On Saturday, December 13, dailies covered Republic Day celebrations as Kenya celebrated 62 years as a republic, drawing pride, reflection and political sentiment while others focused on the results of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment, analyzing performance trends.
Source: UGC
1. The Saturday Standard
According to the newspaper, the President’s speech William Ruto during the 62nd Republic Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium touched on familiar notes about unity, resilience and economic transformation, but a closer look reveals a growing gap between rhetoric and reality.
While the speech honored Kenya’s journey to independence and paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, critics say it largely referred to promises that Kenyans have heard before.
In his hour-long speech, Ruto outlined what he described as a master plan to transform Kenya into a world-first economy, comparing his vision to the rise of Singapore.
He spoke of a KSh5 trillion development plan based on major infrastructure, irrigation dams, expanded energy production and new financing systems.
He also championed the Low-Cost Economic Transformation Agenda, citing subsidies for farmers, hiring 100,000 teachers, affordable housing and the Hustler Fund as key steps.
However, the analysis carried out by the newspaper gives a worrying picture. Despite the happy situation, Kenya continues to face high living costs, youth unemployment estimated at 35% and public debt exceeding 70% of GDP.
2. Weekend Star
As the newspaper says, the fragile peace promised by US president Donald Trump’s Washington Treaty has broken as soon as it was signed, bringing the Democratic Republic of Congo back into a bitter conflict.
Just a week after Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame signed the agreement under US mediation, with President William Ruto as guarantor, the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels launched fierce attacks in South Kivu, shattering hopes of calm.
According to United Nations reports, more than 400 people have been killed and more than 500,000 have been displaced in a few days, marking the highest death toll since the rebels re-emerged three years ago.
M23 fighters are reported to have captured the town of Uvira, a strategic center near the Burundi border, after passing through Kamanyola, Luvungi and Katogota, leaving several people dead and forcing terrified families to flee.
The new violence has raised serious doubts about the credibility of the Washington accord, which the Trump administration had hailed as a success in ending Rwanda’s alleged support for armed groups.
Ironically, the M23 had not signed the agreement, as it is instead linked to the separate US-backed Doha talks, which critics of the gap say undermined the agreement.
The crisis has attracted immediate attention from the African Union and the United Nations.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres warned that the fighting risks provoking a major regional war, calling for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities.
AU Commission Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf echoed those concerns, saying the attack undermines the momentum built on recent peace efforts.
Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of violating the agreement and supporting rebels, a claim Kigali strongly denies. Rwanda, for its part, blames Congolese and Burundian troops for attacks near its border.
3. Saturday Nation
The publication reports that the leader of the Democratic Party for the People (DCP) Rigathi Gachagua he rejected critics, accusing him of talking too freely about political strategy before deals were sealed.
The former vice president said he will not be silenced, stressing that his politics are based on transparency, honesty and telling his followers exactly where he stands.
Gachagua dismissed allegations that he was divulging secrets meant for private conversations, saying he had nothing to hide.
He said that followers deserve to know what plans are being made on their behalf and he vowed that he will not participate in secret deals or secret deals.
According to him, leaders must declare their intentions publicly so that voters can judge for themselves.
“I have heard people say that I should not give away my strategy or my secrets… there are no secrets. I am an open book. I speak on behalf of the people who support me, and they have the right to know what I am planning for them. I am not a person who agrees in secret. I will come forward and announce to my followers so that they know the kind of agreement I am making for them,” he said.
Gachagua further criticized the administration of President William Ruto of Kenya Kwanza, saying that secrecy in political deals is one of the biggest failures of the government.
He said voters were never told what agreement was reached during the 2022 campaign, a mistake he did not intend to repeat.
The DCP boss also talked about the controversy regarding the remarks he made about the political agreement with the Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyokawhich caused opposition within the opposition.
He clarified that the agreement he referred to was between him and Musyoka and not an exclusive agreement favoring one party or society.
Responding to allegations that he suggested seats in Nairobi should be reserved for the Agikuyu community, Gachagua said his words had been misrepresented.
He emphasized that his message was about recognizing Kalonzo’s influence in Nairobi politics and the cooperation that exists among opposition players.
Gachagua emphasized that the agreement exists, saying Kalonzo also confirmed the plans of the two leaders to work together to increase their positions in Nairobi.
4. Nation Today
Kiswahili newspaper reports that former prime minister Raila Odinga may not have been on stage at the Nyayo National Stadium, but his influence dominated the Republic Day celebrations as Kenya marked another milestone in its Republican journey.
Every mention of his name elicited loud “jowis,” reflecting the emotional connection many Kenyans still feel with the veteran opposition leader.
Throughout the celebration, Raila’s legacy as a freedom fighter and symbol of democracy was repeatedly recognized by citizens, entertainers and political leaders.
For many in attendance, the ceremony felt incomplete without him, but it was a great gesture.
Some said they came out not only for the nation, but also to honor a man whose political struggle shaped their sense of citizenship.
Ruto led the country in a minute’s silence, describing Raila as a pillar of Kenya’s democratic journey whose courage and faith in the power of the people helped define an important chapter in the nation’s history.
He praised Raila’s movement for freedom, justice and peaceful living in life, urging Kenyans to let his spirit continue to lead the country.
The tributes crossed the borders of Kenya as the President of Ghana John Mahama, among the foreign leaders present, offered condolences and praised Raila as a prominent African politician.
In that area, the Governor of Nairobi Johnson he asked Ruto to honor Raila’s legacy by naming the completed Talanta Stadium after him.
Ruto seemed to agree, hinting that the venue could be called the Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium once it is completed.
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