Annan Paul

It’s a Kenyan thing

𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗬–𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗬𝗔 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟵

THE ORIGINAL TRIBAL CHIEF ROMAN REIGNS IS THE NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!! ☝️ #WrestleMania @WWERomanReigns

OBA FEMI JUST BEAT BROCK LESNAR!!!! WOW!! The FIRST HOUR of #WrestleMania is LIVE RIGHT NOW on ESPN!

Nigerian wrestler Oba Femi was a huge shot putter in college when WWE randomly DM'd him on Instagram. "I’m guessing they saw the package, they saw the size," he told me. Today he takes on Brock Lesnar at #Wrestlemania. Who will win?

Press Release A NATION RISING: STATUS UPDATE OF ENHANCED CONTINUOUS VOTER REGISTRATION (ECVR) AS AT THURSDAY, 16TH APRIL 2026 1. As we enter the final stretch of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is filled with a profound sense of pride and purpose. Since the launch of this national drive on 30th March 2026, we have not only witnessed numbers being added on the Register, but also the unmistakable heartbeat of a nation resolute in shaping its own democratic destiny. Celebrating Our New Voters: A Growing Force for Democracy 2. The Commission extends its deepest gratitude to the 1,370,930 Kenyans who have registered as new voters since the commencement of ECVR on 30th March 2026 to 16thApril 2026. Since the last update of 9th April 2026, the Commission has recorded an increase of 495,429 new registrations - many of them are young first-time voters signaling their commitment to participate in the electoral process. i. New registered voters: The number of new registered voters since the beginning of ECVR on 30th March 2026 to 16th April 2026 is 1,370,930. Therefore, since the last update of 9th April 2026, the Commission has recorded an increase of 495,429 new voters. ii. Transfers: 92,602 iii. Change/update of particulars: 1,969 3. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the remote reaches of Kwale, where even elders aged over 80 have come forward to register, the message is clear: Kenya is ready. This surge in registration is a strong affirmation of confidence and faith in our democracy. To those who joined the Register this week: You are no longer observers; you are now the architects of Kenya’s future… wazalendo wa kweli. Congratulations! 4. Upon conclusion of ECVR on 28th April 2026, the Commission will revert to office-based registration. The Commission cautions that the standard Constituency-based CVR presents access challenges, particularly for citizens in marginalized and far-flung regions as well as for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). This ECVR presents a window for accessible service and eligible Kenyans are urged to take advantage of it while it remains open. A Patriotic Call to Action: Secure the 2027 General Election 5. With only 11 days remaining, the Commission calls upon all eligible Kenyans who are yet to register, to take advantage of of this opportunity and contribute to an inclusive and representative voter register. The 2027 General Election will be a defining moment for our republic. As the saying goes, “One who refuses or fails to vote loses the right to complain about the outcome of the election.” Strengthening democracy is a shared national obligation, and voter registration is a critical first step. By registering, the citizens safeguard their constitutional right to participate in the electoral process. 6. Save for kits at the constituency offices, all kits are open to register Kenyans to their preferred electoral areas. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL HOME TO REGISTER AS A VOTER. Visit any nearest registration centre and our staff will guide and assist you through the process. Our Commitment to You 7. The Commission remains firmly dedicated to a transparent, credible and high-integrity process. We have extended our reach to the Ward level to ensure every single vote is protected by a credible Register of Voters. Existing voters are encouraged to confirm their details via our online portal at verify@iebc.or.ke.

Suffice it to say that it's an interesting time for tax administration & compliance in Kenya. No sooner had the Revenue Authority begun upgrades on both TIMS & eTIMS & updating of the HS codes for communication to integrators for software updates regarding the switch from 16.0% to 13.0% than they now have to adjust the same to 8.0%. Sigh! Given the constraints on Sec6(1) of the VAT Act on the extent to which the CS is empowered to vary the rate, I expect hurried motions within the National Assembly tomorrow to clean up this undertaking. Expect a Supplementary Order Paper.

