The newspapers of Thursday, October 30, reported on the political situation and the progress of the 2027 vote.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, talk about the raid on the former president’s farm Uhuru Kenyatta keep re-emerging.
1. The Standard
The newspaper highlighted the blame games made by some Mt Kenya leaders regarding the invasion of former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s farm in 2023.
Witnesses reported that raiders, armed with primitive weapons, invaded the Northlands farm, felled trees with chainsaws, set fires, and stole livestock.
The stolen sheep and goats were allegedly sold at very low prices ranging from KSh 500 to KSh 1,000. Some of those involved went so far as to build a temporary residence on the property.
Despite the management of the farm alerting law enforcement, the government did not respond publicly at the time.
The opposition leaders at the time claimed that the police officers who were previously sent to the area were returned to Nairobi.
Two years later, no one has been arrested or charged in connection with the looting, arson, or destruction of property.
Since then the issue has taken a political shape.
Following the removal from power of Rigathi Gachaguasome Mount Kenya leaders have accused him of planning the attack, claiming he ordered the removal of the police to facilitate the attack.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has now claimed that Gachagua called him to the Harambee House Annex and instructed the then Inspector General of Police Japhet to stop removing security personnel, thus making it easier for the intruders to access.
“He called me to Harambee House Annex and instructed the Inspector General of Police to withdraw the police, while the President was out of the country, so that he could enable thugs organized by two Nairobi MPs to break the fence and cut down the trees in the farm,” Ichung’wah claimed in an interview with local television.
Ichung’wah was responding to criticism of his March 2023 remarks, where he warned that Uhuru Farm could be targeted “if he continues to fund the Declaration protest”.
The MP now claims that Gachagua had asked him to issue the warning, as the deputy president could not have made such a statement himself.
“When we were on the way to Kianyaga Boys while I was on the plane, he told me that since I am the majority leader there were things that he could not say as the Deputy President, so I should warn Uhuru to stop destroying property in Nairobi because if he did that, their farms would be destroyed by people,” Ichung’wah said.
He further claimed that Gachagua misused the times when the President William Ruto he was abroad to approve the violent response of the police against the protestors of Azimio.
“In 2023, when the president was out of the country, he said it was time to deal with Raila, and that’s how Raila was mercilessly teargassed and his car shot several times,” The Kikuyu Member of Parliament said.
2. Daily Nation
The Daily Nation newspaper devoted a space to the things that are going on in the ODM party, whose leadership is not settled following the death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, who serves as the leader of the transition party, expressed his support for the suggestion by some members that President William Ruto may return to the party, albeit under special conditions.
He also asked the prominent members of the party to respectfully hand over the leadership to young politicians who had worked for a long time with the late Raila.
Oburu explained that if Ruto left the United Democratic Union (UDA) and rejoined ODM, he would not be given direct status as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ODM leader said that Ruto would need to compete for the nomination like any other worthy candidate.
He explained that the party aimed to strengthen itself before the 2027 elections, aiming to expand its membership.
The senator emphasized ODM’s intention to present a presidential candidate in the next election with the aim of forming a government.
“We want ODM to be strong so that those who seek us will have to adhere to our conditions. If Ruto finds ODM very attractive, he can only come back as he is one of the founders who has even confirmed to attend our party’s 20th anniversary celebration. However, he should be ready to face competition from other suitable candidates,” said Oburu.
He assured ODM supporters and the Luo community that they need not worry about who will take over the leadership, as the next leader will come from those who were close to Raila.
Oburu reiterated that the reins of leadership should shift from Raila’s colleagues to younger and stronger people.
3. Nation Today
The newspaper reported the events in Tanzania, where the situation was dire as violence broke out on Wednesday, October 29, during the elections expected to return the President Samia Solution Hassan in power.
This is after the main opposition candidates were prevented from participating.
According to Internet monitoring group NetBlocks, internet services were disrupted across the country as videos showing youths throwing stones at security officials and a gas station being set on fire went viral on social media.
Witnesses reported violent protests in at least four districts of Dar es Salaam city, including Kimara, Ubungo, Magomeni, Kinondoni and Tandale, with police using tear gas to disperse the protesters.
The American Embassy in the country issued a security alert, noting 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 charges of treason.
The election commission removed the party from the election in April this year after it refused to sign the code of conduct for the election.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the second largest party, ACT-Wazalendo, Luhaga Mpina, was banned following an objection by the attorney general, leaving the current president to compete with candidates from smaller parties only.
Despite concerns from observers, the government has 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 islands of Zanzibar, where voters are electing the president and local parliamentarians.
Samia came to power in 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli. As vice president, Samia was sworn in to succeed the fallen leader.
4. People Daily
The newspaper singled out the death of the founder of Pwani Oil Ltd, Naresh Malde.
Malde was instrumental in achieving the success of many household brands down the Coast across Kenya.
The company praised him for his unwavering hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, and a key figure in building the company into one of the leading private companies in the country.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news of the death of our esteemed founder, Mr. Naresh Malde. This loss is deeply felt throughout our organization, as Mr. Naresh played an important role in the establishment and growth of Pwant Oil Products,” read part of the statement.
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Malde was remembered by the company as a visionary leader whose guidance was essential to its foundation and growth.
Pwani Oil is known for its wide range of products, including cooking oil, skin care products, and soaps with antibacterial properties.
Among its most widely used brands are Detrex and Sawa soaps, as well as the leading oil products Fresh Fri and Salit in homes across Kenya and East Africa.
Malde was also recognized for developing the domestic cooking oil and soap industry at a time when Kenya was heavily dependent on imports, while also generating employment for thousands of citizens 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 becoming one of Africa’s largest producers of edible oils, fats, and personal care products.
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