Ipsos Kenya has released survey findings in Nairobi indicating proposed minimum-fare regulations could reduce ride-hailing demand in Kenya and pressure driver earnings despite higher per-trip fares.

The research dated 22 Sep 2026 surveyed ride-hailing passengers and drivers about how higher fares might affect usage, affordability and livelihoods.

The findings matter for Kenya because ride-hailing supports mobility in Nairobi and other major towns and provides income for thousands of app-based drivers.

“The research highlights the relationship between fares, passenger demand and driver earnings within the ride-hailing market,” said Soyinka Witness, Director, Ipsos Kenya.

According to Ipsos Kenya, 64 per cent of surveyed passengers said they would reduce or stop using ride-hailing services if fares rose.

Within that group, 54 per cent said they would use ride-hailing less frequently.

Another 10 per cent said they would stop using it altogether.

Among passengers anticipating reduced use or stopping altogether, 76 per cent said they would shift to public transport.

Ipsos Kenya said 21 per cent of that group would make fewer trips altogether.

The survey comes as Kenya debates ride-hailing regulation including proposals to set minimum fares.

Ipsos Kenya said ride-hailing remains important to surveyed passengers despite their sensitivity to prices.

The firm said 52 per cent described ride-hailing as “very important or essential” for getting around.

It said 88 per cent attached at least some importance to the service.

Ipsos Kenya said the findings suggest drivers see passenger demand as the main determinant of earnings.

The firm said 65 per cent of surveyed drivers derive at least 75 per cent of their monthly income from ride-hailing.

It said 84 per cent drive seven or more hours daily.

When asked about higher fares, 57 per cent of surveyed drivers said they expect fewer trip requests.

Among those anticipating fewer requests, 65 per cent believe this would reduce their monthly ride-hailing earnings.

Ipsos Kenya said 34 per cent identified higher earnings per trip as a potential impact of higher fares.

Only 17 per cent expect their overall earnings to increase.

The findings suggest higher per-trip compensation may not translate into higher monthly income.

Ipsos Kenya said 58 per cent would find another income source difficult to secure if ride-hailing earnings dropped significantly.

For passengers, Ipsos Kenya said price is not the only factor in choosing a ride-hailing service.

Safety led the considerations as 49 per cent included it among their top two factors.

Affordability and reliability each drew 41 per cent compared with 40 per cent for convenience.

Ipsos Kenya said 55 per cent of surveyed passengers viewed the potential impact of higher minimum fares negatively.

It said 24 per cent viewed the potential impact positively.

The most cited concerns were reduced affordability at 34 per cent and reduced transport access at 21 per cent.

Witness said surveyed passengers had booked a trip through a ride-hailing platform between June and August 2026.

He said passengers indicated fare changes may influence usage frequency while drivers indicated demand changes may affect earnings.

For policymakers and operators, the findings suggest minimum-fare rules could change rider behaviour and driver take-home pay.

Demand could shift to public transport as ride-hailing trip volumes decline.

Further debate is likely as regulators consider rider affordability alongside stable driver earnings.

Ipsos Kenya said the results reflect expectations and perceptions rather than predictions of future market outcomes.

Ipsos Kenya has released research in Nairobi indicating that proposed minimum-fare regulations could reduce ride-hailing demand and put pressure on drivers’ overall earnings.

The research published on 22 Sep 2026 assessed passenger and driver views on how fare increases could affect usage, affordability and livelihoods.

The findings matter to Kenya’s transport market because they address the balance between consumer affordability, driver welfare and the sustainability of app-based mobility platforms.

“The research highlights the relationship between fares, passenger demand and driver earnings within the ride-hailing market.” Soyinka Witness said.

Witness is Director at Ipsos Kenya.

According to the survey, 57 per cent of drivers said they expected higher fares to result in fewer trip requests.

Ipsos Kenya said 65 per cent of drivers earned 75 per cent or more of their monthly income from ride-hailing.

