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Africa Forward Summit to focus on jobs, investment and partnerships

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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the upcoming Africa Forward Summit 2026 will focus on unlocking investments, creating jobs and positioning Africa as a driver of global economic transformation.

Speaking during the official handover of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) venue ahead of the summit, Mudavadi said Kenya expects the gathering to deliver practical outcomes that directly benefit African citizens.

The Africa Forward Summit will be held in Nairobi on May 11 and 12 and is expected to attract more than 30 Heads of State and Government, over 4,000 delegates, business executives, investors, innovators and development partners from Africa, France and across the world.

Mudavadi said the summit would prioritise investment, enterprise and technology as key pillars for Africa’s future growth.

“We are determined to deliver visible, life-changing outcomes — new jobs, thriving industries, empowered African enterprises, improved livelihoods, and a brighter future for our citizens,” he said.

He noted that while governments play a role in creating enabling environments, the private sector would be central in driving sustainable economic transformation across the continent.

“Governments can provide policy direction and enabling environments, but sustainable transformation at scale will be driven by investment, enterprise, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship,” Mudavadi stated.

A major Business Forum has been lined up as part of the summit and is expected to bring together approximately 1,500 chief executives, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators from Africa and France.

According to Mudavadi, the forum is expected to catalyse investment pipelines, commercial partnerships, financing opportunities and technology transfer in various sectors. The summit is being co-hosted by Kenya and France under the leadership of President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mudavadi described the event as a milestone for the continent, noting that it would be the first summit of its kind to be hosted in Anglophone Africa.

“This will be the first summit of its kind to be hosted in Anglophone Africa — a significant milestone that reflects the broadening and deepening of Africa–France engagement across the continent,” he said.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary said leaders attending the summit would discuss key issues shaping Africa’s future, including reform of the international financial system, energy transition, green industrialisation, the blue economy, food security, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, resilient health systems, and peace and security.

He added that the summit comes at a critical time when African countries are seeking stronger partnerships capable of addressing emerging global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“For Kenya, this is not simply another summit. The Africa Forward Summit represents a defining statement about where Africa is headed, how Africa intends to engage the world, and the kind of partnerships that must shape the future of global cooperation,” Mudavadi said.

He said Kenya was proud to host the summit because of its growing reputation as a diplomatic, financial and innovation hub on the continent.

“Nairobi has increasingly emerged as one of Africa’s leading diplomatic, financial, innovation and multilateral capitals,” he said.

Mudavadi noted that Nairobi continues to play a strategic role in global conversations on peace diplomacy, climate action, entrepreneurship, regional cooperation and development finance.

“Today’s handing over sets pace for Monday ans Tuesday. The venue, KICC is symbolic since it sits between the symbol of Justice which is the Judiciary on its right and Parliament as the legislative arm and symbol of democracy which is on the left. This symbolises that Kenya is a country that respects the rule of law and stands on the tenets of democratic leadership.” Mudavadi explained.

“Infront of KICC is City Hall, the headquarters of of the Capital City Nairobi and along Harambee avenue that is behind KICC are strategic offices for the executive. So, when the great minds will convene at KICC good things will emerge not only for Kenya but for Africa.” The Prime CS added.

He thanked France, development institutions, private sector players and participating countries for supporting Kenya’s hosting of the summit.

Mudavadi also called on journalists to provide in-depth coverage of the summit, saying the media had a responsibility to shape international understanding of Africa’s development agenda.

“You are not merely covering an event. You are helping shape global understanding of what this moment represents for Africa and for the future of international partnerships,” he told journalists.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary said Kenya expected the summit to generate stronger partnerships, unlock opportunities for young people and strengthen African industries to compete globally.

Among the anticipated outcomes, he cited increased investments, stronger trust between nations and future-focused collaborations capable of helping Africa seize opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

In his closing remarks, Mudavadi urged African countries to embrace confidence and ambition in shaping the continent’s future.

“Let this Summit ignite a new spirit of African confidence and global partnership,” he said.

“Let it mark the beginning of an era where Africa does not merely participate in the future — but leads it with vision, innovation and determination.”

Present were Cabinet Secretary for tourism and wildlife Rebecca Miano, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet and Chief Executive Officer for KICC, James Mwaura among other diplomats and senior government officials-KBC.

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National Assembly dismisses claims Sacco Bill is being rushed through Parliament

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The National Assembly has dismissed reports that the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is being rushed through Parliament, saying the proposed law is still undergoing public participation.

