Tag Archives: News

Combatting Fraud in Kenya’s Tourism: A Growing Threat

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Kenya’s tourism industry, a vital pillar of the economy and a top foreign exchange earner, is now battling a growing reputational threat: sophisticated fraud targeting unsuspecting travelers. According to the latest sector review, a surge in fake booking websites, impersonated tour operators, and fraudulent payment channels is eroding visitor trust and undermining the gains made in post-pandemic recovery. Many of these scams operate with alarming polish—using stolen branding, cloned websites, and even counterfeit licenses to lure victims into paying for non-existent safaris, hotel stays, or cultural tours. Victims, often diaspora Kenyans and international tourists planning high-value itineraries, only discover the deceit upon arrival, when their bookings prove fake and their funds unrecoverable. The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and sector associations have flagged these schemes as a systemic risk that, if unchecked, could tarnish Kenya’s image as a safe, reliable destination.

Industry stakeholders stress that the challenge is compounded by gaps in regulatory oversight, slow cross-border law enforcement cooperation, and limited consumer awareness in key source markets. Fraudsters exploit these vulnerabilities, targeting peak travel seasons and leveraging digital marketing channels to reach large audiences with minimal traceability. Tour operators report that such scams not only cause financial loss but also drive potential travelers toward competing destinations perceived as safer or better regulated. Its important to note that while Kenya’s tourism marketing campaigns have successfully reignited global interest, this momentum risks being reversed if fraud-related horror stories dominate travel forums and social media. Experts recommend a multi-pronged response: real-time verification systems for operators, a central registry of licensed tourism businesses accessible to the public, stronger digital fraud policing, and targeted awareness campaigns in both domestic and foreign markets.

To its credit, the government has begun aligning with these recommendations, with the Ministry of Tourism working alongside the Communications Authority, cybercrime units, and private-sector stakeholders to roll out verification platforms and consumer education drives. Pilots for an online “Tourism Trust Mark” are already underway, enabling travelers to authenticate operators before making payments. Additionally, diplomatic missions are being engaged to circulate fraud alerts in high-risk markets, while tourism associations are exploring partnerships with payment processors to flag suspicious transactions. These initiatives, if scaled and sustained, could restore confidence and reinforce Kenya’s brand as a secure, trustworthy destination. In an increasingly competitive global tourism landscape, safeguarding the integrity of the travel experience is no longer optional—it’s a prerequisite for growth. Kenya’s long-term competitiveness will hinge not just on the beauty of its landscapes, but on the trustworthiness of the path visitors take to reach them.

References:

Kenyans.co.ke DCI Arrest Suspect After Greek Tourist Loses Ksh3.6 Million in Maasai Mara Scam

Government of Canada Kenya travel advice

Action Fraud Kenya Romance Scam

Shian Safaris How to Avoid Being Conned on Your Travels in Kenya

Understanding Kenya’s eTA Troubles: What Travelers Need to Know

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Kenya’s ambitious shift to a universal Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system on January 1, 2024, was meant to be a game-changer for tourism, projecting an image of digital efficiency and openness. The vision—replacing traditional visas with an online pre-authorization—was sold as “visa-free” travel for the world, echoing President William Ruto’s promise of easier entry and smoother travel. Yet, what travelers encountered was a reality at odds with the marketing: mandatory paid applications, detailed documentation requirements, and unpredictable processing times. For visitors from over 40 countries that once enjoyed genuine visa-free access, the change felt less like liberation and more like an unexpected hurdle. Industry insiders describe the rollout as a “bait and switch” that has not only dented Kenya’s reputation but also triggered fears of retaliatory entry restrictions abroad. This mismatch between promise and practice was compounded in March 2025 when the government quietly replaced a stable Swiss-developed system with a locally built platform plagued by downtimes, payment failures, and technical glitches—sparking a multi-million dollar lawsuit and months of operational chaos.