The survey found that 84 per cent of drivers worked seven or more hours a day.

Ipsos Kenya said 64 per cent of surveyed riders would reduce or stop using ride-hailing if fares increased.

The breakdown showed 54 per cent would use ride-hailing less frequently and 10 per cent would stop altogether.

Among respondents, 52 per cent described ride-hailing as “very important or essential,” according to the survey.

Ipsos Kenya said 88 per cent attached at least some importance to the service.

Among passengers expecting to reduce or stop usage, 76 per cent said they would turn to public transport.

Another 21 per cent of that group said they would make fewer trips altogether.

Among drivers anticipating fewer requests, 65 per cent said this would reduce their overall monthly ride-hailing earnings.

The survey found 34 per cent identified higher pay per trip as a potential outcome of increased fares.

However, only 17 per cent expected their overall earnings to increase.

Ipsos Kenya said 58 per cent of drivers would find another income source difficult to secure if ride-hailing earnings dropped significantly.

Safety led passenger considerations when choosing a ride-hailing service, appearing among the top two factors for 49 per cent of respondents.

Affordability and reliability followed at 41 per cent each, according to Ipsos Kenya.

Convenience featured among the top two factors for 40 per cent of passengers.

Ipsos Kenya said 55 per cent perceived higher minimum fares negatively compared with 24 per cent who viewed them positively.

The most frequently cited concerns were reduced affordability at 34 per cent and reduced access to transport at 21 per cent.

Witness described respondents as passengers “who had booked a trip through a ride-hailing platform between June and August 2026”.

Witness said passengers “reported that fare changes may influence how frequently they use these services”.

Witness said “surveyed drivers indicated that changes in demand may affect their earnings”.

Ipsos Kenya said the results reflect reported expectations and perceptions.

The company said the findings “should not be interpreted as forecasts of actual future market behavior.”

The research suggests higher prices could affect ridership and driver incomes as passengers shift towards public transport.

Regulators and industry stakeholders continue consultations on minimum-fare proposals.

Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba tournament has crowned county champions across Kenya’s Eastern Region after weekend finals that determined qualifiers for the regional competition in Embu.

FKF National Coordinator Oliver Kiptoo said the tournament provided a competitive stage for youth players across the region.

“We look forward to the Eastern Region finals as the county champions come together to battle for regional honours,” Kiptoo said.

Safaricom said in a press release dated 21 Sep 2026 that the county finals featured both boys’ and girls’ teams.

The company said the finals took place in Isiolo and Meru.

Finals also took place in Embu and Tharaka Nithi.

Machakos and Kitui hosted county finals.

Makueni and Marsabit also hosted county finals.

According to the statement, county champions in each category received Ksh75,000 and runners-up received Ksh30,000 alongside individual awards.

The tournament matters to Kenya’s grassroots football through corporate support for talent identification and county-level competition.

In Embu County, The Royal Queens Academy won the girls’ title after beating Ishiara Bright Starlets 7-0 at Embu Moi Stadium.

Safaricom said Black Cats Football Academy won the boys’ final 8-1 against Ishiara Bright Academy.

Machakos County’s girls’ final saw MCF Starlets defeat Kibauni Ladies 1-0.

Safaricom said MCF Starlets reached the final after a 1-0 semi-final win over Kisooni Queens.

Kibauni Ladies advanced after drawing 0-0 with Kyumbi All-Stars Queens and winning 5-4 on penalties.

Golden Football Academy won the boys’ county title after a goalless final against Masii Boys and a 4-1 penalty shootout victory.

In Kitui County, Syomunyu Queens won the girls’ title after a 3-0 victory over ISAA Queens FC.

According to the statement, SMPI Academy beat Mwingi Junior Academy 3-0 in the boys’ final to secure the county championship.

Safaricom said Bridge Starlets won the girls’ title and MAFA FC won the boys’ title in Isiolo.

Akuune Queens won the girls’ title and Makinduri Rockstars won the boys’ title in Meru.

