November 6, 2026 Practical Finance. Smarter Money. Better Decisions.

Local News

Stay informed with the latest news from Kenya, covering national affairs, county developments, politics, business, agriculture, education, infrastructure and other important local events. SkyPress brings you timely updates and informative reporting on issues shaping communities and the country.

Kenya Business Activity Rebounds as Safaricom Posts KSh58.2 Billion Half-Year Profit in HY2027
Local News

Kenya Business Activity Rebounds as Safaricom Posts KSh58.2 Billion Half-Year Profit in HY2027

Kenya’s economic and corporate outlook received two important developments this week, with private-sector business activity strengthening in October and Safaricom PLC reporting a substantial increase in half-year earnings for the six months ended September 2026. Kenya’s private-sector activity strengthened in October, with the Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rising to 52.5 from 51.3 in September. This marked the strongest improvement in Kenyan private-sector business conditions recorded in 2026. Meanwhile, Safaricom reported a 35.9% increase in group net earnings to KSh58.2 billion in its HY2026/2027 financial results, supported by continued growth in Kenya and improving performance at its Ethiopian subsidiary. Although the two developments measure different aspects of the economy, together they provide an indication of improving commercial activity, expanding digital financial services and the importance of large corporate earnings to investor confidence. Key Takeaways Kenya’s October PMI increased to 52.5 from 51.3 in September, signalling stronger private-sector business conditions. Safaricom’s group net earnings increased…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Nov 5

Sylvester Chepkok | SkyPress Editorial

Author

Sylvester Chepkok is the Founder and Editor of SkyPress, a financial education and market insights platform covering personal finance, investing,…

North Rift Farmers Count Heavy Losses as Drought Devastates 2026 Maize Harvest
Local News

North Rift Farmers Count Heavy Losses as Drought Devastates 2026 Maize Harvest

Kenya’s traditional food basket is facing a difficult farming season, with prolonged dry spells, collapsing yields and tightening maize supplies raising fresh concerns over national food security and the cost of staple foods. A difficult season for Kenya’s food basket For generations, Kenya’s North Rift region has carried the responsibility of feeding millions of households across the country. The vast agricultural fields of Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Elgeyo-Marakwet and neighbouring counties have traditionally supplied substantial quantities of maize to the national market. However, the 2026 farming season has presented a dramatically different picture. Farmers who invested heavily in land preparation, certified seeds, fertiliser and labour are now counting substantial losses following unfavourable weather conditions that disrupted crop development during critical stages of the growing season. What initially appeared to be a promising agricultural season turned into a difficult experience for thousands of farmers after rainfall became increasingly unreliable, particularly during the June-to-September period. The consequences are now becoming evident…

Sylvester Chepkok | SkyPress Editorial Oct 31
Avocado Business in Kenya: Farming, Trading and Export Opportunities
Local News

Avocado Business in Kenya: Farming, Trading and Export Opportunities

Kenya’s avocado industry is attracting growing attention as international demand for the fruit creates opportunities across agriculture, commodity trading and export businesses. From smallholder farmers and agricultural investors to independent produce aggregators and international exporters, the avocado value chain offers several ways to participate in a market that generated approximately KSh20.8 billion in export earnings in 2025.

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Oct 30

LOCAL NEWS

EPRA Holds Kenya Fuel Prices Steady for September–October 2026 Despite Global Oil Market Shifts
Local News

EPRA Holds Kenya Fuel Prices Steady for September–October 2026 Despite Global Oil Market Shifts

Kenya’s fuel prices will remain unchanged for the September 15 to October 14, 2026 pricing period, according to the latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The decision comes despite notable movements in international petroleum costs, with diesel and kerosene becoming more expensive while petrol prices declined. Kenya’s fuel prices will remain unchanged for the pricing cycle running from September 15 to October 14, 2026, after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced its latest monthly review. The decision comes despite significant changes in international petroleum costs, with diesel and kerosene import prices rising sharply while the cost of super petrol declined during the review period. Under the new pricing schedule, motorists and households in Nairobi will continue paying: Super Petrol: KSh 214.03 per litre Diesel: KSh 217.86 per litre Kerosene: KSh 191.38 per litre EPRA said the prices were calculated in line with the Petroleum Act, 2019, and related regulations governing fuel pricing in Kenya.…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Sep 14

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Kenya’s Forex Reserves Drop by KSh63 Billion as Shilling Holds Steady
Local News

