AGP Executive Report

Downstream Energy & Regulation: A South Sudan opinion piece argues the country lacks a fully empowered downstream petroleum regulator, driving fuel price volatility, uneven product quality and weak oversight. Consumer Protection: An editorial warns Kenyans are losing value through “hidden inflation” as firms quietly shrink portions and quality without clear notice. Regional Trade Tensions: A Tanzanian ceramics firm joins protests over Kenya’s new tariff/excise moves, saying they could undermine EAC market rules and hurt exports. TVET & Skills for Industry: KITI urges TVETs to align training with modern tech needs, including AI, automation and digital skills demanded by employers. Agriculture & Roads: Embu tea and dairy farmers get relief as a Sh2.2bn road upgrade nears completion, improving access to factories and markets. Water & Drought Resilience: Tana River communities in Tana North and Bangale are set to benefit from nearly Sh190m dams to cut the dry-season water struggle. Payments & Trade Costs: CBK joins efforts to push PAPSS-style cross-border local-currency payments to reduce intra-African transaction frictions. Construction Supply Digitisation: Kenya’s Eyby launches a building-products marketplace to connect manufacturers and buyers on one platform. Education & Community Health: Kenya Power Foundation renovates Kakamega High School dispensary (Sh1.1m) to serve thousands of students and staff. Security Crackdown: Police seize 220 litres of illicit chang’aa in Kibra and arrest two suspects. Macroeconomic Stability: Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo says Kenya has stabilised inflation, the shilling and reserves after global shocks.

AGOA Extension: Kenya’s textile and clothing exporters get breathing room as the US extends AGOA to end-2028, with a refund option for duties paid during the gap—good news for jobs in EPZs. Cooking Gas Supply: Government says the 30,000-metric-tonne Taifa Gas LPG terminal at Dongo Kundu SEZ is nearing completion, aiming to boost storage, competition and lower cooking gas costs. Pharma Push: Kenya steps up efforts to become a regional pharmaceutical hub as Square Pharmaceuticals’ Athi River plant hosts diplomats on investment and technology transfer; local production still targets a market dominated by imports. Rail & Trade Links: Kenya Railways reports 70% completion of earthworks on the Voi–Taveta metre-gauge line to Tanzania, supporting cross-border cargo and tourism. Food Security Stress: North Rift maize failure worsens after dry spells disrupt the farming calendar, raising fears for national supplies. Lamu Refinery Tension: Lamu residents demand transparency over the proposed Sh2.2trn Dangote-linked refinery; a journalist says he received death threats after raising concerns. Road Safety: A viral Nairobi incident shows a reversing “nganya” matatu running over a man, renewing calls for NTSA enforcement. Digital Trust: TikTok rolls out AI transparency and anti-AI spam measures, including an AI Literacy Hub in Kenya and Nigeria. Labour & Pay: Teachers’ salary reviews get a boost after TSC receives Sh8.4bn for the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA.

AI & Jobs: Nouriel Roubini warns Kenya and the region may face major job displacement from AI, pushing governments toward universal basic income and even state stakes in companies to share machine-driven profits. Trade & Textiles: Kenya gets breathing space as the US extends AGOA to end-2028, with a refund option for duties paid during the lapse—good news for clothing and textile exporters. Cooking Gas Supply: Government says the 30,000-metric-tonne Taifa Gas LPG terminal at Dongo Kundu SEZ is nearing completion, aiming to boost storage, competition and lower household cooking gas prices. Industrial Energy & Refining: Dangote’s planned Kenya refinery in Lamu is framed as a potential shift in East Africa’s fuel economy and a test of exporting an African industrial platform. Climate Displacement: Rising Lake Turkana has displaced Elmolo families in Marsabit, disrupting fishing livelihoods and damaging government-built cooling and factory infrastructure. Aviation & Land: NLC plans compulsory land acquisition for Homa Bay-Rongo road realignment to expand Kabunde Airstrip, with hearings set for early August. Digital Connectivity for Housing: Safaricom wins fibre rollout for the Affordable Housing Programme, starting with Mukuru’s 14,000 units pre-connected before residents move in. Governance & Infrastructure: Senate backs Thika’s elevation to city status, citing infrastructure and revenue readiness.

