On Saturday, May 10, local newspapers reported in detail the events following the appointment of President William Ruto of the new chairman and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Source: UGC
1. Saturday Nation
According to the post, approximately five of the seven people proposed to lead the 2027 general election are reportedly clinging to senior political leaders, either President William Ruto or ODM leader Raila Odinga.
This has led to severe accusations from opposition leaders, who have questioned the lack of neutrality of the nominees.
Ruto appointed Erastus Edung Ethekon, a former Turkana County lawyer, to be the Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Other nominees include Ann Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused the President of ignoring the need for consultation.
He claimed the nomination formed a commission that had no confidence in the public and claimed that the move was intended to influence the 2027 elections.
Musyoka said that Ruto, as a presidential candidate, should not choose the election judge. He emphasized that the opposition will still defeat Ruto in the election.
He also claimed that the President ignored the recommendation of the national committee on negotiations on the appointment of the appointment of IEBC.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa reiterated the concern, saying the nomination showed political disappointment.
Reports indicated that several nominees had previously had political responsibilities or relationships. Ethekon had served under Josphat Nanok, a close ally of Ruto.
Mukhwana was associated with Musalia Mudavadi. Sorobit had worked with the Ruto Party of the Jubilee Party. Abdallah had served Lamu under Issa Timamy, a partner of Mudavadi. Hassan, a member of ODM, had a close relationship with Junet Mohamed, a close ally of Raila.
2. The Saturday Standard
According to the newspaper, businessman Phillip Nahashon Aroko will remain for seven days while police are investigating the murder of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ongo Were.
The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) legal court accepted the police request to be given more time to gather evidence.
Arocho had surrendered to police at Gigiri police station on Wednesday, May 7 at night and later transferred to the police station Kasarani.
He was brought before Chief Magistrate Irene Gichobi on Friday, where he chose to represent himself, rejecting legal assistance.
Police previously requested to be detained for 30 days, saying the case had great interest in public. In the affidavit, the Criminal Investigation Department (DCI) claimed Aroko was the main tenant and sponsor of the May 2 murder, which took place near the City’s mortuary.
DCI It said the MP referred to Aroko as a suspect before he died. The authorities said several suspects who were already in detention had shared detailed accounts, and telephone records showed constant communication between Arocho and other suspects.
Aroko claimed that surrender showed cooperation and that he did not risk running. He also requested to be held at the Kileleshwa police station for health reasons, which the court allowed.
The court also ordered the restriction of three other suspects for 20 days.
3. Weekend Star
The daily newspaper reported that Kenyan parliamentarians first held a power outage in Mathira, Nyeri County, just days after former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua welcomed opposition leaders to the region, a seemingly political move.
Led by majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, the MPs joined Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi to support women, bodaboda and small businesses during the day of empowerment from the top.
Sudi said they were helping communities grow and dismissed critics who questioned the plan.
He said national leaders should focus on progress, not 2027 politics, and warn against ethnic divisions.
Other leaders in attendance include MPs Faith Gitau, Sabina Chege, Veronica Maina and Priscilla Nyokabi.
Meanwhile, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki visited Laikipia County, compensating victims of wildlife attacks and promising to improve infrastructure and security.
The two events were seen as efforts to counter the influence of Gachagua and to assure Kenya’s Mount Kenya region first dedicated amid internal tensions.
4. Nation Today
According to a Swahili publication, the Supreme Court has dismissed a request requiring all cases of kidnapping and murder of civilians and police to be taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Judge Lawrence Mugambi said that Kenyan institutions have the ability to handle such cases.
He said the country has not reached the point where its systems fail to tackle serious human rights violations including kidnapping and deaths at police stations.
The request was filed by human rights organizations, the Institute of Constitutional, African Justice, and activist Charles Njue, through lawyers Dr John Khaminwa and John Mwiriki.
They asked the court to direct these cases to the ICC and force the government to provide details of people who disappeared or died in the hands of the police.
Judge Mugambi dismissed the request, saying it had no legal basis and that the cases should be heard in the country.
However, he ordered that the Independent Police Management Authority (IPOA) must investigate all such incidents, not the Police or the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
He explained that police officers cannot investigate their counterparts right. The decision was based on an application Three Claiming Kenyan institutions have failed to ensure justice is done in cases of implementation of people and arbitrary killings by security forces.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
