Kenyan newspapers on Wednesday, April 15, highlighted the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority after raising petrol and diesel prices for the April-May 2026 cycle, putting more pressure on households and businesses.
Source: UGC
1. Daily Nation
According to the newspaper, Ruto has taken steps to control the growing tension within the wider government after ODM leader Oburu Oginga convened a crisis meeting regarding the cracks in the weak coalition.
Ruto promised to rein in his allies, blaming unnamed forces for fueling the split between the Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement.
He emphasized that the alliance is still strong and will last until the 2027 General Election, even if mistrust is increasing.
In the middle of the storm is the claim of the Majority Leader Junet Mohamed that government systems are being used to pressure ODM MPs to move to the UDA, while promising millions of shillings for future campaigns.
His remarks have revealed a sharp division within ODM, with some members of parliament rejecting his position while the chairman of the party Gladys Wanga supporting the call to protect the interests of the party.
The tension has disrupted ODM’s internal structure, with rival factions emerging within the Linda Ground faction. Allegations that the UDA is using the alliance to weaken ODM have increasingly affected the relationship, with some insiders claiming the alliance talks have stalled.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati warned that continued “friendly fighting” risks destroying the coalition, urging Ruto to act quickly. The President, while visiting Gusii, stressed that he will not allow the result to disrupt cooperation.
2. The Standard
According to this newspaper, President William Ruto’s efforts to secure a new bailout from the International Monetary Fund have stalled after the lender revealed a hidden public debt of billions of shillings.
A powerful Kenyan delegation led by the Minister of Finance John Mbadi you had begun negotiations, hoping for relief as economic pressure mounted.
But beneath the official meetings there is a growing crisis with the IMF now saying Kenya’s debt of KSh 12.8 trillion may not fully reflect reality, warning that important debts are being left out.
At the heart of the dispute is how Nairobi defines public debt. The IMF says the current system does not include important obligations such as pending bills estimated at KSh 684 billion, as well as liabilities related to government agencies and bond contracts.
This, the IMF says, undermines transparency and risks destroying trust.
“It is important that the Government of Kenya does not maintain a narrow definition of public debt. More detailed public debt statistical reports should be issued… to provide full transparency and address any consumer concerns about the existence of ‘hidden debts,'” the IMF mission, led by David Bailey and Naoto Osawa, wrote after the July 2025 assessment.
The timing could not be worse as rising international tensions linked to the Iran crisis have pushed up oil prices, squeezing Kenya’s fragile economy.
Growth projections have already been cut, and the current account deficit is widening, leaving the government with few options.
Critics, led by Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, have accused the government of hiding the true burden of the debt.
3. Nation Today
Kiswahili newspaper reports that former Rift Valley commander Tom Odero has been selected to head the newly established Nairobi City Police, a unit expected to be launched on May 1.
Minister of Interior Dating Murkomen he said the unit will oversee security in the entire Nairobi city area, marking a major change in the way the police are organized in the city.
The move follows consultation with the technical team that explained its structure and operations.
The changes come in line with major directives from Nairobi’s new police chief Issah Mahamud, who has ordered the removal of undercover officers, known as “Spiv”, from routine patrols.
They will now work in uniform unless they are assigned to a special task.
The order has sparked mixed feelings within the military with some commanders supporting it, linking the covert operations to earlier complaints of harassment, extortion and harassment.
Others warn that the move could create loopholes that criminals can exploit, raising fears of an increase in crime.
The reforms build on past efforts, including former police chief Augustine Nthumbi’s 2021 order aimed at reducing misconduct.
Recently, the decision of the Supreme Court of Luck Mwamuye banned masked officers from participating in the operation, reinforcing calls for accountability.
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