Author: Happiness Otongo

The war between Ukraine and Russia has intensified after Russian missiles and drones struck several parts of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported heavy casualties and damage to residential areas and infrastructure.

One of the worst attacks occurred in Kramatorsk, where a Russian guided bomb struck near public buses. Reports said at least 30 people were killed in the attack.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised the United States for what he described as insufficient action against Russia. He has called for stronger support and sanctions as the conflict continues.

Canadian poet, essayist and scholar Anne Carson has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature. She was recognised for her distinctive writing style and works that combine classical ideas with contemporary literature.

The Swedish Academy described her work as bold and inventive. Carson is known for writing across different forms, including poetry, essays and translations.

The award makes Carson one of the most recognised literary figures in the world and brings international attention to her contribution to contemporary literature.

Kenyan university lecturers remained on strike on Today, October 8, 2026, after talks between their unions and the government failed to resolve the disagreement. The strike has affected learning and other activities in public universities across the country.

The lecturers’ unions are demanding that the government commit to financing a new collective bargaining agreement before they agree to return to work. Government representatives have continued calling for negotiations to end the disruption.

Crisis talks were held Today, but the two sides remained divided over several issues. Further consultations with the government are expected as efforts continue to end the strike.

The High Court in Kiambu has suspended the implementation of the Gazette Notice that set dates for the 2026 National Youth Council elections. The decision means the elections will not proceed on the previously announced dates.

The elections were expected to take place in three stages. Ward-level elections were scheduled for October 9, constituency elections for October 16 and national elections for October 30.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs said it would comply with the court order. It also said voter education and public sensitisation would continue while the ministry waits for further directions from the court.

The World Meteorological Organization has warned that El Niño is strengthening and could reach its peak in December 2026. The weather agency says the event could become one of the strongest El Niño events recorded since at least 1950.

The weather pattern is expected to affect rainfall and temperatures in different parts of the world. In the Greater Horn of Africa, including Kenya, the last quarter of the year is an important rainfall period, meaning communities could face unusually wet conditions in some areas.

World Meteorological Organization says that
The warning is significant for Kenya because heavy rainfall can lead to flooding, landslides, damage to roads and disruption of agriculture. Authorities and communities are therefore being encouraged to prepare for possible weather-related emergencies

Kenya is intensifying measures to prevent the spread of Ebola after confirming its first imported case of the disease. The patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and travelled through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi. He later died after being admitted and isolated at Nairobi Hospital.

The Ministry of Health says 57 people have been identified as contacts linked to the patient. Ten of them have already been traced and placed under quarantine, while health authorities continue efforts to locate the remaining contacts.

Health officials have urged Kenyans to remain calm and rely on official information. The government says Kenya does not currently have an Ebola outbreak, but surveillance at points of entry and preparedness at health facilities have been strengthened.

Kenya will continue hosting the World Rally Championship Safari Rally in 2027 after the event was included in the FIA’s 15-round calendar.

President William Ruto confirmed the development on Today, ending uncertainty over Kenya’s future in the championship.

The 2027 Safari Rally is scheduled for March 18 to 21. Kenya’s event will feature among the major rallies on the international calendar, bringing some of the world’s leading rally drivers and teams to the count

The Central Bank of Kenya has retained the Central Bank Rate at 8.75 percent. The decision is part of the bank’s efforts to maintain economic and price stability.

The latest CBK information shows that Kenya’s inflation rate stood at 6.8 percent in September 2026. The average lending rate was 14.34 percent in August.
Central Bank of Kenya
Keeping the rate unchanged provides some stability for banks, businesses and borrowers.

The decision will be closely watched because interest rates affect the cost of loans for households and businesses.

Kenya and Rwanda have signed 11 bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. The agreements were concluded during the 10th session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation.

The agreements cover areas including immigration, water resources, conservation, housing, culture, justice and local governance. The two countries also want to expand cooperation in trade, transport, ICT, tourism and investment.

Kenyan coffee farmers earned approximately Sh41.6 billion during the 2025/26 coffee season. The money came from coffee sold through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange.

The earnings represent an improvement compared with the previous season. Coffee remains an important source of income for thousands of farmers, particularly in central and western parts of Kenya.

The stronger earnings are being welcomed by farmers and the wider agricultural sector. The government has continued encouraging farmers to improve production and quality so that Kenyan coffee can remain competitive in international markets.