A Report by iVisa

The fallout has been costly. Tour operators, hotels, and airlines have all reported significant losses as delays, application failures, and the absence of a functional support framework have disrupted itineraries and led to cancellations. Airlines face fines of KES 1 million per passenger without valid eTA documentation, a policy that has left many travelers stranded at departure gates. While Kenya recorded a record-breaking Sh 452 billion in tourism revenue in 2024—driven largely by post-pandemic recovery and aggressive marketing—the eTA crisis has cast a long shadow. The country’s visa openness ranking plunged from 29th to 46th in Africa, eroding hard-earned goodwill and weakening its competitive edge against rivals like Ghana and Rwanda, which have fully opened their borders. Industry leaders, including the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) and the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), warn that unless systemic fixes are made, Kenya’s target of five million annual visitors by 2027 could be jeopardized. Their calls range from establishing an emergency “crisis desk” for stranded travelers to temporarily reinstating visas on arrival while the digital system is repaired.

In response to mounting pressure, the government has introduced notable policy reversals, exempting most African and Caribbean nationals from eTA requirements and promising faster approvals for others. At the same time, industry stakeholders and the Tourism Ministry are working to embed risk management into the process—introducing contingency measures such as backup server capacity, offline verification protocols at airports, and dedicated “rapid response” teams to assist travelers facing last-minute clearance issues. While KATA’s August 2025 meeting with Tourism CS Rebecca Miano confirmed that some operational bottlenecks remain for non-exempt travelers, these interventions are designed to ensure that no visitor’s trip is derailed by system errors or delays. The emphasis now is on creating a safety net that preserves the integrity of Kenya’s digital entry framework while protecting the traveler’s experience. In an era where seamless digital access is part of a destination’s brand, these safeguards—paired with transparent communication—are key to restoring confidence and reinforcing Kenya’s identity as a warm, accessible, and world-class destination.

References:

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations Implementation of Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in Kenya

Kenya Association of Travel Agents Tourism industry raises concerns over ETA system delays

eVisa How Foreigners Will Apply For Kenya ETA Before Visiting (Visa-Free Kenya)

Aljazeera ‘Bait and switch’: Why Kenya’s no-visa policy is drawing pushback

Kenya Association of Travel Agents KATA Meets Tourism CS Rebecca Miano to Address Sector Challenges and Strengthen Collaboration




How CHAN 2024 is Boosting Tourism and Infrastructure in East Africa

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As the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 shifts its focus to East Africa, the co-hosting of the tournament by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda represents a significant shift in leveraging sports for economic transformation. For Kenya, this is a vital opportunity to recover its sporting integrity after a disappointing bid in 2018, underscored by considerable investments in stadium infrastructure, notably in Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium and Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino facility. These venues serve not just as football fields but as epicenters for urban redevelopment, spurring enhancements in transportation, hospitality, and small business interactions. The rising bookings in Nairobi’s hospitality sector indicate that CHAN is influencing broader economic dynamics, while also acting as a political lever to expedite long-delayed public works, showcasing the power of football in aligning with national development agendas.

Tanzania’s strategy for CHAN 2024 is meticulously crafted around intentional, brand-driven national development, where the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam is being promoted as a pivotal regional hub for intertwining sports, tourism, and diplomacy. The government is tying the tournament to a larger tourism revival initiative, highlighting not only Dar es Salaam but also related destinations such as Arusha, Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro to attract visitors. With a projected TSh 85 billion anticipated to flow into the economy as a direct result of the events, Tanzania seeks to boost its visibility as a potential future AFCON bidder. This emphasis on long-term tourism sustainability and attractive international offerings is designed to craft a narrative of lasting impact that transcends the tournament.

As Uganda joins its neighbors in this collaborative effort, it is focusing on a community-centered approach despite logistical challenges concerning stadium upgrades. The government is investing in public-private partnerships that engage local artisans, vendors, and cultural showcases to ensure wider community involvement in the festivities. Investments in essential infrastructure, including public transport and sanitation, aim to position CHAN as a catalyst for enduring urban renewal. By pairing match experiences with unique local attractions like gorilla trekking and cultural tours, the Ugandan Tourism Board is working to transition CHAN visitors into long-term tourists. Overall, while the three nations unite to present East Africa as a cohesive travel destination, the urgent challenge lies in translating the tournament’s temporary excitement into lasting benefits for the region, effectively establishing their collective identity as a forward-thinking economic bloc.

