AGP Executive Report

Offshore Oil Watch: Earth Insight warns Kenya’s revived offshore oil and gas licensing could threaten Lamu and Anza basin coral reefs, mangroves, protected areas and fisheries, as the government prepares a new round of exploration blocks. School Safety & Discipline: After the Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire, Kenya’s school unrest debate is back in focus, with calls to strengthen discipline and renewed arguments over whether corporal punishment should return. Water Access: Marsabit marks the Day of the African Child with a clear message: many children still face long treks and unsafe conditions because universal water, sanitation and hygiene is not yet guaranteed. Climate & Weather: Kenya Met flags very cold nights in parts of Central, Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria basin, with temperatures dropping to around 4°C in some areas. Agriculture Finance: Nairobi hosts the FINAS 2026 summit aimed at closing Africa’s $100bn+ agri-food financing gap and pushing for results-focused investment. Conservation Data: Kenya moves toward a national wildlife database to strengthen conservation planning and monitoring. Community-Led Planning: The state pushes grassroots data and planning closer to people, aiming to improve targeting and implementation based on local realities.

Water Access Crisis: OpBlue’s water trucks delivered thousands of litres to Esonorua Primary and Junior School south of Nairobi after months of low rainfall, easing a situation where lack of water and food had driven absences. Water & Child Safety: In Marsabit, children marked the Day of the African Child with renewed calls for universal water, sanitation and hygiene, highlighting how water scarcity means long treks, missed lessons and unsafe coping. School Unrest & Learning Protection: Education CS Julius Ogamba and Gender CS Hanna Wendot warned that unrest and arson are derailing learning, urging parents and mentors to curb violence and scale school mentorship and feeding support. Tea & Land Rights: KTGA condemned alleged court-order violations at Sambret Estate in Kericho, saying unlawful intrusions threaten workers’ safety, community welfare and conservation. Marine Conservation Under Threat: Earth Insight warned Kenya’s revived offshore oil and gas licensing could endanger coral reefs, mangroves and protected coastal areas, including fisheries and coastal communities. Climate & Cold Weather Alert: Kenya Met warned of very cold nights (down to 4°C) and intermittent showers across parts of Central, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria basin and Northern Kenya. Green Planting Push: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy campaign says 8+ billion seedlings are ready for planting, as forest cover rebounds and fruit trees are prioritized. Agri Inputs for Resilience: Busia farmers received 24 tonnes of cotton seed as revival efforts expand, using e-vouchers and partnerships to restore the cotton value chain. Nature-Based Restoration: African Forest Forum reports pilot nature-based solutions across Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda improved livelihoods while restoring ecosystems, with women and youth leading change. Ocean Conference Momentum: Kenya is set to host the Our Ocean Conference, with global focus on sustainable ocean financing and marine governance.

Our Ocean Conference Prep: Kenya is in the final stretch to host the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (16–18 June), with senior officials inspecting venues and Moi International Airport to lock in readiness for global ocean governance talks. Conservation & Biodiversity: Kenya Wildlife Service is investigating a viral video allegedly showing destruction of rare giant lobelias on high mountains, warning it will act if claims are proven. Climate & Land Use: Officials marked World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought by stressing rangeland protection as key to food security and climate resilience, urging better conservation and use of indigenous knowledge. Water & Disaster Response: KTDA compensated 44 families with KSh 12 million after the Gura Hydro canal overflow damaged farms during heavy rains. Wildlife News: Kenya’s conservation story also echoes abroad as Grevy’s zebra foals are born in zoos, highlighting the species’ endangered status and habitat pressures. Governance & Environment Institutions: CJ Martha Koome reappointed members to the National Environment Tribunal and other bodies, while cabinet secretaries made related appointments affecting public service delivery. Waste-to-Value Fashion: Mombasa’s “Ricky Bags” theme of turning waste into value is echoed in Nairobi’s sustainable fashion push, where textile waste from mitumba is upcycled into new products.

