Tickets for the highly anticipated Group A clash between Kenya and Angola, scheduled for Thursday, August 7 at 7 p.m. at Kasarani Stadium, have officially sold out.
The tickets, priced at Ksh 200 for terraces and Ksh 500 for VIP, were snapped up on Sunday, coinciding with Kenya’s opening match against two-time champions DR Congo. Harambee Stars triumphed 1-0 in that encounter, boosting local fan enthusiasm ahead of their second group match.
With three crucial points already in hand, Kenya will be eyeing a second consecutive win against Angola’s Palancas Negras to enhance their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Angola, meanwhile, will be under pressure to bounce back after a 0-2 loss to Morocco on Sunday evening at Nyayo Stadium.
Despite tickets also being sold out for the Kenya vs DR Congo match, large portions of the stands, including VIP sections, were visibly empty, raising concerns over ticket distribution and stadium access protocols.
The only remaining tickets are for Kenya’s final group match against Morocco on Sunday, August 10, also set to be played at Kasarani Stadium.
Fans and officials alike are now calling for better coordination to ensure full attendance in future matches, especially as the national team’s hopes for progression gather momentum.
The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Kenya are entering a new era of strategic economic cooperation, marked by accelerating trade volumes, expanding investment flows, and a shared commitment to sustainable growth across key sectors.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Kenya reached USD 3.1 billion in the first nine months of 2024, representing a 29.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
This surge reflects the deepening ties between the two nations and their mutual efforts to unlock new opportunities in ICT, banking, tourism, infrastructure, and renewable energy.
The signing of the UAE–Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in January 2025, witnessed by the heads of state of both countries, marked a pivotal milestone in the bilateral relationship.
The agreement is designed to streamline trade, enhance market access, and catalyze investment in high-growth sectors—positioning both economies for long-term resilience and innovation.
Kenya is widely regarded by the UAE as a strategic gateway to East Africa, offering access to a dynamic regional market and a hub for innovation and growth.
The partnership between the two nations extends beyond trade, encompassing shared priorities in sustainable development, technological advancement, and enhanced regional connectivity.
Kenya’s economic trajectory continues to impress, with GDP growth rising from 4.8% in 2022 to 5% in 2023, and further momentum projected in the years ahead.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 25% of GDP, while the services sector accounts for 53.6%, making both areas prime targets for bilateral investment and collaboration.
The UAE’s world-class logistics infrastructure, investor-friendly regulatory environment, and global connectivity offer Kenyan enterprises a powerful platform for expansion into the Gulf and beyond.
Conversely, Kenya’s dynamic private sector, expanding infrastructure, and renewable energy ambitions present fertile ground for Emirati investors seeking long-term growth in Africa.
The United Arab Emirates and Kenya are entering a new chapter of strategic economic cooperation as bilateral trade and investments continue to grow at an impressive pace.
Diplomatic relations between the UAE and Kenya were formally established in 1982, with the UAE opening its embassy in Nairobi in 2012, following Kenya’s establishment of its mission in Abu Dhabi.
These ties are rooted in decades of cultural exchange and trade between the peoples of both regions.
As the UAE and Kenya continue to strengthen their partnership, the relationship stands as a model for cross-regional cooperation—bridging Africa and the Gulf in pursuit of shared prosperity, innovation, and economic resilience.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has dismissed a letter circulating on social media claiming that Siaya Governor James Orengo has resigned.
In a statement on Monday, August 4, ODM flagged the letter as fake and urged members of the public to ignore it.
“We can authoritatively state that the letter below is fake. Ignore it and focus,” ODM stated.
The clarification by the ODM party comes amid growing concern on social media over the whereabouts of Governor Orengo.
The ODM Governor has maintained a low profile in recent weeks, with some social media users speculating about his health.
The letter, dated August 4, 2025, claimed Orengo had resigned with immediate effect, citing personal health challenges that required his full and urgent attention.
It further stated that the decision was made after consultations with family and medical professionals.
In the document, Orengo is said to have thanked the people of Siaya, elected leaders, and county staff for their support, calling the role the greatest honour of his public life.