ADVISORY ON TRANSPORT COST ADJUSTMENTS FOLLOWING DIESEL PRICE INCREASE – 14TH APRIL 2026. @citizentvkenya @TukomiOfficial

H.E President William Ruto, has appointed selection panel to oversee recruitment for vacancies of seven Members of IGRTC. The appointments are contained in today’s issue of the Kenya Gazette, attached.

Petroleum PS, Mohamed Liban; Kenya Pipeline MD, Joe Sang' & EPRA DG, Kiptoo Bargoria, have all resigned!

The Council of Governors, led by H.E @GovernorKahiga, in partnership with the GIZ, convened a three-day engagement for Chairs of County Public Service Boards to strengthen the role of CPSBs in building professional, accountable, and effective county public service systems. The forum emphasized merit-based recruitment, value-based leadership, stronger collaboration with Governors while safeguarding institutional independence, and continuous capacity building in labour laws and public service management. Key reforms proposed include a standardized induction manual for CPSB members, digitization of HR systems, and stronger performance management frameworks to improve service delivery across counties. @CEOCOG Mary Mwiti underscored the need for integrity, accountability, and citizen-focused leadership, while participants also highlighted addressing wage bill pressures, staff shortages, and harmonizing HR policies across governments as critical to delivering better services to wananchi.

We have concluded a two-day consultative forum that brought together County Secretaries the 47 Counties, convened by @KenyaGovernors with support from GIZ. The engagement strengthened their understanding of Devolution, County Cabinet processes, service delivery frameworks and their role as heads of County public service. County Secretaries remain critical thought leaders in county administrations, and strengthening their capacity helps build institutions that deliver for citizens. 🇰🇪 We also benefited from insights by my good friend, @WanjauMercy, Secretary to the Cabinet, who emphasized the need for a responsive and results-driven public service: “We are One Government. The National Government is an aggregate of the 47 County Governments and citizens expect quality service delivery from all of us.”

The Council of Governors today engaged the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget in a consultative meeting to deliberate on the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the 2026 Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS). The Council raised concern over the continued breach of the 55% debt anchor and the growing cost of debt servicing, which now consumes 53% of ordinary revenue, compared to Counties’ 14%, despite Counties not contributing directly to the public debt stock. The Council also highlighted the declining trend of County transfers as a share of GDP, warning that this threatens the stability, predictability and sustainability of devolved governance. To safeguard service delivery across the 47 Counties, the Council proposed an equitable share allocation of Ksh.534.96 billion for FY 2026/27, inclusion of UHC workers’ transition costs within the Division of Revenue, transfer of Ksh.65.97 billion tied to delineated devolved functions, and urgent measures to restore debt sustainability. Sustainable devolution depends on adequate, predictable and timely resourcing

IGRTC team, led by Chairman CPA Kithinji Kiragu, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations to present key policy, programmatic and budget priorities as outlined in the 2026/2027 Budget Policy Statement. @SenCommitteeKE @Senate_KE

Today, I was a guest to my old friend President William Ruto at State House. Just before our meeting, he had a brief Cooperation Agreement Ceremony with Nairobi City County which I witnessed live. The framework agreement had specific thematic areas: roads, street lighting, solid waste & security. As I wasn’t involved in drafting the agreement, the same should be revised to cover the following areas: 1. Security: it is the No. 1 of any city. All security should 100% be under Kipchumba Murkomen. Street gangs should be eliminated. Boda Boda should be removed from the streets except registered companies like Uber et al. Private security should have minimum standards including on salaries & benefits. You can’t pay an Askari 30K in Nairobi! 2. Education: a city can’t be great without world class education. As the only UN HQ in global south, Government should allow private schools to cater for English, American, German, Chinese et al education system. The schools should be allowed to have 100% expatriate staff. Then for local system, they should be brought upto the highest standards as they were before independence. Colleges & universities should meet global standards. 3. Health: our medical facilities must match those of the best in the world. No one should be allowed to open a clinic or hospital in Nairobi unless it meets all the criteria of those in Geneva. 4. Infrastructure: Roads, water & sewage should be top notch! A civilized city should have running & potable water, motorable roads with no potholes & working sewage system. Solid waste management should be as it applies in Tokyo! 5. Art & Culture: a city without world class museums, theaters, pubs and amazing restaurants is a village! Great cities are hedonistic. Great cities allow its people and visitors to engage in decadence. Nairobi CBD is dead because all bars were turned to coffee restaurants. A city with no nightlife is a dead soul! And marijuana & prostitution is legal! The Greatest Cities in the world like Copenhagen, Vienna, Zurich, Melbourne et al have all above. Once Nairobi with assistance from Central Government implements above, everyone will be happy! And Nairobi will be in the pantheon of Great Cities! Mr. President, thank you for the invite & for allowing me to witness the Historic Ceremony! TO THE PRESIDENT, ALWAYS. YOUR FRIEND!

