Kenyan Newspapers Review, August 6: Uhuru to Support Raila Odinga in 2027 Presidential Vote
The Kenyan newspapers on Wednesday, August 6, reported on the political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election; former president Uhuru Kenyatta has reportedly declared his support for ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, Kenya's non-NATO ally status is being spotlighted as a United States senator instigates a probe into Nairobi's alleged illicit links and dealings.
1. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported on the likelihood of an Azimio La Umoja Coalition Party repeat as former president Uhuru Kenyatta reportedly declares support for ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Uhuru's Jubilee Party says it still recognises Raila as the leader of Azimio La Umoja.
Jubilee deputy chairman David Murathe said that Uhuru told them during the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, August 5, that he was ready to support Raila in 2027 as long as he cuts ties with the current administration.
"We still recognise Raila as the leader of the Azimio Alliance. And as a coalition, we decide our direction; however, I tell you we are with Tinga (Raila) until the situation changes. Raila is our leader and Uhuru is our chairman. People can also decide to form a new alliance and involve more leaders," Taifa Leo quoted Murathe as saying.
Murathe praised Raila's political astuteness, saying that he is playing smart in keeping his political cards a secret.
He said Raila's move to keep his cards a secret gives them confidence that they can still work with him.
“Even if you look at the way he talks and the way he looks, you will see that he will not support this government. There is no way Sifuna would be talking the way he is without Raila’s blessings,” said Murathe.
He added;
"I have been told that the ODM deputy leaders are also with Sifuna. Raila is a master of this game and knows how to capture people's emotions before giving his political direction."
Regarding the reports that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i is aiming to use the party to contest for the presidency, Murathe said no such thing has been discussed and agreed upon by the party.
Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni has been quoted many a time declaring Matiang'i as the Jubilee Party's presidential candidate.
2. Daily Nation
The newspaper reported on the spotlight on Kenya’s Non-NATO Ally status.
This follows a proposed amendment to the 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act by Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Risch is calling for a reassessment of Kenya’s Non-NATO Ally designation by the US Secretary of State, in collaboration with other officials.
The review is expected within 90 days, with a comprehensive report to be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the Act’s passage.
The evaluation will focus on Kenya’s collaboration with the US in combating violent extremism, promoting peace and stability in Sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti, its role in UN peacekeeping missions, and its economic partnership with the US.
It will also examine Kenya’s military and diplomatic ties with nations such as China, Russia, and Iran.
Moreover, the review will investigate any associations between Kenyan authorities and extremist groups like the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and al-Shabaab.
It will also assess how Kenya utilises American security aid and intelligence, particularly in relation to actions against civilians—including abductions, torture, and other forms of violence—whether state-sponsored or otherwise.
Kenya received its Non-NATO Ally designation in June 2024 under former President Joe Biden’s administration, becoming the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain this status.
The designation allowed Kenya access to advanced US military equipment and deepened its security cooperation with Washington.
3. The Star
The newspaper reported on the whereabouts of Siaya governor James Orengo.
According to The Star, Orengo left Kenya for the US a few weeks ago on board an Emirates flight.
Those close to him confided in The Star that he is under treatment at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre at the University of California, San Francisco.
"The governor is in the US—that is a fact. He is there for medical reasons, but only the family can officially confirm that," The Star quoted an anonymous source.
The governor is not in a critical condition, according to The Star, and will return to Kenya soon.
Questions had abounded about the county boss's missing in public, with rumours emerging that he had resigned from his post.
The ODM party came out to dispel them.
4. The Standard
The newspaper reported on the report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on the state of corruption in the country.
The anti-graft body released a list of public institutions where corruption is rampant, revealing a grim picture in the fight against corruption in Kenya.
The National Ethics and Corruption Survey (NECS) 2024 shows that there is a high level of corruption in key public institutions, a situation that has affected the equitable delivery of services to Kenyans.
The five institutions listed with 100% corruption cases are the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Social Protection, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the National Treasury.
According to the report, every time a Kenyan seeks services from these institutions, they are forced to pay bribes.
Other institutions with high corruption rates include the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), deputy county commissioners’ offices, Public Works and Transport departments, among others.
Sectors with high corruption cases are those related to essential activities such as recruitment, passport acquisition, obtaining police certificates, obtaining contracts and land disputes.
Other services that have been identified as particularly susceptible to bribery include CDF bursary applications, university admission applications, Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) card applications and residential land surveying.
The EACC report also shows that one is more likely to encounter corruption and unethical practices in the Ministry of Interior.
The Ministry of Health (19.7%), the Treasury Pensions Department (5.8%), the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development (4.7%), and the Ministry of Education (4.1%).
Other government departments identified as having high levels of corruption are the Kenya Police (38.2%), the Immigration Department (5.1%), the National Registration Office (4.4%), the Traffic Police (3.6%), the Civil Registry (3.4%), and the Social Health Authority (SHA) (2.7%).
According to the new report, Kenyans paid an average bribe of KSh 4,878 in 2024, compared to KSh 11,625 in 2023.
However, the number of people forced to pay bribes to obtain services rose to 25.4% in 2024, from 17.7% in 2023.
Bribery emerged as the most common form of corruption in public offices in 2024 (51.15).
Other forms of corruption include nepotism, abuse of power, tribalism, and family favouritism.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
