As of mid-October 2026, an El Niño Advisory remains in effect as the climate phenomenon continues to strengthen across the equatorial Pacific, with sea-surface temperature anomalies exceeding +4°C in parts of the eastern Pacific and the Niño-3.4 index reaching levels consistent with a strong event. According to the latest NOAA Climate Prediction Centre outlook (issued 8 October) and corroborating World Meteorological Organisation assessments, a strong-to-very strong El Niño is expected to persist through January – March 2027 with greater than an 83% probability, and there is an 83% chance that the October – December period will rank among the strongest on record since 1950. The event is forecast to intensify further towards a peak around December before gradually easing, driving above-average global temperatures and shifts in rainfall patterns that raise the risk of drought in some regions and flooding in others. NASA satellite observations confirm the rapid warming and associated ocean-atmosphere changes.

The government this week appointed Jessy Kiveu Maruti as the new Chief Executive Officer of the ICT Authority (ICTA), marking a key leadership transition to accelerate Kenya’s digital transformation agenda. Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui welcomed Maruti, a digital transformation strategist selected through a rigorous competitive process. Maruti brings more than two decades of telecommunications experience, a BSc in Telecommunications and Information Technology, an MSc in ICT Policy and Regulation, ongoing PhD studies in Business Innovation and Technology Management, and PMP and CISA certifications.

Before the appointment, he spent most of his career at Telkom Kenya, rising from Solutions Consultant and Project Manager to Head of Public Sector operations, where he oversaw major national infrastructure projects, including the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI), the Government Common Core Network (GCCN) and the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). ICTA Board Chairperson Lily Ng’ok noted that the appointment positions the Authority to deliver flagship connectivity and digital service projects. At the same time, outgoing Acting CEO Zilpher Owiti expressed confidence in Maruti’s ability to expand digital services and support a knowledge-based economy. Maruti described the role as both an honour and a responsibility at a critical juncture for the country’s technology ambitions.