Kenya Newspapers Review: Gachagua’s Impeachment Takes New Twist as Man Fights to Keep Case Alive

The newspapers on Thursday, May 22, reported that Kenya’s political climate remained tense, with special attention on its diplomatic ties following the recent arrest and deportation of some leaders from Tanzania.

1. The Standard

The paper reported that the government is considering writing off about KSh 6 billion in unpaid Hustler Fund loans taken by around 10 million Kenyans.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni told MPs that many borrowers took small amounts, some as low as KSh 500, once or twice in late 2022 and never repaid.

Mang’eni, speaking to the Departmental Committee on Trade, said the repayment rate for personal loans stands at 80%, with KSh 53.8 billion already recovered out of KSh 65.5 billion disbursed.

She added that defaulters have been flagged as bad borrowers and cannot access new loans.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu reported that the Hustler Fund is facing serious financial issues. Her audit revealed non-performing loans worth KSh 8 billion, and said 64% of borrowed money remains unpaid.

MPs questioned the request for an extra KSh 5 billion when the department can still collect money from defaulters. Aldai MP Marriane Keitany asked why more funding was needed despite the unrecovered billions. Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina criticised the fund, calling it confusing and ineffective.

Mang’eni also mentioned plans to include insurance and affordable housing products in the Hustler Fund, but noted that only KSh 1 billion is budgeted for these projects, short of the KSh 5 billion needed.

2. The Star

According to the paper, a man named Fredrick Mula has asked the High Court to let him take over the case challenging the impeachment of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

Mula, through his lawyer Kelly Malenya, argued that the petitions raise serious public interest concerns and should not be withdrawn.

Gachagua had earlier filed a petition after the Senate confirmed his impeachment. He and four other petitioners later applied to withdraw their earlier cases, saying the issues raised were already covered in the later petition.

In total, about 12 petitions had been filed against Gachagua’s removal, some before, during, and after the impeachment.

A bench of three judges had already grouped the petitions into two based on when they were filed. Mula now wants to replace Gachagua and the others seeking to withdraw, so the cases can continue.

The petitions question whether Parliament followed the law during the impeachment, whether Gachagua’s rights were violated, and if there was enough public participation.

Gachagua has claimed he was denied a fair trial and had no time to prepare his defence after falling ill before testifying.

The case is still pending as the High Court awaits directions from Chief Justice Martha Koome.

3. Taifa Leo

The Kiswahili daily reported over 3,000 public servants, including top officials, police commanders, and intelligence officers, were found to have used fake academic and professional certificates to get government jobs, according to a new report by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said on Monday that fake documents were being used across all levels of government, including state corporations and independent offices.

He revealed that out of 28,000 certificates verified by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), over 1,280 were fake. Another 787 officials were discovered to have no valid academic qualifications.

Koskei said that many of these individuals had gained promotions and key roles despite lacking the skills needed for their jobs.

He called the situation dangerous, saying it affects the entire public service, from primary to postgraduate education levels.

PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri said the issue was so serious that a national conference was held to address it.

He mentioned cases where people presented Master’s or PhD certificates but couldn’t speak or perform accordingly.

EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud added that 134 cases had been completed, with 13 convictions and KSh460 million in salaries being recovered. EACC Chair David Oginde warned that fake certificates are harming Kenya’s global reputation for skilled professionals.

4. Daily Nation

The paper reported that the family of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has asked for answers about his whereabouts after days of silence.

Reports suggest he was arrested in Tanzania and possibly deported, but no proof has been shown.

His wife, Njeri Mwangi, said the last time she heard from him was Monday afternoon, when he was at a Tanzanian police station.

She said his phone was taken away during the call, and she hasn’t heard from him since.

Mwangi was reportedly arrested alongside Ugandan journalist and lawyer Agatha Atuhaire. Neither has been seen or heard from.

Speaking outside the Tanzanian consulate in Nairobi, Njeri described the situation as painful.

She said Tanzanian authorities claimed her husband was deported but provided no evidence. She questioned why no one had seen or heard from him, saying it was unlike him to go quiet for so long.

Njeri urged Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities to be transparent. In an open letter, she said she had reached out to the United Nations and asked Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make the case a diplomatic priority.

She also called on the Kenyan embassy in Tanzania to push for his release and demanded public action to ensure her husband’s safety.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke