2026 in Kenya
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The following is a list of events of the year 2026 in Kenya, as well as predicted and scheduled events that have not yet occurred.
Incumbents
[edit]Events
[edit]January
[edit]- 2 January – A multi-storey building under construction collapses in Nairobi's South C area, trapping at least two people and causing fatalities.[1]
- 3 January – President Ruto says the government will introduce new legislation making drug and illicit alcohol trafficking a capital offence.[2]
- 26 January – Al-Shabaab terrorists kill a local chief and a teacher in Hulugho, Garissa County.[3]
- 30 January – KOKO Networks announces its closure, citing the government's failure to authorize carbon credits and import permits for bioethanol made from molasses.[4]
February
[edit]- 2 February – A Matatu strike paralyzes transport in Nairobi.[5]
- 3 February – The Tax Appeals Tribunal rules that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is legally entitled to treat unexplained bank deposits and mobile money transfers, payments or deposits, such as those via M-pesa, as taxable income unless the taxpayer proves otherwise with documentary evidence.[6]
- 3 February – Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO and Commission Secretary, Marjan Hussein Marjan resigns from office ahead of the 2027 General Elections.[7]
- 4 February – President Ruto announces income tax exemptions for individuals earning KSh30,000 and below per month (approximately $233), and a 25% tax reduction for those earning up to KSh50,000 (about $388).[8]
- 11 February – Orange Democratic Movement National Executive Committee (NEC) attempts to remove Edwin Sifuna as party Secretary-General.[9]
- 16 February – A strike is held by workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi following a dispute over the implementation of a collective bargaining agreement.[10]
- 17 February – The government unveils a national carbon registry.[11]
- 26 February – Festus Omwamba is charged at the Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu with human trafficking, after recruiting and sending Kenyan youths to fight for the Russian Armed Forces in the war with Ukraine.[12]
- 27 February – United Democratic Alliance (Kenya) wins Isiolo South Constituency, Evurore ward and Muminji by-elections which were previously held by Jubilee, an independent and Devolution Empowerment Party (DUP) parties respectively.[13]
- 28 February – Six people are killed when an Airbus Helicopters H175 crashes in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County. MP Johana Ng'eno is among the victims.[14][15]
March
[edit]- 1 March – Alliance High School (Kenya) marks its centenary in a ceremony attended by President Ruto.[16]
- 7 March – At least 45 people are killed in overnight flooding caused by heavy rains across the country with 23 in Nairobi alone.[17]
- 10 March – A Chinese national is arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi while attempting to leave Kenya with 2,238 live garden ants concealed in his luggage.[18]
- 12–15 March – WRC Safari Rally Kenya, a round of the 2026 World Rally Championship.[19]
- 13 March – A court in Nairobi convicts six people in a robbery with violence case linked to the 2015 killing of George Muchai and his bodyguards; one of the accused is acquitted due to insufficient evidence.[20][21]
- 16 March – A building collapses during a botched demolition in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, killing four people.[22]
- 19 March – The government restarts the building of the China-backed Standard Gauge Railway extension, after a six-year construction pause.[23]
- 22 March – A mass grave, discovered in Kericho town, containing 14 individuals buried on 19 March. It is believed to be part of a larger, illicit burial site containing roughly 70 bodies buried over several months without government or landowner permission.[24]
- 28 March –
- 2026 Kenya floods: At least 108 people are killed after multiple weeks of flooding across the country.[25][26]
- A truck and a minibus collide along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road in Nyeri County, killing 16 and injuring 10.[27]
- 30 March – Albert Korir, winner of the 2021 New York City Marathon, is banned for five years by the Athletics Integrity Unit after admitting to the use of the banned substance EPO following an out-of-competition test.[28]
April
[edit]- 2 April – Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi reports that 16 Kenyans are missing in Russia, after being recruited to fight for the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine, while 38 others are currently hospitalized in Russia under restricted access.[29]
- 11 – 15 April – Kenya hosts the inaugural 2026 FIFA Women’s Series.[30]
- 20 April – John Korir wins the men’s race at the Boston Marathon for the second consecutive year, setting a new course record of 2:01:52.[31]
- 27–29 April – World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026, held at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).[32]