We have unveiled a KSh80 billion cooperation agreement between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government to make the capital city more livable, secure, and efficient for the 4.4 million residents. In the agreement, we are committing KSh3.7 billion to complete 10,000 unfinished lights and install 40,000 lights around the city. Additionally, the National Government, through Kenya Power, will invest KSh1.5 billion in transformers and last mile connections in the informal settlements in the city. On water, we will spend KSh2.1 billion at Ng'ethu Treatment Plant to stop daily losses of about 50 million litres. Another KSh3 billion will go Gigiri-Shauri Moyo evacuation corridor to stabilise and extend supply to high demand zones. In regard to sanitation, we are committing KSh9 billion to build two parallel 27km trunk sewer network along the Nairobi River Corridor, and KSh6 billion for a new sewer plant to treat 60 million litres of waste water a day. An additional KSh3 billion will support last-mile sewer connectivity, while KSh15 billion has been earmarked for long-term sewer expansion across the city. At the same time, KSh8.7 billion will be spent to complete the upgrading of roads, bridges and drainage systems in the city. Moreover, we are also in the process of mobilising additional funding of KSh1.7 billion for 59km of roads in phase two beginning April 2026. In every ward, we will improve roads in a KSh5 billion programme, complemented by KSh3.7 from the county government. A further KSh1 billion will be dedicated to the improvement of drainage systems. We are also allocating KSh4 billion to deal with solid waste management, including providing 100 acres of land for Material Recovery Facilities, while the National Government will provide KSh2 billion. All these efforts will strengthen Nairobi's standing as a globally- respected African metropolis that reflects our national ambitions.

FY 26/27 Budget Key Numbers from the Budget Policy Statement —Total Revenue: KES 3.53T —Total Expenditure: KES 4.70T —Fiscal Deficit: KES 1.17T (5.6% of GDP) —Recurrent Spending: KES 3.46T —Development Spending: KES 749.5B —County Transfers: KES 495.5B Deficit Financing: —>Net Domestic Borrowing: KES 890.4B —>Net Foreign Borrowing: KES 225.5B

PUBLIC UPDATE ON THE MAU SUMMIT–ELDORET–MALABA ROAD The Government of Kenya is taking steps to modernise the Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba road through a Public Private Partnership approach. As part of the preparatory phase, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has approved a grant to support comprehensive planning and assessment work for the project. The grant will finance specialist studies to evaluate the condition of the corridor, identify required improvements, and determine the most appropriate and sustainable way to deliver the project. The Mau Summit–Malaba corridor is a vital transport link connecting the Rift Valley to Western Kenya and serving as a key gateway to the East African region. Proper preparation of the project is expected to improve road safety, ease congestion, reduce transport costs, and strengthen trade and economic activity along the route. The National Treasury, through the PPP Directorate, is coordinating the preparatory work in collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority. The project remains at a planning stage, and any decision to proceed to construction will be subject to the completion of studies and the attainment of all required statutory approvals. Further updates will be shared as the project progresses.

The President has appointed 15 Judges to the Court of Appeal following recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission.

Truphena Muthoni from Kenya has set the record for longest marathon hugging a tree with an unbelievable total of 72 hours. “Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us, it is family."