On Thursday, February 5, newspapers explored the ongoing tension within the political parties, while also clarifying intriguing and unanswered questions about the departure of Hussein Marjan from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Source: UGC
1. The Star
The newspaper reports that Lamu is fast emerging as a strategic battleground in the growing rivalry between the US and China, as competition for Kenya’s key mining and infrastructure influence increases.
Although China has long been entrenched in the region through major investments such as Lamu Port and the extensive Lapsset corridor, Washington is now making deliberate moves to expand its footprint beyond security and counter-terrorism.
The new interest of the United States was emphasized by the Head of the Africa Command General Dagvin Anderson, who confirmed Washington’s involvement in the construction of a new runway in Manda Bay, a joint investment between Kenya and the United States.
He described the project as a security asset and the basis of a broad economic corridor, where defense interests and commercial prospects intersect.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau supported this position during talks with the Secretary of State Stay Mudavadisignaling Washington’s strong push for infrastructure and economic projects along the Coast.
Lamu, in particular, emerged as a hub due to China’s strong presence and strategic investments already in place.
Landau said deeper economic cooperation could unlock prosperity for both countries, noting that improved trade and infrastructure ties could strengthen political and military ties.
Discussions also touched on other possible routes, including Mombasa, with the US positioning itself as a long-term economic partner.
Mudavadi described the expansion of the Kenyan Navy base at Manda Bay as a milestone in Kenya-US relations, translating diplomacy into tangible infrastructure, enhanced regional security and lasting strategic value.
2. The Standard
The publication reports that teachers will have to wait longer for a new head of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) after the High Court again halted the recruitment of a new chief executive.
Just days after the recruitment process was approved to resume, the Kiambu High Court issued new orders to stop the exercise, adding to the uncertainty.
Justice Dorah Chepkwony issued conservatorship orders on February 3, preventing TSC from proceeding with recruitment pending the hearing of a new application filed by Simon Kariuki Kimata.
The court confirmed the matter as urgent, ordering that all parties be served and answers be submitted within seven days, before the hearing scheduled for March 5, 2026.
The decision means the commission cannot go ahead with appointing its 10th CEO for now.
The position has remained vacant for eight months following the departure of Nancy Macharia in June last year. Efforts to fill the vacancy had recently resumed after the previous order, placed in May, was lifted.
Thus, the latest court action changes the clock, dealing a blow to the plans to bring stability to the leadership in the commission.
The CEO’s office is very influential, overseeing over 400,000 teachers, managing a salary bill running into hundreds of billions of KSh, and creating policies on recruitment, deployment and discipline.
Several prominent people have been linked to the race, including former KNUT secretary general Wilson Sossion, former education secretary Julius Jwan and senior TSC insiders.
The complainant says the recruitment is flawed, claiming that no position has been officially advertised and that the eligibility criteria are very strict.
3. Daily Nation
According to this newspaper, new political concerns have emerged over the growing presence of controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo in power circles in Kenya, as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
Chivayo, popularly known as “Sir Wicknell”, met with President William Ruto and the Deputy President Kithur Kindiki in Sagana State Lodge in January, later sharing a photo praising the leaders.
His appearance has raised many questions, given his previous fraud conviction and ongoing questions about the source of his wealth.
International media, including the BBC, have previously noted his closeness to political power and the controversy he faces in southern Africa.
“Although he is open about how he spends his money; he does not think much about how he earns it as he faces scrutiny over the source of his wealth in a country where life is a daily struggle for many,” the BBC said.
Opposition leaders now claim Chivayo is linked to controversial electoral processes in South Africa and Namibia through the distribution of election materials, a charge he has not publicly addressed.
The allegations echo the earlier concerns expressed by the late Raila Odinga about foreign involvement in the procurement of technology for Kenya’s 2022 elections, especially the multi-billion shilling KiEMS equipment contract awarded to Smartmatic.
Since then pressure has increased on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to guarantee Kenyans a credible referendum.
Tension within the commission increased after IEBC chief executive Hussein Marjan resigned following internal disagreements, allegedly linked to the expansion of the Smartmatic tender.
Former speaker Justin Muturi and other Opposition leaders have questioned why Chivayo continues to enjoy access to the White House, claiming his political networks protect him from scrutiny.
“This man is a convicted fraudster in the distribution of electoral materials in South Africa, in Namibia. Every time he comes to Kenya, he passes through the Eldoret International Airport. We must start asking, what is President Ruto doing with this man?” Muturi asked.
4. Nation Today
According to the Swahili daily newspaper, the early registration of candidates seeking the UDA ticket for the 2027 General Election has revealed a quiet but important change in the political situation in Mt Kenya, raising new questions about the ruling party’s grip on the region.
The data provided by the UDA show a big difference between Mt Kenya and the Rift Valley.
Although the counties in President William Ruto’s backyard have recorded many candidates in important seats, several Mt Kenya counties have failed to attract even one gubernatorial candidate ready to challenge incumbent candidates elected on the UDA ticket in 2022.
In Embu, Murang’a, Laikipia and Nyandarua, no one applied to run for governorship under the UDA, a big difference from the party’s rule three years ago.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has ignored the trend, insisting that the registration is still open and that the existing leaders are not forced to announce in advance.
However, the number shows reluctance, with many politicians taking a wait-and-see stance as the coalition changes before 2027.
The strength of the UDA remains evident in the Rift Valley, where counties such as Baringo, Nandi and Kericho have attracted strong interest, especially for MCA and parliamentary seats.
Nationally, more than 12,300 candidates have already registered, most of them pursuing ward-level positions that often determine grassroots influence and access to campaign resources running into millions of KSh.
The Mt Kenya crisis is emerging against the background of the removal of the former vice president Rigathi Gachagua and his push for the Democratic People’s Party, which has begun to gain support from leaders who were previously in Ruto’s camp.
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