NAIROBI – June 29, 2026, was a day of significant activity across Kenya, spanning political realignments, major infrastructure milestones, economic disputes, and notable judicial rulings.
Politics & Governance: Anniversary Protests, New Party Plans, and Regional Alliances
Mass Arrests Mark Finance Bill Anniversary: Kenyan police detained more than 350 people on Tuesday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to mark one year since the deadly Finance Bill protests that swept across the country in 2024. Security forces established multiple checkpoints across Nairobi’s central business district, restricting movement near former protest flashpoints including Parliament Buildings and Uhuru Gardens. Several other cities, including Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru, also witnessed demonstrations that drew thousands of participants. The 2024 protests, which forced President William Ruto to abandon the Finance Bill entirely, resulted in at least 62 deaths according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Western Leaders Plan New Political Party: Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya revealed plans by some Western region leaders to form a new political party, which they intend to use in next year’s General Election. Natembeya said the party would be unveiled within the next three weeks and would bring together key leaders from the region, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi. He criticized National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, claiming they were backing President Ruto’s re-election out of desperation.
Wetang’ula Defends Ruto on Western Pact: In a countermove, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula defended President Ruto on the implementation of the re-election agreement with Western Kenya leaders, saying opposition claims that the region was promised 30 percent of government appointments were misleading. Wetang’ula said the Western region only delivered 20 percent of its votes to Ruto but had still benefited significantly through key appointments, including his own as Speaker and Musalia Mudavadi as Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Government Rallies Support in Makueni: Aviation and Aerospace Development PS Teresia Mbaika called on Makueni County residents to continue supporting the Kenya Kwanza government, citing ongoing affordable housing, markets, and road projects across the area. She highlighted a Sh347 million market project in Wote town and housing projects in Makindu, Kikima, and Kibwezi.
Economy & Trade: AfCFTA Assessment, Sugar Levy Dispute, and SGR Financing
Kenya Launches AfCFTA Impact Assessment: The Kenyan government, through the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, convened policymakers and private sector representatives for the national launch of Kenya’s Country Impact Assessment Report of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The assessment highlights opportunities to expand Kenya’s participation in continental trade and deepen value addition in sectors such as tea, agro-processing, light manufacturing, and manufactured goods.
Uganda Protests 300% Sugar Import Levy: Uganda officially protested Kenya’s Finance Act, 2026, which imposes an excise duty of Ksh40,000 ($308) per tonne of imported sugar, up from Ksh7,500 ($57.82), effective July 1. The Uganda Sugar Manufacturers Association warned the new tax could derail one of Uganda’s most successful export industries, threatening thousands of jobs. Kenya has become Uganda’s largest regional market for sugar, importing an estimated 100,000 tonnes annually.
SGR Financing Stalls on Kenya Side: Uganda expects to conclude financing for its €2.7 billion ($3 billion) standard gauge railway project within the next few months after securing a major funding commitment from the Islamic Development Bank. However, Kenya is struggling to raise about $4 billion for the extension of its line from Naivasha to Malaba on the border, with the Treasury confirming the project will not proceed under a public-private partnership as earlier proposed. So far, the Kenyan government has only committed Ksh30 billion ($231 million) – a small fraction of the required Ksh502.9 billion ($3.9 billion).
Infrastructure: Ruto Commissions Sh3.8 Billion Ngong Road Flyover
President William Ruto on Monday commissioned the Sh3.8 billion Ngong Road–Naivasha Road flyover, a project built by Spanish construction company Centunion. The 820-meter-long flyover is valued at 3.8 billion shillings (over 25 million euros) and was financed by the Spanish government. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Ruto said traffic congestion had for years imposed significant economic and social costs on the city. “For too long, congestion has imposed a heavy cost on our economy and on the daily lives of our people,” he said.
The President announced several other ongoing infrastructure projects, including:
- The Upper Hill–Kenyatta Avenue flyover (Sh3 billion), currently 60 percent complete
- State House Road upgrading (Sh1.6 billion)
- Access roads to Talanta Sports City (Sh3.9 billion) for AFCON 2027 preparations
- Dualling of the 23.5-kilometre Kiambu Road corridor (approximately Sh30 billion)
- A modern traffic management centre (Sh7.9 billion) already under construction
Social & Legal: Activist Found Alive, Landmark Sentencing, and Crime Investigations
Missing Activist Davis Lichuma Found Alive: Relief swept through family, friends and human rights activists after missing activist Davis Lichuma was found alive on Sunday, days after he was allegedly abducted during protests in Nairobi. According to the Social Justice Centres Working Group, Lichuma was discovered in critical condition after being dumped at Kenyatta National Hospital before being transferred to Nairobi Women’s Hospital for specialized treatment. Lichuma was among seven activists reportedly arrested near Parliament during protests last Thursday. The case has intensified public concern over recent allegations of enforced disappearances and human rights violations.
Two Men Jailed 70 Years for Gang Rape and Robbery: A Kibera court sentenced two men to a combined 70 years in prison after finding them guilty of robbery with violence, gang rape, and sexual assault. Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Kahuya sentenced the two to 30 years for robbery with violence, 20 years for gang rape, and a further 20 years for sexual assault, with sentences running consecutively. The court heard that the complainant was lured to Nairobi on the pretext of a business opportunity before being robbed, drugged, sexually assaulted, gang-raped, and abandoned at Lang’ata Cemetery with severe injuries.
Other Crime Incidents: Police in Nyali, Mombasa County, are investigating a suspected robbery and murder incident involving mineral dealers after the body of a caretaker was discovered inside an unoccupied house. Detectives have also launched a major investigation following an armed attack at Watamu Mall, with CCTV footage showing four masked gunmen storming the shopping mall.
Sports: NFL Flag Championship Coming to Kenya, Ol Kalou Stadium Update
NFL Flag Africa Championship to be Held in Kenya: The National Football League (NFL) will host a continental NFL Flag Championship in Kenya from July 9-11 in Nairobi, bringing together men’s and women’s national teams and U13 youth squads from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Ol Kalou Stadium Construction Update: Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi issued an update on the construction of the 10,000-seater Ol Kalou Stadium in Nyandarua County, describing the project as a transformative investment. The facility will feature a standard football pitch, an eight-lane tartan athletics track, VIP warm-up track, changing rooms, modern spectator terraces, and ample parking. Hundreds of local youth have already secured employment through the construction works.
Lewa Safari Marathon Winners: Samson Lemayan and Lydia Simiyu emerged as champions of the 26th edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon, held at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Isiolo County.
Weather: Cool and Cloudy Conditions Expected
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast intermittent cool and cloudy conditions in parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Southeastern Lowlands, the Rift Valley, and Northeastern Kenya. Nairobi is expected to experience light rain with temperatures ranging from 14°C to 25°C.
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