Kenyan Newspapers Review, May 14: State House Turns Down James Orengo's Request to Meet William Ruto

The newspapers on Wednesday, May 14, reported on the prevalent politics in the country, including the efforts by Siaya governor James Orengo to fight off the attempts by the handlers of President William Ruto to isolate him.

Elsewhere, the newspapers highlighted the opposition's concerns about the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

1. Daily Nation

The newspaper reported on the failed attempts by Siaya governor James Orengo to get an audience with President William Ruto to deliberate on the development of the former's county.

As Daily Nation reports, Orengo wrote to the president in April seeking a meeting with the president; he would attend it alongside the elected leaders from the county.

However, State House Nairobi is reported to have turned down Orengo's request because of his harsh criticism of the president.

The governor belongs to the faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party that has been finding faults in Ruto's administration and calling them out despite the partnership between the party and the government.

Meanwhile, the elected leaders from the county who have been pulling toward the government met with Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi to plan on meeting the president, this without Orengo.

The governor sought the intervention of ODM leader Raila Odinga, seeking to address his differences with other leaders from his county.

2. Taifa Leo

Taifa Leo reported on the concerns raised by the opposition, stewarded by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, over the new IEBC team.

President William Ruto nominated the chairman and six members of the commission on April 8.

The nominees await vetting by the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC).

In their arguments, the opposition stated that the selection process was flawed and would lead to the formation of a partisan electoral body.

In a statement jointly authored by the leaders of "The People's United Opposition", the Kalonzo-led team was concerned that conflicts of interest corrupted the whole process, adding that it was a scheme to rig the next election.

According to them, the nominees, from the proposed chairman Erastus Edung, to the commissioners, are linked to the president in one way or another, suggesting that upon its installation, the new IEBC will be a branch of the executive.

They hinted at forming a parallel team, having expressed their lack of confidence in the incoming commission.

The opposition also demanded the selection panel's exit report detailing the process of recruiting the electoral agency's members.

"As the People's Opposition, we will not sit back and watch the subversion of democracy. We are taking immediate steps to establish a People's IEBC-a citizen-led watchdog that will mirror the official commission and hold it to the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and constitutionalism as envisioned in Article 10 on national values and the principles of good governance.

Furthermore, we demand the immediate and full publication of the Selection Panel's exit report and all Hansard records that the public can scrutinise on the criteria the selection panel used to recommend the six nominees of the commission," partly read the opposition's statement.

3. People Daily

People Daily spared space for the ongoing murder case of Kasipul Ong'ondo Were.

On Tuesday, May 13, police were allowed to detain the prime suspects to allow extensive investigations.

The suspect believed to be the shooter, Isaac Kuria, was arrested on Sunday, May 11, in Isebania on the Kenya-Tanzania border as he was allegedly trying to escape.

Lead investigator Sergeant Reuben Mwaniki told Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Chief Magistrate Irene Gichobi that he needed 30 days to continue holding Kuria alias 'Kush'.

In another appearance, a magistrate yesterday granted police 23 more days instead of 30 days to continue detaining Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) member Ebel Ochieng over the murder.

According to the prosecution, as People Daily reported, immediately after executing the mission, the suspect fled from Nairobi to Isebania within Migori county, and was in the process of crossing to Tanzania when he was arrested and is therefore a flight risk.

Mwaniki said that the crime was planned way before its execution, with meetings within and outside Nairobi.

Therefore, more investigations will be conducted in Nairobi, Homa Bay and other counties, a process that Mwaniki said will require more time.

The officer said there is a need to visit and conduct further and insightful interviews at the home and place of work, including the MP's office, to better understand his last moments, days and hours before his death.

Were was laid to rest on May 9, nine days after he was fatally shot on Nairobi's Ngong Road.

4. The Standard

The newspaper reported on the backlash President William Ruto received after the admission of abductions undertaken by government operatives.

His statement on Monday, May 12, that all abducted people in the country were released to be reunited with their families sparked outrage from leaders and human rights defenders, who criticised him for admitting that his government was involved in the atrocities.

Retired chief justice David Maraga seemed shocked by Ruto's statement and called for a thorough investigation and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua described the president's statement as a "blatant acceptance" of the abductions.

The political leaders and human rights activists argued that many people were made to disappear in Kenya last year, and that Ruto made his statements despite the emotional burden on the families of the victims and their loved ones.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke