Kenyan Newspapers Review For August 28: William Ruto Uneasy As Raila Threatens Return Of Maandamano

On Monday, August 28, the national dailies widely reported on President William Ruto's tour of the Western region, which his critics are now touting as a campaign tour for his 2027 re-election bid.

The papers also reported on President William Ruto's commitment to have the office of the leader of the Opposition operationalised for his rival, Raila Odinga.

1. Daily Nation

President William Ruto has led his Kenya Kwanza brigade in condemning the Opposition for its threat to return to the streets if bipartisan talks fail.

The president vowed to do everything possible to ensure the country does not experience another round of violence and chaos through the Opposition's anti-regime protests.

Ruto said his leadership aims to promote unity all around the country, and anyone sabotaging his mission will become an enemy of the people.

"What I will not allow to happen in Kenya again is street protests. They have been used to promote violence, destruction of property and sabotage of economic stability. This is unacceptable, even illegal, and against the rule of law," Ruto said.

2. The Standard

This newspaper reported on Western Kenyan leaders' condemnation of the interrogation of former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya by anti-graft officials.

On Wednesday, August 23, the former Kakamega governor was interrogated alongside his two wives at the Integrity Centre over alleged corruption and economic crimes while he was a county boss.

A section of Western Kenya leaders are now labelling the interrogation as a political witch hunt and not an authentic investigation as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission described it.

Further, the leaders, mainly drawn from the Opposition, expressed their reservations about President William Ruto's five-day tour in the western region.

They claimed the visit marked the commencement of Ruto's 2027 campaigns, pouring cold water on the narrative that the president was on a developmental tour of the region.

3. The Star

President William Ruto has announced his readiness to allocate Opposition leader Raila Odinga a powerful oversight office.

The head of state reiterated his commitment to enhance oversight of the Executive by creating the Office of the Leader of Opposition.

"If they want the office of the Leader of the Opposition, I am ready so that the government of Kenya funds that and they can now issue statements from morning to evening to criticise the government," Ruto said on Sunday, August 27.

"I have no problem with that because when he says I have not done something, it is true and I will correct it," he added.

4. Taifa Leo

President William Ruto is now seemingly using his regional tours around the country to set the stage for the 2027 campaigns.

The president and his Kenya Kwanza allies seem to be in a well-orchestrated campaign mode as 2027 talks dominate the discourse during regional tours.

The president's critics are asking him to slow down his campaign talk as he is just a year into office and has yet to deliver his election promises.

"He is just a year into office, but he seems to be already campaigning for his 2027 re-election bid," former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya said.

5. People Daily

Former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu has blamed graft charges levelled against him on his fallout with the former regime.

In court papers, Waititu said the KSh 588 million graft charges were politically instigated, and he was sacrificed in a wider political war linked to the 2022 succession politics.

While urging the court to acquit him, the former county boss, impeached in 2020, cited some of the cases withdrawn by former Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji.

The court will rule on September 21 whether he and his co-accused will be placed on their defence.