On Monday, November 18, national newspapers reported on the President's battle William Ruto for Mt Kenya voter camp.
Source: UGC
The Standard
This newspaper reported the call of former vice president Rigathi Gachagua to the government to address the challenges facing Kenyans after his dismissal.
Speaking during the celebration of 100 years of missionary work at the PCEA Kerarapon Church, Kajiado North, Gachagua said he is now calm because no one is blaming him for the country's problems.
The former Member of Parliament for Mathira compared his current situation to that of the retired president Uhuru Kenyattasaying that he is now “watching from the sidelines” as the Kenya First government tries to resolve its challenges.
He urged President William Ruto and his government to address blocked roads, high taxes, and economic issues, saying that these problems should be resolved now if they were being delayed because of him.
“If I'm the one who made the taxes high, why don't you lower them now? All these stalled projects—if I'm the one who stopped him, why don't you complete them now?” Gachagua asked.
Daily Nation
This magazine reported on former Internal Security Minister Fred Matiang'i's ambition to run for the presidency in 2027.
It is said that the former Minister has hired the services of an international influence group to help run his presidential bid.
According to the Nation, Matiang'i hired a consulting firm that helped enable Duma Boko, the recently elected president of Botswana, to win.
On July 13, Matiang'i allegedly signed a contract with the Dickens & Madson lobbying firm from Canada, headed by Ari Ben-Menashe, a former Israeli Mossad agent and controversial consultant.
Matiang'i, who has not yet officially announced his bid for the presidency, is said to want the company to strengthen its position by influencing influential organizations in Kenya, the United States, and foreign governments to promote its international image and raise funds for its campaigns.
“In the United States, the Registrar proposes to lobby the executive and/or legislative branches of the United States government and its agencies to support the efforts of Fred Matiang'i to become the President of Kenya. In addition, the Registrar proposes to provide media and public relations services for the objectives and activities of the foreign entity. The Registrar also provides lobbying services to a foreign party in another country,” the alleged contract states.
Matiang'i allegedly agreed to pay KSh 32 million for those services, including persuading international organizations to support his presidential bid.
3. Nation Today
Kiswahili newspaper reported the claims of political analysts and other leaders that President William Ruto is no longer popular with Mt Kenya voters, who contributed greatly to his victory in the 2022 elections.
The President had a difficult time when he addressed the public at a church event in Embu county, where a large part of his listeners criticized some of his arguments.
Apart from Ruto, others present were former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, and his successor Kithur Kindiki.
In another incident that made Ruto uncomfortable, Uhuru and Gachagua were cheered enthusiastically every time the bishops of the Catholic Church recognized their presence, a situation that did not happen to the president, who was applauded only a few times during his speech.
Speaking about the events, Caleb Amisi said the voters of Mount Kenya have lost faith in the president.
According to him, the events in Embu were a sign of the reality of the Mt Kenya region as a whole, which contributed significantly to Ruto's victory in 2022.
Unfulfilled campaign promises and the recent move to impeach Gachagua contribute to the region's hatred against Ruto.
“The Central Region is completely lost or completely lost,” said Amisi.
4. The Star
The newspaper reported that the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua strongly criticized the ally of President William Ruto for attacking the bishops of the Catholic Church.
During the church service on Sunday, November 17, in Kajiado North Constituency, Gachagua warned politicians who support the government against attacking religious leaders.
Gachagua defended the Conference of Bishops of the Catholic Church of Kenya regarding their criticism against the administration of Kenya First.
“Let us be humble and allow our religious leaders to criticize us. The voice of the church is the voice of God, when our spiritual leaders speak, they are not just talking for nothing. I don't think 30 bishops can meet and make a statement without a basis. If there are leaders who share with the people every day, they are leaders If there are people who know the low state, it is the religious leaders. When you hear them speak, listen to them.” said Gachagua.
Gachagua, who said he has been involved in politics for a long time to know the consequences of insulting religious leaders, warned Ruto's allies to be careful.
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