Broadband for Affordable Housing: Safaricom has secured a fibre deal to connect Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, starting with Mukuru’s 14,000 units with pre-installed connectivity, then rolling out similar services nationwide via Wi-Fi Bamba. Youth Skills for Industry: Safaricom Hook Circle trained about 5,000 students at Kiambu National Polytechnic with hands-on tracks in ICT and Automotive Engineering plus data privacy, fraud awareness and financial literacy, partnering with Digi Farm and PLP. Healthcare Investment Push: Aga Khan University Hospital called for coordinated African-led healthcare strategies to cut medical tourism, citing billions lost annually and gaps in specialist care and quality standards. Pharma Manufacturing Boost: Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya EPZ hosted senior diplomats to showcase its $75m facility in Athi River, now producing GMP-compliant medicines at scale for regional markets. Telecom Competition Watch: CAK dismissed Airtel’s complaint over Safaricom’s discounted voice calls, ruling the promotion complied with telecom rules and promo limits. Digital Infrastructure Momentum: Nxtra’s data centre progress and Konza Technopolis’ shift toward a national digital campus underline Kenya’s push for AI-ready computing capacity. Ebola Response Tensions: Katiba Institute accused government of violating court orders after reports of seven American aid workers being quarantined at Laikipia’s isolation facility. Aviation Labour Risk: Kenya Aviation Workers Union issued a seven-day strike notice from Monday, warning of possible disruption across airports and airlines. Housing Reality Check: Analysts highlight Nairobi’s cooling in prime areas alongside a wider housing deficit, arguing rising prices aren’t solving affordability.

Housing & Urban Growth: Kenya’s property story is splitting: national prices rose 7.8% in mid-2025, but Nairobi neighbourhoods like Westlands (-11.5%), Kileleshwa (-10.3%) and parts of Parklands/Lang’ata/Upper Hill fell, while satellite towns such as Juja, Syokimau and Ruiru climbed 13–15% as buyers shift for affordability and access. Aviation Labour: Kenya Aviation Workers Union issued a seven-day strike notice from Monday, targeting KCAA, KAA, Kenya Airways and Jambojet over long-running collective bargaining disputes, warning of disruptions at JKIA and other airports. Ebola Response & Courts: Katiba Institute alleges government violated a High Court order after reports said seven American aid workers were admitted to the Laikipia Air Base isolation facility for a 21-day quarantine under US travel restrictions. Energy & Industry: BLUETTI launched pay-as-you-go buy-now-pay-later financing for off-grid solar storage to help households and SMEs adopt cleaner power without upfront costs. Climate Disclosure: Public institutions face tougher climate-related reporting from Jan 2028 under a new sustainability standard, with Kenya’s FiRe Awards spotlighting the shift. Livestock Export Push: Kenya’s meat conference backed ANITRAC digital livestock traceability and related reforms aimed at turning the sector into a Sh1 trillion industry. Agribusiness Tools: FAO launched CropSuit, a free web app helping farmers match crops to local soil and climate conditions. Legal Watch: High Court cleared the Mau Mau Road through Aberdare National Park to proceed, while another court move earlier this week halted the Riruta–Ngong railway project as unconstitutional.

Kenya Rail Funding Ruling: Kenya’s High Court upheld the constitutionality of the 2% railway development import levy, clearing the way for the $5.4bn Mombasa–Uganda rail extension, while striking down its use for a separate Nairobi commuter rail project. Ebola Quarantine Watch: Seven American aid workers linked to Samaritan’s Purse were placed in a 21-day quarantine at a US-backed isolation facility in Kenya after new US travel rules, despite no symptoms or positive tests. Retail Expansion: Naivas opened a new outlet in Kamakis (Ruiru), pushing its store count past 110 as retailers shift toward neighbourhood malls and convenience-led formats. Digital Payments & Fintech: UnionPay highlighted cross-border interoperability and digital commerce infrastructure at Nairobi’s Africa Fintech Forum, aiming to connect local rails to global settlement. Energy & Industry Tech: Samsung launched its 2026 Mini LED TV range in Kenya with AI-driven picture and sound tuning, as competition in screens heats up. Investment & Immigration: Invest Kenya is drafting a residency-by-investment “golden visa” style programme for major investors, including Nigerians, pending legislation. Environment & Industry Risk: Greenpeace renewed calls for an independent review of Dangote’s proposed Lamu refinery, warning of damage to fragile coastal ecosystems.