References:

Citizen Digital Why CHAN 2024 is not just a tournament, but a catalyst for East Africa integration

The Standard CHAN 2024, Kenya’s opportunity to boost economy, tourism

Nile Post Uganda Co-Hosting CHAN 2024 is a Landmark Achievement in the Country’s Sports

EAC EAC to promote the region as a unified tourism destination at ITB Berlin 2025

IPP Media Zanzibar hotels overflow with tourists ahead of CHAN match

Aftershock: The Collateral Damage of USAID’s Exit from Kenya

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The abrupt dissolution of USAID, catalyzed by the U.S. government’s sweeping “America First” foreign aid policy pivot, has left Kenya reeling from a vacuum of support once critical to its public health, agriculture, and economic systems. With over $2.5 billion in planned investments between 2020 and 2025, the agency was more than just a donor—it was woven into the fabric of Kenyan service delivery. The termination of 83% of USAID’s programs and the layoff of 94% of its staff effectively ended over six decades of robust U.S. development engagement. For Kenya, this rupture came without a viable transitional plan. Clinics shuttered, medicines vanished, and 40,000 jobs tied to health services evaporated. Programs such as PEPFAR, which had sustained over a million Kenyans on antiretroviral treatment, have been gutted, with HIV/AIDS funding slashed from $846M in 2023 to just $66M in 2025. Maternal health, malaria prevention, and reproductive health services now teeter at the edge of collapse, with service cuts exceeding 90% in some areas. Kenya’s health infrastructure, already strained, is now buckling under a loss that is not merely financial—but fatal.

The economic blowback extends far beyond healthcare. USAID had supported Kenya’s agriculture sector through subsidies, training, and innovation, all now dismantled. Smallholder farmers are especially vulnerable. With the termination of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) after four decades of operation, Kenya has lost its primary mechanism for forecasting and responding to food insecurity. Meanwhile, tax reforms in the proposed 2025 Finance Bill—removing VAT exemptions on farm inputs and raising fuel duties—compound the crisis, inflating production costs and shrinking rural margins. The convergence of aid withdrawal, policy shocks, and climate threats is deepening food insecurity and threatening to reverse years of agricultural gains. Simultaneously, the Kenyan startup ecosystem and governance reform sectors face a projected $100 million funding shortfall. Civil society actors, often powered by USAID support, now risk losing their watchdog capacity. In areas such as conflict prevention and refugee education, where USAID once acted as a stabilizing force, the vacuum could be exploited by extremist recruiters, echoing conflict patterns seen in past aid shock cases in West Africa.

Kenya’s response has been urgent but encumbered. The government has committed to repatriating its health data from U.S.-hosted systems and shifting toward local infrastructure, yet faces severe capacity shortfalls. The fiscal strain is formidable: a KSh 52 billion health budget hole and a broader KSh 66.9 billion gap across affected sectors. While the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) reflects ambition for self-reliance through tax reforms and private investment, execution remains constrained by weak systems and widespread corruption. Still, civil society and policymakers are beginning to reframe the crisis as a wake-up call for domestic revenue mobilization and governance renewal. If there is a path forward, it lies in converting dependency into resilience—not just by replacing funding streams, but by rethinking national priorities, protecting human capital, and investing in sovereign, accountable systems that can withstand future geopolitical shocks.

References:

Citizen Digital Over 40,000 Kenyans jobless after USAID-funded health facilities shut down

The Voice of Africa USAID Shuts Down After 63 Years, Leaving Africa in Crisis

The Star Civil society calls for self-reliance as foreign aid dwindles

Africa.com Kenya to Reclaim Health Data After Trump Administration’s USAID Cuts

Jijuze Kenya Faces Crisis After USAID Funding Withdrawal

Capital Business USAID funding halt to hit Kenya’s economy, social sectors – report

Audit vs. Austerity: The IMF’s Role in Kenya’s Recovery

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Kenya is on the edge of a pivotal financial reckoning. In the wake of the 2024 Finance Bill’s withdrawal and amid a battered economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded a sweeping corruption audit before any further disbursement of financial aid. At stake is more than KSh 100 billion in support tied to Kenya’s Extended Fund Facility, Extended Credit Facility, and Resilience and Sustainability Facility—aid that could help stabilize an economy reeling from debt, inflation, and political distractions. The collapse of the 2024 Finance Bill, triggered by nationwide protests over tax hikes, left a gaping fiscal hole. Now, the IMF wants answers before money moves. Between June 16 and 30, a Governance Diagnostic mission wrapped up in Nairobi. While Treasury insists the audit is not a precondition for funding, international observers say its findings will heavily influence future negotiations. The IMF has drawn a clear line: no serious anti-corruption reforms, no fresh credit.

