Kenya’s front pages today paint a troubling picture of public spending excesses, deepening social crises, and high-stakes political manoeuvring, as the country grapples with accountability questions and early succession politics.
Kindiki’s Alleged Sh340 Million Flight Budget Sparks Austerity Debate
The Daily Nation leads with revelations that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will allegedly spend Sh338.8 million on private jets, helicopters and chartered flights in the current financial year.
The figure is nearly three times the allocation for the presidential secondary school bursary scheme, raising fresh doubts about the government’s commitment to austerity amid tight public finances.
Official disclosures show the DP’s office has already overshot its recurrent budget, intensifying scrutiny from taxpayers and lawmakers alike.
Mystery Deaths of Street Children Shock the Nation
Grief and unanswered questions dominate another major headline following the mysterious deaths of 15 street children within one month.
According to postmortem findings some children were killed, while others died from natural causes, including cold-related illnesses.
Nine of the victims were buried at Lang’ata Cemetery, while investigations continue into what activists describe as a systemic failure to protect vulnerable children.
Gold Scams and State Impunity
The Standard exposes Kenya’s growing reputation as a haven for gold scammers, following an alleged Sh37 million fraud scandal involving foreign investors, forged licences, fake vaults and staged security operations.
Despite arrests in similar cases, the persistence of such syndicates raises serious questions about law enforcement effectiveness and possible protection networks.
Maraga’s Presidential Bid Gains Financial Backing
In politics, former Chief Justice David Maraga is reported to be quietly raising millions from well-wishers to fund a potential presidential campaign, signalling the early formation of alternative power centres ahead of 2027.
ODM–UDA Talks and Ruto’s Balancing Act
People Daily focuses on the fragile Ruto–Raila broad-based arrangement, questioning whether the pact can survive mounting internal tensions.
At the same time, President William Ruto faces pressure to retain DP Kindiki amid ODM–UDA talks, while speculation grows over whether Eugene Wamalwa is being strategically courted into government.
Human Trafficking and Relief Food Scandals
The Star reports that Kenya is now ranked second in Africa for human trafficking, while another audit exposes alleged billions at risk due to an opaque relief food distribution system.
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