The letter bore a signature and was copied to several top officials, including the Deputy Governor, County Secretary, Clerk of the Assembly, Council of Governors Chairperson, and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga.
The County Assembly of Bungoma and the wider community of Chwele Kabuchai Ward are in mourning following the passing of Hon. James Barasa Mukhongo, the long-serving Member of County Assembly (MCA) for the area.
Hon. Mukhongo, a stalwart of the Ford-Kenya party, died on Monday while receiving treatment at Hopkins Crescent Hospital in Bungoma. He had reportedly been battling an undisclosed illness, with earlier reports indicating signs of recovery. His sudden demise has therefore come as a deep shock to colleagues, constituents, and the larger political fraternity.
Hon. Mukhongo had been serving his third consecutive term in the Bungoma County Assembly, having been first elected in the 2013 General Elections. He was widely respected for his steadfast leadership, dedication to public service, and deep connection to the people of Chwele Kabuchai Ward.
Speaker of the County Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel M. Situma, confirmed the death in an official statement, expressing sorrow and extending condolences on behalf of the entire County Assembly. “The County Assembly of Bungoma fraternity is deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of Hon. James Barasa Mukhongo. He will be fondly remembered for his firm and principled stand on matters of governance and his relentless advocacy for the rights of the people of Chwele Kabuchai Ward,” said Situma.
Mukhongo was currently serving as Chairperson of the Finance and Planning Committee, a role he held across multiple terms with notable distinction. His leadership journey in the Assembly included stints as Chief Whip for the Majority Party and active membership in numerous key committees, including those on Lands, Urban and Physical Planning; Environment, Water and Natural Resources; House Business; Appointments; and Powers and Privileges.
His political career, however, predates devolution. He was nominated as a councillor by the Ford-Kenya Party in 2002 and later elected in 2007, before transitioning to the devolved system under the 2010 Constitution.
National Assembly Speaker and Ford-Kenya Party leader Moses Wetang’ula led the tributes, confirming the news on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle: “It’s with great pain and unimaginable sadness and loss that I announce the passing on of my MCA Hon. James Barasa Mukhongo of Chwele Kabuchai Ward. Elected without a break for a record five terms, Barasa was Ch FK Kabuchai. RIP Baba,” he wrote.
Indeed, Hon. Mukhongo’s political longevity is a testament to his enduring popularity and unwavering commitment to grassroots representation. His advocacy for Chwele market traders and community development projects endeared him to many, as did his lively participation in the County Assembly’s football team, where he was a passionate player off the political stage.
Across Bungoma County, residents, youth groups, and community leaders have been sharing emotional tributes. One local group described him as “a true servant of the people, a pillar in our community, and a voice for the voiceless.”
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course. Meanwhile, flags at the County Assembly are flying at half-mast in honor of the departed legislator.
Hon. James Barasa Mukhongo leaves behind a legacy of service, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the people he so faithfully served. He will be deeply missed.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has launched an improved biometric identification and verification system aimed at enhancing efficiency and eliminating fraud in the healthcare sector.
Speaking on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale announced that the upgraded system will securely link patients and hospital staff to the SHA claims processing platform, ensuring faster, accurate, and corruption-free delivery of health services.
“We are introducing a better identification and verification system that links patients and hospital staff securely to the SHA claims processing system for faster, fraud-free and accurate service delivery,” Duale stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The biometric system builds upon previous technology used under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which relied on fingerprint scans to authenticate patient identities and enable instant access to medical services. While the system initially reduced delays in service delivery, it became vulnerable to abuse, with dishonest healthcare providers reportedly using stored fingerprints to file claims on behalf of non-existent or ineligible beneficiaries.
The SHA’s revamped system incorporates advanced safeguards to prevent such fraud, and is expected to play a key role in improving public trust in the country’s healthcare financing model. The new biometric platform will be rolled out in phases across public and private healthcare institutions nationwide.
The launch comes amid broader reforms under the SHA, which replaced NHIF as part of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. Authorities hope the technology-driven reforms will ensure that healthcare funding is used effectively and reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Global equity markets climbed today as investor sentiment strengthened on renewed expectations that the Federal Reserve may soon begin cutting interest rates.
