Kenyan Newspapers Review: Raila Hints at Backing Ruto's Re-Election in 2027 General Election

On Friday, May 30, Kenyan newspapers delved into the 2027 General Election campaigns, pitting former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua against President William Ruto.

The dailies further highlighted Ruto's Nyanza tour alongside former prime minister Raila Odinga, where he exuded confidence that he would trounce his opponents in the upcoming polls.

1. The Star

President William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, on their first joint tour of Nyanza since signing their power-sharing agreement, urged Kenyans to support the broad-based government.

The two leaders launched projects and spoke to enthusiastic residents who had arrived as early as 8am during their multiple stops in Kisumu on Thursday, May 29.

They appealed for national unity and an end to divisive politics.

Ahead of the 2027 election, scepticism has been swirling about Raila's commitment to the broad-based administration, which has led to the joint appearances.

The opposition leader donated five acres of private land to Ruto's affordable housing programme, a move some observers interpreted as a form of endorsement.

Raila noted he would provide direction to his supporters ahead of the highly anticipated elections, hinting he could endorse Ruto for a second term.

"We have said we want to change the lives of our people. We cannot wait for another government. The current government must deliver now. Should I keep going or not?” he posed, receiving an emphatic approval from the crowd.

2. Daily Nation

Ruto has expressed confidence that he will secure re-election in the 2027 elections, claiming that his performance in office has put him well ahead of his rivals.

The UDA leader vowed to floor his opponents in the first round, arguing that the opposition has no agenda for Kenyans.

"They don't have a clear plan and aren't visionaries. The objective is to spread hatred and call me names like Kasongo and so on. Let them try, though; we'll show them dust. When you consider those tribalists, do you think they could defeat us? We're going to floor them early in the morning," he said during his Kisumu tour.

Among those seeking to unseat Ruto are Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, and former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i.

Gachagua has since launched the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) following his impeachment and subsequent resignation from the UDA Party.

3. The Standard

On Thursday, May 29, Gachagua and his backers in his impeachment case disagreed on whether High Court judges Freda Mugambi, Anthony Mrima, and Eric Ogolla should continue hearing the case.

Gachagua's lawyers, Dudley Ochiel, Elisha Ongoya, and senior counsel Paul Muite, maintained that his case should be heard quickly and that he should be allowed to make more amendments.

However, the other petitioners, who were represented by attorneys Harrison Kinyanjui and Kibe Mungai, had a different perspective.

They requested permission from the judges to debate their applications regarding whether or not the trio should continue sitting.

Kinyanjui wants Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome to appoint a fresh bench of more than five judges and exclude Mrima, Ogolla and Mugambi, citing massive procedural flaws.

4. People Daily

Citing a gender and ethnic imbalance, High Court judge Byram Ongaya on May 29 declared that more than 200 promotions made in the Attorney General's office last year were invalid.

Justice Ongaya ordered the Public Service Commission (PSC) to resolve the promotion-related issues within three months in compliance with the Constitution, pertinent laws, rules, and policies in a verdict rendered at the Nairobi Labour Court.

It was reported that the grades of the affected officers, many of whom are state lawyers, had stagnated.

"A declaration is hereby issued that the commission shall, in accordance with constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and policy provisions, resolve the issues surrounding the promotional plight of the affected officers at the Office of the Attorney General within three months of the date of this judgment," Onganya stated in his judgment.

5. Taifa Leo

Employees at Ellis Bar and Restaurant in Gatundu, Kiambu, described how Juja MP George Koimburi allegedly made merry on the night of Sunday, May 25, and left the following morning, Monday, May 26.

This came after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja disclosed that the MP may have held himself hostage and spent the night at the facility.

After he left the bar, Koimburi was later found unconscious that morning in a coffee farm in Githunguri.

However, the workers' narration differs from that of the police, who accused the Gachagua-allied MP of staging the whole incident.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke