By Cantona Joseph Published on: March 19, 2026 07:05 (EAT)

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As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalates, businesses and shipping companies are growing increasingly concerned over disruptions to the global supply chain.

In Kenya, the Port of Mombasa is already feeling the impact, with vessels headed for the Middle East docking in large numbers.

Maritime stakeholders say over 3,200 vessels are stranded at the Strait of Hormuz, driving shipping and insurance costs up, in some cases doubling them.

The tensions have forced the vessel Grande Florida Palermo to dock at the Port of Lamu. The ship, originally headed from Japan to Jebel Ali Port in Saudi Arabia, offloaded over 3,500 vehicles, which will remain in Lamu until stability returns in the Middle East.

This is the second vessel to dock in Lamu in less than two weeks, as the Port of Mombasa similarly sees a surge in ship traffic and cargo destined for the Middle East.

“The business is picking up; we are even constrained in terms of capacity and space. But with the support of the government, we are doing everything we can to build capacity so that we can meet the demand. ” The demand is really overwhelming on our side,” said KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto.

Kenya Ships Agents Association CEO Elijah Mbaru added, “Ships now are opting to drop cargo that was destined to the Middle East in other safer ports, especially in Southeast Asia, and we have seen some of the ports are already choked like Nehru Port; it’s at 65%.”

The most affected route is the Strait of Hormuz, with over 3,200 vessels stranded, representing about 20 per cent of global oil and cargo shipments.

The current challenge remains the threat from Iran, which has warned of attacks on vessels that defy its directives, forcing ships to alter routes and increasing both transport and insurance costs.

“The charter fee has jumped from 100,000 USD to 400,000 USD. Exporters of tea and coffee to the Middle East are now in limbo as they seek alternative markets. ships are now forced to take detours, sometimes adding 10 to 14 days to their journeys,” Mbaru added.

Stakeholders in the sector say some vessels have already suspended their voyages, leading to delays in the arrival of cargo into the country.

Eastleigh traders decry wave of abductions as businessman remains missing

A screengrab of the alleged abducted businessman Abdi Aidid Ali.

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The Eastleigh business community, human rights defenders and families of abduction victims are urging the State to take urgent action against a growing wave of enforced disappearances in the area.

A chilling pattern is now emerging in Eastleigh after four prominent businessmen were snatched in a string of brazen abductions within just ten days. 

Human rights defenders, the business community and affected families say the men were taken in late-night operations by individuals believed to be state agents—raids that have left more questions than answers.

Three of the victims have since been released under unclear circumstances and reunited with their families, with one walking free even as a media briefing was ongoing.

But for the family of Haji Abdi Aidid Ali, the ordeal is far from over. Their father remains missing, and the uncertainty is deepening their anguish.

“We are appealing to the government to please help us bring our dad home. We are at the end of Ramadhan, but we are likely to celebrate it without our father… our family is stressed,” said Jamal Abdi, son of Haji Abdi.

Haki Africa Activist Hussein Khalid said, “Families all over are preparing for Idd but his family remains sorrowful, not knowing the fate of the leader of their family, not knowing the fate of their father. The entire community in Eastleigh is worried about him. The manner in which he was abducted points to the government’s hand in this.”

Witnesses say the operations were precise and well-coordinated, carried out by armed individuals using high-end vehicles. In the case of Haji Abdi, he was intercepted on March 7 while heading for evening prayers. His car was later found abandoned by the roadside.

Eleven days on, the prominent businessman remains missing, as the search for answers grows more urgent.

“He was taken by armed men dressed in jungle green uniforms. Since that time, his whereabouts remain unknown. His family has been left in a state of anguish and profound sorrow,” said Eastleigh business community chair Ahmed Abdullahi.

The Eastleigh business community and residents say they are increasingly alarmed by the wave of abductions and the silence from authorities.

“The disappearance of our member under such troubling circumstances has created deep disturbance and anxiety among the community. We are making a strong humanitarian request for those holding him, please release him to the family,” Abdullahi added.