Kenya’s Forex Reserves Drop by KSh63 Billion as Shilling Holds Steady

Kenya Forex Reserves Fall by KSh63 Billion as Shilling Holds Firm Against Dollar Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves have declined for five consecutive weeks, falling by roughly KSh63 billion as of September 3, 2026, even as the Kenyan shilling continues to trade with remarkable stability against the US dollar. Data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) shows that usable foreign exchange reserves fell from USD 15.248 billion on August 6 to USD 14.882 billion on September 3. The decline represents about USD 366 million over the five-week period. Using the prevailing exchange rate, the reserves stood at approximately KSh1.97 trillion at the beginning of the period before falling to about KSh1.93 trillion by September 3. Despite the sustained decline, the CBK says the country’s foreign exchange position remains adequate. The latest reserves provide 6.1 months of import cover, comfortably above the central bank’s statutory benchmark of at least four months. Reserves fall for five consecutive weeks The latest decline represents…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Sep 6
Kenya’s Cost of Living Pressure Intensifies as August Inflation Hits 6.6%
Local News

Kenya’s Cost of Living Pressure Intensifies as August Inflation Hits 6.6%

Kenya Inflation Rises to 6.6% in August as Food and Transport Costs Keep Pressure on Businesses and Households Kenya’s annual inflation rate rose to 6.6% in August 2026 from 6.5% in July, with food, transport and housing-related costs remaining key sources of pressure on consumers and businesses. The latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the increase in headline inflation was relatively modest, but the underlying price movements reveal continued cost pressures in important areas of the economy. According to KNBS, annual consumer price inflation reached 6.6% in August 2026, meaning the general price level was 6.6% higher than in August 2025. Monthly inflation also accelerated to 0.4% in August from 0.2% in July. The latest figures are important for Kenyan households, retailers, manufacturers, transport operators, investors and policymakers because inflation affects purchasing power, operating costs, interest-rate expectations and consumer demand. Food and Transport Remain Major Inflation Drivers Rising prices continue to influence the cost…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Sep 5

FOREX MARKET

Kenya Orders Tata Chemicals to Leave: Ruto Demands More Value From Lake Magadi
Local News

Kenya Orders Tata Chemicals to Leave: Ruto Demands More Value From Lake Magadi

Kenya Orders Tata Chemicals to Leave as Ruto Demands More Value From the Country’s Natural Resources September 5, 2026 — Kenya’s relationship with one of its longest-standing foreign investors has entered a new and uncertain phase after President William Ruto directed Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited to leave the country, accusing the company of failing to generate enough economic value from soda ash extracted at Lake Magadi in Kajiado County. The directive, announced by President Ruto on September 3, has put the future of Kenya’s century-old soda ash industry under the spotlight and raised broader questions about how the country wants foreign investors to participate in the exploitation of its natural resources. Ruto said the government intends to bring in new investors who would be required to establish industries in Kenya rather than simply extract minerals and export them. The proposed model would place greater emphasis on local manufacturing, employment, value addition and community development. Why President Ruto Wants Tata Chemicals…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Sep 5
Kenya Raises Diesel Prices to Record High as Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Adjusts Fuel Costs
Local News

Kenya Raises Diesel Prices to Record High as Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Adjusts Fuel Costs

Kenya Raises Diesel Prices to Record High as Hormuz Crisis Sends Global Oil Markets into Shock By SkyPress News Desk | April 15, 2026 1. Record Fuel Prices Hit Kenyan Consumers NAIROBI — Kenya has recorded its highest-ever diesel prices following a sharp adjustment by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), reflecting the full impact of a global oil supply shock. In the latest pricing cycle (April 15 – May 14, 2026), super petrol rose to KSh 206.97 per litre, while diesel surged to an all-time high of KSh 206.84 per litre. The diesel increase of KSh 40.30 marks the largest single-month jump in over two decades, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. Kerosene prices remained unchanged at KSh 152.78, largely due to heavy government subsidies aimed at protecting low-income households. This historic spike places fuel costs at the center of Kenya’s economic outlook, with immediate implications for transport, food distribution, and industrial production. 2. Global Oil Shock:…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Apr 15
Kenya From the Shelves: What Consumer Prices Reveal About the Economy
Local News

Kenya From the Shelves: What Consumer Prices Reveal About the Economy

Processed Goods Price Change in Kenya: A Nation Grapples with Rising Costs as Tech Startup Secures Funding to Tackle Supply Chain Woes     NAIROBI, Kenya – Shelves across Kenya are telling a story of economic strain. The price of everyday processed goods—from maize flour and cooking oil to bread and milk—has climbed relentlessly, squeezing household budgets and challenging the nation’s food security. This surge is not a random fluctuation but the culmination of a perfect storm of rising producer prices, global economic headwinds, and domestic inefficiencies. Yet, amidst the gloom, a glimmer of innovation emerges as an agri-tech startups secure a major funding round, betting it can untangle the very supply chain knots contributing to the crisis. This is more than just inflation; it’s a structural crisis that begins long before a product reaches the consumer. The core of the issue lies in a dramatic and sustained increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI), the measure of the average…

SkyPress Desk | SkyPress News Sep 14

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