Ocean Conference Prep: Kenya is in the final stretch to host the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (16–18 June), with senior officials inspecting venues and airport readiness to position the country in global ocean governance. Rangelands & Climate Resilience: Ahead of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, officials stress that protecting and restoring Africa’s drylands is vital for food security, pastoral livelihoods and climate adaptation. Marine Planning: Kenya’s National Marine Spatial Plan is moving forward as five coastal counties validate draft proposals, aiming to balance ocean use with conservation and community interests. Wildlife Data Push: Kenya plans to launch a National Wildlife Database next year to consolidate scattered wildlife information for better conservation planning and policy. Oil Spill Preparedness: LAPSSET has begun oil spill training in Lamu to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response as maritime oil operations ramp up. Fisheries Management: Kenya is boosting fisheries data collection with trackers and a centralized digital platform to help fishers and government make better decisions amid dwindling catches. School Safety: After the Utumishi Academy dormitory fire that killed 16 learners, Red Cross data shows 47 school fires since January and Ruto vows stronger safety measures. People-Centred Sustainability: Stakeholders at a sustainability town hall urge ESG efforts to put communities and workers at the centre of development planning. Conservation & Biodiversity: Kenya’s conservation push also includes efforts to improve wildlife monitoring and protect habitats, while regional conservation updates highlight species reintroductions.

Wildlife & Biodiversity: A Kenya field experiment links elephant loss to coextinction of dung beetles, showing how removing one “waste” provider can unravel savanna food webs. Conservation Enforcement: Marsabit police arrested three suspects and recovered 13 elephant tusks in an intelligence-led raid, underscoring ongoing wildlife trafficking pressure. Climate & Weather: Kenya Met warns the next three months are largely dry before El Niño rains later in the year, with western areas seeing depressed rainfall. Finance & Climate Action: KCB says it disbursed Sh48.8bn in green loans in 2025 and screened Sh587.9bn for environmental and social due diligence, reaching 25.8% of lending to green projects. Budget & Governance: Kenya’s 2026/27 budget boosts allocations for governance and anti-corruption institutions, while Treasury plans a new Planning Bill to better align national priorities with spending. Women & Climate Risk: UN-linked reporting highlights women and girls as disproportionately affected by climate disasters, especially in rural areas dependent on land and natural resources.

Wildlife & Anti-Poaching: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shared footage of keepers guiding a group of bull elephants back into Tsavo Park after they got stuck outside the fence, in a joint response with KWS to cut human-wildlife conflict. Poaching Crackdown: Marsabit police arrested three suspected poachers and recovered 13 elephant tusks in an intelligence-led raid on a residential house in Majengo, with the tusks held as exhibits pending court. El Niño Watch: NOAA declared El Niño has returned, with forecasts warning of more extreme weather and higher temperatures, though impacts will vary. Road Safety: UNEP and Vital Strategies urged Kenya to redesign roads to protect pedestrians and cyclists after police data showed 2,082 crash deaths from Jan 1 to May 27, up 10% year-on-year. Budget & Environment: Treasury defended the 2026/27 fiscal strategy while outlining allocations that include water and flood control, forest conservation, tree-growing, and environment management. Clean Cooking Summit: Kenya’s 2026 Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa was postponed, with a virtual high-level session planned to keep momentum. Climate Risk & Gender: UN-linked reporting highlights how climate shocks hit women and girls hardest, worsening access to health and services. Clean Energy Jobs: Gulf Energy announced 39 vacancies ahead of Kenya’s first oil project, targeting first oil by Dec 1, 2026. Conservation Science: A study warns that losing elephants could trigger ecosystem coextinctions, including sharp declines in dung beetles.

