Kenya faces economic and political scrutiny over taxes, trade, and corruption

Kenya is in the spotlight for a mix of economic and political developments. The country's finance controller, Nyakang’o, warned against becoming an 'IMF puppet' while seeking financial support, and President William Ruto's government is facing criticism for its tax policies, which some say heavily burden the middle class.

Separately, a financial filing exposed a share deal involving the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition. On the trade front, Kenya's exports to the UK reached a record high, and President Donald Trump renewed a key trade program, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), for one year, providing relief for Kenyan exports. Other stories include a debate over a carbon credit project's closure and a major corruption scandal involving over 71 million euros in diverted health insurance funds.