Headlines

An investigation finds Cerelac baby cereals sold in Kenya and across Africa contain high levels of added sugar, unlike European versions, raising public health concerns and prompting calls for Nestlé to reformulate.

CJ Koome said Kenya continues to grapple with serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, homelessness, entrenched inequality, and a rising tide of femicide and gender-based violence.

Omtatah claims the deal, said to commit Sh323billion to Kenya's health sector, was concluded without public participation, parliamentary scrutiny, or disclosure of its full contents.

The UN warns global human rights are under growing threat in 2025, citing funding cuts, escalating conflicts and attacks on defenders, even as youth-led activism from Kenya to Peru pushes back.

The petition, lodged last month before the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu, had sought to block the nationwide transition from the Minet/AON medical cover to SHA, a change the TSC intended to roll out from December 1.

The committee proposed that Article 6(5) should be revised to include murder as an offence under the jurisdiction of Kenya.

Ghana has protested to Israel after seven citizens, including MPs, were detained and some deported at Ben Gurion Airport, calling the treatment humiliating and warning of possible reciprocal action.

The UN has rejected Israel’s proposed ‘yellow line’ Gaza border, saying it violates the ceasefire, as Egypt also dismisses US ideas for a foreign-backed interim administration in the territory.

The petitioner argues that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) acted illegally and without constitutional authority.

The High Court has suspended Nakuru County’s Sh2.1 billion NYS roads deal over alleged lack of public participation and procurement compliance, freezing all project activities until a petition is heard.

Rwanda and DR Congo are accusing each other of violating a new US-brokered ceasefire, as Burundi alleges Rwandan destabilisation, raising doubts over the fragile Washington accord.

The EU has released €250,000 in emergency aid to Kenya, funding Kenya Red Cross support for over 150,000 people as food insecurity and climate-linked health crises worsen nationwide.

President William Ruto has conferred the Senior Counsel rank on 54 Kenyan lawyers via a special Gazette Notice, recognising their exceptional service and contributions to the country’s legal development.

Kanja said including the officers in the national parade would allow Kenyans to recognise the work they carried out in difficult circumstances.

He said the restriction undermines the very digital transformation efforts the Judiciary has championed in recent years.

The police recalled an update shared shortly after midnight on December 9, in which they assured citizens that joint security and defence teams would continue strengthening national security.

From goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy to veteran teammates, the support has been unanimous: Mohamed Salah remains their leader, no matter what unfolds in England.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) says the legislation fails to clarify funding and operational responsibilities for the proposed Business Council of Kenya.

Mbadi said shifting commercially viable projects to specialised entities is now necessary to reduce pressure on public finances.

Tanzania’s Legal and Human Rights Centre reports rising 2025 abuses, including over 40 enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and treason charges, warning that October election crackdowns threaten democratic freedoms.

Rights groups report 97 extrajudicial killings, 72 torture cases and other abuses in Kenya in 2025, warning of a slide toward authoritarian rule and shrinking civic and media freedoms.

The county board explained that these directives form the basis of the plan to run a complete review of academic and professional papers for every employee working under the Nairobi City County Government.

In line with FKF regulations, the Committee ruled that Odha FC be eliminated from the playoffs and barred from participating in any FKF-sanctioned competitions for a year.

Human rights group FairSquare has filed a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee over Gianni Infantino’s decision to award Donald Trump a peace prize, raising questions over FIFA’s political neutrality.

In its annual report, the Paris-based media freedom NGO says the Israeli army is responsible for over 43 per cent, nearly half of the crimes committed against journalists over the past twelve months.

Sudan's livestock sector, once a pillar of the national economy that contributed over 20 per cent of GDP with an estimated 140 million animals, has been devastated since the fighting erupted in April 2023.

This year is expected to match 2023 as one of the warmest on record, second only to 2024, EU scientists warn. They cite greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels as the main cause of global warming.

The notice applies to concerts, religious gatherings, sports tournaments, beach parties, corporate activations, roadshows, exhibitions, and New Year celebrations.

The decline extends a steady easing in costs that have strained household budgets in the better part of last year and this year.

Governor Mung’aro said the county is increasingly relying on research-backed planning to inform its decisions on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), maternal and adolescent health, and the management of both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) reported that Kenya imported 183,139 tonnes of edible oils during the period, a modest rise from 182,209 tonnes in 2024.

During peak periods, over 3,500 trucks traverse the Northern Corridor daily, carrying goods while workers confront fatigue and other health risks, according to sector experts.

Many more teachers become eligible each year, and the lack of adequate resources is threatening to slow career progression and affect the quality of instruction in public schools.

The Bill’s introduction has reignited national debate over how best to protect victims, prosecute offenders, and ensure that justice is delivered without compromise.

KNH has repeatedly faced difficulties with its Linear Accelerator (Linac) machines, which are essential for administering precise radiotherapy.

The Ward currently lacks chiefs and assistant chiefs, leaving residents without formal leadership or local governance.

Two rival Isiolo County speakers clashed before a Senate committee over unanswered 2023–2024 audit queries, amid court battles, vandalised assembly offices and concerns over missing staff records.

Sudan is in the midst of the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis, since the conflict erupted 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which now controls North Darfur’s devastated capital, El Fasher, after more than 500 days of siege.

As playgrounds disappear in Kenyan cities, children are pushed onto roads to play, heightening crash risks. Parents, riders and hospitals now face growing safety, cost and responsibility pressures.

Soldiers tried to seize Benin’s state broadcaster in a failed coup, citing security and political grievances. The mutiny was crushed, but analysts warn it exposes rising tensions and regional democratic backsliding.

A new study of African coups from 2001–2022 finds the AU firmly sanctions most military takeovers but rarely confronts leaders who rig constitutions or refuse to concede defeat, raising stability concerns.

A new IEA report shows global demand for applied technical workers is rising nearly twice as fast as graduate supply, straining energy firms and exposing skills gaps in countries like Kenya.

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said the prolonged dry spell has already pushed seven counties into the alert stage as conditions continue to deteriorate.

Tanzania’s Independence Day saw Dar es Salaam streets largely empty as police and soldiers blocked planned anti-government protests after disputed October elections and a deadly post-poll crackdown.

While 23 counties have county-level health insurance schemes, only 15 counties provide free or subsidised coverage to ensure persons with disabilities can afford care.

Duale said the government has largely met welfare commitments and only final steps remain.

The study looked at 17 areas, including maternal health services, family planning, caregiver practices, and child health and nutrition. Key results showed that more women started antenatal care early, up 5 per cent, more gave birth in health facilities, up 7.3 per cent and with skilled professionals, up 7.9 per cent.

An ILO report warns that over half of global circular economy workers remain in informal, unprotected jobs and urges governments, including Kenya’s, to link circular policies with stronger labour and social safeguards.

Reports from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Dodoma indicate an unusually heavy presence of police and military units, with armoured vehicles stationed at key intersections and government buildings.

The move comes amid rising concerns from education experts that the amount is still too low to meet the demands of the growing cost of living and the Competency-Based Curriculum.