Through infographics shared on Facebook on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Parliament said misleading information had been circulating online about the Bill, formally known as the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 32 of 2025.

Bill was published in June 2025

The National Assembly said the Bill was published on June 30, 2025, and had remained under consideration for more than 12 months.

It rejected suggestions that lawmakers were fast-tracking the proposed amendments without allowing enough time for scrutiny.

According to Parliament, the lengthy period between the publication of the Bill and its current consideration shows that it is not being rushed.

Bill currently before the National Assembly committee

The Sacco Societies Amendment Bill is currently before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

The committee is conducting public participation and receiving views from members of the public and other stakeholders.

The submissions are expected to help the committee assess the proposed amendments before presenting its recommendations to the National Assembly.

What happens after public participation?

After the public participation process is concluded, the committee will prepare a report containing its findings and recommendations.

Parliament said the views submitted by members of the public and stakeholders could inform further amendments to the Bill.

The proposed legislation will then proceed to the National Assembly for consideration by MPs.

This means the Bill has not yet completed the legislative process and could still be amended based on the submissions received during public participation.

Bill will be forwarded to Senate

The National Assembly also clarified that the Bill will not proceed directly for presidential assent after being passed by MPs.

Because the proposed legislation concerns county governments, it will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration in accordance with the Constitution.

The Senate will be required to consider the Bill before it can complete the parliamentary process and be presented for presidential assent.

Parliament urged members of the public to rely on verified information about the Sacco Societies Amendment Bill instead of unconfirmed reports circulating online-PeopleDaily.Digital.

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Digital house-hunting platform bets on technology to reshape Nairobi’s rental market

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – A growing shift towards digital property searches is changing how Kenyans find rental homes, with real estate technology platform Reemio positioning itself as a solution to longstanding challenges.

This included fraudulent listings, costly house searches and limited market transparency.

As younger, tech-savvy consumers turn to online platforms to make purchasing decisions, the company says digitizing the rental process could improve efficiency for both tenants and landlords while lowering transaction costs.

“Our niche is to solve the problem of house hunting and also bring trust into that process. We use technology to connect renters and landlords,” said Kimani.

Kimani said the platform seeks to address inefficiencies that have traditionally made house hunting expensive and time-consuming.

Instead of physically visiting multiple properties, users can browse verified listings, take virtual tours, compare amenities and access information on additional costs such as water charges, electricity bills and service fees before scheduling physical viewings.

Beyond improving convenience for tenants, Reemio argues that technology can help landlords reduce marketing costs, shorten vacancy periods and reach a wider pool of prospective tenants, including Kenyans living abroad.

The company says its platform also generates market data that can help property owners and developers better understand evolving consumer preferences, although its long-term impact will depend on wider adoption of digital property platforms and continued investment in trustworthy online real estate marketplaces-Capitalfm.co.ke.

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ORPP edges two parties closer to joining Kenya’s political arena

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The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has issued a notice for the provisional registration of two proposed political parties, opening a seven-day window for members of the public to lodge objections.

In a notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the ORPP announced that the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) and the People’s Alternative Voice (PAV) are in the process of being provisionally registered under Section 5(2)(a) of the Political Parties Act.

The ORPP, a State office established under Section 33 of the Political Parties Act and Article 260 of the Constitution, said its mandate includes registering and regulating political parties as well as administering the Political Parties Fund.

According to the notice, the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) has adopted pink, white and sky blue as its official party colours, with the slogan “Change – Mageuzi.” The party’s symbol is the acronym SDP enclosed inside a circle.

The party’s listed founder members are Nyangong’ Duncan Nyumbah, Omwandasi Jared Dishon and Kinyua Mary Wacuka.

The founders of PAV are listed as Odenyo John Fitzgerald Elly, Nyando Rachel Mmboga and Ali Hussein Kiplangat.

The Registrar said particulars of the two proposed political parties have been published on the ORPP website to facilitate public scrutiny as required by law.

Any person wishing to oppose the provisional registration of either party has seven days from the date of publication of the notice to submit objections either in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties at Lion Place, Fourth Floor, Waiyaki Way at Karuna Close, Nairobi.

The provisional registration marks the first step in the legal process of establishing a political party in Kenya.

Kenya has 91 fully registered political parties. The ORPP’s updated register indicates that, as of January 2026, there were 91 parties that had met the legal requirements for full registration under the Political Parties Act-STAR.

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