IMF Demands corruption audit on Kenya

The Kenyan public feels the consequences every day. For ordinary wananchi, the stalled billions aren’t just digits on a spreadsheet—they represent hospital beds without medicine, classrooms without books, roads that end in dust, and a tax burden growing heavier on already strained shoulders. Years of unchecked corruption have gutted public institutions, forcing citizens to pay more for less while a well-connected elite evades accountability. The protests of June 2024 were not merely about a finance bill—they were about a social contract broken. Corruption doesn’t just steal money; it steals opportunity, trust, and dignity. It pushes more families below the poverty line and leaves critical sectors like education and healthcare in permanent crisis. Every act of embezzlement is a tax on hope. And now, Kenya must confront that cost head-on.

Yet as this economic standoff unfolds, the political class seems to be campaigning rather than governing. With two years until the 2027 general elections, the air is already thick with premature rallies and succession battles. This relentless politicking is not just tone-deaf—it undermines policy coherence and economic recovery. Critics argue that Kenya risks squandering a historic opportunity to reset its governance priorities. The IMF’s demand for a corruption audit is not just a bureaucratic checkbox; it is a test of political will. Whether the government embraces or evades the findings of the Governance Diagnostic will speak volumes. Kenya is at a crossroads. What lies ahead will depend on whether its leaders prioritize reform over rhetoric, the public over politics, and accountability over access to short-term cash. The world is watching. But more importantly, Kenyans are waiting.

References:

Mariblock Kenya fails IMF review, forfeits $850M disbursement

International Monetary Fund IMF Staff Completes Governance Diagnostic Mission to Kenya

Transparency International – Kenya Debate on Kenya’s economy must include a cure to the endemic corruption

The Standard Bitter IMF austerity pill return overshadows budget unveiling

The Standard Why IMF is demanding corruption audit on Kenya


The Impact of SHA on Health Access in Kenya

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When Kenya launched the Social Health Authority (SHA) as the cornerstone of universal health coverage, the promise was clear: to ensure every citizen could access essential health services without facing financial ruin. Yet today, that promise faces a serious credibility test. Recent developments indicate that many Kenyans, particularly the unemployed and low-income earners, are being turned away from public hospitals unless they first settle their full-year SHA premium in advance. This development contradicts the October 2024 assurance that eliminated upfront payments, and it has created uncertainty and distress for millions who had hoped the new system would ease their access to care. While the government’s “Lipa SHA Pole Pole” initiative was introduced as a flexible payment model, its application has exposed a difficult paradox—patients unable to pay full premiums are being directed to loan facilities such as the Hustler Fund, raising concerns about equity and affordability in health access.

A Report by K24TV

The data reinforces the gravity of this policy gap. As of May 2025, around 22 million Kenyans were registered under SHA. However, only 4 to 5 million were actively contributing. This stark difference highlights a growing segment of the population—nearly 17 million—who are nominally enrolled but effectively excluded from coverage. Field reports indicate cases where patients who had made partial payments through monthly KSh 1,030 contributions were still denied treatment unless they completed the full annual sum of KSh 12,460. This shift from previous messaging has created confusion within the public and among healthcare providers alike. Hospitals are left navigating between policy directives and practical enforcement realities, while patients face an impossible choice between debt and delayed care. The concern here is not just administrative inconsistency but a fundamental disconnect between the objectives of health reform and its practical execution.

Efforts to finance the health sector sustainably must not eclipse the foundational goal of protecting all citizens—especially the most vulnerable. Leveraging loan facilities to pay for health premiums, even under a well-meaning “pay slowly” framework, may alleviate cash flow challenges temporarily, but risks increasing personal debt burdens among already struggling households. Basic principles of household economics do not support taking on credit to finance routine health coverage costs—particularly when such expenses are meant to be predictable and pooled through public insurance schemes. Moreover, legal challenges have already resulted in court rulings that bar exclusion from emergency services based on insurance status, underscoring the constitutional imperative of inclusive care. For SHA to regain public confidence, there must be a renewed focus on clarity, consistency, and compassion. Equity must guide implementation just as much as fiscal planning. Universal health coverage cannot be achieved by design alone—it must be delivered through systems that align with the economic realities of those it intends to serve.

