On Monday, May 27, the national dailies widely reported President William Ruto’s explanation for using private jets.
The dailies also reported on the threats by Azimio la Umoja to initiate an impeachment motion against the president.
1. Daily Nation
The publication reported on President William Ruto’s controversial explanation for hiring a chartered plane for his US trip. In a tweet, Ruto said he opted to use a private jet because using a Kenya Airways plane would have been much more expensive compared to what he used.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns about my mode of transport to the USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ,” Ruto said.
His explanation attracted backlash from Kenyans, who said he should have used the opportunity to market KQ. Ruto flew a chartered Boeing 737-700 business jet operated by Royal Jet of Dubai.
He abandoned the 26-seater Fokker 70ER, Harambee 1, due to its range limitations, as it can only travel for five hours nonstop.
2. People Daily
The paper reported that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leaders want President William Ruto impeached for constitutional violations and disobeying court orders.
Led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, the opposition claimed Ruto had blatantly violated the supreme law he swore to protect when he took the oath of office. Wamalwa slammed Ruto for sending National Police Service Officers on a mission to Haiti despite the courts terming the move illegal.
“The courts, the church and everyone else have told you to stop sending the troops to Haiti. You have violated the Constitution you swore to protect and disobeyed court orders. These are clear provisions of impeachment.
“It is unconstitutional, illegal and smack on the face of Kenyans. If the those police officers come back in body bags, we shall hold you responsible,” Wamalwa said. 3. The Standard
3. The Standard
The paper highlighted the increasing division in Kenya Kwanza Alliance after Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi lectured Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over claims that he was being undermined. Speaking in Ainabkoi Constituency on Sunday, May 26, Sudi castigated the deputy president, arguing that every leader has a right to travel across the country beyond their constituencies to support their party leaders. Sudi called on Gachagua to respect other leaders, noting that every leader in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance contributed to Ruto’s victory.
“We are all students of President William Ruto. Everyone has the authority to travel across the country. Everyone contributed to the Kenya Kwanza Government. Let’s respect each other. We ask the president and his deputy to respect us.”
4. Taifa Leo
The Kiswahili publication reported the alleged fallout between Gachagua and President William Ruto. The second in command emphatically denied claims of discord between himself and the president.
While speaking during an interdenominational church service in Kesses on Sunday, May 26, the deputy president stressed their harmonious working relationship, characterised by mutual respect and admiration. He emphasised that President Ruto has entrusted him with significant responsibilities, some of which have been quite demanding, yet he has been given ample time and support to fulfil them.
5. The Star
The paper reported on the investigations regarding a shooting incident that killed a 35-year-old man outside a lounge in Kiambu town on Saturday, May 25.
Until his death, Anthony Njomo Kiunu worked as an electrician for the US Embassy in Nairobi, police said. An official there said they had been informed Kiunu was a bystander when the fatal bullet caught him.
“He was just a bystander when he was shot fatally in an altercation that started in the club,” said an official aware of the incident. The official said for now, they don’t think he was targeted in the shooting.
