President William Ruto has announced a KSh5.1 billion development package for the Gusii region, targeting improvements in healthcare, education, infrastructure and market facilities.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service at Nyamaiya Stadium in Nyamira County on Sunday, November 8, the President outlined several projects aimed at strengthening service delivery and stimulating economic activities in the region.
The package includes KSh1.7 billion for the construction of a Level Five hospital in Nyamira County and a similar allocation for Kisii Hospital.
The two healthcare projects account for KSh3.4 billion and are expected to improve access to specialised medical services while reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside the region.
In the education sector, the President announced KSh500 million towards a university project and another KSh200 million for university hostels.
The government also plans to construct 10 new markets across Nyamira County, with KSh150 million allocated towards market infrastructure and common-user facilities.
The proposed investments are expected to create opportunities for small-scale traders, farmers and other local businesses.
Ruto further highlighted ongoing road infrastructure projects, including the Nyamaiya Road, saying improved transport networks would facilitate the movement of people and goods.
The announcement comes as the government continues to pursue its development agenda across different regions of the country.
Security agencies have recovered suspected narcotics valued at approximately KSh3.6 billion following a multi-agency operation targeting an international drug trafficking network in Kwale County.
Three foreign nationals, comprising two Tanzanian men and a Ugandan woman, were arrested during the operation conducted by Kenyan security officers.
According to reports, police recovered approximately 454 kilogrammes of suspected methamphetamine during the operation.
The arrests followed intelligence linking the suspects to a separate seizure of suspected narcotics in Tanzania, prompting cooperation between Kenyan and Tanzanian security agencies.
Investigations reportedly intensified following the arrest of a Tanzanian national, Saleh Khamis, on November 5 over alleged drug trafficking activities.
He was subsequently handed over to Kenyan police officers at the Lunga Lunga-Horohoro border crossing as authorities pursued additional leads.
The latest seizure highlights growing regional efforts to combat cross-border drug trafficking and organised criminal networks.
Security agencies are expected to continue investigations to establish the full extent of the suspected trafficking network and identify other individuals who may be involved.
The suspects remain subject to the legal process, and the recovered substances are suspected narcotics pending the relevant forensic and legal procedures.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of above-average rainfall across more than 40 counties in November, raising concerns over possible flooding, landslides and transport disruptions.
In its November weather outlook released at the beginning of the month, the department indicated that several counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Machakos, Kiambu and Meru, are expected to receive rainfall exceeding their long-term averages.
Other areas likely to experience increased rainfall include Garissa, Mandera, Makueni and parts of the coastal region.
The department warned that the anticipated rainfall could increase the risk of flash floods, particularly in low-lying settlements, urban areas with poor drainage systems and regions located near rivers.
Highland areas susceptible to landslides have also been identified as potential risk zones.
The increased rainfall is expected to have implications for agricultural activities, transport networks and other essential services.
Residents living in flood-prone areas have been urged to remain alert and follow weather advisories to minimise possible losses.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the effects of extreme weather conditions on vulnerable communities and infrastructure.
The World Bank has projected Kenya’s economy to grow by 4.6 per cent in 2026, citing improved performance in the industrial and services sectors during the first half of the year.
According to the World Bank’s latest Kenya Economic Update released on November 4, economic growth accelerated to 5.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared to 4.6 per cent recorded in 2025.
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However, the institution warned that economic growth could moderate during the second half of the year due to fiscal pressures and external economic uncertainties.
The report identified governance challenges, corruption and inefficiencies in public spending as some of the major obstacles affecting Kenya’s economic potential.
It further revealed that public debt stood at 72.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in August 2026, while interest payments consumed approximately one-third of government revenue.
The World Bank also raised concerns over employment, noting that 83.8 per cent of jobs in Kenya remain informal, highlighting the need for more stable and productive employment opportunities.
Despite the challenges, the institution maintained that improving governance, strengthening public financial management and attracting private investment could significantly accelerate economic development.
The report estimates that implementing ambitious governance reforms could increase Kenya’s GDP by up to 20 per cent by 2035.
Kenya’s Rising Lionesses have made history after winning gold in the women’s rugby competition at the 2026 Dakar Olympic Youth Games, marking a significant milestone for the country’s sporting ambitions.
The victory represents a major achievement for Kenyan rugby and highlights the growing competitiveness of young female athletes on the international stage.
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The team returned home following their successful campaign, receiving recognition for their performance and contribution to Kenya’s sporting reputation.
The achievement is particularly significant for women’s rugby, a sport that has continued to attract young talent across the country despite challenges relating to funding, infrastructure and access to professional training facilities.
Kenya’s success at the competition is also expected to inspire more young girls to participate in rugby and other competitive sporting activities.
The achievement further reinforces the country’s position as one of Africa’s emerging forces in rugby, building on its established reputation in international sevens competitions.
Sports stakeholders are expected to use the victory as an opportunity to strengthen grassroots development and invest in programmes aimed at nurturing young female athletes.
