On Saturday, February 7, local newspapers covered national developments, focusing on internal ODM disputes and the Court of Appeal overturning the High Court’s ruling that the NG-CDF was unconstitutional, sparking debate.
Source: UGC
1. The Saturday Standard
According to the publication, the former vice president Rigathi Gachagua he fueled the Union Opposition in Murang’a, placing electoral integrity and increased violence in churches as the focus of a violent political rally.
During the funeral of Jane Wanjiku Kamau, the mother of former Kigumo Member of Parliament Jamleck Kamau, Gachagua claimed to have found evidence linking the January 25 attack at the Witima ACK church to a planned operation allegedly involving a police officer.
He said the materials, including videos, would be made public once the 16-day deadline was completed, calling for action to be taken against those behind the unrest.
“The video evidence will be shared by the end of the last 16 days for the tenants to be brought to court,” Gachagua said.
He also criticized Murang’a Women Representative Betty Maina, urging her to stop what she called planning violence.
The meeting brought together important people of the opposition, among them Fred Matiang’i, Justin Muturi and Martha Karua. Gachagua revealed that the three had agreed to support one presidential candidate among them to avoid splitting the vote.
Karua warned that a divided opposition would give the President William Ruto an easy way to a second term, insisting unity is the only viable strategy.
Matiang’i criticized the current government, calling the administration full of chaos and calling for deep reflection among the citizens.
Muturi dismissed claims of the division of Mount Kenya East and West as political tactics aimed at breaking regional power. He further claimed attempted threats against his family.
2. Saturday Nation
The publication reports that a family in Trans Mara, Narok County, is dealing with pain and unanswered questions following the sudden death of their 19-year-old son, Victor Sang, who was undergoing military training.
Victor was among three Kenya Defense Force (KDF) recruits who died at the Recruit Training School in Kamagut, on the outskirts of Eldoret.
According to his uncle, Isaac Lang’at Koros, the family was informed that the young man collapsed after intense training and later became dehydrated.
They insist that he was healthy at the time of his recruitment, making that explanation difficult to accept without further elaboration.
KDF officers informed the family and facilitated their visit to the mortuary of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
However, a brief look at the upper part of the body increased their anxiety and suspicion. They say no detailed information has been released about what exactly happened during the training.
“We were informed by the KDF that he collapsed after a strenuous exercise and later died of dehydration. Our visit to the morgue was brief. Although we were allowed to view the body, it was only the upper part,” Koros said.
In a statement released last week, the military said the recruits suffered health problems during a routine endurance exercise.
Medical personnel who were present in the area reportedly provided first aid before the employees were rushed to the hospital for advanced care. KDF assured the family of support, including paying part of the medical bills.
A post-mortem examination scheduled for February 9 is expected to shed light on the exact cause of death. Victor will be buried on February 10 in Kiribwet village, Emurua Dikirr constituency.
“The post-mortem examination will be held on February 9 in front of family representatives and the military team. We expect the report to determine the exact cause of death. We hope to be satisfied with the post-mortem report. The KDF has promised to pay the medical bills and funeral expenses,” Koros added.
3. Weekend Star
The newspaper reports that the bodies of two Kenyans allegedly recruited to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine have been found, shedding new light on the nefarious networks that lure foreign nationals into the conflict.
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency said its forces found the remains near Lyman in the Donetsk region, along with the body of a third Kenyan fighter killed in the same operation.
The discovery shows that the three had been deployed together and died during the same combat mission.
According to Ukrainian officials, the three men were reportedly recruited while working in Qatar for private security companies.
They are said to have traveled separately to Yaroslavl, Russia, where an intermediary allegedly processed their documents, signed military contracts on their behalf and managed financial arrangements.
In one case, documents showed that the Kenyan employee had given a power of attorney to someone else to deal with contracts, salaries and banking matters, thus handing over control of his affairs.
From Yaroslavl, the men were transferred to the Pogonovo training ground near Voronezh, an area Kyiv claims is used for rapid military training before deployment to combat zones.
Ukraine’s intelligence service further claimed that foreign recruits are often placed in high-risk units involved in deadly attacks.
“According to the testimony of Russian prisoners of war, they are used by the aggressor for “one-way” combat missions,” the Ukrainian military said.
After a short training period, the Kenyans were reportedly sent to the Donbas region and killed during an attack on Lyman. Ukrainian authorities claimed no efforts to evacuate them were made.
4. Nation Today
Kiswahili newspaper reports that what started as a silent protest by a father in Nairobi has grown into a landmark decision that changes the way schools handle children’s data in Kenya.
On August 17, 2025, Elias* discovered that his son’s name and exam results had been published in a newspaper advertisement celebrating academic excellence.
He had previously objected to the Nairobi University over-disclosing his son’s information and was assured that it would not happen.
However, the post went ahead, leading to complaints that would test the limits of the Data Protection Act.
On January 19, 2026, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) ordered the school to pay KSh 637,500 for unlawfully disclosing a minor’s personal data for commercial purposes without parental consent.
Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait ruled that test results qualify as personal data and cannot be used for promotional purposes without the express consent of a parent or guardian.
The ruling adds to a growing list of penalties against schools accused of misusing student images and records.
Roma Uthiru School was fined KSh 4.5 million in 2023, while Nova Pioneer Kenya Limited was ordered to pay KSh 950,000 in 2024 for similar violations.
Other institutions, including Friends School Keveye Girls, Alphax Academy and ZAD Muslim School, have faced law enforcement notices over online posts targeting minors.
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