Mwakilishi News Bulletin - Evening Edition, Saturday 29 August 2026

Evening Edition for Saturday, 29 August 2026. Running time 9:07.

In this bulletin

Diaspora News

Kenyan truck drivers halt operations in South Sudan after attacks

Immigration News

Saudi Arabia limits instant work visas for foreign workers

Kenya News

World News

Real Estate News

Ruto's housing programme sees over 274,000 homes under construction

Transcript

This is the news from Mwakilishi.com.

Good evening. It's 6 o'clock this evening on Saturday, the twenty-ninth of August, and here is your evening edition.

Coming up.

Kenyan truck drivers suspend operations in South Sudan after violent attacks.

Saudi Arabia introduces new visa restrictions affecting foreign workers.

Kenya Airways wins top awards at the 2026 World Travel Awards.

Those stories, and more, in the next few minutes.

Turning to diaspora news, Kenyan truck drivers have halted operations in South Sudan following violent attacks on their colleagues. The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya reports a driver was abducted and assaulted, while another was shot dead recently. The association urges drivers to park their vehicles at border points and has called for increased security measures from South Sudanese authorities. The drivers have long faced harassment and violence, despite existing guidelines meant to safeguard them.

In immigration news, Saudi Arabia has imposed new limits on instant work visas for private-sector employers as part of its Saudisation programme. The number of visas available to a company is now tied to its age and Nitaqat classification. Older companies can apply for up to fifty visas weekly, while newer firms face tighter restrictions. The changes could impact start-ups and small businesses relying on foreign workers, altering recruitment plans and potentially affecting job seekers from abroad.

Turning to Kenya news, Albert Njeru Obed, the Treasurer General of COTU, has died after a brief illness. His passing is a significant blow to the labor movement in Kenya, where he was a key advocate for workers' rights. Obed was known for negotiating better wages and benefits and was committed to social justice and economic equity. His death comes at a challenging time for the labor movement, which continues to face issues like unemployment and the need for labor law reforms.

Staying with Kenya, businesses face increased costs as WhatsApp ends its free messaging service. This decision affects many small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on the platform for customer communication. WhatsApp's move is part of a broader trend of digital monetization. Companies may need to reassess communication strategies, potentially leading to higher operational costs. Smaller businesses may struggle more than larger ones, which can better absorb the additional expenses or switch to alternative tools.

Also from Kenya, the night burial of KCB manager Rosemary Chemutai Koech has led to a legal dispute. Her parents and estranged husband clashed over burial rights after a court ordered the burial stopped. Despite this, her parents proceeded, citing Kalenjin customs. The burial took place at night without a coffin, emphasizing the strained family relations and cultural traditions. The unusual circumstances have sparked debate over burial practices and the legalities involved in such disputes.

In other news from Kenya, NACADA has arrested three individuals during a crackdown on counterfeit alcohol in Nairobi's Jericho area. This effort is part of a broader campaign against illicit alcohol, which poses significant health risks. The operation followed a tip-off and targeted the production and distribution of fake beverages. Authorities seized large quantities of counterfeit alcohol, highlighting the urgent need to address public safety concerns. NACADA continues to educate the public on identifying genuine alcoholic products.

In aviation news, Kenya Airways has been crowned Africa's Leading Airline at the 2026 World Travel Awards in Zanzibar. The airline won four awards, including Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class, and Africa’s Leading Airline Lounge for the Pride Lounge at JKIA. The awards recognize the airline's service quality and competitive fares. Nairobi also won Africa's Leading Business Travel Destination for the eighth consecutive year. These accolades come as Kenya Airways focuses on expanding its market share and improving operations.

Turning to world news, the Africa Business Investment Summit in Washington, DC, set a $500 million target in structured commitments. The summit aimed to bridge the investment gap between Africa and global markets. Despite ambitious targets, skepticism remains about converting pledges into real investments. Discussions focused on overcoming barriers like political risks and infrastructure deficits. The summit called for policy reforms and improved governance to attract foreign direct investment, vital for spurring economic growth across Africa.

In political news, Kenya's National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, cautioned politicians against interfering with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ahead of the 2027 elections. He stressed the importance of maintaining the electoral body's integrity and autonomy. Wetangula's warning comes amid concerns about political influence affecting the IEBC's procurement processes. Allegations have been made regarding transparency, but the IEBC insists its procedures are accountable. The issue highlights the challenges developing nations face in ensuring free and fair elections.

Tragedy in Zimbabwe as a minibus carrying church members crashed, killing at least 27 people. The accident occurred when a truck overtaking another vehicle struck the minibus. This incident underscores ongoing road safety concerns in Zimbabwe, where traffic accidents are frequent. The crash may lead to renewed calls for stricter regulations on commercial transport and improved road safety measures. The Kenyan diaspora is reminded of the importance of road safety, given similar challenges faced across the African continent.

In Kenya, President William Ruto announced a pay rise for police constables from twenty-one thousand six hundred forty-five shillings to twenty-nine thousand three hundred sixty shillings. This is part of broader security reforms aimed at improving police welfare and efficiency. Ruto emphasized the importance of enhancing security personnel's conditions to ensure national stability. The move aligns with global trends in security sector reforms, aiming to reduce corruption and improve service delivery by boosting officer morale and professionalism.

In Ukraine, a Russian attack on a warehouse near Kyiv has killed at least 27 people. The incident led to explosions and a major fire, raising concerns about the warehouse's contents. This attack heightens tensions in the ongoing conflict since 2022. The Kenyan diaspora is reminded of global geopolitical impacts, as such conflicts affect international stability and economic conditions. The international community watches closely, with countries offering support to Ukraine amid escalating violence and humanitarian needs.

Turning to real estate news, Kenya's affordable housing programme shows progress with 7,148 completed units in 2025 and over 274,000 homes under construction by August 2026. This is part of President William Ruto's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Despite the increase, the completion rate still falls short of the annual target of 250,000 homes. The programme aims to boost homeownership among low- and middle-income households and create construction jobs, but achieving targets will require a faster completion pace.

And that is your evening edition. The next bulletin is at midday tomorrow. You can read every one of these stories in full, and much more besides, at Mwakilishi.com.

Have a good evening.

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