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NAIROBI — Kenya’s banking sector strengthened its financial position in 2025, with higher customer deposits, stronger profitability and improved asset quality, according to the Central Bank of Kenya’s Bank Supervision Annual Report 2025.

The report shows that total net assets in the banking sector increased by 10.3 per cent, rising from KSh7.57 trillion in December 2024 to KSh8.35 trillion at the end of 2025.

Customer deposits also recorded strong growth, increasing by 11.6 per cent to KSh6.12 trillion, up from KSh5.48 trillion a year earlier. CBK attributed the increase largely to deposit mobilisation initiatives by commercial banks.

The sector’s profitability improved significantly during the year. Profit before tax rose by KSh46 billion, or 17.7 per cent, to KSh306.3 billion, compared with KSh260.3 billion in December 2024.

CBK said the increase in profitability was mainly driven by a larger reduction in total expenses, which fell by KSh67.4 billion during the year.

The banking sector also maintained strong capital and liquidity buffers. The total capital adequacy ratio stood at 20.7 per cent in December 2025, comfortably above the regulatory minimum of 14.5 per cent. The average liquidity ratio rose to 59.3 per cent, compared with 55.8 per cent in December 2024 and well above the statutory minimum of 20 per cent.

The report further points to an improvement in asset quality. Gross non-performing loans declined marginally to KSh696.9 billion from KSh697.3 billion, while the ratio of gross non-performing loans to gross loans fell from 17.1 per cent to 16.0 per cent. CBK attributed the improvement to repayments, recoveries and increased new lending.

North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles into waters off its eastern coast on Sunday, according to South Korean military officials. The first missile travelled about 450 kilometres, while the second travelled more than 600 kilometres, according to reports. The launches came amid continuing tensions surrounding military activities on the Korean Peninsula. U.S. authorities said there was no immediate threat to American personnel or allies from the launches.

Seven Ethiopian armed groups have announced an alliance aimed at challenging the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The alliance includes groups that were previously on opposing sides during Ethiopia’s 2020–2022 Tigray conflict. The groups say they are opposed to what they describe as excessive centralisation of power and regional marginalisation. The Ethiopian government has accused neighbouring Eritrea of supporting the alliance, while Eritrea has denied similar accusations.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has said it is exploring ways of using technology to make voting easier for Kenyans living abroad. IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Abdallah said electronic voting for Kenyans in the diaspora could become possible in the future, potentially by 2031. The commission is currently looking at ways of expanding voting access beyond the existing arrangements

Families searching for relatives connected to the Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro tragedies have been given 21 days to identify and collect remains being held at Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary. Kilifi County says 443 bodies and body parts remain in temporary storage. The county plans to proceed with the burial of unclaimed remains after the notice period, while ensuring that the remains can still be identified in future.

The Kenya Meteorological Service has warned that several parts of the country could experience above-average rainfall during the October–December 2026 season. The weather agency has urged residents and government agencies to prepare early for possible flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure. Kenyans living in areas prone to flooding have also been encouraged to remain alert and follow weather advisories.

On 16 August 2026, a political mobilisation tour organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and including other prominent figures, encountered serious violence while attempting to hold rallies and processions in Homa Bay County. The events centred on efforts by the movement to address public gatherings in parts of the county, including areas around Homa Bay town and Nyandiwa. Local political rivalries, intensified by competing claims to influence in the post-Raila Odinga Nyanza political landscape, formed the broader context for the confrontation.
Armed groups described by police and witnesses as “goons” erected roadblocks, attacked the Linda Mwananchi convoy with stones and crude weapons, and set fire to at least six vehicles. Journalists covering the events were assaulted and had equipment stolen; a beach hotel was stormed and looted; the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital was vandalised as attackers reportedly sought injured supporters; and a church facility was also targeted. Police reported that one officer died after being struck by a stone, while a civilian (a Ugandan woman) was fatally run over amid the chaos. Dozens of civilians and several additional officers sustained injuries, with some requiring specialised treatment.
In the immediate aftermath, the National Police Service arrested dozens of suspects (initially 37, with further persons of interest identified) and recovered significant quantities of crude weapons. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations continued probing alleged mobilisation and financing of the violence. Linda Mwananchi leaders accused certain local politicians and security agencies of complicity or failure to provide adequate protection, while government and rival voices attributed the disorder partly to the movement’s decision to enter a politically contested area. Weeks later, Senator Sifuna publicly pledged that the movement would replace a taxi driver’s vehicle that had been torched during the incidents.
The Homa Bay events highlighted the volatile intersection of opposition mobilisation, local power contests, and public-order challenges in the lead-up to the 2027 general election. They also prompted renewed calls from multiple sides for strict adherence to constitutional rights of assembly alongside firm enforcement against organised political violence.