Controversial preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie has been sentenced to 200 years in prison following his conviction over the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children, in the Shakahola massacre in Kilifi County.
Mombasa High Court Judge Diana Kavedza delivered the sentence on Friday, November 6, 2026, bringing a significant development in one of Kenya’s most disturbing criminal cases.
Mackenzie, the founder of Good News International Church, was convicted alongside 28 co-accused on October 19, 2026, after the court established their involvement in a system of forced fasting that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of followers.
The court sentenced Mackenzie to 100 years for 183 counts of murder by starvation and another 100 years for eight counts of murder by direct homicide.
The sentences within each category will run concurrently, while the two categories will run consecutively, resulting in an aggregate prison term of 200 years.
The prosecution had sought the death penalty for Mackenzie, arguing that the magnitude and brutality of the crimes warranted the maximum punishment.
However, Justice Kavedza declined to impose capital punishment, explaining that executing Mackenzie could potentially reinforce the extremist beliefs associated with the tragedy.
The judge observed that individuals who regard death as a pathway to heaven might perceive execution as a form of victory rather than punishment.
The court also considered the possibility that keeping the convicts alive could help investigators establish the whereabouts of other missing victims and provide answers to affected families.
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Mackenzie’s co-accused also received lengthy prison sentences for their respective roles in the killings, with some receiving terms of up to 160 years.
The Shakahola tragedy came to national attention in April 2023 after police discovered mass graves in Shakahola Forest, near Malindi in Kilifi County.
Investigations revealed that followers of Mackenzie’s church had been subjected to extreme fasting after being persuaded that starving themselves would enable them to meet Jesus Christ.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that children were among the first victims targeted by the fasting instructions, with some followers allegedly subjected to intimidation, confinement and physical violence.
Authorities have recovered more than 400 bodies from the forest, although the current convictions relate to 191 deaths.
The tragedy sparked nationwide debate over religious extremism, child protection and the regulation of religious institutions in Kenya.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations welcomed the sentencing, describing it as an important milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.
The case has also raised questions about the effectiveness of government oversight and the ability of security agencies to identify and intervene in potentially dangerous religious movements before lives are lost.
Mackenzie’s sentencing marks a major legal milestone in the Shakahola case, although further investigations and legal proceedings may continue as authorities seek answers about the remaining victims.
Embu County is exploring the use of tap-to-eat technology as part of efforts to modernise school feeding programmes and improve food service delivery in learning institutions.
The development was highlighted in a report by the Kenya News Agency on November 5.
School feeding programmes play an important role in supporting learners’ nutrition, school attendance and concentration, particularly among children from vulnerable households.
The proposed technological approach points towards efforts to improve the management and delivery of meals within school environments.
Adopting digital solutions in school feeding programmes could also create opportunities for better monitoring of meal distribution and accountability.
However, the effectiveness of the proposed approach will depend on implementation costs, accessibility and the ability of schools to adopt the technology.
The government has approved the establishment of Mt Elgon Environmental Day in a move aimed at strengthening environmental conservation and raising awareness about the importance of protecting natural resources.
The development was among the latest environmental announcements reported by the Kenya News Agency on November 5.
Mt Elgon is an important ecological area that supports biodiversity, water catchment systems and communities whose livelihoods depend on natural resources.
Environmental awareness initiatives provide opportunities to mobilise communities, government agencies and conservation organisations around sustainable environmental management.
The designation is expected to provide a platform for promoting environmental education and encouraging greater community participation in conservation activities.
Protecting forest ecosystems and water catchment areas remains important in addressing environmental degradation and safeguarding resources for future generations.
Mombasa County is exploring a partnership with Kenyatta University aimed at strengthening human capital development and improving skills within the coastal region.
The proposed collaboration was among the latest developments reported by the Kenya News Agency as the county continues to pursue opportunities for institutional cooperation.
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Partnerships between county governments and higher learning institutions can provide opportunities for research, professional training and the development of skills relevant to local economic needs.
Mombasa, being an important commercial and transport centre, has considerable demand for skilled personnel across sectors including tourism, logistics, maritime services and technology.
The reported engagement highlights the potential role of universities in supporting county development through research, training and knowledge transfer.
Youth innovation hubs in Kenya have been challenged to strengthen partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions and private-sector organisations to attract investment and create more opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
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The call was made during the Youth Innovation Hubs and Stakeholder Engagement Forum held in Nairobi.
The forum was convened by Youth for a Sustainable World in collaboration with Nailab, with support from the United Nations Population Fund.
The engagement sought to connect youth-led innovation hubs with potential investors, technical experts and strategic partners.
The initiative forms part of a four-year United Nations joint programme on youth skills, employability and civic engagement, supported by the Government of Canada.
The programme seeks to improve access to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly among young women and marginalised youth.
Innovation hubs play an important role in supporting young people through mentorship, access to technology, business incubation and networking opportunities.
The call for stronger partnerships comes as Kenya continues to explore technology and entrepreneurship as potential drivers of employment and economic development.
