Kenya in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
In Kenya in September 2026, politics centred on the 2027 general election and the contest for the Mount Kenya region. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki campaigned there, including a visit on September 22, to rebuild support for the governing Kenya Kwanza coalition. Commentary framed the region as a battle between Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru Kenyatta for the period after President William Ruto, and as a comeback effort by Ruto himself. In Nairobi, Babu Owino said he supports Sifuna but would focus on his own Nairobi campaigns, and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru said she would not again trade her bid for governor.
President Ruto warned Kenyans against targeting foreign nationals doing business in Kenya. At the UN General Assembly on September 23 he said equality ends at the doors of the Security Council. He also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Kenya's ambassador to Belgium, Joash Maangi, defended Ruto's economic plan.
The administration faced questions over the role of hired groups in electoral violence. Nairobi County sued the national government over control of gambling revenue. A political rift between PS Mang'eni and Ababu deepened in Budalangi, where youth disrupted a UDA drive.
In the courts, a judge rejected the state's attempt to block a former Scotland Yard detective from representing a defendant in an 8.2 billion shilling methamphetamine case. In the murder case of Dr Victoria, lawyers Ombeta and Omari walked out on September 29 in a dispute involving Rose Mbithe. Mombasa county was sued over failure to set up a land planning disputes committee, and MP Ndindi Nyoro was set to receive 32.3 million shillings from Kenya Power.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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