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At least 17 Catholic pilgrims died in a multi-vehicle crash at Salama in Makueni County in the early hours of Saturday, 3 October 2026. They were parishioners of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru, for the National Prayer Day.

Reports say a lorry lost control after a suspected brake failure shortly after midnight and struck several vehicles, including the matatu carrying the pilgrims.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa named the dead, among them Janet Miito, Florence Atieno, Jane Mwakamba, Josephat Mekonge and Samuel Mwanyasi. One parishioner who missed the van because there was no seat later said the delay may have saved his life.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir ordered a multi-agency probe, and the National Transport and Safety Authority deployed a team to the scene. Post-mortem examinations were scheduled for Sunday at Sultan Hamud Hospital in Makueni. The crash has renewed calls for stricter checks on heavy commercial vehicles on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.

NAIROBI, Kenya

 Kenya’s mobile-money market is entering a more competitive phase as Airtel Money steps up its challenge to Safaricom’s M-Pesa with lower transaction fees and new products targeting small businesses.

Safaricom remains the dominant player, controlling 88.8 percent of Kenya’s mobile-money subscriptions as of June 2026, compared with Airtel Money’s 11.1 percent.

But Airtel has significantly increased its market share over the past three years, rising from just 2.8 percent in June 2023. 

Airtel Money recently introduced Bizna Wallet, aimed at small traders, and offered the service without transaction fees as it seeks to attract merchants away from established competitors.

The company has also reduced charges on several other transactions, including payments, bank transfers and transfers between mobile-money networks.

Safaricom has responded by reducing some M-Pesa charges and increasing the threshold for fee-free transactions on its Pochi la Biashara service.

The competition is significant because mobile money is a major source of revenue for Safaricom. In the financial year ended March 2026, M-Pesa revenue in Kenya rose 13.4 percent to Sh182.7 billion, accounting for 45.6 percent of Safaricom’s Kenyan revenue. 

For consumers and small businesses, the emerging price competition could mean lower transaction costs and more choices.

For the two telecommunications companies, however, the battle is increasingly about more than mobile transfers. Digital payments, merchant services, banking partnerships and financial technology are becoming key battlegrounds in Kenya’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

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Source: Business Daily Africa

photo: Courtesy

NAIROBI, Kenya.

The United States has overtaken Uganda as Kenya’s leading export destination, highlighting a sharp recovery in Kenyan shipments to the American market following the restoration of preferential trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Kenya’s exports to the US reached Sh63.59 billion between March and July 2026, nearly doubling from Sh32.51 billion during the same period last year, according to data from the Kenya Revenue Authority published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

Uganda, meanwhile, imported Kenyan goods worth Sh60.54 billion during the five-month period.

The surge in exports to the US has been driven largely by renewed demand for Kenyan apparel and agricultural products. American buyers resumed orders after AGOA preferences were restored, following months of uncertainty after the previous arrangement expired in September 2025. 

Kenyan manufacturers have also benefited from the fact that several competing Asian apparel-producing countries have faced additional US tariffs, giving Kenyan exporters a cost advantage.

The apparel sector remains particularly important, with Kenyan factories supplying international brands including H&M, Levi’s, JCPenney and Wrangler.

The development comes as Washington has extended AGOA through December 2028, giving Kenyan manufacturers and investors a longer planning horizon.

For Kenya, the growing US market could provide an important boost to foreign-exchange earnings, manufacturing employment and investment in export-oriented industries.

However, the figures also underline the importance of Kenya diversifying its export base and maintaining preferential access to major international markets.

SOURCE: Business Daily

NAIROBI, Kenya

Plans for a proposed $16 billion Dangote refinery project in Kenya have come under fresh scrutiny after a consumer-rights organisation filed a legal challenge over transparency surrounding the investment.

Reuters reported on 2 October 2026 that the consumer group has challenged the project, raising concerns about the disclosure of important information relating to the proposed refinery.

The development comes shortly after renewed attention on the proposed refinery project, which is expected to have significant implications for Kenya’s energy and industrial sectors if implemented.

The project has also attracted attention over a proposed Kenyan stake. A report published on 2 October said the Consumers Federation of Kenya had petitioned the Public Private Partnerships Petition Committee over Kenya’s proposed 10 per cent stake, reportedly valued at approximately $500 million, or about Sh65 billion. The petition seeks clarification on how the stake would be financed and whether the funds have been budgeted, committed or already paid.

The legal and transparency questions could become an important part of discussions surrounding the project’s financing, public participation and implementation.

For Kenya’s business sector, the refinery is significant because of its potential implications for the country’s petroleum supply chain, industrial development and investment environment. However, the project’s eventual implementation will depend on regulatory, legal and financial processes.

Photo:courtesy

NAIROBI, Kenya

Commercial banks increased lending to Kenya’s agricultural sector by Sh53.1 billion in the year to June 2026, reflecting growing credit flows into one of the country’s key economic sectors.

