News and Analysis
September 17, 2026
Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter. In today's edition, we highlight the national schools flagged for charging parents unapproved extra fees. We also examine the sharp decline in investor wealth at the NSE over escalating Middle East tensions.
Members of the National Assembly Public Investments Committee have raised concerns about national schools imposing additional fees on parents without the Ministry of Education's approval.
As reported by the Star, the committee, reviewing Auditor-General reports for C1 schools (national schools), questioned charges linked to enhanced diets and other school programmes.
Schools flagged for charging extra fees included:
Alliance High School – charged up to Ksh68,554 against approved fees of Ksh53,554 and Ksh45,000 in different years, creating variances of up to Ksh23,554 per student.
Limuru Girls’ School – charged Ksh73,580 per student against an approved rate of Ksh53,580.
Kiambu High School – recorded fee variances ranging from Ksh717 to Ksh7,946 per student.
Mang’u High School – charged Ksh46,082 per student under a Parents Association Support Programme without evidence of Ministry approval. The school was among those noted to charge extra fees for special meals.
School administrators defended the charges, citing rising costs, delayed capitation, infrastructure needs and enhanced meal programmes featuring bread, eggs, sausages, chapati and mandazi.
However, MPs maintained that approval from parents and school boards cannot replace the legal requirement for authorisation by the Ministry of Education and County Education Boards.
Also Read: Full List of All National Schools (C1) in Kenya [Per County]
Investor wealth at the NSE fell below Ksh4 trillion, closing at Ksh3.95 trillion after losing Ksh178.7 billion in two trading sessions.
As reported by the Business Daily, the decline was driven by heavy selling of blue-chip stocks by local and foreign investors, who have sold a net Ksh2 billion worth of shares over the past three days.
Safaricom recorded the largest loss in market value, followed by Co-operative Bank, Equity Group, KCB Group and Absa Bank Kenya. Analysts attributed the decline to profit-taking after a strong market rally. Rising global uncertainty, higher US interest rates and Middle East tensions have also weighed on investor sentiment.
Uganda's Energy Minister Monica Musenero has announced plans to construct a petroleum products pipeline linking Eldoret to Kampala as part of a wider strategy to strengthen energy security and fuel supply.
The announcement, made in a statement by the Ugandan government, was made during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampala Storage Terminal (KST) in Mpigi District, a facility expected to store about 320 million litres of petroleum products.
The minister said the terminal will be integrated into Uganda’s broader petroleum infrastructure network, including the planned Eldoret–Kampala pipeline, the Kampala–Kigali pipeline and the Hoima–Buloba pipeline connecting to the proposed Uganda Refinery.
The cost and timelines for the proposed pipeline have not yet been disclosed. However, Uganda continues to source a portion of its petroleum products through Kenya and previously invested in the Kenya Pipeline, acquiring a 20% stake as part of efforts to strengthen its access to regional fuel supply infrastructure.
Kenya Power has proposed a final dividend of Ksh1.20 per share, bringing the total payout for the year to Ksh1.50 per share, including the interim dividend.
As announced by the utility firm, subject to shareholder approval, the final dividend will be paid before December 31, 2026, to shareholders on the register as of November 27.
The utility posted a 2.13% increase in net profit to Ksh24.99 billion, supported by an 8.64% rise in electricity revenue to Ksh238.24 billion as sales volumes grew 12% and 411,710 new customers were connected.
Improved transmission and distribution efficiency boosted gross profit to Ksh85.59 billion. Kenya Power also strengthened its balance sheet, with borrowings declining to Ksh79.82 billion, finance costs falling to Ksh3.08 billion and shareholders’ equity rising 20.55% to Ksh131.8 billion.
The Tourism Fund collected Ksh5.65 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, falling Ksh1 billion short of its Ksh6.65 billion target after plans to extend tourism levy collections to Airbnb rentals, homestays and villas failed to take effect.
The Business Daily noted that the agency said regulations needed to support the expanded levy were not gazetted.
Under current law, licensed tourism establishments pay a 2% levy on gross sales. The shortfall widened from Ksh400 million in 2024/25 despite higher collections.
Tourism Fund officials say future plans could see levies deducted directly through booking platforms, making it easier to capture revenue from short-term rental operators.
The High Court has ruled that the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) cannot invalidate existing insurance policies simply because an insurer has been placed under statutory management.
As reported by Citizen Digital, the court found that the Commissioner of Insurance exceeded powers under the Insurance Act by issuing a notice that sought to nullify policies issued by Trident Insurance and Corporate Insurance.
Judges held that statutory management is intended to stabilise troubled insurers and protect policyholders, not automatically terminate valid contracts.
The court also found that policyholders were denied fair administrative action because they were not heard or given reasons for the decision. Policies issued before March 10 will remain valid pending further action under the law.
Karakuta Fresh Produce, a Kenyan exporter of avocados and fresh herbs, plans to list on the NSE by introduction, subject to approval from the NSE and the Capital Markets Authority.
As reported by Capital Business, Founder and CEO Grace Ngungi said the move will improve access to capital, strengthen governance and allow more investors, including smallholder farmers, to participate in the business.
Established in 2018, the company sources Hass and Fuerte avocados from over 3,000 farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Karakuta exports to Europe, the UAE, Malaysia and India, and is targeting China.
Also in the News
Banks and other financial institutions could face fines of up to Ksh20 million under new anti-terror financing regulations gazetted on September 7, 2026. The rules replace the 2023 framework and require institutions to freeze and report terrorist-linked accounts within hours of sanctions being issued. Offending officials face up to 10 years in jail, while individuals can be fined up to Ksh1 million. Read more
Apple has expanded iCloud+ in Kenya to include Apple TV, Apple Arcade and Apple Music Select at no extra cost. Plans start at Ksh128 ($0.99) monthly for 50GB storage. Subscribers can share access with up to five family members. Apple TV and Apple Arcade will no longer be sold separately, with existing subscriptions transitioning to the bundled iCloud+ service. Read more
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