AIC Sultan won the girls’ title in Makueni.

Dakabaricha Girls won the girls’ title and Abdary FC won the boys’ title in Marsabit.

Mugona Girls won the girls’ title and Kajiunduthi High won the boys’ title in Tharaka Nithi.

Kiptoo congratulated all county champions and every team that participated in the Eastern Region county finals.

He said the level of competition and talent witnessed across the counties had been encouraging.

He said organisers were pleased to give young footballers a platform to display their abilities and compete at a higher level.

The county and regional finals form part of Safaricom’s broader sports sponsorship activity supporting community engagement and grassroots football structures.

The tournament aligns with Safaricom’s sustained brand investment in sports properties that attract nationwide participation and local audiences.

County-level event activity includes venue use and local services.

Organisers said the regional finals would bring together top boys’ and girls’ teams from the eight counties for regional honours.

They said winners would progress further in the national Chapa Dimba competition.

The Eastern Region finals will take place in Embu on 2 and 3 Oct 2026.

ANZA MMA said all eight professional fights ended in the first round at its third Pro Nights event at Village Market in Nairobi on 19 Sep.

Kenyan bantamweight George “The Maverick” Itumo defeated Angola’s Jorge Correia by armbar submission at the event’s first staging on the venue’s rooftop.

“Tonight is another important step for ANZA MMA and for the growth of professional MMA in Africa,” ANZA MMA founder Peng Chen said.

The event matters to Kenya’s sports and entertainment economy through its combination of live ticketing, sponsorship and digital distribution.

ANZA MMA published the results and its plans for championship belts in a press release dated 21 Sep 2026.

The promotion said athletes represented six African countries: Kenya, Angola, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar and South Sudan.

ANZA MMA said the bouts were livestreamed on YouTube for global audiences.

Digital distribution gives the promotion a way to reach viewers beyond the venue.

Organisers said Angola’s Demarte Pena “The Wolf” attended as a special guest and served as a referee.

Pena is a former EFC and ARES world champion whom ANZA MMA said was an influential figure in African MMA.

ANZA MMA said the card included multiple technical knockout (TKO) stoppages and submissions.

Tanzania’s Rashid Mlegelo defeated Uganda’s Kennedy Serunyange by TKO in a featherweight bout.

Kenya’s Brian Munyi stopped Uganda’s Cyplian Katumba by TKO in another featherweight contest.

Kenya’s Kevin Odongo beat Uganda’s Kasozi Umaru by TKO in the heavyweight division.

South Sudan’s Alhassan Mosala defeated Uganda’s Michael Olara by TKO in a middleweight bout.

Madagascar’s Tsinjo Rakotomaria defeated Uganda’s Lawrence Mukiibi by TKO at lightweight.

Angola’s Daniela Mandanji submitted Uganda’s Rebecca Amongi by rear-naked choke in the women’s flyweight division.

ANZA MMA said this was Mandanji’s professional debut and that she won gold at the 2025 IMMAF Amateur World Championships.

Tanzania’s Chris Tibenda submitted Uganda’s Farouk Ogwal by rear-naked choke in a flyweight bout.

The promotion named Rakotomaria “Fight of the Night” and Odongo “KO of the Night” in its performance recognitions.

Itumo received “Submission of the Night” for his first-round armbar victory in the closing bout.

Chen said the promotion will introduce official branded championship belts at its next planned Pro Fight Nights event in December.

“We are building a platform where fighters can compete, develop and be seen,” Chen said.

Chen said “the introduction of our branded belts is another step in building the identity and legacy of the Pro Fight Nights”.

“We look forward to bringing them to the cage at our next event in December,” Chen said.

The event’s commercial model points towards revenue opportunities from professionally staged live events backed by sponsorships and content rights.

ANZA MMA said CHEZA CHEZA presented the event.

Its supporters included HustleSasa, Cashless, Trademark and Village Market.

