The newspapers on Thursday, October 30, covered the political status quo and the developments to the 2027 vote.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, the talk about the raid on former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s farm continues to resurface.
1. The Standard
The newspaper spotlighted the blame games traded by some Mt Kenya leaders regarding the raid on former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s farm in 2023.
Eyewitnesses reported that the raiders, wielding rudimentary weapons, invaded Northlands farm, cutting down trees with power saws, setting fires, and making off with livestock.
The stolen sheep and goats were allegedly sold at drastically low prices ranging from KSh 500 to KSh 1,000. Some of those involved went as far as putting up makeshift shelters on the property.
Despite the farm’s management alerting law enforcement, the government did not respond publicly at the time.
Opposition leaders at the time alleged that police officers previously deployed in the vicinity were pulled back to Nairobi.
Two years later, no one has been apprehended or charged in relation to the looting, arson, or property damage.
The issue has since taken on a political dimension.
Following Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, certain Mt Kenya leaders have accused him of orchestrating the attack, claiming he instructed the removal of police to enable the raid.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has now alleged that Gachagua summoned him to the Harambee House Annexe and directed the then Inspector General of Police Japhet koome to withdraw security personnel, thereby easing access for the intruders.
“He summoned me at the Harambee House Annexe and directed the Inspector-General of Police to withdraw the police, at a time when the president was out of the country, so that he could facilitate goons organised by two Nairobi MPs to break the fence and fell trees at the farm,” Ichung’wah claimed in an interview with a local television.
Ichung’wah was responding to criticism over his March 2023 remarks, in which he warned that Uhuru’s farm could be targeted “if he continued sponsoring the Azimio protests”.
The MP now asserts that Gachagua had asked him to deliver the warning, as the deputy president could not make such statements himself.
“On our way to Kianyaga Boys while on the plane, he told me that since I’m the majority leader, there were things he could not say as deputy president, so I should warn Uhuru to stop destroying property in Nairobi because if he did, their farms would be destroyed by the people,” Ichung’wah said.
He further claimed that Gachagua exploited moments when President William Ruto was abroad to authorise aggressive police responses against Azimio demonstrators.
“In 2023, when the president was out of the country, he said it was time to deal with Raila, and that is how Raila was teargassed mercilessly and his car shot at several times,” the Kikuyu MP said.
2. Daily Nation
Daily Nation spared space for the goings-on in the ODM party, whose leadership is unsettled following the death of its longstanding leader, Raila Odinga.
Siaya senator Oburu Oginga, who is serving as the interim party leader, expressed support for a suggestion by some members that President Ruto could return to the party, though under specific terms.
He also called on veteran party figures to respectfully hand over leadership to younger politicians who had long worked alongside the late Raila.
Oburu clarified that if Ruto were to abandon the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and rejoin ODM, he would not be granted automatic status as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ODM leader stated that Ruto would need to compete for the nomination like any other eligible aspirant.
He explained that the party was focused on strengthening itself ahead of the 2027 elections, aiming to broaden its membership base.
The senator reiterated ODM’s intention to present a presidential candidate in the next polls with the ambition of forming the government.
“We want ODM to be strong so that those seeking us will have to adhere to our terms. If Ruto sees that ODM is very attractive, he may just return since he is one of the founders who had even confirmed attendance at our party’s 20th anniversary. However, he should be ready to face competition from other suitable candidates,” said Oburu.
He reassured ODM loyalists and the Luo community that they need not worry about who would take over leadership, as the next leader would naturally emerge from those who had been close to Raila.
Oburu restated that the reins of leadership should shift away from Raila’s peers and be entrusted to younger, more dynamic individuals.
3. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported the events in Tanzania, where the situation was tense as violence erupted on Wednesday, October 29, during the election expected to restore President Samia Suluhu Hassan to power.
This was after the main opposition candidates were barred from participating.
According to the Internet monitoring group NetBlocks, internet services were cut across the country while videos showing youths throwing stones at security officers and a petrol station burning were circulating on social media.
Witnesses reported violent protests in at least four districts of the city of Dar es Salaam, including Kimara, Ubungo, Magomeni, Kinondoni and Tandale, with police using tear gas to disperse the protesters.
The US embassy in the country issued a security alert, observing that the protests had spread to several parts of the country.
The election was held without the participation of the main opposition party, CHADEMA, whose leader, Tundu Lissu, is in prison facing treason charges.
The electoral commission disqualified the party in April this year after it refused to sign the electoral code of conduct.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the second largest party, ACT-Wazalendo, Luhaga Mpina, was banned following an objection raised by the attorney general, leaving the current president to compete only with candidates from smaller parties.
Despite the concerns from observers, the government insisted that the election was fair and has denied allegations of human rights abuses, including the disappearance of opposition leaders.
Voting also continued in the Zanzibar islands, where voters are electing the region’s president and members of parliament.
Samia rose to power in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli. Having been the vice president, Samia was sworn in to succeed the fallen leader.
4. People Daily
The newspaper spared space for the passing of Pwani Oil Ltd founder Naresh Malde.
Malde was instrumental in driving the success of numerous household brands under Pwani across Kenya.
The company celebrated him for his unwavering drive and entrepreneurial spirit, and a key figure in shaping the firm into one of the country’s leading privately-owned enterprises.
“It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our esteemed founder, Mr. Naresh Malde. This loss is deeply felt throughout our organisation, as Mr. Naresh played an instrumental role in the establishment and growth of Pwant Oil Products,” read the statement in part.
Malde was remembered by the company as a visionary leader whose guidance was central to its foundation and growth.
Pwani Oil is renowned for its diverse product line, including cooking oils, skincare items, and soaps with antibacterial properties.
Among its most widely used brands are Detrex and Sawa soaps, along with Fresh Fri and Salit oils staples in homes across Kenya and East Africa.
Malde was also acknowledged for advancing the local edible oils and soap sector during a period when Kenya heavily depended on imports, while also generating employment for thousands of citizens both directly and indirectly.
Founded in 1981 by Malde and his brothers Anil and Naresh, Pwani Oil began as a coconut oil producer in Mombasa before evolving into one of Africa’s largest manufacturers of edible oils, fats, and personal care products.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
