If you’ve been scrolling through social media or catching the headlines over the last 24 hours, you know things in Nairobi and beyond feel... heavy. Tense. Kinda unpredictable.
Between the political heavyweights throwing jabs and the economy showing some weird signs of both life and struggle, it’s a lot to track. Honestly, Kenya breaking news now isn't just about one event; it’s about a massive shift in how the country is being run. We’re seeing a high-stakes chess match between President William Ruto and his former ally, Rigathi Gachagua, while the average Mwananchi is just trying to figure out if the price of Unga is actually going to stay down.
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The Big Political Divorce: Ruto vs. Gachagua
Let’s get into the messy stuff first. The relationship between the President and the former Deputy President has gone from "dynamic duo" to "total frostbite."
Just today, January 13, 2026, Gachagua came out swinging. He’s basically accusing the administration of using the police to "hound" him. There was a pretty ugly incident involving teargas at a church—yeah, a church—that has everyone talking. Gachagua is claiming the government is trying to intimidate him into silence as he builds his new political camp.
On the other side, Ruto isn’t staying quiet. During a stop in Nyeri, he basically told critics (read: Gachagua) to "find someone else to scare." He’s doubling down on his "Singapore dream" for Kenya, focusing on youth grants like the NYOTA programme, which just disbursed over Sh170 million to young entrepreneurs in Mt. Kenya. It's a classic move: one leader talks about "state intimidation," while the other talks about "shillings in your pocket."
Is the Economy Actually "Cure-ing" Itself?
While the politicians fight, the money moves. And the moves are... interesting.
The World Bank and IMF are both projecting that the Kenyan economy will hit a 4.9% growth rate this year. That sounds great on paper, right? But if you ask anyone on the street in Kisumu or Mombasa, they'll tell you the "ground" is different.
Here’s the deal:
- Inflation is sticking at 5%: It's not skyrocketing like it was in 2023, but it’s not dropping much either.
- The Kenya Pipeline IPO: Ruto announced that the Kenya Pipeline Company will be listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange by the end of this month. He’s telling people even with 200 bob, they should buy in.
- Job Market: About 74% of banks say they want to hire more people this year. That’s a huge jump from the layoffs we saw throughout 2025.
Basically, the "macro" numbers look "fine," but the "micro" reality—your daily budget—is still under a lot of pressure.
The Local Vaccine Dream and Health Wins
In a bit of news that hasn't been shouted about enough, Health CS Aden Duale just met with the Kenya BioVax Institute. They are actually on track to produce the first locally manufactured vaccines by late 2027.
Think about that for a second. Instead of waiting for shipments from Europe or India, we’d be making our own "fill-and-finish" vials right here. It’s part of a bigger push for Universal Health Coverage, and Kenya just hit "Maturity Level 3" with the WHO. That's a fancy way of saying our labs are now officially world-class.
Why Everyone Is Talking About "Shirika"
If you live near Turkana or Garissa, you’ve heard of the Shirika Plan.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, was just in Kakuma. Kenya is hosting over 800,000 refugees, which is a massive number. The new plan is to stop treating camps like temporary tents and start treating them like "integrated settlements"—basically turning them into municipalities where refugees can work and pay taxes like everyone else.
It’s controversial. Some people think it’ll strain local resources, while others (and the UN) say it’s the only way to move away from "begging" for international aid that never comes.
The Realities of the 2025 KCSE Results
The education sector is still reeling from the 2025 KCSE results that dropped a few days ago. Honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster. We’ve seen videos of angry parents in some counties literally chasing away principals because their kids all got Ds.
It highlights a massive gap in the system. While the government pushes the new "Competency-Based" senior school levels, the old infrastructure is cracking. There's a "curse of the pioneer class" feel to it—these kids are the guinea pigs for every new policy, and the results are showing the strain.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Current Chaos
A lot of folks think the Ruto-Gachagua split is just "politics as usual." It's not.
This is a fundamental breakdown of the "Mountain" voting bloc. For decades, the Mt. Kenya region has moved as one. Now? It’s fractured. This matters for Kenya breaking news now because it dictates where government money goes. When the President feels his "base" is slipping, he launches more "development tours."
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We're also seeing a "war on drugs" narrative being used as a political weapon. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had to come out today to deny claims that two Cabinet Secretaries are involved in drug trafficking. When you have the Interior Ministry defending the Cabinet against drug-running allegations, you know the internal trust has completely evaporated.
Practical Insights for the Week Ahead
So, what does all this mean for you?
- Watch the NSE: If the Kenya Pipeline IPO is as big as they say, it might be a rare chance for "normal" Kenyans to get a piece of a profitable state asset. Just do your homework first.
- Weather Alert: The Met Department is predicting a serious dry spell for the rest of January. If you’re in farming or rely on tank water, start conserving now.
- School Placements: If you have a child heading into the new Grade 10, expect delays. The "Senior School" transition is still a bureaucratic nightmare.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your investments: With the Kenya Pipeline IPO coming, check your CDSC account status. If you don't have one, visit a licensed broker or your bank to get set up before the end of January.
- Monitor the "NYOTA" grants: If you’re a business owner under 35, keep an eye on the Ministry of Youth website. The second phase of the Sh50,000 grants is expected to open for other regions outside of Mt. Kenya by next month.
- Prepare for the dry spell: Review your household water storage. The projected drought in the ASAL regions usually leads to a spike in vegetable prices in Nairobi and Mombasa within three weeks; consider stocking up on dry goods now.