Other supporters included VMX, Anyiko Public Relations, Acai Oasis, YouC1000 and Otto Rentals.

ANZA MMA said it is Kenya’s first licensed MMA promotion under the Kenya Oriental Combat Sports Federation.

The promotion said it hosted Kenya’s first professionally sanctioned MMA event in 2025.

It said it has since produced multiple amateur events and three professional events featuring fighters from several African countries.

The promotion did not disclose dates, ticketing details or the venue for the December card in the press release.

Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba grassroots football competition will hold Eastern Region county finals on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026 across eight counties, with winners set to receive KES 75,000 each and advance to the inter-county playoffs, according to a statement issued on September 18.

The matches will be staged in Isiolo, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni and Marsabit. Organisers said more than 60 teams will compete for county titles and progression to the inter-county playoffs, which feed into regional finals.

The organisers said county winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each take home KES 75,000, while runners-up will receive KES 30,000, in addition to “other individual awards”.

Chapa Dimba is one of the private-sector backed youth sports programmes in Kenya that blends community participation with structured competition and prize funding. For Safaricom, a Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed telecommunications company, the tournament also forms part of its wider public-facing initiatives, alongside its consumer and enterprise business lines, including M-PESA, according to the company’s backgrounder included in the release.

“After a successful regional tournament in Nyanza, we are excited to take Chapa Dimba to the Eastern Region for the county finals. More than 60 teams from across the eight counties will battle it out for county honours. Everything is in place, and we look forward to witnessing great talent and exciting matches over the weekend,” Oliver Kiptoo, FKF National Coordinator, said in the statement.

Several fixtures have been scheduled across the counties. In Isiolo, MAFA Academy will play Towfiq FC in the boys’ category at Kiwanjani Grounds, before Garbatulla Queens face Bridge Starlets in the girls’ category at the same venue.

Kitui will stage matches involving 16 teams. In the girls’ category, the statement listed fixtures including Kitui FC Ladies vs Kavalyani Starlets, United Starlets vs ISAA Queens, Mwitaka Starlets vs Nguni Sirens, and Young Starlets vs defending champions Syomunyu Queens at St. Charles Lwanga School. In the boys’ bracket, RMJS will face SMPI Academy, hosts St. Charles Lwanga will play Musengo Senior School, Kiongwe Juniors will face Mwingi Juniors, and Wendea FC will take on Nyanyaa Bullets.

In Machakos, the organisers said Matuu Homeboys will meet Masii Boys Senior School, while Golden Football Academy will face Koma United in the boys’ category. In the girls’ category, Kyumbi All-Stars Queens will play Kibauni Ladies and MCF will face Kisooni Queens, with matches to be held at Machakos Showground and Public Works Field.

Other listed fixtures include City Vultures Academy vs Mikinduri Stars FC and Igane Juniors vs CCM Giantune Boys in Meru, as well as Akuune Queens vs Mwariama Queens and CCM Giantune vs Timberyard Queens in the girls’ category. In Embu, Black Cats Football Academy will play Mufuu JSS, while Ishiara Brights Academy will face Pwani FC at Numbure Grounds; the girls’ fixtures include Ishiara Bright Starlets vs AIC Ndune Queens and Royal Queens Academy vs Kavutiri Lionesses.

Marsabit matches will be played at Marsabit Stadium, with Red Tigers scheduled to face Abdary FC and Turbi FC set to play DG Stingers FC. In Makueni, the boys’ category will feature Mbuthani Secondary School, Mukuyuni School and Kalawa Pride Juniors at Sultan Hamud Stadium, while AIC Sultan Queens will face Kiambani Queens in the girls’ category. In Tharaka Nithi, matches will be played at Kajiunduthi and Kairuni stadiums, the statement said.

Organisers said the Eastern Region finals will be held in Embu on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3, 2026, bringing together qualifying teams from the county phase to compete for regional honours and further progression.

KCB Bank Kenya, RUBiS Energy Kenya and the Kenya Tourism Board have launched Kenya Beyond Sight to promote accessible tourism across Kenya’s Eastern and Coastal regions.