By Hadrine Joyce
September 22, 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya Power has announced planned electricity interruptions in several parts of the country on Tuesday, September 22, as the utility company carries out routine maintenance on its electricity network.

The interruptions are scheduled in selected areas of Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Kitui, Embu and Nyeri, among other locations. Most of the affected areas are expected to experience interruptions between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., although the exact times vary depending on the location. 

In Nairobi, areas listed for the maintenance include parts of Karen and Gachie. In Mombasa, parts of Jomvu are also scheduled to experience an interruption, while parts of Mariakani in Kilifi County are included in the maintenance programme. 

Other affected locations include parts of Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Embu and Kitui. Kenya Power says the interruptions are necessary to allow its teams to undertake network maintenance.

The company has advised customers in the affected areas to make arrangements before the scheduled interruptions and to check its official communication channels for updates.

Kenya Power operates most of Kenya’s electricity distribution network and currently serves more than 9.6 million customers. 

Source: Kenya Power notice reported by K24Digital

PHOTO:Martin Oduor/K24

Edwin Watenya Sifuna was born on 22 May 1982 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias, Kakamega County, and raised in a working-class family in Western Kenya. His father served as a civil servant with the former municipal council, while his mother worked as a teacher at Moi Primary School in Bungoma before retiring. Sifuna began his formal education at Kakamega Township Primary School and later attended Musingu High School, where he completed his secondary examinations.

He proceeded to the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2006, obtained a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law in 2007, and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 2008 after completing pupillage at Kairu & McCourt Advocates in Nairobi.
Before entering elective politics, Sifuna practised as a lawyer, serving in corporate legal roles and later establishing his own firm. He became involved in opposition coalition politics from 2013, first as a technical and advisory committee member of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and later of the National Super Alliance (NASA).

In the 2017 general election he unsuccessfully sought the ODM nomination for Kanduyi Constituency and subsequently contested the Nairobi senatorial seat, finishing second. In February 2018 he was appointed Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement, a position he held until mid-2026.
In the August 2022 general election Sifuna was elected Senator for Nairobi County, securing 716,876 votes. He assumed office on 8 September 2022 and was later appointed Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate.

His tenure as ODM Secretary-General ended in 2026 following internal party processes that were upheld by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal. As of September 2026 he continues to serve as Nairobi Senator and remains an active figure in national opposition politics, particularly through association with the Linda Mwananchi movement.

In recent public statements Sifuna has indicated his ambition to contest the presidency in the 2027 general election, positioning himself as a challenger to the incumbent administration. Several political figures aligned with the Linda Mwananchi grouping have publicly endorsed the idea of his candidacy, describing him as a potential standard-bearer for a new opposition realignment.

Whether this ambition materialises will depend on future coalition negotiations, party structures, and voter support in the intervening period. His career to date illustrates the trajectory of a lawyer who moved from advisory roles within opposition coalitions into elective office, senior party leadership, and, more recently, open national presidential aspiration.

Congolese superstar Fally Ipupa has announced that his song “KITAMATA” will be removed from his new album “XX DÉLIRIUM” and taken down from all streaming platforms. The track, a tribute to the late TP OK Jazz legend Josky Kiambukuta, had been one of the best-received songs from the album since its release.

Speaking to Top Congo FM, Fally revealed that despite prior agreements with the children of the late Josky Kiambukuta and properly crediting the deceased icon as the author of the song, he is facing demands for what he described as exorbitant royalties from certain members of the family. “The song was already doing very well and was well received by the public. It will be removed from the album today because, despite all the agreements reached with the children and Josky Kiambukuta being credited as the author of the song, certain members of his family are asking me for exorbitant rights,” he said.

Fally clarified that before recording and performing the tribute, he had contacted the legitimate rights holders who were set to receive all royalties generated by the song. He said the decision to withdraw the track was made to avoid unnecessary controversy. “Faced with certain behavior, I no longer want to become the subject of an unnecessary controversy simply because I wanted to pay tribute to the late great artist,” he added.

“KITAMATA” will be officially removed from the “XX DÉLIRIUM” tracklist today, though the rest of the album remains available on all platforms.