Climate Finance: Kenya became the first African country to receive Santiago Network loss-and-damage funding, securing Sh90m to map communities hit by droughts, floods and crop failures over the past decade. Disaster Preparedness: Kenya enacted the National Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026, creating a permanent national authority for early warning, hazard assessments and preparedness drills—aimed at ending years of reactive, fragmented emergency response. Blue Economy: Kenya is edging toward its first Marine Spatial Plan, with Cabinet approval and a 20-year framework to balance marine protection and livelihoods across coastal counties and the EEZ. Wildlife Rescue: KWS plans to relocate and expand the Nairobi Animal Orphanage into a larger 22-hectare conservation complex, plus new orphanages in Kwale, Nanyuki and the northeast. Ocean Conference Build-up: Ahead of the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (June 16–18), Kenya says the blue economy could unlock Sh350bn, with focus on fisheries, marine pollution, protected areas and maritime security. Energy & Cost Pressure: CBK cut its 2026 growth forecast to 4.9% citing higher fuel costs, while government signalled further diesel price relief to ease business costs. Digital Inclusion: Kenya committed to permanent digital access for all citizens, shifting from pilots to national systems—framed as a baseline public right. AI & Environment: A new documentary highlights the human and environmental costs behind AI, linking data centres’ power and water use to broader exploitation concerns.

Ocean Conference build-up: Kenya will host the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (June 16–18), with government saying the blue economy could unlock Sh350bn, alongside pledges on fisheries, marine pollution and “30 by 30” protection goals. Ocean Interfaith push: Faith leaders, artisanal fishers and scientists will meet at the Ocean Interfaith Forum to launch Faiths for 30×30 and register time-bound ocean pledges ahead of the summit. Climate finance win: Kenya secured technical support from the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage to assess climate-related losses over the past decade, backed by about Sh90.6m. Biodiversity & heritage science: Experts gathered in Nairobi for a conference on harnessing biodiversity and cultural heritage for development, highlighting the “Flora of Kenya” plant documentation work. Drylands resilience: Makueni farmers are using climate-smart practices like zai pits, mulching and crop diversification to keep producing despite erratic rains. Waste management alarm: Experts called for sustainable financing and stronger enforcement to tackle waste management gaps. Digital governance for environment-adjacent planning: Kakamega launched an online platform to streamline construction approvals and compliance checks. EU-Kenya green/digital ties: The EU and Kenya deepened cooperation under Global Gateway, including clean transport and connectivity for public services.

Nairobi National Park Under Fire: Protesters and civil society groups say Kenya Wildlife Service plans for an animal orphanage and parking inside Nairobi National Park threaten the park’s ecological integrity, with critics pointing to unclear project size and shifting figures on vehicle capacity, while arrests followed a peaceful demonstration. Waste and Plastic Pressure: Equity Bank officials marked World Environment Day with a beach clean-up and renewed calls for strict enforcement of waste management rules, warning plastics are harming the marine ecosystem and tourism. Hazardous Agrochemicals Push: Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe urged a global crackdown on hazardous farm chemicals, saying farmers in developing countries still face banned or restricted inputs. Youth Climate Funding: KCDF opened applications for the 2025 Young Environmentalist Innovative Challenge, offering grants up to KES 1.5m for individuals and KES 5m for organisations to scale solutions in climate resilience, circular economy, renewables and restoration. Water Project Accountability: MPs ordered termination and blacklisting of contractors linked to delays in a Ksh45.5bn water and sanitation programme across 58 towns. Ebola Quarantine Row (Context): Coverage continues on Kenya’s politically charged Ebola quarantine facility dispute, with court orders pushing for disclosure and public debate widening beyond health.

Blue Economy & Jobs: President Ruto says Kenya and Norway are exploring new shipping routes linking Mombasa and Lamu to Norwegian ports, alongside green shipping cooperation and technology transfer; he also announced 1,000 Kenyan seafarer jobs in Norway by 2030, with the first 120 expected by December. Climate Loss & Damage: Kenya became the first African country to secure Santiago Network technical assistance to assess climate-related loss and damage over the past decade, aiming to guide policy and resource mobilization. Health & Climate Resilience: Stakeholders warn Kenya’s health system is struggling with climate shocks, from floods and droughts to supply-chain risks, pushing for faster climate-health adaptation and stronger safeguards against counterfeit medicines. School Public Health Oversight: Kenya’s health practitioners union questions Education’s school inspection tours for excluding health experts, warning outbreaks need trained public health officers. Marine Conservation Agenda: Ahead of the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (16–18 June), global voices call for stronger fisheries governance, including ending harmful subsidies and better oversight of unmanaged waters. Waste & Flood-Proof Sanitation: In Nyando’s deluge-hit villages, flood-resilient toilets are restoring dignity and safety, while broader sanitation efforts highlight the need to move beyond fragile, flood-prone systems. Ebola Preparedness (Regional Watch): Nigeria approved a presidential Ebola task force and released N10bn for airport screening and emergency readiness as outbreaks resurface in neighbouring countries.