The partners said in a press release dated 17 Sep 2026 that six creators would document the campaign during a five-day excursion.

The initiative matters to Kenya because it brings financial services, fuel retail and destination marketing organisations together to address accessibility in tourism.

The partners said the campaign seeks to move destination storytelling “beyond a predominantly visual experience” towards a multi-sensory approach.

The participating creators are J-Supercharge, Denno Music, Sammy Brayo, Nancy Cosy, Chelah Richards and Delvin Obara.

The partners said the campaign encourages tourism businesses to improve accessibility for travellers with disabilities.

They presented accessibility as a social inclusion issue and an operational consideration for accommodation providers, attractions, transport operators and tour companies.

Rosalind Gichuru is KCB Group Director, Marketing & Communication.

Gichuru said the campaign reflects the bank’s brand purpose and challenges the tourism sector to widen participation.

She said the initiative promotes Kenya’s attractions and encourages a more inclusive way of experiencing the country.

KCB said it would also use the trip to demonstrate cashless payments through its debit and prepaid cards.

Gichuru said the cards would support creators’ payments for accommodation, transport, dining and entry into attraction sites.

She said the bank’s objective was “reducing unnecessary friction when making payments”.

RUBiS Energy Kenya will support the travelling team through its service-station network and cover fuel costs for the journey according to the release.

The company will also provide Enjoy Shop vouchers for snacks, refreshments and other essentials.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said it supported itinerary planning and stakeholder coordination.

The release said KTB worked with the Kenya Wildlife Service to secure complimentary access to Malindi Marine National Park.

KTB also connected the group with Accessible Travel Kenya according to the release.

Accessible Travel Kenya designed the itinerary around the team’s accessibility needs and will provide transport to the Coast.

The group will receive complimentary access to Haller Park courtesy of Bamburi Cement according to the release.

KTB will support destination marketing, storytelling and media engagement throughout the journey.

KTB Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said the campaign seeks to make accessibility part of how Kenya markets and delivers tourism experiences.

“As the Kenya Tourism Board, we believe that our destination must be accessible, welcoming and enjoyable to all visitors,” Chepkemei said.

She said the campaign would promote Kenyan coast attractions and encourage the industry to think more deeply about accessibility.

The campaign comes as industry players pursue growth and respond to changing traveller expectations around inclusion according to the release.

The release cited the World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2026 Economic Impact Research for figures on the sector’s contribution.

The research put Kenya’s travel and tourism contribution in 2025 at about Ksh1.64 trillion (US$12.7 billion).

It said this represented 9.3 per cent of GDP and supported 1.8 million jobs.

The initiative brings corporate partners and tourism institutions together around accessible infrastructure, customer service and transport planning.

The planned card payments and fuel support also link digital banking and service-station networks to travel beyond major hubs.

The partners said creators would document “both the possibilities and the practical considerations” of travelling with disabilities through social channels and media storytelling.

According to the release, the next milestone is completing the five-day route and publishing trip content across platforms alongside KTB’s ongoing stakeholder engagement.

Kenyan engineering students Caroline Mutheu and Esther Leja have won the EV Explorers Rhino Charge 2026 Innovation Challenge in Kenya to secure tuition support and industry placements.

Organisers said the winners study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and will receive support aimed at building electric mobility skills.

KCB Foundation Managing Director Mendi Njonjo said the scholarships would support Kenya’s labour needs in the green economy.

At the awards ceremony Njonjo said: “At KCB Foundation, we are helping shape the workforce required for Kenya’s green transition.”

“Scholarships like these are an important tool for connecting education to applied learning, industry exposure and pathways into employment,” Njonjo said.

According to the press release, each winner will receive a partial scholarship covering up to 75 per cent of their remaining tuition fees.

The package includes a three-month paid internship at Silent Savannah and attendance at the 2027 Rhino Charge as technical observers alongside the EV Explorers crew.

