The sudden shutdown of KOKO Networks sent shockwaves across Kenya, catching both employees and customers completely off guard. By encouraging households to switch from charcoal or kerosene to bioethanol, KOKO reduced carbon emissions and earned carbon credits for every tonne of emissions avoided. The letter allowed KOKO to sell all carbon credits generated by its operations on international markets. Ultimately, the conclusion was that without government approval to sell carbon credits, the business was no longer viable. KOKO’s collapse also highlights the vulnerabilities facing climate-dependent business models in emerging markets, particularly those reliant on regulatory approvals and international carbon markets.

Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Wiper Patriotic Front Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally in Murang'a on February 1, 2026 / HANDOUT (Denish Ochieng)The United Opposition on Sunday pitched a tent in Murang’a attending a church service and interacting with residents. There was a heavy police presence during the church service and the political rally in Gitugi. People's Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua during a rally in Murang'a on February 1, 2026 / HANDOUT (Denish Ochieng)On Friday, the opposition leaders announced the resumption of their joint political activities across the country after a brief hiatus. Gachagua said they will return to Othaya on Sunday for a church service, following the abrupt end of his last meeting. Former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Wiper Patriotic Front Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally in Murang'a on February 1, 2026 / HANDOUT (Denish Ochieng)Residents during the United Opposition Party rally in Murang'a on February 1, 2026 / HANDOUT (Denish Ochieng)Former CS Fred Matiang'i and Wiper Patriotic Front Leader Kalonzo Musyoka during a rally in Murang'a on February 1, 2026 / HANDOUT (Denish Ochieng)Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a rally in Murang'a on February 1, 2026 / HANDOUT (Denish Ochieng)

[Collins Oduor, Standard]Thirteen teachers remain hospitalised following a road accident in Nairobi in which a public service vehicle ploughed into educators participating in Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) branch elections, killing two. A total of 26 teachers were injured in the incident, with 13 treated and discharged after receiving medical attention. The remaining teachers are receiving care in hospitals across Nairobi, with doctors reporting that most are in stable condition. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who visited the injured teachers alongside officials from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and KUPPET, said the government was encouraged by the progress made so far, even as it mourns the loss of the two educators. “We are relieved that the injured teachers are recovering well.

Two families are now appealing for government intervention to repatriate the bodies of their kin stuck abroad. They are such recent tragedies involving Kenyans abroad, that Kenyans living abroad are now calling for establishment of both a diaspora welfare insurance fund and and migrant workers welfare fund, just like other countries have adopted similar initiatives. On diaspora welfare funds, she welcomed the need for such saying they already have been pushing for it. What we do have is a government-funded initiative that allows us to pay on case by case basis depending on availability of money." On migrant workers welfare fund, the Labour Migration and Management Bill (2023/2024) by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, seeks to introduce Kenya Migrant Workers Welfare Fund.

President William Ruto during a Church Service at PEFA All Nations Gospel Church, Gikomba, Nairobi County on February 1, 2026 / PCSPresident William Ruto has appealed to Kenyans to uphold the sanctity of places of worship, warning against the growing trend of political disruptions and confrontations in churches. The President said churches should remain spaces of peace, respect, and spiritual reflection, not arenas for political rivalry, hate, or division. Ruto emphasized that all Kenyans, regardless of their political affiliation or personal beliefs, have a responsibility to respect places of worship as sacred spaces dedicated to seeking God and promoting unity. “All of us, irrespective of who we are and what we believe in, must respect the place of God in our churches. All arms of security must ensure that our places of worship are protected from unnecessary, useless, and retrogressive politics.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. [File, Standard]The National Assembly, long accused of being a rubber stamp for the Executive, has erupted in open rebellion, with senior Members of Parliament (MPs) from President William Ruto’s own coalition launching scathing attacks on his Cabinet Secretaries over chaotic policies and contentious privatisation plans, signalling a fierce political realignment as the 2027 election draws near. The just-concluded annual parliamentary retreat in Naivasha, ostensibly for strategic planning, transformed into a public arena for settling scores, with the powerful Ruto, allied Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah leading the charge.

