On Thursday, July 27, the Kenyan dailies spotlighted an array of topics; the political status quo in the country got much coverage.
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1. Taifa Leo
The newspaper covered the news of Tanzania's president Samia Suluhu being overlooked by his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto.
Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga had earlier claimed that Samia was recently in Kenya to broker a truce between him and Ruto but the latter paid no attention to her.
Responding to the claims, the government said it was not aware of Samia's trip to Kenya, suggesting she might have been around for a vacation.
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It is known that a visiting president, regardless of their business, ought to inform the host president for purposes of security and diplomatic protocols.
Government spokesperson Hussein Mohamed dismissed the claims that Ruto deliberately snubbed Samia.
"The reports that Samia did not meet with Ruto is because her visit was not a state one as the necessary protocols had not been followed. In any case, anytime a president visits, there is always correspondence between the respective foreign dockets, but in this case, we did not get any communication," said Mohamed.
Dodoma is yet to comment on the matter.
2. Daily Nation
The daily reported on Raila's reaction to Ruto's invitation to dialogue.
Via Twitter, the president invited Raila for talks after a bout of political rivalry during which both held on to their respective stances.
"My friend Raila Odinga, I am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent. I am back tomorrow evening, and as you have always known, I am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience," Ruto said.
Responding to the invitation a day later, Raila said the president showed a lack of seriousness by using social media for the purpose of inviting him for talks.
He suggested the president should have approached him formally if he was ready for the engagements.
"If he wanted to meet with me, he would not have invited me through social media. He knows my address, he knows my telephone number. He is basically just playing games," he said.
Raila said he was ready to engage the president any time to deliberate on the issues bedevilling the country.
"We have a crisis in this country that requires a serious approach. We are ready anytime when they are ready for those talks," he said.
3. The Star
The publication reported on Azimio La Umoja's organised candle-lit vigils in honour of the victims of police brutality during the anti-government protests.
The opposition's supporters were up early on Wednesday, July 26, to take part in the exercise.
The exercise involved prayers, candle lighting, and the laying of wreaths.
It was majorly aimed at standing in solidarity with the remembrance of lives lost at the hands of the police during the anti-government protests.
According to Azimio, the coalition volunteered to acquire flowers and candles for the vigil to demonstrate love for the victims and solidarity with their families and the cause they died for.
Supporters were directed to organise themselves in groups and sing the National Anthem and say prayers for justice for the dead and the injured upon lighting the candles and laying the wreaths.
Their leaders led by Raila visited those hospitalised in Nairobi to share moments with them.
According to Azimio, about 50 people have been felled by police bullets since the start of the protests in March this year.
4. The Standard
The publication highlighted the hardline stances of those in Ruto's camp against the possibility of a political truce between the president and Raila.
The president, in a friendly Twitter post, invited Raila to dialogue to end their political feud.
A section of the leaders on the president's fold is however not ready for that reality.
Among them is Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah who is also the leader of majority in the National Assembly.
He attacked former president Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila, saying they are begging to meet Ruto after realising he is the president.
"Now William Ruto, suddenly everyone wants to meet with you, even the one who 11 months ago didn’t even want to shake your hand nor talk to you now wants to and calls you “his president”. It is well, some progress. Happy that Baba has recovered from the flu but when did he start working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or as a state house spokesperson?" Ichung'wah posed.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also been opposed to any power-sharing arrangement between the president and Raila.
5. People Daily
People Daily highlighted the reprieve in favour of Uhuru Kenyatta's son whose gun permit won't be seized by the state.
The High Court barred the state from withdrawing the license of John Jomo Kenyatta.
This was after the former head of state's son filed an application opposing the withdrawal of his firearm.
Jomo filed an application under a certificate of urgency, saying that he was not informed of the reasons for the intended revocation of his certificate despite being in possession of a license.
He argued that the decision by the Firearms Licensing Board to revoke his license was unconstitutional.
Justice Jairus Ngaah stopped the firearm licensing from revoking Jomo's gun license until his application was heard and determined.
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