Kenya Suspends Worldcoin Operations Pending Compliance with Stringent Conditions
A multi-agency task force investigating Worldcoin's activities in Kenya has recommended a one-year suspension of the cryptocurrency's operations in the country.
The suspension is a response to concerns regarding data privacy and regulatory compliance.
Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait announced that Worldcoin's collection of data from Kenyan citizens will be frozen until the company meets specific conditions.
These conditions include allowing a security audit, granting government access to their data, registering with the Business Registration Services (BRS), and establishing a local representative.
Additionally, Worldcoin must conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and provide clarity on data storage and consent processes.
As part of the recommendations, licenses for Worldcoin-affiliated companies have been revoked.
A multi-agency task force investigating Worldcoin's activities in Kenya has recommended a one-year suspension of the cryptocurrency's operations in the country.
The suspension is a response to concerns regarding data privacy and regulatory compliance.
Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait announced that Worldcoin's collection of data from Kenyan citizens will be frozen until the company meets specific conditions.
These conditions include allowing a security audit, granting government access to their data, registering with the Business Registration Services (BRS), and establishing a local representative.
Additionally, Worldcoin must conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and provide clarity on data storage and consent processes.
As part of the recommendations, licenses for Worldcoin-affiliated companies have been revoked.
8 Kenyan tech startups have closed down in the past 2 years, despite raising close to Sh35 billion in investor funding
Ruto Names Justice Mohamed Warsame to Supreme Court
President William Ruto has appointed Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame to the Supreme Court of Kenya, following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission. The appointment, confirmed in a Kenya Gazette notice dated May 5, fills the vacancy left by the late Mohammed Ibrahim.
Justice Warsame joins a bench headed by Chief Justice Martha Koome and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, alongside Justices Smokin Wanjala, Isaac Lenaola, William Ouko and Njoki Ndung’u.
He brings decades of judicial experience, having served at the Court of Appeal since 2012 and earlier at the High Court. Separately, Justice Njoki Ndung’u has been nominated as Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Criminal Court in polls set for December 2026 in New York.
President William Ruto has appointed Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame to the Supreme Court of Kenya, following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission. The appointment, confirmed in a Kenya Gazette notice dated May 5, fills the vacancy left by the late Mohammed Ibrahim.
Justice Warsame joins a bench headed by Chief Justice Martha Koome and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, alongside Justices Smokin Wanjala, Isaac Lenaola, William Ouko and Njoki Ndung’u.
He brings decades of judicial experience, having served at the Court of Appeal since 2012 and earlier at the High Court. Separately, Justice Njoki Ndung’u has been nominated as Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Criminal Court in polls set for December 2026 in New York.
DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has warned leaders in the United Opposition that President William Ruto has infiltrated their ranks with operatives aimed at weakening their unity ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging them to remain alert and tighten internal cohesion amid claims of political sabotage.
Treasury Introduces New eCitizen Charges in Fee Overhaul
The National Treasury has announced a new fee structure for services accessed through the eCitizen platform, with some transactions now attracting charges of up to Ksh100.
The changes are contained in the Public Finance Management Regulations 2026, proposed by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. The revised structure replaces the flat KSh 50 convenience fee previously charged on all services.
Under the new framework, services costing more than Ksh100,000, including land transactions and stamp duty payments, will incur a Ksh100 fee. Services valued between Ksh10,000 and Ksh99,999 will now cost Ksh70, while transactions ranging from Ksh500 to Ksh9,999, such as passport applications and driving license renewals, will attract Ksh50.
Low-value services between Ksh100 and Ksh499 will incur a Ksh5 fee, while services below Ksh99 will remain free.
The National Treasury has announced a new fee structure for services accessed through the eCitizen platform, with some transactions now attracting charges of up to Ksh100.
The changes are contained in the Public Finance Management Regulations 2026, proposed by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. The revised structure replaces the flat KSh 50 convenience fee previously charged on all services.
Under the new framework, services costing more than Ksh100,000, including land transactions and stamp duty payments, will incur a Ksh100 fee. Services valued between Ksh10,000 and Ksh99,999 will now cost Ksh70, while transactions ranging from Ksh500 to Ksh9,999, such as passport applications and driving license renewals, will attract Ksh50.
Low-value services between Ksh100 and Ksh499 will incur a Ksh5 fee, while services below Ksh99 will remain free.
U.S. Report Raises Alarm Over Fake Goods Flooding Kenyan Market
The United States government has flagged Kenya among countries struggling with the growing trade in counterfeit products, according to the 2026 Special 301 Report released by the U.S. Trade Department under President Donald Trump.
The report says fake medicines, electronics, semiconductors, car parts, clothing, food products, and household goods are increasingly finding their way into Kenya through weak enforcement systems and global supply chains.
According to the findings, many counterfeit products originate from countries including China, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates before being shipped into markets such as Kenya.
The report warned that counterfeit pharmaceutical products remain among the fastest-growing illegal trades globally, posing serious health risks to consumers, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
The United States government has flagged Kenya among countries struggling with the growing trade in counterfeit products, according to the 2026 Special 301 Report released by the U.S. Trade Department under President Donald Trump.
The report says fake medicines, electronics, semiconductors, car parts, clothing, food products, and household goods are increasingly finding their way into Kenya through weak enforcement systems and global supply chains.
According to the findings, many counterfeit products originate from countries including China, Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates before being shipped into markets such as Kenya.
The report warned that counterfeit pharmaceutical products remain among the fastest-growing illegal trades globally, posing serious health risks to consumers, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Justice Mohamed Warsame Sworn In as Supreme Court Judge
Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame was on Thursday sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya during a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi.
Justice Warsame joins the apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko.
During the ceremony, President William Ruto urged Warsame to uphold the Supreme Court’s integrity and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary through wisdom, diligence, and fairness.
Ruto praised the court for defending constitutionalism and delivering landmark judgments that have shaped Kenya’s democracy over the years.
Justice Warsame was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the late Mohammed Ibrahim following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission.
Mohamed Abdullahi Warsame was on Thursday sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya during a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi.
Justice Warsame joins the apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko.
During the ceremony, President William Ruto urged Warsame to uphold the Supreme Court’s integrity and strengthen public confidence in the judiciary through wisdom, diligence, and fairness.
Ruto praised the court for defending constitutionalism and delivering landmark judgments that have shaped Kenya’s democracy over the years.
Justice Warsame was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the late Mohammed Ibrahim following his nomination by the Judicial Service Commission.