On Saturday, November 22, the daily newspapers highlighted the strengthening of political activities, focusing on the intense by-election campaigns and the case of succession within the ODM party after the death of Raila Odinga.
Source: UGC
1. Nation Today
The Swahili daily reports that Gen Z voters have signaled a possible change ahead of the next general election, saying they are ready to participate but are still failing to register in large numbers.
A new study by Odipo Dev, conducted after protest of the 2024 Finance Bill, shows that almost seven in ten young people intend to vote, a rate that was last recorded more than ten years ago.
The report warns that distrust of elections remains a major threat to this momentum.
Youth and media researcher Winny Jerotich said the interview showed a lot of mistrust of the IEBC, with many young people believing that political forces are influencing the institution and that their votes will not be counted.
Researchers say this distrust has prevented the emergence of a new political force despite the rise of civil interest after the protests. The report describes changes in the reasons for young people’s separation.
Before 2025, many stayed away due to despair, mistrust of leaders and the belief that voting did not bring change.
This year, daily reports report, young people are citing political fatigue, unfulfilled promises and invisible institutions, describing leaders as the same people in different colors.
The study says the 2027 election could record the largest youth turnout since 2013 if registration increases.
2. Saturday Nation
The publication reports that the leader of the Democratic Party for the People Rigathi Gachagua he ignored President William Ruto’s State of the Nation speech, describing it as a speech that ignored Kenya’s daily struggles.
Gachagua, who was ousted as deputy president in October last year, criticized the president’s claims that the country was entering Singapore’s difficult time.
He said the administration was taking the country back and accused it of corruption, indifference and violation of human rights.
During an interview with Mwendani Television and Radio, Gachagua said it was misleading for the president to promise steps towards first world status while living conditions continue to deteriorate.
Ruto had outlined a long-term plan aimed at expanding access to education, increasing exports, increasing electricity generation and building 28,000 kilometers of dual carriageway.
He said the country needed to invest five trillion shillings to match the economic growth of Asia.
Gachagua said the government should abolish House Tax and refund workers, saying that Kenya cannot be compared to Singapore, where income is higher.
He questioned how the president’s agenda fits into Vision 2030. Said the former president Uhuru Kenyatta he has reinforced Vision 2030 through the Big Four Agenda, while the current administration is changing key elements and new projects that he claimed are creating opportunities for corruption and relying on political threats and aid.
3. The Saturday Standard
According to the newspaper, a nine-year-old girl, Zawadi Zena Sababu, was killed by a hippopotamus in Burangi village along the Sabaki River in Magarini sub-county, Kilifi.
The sixth grade student was attacked while doing laundry with his mother. His father, Nyale Sababu, told the Malindi sub-county hospital mortuary that the incident happened at about 5pm after his mother asked Zawadi to fetch water.
He told how he came home from work at 4pm and found them washing clothes and ran to the river when they heard a noise, but found his daughter dead.
“I had come home from work at four in the evening and saw them washing clothes. Around five in the evening, I heard a noise from the river and rushed there, but I found my daughter already dead,” she said, holding back tears.
Hippo attacks along the Sabaki River have been on the rise, occurring in the river and on land while fishing, swimming, or at home, at any time.
The family urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to increase surveillance and implement stricter measures against criminal poachers.
Relatives and residents warned parents to keep a close eye on children near the river, especially during school holidays, as many locals depend on the river for livelihoods such as shallow well irrigation and fishing.
Human rights activist Thomas Karisa emphasized that hippos with calves are very aggressive and can also attack livestock.
4. Weekend Star
According to this newspaper, officials are investigating a fire that broke out at the headquarters of the Kenya Tank Industries Corporation (KOFC) in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, injuring two Kenya Defense Forces soldiers.
Three other soldiers were treated and released following the incident. The fire came from the gunpowder magazine after the magazine exploded.
Witnesses said two power outages in the area may have caused the fire, which spread quickly.
The magazine contained gunpowder used to make bullets. More than 16 tons of flour, platforms, and other valuables estimated at KSh300 million were destroyed.
The fire was extinguished at midnight. The injured soldiers were rushed to the hospital for treatment of suffocation, while two are in stable condition.
Police, fire brigade, and officers of Kenya Power they visited the area as part of the investigation.
KOFC, a government agency under the Ministry of Defense, is tasked with manufacturing military equipment, machinery, and related products, including ammunition, and is considered a high-risk facility.
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