On Tuesday, July 26, the Kenyan newspapers reported extensively on the hefty perks that await President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in just two weeks’ time.
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The newspapers also reported that Ruto, the Kenya Kwanza presidential flagbearer is expected to have a field day this evening should his main rival in the August 9 polls Raila Odinga make good his threat to skip the highly publicized presidential debate.
- The Star
According to the publication, Uhuru and Ruto will get millions of shillings in send-off packages and other hefty retirement benefits in just two weeks.
The head of state, one of the richest men in Kenya, will be entitled to a one-off gratuity of KSh 34.6 million and a lifetime pension of KSh 1.2 million every month.
Should Ruto lose the August 9 presidential vote, he will have a fat package to assuage his feelings of defeat. However, there will be no retirement package for him if he wins in the polls.
Ruto will take home Sh29.4 million in lump sum payments, and a monthly pension of KSh 981,750 for the rest of his life if he loses the presidential bid.
- Daily Nation
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga’s vow to skip tonight’s presidential debate has triggered bitter exchanges as his main rival, Ruto mocked him for the decision.
Barring a last-minute change of heart by Raila, Ruto is set fr a 90-minute monologue with moderators in a development reminiscent of the 2017 presidential debate when Uhuru skipped the forum and left Raila to hog the limelight.
It would be an anti-climax, giving the clash between two presidential front runners was the headline event a fortnight to the August 9 vote, and following the showdown between their running mates Rigathi Gachagua and Martha Karua last week.
Raila’s campaign team insists the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader will skip the debate, portraying Ruto as not worthy to share a podium with their candidate.
- Taifa Leo
The daily reported that Chief Justice Martha Koome has transferred various High Court judges in a reshuffle that seeks to address gaps created by the recent promotion of six judges to the Court of Appeal.
“The transfers are done at the discretion of the Chief Justice to address gaps created by the promotion of judges especially in busy High Court stations,” said the CJ in a statement.
Among the judges affected by the transfer is Justice Antony Mrima who has been moved from the Constitutional and Human Rights Division in Milimani, Nairobi to become the Presiding Judge of the High Court in Kitale from August 1, 2022. His transfer follows the appointment of Justice Luka Kimaru to the Court of Appeal.
The other judges elevated to the appellate court include judges Lydia Achode, Fredrik Ochieng, John Mativo. Grace Ngenye and Aroni Abida Ali.
- The Standard
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its dealings with Smartmatic International Holding, saying it is a procedural and that it has a contractual agreement with the company.
The electoral commission also defended the involvement of Seamless Limited in the deal. Last week, government officials arrested three Venezuelans they suspected were in possession of sensitive election materials that were not declared at the customs.
The three- Jose Gregorio Camargo Castellanos, Salvador Javier Sosa Suarez and Joel Gustavo Rodriguez Garcia will today, Tuesday, July 26 appear before the Anti-Terror police after their fate, whether they will be charged, deported or freed, will be known.
- People Daily
According to the publication, the driver of the ill-fated bus that plunged into Nithi River on Sunday night, killing 35 people had complained of faulty brakes in the days leading to the accident, it has emerged.
On Monday, July 25, Beatrice Wakodhia, the widow of the driver Paul Kamau, told the media in Mombasa how her husband had complained about the vehicle’s brakes in the past two weeks, but no action was taken by the management.
Beatrice said her husband last communicated with their daughter at the weekend when she (Beatrice) attended a parents’ meeting at St Teresa Kithimu Girls in Secondary School in Embu county.
The driver’s widow said she did not communicate with him until Sunday evening when she started receiving calls from friends and relatives inquiring on his whereabouts after learning of the accident.