
Kenya’s financial sector urged to embrace AI and modern credit scoring to expand access to credit
Kenya’s financial institutions have been urged to adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and modern credit scoring systems to strengthen lending processes and widen access to credit as the country’s financial sector undergoes rapid transformation. The call was made during a financial sector engagement forum held in the North Rift region on May…

Gov’t to waive import duty on first 100,000 electric vehicles, Says President Ruto
President William Ruto has announced that the first 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) imported into Kenya will be exempt from import duty as part of the government’s efforts to accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy transport and strengthen the economy. The President said the tax waiver will apply to both private and commercial electric vehicles,…

Hustler Fund faces KSh5 billion liquidity crunch as thousands of borrowers are locked out
Hustler Fund is grappling with a severe liquidity crisis that has left thousands of borrowers unable to access credit, raising fresh questions about the sustainability of the government’s financial inclusion programme. Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry and Investment, officials from the State Department for MSMEs disclosed that the fund requires an immediate…

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…

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…

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 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 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…

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…
