The newspapers on Sunday, January 11, maintained the coverage on the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) performance, with top achievers sharing their secrets to excellence.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, the newspapers reported on the initiative taken by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to formalise its partnership with President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
1. Sunday Nation
The newspaper reported on the move by ODM to institute negotiations with President William Ruto’s side ahead of the 2027 vote.
After entering government “through the back door” during the 2024 Gen Z upheaval, ODM now says it wants a formal pre‑election framework.
ODM leader Oburu Oginga announced that a team will be formed to negotiate with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The Siaya senator explained that structured coalition talks with UDA will begin soon, signaling that the broad‑based government arrangement is evolving into a possible electoral pact ahead of the 2027 polls.
Oginga stated that ODM will prioritise negotiations with Ruto, only considering other political players if talks with UDA collapse.
He made the remarks on Friday, January 9, during the burial of Mama Rose Ating’a in Alego Usonga Constituency, Siaya County.
“We will soon establish a negotiating team to begin talks with UDA because it is very difficult for a party to go it alone without seeking the support of others. Therefore, we must negotiate with others. We will start with our partners in the broad‑based arrangement,” he said.
“This year, 2026, is the year of negotiations. Either we are going into a partnership with UDA or any other partners, or we are going alone as ODM. We are not going to wait for 2027 to decide,” he added.
The ODM leader was accompanied by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor, Nyando MP Jared Okello, Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode, and several local leaders.
“We got into this government by accident. The government was shaken by Gen Zs, and we entered through the back door, through the window. As we approach 2027, we are not going to get into government through the back door. I will head the ODM negotiations,” he said.
Oginga dismissed critics who argue he lacks the legitimacy to manage the broad‑based arrangement without Raila Odinga’s personal authority.
He succeeded his younger brother and former ODM leader Raila, who died while receiving treatment in India on October 15, 2025.
The Siaya senator noted that he has chaired all key meetings between ODM and President Ruto since the cooperation began.
“I want to assure those saying that only Raila could handle this arrangement, and that Oburu knows nothing about it. I have chaired all the meetings of the broad‑based arrangement with Ruto,” he said.
2. The Standard
The newspaper highlighted the strategies and secrets of candidates who excelled in the 2025 KCSE.
Moi High School Kabarak once again ranked among Kenya’s top performers.
Its impressive mean score of 10.6 reflects not only collective excellence but also the individual resilience of its candidates.
For Amanda Chepng’etich, countless hours of balancing academics with her love for journaling and music nearly came undone in her final year.
Her pursuit of an A was marked by both academic pressure and serious health struggles.
“My health steadily deteriorated as I suffered from rhinitis, which was discovered late, leading to fluid build-up in my brain. The complication was followed by rheumatoid arthritis, which left my fingers so swollen that even holding a pen became excruciatingly painful,” Amanda told The Standard
Amanda was part of the 406-member ‘Elisha’ cohort, a tradition meant to nurture spirituality and diligence. Despite multiple hospitalisations during the most critical stretch of her studies, the support of peers and teachers carried her through.
“Being in a tight-knit circle made it easier. The school principal even hugged me during one exam when I felt like giving up, but today we are celebrating the results of intense emotional support,” she said.
Kabarak cemented its place as a national leader, posting a historic mean score of 10.6 (A-), up from 9.89 (B+) in 2024 and 10.43 (B+) in 2023. Chief Principal Elisheba Cheruiyot credited the consistency to early syllabus completion by May, giving candidates six months for focused revision.
The school also redefined ‘prep’ time, allowing students to study during their peak hours, whether late at night or early morning, through special dormitory study rooms.
Students are clustered by subject performance for tailored coaching, while resources for fieldwork are supported by the Board of Trustees.
3. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported on former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua decrying his life being in danger.
Gachagua on Friday, January 9, claimed his life was in danger after police tried to stop him from entering Kirinyaga County.
In Sagana, armed police officers blocked his convoy as he was heading to Kagio to address a political rally of his DCP party.
Chaos erupted as Gachagua and his supporters fled for safety.
During the chaos, some of the vehicles in his convoy were vandalised.
The DCP leader and his supporters were forced to take a long route through Kandongu to Kagio, where they were welcomed by thousands of other supporters.
A tense atmosphere prevailed in Kagio as police patrolled the town. However, Mr Gachagua continued with his rally.
“They shot us with tear gas and shot us,” he told supporters in Kagio town, Ndia area, claiming his life was in danger.
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He vowed that no threats would stop him from touring every corner of the county or changing the political course of Kirinyaga residents.
“The Kenya Kwanza government is worried because I am telling the truth to Kenyans. That is why the police are being sent to attack my supporters,” the DCP leader claimed.
He added that his efforts to oust President William Ruto democratically through the 2027 general elections would not be stopped.
“I will ensure that Ruto becomes a one-term president,” he said.
He accused Ruto of destroying the country’s economy and promised that “with my colleagues in the opposition coalition, we will take him home,” he argued.
He mocked the president for his claim that he had the power to turn Kenya into an economically prosperous nation like Singapore.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