Khalid, on his part, said, “Our cry is to the State and specifically President Ruto, who, before ascending to power, promised that abductions would be a thing of the past. We are surprised that under his rule, extrajudicial killings are happening, people are being abducted, and there are rampant cases of forced disappearance. Why is he allowing that to happen?”

Those who were abducted and later released are now undergoing counselling, with many still afraid to speak publicly about their ordeal.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamoud has urged all victims to come forward and record statements at his office to enable prompt police action.

The family of Abdi sued the State last week over the alleged abduction of their father.

The case was filed through lawyer Mwaura Wakabata of Alakonya & Associates, who says the petitioner was forcibly taken by men believed to be officers of the Inspectorate General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on March 7, 2026, at around 7:40 pm along Mohammed Yusuf Haji Avenue (formerly 1st Avenue).

“My client was forcibly removed from his vehicle, registration KDJ 941F, by masked men who have since refused to reveal his location,” said Wakabata.

Hotel boom in East Africa signals tourism potential

Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania host some of the highest shares of projects under construction

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East Africa is emerging as the continent’s most dynamic hotel construction zone, signalling a new phase in Africa’s tourism and business travel expansion.

While North Africa dominates total investment volumes, the projects most actively progressing toward completion are increasingly concentrated in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

The shift reflects growing investor confidence in East Africa’s tourism economies, aviation connectivity and expanding conference markets.

Industry analysts say the region now hosts some of the highest shares of hotel projects already under construction anywhere on the continent.

New data released in the 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report by W Hospitality Group shows that Africa’s hotel development pipeline has reached a record 123,846 rooms across 675 hotels and resorts.

The pipeline expanded by 18.6 per cent year-on-year, underscoring continued investor interest in the continent’s hospitality sector.

Sector analysts say the region is increasingly showing what a mature and connected hospitality market looks like in Africa.

“It has the aviation links, the conference traffic, the safari brand and the domestic business travel base to support new hotel stock. That combination is what investors look for,” Dodoma-based hospitality expert Horace Kulundu said.

The data reveals a deeper structural shift in Africa’s tourism economy. While the overall scale of hotel investment remains dominated by a handful of North and West African markets, the pace at which projects are moving from planning to construction is now strongest in East Africa.

W Hospitality Group MD Trevor Ward says Africa’s hotel development story is increasingly concentrated in a handful of high-performing countries. However, the execution momentum behind many of these projects is most visible in East Africa, where developers are moving quickly from signing deals to breaking ground.

HOW REGIONS COMPARE

In terms of scale, Egypt remains the dominant force in Africa’s hospitality pipeline. The country accounts for 45,984 rooms across 185 projects, representing more than a third of the continent’s total hotel development pipeline.

Egypt’s lead is significant. Its pipeline is more than four times larger than that of second-ranked Morocco, which has 10,606 rooms under development. Together, the two North African markets account for nearly half of all hotel rooms currently in development across the continent.

West Africa also maintains a strong presence in the rankings. Nigeria sits third with 8,480 pipeline rooms, reflecting continued investment in Africa’s largest economy despite periodic currency volatility and broader macroeconomic pressures.

Yet when analysts examine how many of these projects are actually advancing toward completion, East Africa stands out.

In Kenya, nearly 79.5 per cent of pipeline hotel rooms are already under construction, according to the W Hospitality Group report. The country has 35 projects accounting for 6,190 rooms, placing it among the continent’s most active hotel development markets.

A similar pattern is visible in neighbouring Ethiopia. The country has 5,964 rooms in its hotel pipeline, with almost 80 per cent currently under construction. Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, continues to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s most important diplomatic and conference hubs, hosting numerous international organisations and events.

KENYA’S NEIGHBOURS

Tanzania has 4,159 rooms across 29 hotel projects, with roughly 77.5 per cent already in the construction phase.

Development is being driven by a combination of safari tourism, beach tourism on the Indian Ocean coast and the continued global popularity of destinations such as Zanzibar.

This concentration of construction activity suggests that many of Africa’s next hotel openings will occur in East Africa rather than the traditionally dominant tourism markets of North Africa.

