On Monday, January 26, the national dailies widely reported on the violence witnessed at a church attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
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Source: UGC
The papers also reported on the growing tension in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
1. The Standard
The paper reported on the deepening cracks within ODM after Siaya governor James Orengo, one of Raila Odinga’s longest-serving allies, openly aligned himself with the anti-President William Ruto faction within the party.
Orengo on Sunday, January 23, joined a group of senior ODM leaders led by Nairobi senator and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna at a church service at Coast PAG Church in Kawangware, Dagoretti North, Nairobi county.
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The leaders launched scathing attacks on Ruto’s administration and the broad-based arrangement, which has become a major point of contention within the Orange party.
In remarks that carried significant political weight, Orengo declared his support for Sifuna, whom he described as “Super Senator, Super secretary general,” and issued a stern warning against any attempt to remove him from office.
“Let me assure you, if anyone attempts to remove Sifuna as the party secretary general, that will be the end of ODM,” Orengo said.
2. Daily Nation
The publication reported on how the plans to attack former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua were allegedly planned in Nairobi.
An officer who was part of the operation claimed that they were given orders to ensure minimal interference with the plan.
The officer disclosed that a team of 15 officers was assembled in Nairobi on Friday, January 23, and instructed to disrupt a service that would be attended by Gachagua at Witima ACK Church.
The team was allegedly instructed to link up with about 20 youths from Nyeri, while local police were ordered not to interfere.
He said the meeting was convened by two senior officers at Vigilance House and three elected leaders from Mt Kenya region, one of them was a woman, who instructed, if possible, to injure him.
“We were cleared on Friday evening to disrupt the Gachagua church service. Area police were ordered in advance not to interfere. The mission was to attack Gachagua and, if possible, injure him,” the officer said.
However, there was some resistance against the plan within the team as some officers openly showed support for the former DP.
“Some of us were afraid to attack a church. There were loyalty problems, as well as some officers openly showing support for Gachagua,” the officer said.
Shortly after Gachagua arrived at the church around 11 am yesterday, a van and a Toyota Probox, escorted by a police patrol vehicle, entered the church compound.
3. Taifa Leo
The Kiswahili publication reported on Mama Ida Odinga’s decision to welcome her nomination as the Kenyan ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Speaking on Sunday, January 25, during a church service at PEFA Church along Thika Road, Mama Ida said it was an honour to be nominated to the position.
She also thanked Kenyans who congratulated her following her nomination as Kenya’s new ambassador to UNEP by the president.
“Thank you so much to those who have congratulated me on this new appointment. For me, it is an honour, and I’m happy about it,” said Mama Ida.
The UNEP ambassador nominee also noted that she has received significant media attention in recent days, but said she is not afraid of anything.
“These days, every time I switch on the TV, I see they are talking about me. Every time I buy the newspaper, it’s Ida Odinga. But I don’t fear anything, God is with me,” Mama Ida added.
4. The Star
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has revealed the formation of a joint political pact with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and CS Wycliffe Oparanya to consolidate support for Ruto’s re- election.
At the burial of former councillor Johnston Barasa in Wekhoya village, Kiminini constituency, Wetang’ula stated the alliance aims to unite the Luhya community and enhance its influence in national politics.
“Mudavadi, Oparanya and I have come together under an arrangement aimed at sealing off the Western vote for President Ruto, while at the same time placing the Luhya community in a strong position to succeed him in 2032,” Wetang’ula said.
He urged DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa to join the alliance, stating that unity among senior leaders would improve the community’s chances of attaining national leadership.
“I urge Wamalwa, with whom we have agreed to work together, to join his elder brothers in cementing Luhya unity behind Ruto so that the community can realise its long-held dream of producing a President,” he said.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
