender markers on official documents, with applications to be handled within 60 days. Tech & Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warned at AI Everything Kenya about AI-driven cyber threats, while CAK’s cybersecurity bootcamp awards signal a push to grow local talent. Health Sector: Vitality Health International (Africa) rebranded to Discovery Health – Global Health Solutions as it expands employer healthcare services. Regional Trade: Kenya and Kazakhstan signed a roadmap for deeper cooperation in trade, energy, logistics and technology during Ruto’s state visit.

Fuel Protests & Transport Shutdown: Kenya’s nationwide transport strike has been suspended for a week after talks collapsed, following deadly clashes over record fuel prices that left at least four dead and 30+ injured; the energy regulator also cut diesel by KSh10 as negotiations continue. Tax Push: KRA says it collected Sh7.8bn from 97,000 first-time direct taxpayers in four months, signaling a shift from new levies to compliance expansion. Payments Gets Cheaper: Pesalink transfer fees are falling—nothing for transfers under Sh1,000 and a flat Sh20 up to Sh999,999—aimed at pulling more everyday transactions onto bank rails. Airline Pricing Goes AI: Kenya Airways rolled out an AI pricing platform to speed fare updates and tighten pricing oversight. Capital Markets: NSE listed Kenya’s first infrastructure fund, Spearhead Africa Infrastructure Fund, raising Sh3.4bn to fund East Africa infrastructure debt. Digital Safety: TikTok removed 820,552 videos in Kenya in Q4 2025 and banned 108,752 accounts, mostly for underage access. AI Summit Momentum: Kenya opened “AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya” to push AI as an investment agenda, not just tech.

Fuel Crisis Fallout: Protests over record fuel prices turned deadly again, with at least four people killed and 30+ injured as a nationwide transport strike disrupted travel and commerce; in Nakuru, dozens of demonstrators were fined after court arraignments. Government Response: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged calm talks, pointing to VAT cuts and diesel price reductions while warning against politicising the crisis. Transport Truce: After hours of negotiations in Nairobi, ride-hailing and PSV operators resumed services for seven days to keep talks going. Capital Markets: Kenya listed its first infrastructure-focused fund on the Nairobi bourse—Spearhead Africa Infrastructure Fund—backed by UK support, aiming to mobilise long-term local-currency financing for energy and digital projects. Tech & Security: As GITEX Nairobi opens, Checker raised $8m to help banks launch stablecoins via a single API, while Censys and EVAD showcased SOC modernization for safer cloud and AI adoption. Regional Politics: IGAD said it will deploy election observers for Ethiopia’s June 1 vote.

Fuel Crisis Fallout: Kenya’s nationwide transport strike over EPRA fuel hikes turned deadly Monday, with four reported deaths and 30+ injuries as roads were blocked and police fired tear gas; the chaos left commuters stranded and businesses shut, while Interior Minister Murkomen said 348 arrests were made and “criminal elements” hijacked protests. Policy and Politics: Treasury CS John Mbadi urged “sober” dialogue, warning against “emotional decisions” that could worsen the economy, as matatu operators publicly rejected a government claim of a breakthrough on bridging diesel-kerosene pricing. Security Response: A Nairobi police officer was arrested over alleged release of fuel-protest suspects, adding to scrutiny of how arrests were handled during the unrest. Markets and Costs: EM stocks slid and FX stayed muted as global bond selloffs fed inflation fears tied to the Iran war and oil-market stress. Industry Pressure: Kenya’s manufacturers flagged worsening conditions after KNBS showed manufacturing’s GDP contribution slipped to 7.1% in 2025, with agro-processing contracting. Digital Payments Push: Mastercard and Yellow Card plan stablecoin-enabled payment pilots starting in Nigeria, with Kenya named among initial focus markets.

Fuel Crisis Turns Deadly: Kenya’s nationwide transport strike over record fuel prices turned violent in Nairobi and beyond, with police saying four people were killed, 30+ injured, and 225 arrested as protesters burned tyres, blocked roads and clashed with officers. Policy Pressure on EPRA: The unrest follows EPRA’s latest retail hikes (diesel +23.5%, petrol +8%) tied to Middle East disruptions, while the regulator also moved to cap pipeline transport tariffs to cushion pump prices. Political Fallout: Opposition figures and allies traded blame with Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen accusing Rigathi Gachagua of fuelling violence, as Ruto held an urgent virtual meeting with key ministries. Business & Tech Signals: While commuters were stranded, Kenya’s fintech and crypto crowd pushed for “smarter” stablecoin rules at a Nairobi conference, and AI Everything Kenya X GITEX Kenya is set to bring major startups to Nairobi this week. Regional Lens: Ethiopia urged Horn countries to take “greater ownership” of peace efforts at the Jigjiga Forum, as AfCFTA leaders reiterated integration as protection against global fragmentation. Markets Watch: Africa Bitcoin Corporation won JSE Main Board approval, with the move set for May 22.

Transport Shock: A nationwide matatu and PSV fuel strike kicks off Monday, May 18, after transport stakeholders backed the shutdown over EPRA’s latest fuel price hike—Super Metro already says it will suspend operations, leaving hundreds stranded across Nairobi as commuters scramble for alternatives. Digital Finance Push: Kenya’s blockchain and fintech crowd is urging faster stablecoin adoption to cut slow, costly cross-border payments, even as regulators move to formalise digital asset rules. Trade & Payments: Absa is weighing joining China’s yuan settlement system (CIPS) to simplify trade payments, following Standard Bank’s earlier CIPS connection. Health Financing Debate: A fresh argument says UHC reforms need more than funding—service delivery gaps, supply delays and governance failures are still biting. Regional Energy Talks: Uganda’s Museveni says he met Dangote on a proposed East African refinery, backing value addition and regional integration. DRC Ebola: Congo’s outbreak in Ituri has risen to 87 deaths as screening and contact tracing intensify.

