By.PHILES ISABOKE
IEBC has suspended tender for supply and delivery of ballot papers, tactile folders and election declaration forms after a request for review was filed at Public Procurement Review Board.
Acting CEO Ruth Kulundu said proceedings suspended until further notice. This could affect preparations for 2027 elections as ballot papers require extensive production and verification.
BY.PHILES ISABOKE
Safaricom has increased data bundle value under “Pata More” campaign. Sh20 daily bundle now gives 250MB instead of 150MB, Sh99 bundle now 1.5GB instead of 1GB, and Sh1,000 monthly package now 21.5GB more than double previous 10GB.
This is Safaricom avoiding price wars but increasing value to compete with Airtel which has been competing with larger bundles.
BY.PHILES ISABOKE
Central Bank of Kenya wants to slash and cap transaction fees for M-Pesa and Airtel Money. In its National Financial Inclusion Strategy, CBK wants average cost per transaction reduced from current Sh23 to Sh10 by 2028. b16c
CBK says mobile money access rose from 27% in 2006 to 82.3% in 2024 but growth is plateauing due to high costs. Safaricom currently charges Sh13 for Sh501-1000 transfer and Sh108 for Sh50k-250k.
Teachers Service Commission has restarted the search for a substantive CEO after High Court ordered fresh recruitment. In an advert dated Sept 29, TSC invited qualified Kenyans to apply by Oct 30. 623e
Court found previous process failed to comply with TSC’s own procedures. TSC has been without substantive CEO since Nancy Macharia retired in June 2025; Evaleen Mitei has been acting. 623e
BY. PHILES ISABOKE
Kenya has officially signed the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Charter on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, becoming a Signatory Member. 6740
CS William Kabogo signed it and handed over to DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya, witnessed by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi. The charter will advance cooperation on digital transformation, responsible AI, digital policy and innovation. 6740
BY.PHILES ISABOKE
A historic shipment of 40,000 metric tonnes of refined petroleum for Rwanda has arrived at Mombasa Port under a new Kenya-Rwanda deal. Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi says the pact could boost fuel transit volumes through the Northern Corridor tenfold. b38b
Kenya Ports Authority will handle berthing and Kenya Pipeline Company will provide transport and storage, giving Rwanda a seamless path from Mombasa to its market. d173
Chairman Erastus Ethekon said Kenyans in diaspora have constitutional right under Article 82(1)(e) to participate. Registration will be under Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration Phase II. 7f0b
Acting CEO Ruth Kulundu said proceedings suspended until further notice. This could affect preparations for 2027 elections as ballot papers require extensive production and verification. 5683
BY.PHILES ISABOKE
A Malindi Environment and Land Court has ordered construction to be paused on Aliko Dangote’s $16B oil refinery in Lamu. Judge Jane Onyango ordered status quo be maintained on land in Hindi/Manda Magogoni area until Oct 14 after 133 residents filed a petition saying it is their ancestral land with no resettlement plan and no environmental impact assessment. 07ba
Dangote Group says groundbreaking ceremony on Sept 30 will still go on, but site activities may be affected. Refinery is 700,000-barrels-per-day and aims to cut East Africa’s reliance on imported fuel
By Hadrine Joyce
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
LAMU, Kenya — Plans for the groundbreaking of the proposed Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu have been accompanied by a land dispute after 133 residents moved to court challenging activities on part of the land earmarked for the project.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court issued interim orders directing parties to maintain the existing status quo on L.R. No. 13061, located in the Hindi/Manda-Magogoni area of Lamu County.
Justice Jane Onyango ordered that the status quo be maintained until October 14, 2026, when the case is expected to come before the court for further directions.
The court temporarily barred activities including clearing, excavation, fencing, demolition, construction, transfer or disposal of the portions of the land occupied by the petitioners.
The 133 petitioners say they have occupied, cultivated and developed parts of the land for many years. They are seeking recognition of their interests in the property and protection during any acquisition process linked to the refinery.
Despite the court proceedings, the Dangote Group has maintained that the legal dispute will not stop the planned groundbreaking ceremony. Reuters reported that the company said the ceremony would proceed, although the court ruling could affect some activities at the project site.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi also said on Tuesday that the government intended to proceed with the planned launch.
The proposed refinery is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Reuters reported that construction is planned for completion in 2030, with the project intended to reduce East Africa’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
The project has been estimated at approximately $16 billion, while local reports have placed its value at about KSh2.2 trillion. It is expected to create employment and increase activity at Lamu Port.
The refinery’s development has therefore become a major economic project while also facing questions over land rights and the interests of residents occupying parts of the proposed site.
DANGOTE REFINERY IN NIGERIA
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first woman Prime Minister following her party’s strong performance in the recent general elections. The historic appointment makes her only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world and marks a significant milestone for gender representation in North African politics.
El Mansouri’s selection comes after her party emerged among the top performers in the September 23 elections. Political analysts say the decision reflects both the evolving political landscape in Morocco and the growing influence of women in public leadership roles across the region.
The new Prime Minister is expected to focus on economic recovery, social reforms, and maintaining political stability.
Her appointment has drawn praise from regional observers who view it as a positive step toward greater inclusion, while also placing high expectations on her ability to deliver tangible results for ordinary Moroccans.
As she prepares to form her government, attention will turn to the composition of the new cabinet and the policy priorities that will define her administration.
The development is being closely watched across Africa and the Middle East as a potential signal of changing attitudes toward women’s leadership at the highest levels of government.