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Matatu operators call off strike after talks with Ruto

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Matatu operators have officially called off their planned strike following talks with President William Ruto, ending uncertainty over a possible return of transport disruptions next week.

The operators had earlier suspended the industrial action for seven days to allow negotiations with the government after a nationwide protest over soaring fuel prices brought public transport services to a near standstill in many parts of the country.

Addressing the nation from State House, Mombasa, on Friday morning, Ruto said he held lengthy consultations with leaders from the transport sector on Thursday as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to concerns raised by operators.

The President announced that the government would further reduce the price of diesel by Sh10 per litre in the June-July fuel price review, building on earlier measures introduced to cushion consumers and businesses from the impact of rising global oil prices.

The latest reduction is expected to lower the cost of diesel to Sh222.86 per litre in Nairobi, offering relief to public transport operators, logistics companies, farmers and manufacturers who heavily depend on the fuel.

National Chairman of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) Albert Karakacha said the fresh intervention, coupled with continued engagement between the government and transport stakeholders, had persuaded operators to abandon plans for further industrial action.

“We have called off the strike. We had suspended the strike, but we have called it off. We will not have a strike next week; we are going to work,” Karakacha said.

He thanked the government for the measures it has taken to stabilise fuel prices and pledged the sector’s support in efforts aimed at protecting livelihoods and sustaining economic activity. Karakacha also singled out Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for his role in mediating between transport operators and the government during the crisis, saying the engagement helped prevent further disruption in the capital.

“We know that the county of Nairobi lost a lot of money, and we agreed with him that we have to work together to make sure that everything is going to work. So, we want to thank the government, we want to thank the President. They have sorted out a lot of our issues which have been pending for long,” he said.

The fuel crisis was triggered by the May 14 review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which increased the price of Super Petrol by Sh16.65 per litre and Diesel by Sh46.29 per litre, pushing pump prices in Nairobi to Sh214.25 and Sh242.92 respectively.

The sharp increase sparked outrage among transport operators and motorists, culminating in a two-day nationwide strike organised by the Transport Sector Alliance.

Thousands of commuters were forced to walk long distances to work as matatus, online taxi operators, cargo transporters and motorcycle riders withdrew services in protest.

The government subsequently reduced diesel prices by Sh10.06 per litre and initiated negotiations with sector representatives. Although operators initially rejected the concession, insisting it fell short of their demand for a reduction of between Sh30 and Sh35 per litre, further consultations paved the way for a temporary truce and eventual resolution.

As normal transport services resume across the country, Karakacha urged leaders and the public to avoid politicising the fuel crisis and instead focus on rebuilding the economy. “Let’s build our country; politics will come in 2027,” he said-STAR.

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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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