Kenyan Newspapers Review: KSh 650b SGR Extension to Malaba, Other Deals Ruto Inked in China
On Friday, April 25, the Kenyan newspapers highlighted deals inked by President William Ruto on his official trip to China.
The dailies also reported that teachers had been left in limbo after the Social Health Authority (SHA) declined to insure them.
Source: UGC
1. The Star
Kenya is set to begin the construction of the Naivasha-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in July after President William Ruto and Chinese president Xi Jinping reached an agreement.
The new railway line would run through numerous counties, including Narok, Bomet, Kericho, and Kisumu.
During his four-day state visit to China, Ruto discussed several ways to finance the railway project, which has a KSh 654 billion budget.
This project is part of Kenya's larger plan to improve regional connectivity and transportation infrastructure.
The 262.3-kilometre Naivasha-Kisumu segment (Phase 2B) of the SGR will feature an 8.9-kilometre line to Kisumu Port.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir, the railway would include 25 stations, of which 15 will be operational, while 10 will be set aside for later use.
The contract includes the supply of 35 locomotives, 724 wagons, and 64 passenger coaches.
Phase 2C of the SGR, the Kisumu-Malaba section, will span 107.27 kilometres.
2. The Standard
Besides the SGR extension to Malaba, the publication listed other agreements between Ruto and his Chinese counterpart, Jinping.
These are:
- Kenya to support the establishment of Chinese industries.
- China to import more products from Kenya, with the two nations set to finalise a free trade agreement.
- Exploring direct flights between Nairobi and China's capital city, Beijing.
- China to finance new road projects.
- Kenya to facilitate the entrance of Chinese medicine into the local market.
3. Daily Nation
In an attempt to restrict public officials' sharing of "classified" information, the government has invoked the Official Secrets Act.
The move targets former Public Service CS Justin Muturi and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who have been exposing the state.
While appearing before the National Assembly's Administration and Internal Affairs Committee, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen warned that those who reveal classified government information could face legal action under the Official Secrets Act.
However, Muturi and lawyers David Ochami and Anthony Musau argued that invoking the act is unconstitutional.
Murkomen emphasised that current and former public officials are prohibited from revealing classified information by the pledge of secrecy they take.
"There are those who do not abide by the act. There are consequences," he cautioned.
4. People Daily
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revealed that SHA refused to insure over 400,000 teachers, citing a lack of capacity.
Members of Parliament (MPs) heard that it would have cost TSC KSh 37 billion to insure tutors.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia told MPs that SHA was adamant that even if the commission had paid that amount, it would have taken a year to operationalise it.
Macharia noted that teachers were not covered by the now-defunct NHIF since it also provided high rates that the commission could not afford.
Macharia was answering a question from Abdul Haro, the MP for Mandera South, who wanted to know why the TSC had not transferred teachers to SHA.
"Last year, when we had issues with Minet, we wanted to move our teachers to SHA, so we had a meeting with SHA and were advised that it did not have adequate structures," Macharia disclosed.
5. Taifa Leo
Former Migori governor Okoth Obado, a suspect in the murder of former Rongo University student, Sharon Otieno, has admitted that he impregnated her.
The politician claimed that he was ready to support Sharon and rejected accusations that he killed her because she was pregnant.
"I congratulated her when she told me she was pregnant with my child," Obado told Justice Cecilia Githua.
Obado dismissed claims that he was uncomfortable with the student's pregnancy, and said he had offered to spend KSh 3 million to buy her a plot of land and build a house.
He alleged he ended the relationship due to disagreements.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