Nairobi National Park Clash: Riot police fired tear gas and arrested at least nine people, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, as protests erupted over plans to build inside the park—KWS says it’s needed to expand the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, while activists warn of wildlife and public participation concerns. EU–Kenya Digital Push: President Ruto secured €102m (Sh15.37bn) under the EU–Kenya Digital Partnership plus €37m for the Blue Raman cable extension, aiming to boost connectivity, cut costs and grow jobs in Kenya’s tech sector. Floods Hit Arid Heartlands: Rising Lake Baringo waters submerged roads, villages and businesses, forcing long detours and raising disease fears—another reminder that climate shocks are already disrupting livelihoods. Road Safety Overhaul: KeNHA plans a road safety audit covering about 2,500km of high-risk highways under the Isiolo–Mandera corridor, to identify gaps and recommend safer interventions. Food Safety Spotlight: Kakuma slaughterhouse improvements highlight how training and basic hygiene tools can cut contamination and protect public health. Weather Watch: Kenya Met says most areas will stay generally dry, with rainfall possible in parts of the Rift Highlands and Coast. Conservation Alarm: A World Environment Day forum heard warnings that weak enforcement of environmental laws is undermining food security, health and the economy.

Nairobi National Park standoff: Riot police fired tear gas and arrested at least nine people, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, during protests against plans to build inside Nairobi National Park—critics warn of habitat loss and encroachment, while KWS says the Nairobi Animal Orphanage upgrade is a conservation and animal-welfare necessity. Wildlife health boost: Kenya Wildlife Service opened a new Laboratory in Northern Kenya (LiNK) at Lewa Conservancy to speed up veterinary diagnostics for wildlife and livestock across remote northern landscapes. Green transition science ties: Chinese and Kenyan researchers renewed a partnership to protect biodiversity hotspots and strengthen habitat resilience, food and water security. Marine focus for World Oceans Day: Kenya marked World Oceans Day in Kilifi, reaffirming commitments to protect marine ecosystems and support the blue economy. Hazardous chemicals pushback: Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe called for global action to stop unsafe agricultural chemicals being sold in countries with weaker rules. Eco mobility innovation: A Nairobi startup is making bamboo bicycles as a climate-friendly transport option. Waste management lesson (elsewhere): Ghana stakeholders urged a shift from landfill-heavy disposal to engineered waste treatment systems as funding gaps loom.

Mangrove livelihoods in Kwale: Women in Tsunza-Gutu are earning millions from mangrove restoration, with 100,000 trees planted to revive fisheries and prawns. Wildlife health and One Health: KWS launched a regional veterinary laboratory at Lewa Conservancy to boost disease surveillance and rapid response across Northern Kenya. Nairobi Animal Orphanage row: KWS defended plans to relocate and upgrade the historic orphanage, saying it will improve welfare and veterinary capacity inside Nairobi National Park. Human-elephant conflict management: KWS translocated elephants from Meru Rhino Sanctuary and Rapsu after repeated fence breaches and crop damage. Waste-to-value push: Türkiye’s TIKA showcased zero-waste projects at a forum in Istanbul, highlighting jobs, skills transfer and recycling outcomes. Clean mobility in Kenya: YADEA debuted its Africa-focused electric motorcycle at Autoexpo Kenya, targeting boda boda logistics with battery-swapping support. Tourism shift to remote work: Kenya Tourism Board says digital nomads are reshaping tourism demand beyond safaris. Kenya-EU trade drive: President Ruto’s Europe tour aims to speed up Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement benefits for exports like tea, coffee and cut flowers. Budget pressure on environment-linked spending: Parliament’s 2026/27 budget report flags declining capital spending and rising debt servicing, raising concerns for infrastructure delivery.