Kulundu said Midscale is where the numbers make sense.

“Africa’s travel market is broadening, and the hotel sector is finally starting to build for that reality,” he said.

“The market is not just about the safari lodge or the five-star resort anymore. It is also about the urban traveller, the conference delegate and the regional business guest.”

Industry analysts also say this momentum reflects a combination of structural changes in the region’s tourism sector.

International tourist arrivals to Africa have been recovering strongly following the pandemic, and several East African destinations have seen particularly robust growth in safari tourism, conference travel and regional business travel.

“After years of talking about Africa as the next big thing, we are now seeing a more selective, more practical kind of confidence,” Kulundu said.

“Investors are focusing on cities and corridors where demand is visible and the economics are clearer. That is why East Africa stands out; it offers a better mix of momentum and market logic.”

Governments across the region have also been investing heavily in aviation infrastructure and tourism promotion.

Rwanda, for example, has built a reputation as a conference tourism destination centred around the Kigali Convention Centre, while Kenya continues to attract both safari travellers and international corporate events.

At the same time, global hotel chains are accelerating their African expansion strategies. Development activity across the continent remains highly concentrated among a small number of international operators.

KEY PLAYERS

According to the W Hospitality Group report, Marriott International leads Africa’s hotel pipeline with 31,782 rooms under development.

The company is followed by Hilton and Accor, both of which have been aggressively expanding their footprints across African cities and tourism hubs.

“These are not isolated hotel projects,” Kulundu said. “They are part of a broader ecosystem: aviation, conference infrastructure, city branding and destination marketing. Hotels follow confidence, and confidence follows visibility and connectivity.”

Together with IHG Hotels & Resorts and Radisson Hotel Group, these five global operators account for roughly 80 per cent of all pipeline hotels across Africa.

Many of these hotel groups are also adapting their strategies for African markets. Instead of focusing exclusively on luxury resorts, developers are increasingly investing in midscale and lifestyle hotel brands that cater to business travellers, domestic tourism and regional visitors.

One example is the expansion plans announced by Choice Hotels International, which recently announced plans to enter the African market through Kenya.

The company intends to introduce several of its brands in the country, including Clarion and Quality Inn properties, targeting Nairobi’s growing business travel market.

“The company secured agreements for three hotels in Kenya and established a master development framework supporting future expansion across sub-Saharan Africa,” the company explained in a January statement.

Despite the optimism surrounding Africa’s hotel pipeline, industry analysts caution that not all announced projects ultimately reach completion.

Africa’s hospitality sector has historically experienced a significant gap between planned developments and hotels that are eventually delivered.

The W Hospitality Group report estimates that more than 65,000 rooms are scheduled to open between 2026 and 2027. This includes 31,768 rooms expected to open in 2026 and 33,381 rooms projected for 2027.

However, historical trends suggest that actual delivery numbers often fall short of projections due to financing constraints, construction delays and regulatory hurdles.

“Even so, the scale of the pipeline underscores growing confidence among international investors in Africa’s tourism potential,” Kulundu said.

“The continent is increasingly being viewed as one of the world’s most promising frontiers for hospitality investment.”

Government declares Friday a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr

Murkomen made the declaration through a Gazette notice on Wednesday evening.

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The government has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen made the declaration through a Gazette notice on Wednesday evening.

“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Friday, the 20th March, 2026, shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” Murkomen said.

The notice was issued under the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110) and formally communicated to the public through Gazette Notice No. 3955.

Idd-ul-Fitr is one of the most important religious holidays observed by Muslims worldwide.

It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and reflection.

The festival is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which marks the start of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

As a result, the exact date may vary between countries.

On the morning of the celebration, Muslims gather for a special congregational prayer, usually held in mosques or open grounds shortly after sunrise.

The festival begins with a special prayer held in congregation, followed by celebrations that include sharing meals, giving to charity and spending time with family and community.

The holiday is recognised in Kenya as part of the country’s religious diversity, allowing Muslims to celebrate the occasion and conclude the month-long fast.

It is also a time for forgiveness, generosity and strengthening community bonds after a month of fasting and devotion.