Livestock Exports Push: Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe says the ANITRAC digital livestock IDs rollout will give animals unique traceability from farm to market, helping Kenya meet buyer demands and unlock premium meat exports to Europe and the Middle East. Inclusive Education Funding Gap: The National Fund for the Disabled says it can only support about 60 institutions per year despite 250+ applications, while it backs only 2,500 of 10,000+ assistive-device requests; Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba flagged off Phase III with 11,139 devices for 321 programmes across all 47 counties. Airport Modernisation Contract: Roads CS Davis Chirchir says Lebanese firm Dar Al-Handasah will handle design review, project management and supervision for the Sh154.2bn JKIA upgrade. Tax Scrutiny at KRA: MPs pressed KRA over a raw sugar clearance tied to about Ksh2.98bn in forgone revenue after exemptions, including VAT and excise duties. Banking Sector Resilience: A Q1 2026 report shows Kenya banks’ profit before tax up 13.6% as lenders cut funding costs and expanded loan books. Digital Finance Debate: New telecom tax talk is set to renew arguments on whether levies on mobile money agents raise costs and slow financial inclusion. Housing for Security Forces: KCB, KDF and housing bodies signed an MOU to expand mortgage access for 50,000+ military personnel. Public Safety: Kamukunji Police Station is set to become the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit HQ, with construction due to start in August.

Maritime Education Push: Over 20 African nations back plans for a regional maritime university to harmonise training and fix fragmented seafarer education. Housing Finance for Uniformed Services: KDF and KCB launch a mortgage scheme for 50,000+ active personnel with a concessional 4% rate over up to 20 years. JKIA Modernisation: Kenya appoints Dar Al-Handasah to oversee design review, project management and supervision for the KSh154.2bn JKIA upgrade. Health Tech Milestone: JOOTRH in western Kenya acquires a German heart-lung machine to start open-heart surgeries amid a major national capacity gap. TB Vaccine Manufacturing Deal: Gates MRI and India’s Serum Institute sign to manufacture TB vaccine candidate M72/AS01E at scale if approved. TVET Recruitment Pressure: Parliament urges TVETs to intensify student recruitment as delayed capitation hits enrolment. Energy & Transport Updates: Kenya Power schedules maintenance outages in multiple counties; EPRA fuel-price stability also drives transport fare adjustments. Industrial & Trade Moves: EAC seeks safer cross-border e-commerce rules; SeamlessHR rebrands to Seamless Technologies and expands workforce AI tools for manufacturing, logistics and construction. Climate & Public Health Risk: Experts warn Africa needs stronger climate negotiators; Greater Horn faces a looming polycrisis from El Niño, conflict and disease. Lamu Refinery Backlash: Greenpeace renews calls to halt Dangote’s $17bn Lamu refinery over environmental and cultural risks.

Fuel & Cost of Living: EPRA kept July-August pump prices unchanged despite lower global oil costs, citing fuel stabilisation fund replenishment and Sh20bn subsidy arrears—so motorists get no relief yet. Trade & Industry: Kenya targets doubling exports to Tanzania after Dar es Salaam scrapped the Industrial Development Levy on EAC goods, cutting extra costs on 49 Kenyan product lines like steel, tractors, cement, furniture and tiles. Infrastructure & Logistics: KeNHA says the KSh172bn Rironi–Mau Summit Road (233km) is progressing under a PPP, split into three sections to ease the Northern Corridor. Agriculture & Food Security: KALRO warns of looming shortages as failed rains hit maize, while the Agriculture Ministry runs a digital crop assessment to quantify drought damage. Disaster Preparedness: UN El Niño support could unlock up to $100m (Sh13bn) for resilience ahead of heavy rains. Regulation & Biosafety: NBA ordered ports to clear only NBA-profiled GM products, requiring authority clearance before release. Digital Economy: Kenya’s Ministry of Education begins rolling out digital literacy to 10,382 JSS schools with smart boards. Governance & Oversight: MPs ordered fresh probes into an Sh844m university hostel project after audit queries and contract variation concerns. Real Estate Pressure: A Nairobi rent story shows “move-in” costs can nearly triple advertised rent once deposits, fees, utilities and setup are added. Tourism Safety: A methanol poisoning warning targets 29 holiday hotspots after recent UK deaths.

