Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya appearing before the committee on Parliament on Thursday, May 21, 2026-Photo|Courtesy
Oparanya decries persistent underfunding, says ministry struggling to deliver mandate
Co‑operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has raised alarm over what he termed persistent underfunding in his Ministry, warning that the financial strain is undermining its ability to deliver on its mandate. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives during deliberations on the 2026/27 budget estimates, Oparanya said his office has…
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe-Photo|Courtesy
Kagwe defends Tea Levy as strategic investment to safeguard Kenya’s global market
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has defended the Tea Levy Regulations 2026, describing the measure as a strategic investment aimed at securing the long‑term competitiveness of Kenya’s tea industry. Speaking on Thursday, May 21, 2026, Kagwe said the levy is not intended to burden farmers or businesses but to ensure that proceeds from tea exports…
Kenya Bankers Association CEO Raimond Molenje-Photo|Courtesy
Bankers Association warns Finance Bill 2026 taxes could undermine digital payments
Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) has cautioned against new tax measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2026, warning that levies on card transactions and digital payment services could sharply raise the cost of financial services and drive more Kenyans away from formal cashless systems. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning,…
SASRA Acting CEO David Sandagi speaking during a past event, File image
SASRA urges SACCOs to strengthen oversight as digital financial services expand
The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has urged the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to strengthen oversight by reinforcing compliance, risk management, and regulatory reporting standards in the rapidly evolving digital financial services space. Speaking during a virtual sensitization forum bringing together more than 600 participants from regulated SACCOs, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO)…
AFA official during Cotton and Pesticides Distribution Launch in Mbeere South. Photo Courtesy
AFA intensifies cotton revitalization to boost production in Embu
In a bid to increase cotton production and support thousands of cotton growing households, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) through Miraa, Pyrethrum, Fibre and other Industrial Crops Directorate (MPFID) has intensified revitalization of cotton production in all the cotton-growing counties in the country. Speaking during the Cotton and Pesticides Distribution Launch in Mbeere South, Embu…
KEBS initiates public consultations on new regulations targeting substandard goods, faulty testing apparatus
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has initiated public consultations on a set of proposed regulations aimed at strengthening oversight in product certification, laboratory testing, and measurement systems. The draft proposals were unveiled during a stakeholder forum held in Meru, where participants raised concerns about the widespread circulation of substandard goods, inconsistent laboratory results, and…
Teachers demonstrating in Makutano town Kapenguria over alleged mismanagement of Ecopillar Sacco. Photo Courtesy
Eco-pillar Sacco members plan protest over alleged looting
Members of West Pokot-based Eco-pillar Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) have formally notified police of plans to stage a peaceful protest in Makutano Town, Kapenguria, over alleged looting and unresolved grievances affecting the society and its members. In a notice dated May 18, 2026, addressed to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kapenguria Police…
Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary, Alice Wahome, speaking at the World Urban Forum-Photo|Courtesy
Kenya seeks global funding to bridge housing deficit at World Urban Forum
Kenya has framed its two‑million housing deficit as a business opportunity for investors while lobbying for more funding at the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the government described the shortage as a development emergency. Speaking at the forum, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome outlined the challenges of…
CS Oparanya appearing before the committee on Parliament on Thursday, May 21, 2026-Photo|Courtesy
Oparanya urges stronger investment in MSMEs and co-operative societies
Cabinet Secretary for Co‑operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, has called for increased investment in small businesses, Saccos and grassroots economic programmes, insisting that government initiatives must translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Kenyans. Appearing before the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives during deliberations on the 2026/27 Annual…
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe during the International Tea Day celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho. Photo Courtesy
Kagwe wants export of raw agricultural produce banned, pushes for value addition
The Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has called for sweeping laws to ban the export of raw agricultural produce and compel value addition before products leave Kenya, saying the move could unlock millions of jobs for young people. Speaking during the International Tea Day celebrations at Momul Tea Factory in Kericho,…
