Headlines

Former Inspector General Japhet Koome addresses officers in Turkana County on February 14, 2023. Image credit: National Police Service In Summary: 1) President Ruto announced the resignation of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and appointed Douglas Kanja as the acting IG. 2) Multiple key appointments and redeployments were made within the National Police Service and related security agencies. On Friday, July 12, President William Ruto announced the resignation of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome. In a statement, Ruto accepted Koome's resignation to facilitate a smooth transition within the top leadership of the National Police Service (NPS). Following Koome's decision to step down, President Ruto appointed Douglas Kanja as the acting IG, pending the nominatio...

Cabinet Reshuffle: Reactions as President Ruto Dismisses Entire Cabinet, Spares Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary. In Summary: 1) President William Ruto has sparked varied responses with his decision to overhaul his Kenya Kwanza administration by dismissing all Cabinet members and the Attorney General, citing alignment with public feedback and a "holistic appraisal" of his Cabinet's performance. 2) While Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were spared, reactions from political figures and commentators reflect a spectrum of opinions on the abrupt dismissals. President William Ruto's decision to make "far-reaching changes" in his Kenya Kwanza administration has sparked a flurry of reactions across Kenya's political landscape....

In Summary: Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua positions himself as a defender of the people during government crisis, while President William Ruto's austerity measures spark concerns and protests. Headlines from Kenyan newspapers on Tuesday, July 9,2024 including The Standard, Daily Nation, People Daily, The Star, and Taifa Leo. IMAGE |Courtesy On Tuesday, July 9, Kenyan national newspapers provided extensive coverage of President William Ruto's austerity measures, which have been met with significant opposition following protests against the Finance Bill 2024. Here's a breakdown of how different newspapers reported on the issue: The Star:In the midst of the government's crisis, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as the people's advocate, presenting himself...

Senator Edwin Sifuna rejects a proposed salary increase: "I didn’t ask for it." Photo: Edwin Sifuna |Twitter In Summary: 1) Senator Edwin Sifuna opposes the government's proposal to raise salaries for state officers. 2) Sifuna stated he would not advocate for a salary increase during a national call to lessen taxpayer burden. 3) The SRC's plan to raise salaries for MPs and other officials will take effect on July 1, but the President and his deputy's salaries will remain unchanged. Reacting to the recent report on salary hikes for senior state officials, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna stated that he neither requested nor requires the proposed increase. The salary adjustments were announced by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). "Let's be clear about this. Th...

Kenyans unveil a platform to monitor pledges by politicians and cabinet members in the Kenya Kwanza administration under President William Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua. Photo : William Ruto/@lindahoguttu /X In Summary: 1) Kenyans launch a website to track 350+ promises by President Ruto and Kenya Kwanza officials. 2) The platform aims to enhance government accountability and transparency. Nairobi, Kenya - A new website has been launched by Kenyans to track over 350 promises made by President William Ruto and other officials within the Kenya Kwanza administration. This initiative aims to hold the government accountable by meticulously monitoring the progress and fulfilment of its pledges. The initiative gained attention after @lindahoguttu tweeted, "Someone has created a...

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other ODM officials address the media at Capital Hill, Nairobi, on April 3, 2024. Image: Twitter In Summary: 1) ODM alleges at least 50 Kenyans have been abducted and held incommunicado by security agents. 2) The party calls for their immediate release and condemns the government's handling of peaceful protests. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has accused the state of abducting and holding incommunicado at least 50 Kenyans. The party expressed deep concern over what it described as oppressive measures against peaceful protests nationwide. In a statement delivered by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Tuesday in Nairobi, the party demanded the immediate release of the allegedly detained individuals. "We condemn the ongoi...

President William Ruto refutes Rigathi Gachagua's claims about the National Intelligence Service's handling of protest warnings. Photo: Rigathi Gachagua and William Ruto. Source: Twitter. In Summary: 1) President William Ruto denied claims by Rigathi Gachagua that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) failed to brief him on the severity of the anti-Finance Bill protests. 2) Ruto explained that the government had received intelligence indicating potential criminal activities during the protests and prepared accordingly. President William Ruto Denies Gachagua’s Allegations: President William Ruto has denied Rigathi Gachagua's claims that NIS did not brief him on the severity of the protests. What exactly did President Ruto say? During a presidential round table wit...

A collage featuring President William Ruto (right) and US President Joe Biden (left). IMAGE: PCS In Summary: US Secretary of State Blinken urges Kenyan security to avoid excessive force. Economic discussions held following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill. Moments after President William Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill 2024, the United States administration, led by President Joe Biden, reached out to him. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made the call, stressing the need for Kenyan security forces to exercise restraint and avoid excessive force against protestors. The conversation also touched on the economic implications of withdrawing the Bill, which aimed to raise over Ksh300 billion. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted Kenya's strate...

Kenya President William Ruto .IMAGE | Courtesy In Summary: 1)President Ruto has withdrawn the Finance Bill 2024. 2)The decision follows public protests and aims to address the cost of living and explore alternative revenue options. President William Ruto announced on Wednesday, June 26, the complete withdrawal of the contentious Finance Bill 2024. Speaking at State House, Ruto cited the public outcry and the need to explore alternative means of raising funds for Kenya's financial future. Ruto acknowledged the widespread disapproval of the bill and emphasized that his administration had listened to the citizens' demands to reduce the cost of living. "After carefully considering the conversation around the bill and listening to the Kenyan people, I have decided not to...