References:

The Standard Why most Kenyans cannot access SHA services

Kenyans.co.ke Kenyans Frustrated as SHA Scraps Monthly Payments, Demands Full Year Upfront

GeoPoll Understanding Kenyans’ Perception of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)

The Star Jua Kali Kenyans paying Sh600 to SHA—double the promised rate

Kenya’s Escalating Security and Civic Rights Crisis

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Kenya is staring down a security crisis that can no longer be blamed on bandits or activists alone. From the shocking murder of Catholic priest Fr. Alois Bett in Kerio Valley to the arrest of digital activist Rose Njeri, recent events expose a breakdown of trust, law, and legitimacy in the very institutions meant to protect the public. In Kerio, teachers, doctors, and missionaries have fled as armed groups tighten their grip — filling the vacuum left by a state that shows up too late, with too little. More than 70 schools have been shut down, a major hospital has closed, and even church leaders now speak of “a valley of death.” What’s worse: when the state does intervene, its methods are often coercive rather than restorative — issuing ultimatums to entire communities under threat of “all necessary force.” This is not security. It’s collective punishment masquerading as policy, and it only deepens fear and fuels defiance. The government’s inability to distinguish bandits from residents or treat citizens as partners in peace risks entrenching a cycle of violence. This is not a crisis of capacity. It’s a crisis of credibility.

A Report by Citizen TV Kenya

The response to civic dissent has been equally chilling. The arrest and weekend detention of Rose Njeri — a software developer who created a digital tool for citizens to email objections to the Finance Bill — was a stark reminder that Kenya’s democratic space is narrowing fast. Her crime? Enabling public participation. This is not just an affront to digital freedoms — it’s a direct violation of Article 33 (freedom of expression) and Article 35 (access to information) of Kenya’s Constitution. Even more damning is the pattern. Detaining citizens over weekends to avoid court oversight has become an authoritarian reflex. This violates the legal standard upheld in Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) & 2 others v Republic of Kenya & another [2015] eKLR, where the court held that prolonged detentions without charge constitute unconstitutional abuse of state power. Yet the tactic continues — often against youth activists, journalists, and tech-savvy organizers. These are not enemies of the state. They are its conscience. If the state treats code like a crime and civic tech as terrorism, it signals a descent into digital authoritarianism — one that no PR campaign or presidential handshake can disguise.

What Kenya needs now is more than investigations and operations. It needs political courage — and jurisprudential discipline. The government must fully implement existing rulings and international obligations. The IPOA’s mandate must be respected, and police accountability pursued with vigor, not rhetoric. Parliament must hold the executive to account when it violates rights under the guise of national security. The courts have laid the foundation. In Independent Policing Oversight Authority v Attorney General & 4 others [2020] eKLR, the High Court affirmed IPOA’s role as the sole lawful investigator of police misconduct. The Executive must respect that boundary. Meanwhile, civil society must continue challenging digital repression and pushing for laws that protect activists, not silence them. Kenya’s youth are not the threat — they are the firewall against authoritarian drift. From Kerio to Kibera, from code to constitution, Kenya’s real security will only be built when the state values trust more than force, and justice more than optics.

References:

Kenya News Agency County Commissioner Leads Madaraka Day with Tough Message on Illegal Brews

The Star Key suspect in murder of Catholic priest Allois Bett arrested

BBC Outrage in Kenya over detention of software developer

The Star Gachagua calls for immediate release of activist Rose Njeri

The Eastleigh Voice Kenya’s security at risk as regional instability grows, warns NIS boss

BBC Pressure mounts to probe Kenya police and army after BBC exposé

Kenya News Agency State declare a nationwide crackdown on organized criminal gangs

Evaluating Kenya’s Affordable Housing Program: Benefits and Risks

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Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) has been framed by the government as a historic solution to the nation’s urban housing deficit — a bold, transformative plan to put 250,000 new housing units into the hands of low- and middle-income earners each year. It’s the crown jewel of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s economic agenda, wrapped in promises of job creation, urban renewal, and dignity for the working class. But behind the polished press briefings and televised groundbreakings, the cracks are showing. Critics argue the housing levy — a mandatory deduction from all salaried workers — amounts to taxation without representation, especially when access to the houses is uncertain and the projected costs remain largely unaffordable for the very people funding them. Worse still, the rollout has sparked deep anxiety over forced evictions, unclear beneficiary selection processes, and the growing fear that without proper planning, these “affordable” units may become vertical slums stacked over broken infrastructure. For many Kenyans, the project feels less like a social contract and more like a speculative bet — one where the house always wins, and it’s not the public holding the keys.

