Kenya�s Central Bank fines 11 banks for lending, capital and governance breaches techcabal https://techcabal.com/2025/08/11/kenyas-central-bank-fines-11-banks-for-lending-capital-and-governance-breaches/ Kenya's Central Bank (CBK) imposed fines on 11 commercial lenders for breaching regulations related to lending, capital, and governance in 2024, intensifying its focus on ensuring the sector aligns with its initiative to provide more affordable credit. The regulator collected KES 191 million ($1.48 million) in penalties from banks and forex bureaus for the year ending in June, a reduction from the 12 institutions penalized in 2023, as noted in its report. This enforcement initiative highlights the CBK�s commitment to enhancing oversight at a time when it is also using monetary policy to influence lending practices. Since February 2024, the Monetary Policy Committee has reduced the central bank rate from 13% to 9.75% to stimulate lending; however, officials express concerns that banks have been sluggish in adjusting their rates, which could undermine these stimulus efforts. South Korea�s Ex-First Lady Arrested on Corruption Charges The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/world/asia/south-korea-former-first-lady-arrest.html Kim Keon Hee, the spouse of Yoon Suk Yeol, the impeached and ousted president of South Korea, was arrested on serious charges including bribery, stock manipulation, and political influence-peddling. Remarkably, she is the first former first lady in South Korean history to be incarcerated. Yoon, removed from office following a failed attempt to impose martial law in December, is currently imprisoned and on trial for insurrection. While four other former presidents have faced imprisonment previously, this marks the unprecedented circumstance of both a former president and his spouse being jailed simultaneously. Upon her appearance for questioning by a special counsel last week, Kim expressed remorse, stating she was sorry for "causing concern to the people" and described herself as �a nobody.� However, she has become embroiled in a series of corruption scandals that have not only tarnished her reputation but also significantly diminished her husband�s standing with the public. Former Peruvian president imprisoned over corruption allegations Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/13/former-peruvian-president-imprisoned-over-corruption-allegations A judge in Peru has ordered the pre-trial detention of former president Martin Vizcarra due to bribery allegations. During a hearing last week, Judge Jorge Chavez mandated that Vizcarra be jailed for five months, citing concerns that he poses a flight risk. The accusations against him date back to his time as governor of the Moquegua region, where he allegedly accepted bribes 11 years ago. This decision marks Vizcarra as the fifth former president to face detention in a country grappling with numerous political scandals and crises in recent years, having witnessed six different presidents since 2018. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Vizcarra contends that they are a manifestation of political persecution, expressing his intention to run for president once again in 2026.