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BY.Philes isaboke

For many people, the first thing they reach for in the morning is their phone. Messages, TikTok videos, WhatsApp updates, Instagram posts and news can quickly consume hours of the day.
This has created growing interest in digital detoxes—intentional periods when people reduce or completely stop using their digital devices.
A simple detox might mean switching off notifications, avoiding social media before bedtime or spending one day without unnecessary screen time. The goal isn’t necessarily to abandon technology, but to create healthier boundaries around its use.
For students and young professionals, putting the phone down can also create more time for reading, exercising, talking to friends face-to-face or simply resting.
The challenge is obvious: can you really go 24 hours without checking your phone?

By.philes isaboke

Going out alone is no longer something many young people feel embarrassed about. From having coffee to watching a movie, visiting a museum or simply enjoying a meal, solo dates are becoming a form of self-care.
For some young Kenyans, spending time alone provides an opportunity to disconnect from the pressure of social media and everyday responsibilities. Instead of waiting for friends to be available, they are choosing to create their own experiences.
Psychologists and wellness advocates often encourage people to maintain a healthy relationship with themselves. A solo outing can provide quiet time to reflect, discover personal interests and enjoy activities without worrying about other people’s opinions.
For a generation constantly connected to phones and social networks, sometimes the best company can simply be yourself.

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