Forest Crime & Livelihoods: A new report warns illegal logging and forest resource extraction are being driven by poverty, weak enforcement and corruption, with networks of suppliers and middlemen targeting indigenous trees and trading raw forest products. Sand Extraction Pressure: UNEP highlights how massive global sand mining threatens rivers, coasts and ecosystems, as demand for construction materials keeps rising. Wildlife Trade Watch: World Animal Protection reports Kenya’s captive-bred reptile exports have surged, while most traded species are declining in the wild—raising sustainability and monitoring concerns. Digital Inclusion for PWDs: Safaricom and Vodacom are cited as examples of how telecoms can improve access for persons with disabilities through assistive technologies and more inclusive service design. Ebola Preparedness & Governance: Coverage flags how the Central Africa Ebola crisis is expanding under conflict and weak health systems, while Kenya’s proposed Ebola quarantine facility faces legal and transparency challenges. Blue Economy & Ports: Kenya Ports Authority moves ahead with Mombasa berth expansion to handle larger ships as cargo volumes rise. Local Climate/Community Signals: TIKA showcases zero-waste and recycling projects, including waste-to-fuel and recycling initiatives linked to Kenya, while a Nairobi marathon pairs the event with air-sensor monitoring and a tree legacy plan.

Wildlife Trade Watch: Kenya’s legal exotic pet trade is surging, with captive-bred reptiles exported far more than a decade ago, while 77% of traded species are still declining in the wild—raising alarms about loopholes and weak monitoring. River Pollution & Food Security: Environmentalists in Machakos warn that heavily polluted rivers and sewerage discharge are threatening agriculture and aquaculture, with residents citing pungent smells and health risks. Climate Action With Livelihoods: Deputy President Joyce Kithure urged climate action that protects nature and boosts food security, highlighting community clean-ups and climate-smart farming through her SaVE Communities initiative. Water Safety: A global assessment flags unsafe drinking water as a major health risk, with many African countries among the worst affected due to infrastructure gaps and sanitation challenges. Urban Planning Accountability: The Architectural Association of Kenya criticised ODPP moves to charge Nairobi’s Urban Planning Technical Committee members over the South C/Manzil building collapse, arguing advisory bodies lack final approval authority. Green Cities Finance: Shelter Afrique’s 45th AGM in Rabat will focus on financing inclusive, green, resilient urban development and affordable housing. Energy & Investment Push: France’s Macron announced a €23bn Africa investment plan at the Africa Forward Summit, targeting energy, agriculture, digital, industry and maritime—framing it as shifting from aid to investment.

World Environment Day & Climate Action: Deputy President’s spouse Dr Joyce Kithure urged Kenyans to treat the climate crisis as a daily reality, linking environmental care with food security and livelihoods through her SaVE Communities push for climate-smart farming. River Pollution Alarm (Machakos): Environmentalists in Athi River say rivers are heavily polluted by industrial raw effluent, threatening agriculture and aquaculture, as communities marked the day with tree planting. Farm Weather Guidance: Kenya Met advised farmers on moisture-saving practices for a June outlook of near-average to below-average rains, including mulching, minimum tillage, tied ridges and rainwater harvesting. Lake Region Agribusiness Boost: LBDA launched a sunflower programme targeting over 3,000 farmers to diversify crops and improve resilience and incomes. Waste Management Push (Nairobi): Stakeholders called for stronger enforcement and inclusive systems, including EPR, to cut pollution and climate risks in the city. Forest Law Backlash: The Green Belt Movement warned that new forest law changes could open public forests to roads and utilities, including concerns over Imenti Forest encroachment plans. Climate Disclosure for Business: A commentary explains why IFRS S1/S2 climate reporting is moving from “nice pages” to real risk disclosure for Kenyan companies. FINAS 2026 Summit: Nairobi will host a major agri-food financing summit aimed at closing a $100bn gap and unlocking capital for farmers and agri-enterprises.