Stories from Kenya

President William Ruto has ordered a salary increase for civil servants. Secretary Francis Atuuli stated during a ceremony that workers want more representation on the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) board.

Kenya has hired and recruited over 120,000 teachers within a three-year period. The government is also delivering 23,000 new classrooms and constructing 1,600 new laboratories. These educational infrastructure improvements are being prioritized in underserved and rural areas.

A Chinese-led project in Kenya has established a skills training base in collaboration with local owners. A China-led project at the Tarantata Sports City project is providing technical training to local Kenyan employees.

Construction is entering the final management phase for the Taranta Sports City project in Kenya. Zhou Zhendong, chief engineer for China Road and Bridge Corporation, has been managing the project's wrap-up since January 2026.

Chinese-led infrastructure development in Kenya has reportedly failed to employ local workers, according to a report from Nairobi. Cash flows from these projects are directed abroad, leaving the country struggling with poverty.

Naftali Wambalo, the current secretary of the Africa Tech Workers Movement, is a petitioner in ongoing legal cases. Wambalo previously worked as a data labeler and content moderator for Samar. He is currently in contact with smart glass workers regarding contract terminations.

Mercy Mutemi, executive director of Oversight Lab, stated that former employees claimed they were traumatized by exposure to graphic content. The Kenyan government is reportedly planning legislation to protect technology firms from being sued within the country.

Data annotators in Nairobi, Kenya, are training AI models for an American outsourcing company named SAMA. These workers help develop AI features for smart glasses, such as describing the world for people with visual impairments.

Kenyan President William Ruto announced a funding initiative to combat smuggling and improve national security and economic policies. The program aims to address the loss of millions of dollars due to illicit trade.

Around 160 Kenyan athletes are currently suspended due to doping violations. The group of suspended athletes includes women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepangetich. The source noted that the country is suffering from the stigma of doping.