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30 August 2026
Morning: Creators' 5pc tax, police EVs, cybercrime appeal and KQ's four gongs
Google moves to withhold 5pc tax on Kenyan YouTube earnings; the State appeals to restore struck-down cybercrime 'fake news' clauses; 1,200 EVs head to police stations; NCBA and BasiGo finance 1,000 electric vehicles; and Kenya Airways takes four World Travel Awards.
Kenya/Nairobi
State appeals to Supreme Court to restore cybercrime 'false information' offences
The Speaker of the National Assembly has asked the Supreme Court to revive two Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act clauses the Court of Appeal struck down in March.
On 27 August, the Speaker of the National Assembly filed a Supreme Court appeal targeting Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act — the offences of publishing false information, which carry fines of up to Sh5 million or two years in jail. The Court of Appeal had declared them unconstitutional in March for being broad enough to catch satire and ordinary opinion. The State argues a narrow reading targets only those who knowingly and deliberately spread false claims with intent to cause harm, and warns the strike-down leaves investigations uncertain ahead of the 2027 election cycle. Free-speech groups such as ARTICLE 19 welcomed the March ruling, and Strathmore's CIPIT noted Section 23 had effectively reintroduced criminal defamation.
Government to put 1,200 electric vehicles in police stations by year-end
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen says 1,200 electric vehicles are at the procurement stage and will be sent to police stations countrywide to fix transport gaps.
Murkomen announced the plan at the 149th Kenya Police Service pass-out parade at the National Police College in Kiganjo, Nyeri, on 28 August. He said the EVs are currently at the procurement stage and will help address a persistent community complaint — that police stations lack vehicles to respond to incidents. It is part of a wider push to modernise the National Police Service and improve response times. The shift also leans on Kenya's e-mobility drive, though the rollout depends on charging infrastructure keeping pace.
Kenya Airways named Africa's Leading Airline 2026, wins four gongs
Kenya Airways took four honours at the World Travel Awards Africa gala in Zanzibar, including Africa's Leading Airline 2026.
At the 2026 World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony in Zanzibar, KQ was named Africa's Leading Airline and Africa's Leading Airline — Economy Class, while its Pride Lounge at JKIA won Africa's Leading Airline Lounge and its Msafiri magazine won Africa's Leading Inflight Magazine. The carrier beat rivals including Ethiopian Airlines to the top airline title. The recognition adds to KQ's four-award haul in 2025 and matters for a national carrier still working to turn brand strength into steady profits.
Tech
Google to withhold 5pc tax on Kenyan YouTube and AdSense earnings from September
From 1 October, Google will deduct a 5 per cent Kenyan withholding tax on YouTube and AdSense earnings paid to creators based in Kenya, after a 28 August notice.
On 28 August, Google told Kenyan creators using AdSense for YouTube to submit their KRA PINs by 1 October, citing the Income Tax Act. The 5 per cent withholding first applies to September 2026 earnings paid out in October, so creators will feel it from their next eligible payments. On finalised earnings of Ksh100,000, Ksh5,000 is withheld before any other deductions. Creators have pushed back, arguing there is little government support for the digital creative industry even as it taxes the income. The move links Kenya's tax laws directly to global platforms paying local creators.
NCBA and BasiGo seal financing for 1,000 electric vehicles
NCBA and Nairobi-based BasiGo have partnered to finance 1,000 electric vehicles, easing the upfront cost of switching matatus and vans to electric.
Announced 27 August, the deal lets PSV SACCOs and established operators finance up to 90 per cent of a vehicle's value over 60 months, while individual SACCO members can access up to 80 per cent over 48 months, both at a 1.5 per cent processing fee. It also combines with BasiGo's Pay-As-You-Drive model, which spreads payments as operators use the vehicle. The partnership advances BasiGo's target of 1,000 electric buses on Kenyan roads by 2027 and sits under NCBA's KES 2 billion e-mobility financing programme, of which the bank says it has already deployed more than KES 800 million. The government says registered EVs rose from 1,378 in 2022 to 39,324 in 2025.