The innovation challenge formed part of Rhino Charge 2026, Kenya’s off-road motorsport fundraiser for conservation.

Organisers said the e-mobility component tested electric technology beyond typical urban use cases and connected students to applied engineering problems in demanding terrain.

The initiative matters to Kenya’s business sector because it connects corporate foundations and motorsport platforms to technical skills for the emerging e-mobility industry.

The release linked the competition to Kenya’s National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and an emerging e-mobility policy framework covering infrastructure, investment and skills development.

It said sector growth increased demand for skills in electrical engineering, battery systems, vehicle design, electronics, energy management and charging infrastructure.

EV Explorers team leader Richard Kiplagat is also a Partner at Africa Practice.

Kiplagat said the programme was designed to translate real-world engineering experience into training opportunities.

“Our mission with EV Explorers is to demonstrate that African engineering can deliver world-class e-mobility solutions in even the most extreme conditions,” Kiplagat said.

He said bringing the winners into the programme would help transfer data and experience to the students.

He said they were “talented young Kenyan women who will help shape the future of sustainable transport.”

The release presented EV Explorers’ participation in the Rhino Charge as a practical test case for off-grid electric mobility.

It said the team participated in the 37th Rhino Charge at Ngilai in Samburu County in May 2026.

According to the release, the team’s vehicle became the first electric vehicle to complete the event.

The vehicle was “designed, fabricated and assembled in Kenya” according to the release.

It completed the course using a 62-kWh battery system supported by an off-grid solar charging solution.

EV Explorers Innovation Challenge Lead Andrew Waititu said the students’ internship would involve hands-on work using vehicle performance data.

“Developing vehicles capable of operating in rough, off-grid terrain requires specialized knowledge of battery thermal management, structural durability and solar integration,” Waititu said.

He said the scholars would use “performance telemetry datasets” during their placement at Silent Savannah.

The work would support chassis, wiring and energy improvements for the team’s 2027 entry.

Organisers also said Rhino Charge served a conservation financing role beyond its mobility activities.

The press release said the 2026 event raised Ksh365 million for conservation of Kenya’s mountain ecosystems.

It said Rhino Charge had raised more than Ksh2.6 billion since its inception.

The release also attributed the construction of about 650 kilometres of electric fencing to Rhino Ark.

It said the fencing aimed to protect forest ecosystems and reduce human-wildlife conflict affecting more than 80,000 households.

The initiative’s focus on battery, power electronics and charging skills could support Kenya’s local assembly and maintenance businesses.

Organisers said Mutheu and Leja were expected to attend as technical observers as EV Explorers prepared its next entry.

The 2027 Rhino Charge is scheduled for 29 May 2027.

KCB Bank Kenya, RUBiS Energy Kenya and the Kenya Tourism Board have launched Kenya Beyond Sight to promote accessible travel across Eastern and Coastal Kenya.

The partners said six creators will document a five-day excursion and examine practical considerations for travellers with disabilities.

The organisers said the campaign aims to “challenge perceptions about disability and tourism” and encourage accessible approaches across accommodation, attractions, transport and tour operations.

The creators are J-Supercharge, Denno Music, Sammy Brayo, Nancy Cosy, Chelah Richards and Delvin Obara.

The campaign encourages Kenyans to experience destinations beyond predominantly visual storytelling.

Accessibility matters to Kenya’s tourism businesses because the sector contributes to national output and employment.

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2026 Economic Impact Research put Kenya’s 2025 tourism contribution at about Ksh1.64 trillion (US$12.7 billion).

The council said travel and tourism accounted for 9.3 per cent of national GDP and supported 1.8 million jobs.

Rosalind Gichuru is KCB Group Director for Marketing & Communication and spoke at the launch.

Gichuru said the campaign connects the bank’s brand purpose and shared value approach with customer experiences in travel and payments.

Gichuru said the initiative involves “encouraging a more inclusive way of experiencing Kenya” and reconsidering how the tourism sector can grow.