- 26 April – Sabastian Sawe officially breaks the 2-hour barrier for a marathon at the 2026 London Marathon.[33]
May
[edit]- 1 May – China lifts tariffs on imports from Kenya until 2028.[34]
- 11–12 May – Kenya hosts the first anglophone edition of the Africa Forward Summit.[35][36]
- 18 May – Four people are killed, transportation paralyzed and more than 30 injured during nationwide protests and a public transport strike over sharp fuel price increases, linked to global supply pressures caused by the 2026 Iran war.[37][38]
- 20 May – The High Court decriminalizes consensual under-age sexual relationships following a case involving the arrest of a 17-year old minor found living with his 16-year-old partner.[39]
- 24 May – The Kenya Wildlife Marathon and Half-Marathon takes place.[40]
- 25 May – Fuel price hike protests resume after a week's pause,[41] leaving one person shot dead by the police in Nyeri.[42]
- 28 May – Sixteen children are killed in a fire at a boarding school in Gilgil.[43] Authorities subsequently arrest eight students on suspicion of involvement in the alleged arson attack.[44]
- 29 May – The High Court suspends a US plan to establish a quarantine facility in Kenya for American citizens exposed abroad to ebolavirus.[45]
- May – June – A wave of student unrest affects over 200 secondary schools, [46] leading to temporary closures and property damage. One of the first affected schools was State House Girls which was closed on 12 May, [47] other notable schools include, Lenana School, Alliance Boys High School, Mang'u High School, Upper Hill School, Utumishi Girls' Academy and Maranda High School.[48]
June
[edit]- 1 June – Two people are shot dead during a protest in Nanyuki against a proposed United States-backed Ebola quarantine facility intended for asymptomatic Americans exposed to the virus.[49][50]
- 2–5 June – 2026 Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo & Conference in Nairobi.[51]
- 3 June – A nganya matatu performing a stunt at Industrial Area, Nairobi, overturns and kills five people, leaving 12 seriously injured.[52]
- 5–12 June – Kenya hosts the World Rafting Championship at Sagana, Kirinyaga County.[53][54]
- 8 June –
- Former chief justice David Maraga is briefly arrested while participating in a protest against construction works inside Nairobi National Park.[55]
- A mass grave containing seven bodies is discovered along the Mwingi-Garissa Highway in Kitui County. [56][57]
- 9 June – The Switzerland-based Legal Action Worldwide, representing victims of the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), files a complaint against the Rapid Support Forces in Kenya for war crimes, marking the first such legal action against the group outside Sudan.[58]
- 16–18 June – The 11th Our Ocean Conference is held in Mombasa and Kilifi County.[59]
- 22 June – The High Court finds Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in contempt of court for failing to comply with orders halting construction of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.[60]
Upcoming
[edit]- 25 June – Comemorative protests honouring those who died in the 2024 Finance Bill protests. [61]
- 27 June – Annual Lewa Safari Marathon organized by Tusk.[62]
Holidays
[edit]- 1 January – New Year's Day
- 20 March – Idd-ul-Fitr, the end of Ramadhan[65]
- 3 April – Good Friday[66]
- 6 April – Easter Monday[66][67]
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 27 May – Eid al-Adha[68][69]
- 1 June – Madaraka Day
- 10 October – Mazingira Day (previously known as Moi Day)[70]
- 20 October – Mashujaa Day
- 12 December – Jamhuri Day
- 25 December – Christmas
- 26 December – Boxing Day
Deaths
[edit]- 28 February – Johana Ng'eno, 53, Member of Parliament for Emurua Dikirr Constituency.[14]
- 29 March – David Njuguna Kiaraho, 62, Member of Parliament for Ol Kalou Constituency.[71]
- 9 May – Allan Okoth Thigo, 74, footballer (Gor Mahia, national team).[72]
References
[edit]- ^ Wangui, Joseph; Cheruiyot, Kevin (7 January 2026). "Architects list oversight lapses that led to South C building collapse". Daily Nation. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Adar, Victor (5 January 2026). "Death penalty looms for drug traffickers under Ruto's revamped narcotic law". The Nairobi Law Monthly. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Malalo, Humphrey (26 January 2026). "Al Shabaab kills local chief and teacher in northeast Kenya, police say". Reuters. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Shutdown of Kenya's Koko biofuel firm wipes out clean cooking options". AP News. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ Simitia, Mark (3 February 2026). "Matatu strike brings Nairobi traffic to a standstill". Retrieved 3 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Wangui, Joseph (3 February 2026). "Court backs KRA's push to tax unexplained bank deposits". Business Daily. Nation Media Group. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Kiilu, Damaris (3 February 2026). "Marjan Hussein steps down as IEBC CEO". The Star. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Kenyan president announces tax relief measures to ease cost of living". Africanews. