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Court Sets June 25 Ruling in Okiya Omtatah Ksh 6.9T Debt Case

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The High Court has directed that it will deliver its ruling on June 25 this year in a case filed by several citizens, including Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah.

The petition seeks to declare loans borrowed during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta as illegal.

The developments came after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) applied to be allowed to exit the case, arguing that it has an immunity protection signed with Kenya in 1963, which shields it from legal action in Kenyan courts.

The petition, led by Omtatah, challenges the legality of approximately Ksh6.95 trillion in public debt, arguing that a significant portion qualifies as ‘odious’ and should not be borne by taxpayers.

During the session, the court adjourned the substantive hearing to first address multiple temporary applications, including attempts by key respondents to either dismiss the petition entirely or remove themselves from the proceedings.

The Attorney General (AG), supported by the National Assembly, argued that the matter is premature, citing a directive for a special audit by the Office of the Auditor-General of Kenya (OAG) into the country’s debt.

The State contends the court should wait for the audit outcome before proceeding.

Former Auditor-General Edward Ouko and former Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo also sought to exit the case, arguing they enjoy personal immunity for actions undertaken in good faith while in office.

Current office holders, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu and Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, maintained that only their constitutional offices, not they as individuals, can be sued.

Although the petitioners had filed responses and were ready to proceed, several respondents indicated they needed more time to reply to rebuttals, prompting a request for additional days to prepare submissions.

The court directed all parties to file any further responses, including affidavits and written submissions, within seven days, setting the stage for a ruling on the applications on June 25, this year.

If the Attorney General’s application succeeds, the case could be dismissed without ever being heard on its merits; however, if it fails, the court will proceed to examine the substantive claims challenging the legality of Kenya’s public debt.

At the heart of the petition are allegations that between 2014 and 2024, billions were borrowed outside the law, including Eurobond proceeds allegedly not tied to development projects, not captured in appropriation laws, and in some cases routed outside the Consolidated Fund.

The petitioners argue that such borrowing violates the Constitution and financial statutes, and invoke the ‘odious debt’ doctrine, insisting that citizens should not be compelled to repay loans incurred unlawfully or for private gain.

The case names 22 respondents, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, National Treasury officials, and international lenders, and seeks to have individuals held personally liable for the disputed debt under constitutional provisions on accountability-Kenyans.co.ke.

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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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