Fuel Price Pressure & Legal Push: Kenya’s fuel shock is now spilling into court and politics, with an activist asking the High Court to suspend EPRA’s May–June increases over alleged lack of public participation and missing pricing transparency, while ODM’s Oburu Oginga vows to press President Ruto and Treasury CS John Mbadi for tax relief, arguing households are “deeply” feeling the weight. Power Bills Jump: EPRA also added new charges to May electricity bills, including forex and fuel-related costs, lifting the cost per unit. Tax Filing Disruption: KRA announced a four-hour iTax maintenance downtime as Kenyans rush to file returns. Energy Expansion: Government launched construction of 114 solar mini-grids across 14 counties, targeting 300,000+ villagers. Regional Watch: Kenya remains on Ebola alert after DRC’s outbreak, with counties told to activate preparedness. Digital Finance Momentum: Blockchain players urged faster stablecoin adoption, betting clearer rules can cut cross-border payment delays. Diplomacy & Energy: President Ruto held talks with Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev in Baku on oil, gas and renewables, including partnerships tied to Kenya’s 10,000MW target.

TVET Crackdown: KNBS says it will census every technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution nationwide from May 20, targeting fake accreditation claims and mapping enrolment, staffing, infrastructure and equipment to guide funding. Ebola Alarm (DR Congo): Congo’s new Ebola outbreak in Ituri is worsening fast, with deaths rising to 87 and Africa CDC warning of active community transmission as WHO declares it a public health emergency of international concern. Nairobi Works: KURA has announced night-time partial closures on the Ngong/Naivasha road near Junction Mall (8pm–4am, May 18–31) for final asphalt works on the flyover. Digital Finance Pressure: Kenya moves to tighten oversight of crypto users under new licensing, reporting and compliance rules. Power vs AI Ambition: Microsoft’s proposed 1-gigawatt Kenya data centre faces a hard stop—Ruto says it would require switching off power to “half the country.” Africa Health Policy: AU medicines officials push to integrate traditional medicine into primary healthcare, but with regulation to protect patients.

Ebola Alert: Congo’s Ituri province is reeling as a new Ebola outbreak has killed at least 80 people, with authorities racing to intensify screening and contact tracing. Kenya Health Watch: Kenya has activated border and airport surveillance and urged strict hygiene as the risk of importation is judged “moderate” amid regional travel. Fuel Pressure Politics: Treasury says it will push for fresh talks to lower fuel prices after the latest EPRA hike sparked anger and renewed strike threats, while MPs push to recall Parliament to debate amendments. Oil Refinery Showdown: Tanzania’s Samia and Dangote met in Dar es Salaam as the $15bn–$17bn refinery debate keeps swinging between Mombasa and Tanga, with Dangote now floating a regional partnership model. Jobs & Growth: IFC and Masai Ujiri’s Zaria Group are backing an Africa-wide sports and entertainment district plan starting in Kigali and Nairobi. Urban Upgrade: Nairobi’s CBD walkway revamp adds safer pedestrian space under the Sakaja “Let’s Make Nairobi Work” push.

Smartphone Push: Vodacom is betting on device financing to move prepaid customers onto smartphones, using “Easy2Own” plans with small daily or weekly repayments and phone lock/unlock rules to protect affordability. Digital Inclusion & Youth: Paradigm Initiative is urging governments to stop excluding informal youth entrepreneurs from social programmes due to weak digital access and patchy policy delivery. Corruption & Accountability: Fresh whistleblower claims accuse ICT Ministry finance chief M.M. Mosiria of delaying facilitation and travel allowances, leaving officers stranded and operations stalled. Fuel Shock Fallout: Trade lobbies warn the latest diesel and petrol hikes will ripple through transport, manufacturing and food costs, hitting households and MSMEs. Public Services Tech: UNICEF highlights Digital PFM as a way to make budget money “visible” from national lines to schools and clinics. Justice Debate: Opinion pieces question whether Kenya’s courts and jails are effectively “for the poor,” using the Obado case as a flashpoint. Sports & Women’s Rugby: Kenya Lionesses utility player Stellah Wafula credits international exposure for sharpening the team ahead of the Rugby Africa Cup in Nairobi. Sovereignty Row: Kenya’s defence pact with France is reigniting debate over legal immunity and accountability.

Fuel Shock Watch: Kenya’s latest EPRA review pushed petrol to KSh 214.25 and diesel to KSh 242.92 (kerosene unchanged), with the government blaming Middle East-driven oil volatility while critics question why stabilisation spending focused heavily on kerosene; disability leaders warn the hike is already cutting access to healthcare and mobility. Cost-of-Living Pressure: The Kenya Chamber of Commerce projects food and consumer prices could rise by up to 7%, and matatus are threatening fare jumps of as much as 50%. Accountability Clash: Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro calls the G2G fuel import setup a “scam,” alleging profiteering by connected officials. Health & Built Environment: Health PS Mary Muthoni urges architects to embed public health rules into public works, citing the huge share of life spent indoors. Digital & Inclusion: TECNO rolls out an AI phone ecosystem for education, translation and small businesses. Aviation & Trade: Kenya Airways becomes FedEx’s Nairobi ground-handling partner, strengthening JKIA’s cargo role.