Newspapers on Thursday, December 24, reported on various topics, focusing on Kenyans’ preparations for Christmas celebrations.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, one of the newspapers brought back memories of the chaos surrounding the tragedy of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October this year.
1. Nation Today
The Kiswahili newspaper reported on the events that preceded the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body in the Parliament Buildings on October 16, one day after his death in India.
An officer who was part of the plans to take Raila’s body to Parliament House told Taifa Today all that happened.
Before midnight on October 16, a long meeting to plan how to lay Raila’s body in parliament was held in the Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was so secret that even many Members of Parliament did not know about it, and the staff involved in the preparations were warned against leaking information to the media.
Starting at four in the evening and ending at midnight, the meeting arranged for Raila’s body to reach parliament at five in the morning on October 17, before being taken to the Nyayo Stadium for a national burial.
Sources who attended the meeting revealed that they left the parliament at midnight and returned at three in the morning, ready to ensure that the process continues as planned.
“I didn’t even tell my wife when I left at three in the morning because you couldn’t trust anyone with such information,” Taifa Leo quoted the official.
Earlier intelligence reports released by the leadership of the Parliament had warned that a crowd of people eager to see the body of the former ODM leader could affect security in the parliament.
“There was a fear that we could witness another invasion of Parliament like the one that happened during the Gen-Z protests, so we had to think of another way to ensure that Raila’s body is brought because that action was important to our history and to honor him for his services to the country,” another officer explained.
Despite the dangers, the leadership of the Parliament insisted that Raila, who had served as a Member of Parliament for Lang’ata state, must be admitted to parliament to ensure his place in history and memories.
One member of parliament who attended the meeting stressed that they would not allow obstacles to prevent Raila’s body from being sent to parliament.
The meeting was attended by parliamentary aides and representatives from the National Police Service, especially those in Nairobi, who worked under tight schedules.
The organizers believed that the majority of the public would gather at Nyayo Stadium at dawn for the national funeral, instead of at the parliament, where extraordinary security arrangements had been put in place.
To prevent leaks, organizers agreed that only a select group of MPs would be notified in advance. About 36 MPs from the National Assembly and 12 senators were told to arrive at one in the morning to see the body.
Later, at three o’clock in the night, 10 more MPs and five senators were informed that Odinga’s body would be in parliament, giving them the opportunity to pay their respects without queuing at Nyayo Stadium.
Sources revealed that MPs who are known for posting on social media were deliberately asked to avoid attracting crowds in parliament.
Other MPs were informed at one o’clock in the morning, once the police had increased patrols near the parliament, when Raila’s body was about to be delivered.
The process went smoothly, with about 163 MPs, led by Ruto and Raila’s family, paying their last respects before the body was taken to Nyayo Stadium for a national burial.
National Assembly Secretary Samuel Njoroge later confirmed that the plan had been kept secret in the interest of public safety and parliamentary order.
He stressed that there was no malicious intent to remove the public, explaining that the short ceremony in parliament was historic, considering Odinga’s status as a former prime minister.
2. Daily Nation
This newspaper reported on the activities on the evening of the 2025 Christmas celebrations.
The country is abuzz with activity as Kenyans leave the cities and towns to join their families in the countryside.
In Nairobi, there was no space to even spit when people were crowding the streets and bus stops to go home.
Boarding stations for major long-distance bus companies such as Easy Coach, Guardian and Nissan buses heading to Nyanza, West and Rift Valley were full of people trying to get home.
Many buses were already full, while many now rely on small cars to travel to Kisumu towns, EldoretKakamega, Homa Bay, Kisii and other areas.
“The fare has doubled, but the most important thing now is to find a bus and get on, because I want Christmas to find me at home and celebrate with my family,” said a mother, her child strapped to her back as she waited for the Guardian bus.
The situation is similar in the cities of Mombasa, PoisonousNakuru, and Eldoret, where people are gearing up for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
In Kisumu, shops and drivers are smiling saying this is the time to reap profits from passengers.
“I am carrying passengers from Kisumu-Maseno-Ugunja-Busia, and it is full, there and back; there are many people, and we have also increased the fare,” said driver Paul Okoth.
NakuruEldoret and Mombasa were also busy when Kenyans entered various shops to buy gifts and food for the expected day.
3. The Standard
The Standard reported on the financial crisis involving Molo Member of Parliament Kimani Kuria and a luxury car company, which has gone to court, revealing a complex story of unpaid debts, auction threats, and possible losses for the town businessman.
At the center of the dispute is a 2015 Mercedes Benz S600 luxury car, registration number KDK 650S, which has now been rebadged as a Maybach, according to The Standard.
Court documents show that the rightful owner of the car, Re-Lease Hire Purchase Limited, is fighting to get it back after the MP allegedly failed to pay the due balance of 5.5 million shillings.
The story began in June 2024 when Re-Lease sold the car to Luxx Windsor Motors Limited for 10.5 million shillings.
The sales contract indicated that Luxx Windsor paid a deposit of 5 million shillings, with the balance to be paid within seven days.
According to the demand letter from Re-Lease, the MP later approached Luxx Windsor Motors, paid 5 million shillings, and took ownership of the car.
The letter goes on to say that the Member of Parliament explained that his house had been “burned down by youths” and he urgently needed a secret car to transport his family.
In June 2024, angry youths invaded Turi’s home, burning his large house, destroying two cars, and stealing hundreds of chickens in protest of his support for the controversial Finance Bill.
Since Kimani took possession of the car, Re-Lease claims all efforts to recover either the remaining 5.5 million shillings or the car itself have been futile.
They claim the MP has “failed, neglected, and/or refused to pay,” and that the car is now “being kept and locked inside his Runda residence,” protected by armed guards.
Re-Lease Hire Purchase Limited, through its lawyers Kinyanjui, Kirimi & Company Advocates, has gone to court and obtained a stop order from the Milimani Commercial Court.
In a ruling issued on September 15, Judge Thomas Nzyoki prohibited Luxx Windsor Motors and any other party from “selling, auctioning, transferring, transporting, disposing of, or in any way interfering with” the vehicle until the case is heard.
Meanwhile, the lender has instructed two auction companies, Fantasy Auctioneers and Kindest Auctioneers, to return the car, citing their client’s status as the registered owner according to the car book.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