Youth & Sports Funding: President William Ruto pledged support for young talent after hosting AFC Leopards, including a Sh10m cash injection for the 2026/27 season and plans for 32 stadiums with commercial spaces to grow the creative economy. Industrial Strategy: Kenya’s trade attaché says Africa can learn from China’s industrial transformation by sticking to long-term plans, research-backed targets, and step-by-step implementation. Regional Manufacturing Push: Swedish firm Atlas Copco placed Kenya at the centre of its East Africa expansion, ramping investment in manufacturing, mining and sustainable technologies, with AI and remote monitoring in services. Biotech Data Access: ISAAA AfriCenter launched a continental “Biotech Africa Database” to centralize biotech/biosafety regulatory decisions and cross-border application guidance. Education Finance Pressure: MPs heard that delayed capitation disbursements are crippling universities and TVETs, stalling projects and worsening enrolment. Digital Procurement (GovTech): CSM Technologies won a World Bank-funded Malawi assignment to build an electronic auctioning platform for transparent public procurement. Energy Regulation Learning: EPRA sent regulators to study Ghana’s downstream petroleum oversight model. Agribusiness & Feed Costs: Government unveiled a Ksh465bn National Feed Strategy to cut animal feed costs, expand local feed/fodder production and reduce import dependence. Oil Refinery Debate: Campaigners renewed calls to halt Dangote’s planned Lamu refinery over climate and ecological risks. Credit Market Shift: Visa reports digital lenders are rapidly expanding unsecured credit in Kenya, pressuring banks to modernize underwriting and customer experience. Kenya Elections Ops: IEBC assured a credible Ol Kalou by-election, citing KIEMS performance and biometric verification.

Green Coffee Exports: Kenya shipped its first green coffee consignment to Italy (20 containers planned), aiming to deepen EU market access and lift production and farmer earnings. Digital Procurement: CSM Technologies won a World Bank-funded digital procurement project in Malawi to build an electronic auction platform, replacing paper-based bidding with a secure, auditable system. Fuel Cost Relief: Government extended fuel VAT relief and signalled possible future fuel price changes as EPRA reviews continue amid high costs. Downstream Petroleum Regulation: Kenya’s EPRA delegation joined Ghana’s NPA on a study tour to strengthen downstream petroleum regulation and share best practices. Insurance Fraud: Kenya’s insurance fraud cases rose sharply in early 2026, with agent theft becoming the biggest driver of reported fraud. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Kenya urged evidence-based fisheries reforms to protect the blue economy as illegal fishing and climate pressures mount. El Niño Risk: Humanitarian agencies warned El Niño could worsen flooding and food insecurity across East Africa and parts of Asia. Youth Jobs Pressure: A new push argues skills alone won’t fix youth unemployment without enough formal jobs. Energy & Grid Reliability: Kenya’s push for better downstream regulation and grid reliability continues as regional energy integration and automation themes gain traction.

Fuel & Tax Relief: EPRA kept Kenya’s fuel prices unchanged for 15 July–14 August, citing Middle East-driven volatility and using KSh945m from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund, while the 8% VAT relief on petroleum products was extended for another three months. Courts & Energy Trade: Kenya’s Supreme Court temporarily lifted a block on the Kenya–South Sudan fuel import arrangement, pausing an earlier Court of Appeal injunction as the appeal proceeds. Food Security: A dry spell is wiping out maize in key producing counties, with officials warning of up to 60% crop failure in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia and fears of an acute ugali shortage later in the year. Digital Finance: CBK licensed 25 more digital credit providers, bringing approved lenders to 252, with digital loans now reported at 8.4m worth KSh150.56bn by May 2026. Tech & Safety: BM Security launched SmartPanics, letting users trigger emergency response via a smartphone app with GPS sharing and “On My Way” journey monitoring. Urban Planning & Liability: Nairobi City Hall faced scrutiny over a septic tank dispute in Pangani, while a court charged the owner of the collapsed Manzil Towers building and others over manslaughter. Health Sector: Health Union Caucus announced a nationwide strike starting 20 July over welfare and job security grievances against county governments. AI in Education: Stakeholders urged Kenya to introduce an AI subject in the school curriculum to match the pace of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Digital Credit Boom: CBK licensed 25 more digital credit providers, bringing the total to 252, as DCPs issued 8.37 million digital loans worth Ksh 150.5B (as of May 2026). Construction Compliance: NCA issued a July 31 deadline for contractors to renew practising licences and warned that missing CPD points will block renewal. Consumer Cost Pressure: EAC allowed Kenya to keep higher import duties on selected goods, likely pushing up prices for items like baby diapers, smartphones and LPG cylinders. Insurance Market Shift: Amaco’s PSV insurance share fell to 21% while Directline jumped to 62%, reshaping competition in Kenya’s matatu cover. Agribusiness & Food Security: FEWS NET warned nearly 4 million Kenyans may need humanitarian food assistance by Jan, with pastoral counties among the most at risk. Public Health & Safety: A systematic review found multiple pesticide residues in infant formula, with studies including samples from Kenya. Regulation & Trade: Kenya’s textile and agriculture firms get breathing room as AGOA is extended to end-2028. Energy & Resilience: World Bank delayed Ruto’s Ksh78B fuel-price cushion after requesting more details on emergency spending. Crime Crackdown: Police arrested four suspects in Machakos and Bungoma over 230 rolls of suspected cannabis.