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ Kitimo, Anthony; Nambeka, Jurgen (11 February 2026). "ODM kicks out Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna". Daily Nation. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Flights are delayed as workers strike at Kenya's main airport". AP News. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Kenya launches a carbon registry to boost climate finance and credibility". AP News. 17 February 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Kenyan man charged with duping people to fight for Russia in Ukraine war". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Isiolo South, Evurore and Muminji: UDA wins all seats in Mt Kenya by-election contest". Daily Nation. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ a b Kipkemoi, Felix (28 February 2026). "Who was Johanna Ngeno? A look at life and times of the late Emurua Dikirr MP". The Star. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Airbus Helicopter H125 5Y-DSB, Saturday 28 February 2026". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Citizen TV Kenya (1 March 2026). Alliance High School marks 100th anniversary (Video). YouTube. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Kenya flash floods death toll rises to 45". France 24. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ Malalo, Humphrey (12 March 2026). "Kenya arrests man trying to smuggle over 2,000 live ants in his luggage". Reuters. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2026". FIA World Rally Championship. 2026 WRC Promoter GmbH. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ NTV Kenya (13 March 2026). Six found guilty over 2015 robbery and murder of former MP George Muchai (video). YouTube. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ "Six found guilty in robbery with violence case linked to MP George Muchai's murder". Citizen Digital. 13 March 2026. Archived from the original on 16 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Planned demolition of a building in Nairobi goes wrong and leaves at least 4 people dead". AP News. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ Miriri, Duncan (19 March 2026). "Kenya revives stalled China-backed railway after six-year halt". Reuters. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ Kimutai, Vitalis; Mbula, Ruth (22 March 2026). "Kericho mass grave mystery: How bodies were moved and secretly buried". Daily Nation. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ Winter, Joseph; Kagoe, Richard (15 March 2026). "Kenya floods leave 66 dead, as heavy rains continue in Nairobi". BBC. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Malalo, Humphrey (28 March 2026). "Death toll from Kenyan floods rises to 108, police say". Reuters. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ "At least 15 killed in road accident in central Kenya". Xinhua. 29 March 2026. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ^ "Kenya's former New York marathon champion Korir gets five-year doping ban". Al Jazeera. AFP. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ^ "Sixteen Kenyans missing in Russia after army recruitment for Ukraine, Musalia Mudavadi says". BBC News. 2 April 2026. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ^ Kiplimo, Victor (24 March 2026). "Kenya to host 2026 FIFA women's series, a historic first for the country". The Star. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ^ McLaughlin, Tim (20 April 2026). "Kenya's Korir shatters Boston Marathon course record". Reuters. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
- ^ "Reimagining Africa's Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Inclusion". World Health Summit. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ AFP (26 April 2026). "Sabastian Sawe runs under two hours for first time in marathon history". Citizen Digital. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ^ "China has now dropped tariffs on imports from every African country except 1". AP News. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ^ "Africa Forward Summit to focus on jobs, investment and partnerships". Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. 9 May 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "Mudavadi gives updates on govt readiness as Nairobi gears up for Africa Forward Summit". People Daily. 8 May 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ Malalo, Humprey (18 May 2026). "Four killed in protests over Kenya fuel price hikes as strike strands commuters". Reuters. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ^ Mate Tongola (18 May 2026). "Fuel protests: Nationwide transport strike paralyses commuting". The Standard. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ^ "Kenya court ends teen sex prosecutions". Africanews. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ^ "Kenya Wildlife Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K May 24 2026". Kenya Wildlife Marathon. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Fuel protests paralyse transport in Embu, Chuka and Thika". Citizen Digital. 25 May 2026.
