On Saturday, January 31, newspapers highlighted the opposition’s warning to the IEBC and President William Ruto’s pressure to sue Nyanza voters, as the political temperature rises ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Source: UGC
1. The Saturday Standard
The publication reports that Eldoret’s Central Business District came to a standstill after violent clashes broke out between boda boda drivers and county law enforcement officials, leaving businesses closed, traffic paralyzed and property damaged for hours.
Starting at 8am, hundreds of motorists blocked key sections of the busy Uganda Road, forcing supermarkets, retail shops and restaurants to close as fear and uncertainty spread across the city.
Demonstration that quickly escalated into running battles with police, reminiscent of the violent Generation Z protests that rocked the city in June 2024.
Smoke from burning tires filled the air near the intersection of Iten Road and outside Barngetuny Plaza as officers struggled to control the chaos.
The riders said the unrest was caused by the alleged arrest and assault of one of their colleagues by county law enforcement officers.
According to protesters, harassment by county police was common, with allegations of arbitrary arrests, handcuffing of operators, drivers and even businessmen.
“Who gave them the authority to use handcuffs?” One rider, Reuben Kirui, demanded, echoing the rising anger among the group.
However, the Uasin Gishu County administration denied the accusations, insisting that law enforcement officers did not attack the rider in the middle of the dispute.
Despite the refusal, tensions remained high as protesters tried to storm the county seat in the center of the city, but were pushed back by police using tear gas.
2. Nation Today
Kiswahili newspaper reports that President Yoweri Museveni angrily responded to questions about his re-election, accusing opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, of orchestrating massive electoral fraud during Uganda’s January 17 general election.
Museveni, 81, who was declared the winner with 71.6 percent of the vote, claimed that Kyagulanyi’s camp printed one million fake ballot papers at home and another 1.7 million abroad in an attempt to rig the results.
He claimed the plan failed due to the use of electronic voting machines, which he praised for protecting the integrity of the election and disrupting what he described as the opposition’s plan to steal votes.
The veteran leader dismissed claims that Uganda still has a strong opposition, saying that the election results showed great public confidence in the ruling National Resistance Movement party.
According to Museveni, voters sincerely rejected the opposition leaders whom he accused of misleading the public and sowing confusion during the campaign.
While admitting that the electronic voting system was challenged in some areas, Museveni stressed that all eligible voters were able to cast their votes.
He portrayed his victory as a clear and legitimate defeat for Kyagulanyi and other opposition figures, including veteran politician Mafabi Nandala.
“Yes, these machines had problems here and there, but everyone voted. This is how I was able to defeat my sons Bobi Wine and Mafabi Nandala, who have been trying to confuse people here,” Museveni said.
Museveni also directed his criticism at opposition attacks on his family, particularly his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces, who has been accused by critics of meddling in the election process.
Kyagulanyi was unclear about his whereabouts during the remarks, adding to the political tension after the election.
3. Weekend Star
According to the publication, the Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is preparing for a seven-day strategic visit to Washington, DC, aimed at boosting his political and diplomatic profile as the 2027 General Election approaches.
The former vice president is expected to be in the United States from February 3 to 10, where he will engage communities of Kenyans living abroad through public meetings, roundtable discussions with experts and consultations with community leaders.
Sources indicate that the activities are designed to garner support from foreigners, listen to concerns affecting Kenyans living abroad and outline his political vision ahead of the elections.
A highlight of the visit will be Kalonzo’s attendance at the National Prayer Service on February 5, an international forum that brings together diplomats, religious leaders and senior public officials. Although it is not clear whether he will meet with officials from the President’s administration Donald Trumpthe visit is expected to strengthen his diplomatic networks, which have long been important for leaders seeking national office.
Besides Washington, Kalonzo has organized meetings in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. He is also scheduled to hold talks with policy scientists and friends of Kenya to discuss democratic reforms and the role of the diaspora in national development.
The visit underscores the growing political importance of the Kenyan diaspora, which has emerged as a quiet but influential force in campaign financing. Diaspora donations, which are often collected through informal networks, provide candidates with easy funding for early mobilization, travel and media access, and reduce dependence on traditional local donors.
4. Saturday Nation
The newspaper reports that a Moi University student accused of publishing false information about the President William Ruto has denied writing or sharing the controversial post, telling the Nairobi court that the social media account in question was jointly managed by others.
David Ooga Mokaya, a student of finance and economics in Eldoret, appeared before a judge at the Mountain Law Courts, where he disassociated himself from the X Space account identified as Landlord@bozgabi.
Mokaya insisted that the platform was a business-oriented page run by three other people and not under his sole control. He absolutely refused to publish a fake photo allegedly showing President Ruto lying in a coffin. “I am a patriot and a citizen of Kenya. I cannot publish a picture of President Ruto lying in a coffin, claiming he is dead,” he said.
In his sworn defence, Mokaya described himself as a patriot, stressing that he would never publish material that showed the Head of State was dead.
When questioned by prosecutors, he confirmed that Ruto was alive and fully performing his duties, even mentioning the President’s public activities at the time.
The court heard that Mokaya manages three business-related social media accounts and claimed that on November 13, 2024, the date the post was allegedly published, he did not have an X account, but a Twitter account.
He claimed that any post from the X Space forum could be edited by other moderators.
According to the indictment, the photo had the text “President William Ruto’s body from Lee Funeral Home” and was allegedly intended to look authentic.
The prosecution says that the post violated Section 22(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act.
Mokaya denied the charge, insisting that he did not publish false information or share the photo.
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
