News and Analysis
February 17, 2026
Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter, where we cover why Starlink has asked its customers to submit details of their IDs and their addresses. We also cover the new cooperation signed between the national government and Nairobi County.
The government has directed Elon Musk’s Starlink to collect national identity cards, postal addresses, and phone numbers from subscribers to curb cybercrime, sparking concerns over privacy and surveillance.
As reported by the Business Daily, Starlink has warned customers that services may be suspended from May 2026 if they fail to provide the documents.
The move aligns with regulations by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) requiring operators to register users’ IDs, names, addresses, and biometric data to prevent fraud and criminal activity.
Subscribers must submit personal details and a government-issued ID online, then visit authorised Starlink retailers to verify their identity by April 30, 2026. Failure to comply could result in service interruption.
The CA said the revised rules replace the 2015 SIM card regulations, applying to all ICT service subscribers and requiring authentication in the National Integrated Population Registration System.
Experts note that tying accounts to verified physical identities gives authorities greater visibility of online activity and location.
Starlink, a subsidiary of Musk’s SpaceX, entered Kenya in July 2024, increasing subscriptions from 8,063 in December 2024 to 19,470 in September 2025.
A businesswoman has moved to the High Court seeking to overturn what she terms an unconstitutional policy by Safaricom PLC, allowing funds sent in error to offset Fuliza overdrafts.
In a petition before Justice Lawrence Mugambi, Eunice Nganga argues that the handling of erroneous M-Pesa transfers violates constitutional and consumer rights.
The dispute arose on September 4, 2024, when she mistakenly sent Ksh2,700 and promptly sought a reversal. The request was declined as the recipient had an outstanding Fuliza loan, with the funds automatically deducted.
As reported by Eastleigh Voice, Nganga says the recipient never accessed the money and that Safaricom retained it.
She seeks declarations that the policy is unlawful, restitution of Ksh2,700, broader refunds for affected customers and Ksh50 million in damages.
Nairobi County Government has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Government, marking the second time City Hall has sought central intervention since devolution.
Anchored on Articles 187 and 189 of the Constitution, the deal aims to strengthen county functions and improve efficiency, amid concerns over the capital’s capacity to self-administer.
As reported by Citizen Digital, the National Government will inject Ksh80 billion, four times the county’s current allocation. Part of the money will fund street lighting (Ksh3.7 billion), water (Ksh5 billion), sewer lines (Ksh9 billion) and waste management (Ksh4 billion).
A steering committee chaired by Musalia Mudavadi will oversee the 24-month agreement, subject to public participation and possible renewal.
Unlike the 2020 NMS takeover under the Jubilee administration, the Kenya Kwanza government has maintained that this is not a transfer of functions.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has warned Kenyans seeking medical treatment abroad that the Social Health Authority (SHA) will only pay bills with a formal commitment letter.
Verbal assurances are not valid, and patients travelling without prior approval risk being stranded abroad.
SHA covers only 39 pre-approved procedures unavailable in Kenya, such as complex paediatric cardiac surgeries and full femur or tibia replacements.
As reported by Nation, treatments must be at overseas hospitals contracted by the SHA and linked to a local facility for follow-up care. Patients’ contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund must be up to date.
SHA reimburses up to Ksh.500,000 per overseas treatment. Experimental or otherwise unavailable procedures, such as open-heart surgeries and kidney transplants, are not covered. Kenyans are advised to obtain pre-authorisation before travelling to ensure eligibility and avoid financial liability.
Investors offered the government Ksh400 billion in bond and Treasury bill auctions over three weeks, rushing to lock in higher yields before the Central Bank of Kenya cut its base rate to 8.75 per cent on February 10 - its 10th consecutive reduction since August 2024.
Treasury bill bids hit Ksh185.6 billion against a Ksh72 billion target, dominated by the 364-day paper. A February bond sale attracted Ksh213.74 billion versus a Ksh50 billion target for reopened 15- and 25-year papers.
As reported by the Business Daily, the CBK rejected sizeable bids, netting Ksh100.54 billion, signalling efforts to lower borrowing costs.
While T-bill rates have fallen to 7.6–8.97 per cent from highs of 16.9 per cent, bonds in 2025 have paid 11.67–14.63 per cent. Strong demand has enabled the government to lengthen its domestic debt maturity profile.
Nedbank Group CEO Jason Quinn says Kenya’s strong regulation and economic growth informed the lender’s move to acquire a majority stake in NCBA Group.
As reported by Capital Business, Quinn described NCBA as a well-run bank with solid leadership and strategy, calling the deal a natural fit.
Last month, Nedbank launched a tender offer for about 66 per cent of NCBA’s shares, leaving 34 per cent trading on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
The offer values NCBA at 1.4 times book value, with 20 per cent paid in cash and 80 per cent in Nedbank shares listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Quinn added that Nedbank exited Ecobank due to dividend and control challenges in West Africa.
Pacis Insurance Company has appointed Sylvester Nzioka as its new Managing Director, effective 13 February 2026, following the exit of former MD Jean Moegi.
As reported by the Kenya Times, the Board said Nzioka’s experience in digital innovation, strategy, and customer experience makes him suited to lead the company’s next phase.
Nzioka brings nearly 20 years of regional insurance experience, including roles as COO at Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Kenya (2024–2025), Chief Strategy Officer at Jubilee Allianz Uganda (2022–2023), and Transformation Lead for Anglophone Africa at Allianz Africa (2019–2022).
He holds a degree in Actuarial Science and a Diploma in Insurance, and is pursuing an MBA in Marketing and Strategic Management at Kenyatta University.
Pacis Insurance, founded in 2005 by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, serves Catholic institutions and the public, offering motor, medical, property, personal accident, and micro-insurance policies nationwide, leveraging agents, brokers, bancassurance partners, and digital platforms for service delivery and customer management.
Kenyan airport workers called off a two-day strike on Tuesday that disrupted flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest hubs.
As reported by Reuters, the strike caused flight delays and cancellations, leaving passengers stranded overnight and some sleeping on the airport floor.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union ended the industrial action following a government-brokered agreement, with the transport ministry assuring that operations at Nairobi and other airports would return to normal, though the timeline for full recovery remained unclear.
The union had proceeded with the strike despite a court order halting industrial action, citing grievances over an incomplete collective bargaining agreement with the aviation authority.
Passengers had reported long hours of uncertainty, disembarkation after delays, and disrupted travel plans, highlighting the strike’s severe impact on travellers and airport operations.
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