- ^ Citizen TV Kenya (25 May 2026). One killed as fuel price protests spread across multiple towns (Video). YouTube. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ^ Wandera, Akisa; Rukanga, Basilio (28 May 2026). "Sixteen pupils killed in Kenya school fire". BBC. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ^ Obulutsa, George (29 May 2026). "Kenya arrests 8 students suspected of arson in deadly school fire". Reuters. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ^ "Kenya court suspends US plan for Ebola quarantine facility for Americans". AP News. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ^ Simiyu, Mercy (11 June 2026). "Student unrest hits 204 schools as ministry rules out calendar overhaul". Daily Nation. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ^ Nation Team (13 May 2026). "State House Girls closed as student unrest sweeps schools". Daily Nation. Nation Media Group. Archived from the original on 14 May 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ^ KTN News Kenya (5 June 2026). Government launches major crackdown as strikes and dormitory fires destabilises top schools. YouTube (Television broadcast). KTN News Kenya. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ^ "High Court orders Kenya government to release details of Ebola facility". Al Jazeera English. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ^ Ross, Aaron (2 June 2026). "Two people killed in Kenya protest against US Ebola quarantine site plan, protest organiser and source say". Reuters. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ^ "2026 Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo & Conference". Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ NTV Kenya (4 June 2026). Matatu (Nganya) stunt, known as Manyoka, leaves five people dead and scores nursing severe injuries (video). YouTube. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ^ wa Mwambodze, Mkalla (6 April 2026). "Kenya begins preps for World Rafting Championships". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ^ Okumu, Bernard (25 February 2026). "Kenya to host World Rafting Cup in July". KBC Digital. Archived from the original on 21 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ^ "Kenya's former chief justice David Maraga arrested during park construction protest". AP News. 8 June 2026.
- ^ Ng'enoh, Pkemoi; Budi, Victor (16 June 2026). "Postmortem reveals Mwingi victims were strangled, stabbed". The Standard. Archived from the original on 17 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ^ Rono, Emmanuel (16 June 2026). "Mwingi mass graves: Autopsy reveals cause of death of recovered bodies". People Daily. Archived from the original on 17 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
- ^ "First war crimes complaint against Sudan's paramilitary forces filed in Kenya". AP News. 9 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ^ "The eleventh Our Ocean Conference will be held in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties, Kenya, from June 16 to 18, 2026". Our Ocean Conference. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ Malalo, Humphrey (22 June 2026). "Kenyan court finds health minister in contempt over Ebola facility". Reuters. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ^ Ouma, Roy (23 June 2026). "June 25 memorial: Gachagua urges Kenyans to stay indoors, alleges state-sanctioned violence". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ^ "International registrations for Lewa Safari Marathon 2026 are now open". Lewa Safari Marathon. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Public Holidays – The Kenya Consulate". Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Public holidays". The Ministry of East African Community (EAC), ASALs & Regional Development. 2026. Archived from the original on 11 February 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ^ Kitimo, Anthony (19 March 2026). "CS Murkomen declares Friday public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Easter 2026, 2027 and 2028 in Kenya". Public Holidays Africa. Public Holidays Global. 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ^ "Public Holiday In Kenya-Easter Holidays". CMA CGM Group. April 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ^ "Eid al-Adha 2026 in Kenya". timeanddate.com. 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ^ "Gov't declares May 27 public holiday to mark Eid ul-Adha". Citizen Digital. 25 May 2026.
- ^ Makhanu, Mabonga (9 October 2025). "From honouring the president to saving the planet: Kenya's evolution from Moi Day to Mazingira Day". People Daily. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Peter Mwangi (29 March 2026). "Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho dies". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 29 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026. Also available at: Waikwa Maina (29 March 2026). "Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho dies at Nairobi Hospital". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 29 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ^ Kihaki, Mike (10 May 2026). "Football legend Allan Thigo to be cremated, family says". The Standard. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
