Falling out from Washington’s grace...

As Washington signals a potential reset of Kenya’s “major non‑NATO ally” status amid unease over its ties to China and human rights record, a scathing audit at home reveals the eCitizen platform is leaking millions, overcharging citizens, and leaving the government alarmingly dependent on a private vendor to safeguard its own revenue.

I am Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street and these are our day's business stories:

Is Kenya Falling Out from Washington's Grace

A US Senate bill could unravel Nairobi’s delicate dance between Washington and Beijing

By Morris Kiruga

Washington is rethinking its friendship with Nairobi, as a new bill from Senator James Risch seeks to review Kenya’s hard‑won status as a major non‑NATO ally.

The proposal calls for a deep audit of Kenya’s ties with China, Russia, and Iran, as well as how US security support has been used including allegations of civilian abductions, torture, and renditions. It reflects the Trump administration’s transactional approach to foreign policy, which has already withdrawn from Haiti, shuttered USAID, and slapped tariffs on Kenya.

Nairobi, caught between economic pragmatism and geopolitical loyalty, is learning that its balancing act with Beijing and Washington may no longer hold. Revoking the status would have limited direct effect, but it would mark a symbolic rupture in a long‑standing security relationship. For Kenya, the coming months could bring both diplomatic turbulence and a rare chance to reset its global posture. Read the full analysis >>>>>>

A Digital System Built on Sand

A scathing audit exposes fund diversions, overcharges, and weak oversight on the government’s flagship revenue platform.

By Brian Nzomo

Kenya’s flagship digital revenue platform, eCitizen, has been thrust into controversy after a damning audit revealed fund diversions, overcharges, and weak oversight.

The Auditor General found millions of shillings were irregularly diverted to private entities, with additional funds funneled through unapproved accounts. Even as billions sat idle in settlement accounts, citizens were overcharged on fees, sometimes paying 250% more for basic services like healthcare.

Despite government ownership on paper, a private vendor still controls key operations, leaving the state dependent and exposed to cyber risks. Now, sweeping reforms and investigations are on the table as the state grapples with the vulnerabilities of its own digital platform. Read more here >>>>>

Here is why Wildlife Park Fees may go up…

A KWS proposal could quietly transform the cost of experiencing the country’s iconic parks.

By Melanie Minayo

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is preparing a major shake‑up of park entry and activity fees, and it could catch both casual visitors and seasoned safari operators off guard.

The proposed framework rethinks everything: from introducing new visitor categories, annual passes, and selective exemptions. Officials insist the changes are about protecting wildlife and securing the future of conservation, as anti‑poaching, habitat restoration, and human‑wildlife conflict mitigation demand more resources than ever.

Tourism insiders, however, warn that steeper costs may squeeze local travelers and smaller tour outfits, potentially reshaping the domestic safari market. Public consultations are still ongoing, but once the new rules are gazetted, Kenya’s tourism plans could get a new price tag. Read more »»»»»

Capital Markets 

📈 Sameer Africa’s Stock Mirrors 2024 Profit Gains with 4X Market Surge

By Harry Njuguna

Sameer Africa has staged the kind of comeback few stocks ever see. Once a struggling tyre maker, the company reinvented itself as an industrial landlord, and the market has rewarded the pivot with a 326% surge this year, its best run since 2010. A debt-free balance sheet, steady rental income, and a fivefold jump in profit have fueled the rally, even as overall revenue shrank. Read more »»»»»

🏦 Weak U.S. Treasury Demand Sparks Global Market Questions

By Chelsy Maina

The latest US$58 billion auction of 3‑year notes technically cleared, yet foreign buyers claimed their smallest share in over a year, signaling a subtle but significant shift in global capital flows. Rising hedging costs, narrowing yield gaps, and a creeping doubt about Washington’s fiscal credibility are quietly reshaping who underwrites America’s debt. It’s a whisper of change that could echo across currencies, bond markets, and the fragile balance of global finance. Read more »»»»»

NSE Gainers & Losers 

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Opinion 

💱 What Kenya Can Learn from Switzerland’s Thriving Innovation Economy

By Nicasio Karani Migwi

Kenya dreams of becoming an innovation-driven economy, yet it remains tethered to commodities and a manufacturing sector that can’t shake its 7% share of GDP. A new Global Innovation Index ranking, where Switzerland leads the world and Kenya languishes at 96th, exposes the yawning gaps in institutions, research, and market sophistication. Universities and R&D labs are underfunded, patents and tech exports remain rare, and the country’s creative economy is still a whisper rather than a voice. But the blueprint exists: invest in human capital, stabilize policy, and ignite local startups from Nairobi to Konza. If Kenya can align its strategy with action, it might yet leap from extraction to innovation. Read the full piece here »»»»»

Stories you missed 

♦️ Banking. The banking sector is seeing a sustained rise in bad loans, with gross non-performing loans (NPLs) reaching an all-time high of KSh 724.2 billion in April 2025.

♦️ Companies. Sameer Africa PLC has undertaken a significant pivot over the last decade, shifting from tyre manufacturing and distribution to becoming a key player in the industrial real estate sector.

♦️ Tech. The smart city project, Konza technopolis, is sitting on billions of shillings in idle technology equipment as major infrastructure projects drag on, according to a review by the Auditor General.

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