Kenyan Newspapers Review: Matiang’i in Dilemma as Uhuru, Gachagua Clash Over Control of Mt Kenya
On Monday, May 26, the national dailies widely reported on the proposed law that could enable the government to easily snoop on online activities by Kenyans.
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The papers also reported on the ongoing political battle between former president Uhuru Kenyatta and Rigathi Gachagua.
1. The Standard
The paper reported on the new sanctions and advanced software tools allegedly aimed at spying on and accessing the accounts of internet subscribers and SIM card users.
The Kenya Information Communications Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, currently before the National Assembly, is set to become one of the most intrusive laws affecting the right to privacy, freedom of speech, expression, and information dissemination via electronic platforms.
Sponsored by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, the bill grants the Information Cabinet Secretary broad powers to monitor and demand information from internet service providers (ISPs), telecommunication companies, and cyber operators.
It proposes amendments to various sections of the Kenya Information Communications Act that would encroach upon the mandate of the Media Council of Kenya, potentially weakening its authority over broadcast content regulation by introducing an additional layer of state surveillance.
To enforce the surveillance measures, ISPs and SIM card vendors would be required to install signature-creation devices and other monitoring tools, allowing the state to access customer data at will.
2. Taifa Leo
The publication reported on the infighting between former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s allies and retired president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.
Gachagua and allies have insisted that the recently launched Democracy for Citizens Party will be the only vehicle of choice in the Mt. Kenya region, and they will not be divided through the Jubilee Party.
The supremacy battle has placed former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i in a dilemma, as Gachagua's allies insist he should not vie on the Jubilee Party ticket.
“If anyone wants votes from Mt Kenya, there is only one door. Please [Fred] Matiang’i, don’t allow yourself to be misled by that man from Ndaragwa [Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni]. We only have one door and that is Rigathi Gachagua,” Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu said.
On his part, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya firmly stated that Mt Kenya had already settled on Gachagua as the regional kingpin.
Gakuya urged Jubilee Party members to decamp to Gachagua's new party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“My heart aches when I hear some quarters say Uhuru is yet to speak. We supported Uhuru and he led us for 10 years. He is now retired. Now we have our leader, Riggy G, who was our deputy president. When he was being impeached, I didn’t hear Uhuru speak. So, let’s not allow to be divided. Our leader is Gachagua and that’s our strong position. Our friends in Jubilee, I urge you to cross over so that we can build a strong party so that from the onset, Gachagua will have a solid eight million votes in his basket,” Gakuya said.
3. Daily Nation
The paper reported on the political strategy by the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Kihoya AIPCA Church in Murang'a county on Sunday, May 25, Gachagua declared that the political outfit is targeting 152 seats in the National Assembly and the Senate in the upcoming election.
The former deputy president said his recently launched party is eyeing at least 130 members of the National Assembly and 22 senators in the next Parliament.
“We want to cushion the country against senseless impeachment politics that William Ruto’s (President) administration has introduced.
"Had we a strong Mt Kenya party that had sponsored elected leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate, President Ruto would not have found it easy to bring together a gathering of traitors to hound us out of office," Gachagua said.
4. The Star
The publication highlighted the challenges facing schools in Kerio Valley following the withdrawal of teachers over the rising insecurity.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) announced their decision following the recent murder of Catholic priest Fr. Allois Cheruiyot Bett.
Allois was shot dead while returning from celebrating mass in Kakiptul on Thursday, May 22.
John Cheberi, KNUT secretary for the Marakwet branch, and Paul Biwott, KUPPET secretary in Elgeyo Marakwet county, stated that the situation has become extremely dangerous for teachers, especially those from outside the area.
They alleged that armed criminals and bandits are deliberately targeting these non-local teachers.
“We have decided to withdraw the teachers because of serious security concerns in the region. Three non-local security officers have also been killed recently. It’s clear that this violence is not random," Cheberi said.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