Poverty Pressure: The World Bank warns Kenya’s job crunch and higher fuel prices could push up to 2.4 million more people below the poverty line in 2026, with many unable to afford even Sh387 a day. Capital Markets & Sustainability: The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) rolls out new corporate governance rules for market intermediaries and opens an ESG code for public consultation. Energy Trade: Kenya Power signs a fresh deal to buy cheaper electricity from Ethiopia via the HVDC interconnector, building on growing cross-border power imports. Refining & Industrial Anchor: Kenya’s Dangote refinery plans keep gaining momentum, with coverage linking the project to Lamu Port’s need for steady industrial traffic under the LAPSSET corridor. Construction Safety: A controversial five-storey Watamu beach project collapses, killing one worker and injuring others, raising questions on approvals near the high-water mark. Clean Cooking Push: The IEA backs a new clean cooking supply-chain initiative, citing 850,000 annual deaths from polluting fuels in Africa. Agri-Value & Plastics: FAO highlights efforts to cut agricultural plastic pollution, pointing to Kenya’s FARM project as a practical model. Labour Future: A commentary argues Kenya’s labour movement must adapt to AI, digital work and platform employment to stay relevant. Media Tech: StarTimes Kenya explores AI tools to boost production and distribution while keeping local creatives at the centre. Governance & Integrity: EACC marks African Anti-Corruption Day urging enforceable action beyond rhetoric to tackle graft as a growth bottleneck.

Agro-Food Safety: A Sapienza University Rome review finds pesticide residues in infant formula across 22 of 26 studies, with multiple chemical classes reported including organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids—raising health concerns for infants. Education & Skills: Kenya launched a nationwide ICT push for junior secondary schools, equipping 10,382 public schools with smart boards and teacher laptops under the World Bank-backed KDEAP to build an AI-ready workforce. Energy & Power Costs: Kenya Power and grid constraints remain a bottleneck for electrification, while EPRA’s new electricity charges are set to lift July power bills. Agribusiness & Livelihoods: Stakeholders argue sustainable agriculture must include smallholders, who produce most food but face climate and finance risks. Industry & Jobs: The World Bank warns Kenya’s debt-driven growth is crowding out private investment and limiting formal job creation. Governance & Compliance: NBA urges strict biosafety protocol compliance for GMO confined field trials. Business & Innovation: A Nairobi-area entrepreneur is turning plastic waste into durable fencing poles, creating jobs while tackling pollution. Media & Accountability: Radio 47’s County Edition expands citizen-led accountability through live leader interviews and call-ins. Politics & Elections: IEBC summons Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria over alleged voter bribery in the Ol Kalou by-election.

Maternal Health Funding Gap: Africa CDC leaders urged stronger domestic financing and better governance to cut preventable maternal and child deaths as donor support shrinks and health systems strain. Agribusiness Exports: Zimbabwe shipped its first blueberry consignment to China after a phytosanitary protocol, betting on scale-up to meet demand under China’s zero-tariff push. Clean Energy Transition: Experts say Africa’s renewables shift now hinges less on technology and more on institutions, markets and regulation to deliver power at scale. Kenya Power Costs: EPRA set new July electricity charges, with fuel and FX adjustments expected to raise bills by over KSh 5 per unit. Cross-Border Power Trade: Kenya Power signed a renewed electricity supply deal with Ethiopia at about 24.07 birr/kWh (around KSh 20), boosting regional connectivity. Infrastructure Delivery: President Ruto ordered Thwake Dam completion by April 2027 after a KSh 10.6bn funding approval, while NLC published over 100 landowners’ names for Nithi Bridge compensation hearings. Energy Policy & Industry: iGaming AFRIKA Summit in Nairobi will tackle regulation, consumer protection and responsible gaming as investment grows. Food Safety Concern: A review found multiple pesticide residues in infant formula, with studies including Kenya reporting contamination across several chemical classes. Politics & Business Climate: Amnesty urged IEBC and anti-graft bodies to investigate alleged vote inducement ahead of Ol Kalou by-election, warning integrity risks.