Kenyan Newspapers, May 21: Jeremiah Kioni Warns Ruto Will Win 2027 Vote if Gachagua Vies

The newspapers on Wednesday, May 21, covered the state of the country's politics, with the opposition strategising on unseating President William Ruto.

Elsewhere, the newspapers reported on the disquiet looming in the opposition, where some quarters are opposed to the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's candidature for the presidency.

1. The Standard

The newspaper reported on the disapproval of Rigathi Gachagua's presidential candidature by some of the figures in the opposition.

Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni is among those opposed to the former deputy president's candidature.

According to Kioni, Gachagua only has Mt Kenya as his stronghold and hence lacks the national outlook.

"Gachagua's candidature will only attract votes in Mt Kenya region and not from any other community because of various factors that include the tribal tag, the shareholding remarks and the way he has been branded as a regional kingpin," The Standard quoted Kioni.

"That is why I am telling Gachagua to end talks of his presidential bid. If he does that, he will have given Ruto the highway to get back to State House. That is why I am rallying all Kenyans to back Fred Matiang'i," he added.

The Jubilee Party, which is under the leadership of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, has endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.

2. Taifa Leo

Taifa Leo spared a page for the chaos witnessed in Mathira Constituency on Tuesday, May 20.

Area MP Eric Wamumbi was forced to flee a mob in Karatina town while two of his aides were seriously injured by supporters of former deputy president Gachagua.

Business activities were halted, where Gachagua’s supporters complained and created a melee when Wamumbi attempted to address some residents, forcing him to flee.

Angry residents directed their anger at the MP’s two aides, who sustained injuries in the course of the fracas.

They were admitted to Karatina Level Four Hospital.

It is alleged that one of them got into a heated argument with a woman who is a supporter of Gachagua at Karatina market.

The man was forced to seek refuge at Karatina police station while residents armed with blunt weapons were baying for his blood.

Central Kenya MPs who voted to impeach Gachagua last year have been facing fierce opposition from their constituents, who accuse them of betraying the former deputy president.

Gachagua urged the voters from Mt Kenya not to re-elect MPs who supported his removal.

Residents blocked the Karatina-Nairobi Highway as police tried to disperse them.

Anti-riot police were still patrolling the town when they went to the factories yesterday evening.

Mathira East Police Commander, Samson Leweri, said the incident was being investigated as officers tried to determine the cause of the violence.

3. Daily Nation

The newspaper reported on the woes faced by Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, who was dramatically arrested on Monday, May 19.

Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided Natembeya's home in a probe into corruption allegations.

He was arraigned in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 20.

The first charge against Natembeya was for conflict of interest contrary to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

The charges alleged that he received KSh 1.1 million from Mercy Chelangat, a director of Lyma Agro Science Ltd and owner of Maira Stores, a company that did business with the Trans Nzoia county government.

The prosecution alleged that the governor received the money between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2025.

The second charge alleged that he received KSh 2.1 million during the same period from a Mr Masungo, who is the owner of Easterly Winds Ltd, a company that did business with the county government.

According to the prosecution documents, Natembeya received financial benefits from Masungo.

The third charge alleged that the county boss received KSh 3.2 million as part of payments made to Lyma Agro Science Ltd, Maira Stores and Easterly Ltd, contrary to the public interest he was supposed to protect.

According to the EACC, Masungo received money from businessmen and later passed it on to the governor via M-Pesa.

He was released on a KSh 500,000 cash bail with the directive that he doesn't access his offices for at least 60 days.

4. People Daily

The newspaper reported on Raila Odinga's insistence that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party was not in government.

This despite the memorandum of understanding that the Orange party signed with the ruling UDA party.

However, speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, May 20, during the opening of the 42nd Annual Seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Raila appreciated the presence of some ODM personalities in government whom he said would deliver.

He called on Kenyans to be patient and allow them, calling them "ODM experts", to undertake their mandates and bring about the needed change.

Raila specifically expressed confidence in National Treasury CS John Mbadi, saying his maiden budget would reflect the wants of the common public.

"You will begin to see meaningful change when Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi presents his first budget next month. One of the immediate and tangible changes will be to the controversial Housing Levy. It will be restructured into an investment scheme so that if you don't get a house, you can get your money back," he said.

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

Source: TUKO.co.ke