The holiday emphasises gratitude after a month of discipline and devotion.

It is also a time for reconciliation, as individuals are encouraged to mend relationships and seek forgiveness.

In many countries, including Kenya, Idd-ul-Fitr is recognised as a public holiday, allowing Muslims to fully observe the occasion.

The day highlights the values of compassion, equality and community, which are central to Islamic teachings.

22-storey Westlands building partially collapses

In a tweet by the Kenya Red Cross, the building collapsed on Wednesday, leaving several workers trapped

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A 22-storey building under construction in Westlands has partially collapsed.

In a tweet by the Kenya Red Cross, the building collapsed on Wednesday, leaving several workers trapped.

“Rescue teams are on site, carrying out search and rescue operations,” the Kenya Red Cross said. 

The Kenya Red Cross stated that more details would follow.

The incident comes hours after another building under construction collapsed in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area in Kericho County, leaving several people feared trapped under the rubble.

Kenya Red Cross said emergency response teams were at the scene conducting rescue operations.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, four individuals had been successfully rescued and were receiving medical attention.

Authorities urged residents to stay clear of the area to allow emergency services to work efficiently.

The cause of the collapse was yet to be determined, and investigations were ongoing.

The County Government of Kericho said it had dispatched emergency response teams, including firefighting units and ambulances, to the scene.

On March 16, another building collapsed in the Blue Estate area of Shauri Moyo in Nairobi.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, the structure gave way adjacent to buildings that were being demolished on riparian land.

Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.

On January 11, two workers died when a building under construction collapsed in Karen.

Seven others were rescued and taken to the hospital with multiple injuries.

Officials said the building, which had reached the first floor, collapsed while masons were laying a slab.

Authorities attributed the collapse to structural failure linked to poor workmanship and inadequate formwork.

UDA reschedules Emurua Dikirr nominations to March 27

UDA further confirmed that nomination exercises in other areas will proceed as scheduled on March 28

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The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has rescheduled its party nomination exercise for Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County.

The party’s National Elections Board (NEB) said the nominations, initially slated for Saturday, March 28, will now be held on Friday, March 27, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, the board indicated that the change follows an earlier communication issued on March 16.

The party further confirmed that nomination exercises in other areas will proceed as scheduled on March 28.

These include Porro Ward in Samburu West Constituency, Samburu County, and Endo Ward in Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

UDA noted that all polling centres will be open from 7 am to 5 pm.

Party members have also been urged to continue applying for nominations through the UDA online portal, with registration set to close on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 5 pm.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission set May 14 as the date for the by-election in Emurua Dikirr constituency.

The announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes political contest to fill the seat left vacant by the death of long-serving MP Johanna Ng’eno.

Ng’eno, 53, died alongside five others when a helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Mosop on February 28.

The three-term legislator had represented the constituency since its creation in 2013, winning elections under three different party tickets.

The polls will be held in Porro ward, Samburu county and Endo in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula formally notified IEBC of the vacancy on March 10, in line with constitutional and electoral laws.

The by-election is expected to attract intense political interest in the constituency, which has about 44,040 registered voters, hence the smallest of Narok county’s six constituencies.

The area, largely inhabited by members of the Kipsigis community, was carved out of Kilgoris constituency following the 2007 elections.

Political attention has also focused on Ng’eno’s family, with his widow Naiyanoi Ntutu emerging as a possible candidate after receiving backing from Kapkaon clan elders.

At the late MP’s funeral, his 91-year-old mother, Mary Temas, appealed to residents to allow the family to retain the seat, saying the leadership baton her son held “will remain in the family.”

The commission has appointed Caleb Siriba Gekonde as the returning officer for the constituency, assisted by Sylvia Jepchumba as the deputy returning officer. IEBC said the election would cost approximately Sh60 million.

IEBC warned that all political parties, candidates and supporters must adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct, noting that election offences will attract penalties under the Election Offences Act.

According to the notice by IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon, political parties intending to participate must submit the names of candidates who will take part in party primaries by March 25, 2026, and indicate the dates of the nominations.

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