On Wednesday, March 11, local newspapers covered major developments across the country, with reports focusing on political changes, economic concerns and important court cases shaping Kenya’s national conversation.
Source: UGC
1. Nation Today
According to the Swahili daily newspaper, the Aga Khan Economic Development Fund (AKFED) has announced the sale of all its shares in Nation Media Group (NMG) to Taarifa Limited, a company owned by a businessman from Tanzania Rostam Azizi, marking a historic change in the ownership of one of the most influential news stations in East Africa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, AKFED confirmed that it has entered into an agreement to transfer its 54.08% stake in the media giant to Taifari Limited.
The stake made the Aga Khan organization a major shareholder with significant influence over the direction and strategic operations of the company.
The agreement effectively completes the Aga Khan’s 66-year stewardship of the Nation Media Group, which was founded in 1959 by His Highness the Aga Khan IV with the aim of promoting independent journalism and strengthening democratic dialogue as Kenya moved closer to independence.
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According to a joint statement issued by AKFED and Information Limited, the new ownership is expected to strengthen the digital transformation of the media group and expand its engagement with audiences across the region.
Information Limited indicated that it intends to invest in the company’s technological capabilities while maintaining its commitment to journalism that focuses on the public interest.
However, the transition will not happen overnight as the two parties said the transaction is expected to be completed within four months, subject to regulatory approvals and the fulfillment of other conditions.
Despite acquiring the majority of shares, Taarifa Limited clarified that it has no intention of buying the remaining shares held by other investors.
Nation Media Group is publicly listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange and also trades on stock markets in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
2. Daily Nation
According to the publication, the President William Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga have formed an eight-man technical committee tasked with mapping out a possible pre-electoral alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The committee will have four representatives from each party, with UDA Executive Director Nichodemous Bore and ODM Executive Director Oduor Ongwen serving as joint secretaries.
His role will include advancing joint policy priorities and laying the foundation for a broad coalition framework to lead the two parties into the next election cycle.
The announcement came during a joint parliamentary group meeting between UDA and ODM leaders, held to mark one year since the signing of the 10-point cooperation agenda between Ruto and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga on March 7, 2025.
During the meeting, Ruto also disclosed that the government had set aside KSh 2 billion in the additional budget to compensate victims of police brutality during protest.
The compensation program is expected to help the families of those killed and injured in the 2017 protests.
The report presented by the committee led by Agnes Zani showed that approximately 80% of the agreed agenda items have already been implemented.
Among the achievements highlighted are the reduction in the price of fertilizer to KSh 2,500 per bag, a 14% drop in the price of fuel, the expansion of health care and youth empowerment programs such as the NYOTA program, which has supported more than 820,000 young entrepreneurs.
The report also mentioned the progress in the recruitment of teachers, the construction of affordable houses and the development of roads across the country.
However, the meeting was not without controversy. Some leaders criticized the delay in the implementation of certain promises, including the two-thirds gender principle.
Despite the concerns, Ruto and Oginga stressed that the broad political plan will continue until 2027 as reforms under the 10-point agenda continue.
3. The Standard
The publication reports that grief and shock engulfed families at the Webuye Sub County Mortuary as relatives gathered to identify the victims of the tragic road accident that killed 15 people on Monday night.
The tragic incident happened after two boda boda riders collided and died on the spot along a busy road.
As usual, residents and passers-by rushed to the scene to witness the results and offer help.
Shortly after, tragedy struck again when a truck traveling from Kitale to Webuye reportedly lost control and hit a crowd that had gathered near the accident site.
Ten people died instantly at the scene, while five others later succumbed to their injuries at the Webuye Sub-County Hospital while at least 31 survivors are currently receiving treatment.
Among the most affected is a family from Mihuu Ward in Webuye East state, which lost six relatives in the accident.
Ezekiel Kinisu, who led the grieving family at the mortuary, described the moment he realized the magnitude of the tragedy.
He said he rushed to the scene after hearing cries from nearby residents, but found bodies scattered on the side of the road.
After searching through the chaos, he discovered that six of the victims were members of his own family.
Kinisu disclosed that the accident resulted in the deaths of his mother, three brothers, two cousins and a neighbour, leaving the family struggling to comprehend the sudden loss.
“I heard people crying on Monday night. When I rushed to the scene, it was horrible. Bodies were scattered everywhere. To my utter surprise, I was informed that some of the victims were my family. After a thorough search, I found six of my relatives at the scene,” he said.
Other families are also mourning their loved ones, revealing that their neighbors had gone through a similar situation.
“It is very sad, and we are struggling to bear this tragedy. In my village alone, nine people have died,”
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