Staying on top of government updates can feel like a chore, but the latest edition of the Kenya Gazette (Vol. CXXVIII—No. 100) published on 12th June, 2026, contains crucial policy changes, public participation notices, and institutional shake-ups that impact citizens, business owners, and property investors alike.
Here is a human-friendly breakdown of the most significant announcements you need to know this week.
1. Health Alert: The Proposed Shisha Ban & Public Participation
In a major move for public health, the Ministry of Health has drafted the Public Health (Prohibition of Shisha Smoking and Waterpipe Tobacco Products) Rules, 2026.
- The Goal: To completely prohibit shisha smoking, alongside the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and promotion of waterpipe tobacco products throughout Kenya.
- Your Say: The public and affected stakeholders have been given 14 days to submit written memoranda to the Cabinet Secretary for Health.
- Town Halls: Public participation forums are rolling out across clustered counties from 18th June to 30th June, 2026, covering venues from Mombasa and Garissa to Eldoret, Kakamega, Nakuru, and Nairobi.
2. Institutional Transformation: The Public Trustee Department
The Attorney-General has appointed a brand-new Task Force on the Incorporation and Institutional Transformation of the Public Trustee Department, led by Chairperson Linda M. Murila.
This task force has a highly intentional mandate to clean up administration bottlenecks:
- Caseload Clearance: They are executing a Rapid Results Initiative to audit all existing files, fast-track estate closures, and resolve backlogs.
- Modern Governance: The team will design a legal framework to corporate-ize the department, shifting it toward modern Government-Owned Enterprise standards.
- Protecting the Vulnerable: They are reviewing the Law of Succession Act to streamline administration and enhance protections for beneficiaries.
3. Regulatory Shifts: Engineering & National Standards
If you are in the engineering or manufacturing sectors, pay attention to these updates from the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry:
- Engineering Technology Rules 2026: New rules are being operationalized to govern the registration, licensing, compliance, and ethical standards of engineering technologists and technicians. Public feedback is requested within 14 days.
- Standards Council Changes: Nimo Omar Haji has been re-appointed to the National Standards Council for three years, while several inspectors have been formally de-gazetted under the Standards Act.
4. Devolution & Leadership Changes in the Counties
Local governments are actively reshaping their leadership teams to improve service delivery:
| County | Key Action / Appointment PDF |
| Kajiado | Appointment of an Ad Hoc Committee to consider upgrading Kenyawa Poka and Oloitoktok towns to Municipal status. |
| Kiambu | Appointment of a Selection Panel to recruit the County Public Service Board leadership, alongside newly approved Chief Officers for Water, Environment, and E-Government. |
| Nyamira | A full roster appointment to the County Public Service Board for a 6-year term, alongside portfolio re-assignments for Lands and Livestock departments. |
| Makueni | Directive transitioning several Board Members to serve on a full-time basis for the remainder of their terms. |
| Nairobi | Re-appointment of five Board Members to the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company for a 3-year term. |
5. Tribunals, Extensions, and Parliament Timelines
- Human Rights Violations Compensation: The term for the Panel of Experts tasked with managing the compensation of victims of human rights violations (including from demonstrations and public protests) has been extended by 90 days.
- Nairobi Coffee Exchange: The transition period for integrating the exchange into the Capital Markets framework has been extended by one year.
- Tribunal Staffing: The Judicial Service Commission has re-appointed members to the National Environment Tribunal, the Retirement Benefits Appeals Tribunal, and the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
- National Assembly Calendar: The legislative house published its revised fifth-session calendar, detailing regular sittings and recess periods stretching through to December 2026.
Property Owner Note: The Gazette also contains an extensive list of notices regarding lost land title deeds, certificates of lease, and property register reconstructions across Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kilifi, and Uasin Gishu. If you are currently in a real estate transaction, it is a great week to cross-reference your documentation against pages 2914–2932.
Want to dive into the fine print yourself? You can read through the complete, official document by accessing the Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVIII—No. 100 here
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