On Saturday, January 25, local publications reported in detail the events that have captured the political situation in the country, including the removal of the guards of the Chief Justice Martha Koome and the arrest of SHA critic Grace Njoki.
Source: UGC
1. Saturday Nation
The newspaper reported that Jomo Kenyatta, the founding president of Kenya, had Ichaweri and his successor, Daniel Moi Kabarak, where they received guests and planned their political strategies. People also visited these powerful tombs to pay their respects.
President William Ruto regularly hosts delegates in Kamagut and, more recently, at his farm in Narok, as does ODM leader Raila Odinga at Opoda farm in Bondo.
In many cases, politicians have used the names of their villages to draw national attention.
And now there is a new kid in the building, the budding center of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua: Wamunyoro.
Gachagua continues to raise political debates due to the number of delegates he receives from Wamunyoro, Nyeri county.
The man who was charged in October last year for, among other things, allegedly being ethnic, regional and separatist appears to be keen to drop that mark in order to project a more national image.
Among the delegates he received were from Ukambani, Maasailand and Kisii, raising the interest of the President's supporters Rutowho have focused on Wamunyoro activities.
Although some of the delegations are small and politically unknown, Gachagua and his social media team are often in a position to increase the visits as some suggest that these may be delegations sent by big players.
Addressing delegates from Nyandarua County in Wamunyoro on Thursday, Gachagua said:
“We continue to attract many other regions that are not satisfied with the way the country is run and in time it will be appreciated that this community is the center of nationalism.”
2. The Saturday Standard
According to the publication, President William Ruto is putting on a brave face following the growing criticism of his leadership.
As he concluded his five-day working visit to the Western region on Friday, the President vowed not to be criticized by his critics and asserted that he will not accept deception as he continues to implement his manifesto.
This is happening while some Kenyans are criticizing his administration for allegedly not tolerating critics.
Speaking on the last day of his Western development tour in Bungoma county, where he inaugurated the Soko Kubwa market, Ruto said he will not allow anyone to stop him in carrying out development.
He claimed that his mission is to ensure that no region is left behind in development.
“No community will be excluded for any reason. No area of the Republic of Kenya will be left out from development,” said Ruto.
“That is my mission and I will not be destroyed, disappointed, deceived, and no one will stand in the way,” he added.
The Head of State laughed at the names Kasongo and Zakayo used by some of his critics who he says he has outsmarted while insisting that he has no problem with those names as long as he continues to fulfill his promise.
Ruto insisted that he remains focused on his work despite the anger of his opponents.
3. The Star
According to the magazine, President William Ruto's recent focus on the West and Nyanza regions, while popularity seems to be waning in Mount Kenya, has raised questions about the impact of his deputy, Kithure Kindiki.
Ruto managed to get the support of opposition leader Raila Odinga, while maintaining regular attacks in areas that traditionally supported the former prime minister.
Political analysts suggest this move is aimed at uniting a bloc of Western voters to replace the waning support of Mount Kenya, which was the basis of his victory in the 2022 elections.
“In order for Ruto to win, he needs a strong electoral base. As the Mt Kenya West area, which may vote as a camp, is now out, he needs someone who got his place from Raila,” said political observer Elias Mutuma.
Apart from Raila's support, Ruto has the support of leading Western leaders, including Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula. To strengthen control over the region, he included former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in his Cabinet.
In Nyanza, Ruto appointed Raila's allies John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Opiyo Wandayi (Kawi) as Cabinet Secretaries. Similarly, Pwani, former Governor of Mombasa Hassan Joho was appointed Minister of Mines, Blue Economy, and Marine Affairs.
“Me and Raila agreed [kufanya kazi pamoja]. You know, there was a time when I helped Raila, and this time he has helped me. Why should anyone have a problem with that?” Ruto said during the visit Poisonous November last year.
With Raila's influence and the support of regional bigwigs from the Coast, Nyanza, and West, Ruto is strategically positioning himself for strong voters ahead of the next general election.
4. Nation Today
According to a Swahili newspaper, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna said that he is not afraid of being removed from his post while dismissing the possibility of the party led by Raila Odinga forming an alliance with Ruto's UDA party before the 2027 elections.
Sifuna explained that ODM will only collaborate with parties whose goals are in line with his own and whose ideologies are aimed at protecting citizens.
“The nature of our politics sometimes wants us to enter into strategic plans with political parties that have our goals. The key word here is common goals. Political parties with ideologies aligned with ODM's policies are well known. These are the parties that we should seek to collaborate with, not those that oppress the citizens,” Mr. Sifuna said.
The ODM spokesperson also discussed various issues, including why some members of the party who joined Ruto's cabinet have separated from the party's position.
“Those of our party who entered the government have the freedom to express themselves how they will cast their votes in 2027 individually, but they do not speak on behalf of the party, Father has made it clear that we must prepare the party for the 2027 elections. The position approved by the Central Committee of our party ,” said Sifuna.
Sifuna, who is also a Nairobi Senator, said he is not threatened by threats from some members regarding his strong stance against the Coalition Government.
“I hold the position of General Secretary at the request of the members, and I will not hold it forever. They say if you don't stand up to your principles when you're tempted, you're just indulging yourself, not your principles. It has been the honor of my life to serve as ODM Secretary General. Last year, I became the longest serving General Secretary in the history of the party. In February, I will start my eighth year. Every day for the past seven years, I have heard similar threats from the same people, but I am still here,” he said.
He emphasized that his call to ODM members to stop approving anything said or done by their competitors is based on the leadership of the party following the Central Committee meeting and not his personal position.
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