A Report by Citizen Digital

The legal and structural questions around the housing project are mounting. In 2023, the High Court ruled parts of the Affordable Housing Act unconstitutional — particularly the centralized levy collection through the Kenya Revenue Authority, which bypassed public participation and legislative oversight. While the government quickly responded with legislative tweaks, the shadow of that ruling lingers. Public trust in housing delivery remains fragile, especially given Kenya’s history with failed or stalled housing programs and ghost estates like the infamous Nyayo House projects. Though the state touts the initiative as “inclusive,” it is heavily reliant on public-private partnerships where the private sector bears little risk, while taxpayers shoulder both the capital and the consequences. Key policy watchdogs argue that the financing model lacks transparency, and that the absence of social safeguards could lead to gentrification and displacement, particularly in areas like Mukuru, Kibera, and Mathare where informal settlements sit on prime land now targeted for redevelopment. The big risk? That homes built in the name of the poor end up benefiting civil servants, politicians, and private investors — not the mama mboga or jua kali artisan.

If Kenya’s affordable housing dream is to succeed, it must move beyond brick-and-mortar targets and confront the human realities of affordability, transparency, and equity. The price tags on many units still outpace the average urban worker’s income. The so-called “affordable” category often starts at KSh 1.5M — a figure out of reach for most informal sector workers who make up over 80% of Kenya’s labor force. Meanwhile, the digitized application and allocation model, while meant to enhance fairness, risks excluding those without access to mobile money, smartphones, or stable identification — particularly the urban poor it claims to prioritize. Additionally, new housing developments are outpacing investments in transport, sewerage, schools, and hospitals, raising fears that these estates will quickly deteriorate into overpopulated, under-serviced high-rises. The government must urgently clarify allocation policies, invest in supporting infrastructure, and put people — not politics — at the center of the housing agenda. Because if “affordable housing” becomes just another ambitious slogan without delivery, it won’t just fail to fix the housing crisis — it will deepen Kenya’s already fractured urban future.

References:

KBC Completed number of affordable housing units down by half

The Eastleigh Voice Govt raises affordable housing research budget to Sh2.8bn amid credibility concerns

Capital News Ruto says handing over Housing units the most consequential day of his political career.

NTV Who got Ruto Mukuru houses? Not us, residents now claim

Citizen Digital Vertical slums: How new crop of apartments in Kilimani, Kileleshwa is affecting Nairobi’s infrastructure

Fake Medicines Threaten Public Health in Kenya

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Kenya’s pharmaceutical supply chain is facing a creeping, deadly crisis — one that’s quietly poisoning public trust in healthcare. In 2024 alone, over 30 different drug products were recalled in Kenya, more than doubling the previous year’s figure. This disturbing surge included contaminated pediatric syrups, mislabeled antibiotics, and packaging mix-ups between life-saving cancer drugs and common generics. Some of these were produced by global manufacturers with once-reputable names. The growing scale and severity of these incidents have exposed glaring weaknesses in regulatory enforcement, border control, and supply chain oversight. But beyond the headlines lies a darker story — fake and substandard medicines are no longer rare exceptions; they are becoming routine features in pharmacies, clinics, and even households. As treatment failures rise and drug resistance intensifies, trust in medicine itself is breaking down. Patients increasingly worry: if I walk into a pharmacy, how can I know what I’m buying won’t kill me?

A K24 Report from 2024

The regulator, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), is overwhelmed. With just 16 inspectors tasked with overseeing a vast and evolving market — spanning over 10,000 retail outlets, mobile vendors, and now, an unregulated e-pharmacy explosion — enforcement efforts are falling behind. In 2024, the PPB shut down 117 illegal pharmacies, an important but ultimately symbolic move in the face of thousands more operating without licenses or pharmacist supervision. Online drug sales are the new front line. A study found that over 60% of Kenyan e-pharmacies sell restricted drugs like antibiotics and sedatives without prescriptions, bypassing safeguards entirely. These platforms, often disguised as Instagram shops, WhatsApp-based vendors, or websites with fake credentials, target desperate buyers looking for cheap, fast relief. With little digital verification, no pharmacist involvement, and no legal framework to manage or penalize them, the risk of mass harm is escalating. Meanwhile, legitimate pharmacies face the fallout: eroded consumer confidence, a rise in self-medication, and unfair competition from black-market sellers. At the center of it all is a poorly resourced regulator trapped in a battle it cannot win with its current tools.