The trigger was a disappointing U.S. jobs report that revealed a sharp downward revision in payroll growth for May and June, reinforcing fears of cooling labor market conditions.
Federal funds futures now imply an 85 percent probability of a rate cut as early as September, and markets are pricing in up to 100 basis points of cuts by year‑end.
Wall Street futures pointed upward with the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq all trading higher in pre-market activity. The rally followed losses in major indices last week, including a 1.6 percent slide in the S&P 500, as rising trade tensions and weak economic data dented confidence.
Stocks pushed back toward record territory on the back of renewed rate cut optimism, even after Fed Chair Jerome Powell declined to signal imminent easing. U.S. Treasury yields tumbled in response to the shift in sentiment, while the dollar slipped against a basket of global currencies.
Major indexes regained a positive tone as investors focused on strong earnings from technology companies and signs of economic softening. AI‑focused stocks and megacap tech firms continued to lead gains, despite mixed reactions in industrial and consumer sectors.
Analysts noted that valuations remain high, but ongoing momentum reflects confidence that robust corporate profits can withstand a high‑rate environment.
Even as markets rally, skepticism lingers. A section of market-watchers warns that relying too heavily on fading data may be risky, while inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 percent target.
Voting Fed governors have expressed openness to rate cuts, but the majority remains cautious, citing geopolitical risks and uncertainty around trade policy especially as global tariff tensions persist.
Investors are now awaiting critical indicators for confirmation of a sustained shift in monetary policy trajectory. Key data including upcoming inflation prints, consumer spending indicators, and the Fed’s inflation and employment outlook will likely influence rate expectations.
Corporate earnings from major tech names such as Microsoft, Meta and Nvidia are also slated to drive sentiment heading into the third quarter.
In a broader context, markets are now in a Cautious Optimism mode: while economic growth appears moderate, rate expectations have tilted dovish. Investors are betting that the Fed will transition to cuts gradually, which has cheered equity valuations and pushed storied indexes higher.
This optimism could sustain gains if corporate earnings remain strong and incoming data affirms slowing inflation and labor headwinds especially with trade policy developments providing added clarity.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the International Red Cross to urgently provide food and medical aid to hostages held in Gaza, amid growing outrage over recent videos showing two Israeli captives in visibly frail condition.
The plea comes as tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv over the weekend, demanding the government secure the release of remaining hostages. Protesters carried placards reading “Stop the war” and “Leave no one behind,” urging Netanyahu to strike a deal with Hamas.
The humanitarian appeal follows videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad showing hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski looking severely emaciated. The images triggered international condemnation, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling them “unbearable” and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating that “Hamas should have no role in Gaza’s future.”
In a statement Sunday, Netanyahu’s office confirmed he spoke with Julien Lerisson, the Red Cross regional head, asking for immediate humanitarian access to the captives. However, Hamas has conditioned such access on the opening of humanitarian corridors in Gaza. The group claims the hostages’ appearance reflects Gaza’s worsening conditions, not mistreatment, insisting that all in the enclave, including fighters and hostages, face the same food shortages.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The World Health Organization reported a spike in malnutrition-related deaths in July, with over 5,000 children under five treated for severe malnutrition in just two weeks. On Sunday, at least 13 people were killed and dozens wounded in a shooting incident near an aid distribution site in northern Gaza.
Ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked. Talks collapsed last month, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.” Netanyahu has since shifted focus toward a military solution, saying the hostage videos prove Hamas is acting in bad faith. However, families of the hostages have warned that further military escalation may endanger their loved ones.
“The claims of freeing hostages through military victory are a lie and a public fraud,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. The group also condemned Hamas for holding innocent civilians under dire conditions for over 660 days.
Despite public insistence on a deal, Hamas has suspended engagement in ceasefire or hostage negotiations, demanding written guarantees for improved humanitarian conditions as a prerequisite.
As frustration mounts at home and humanitarian concerns deepen, the fate of the remaining 50 hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive, hangs in the balance.
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary and Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya has strongly criticised ongoing efforts by some leaders to consolidate Mt Kenya under a single political party, branding the push as undemocratic and a threat to Kenya’s multiparty democracy.