She said the campaign presents Kenya’s attractions alongside a more inclusive approach to travel.

Gichuru said KCB will also use the trip to demonstrate its digital payment services through Debit and Prepaid Cards.

She said the cards will support creators’ cashless transactions and reduce unnecessary friction when making payments.

RUBiS Energy Kenya will support the travelling team through its service-station network along the route.

The company will cover fuel costs and provide Enjoy Shop vouchers for snacks and refreshments, according to the statement.

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said it has arranged destination access and coordination for the trip.

KTB said it worked with the Kenya Wildlife Service to secure complimentary entry to Malindi Marine National Park.

The board also connected the team with Accessible Travel Kenya.

Accessible Travel Kenya designed the itinerary around the group’s accessibility needs and will provide transport to the Coast.

The partners said the team will receive complimentary access to Haller Park “courtesy of Bamburi Cement”.

KTB Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said the initiative encourages businesses to examine accessibility as part of visitor experience and destination competitiveness.

“That story must include every person, regardless of age or ability,” Chepkemei said.

Chepkemei said Kenya’s destinations must be accessible and welcoming to all visitors.

She said the campaign offers an opportunity to present attractions along the Kenyan coast and encourage closer industry attention to accessibility.

Chepkemei said the industry should consider how every visitor can explore destinations, participate and feel welcome.

For tourism and hospitality businesses, that focus could influence investment in infrastructure and service design.

Staff training could also become a consideration for attractions and accommodation providers seeking more varied domestic and regional visitor groups.

The partners said the creators will publish content through social channels and media storytelling throughout the journey.

KTB will support destination marketing and media engagement during the trip, with further updates expected as the itinerary progresses.

International Kenyan film Call Me Queen will premiere in Nairobi on October 17, 2026 at the NBO Film Festival, ahead of a wider cinema release across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda from October 30, 2026, according to a press release dated September 16, 2026.

The premiere is scheduled to take place at Prestige Ngong Road from 6pm, with members of the film’s Kenyan and international cast and crew expected to attend, the statement said. The release adds that tickets for the “exclusive Africa red-carpet premiere” are available via YAKWETU at KES 2,500, with the ticket package including a welcome cocktail, screening, cast and crew Q&A and networking.

The announcement is the latest example of a Kenyan-rooted production using regional theatrical distribution and local digital platforms as part of its release strategy, at a time when cinema exhibition in East Africa is increasingly shaped by partnerships between distributors, festival platforms and streaming services. The multi-country rollout may also support box-office performance by expanding the addressable audience beyond Kenya’s major urban markets.

Call Me Queen was filmed in Kenya and is directed by French-Iranian filmmaker Emily Atef. According to the press release, it features a cast that includes Eliane Umuhire, Denise Gough, Charlie Carrick, Dominic West, Laurent Lafitte and Danny Sapani, alongside Kenyan actors Michelle Tiren, Nice Githinji, Lwanda Jawar, Helen Keli, Peter Kawa and Eddie Kimani.

The screenplay is based on veteran foreign correspondent Lara Santoro’s novel Mercy and was written by Emily Atef, Kenyan-Ghanaian author Hawa Essuman, German filmmaker Josune Hahnheiser and British writer Jeannine Dominy, the release said.

The film is set in Nairobi in 1999 during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and follows Queen Achungo (played by Umuhire), described in the statement as a Rwandan refugee and single mother living in Korogocho, and Anna (played by Gough), an international journalist newly arrived in Kenya. The story centres on their relationship and their efforts to address unequal access to HIV medication, according to the press release.

Speaking in the statement, director Emily Atef said: “Queen is the undisputed heroine of the film, a woman whose resilience and natural leadership emerge as her personal struggle grows into a fight for her community. Her strength, humour and fearlessness and innate intelligence is what makes her a born leader. Queen and the people around her take control of their own struggle and fight for change on their own terms.”