President William Ruto. ‎[Kipsang Joseph, Standard]The Kenya Kwanza administration’s ambitious plan to fund its budget without deeper borrowing has been jolted by a Sh136.1 billion half-year government revenue shortfall, yet again. The latest development exposes persistent weaknesses in tax collection despite sweeping administrative reforms.

[File, Standard]A police recruit undergoing training at the General Service Unit (GSU) Field Campus in Magadi has died after collapsing during a training exercise. According to authorities, the recruit, identified as Cheme Chombo Cheme, developed sudden unconsciousness while undertaking a recruit training course. The incident comes just days after the death of three recruits at the Defence Forces Recruits Training School (DFRTS) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. In a statement, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) said the incident occurred on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during a routine endurance exercise that forms part of the recruits’ training programme. “KDF is deeply saddened to announce the tragic loss of three recruits during a scheduled training activity at the Defence Forces Recruits Training School,” the statement read.

While opposition leaders have mounted joint rallies and political meetings since the year started, these engagements have largely been concentrated in their backyards. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has undertaken the most engagements among the opposition principals, has held at least 15 but only covering seven counties. Matiang’i has been to seven counties, among them Nyamira, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kiambu and Kajiado. Wamalwa has been to at least five counties, while Karua has remained in Nairobi with one grassroots meeting with PLP coordinators and the United Opposition meetings in Nairobi on Wednesday. These gaps persist even as Ruto has maintained a steady presence in the region through development tours and political engagements.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka was injured before their game against Leeds United. Saka was named in Arteta's starting XI to face a Leeds United side that had only lost once in their last 11 games. Mikel Arteta offers Bukayo Saka's injury updateSpeaking after the game, Arteta explained what happened to Saka and why the change was necessary. Noni Madueke replaced Bukayo Saka in the starting XI against Leeds United. Patrick Dorgu will be one of the major absentees after tearing his hamstring in the Arsenal game.

The Star, at the time, dubbed the £2 million, 9-bay station a "showpiece" and the St Helens Reporter called the facilities "state-of-the-art." Immediately after WW2, plans were drawn up to create the first bus station in St Helens on land that in 1922 had been designated the town's first car park. Many passengers also queued down Bridge Street to get their bus home after shopping or working in St Helens. In September 1974, the authority's Planning Committee approved, in principle, the creation of the bus station on part of the brewery's site. Most of the businesses that were facing the bulldozer to make way for the new bus station had relocated to other streets.

Kenya’s meat export earnings increased to about Sh19 billion in 2023, mainly driven by exports to the Middle East. In the first half of 2025 alone, goat meat exports to the United Arab Emirates totaled approximately Sh5.47 billion. Devolution brought decisions closer to communities, but often without the necessary data, funding, and enforcement to make livestock trade reliable. Finish the chain with certified abattoirs, cold storage, and reliable transportation so value is retained locally rather than lost en route. When livestock is organised, drylands become sources of income, and exports help restore dignity.

A Kenyan man who had been recruited to serve in the Russian armed forces has been killed in combat in eastern Ukraine. According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), Mogesa had been living and working in Qatar before travelling to Russia, where he later signed a contract with the Russian military. Ukrainian authorities further claimed that at the time his body was recovered, Mogesa was carrying passports belonging to two other Kenyan citizens. In the same statement, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine issued a warning to foreign nationals against accepting employment offers linked to Russia, cautioning that civilians lured by promises of work or military contracts face significant danger. “The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine warns foreign citizens against travelling to the Russian Federation or accepting any form of employment on its territory, particularly illegal work,” the statement read.

"We believe in God the Father - and God the Father is President Museveni. God the Son is MK [Muhoozi Kainerugaba], and now you [the voters] are the Holy Spirit. Therefore, vote for them," she was quoted as saying in comments that came in for some criticism.

The Parable of the Sower reminds us that good seed alone is not enough. In the story, a sower scatters seed on different types of ground: path, rocky soil, thorny ground, and good soil. Elections are held and promises made, but the results often disappoint because the soil, the voters, is not prepared. In such soil, accountability struggles to take root, and elections become rituals rather than instruments of choice. And yet, there is also good soil.