Speaking at Kariene market in Imenti Central, Meru County, during the opening of a new PNU office, Munya said no one should dictate political choices for the region. “Kenya is a multiparty democracy. Let people sell their ideas and allow wananchi to decide. You can’t dictate that the entire mountain must support one party,” he asserted.
Munya defended PNU’s national identity, stating that it was founded by the late President Mwai Kibaki to unify the country. “Chama ilitengenezwa iunganishe Kenya, ndiyo maana inaitwa Party of National Unity. PNU believes in unity in diversity. Tribe or religion should not be used to divide people, we are all Kenyans,” he said.
He announced that PNU will field candidates for all elective seats in the 2027 general election and remains in talks with like-minded parties to support a joint presidential candidate. He also revealed that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is being considered as a potential presidential flagbearer.
Munya, who served as Meru’s first governor, confirmed that he will run for the county’s top seat in 2027. The event marked a renewed grassroots mobilisation for PNU ahead of the next polls, as the party seeks to re-establish itself as a national political force.
Police in Busia have arrested two suspects and seized 24 kilograms of cannabis sativa in a renewed crackdown on drug trafficking in the region.
The suspects, identified as Alfred Ouma Mapesa, 50, and Frederick Egesa Wafula, 41, were apprehended during a targeted police operation led by officers from Busia Police Station, according to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Authorities intercepted Mapesa while he was transporting a gunny bag on a motorcycle, which was later found to contain the narcotics. During interrogation, Mapesa disclosed information that led to the arrest of his alleged accomplice, Wafula.
Both suspects are currently in police custody and are being processed ahead of their arraignment.
The DCI reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against drug trafficking, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to narcotics in their communities.
China’s independent oil companies are gaining significant ground in Iraq, investing billions of dollars in OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, even as global energy majors scale back operations. The push marks a notable shift in Iraq’s oil landscape, traditionally dominated by state-run Chinese giants and Western firms.
According to executives at four companies, smaller Chinese producers aim to double their output in Iraq to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2030 — a figure not previously reported. These firms, including Geo-Jade Petroleum, United Energy Group, Zhongman Petroleum, and Anton Oilfield Services, now account for half of the licenses awarded in Iraq’s 2023 exploration round.
Drawn by Iraq’s new profit-sharing contract model — a departure from rigid fixed-fee deals — the Chinese independents are offering competitive financing, swift project delivery, and high risk tolerance. Iraqi officials say the change is part of Baghdad’s strategy to accelerate oil production and meet its goal of increasing output to over 6 million bpd by 2029.
“These companies are known for rapid execution, operating in challenging environments, and delivering on tight schedules,” said Ali Abdulameer of state-run Basra Oil Co. “Compared to Western firms, dealing with the Chinese is much easier and more efficient.”
The independents bring cost advantages too. Executives estimate the cost of drilling a development well has dropped by half in the past decade to $4–5 million. Geo-Jade Petroleum CEO Dai Xiaoping noted their management costs are significantly lower than those of Western and state-run Chinese firms.
Geo-Jade is leading a $848 million investment in the South Basra project, aiming to restore the Tuba field to 40,000 bpd by 2027 and eventually ramp it up to 100,000 bpd. The ambitious project includes a 200,000-bpd refinery, two power stations, and a petrochemical complex.
Zhongman Petroleum, meanwhile, has pledged $481 million for blocks in the Middle Euphrates and East Baghdad North regions. Zhenhua Oil, a smaller state-backed firm, targets doubling its output at the Ahdab field to 250,000 bpd by 2030.
However, the expansion comes with trade-offs. Critics, including former Basra Oil official Muwafaq Abbas, warn of inadequate transparency and a reliance on Chinese staff over local workers. There are also concerns that the cheaper projects may not meet Iraq’s aspirations for advanced oilfield technology.
Despite the influx of Chinese independents, Western firms are not entirely out of the picture. France’s TotalEnergies launched a $27 billion project in 2023, while BP is expected to invest up to $25 billion to redevelop Iraq’s Kirkuk oilfields.
As Iraq balances its need for rapid development with long-term technological advancement, the rise of China’s independent oil firms signals a reshaping of the global energy order in one of the world’s most strategic petroleum hubs.
