Newspapers in Kenya reported on Friday, February 20, how the security forces prevented a major terrorist attack that was planned to be carried out in Nairobi during the holy month of Ramadan.
The newspapers also reported on the fierce tension between opposing groups within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) vying for control of the former prime minister’s strongholds. Raila Odinga.
Source: UGC
1. Daily Nation
Kenyan security forces have disrupted a network suspected of being linked to the Somali terror group al-Shabaab, foiling what officials say was a major terrorist attack planned for Nairobi during the holy month of Ramadan.
The operation which was carried out on the night of Tuesday, February 17, was the result of weeks, possibly months, of intelligence work carried out by officers of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) with the help of the Special Operations Group (SOG), a multi-agency unit, according to sources.
The suspects were arrested in a hideout in Kajiado county, where they were allegedly finalizing preparations for a joint attack.
As they were preparing to leave for Nairobi, security officers arrested 10 Kenyans, two Tanzanians, and one Ghanaian.
Their base of operations was identified as the Dadaab refugee camp.
During the raid, a cache of equipment and weapons was discovered.
Among the seized weapons were five AK-47 assault rifles, high-powered firearms with a high firing capacity, and 20 magazines with a total of 600 rounds, enough to sustain a long-term fight.
The multi-agency task force also recovered a Makarov pistol with 24 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a small pistol often used as a backup weapon, and six hand grenades, small but lethal explosives designed to cause extensive damage in close quarters.
“This was an intelligence-led operation carried out in collaboration with the Special Operations Group (SOG), a multi-agency unit. We were able to thwart their plan, and control it in the planning stages,” revealed Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli.
2. People Daily
Leaders in President William Ruto’s inner circle in Mount Kenya have admitted for the first time that the head of state made a mistake in planning the removal of his former deputy. Rigathi Gachagua.
Former Cabinet Minister Moses Kuria and Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga have openly admitted, albeit at different times, that Ruto made a mistake in preparing Gachagua to be dismissed by Parliament.
“There is a big problem because Gachagua played a big role as deputy president. I miss the times we had with him as deputy president. Our power as a region decreased when he was removed,” said Kuria.
When Ruto celebrated removing a deputy he saw as “problematic,” he may have inadvertently created a bigger threat to his opponent for the next election.
3. The Star
Rival factions within ODM have intensified their struggle for power, aiming to control the political bases that supported the late former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Raila’s traditional strongholds are now preparing for an increase in political activity, including the possibility of the emergence of new parties targeting electoral seats other than the presidency, while the wider Opposition also continues to form.
In the process of taking over Raila’s political territory, the ODM camps led by party chairman Oburu Oginga and the secretary general are facing challenges Edwin Sifuna are actively committed to strengthening support.
The fierce competition may shake ODM’s strength in its negotiations with President Ruto’s UDA party.
4. The Standard
The five counties of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, and Marsabit have been allocated Sh 456 billion since 2013; however, they have received only Shs 443 billion from their development and regular expenditure budgets.
Member counties of the Frontier Counties Economic Alliance have been among the largest users of development funds.
Statistics show that 35.9 percent of the 443 billion Shs spent, equal to 158.86 billion Shs, went to development projects.
This is against Sh284.3 billion (64.1 percent) used to pay salaries and benefits.
However, despite allocating billions for development, there is nothing to show in many counties in Northern Kenya, with their leaders being accused of neglecting the area.
5. Nation Today
A woman and her three sons from Bahati area, Nakuru, have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the brutal murder of her husband.
Peter Mwangi, 73, was found attacked inside a house that was locked from the outside since Monday, February 16, 2026.
On the day of the incident, Mwangi’s son-in-law, Joyce Wanjiru, was going about his usual morning activities at his home, just a few meters away from the compound, when his phone rang unexpectedly.
The caller was one of the construction workers he had hired for a construction project inside his father-in-law’s compound.
The worker informed him that they could not access the building materials because the store that stored cement and other materials was closed.
For Wanjiru, the situation was surprising. His father-in-law was known for getting up very early, even before twelve o’clock in the morning, and he was often the first to open the gate and start the day’s farm activities.
After breaking the door, Mwangi was rushed to the Nakuru Referral Hospital, where doctors confirmed that he died from severe head injuries caused by a blunt object.
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