Data from the Central Bank of Kenya shows that agricultural credit increased by 35.1 per cent to Sh204.2 billion during the period. The growth was significantly higher than the 10.6 per cent increase in total private-sector credit, which expanded to Sh4.29 trillion.

The increased lending comes as agriculture remains an important source of employment, household income and economic activity across the country. For banks, the expansion also represents an opportunity to grow lending in a sector traditionally considered relatively risky.

Improved farm incomes and cash flows have contributed to the increased attractiveness of agriculture to lenders, according to reporting based on CBK data.

The development could have implications for farmers and agribusinesses seeking financing for activities such as purchasing farm inputs, acquiring equipment, expanding production and improving value addition.

Kenya’s broader economy also continues to receive significant support from agriculture. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reported that agriculture, forestry and fishing expanded by 3.1 per cent in 2025 and accounted for more than 20 per cent of the economy.

In the photo, are Kenyan farmers working in a crop field.

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya’s annual inflation rate increased to 6.8 per cent in September 2026, up from 6.6 per cent in August, pointing to renewed pressure on household spending and business operating costs.

According to the latest data reported from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the increase was largely driven by higher core inflation, which rose to 4.0 per cent from 3.4 per cent. Processed food products, particularly milk and wheat products, were among the items contributing to the increase.

The rise comes as businesses continue to operate in an environment of changing input costs. Higher prices can affect retailers, manufacturers, transport operators and other enterprises as businesses adjust their prices or absorb part of the additional costs.

At the same time, non-core inflation, which includes volatile food and energy prices, eased to 14.0 per cent from 14.7 per cent, providing some relief in that category.

The CBK has maintained the Central Bank Rate at 8.75 per cent, while its next Monetary Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 7 October 2026.

The inflation figures will therefore remain an important indicator for businesses and consumers as policymakers assess the direction of monetary policy and the cost of credit.

Central Bank of Kenya headquarters in Nairobi.

BY. PHILES ISABOKE

Carry an umbrella next week. Kenya Meteorological Department says October will be wetter than normal in 38 counties as the short rains begin.

Counties listed include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, Tana River, Garissa, Kitui, Machakos, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and others. Turkana is expected to receive near-average to above-average.

The department said the Intertropical Convergence Zone moving south will increase humidity and cloud cover. Temperatures will remain warmer than average, with highlands 15 to 20 degrees and lowlands above 28 degrees.

The October-November-December season forecast is also above-average, good for farmers but risky for flood-prone areas like Budalangi and Mukuru.

By Hadrine Joyce

Saturday, 3 October 2026

SALAMA, Makueni, Kenya — At least 17 people have died following a multiple-vehicle crash at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, according to a report by Kenyans.co.ke published on Saturday morning.

The accident occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday when a lorry reportedly lost control after a suspected brake failure and crashed into several vehicles, including a 14-seater matatu.

The matatu was reportedly carrying passengers travelling to Subukia Shrine in Nakuru County for prayers when the crash occurred.

Seven other victims were rushed to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for medical attention.

Police and emergency responders were assessing the scene as investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash. The accident also caused significant traffic disruption along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, with motorists seeking alternative routes.

Kenyans.co.ke reported that more than 2,100 people had died on Kenyan roads during the first half of 2026, citing National Transport and Safety Authority data.

PHOTO CAPTION: Wreckage of a 14-seater matatu involved in the Salama accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on October 3, 2026.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kenyans.co.ke

PHOTO SOURCE: Kenyans.co.ke

By .Philes Isaboke

Kenyans applying for affordable houses from today will pay up to Sh600,000 more.

The State Department for Housing revised prices effective October 1, 2026. A studio now costs Sh1.8 million from Sh1.5 million. One bedroom is Sh2.4 million from Sh2 million. Two bedroom is Sh3.6 million from Sh3 million.

Market-rate units also increased. Two bedroom from Sh3.6 million to Sh3.96 million and three bedroom from Sh4.8 million to Sh5.28 million.

“The revised prices apply to new applications across all projects from 1st October 2026,” the department said in a statement.

Those who applied before midnight September 30 on Boma Yangu platform will keep old prices. The platform had warned on September 15 that prices were provisional.

Officials attribute increase to rising cement, steel and foreign exchange costs.

BY . PHILES ISABOKE

One year after his death, Raila Amolo Odinga is being remembered.

Today October 3 marks start of “Mwezi wa Baba,” a month-long commemoration. Odinga died October 15, 2025 in India aged 80.

At 3pm today, family and ODM leaders held candlelight at Uhuru Park Nairobi. At 6pm simultaneous vigils will was held in Kisumu Moi Stadium, Mombasa Treasury Square, Busia, Homa Bay and Siaya.

October program includes medical camp in Kibera October 10, youth dialogue at University of Nairobi October 12, and final memorial service in Bondo Siaya October 15.

Family said focus is on democracy and social justice ideals, not politics.