The East Africa distribution is being handled by Crimson Multimedia and YAKWETU. Their joint CEO, Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, said the film will reach cinemas across the region from October 30 and later be available online via YAKWETU. “We are also inviting Partnerships for Impact Screenings on the critical Issues raised of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Detection & Treatment (amidst its current Resurgence); Equal Access to Healthcare, Information & Medicine for all Diseases; Women Empowerment & Activism for Social Justice; and the Importance of Community and Friendship,” Buddhdev-Patel said in the release.

In its editor’s notes, the statement describes Call Me Queen as an international production involving Ringel Film, Les Films Pelléas, Cowboy Films and Streetcar Productions, with co-production partners including Zischlermann Filmproduktion, Construction Film and Ascent Films. The press release also notes the film has been selected for international festivals, including the Hamburg Film Festival in Germany.

For Kenya’s film and creative economy, the combination of festival premiere, multi-territory theatrical release and subsequent streaming availability reflects a hybrid distribution approach that could help locally shot productions maximise revenues and visibility across East Africa.

The next milestone is the Nairobi premiere on October 17, followed by the regional cinema release on October 30, the statement said.

Amsons Group has broken ground on the first of 10 mother-and-child Level 4 hospitals it plans to construct across Kenya under a KES 4.5 billion (US$35 million) grant, with the inaugural facility launched in Chebunyo, Bomet County, at an event presided over by President William Ruto.

The project, branded “Amsons Mama na Mtoto Kwanza”, will be delivered under a Build, Equip, and Transfer (BoT) model in partnership with the Ministry of Health, according to the media release issued by the company. The group said the 10 facilities will be located in Nairobi (two hospitals), Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot, and are targeted for completion within two years.

The development adds to Kenya’s ongoing push to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by expanding access to higher-level facilities, particularly outside major urban centres. Level 4 hospitals serve as key county referral facilities in Kenya’s health system, providing inpatient services, maternity care and more advanced diagnostics than primary care facilities.

At the Bomet event, Amsons Group Managing Director Edha Nahdi said the company’s foundation would finance the programme and deliver the facilities on an accelerated timeline. “This ceremony marks the beginning of a major commitment by Amsons Group to support the Government of Kenya in improving access to quality maternal, newborn and child healthcare,” Nahdi said.

He added: “Through Amsons Group Foundation, we are investing US$ 35 million to establish ten mother-and-child hospitals across Kenya within two years. This Level 4 facility in Chebunyo is the first of those ten hospitals and will set the standard for the facilities that will follow.” At an indicative exchange rate of about KES 129 per US dollar, the investment equals roughly KES 4.5 billion (US$35 million).

Amsons said each of the 10 hospitals will have a 250-bed capacity and is intended to serve women seeking pre- and postnatal care in remote and rural locations. The company stated that national and county governments would support operations through staffing and medical supplies.

The media release positioned the initiative as a private-sector contribution to maternal health outcomes, citing “available statistics” indicating that “5,000 children and 3,600 mothers die at delivery,” and that “26 counties” are identified as high-burden maternal death counties. The statement did not cite the source of these statistics.

President Ruto, according to the release, linked the hospitals to the government’s health infrastructure agenda. He said Amsons Group’s support would help deepen ongoing health infrastructure expansion under the national Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) project. The President said the Ministry of Health intends to implement the HSS Project to increase the number of adequately equipped health facilities, especially at Level 4 and 5, to serve as first points of access for inpatient care, referrals, emergency and critical services, and advanced diagnostics and treatment.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the project highlights a growing model where large corporates and foundations finance public-service infrastructure under structured partnerships such as BoT arrangements. If executed on schedule, the programme could also create construction and equipment procurement opportunities across multiple counties, while shifting long-term operating responsibility to public health authorities.

Next steps will include construction progress at Chebunyo and confirmation of groundbreaking timelines for the remaining nine sites, as well as details of procurement, handover milestones and operational readiness plans between the Ministry of Health and the respective county governments.