Fixing this won’t come from a few more closures or stern warnings. What’s needed is a total overhaul of pharmaceutical regulation and public health literacy. The PPB needs financial and legal independence, an expanded workforce, and modern tools — including barcode authentication, blockchain-backed tracking systems, and real-time reporting dashboards for drug recalls and falsifications. E-pharmacies must be brought under legal oversight immediately, with criminal penalties for non-compliant platforms. Consumer protection should no longer be passive; the government must launch aggressive national awareness campaigns to teach people how to identify fake drugs, report suspicious sources, and verify prescriptions. Crucially, Kenya must repair public trust — not just in the pills on pharmacy shelves, but in the very systems meant to safeguard their health. Because when faith in medicine collapses, people don’t stop getting sick — they just stop getting help. This is more than a regulatory failure. It’s a national health emergency — and one that cannot be ignored.

References:

The Eastleigh Voice Inside Kenya’s battle against fake and unsafe medicines

Eurek Alert Curbing harmful medicines: the promise of a unified African health products regulatory system

OECD Dangerous Fakes


Decoding Elimu Thabiti: Is Kenya’s Education Truly Improved?

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In April 2025, the Kenyan government did what governments often do when the heat rises — it rebranded. Out went the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), in came Competency-Based Education (CBE), now dubbed Elimu Thabiti — “Stable Education.” On the surface, it looked like a smart communications reset: streamline the curriculum, simplify delivery, calm public fears, and signal that Kenya’s education reform is finally maturing. But under the hood, the same unresolved problems are festering — and threatening to derail the system again. A new name hasn’t solved the deep cracks in Kenya’s education foundation: from underfunded schools and frustrated teachers, to digital inequalities and mismanaged infrastructure. The education sector is being reshaped with bold promises — but very few of the tools needed to make those promises real.

A Report by TV47 Kenya

Let’s talk numbers. While the Teachers Service Commission boasts about retooling 291,000 educators, independent research in 2025 shows two-thirds of teachers say they haven’t been adequately trained for CBE. Many still rely on the old 8-4-4 methods. Worse, over 343,000 trained teachers remain jobless while schools face a 72,000-strong staff shortage in Junior Secondary School alone. Promotion pathways are clogged, hardship allowances may be cut, and morale is low. Now layer that on top of infrastructure demands: the new “pathway model” for senior schools, launching fully in 2026, demands schools be categorized as “Triple Pathway” or “Double Pathway” — meaning massive upgrades to labs, sports halls, art studios, and digital infrastructure. And while the government talks about progress, the Auditor-General is flagging KSh 6 billion in irregular spending from previous education projects. What’s the point of planning a digital classroom if half the schools don’t even have functioning toilets?

And here’s the financial kicker: schools are still owed over KSh 64 billion in capitation arrears. As of May 2025, the promised Sh21 billion had yet to arrive. Headteachers are being fined Sh500 per project for late CBC/KJSEA submissions — even though many schools have no internet access or computers to begin with. Meanwhile, a flashy new KEAC Bill proposes AI exam grading and electronic assessment. Great on paper, but in classrooms across ASAL regions, basic digital literacy is still below 50%. While Finland’s President arrives with hope and MoUs to support Kenyan education, the shadow of the Uasin Gishu scholarship scandal still looms large. Education reform can’t run on optics alone. Kenya doesn’t need another slogan. It needs teachers who are paid and trained, capitation that arrives on time, classrooms that work — and honesty about just how deep the overhaul must go. If Elimu Thabiti is going to be more than a PR stunt, it has to fix the pipes — not just polish the tap.

References:

The Star MPs Raise Concern Over Zero Budget Allocation for KCSE, JSS Exams

The Eastleigh Voice Budget cuts jeopardise education for millions as key programmes struggle with shortfalls

The Eastleigh Voice CS Mbadi: KCSE funds frozen over misuse, but parents won’t pay

KBC Kenya, Finland sign deals to boost ties in peace, education

The Standard Kenya and Finland forge strategic partnership