The fake fertiliser scandal, the disappearance of millions of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stamps and losses in public procurement are among major corruption cases highlighted in a new World Bank report examining how graft is affecting Kenya’s economy. In its Kenya Economic Update report, the World Bank identifies fraud, bribery and collusion involving public officials and private businesses as significant sources of revenue losses and increased costs for the government and businesses. The report reveals that KRA announced in early 2026 that approximately 24 million excise stamps had gone missing from its vaults, with investigations pointing to weaknesses in…
Author: Amani Kuria
Kenya continues to struggle to create enough formal jobs, with 83.8 per cent of employed people working in the informal sector despite an expansion in overall employment in 2025, a new World Bank report has revealed. The report, Kenya Economic Update, says employment grew by 4 per cent in 2025, but the dominance of informal work continues to limit productivity gains, earnings growth and poverty reduction. “Employment expanded by 4.0 percent in 2025, but 83.8 percent of jobs remained informal, limiting productivity gains, earnings growth, and poverty reduction,” the report states. Formal employment accounted for only 16.2 per cent of…
A Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) security guard has been charged over the alleged theft of more than 1.8 million sticks of seized cigarettes valued at Ksh22.7 million from a government warehouse in Eldoret. The suspect was accused of breaking into a KRA warehouse and stealing 1,860,520 sticks of uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes valued at Ksh22,780,542. The cigarettes had previously been seized by the tax authority and deposited at the warehouse. According to KRA, the guard was also charged with an alternative count of negligence to prevent a felony. He was arrested by immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while…
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has introduced new declaration requirements for traders importing goods through consolidated cargo, requiring them to provide personal and consignment details to facilitate customs clearance and tax compliance. Under the new requirements, individual importers must provide their full names, KRA Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), national identification numbers, telephone contacts, descriptions of imported goods and the value of their consignments. The requirements apply even when several traders combine their goods in one shipping container to reduce transportation costs. In a public notice, KRA said it was working with cargo consolidators to facilitate the issuance of electronic tax…
Acting Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Jesang Mitei is among five candidates shortlisted for interviews as the commission moves to recruit a substantive holder of the top administrative position. Mitei will compete for the position alongside four other applicants selected from 124 candidates who submitted applications following a fresh advertisement issued by TSC on September 29, 2026. In a public announcement released on Tuesday, November 3, TSC Chairman Jamleck Muturi said the commission had completed reviewing the applications received before the October 30 deadline. The five candidates shortlisted for the position are Cheptumo Ayabei from Baringo County,…
Former Attorney General and retired Court of Appeal President Paul Kihara Kariuki has died, prompting tributes from the Judiciary, with Chief Justice Martha Koome describing him as an accomplished jurist whose contribution to Kenya’s legal institutions will endure. In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, November 3, Koome, speaking on behalf of the Judiciary fraternity, mourned Kariuki, describing him as an exemplary judicial leader and dedicated public servant who played a significant role in strengthening the country’s justice system. “It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Hon. Justice (Rtd.) Paul Kihara Kariuki, EGH, former…
Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras packed an extraordinary amount of living into twenty years. By the time of her death, she had earned a pilot’s license before a driver’s license, logged over 1,300 flight hours, and was working as a commercial co-pilot – achievements that made her a standout in the aviation world and, ultimately, a tragic figure in one of Florida’s deadliest recent aviation disasters. Early life and the roots of a passion Filgueiras was born in Florida to Brazilian parents, Camila Corteleti and Allan Filgueiras, and grew up in Palm Beach County. She was the middle of three sisters. Her…
Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has opened a new branch in Isiolo County as the lender expands its presence in underserved markets and moves closer to its target of operating 100 branches across Kenya by the end of 2026. The new branch, launched on Monday, November 2, brings DTB’s Kenyan network to 94 outlets, with six additional branches scheduled to begin operations before the end of the year. The expansion is expected to improve access to financial services for individuals, traders, small businesses and enterprises in Isiolo, where only seven banks currently serve the county. DTB Kenya Managing Director Murali Natarajan…
Kenya Airways has introduced a new online duty-free shopping service allowing passengers to purchase products before travelling and have their orders delivered directly to their seats onboard. The service became operational on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a five-year partnership between the national carrier and Safari Duty Free. Under the new arrangement, passengers can browse products, compare prices and place orders through the Kenya Airways Duty-Free Webstore before boarding their flights. The airline said the new platform would offer products at prices up to 15 per cent lower than those available at airport duty-free shops. Customers will also enjoy an…
The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has announced changes to its Banking Index and Government Bond Index, including the addition of Family Bank Limited and the introduction of a new methodology for measuring bond investment returns. In a notice dated November 2, 2026, the NSE said Family Bank had qualified for inclusion in the NSE Banking Index after completing the mandatory six-month post-listing period. The bank was listed on the securities exchange in March 2026, bringing the total number of commercial banks represented in the index to 12. The updated index comprises Absa Bank Kenya, BK Group, Diamond Trust Bank Kenya,…
