PRESS REVIEW | Today’s top stories
Welcome to our Press Review section!
Here, we take a look at some of the top stories making headlines in the daily news. Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest happenings by reading our curated selection of articles.
Follow the link https://epaper.nation.africa/ke to stay ahead of the curve and stay informed.
Chebukali, Molu and Guliye came to my house with a set of demands, Raila claims
Yesterday, opposition leader Raila Odinga made a new assertion regarding the 2022 presidential election while pledging to keep pushing for President William Ruto to leave the White House over claims that he lost the election on August 9.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader claimed former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati visited his Karen home just before the elections.
Odinga claimed that Chebukati was joined by former commissioners Prof. Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu while speaking to his supporters at the Jacaranda grounds in Embakasi East, Nairobi.
The former prime minister challenged the three to be honest about the reason for the visit even as he demanded their arrest, referring to the revelation as a new dossier. The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party asserted to have CCTV footage of the trio in his home and dared them to declare their demands when they arrived. The accusations come after the former IEBC boss on Tuesday alleged that while testifying before the tribunal headed by Justice Aggrey Muchelule, Azimio Executive Director Raphael Tuju offered to bribe IEBC commissioners to prevent William Ruto’s victory.
Ruto dismisses Raila protests as sabotage
President William Ruto yesterday led his lieutenants in dismissing opposition leader Raila Odinga’s protests, saying they are ‘sponsored’ by some cartels to sabotage the Kenya Kwanza administration’s efforts to revive the economy.
President Ruto reiterated that the government will not allow the protests called by Odinga — who claims he was denied his election victory — to distract his administration from delivering on its promises to Kenyans. Odinga has vowed to pile pressure on the President to resign, alleging that a whistleblower in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) released documents that prove he won the election by more than 2.2 million votes.
Ruto said he does not need approval of the opposition to implement his development agenda.
Cost of living soars in Ruto’s 140 days in office
A Nation analysis on prices for key commodities shows that food prices increased by up to 42 per cent between September and January.
A market spot check last week revealed that Irish potatoes have witnessed the highest rise in prices, with a kilo selling at an average of KES 114.5 in leading supermarkets, up from an average of KES 80.69 in September, as per Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data. This means that the price has increased by 41.9 per cent.
A kilo of potatoes sold at an average of KES 90.78 in October, then rose to an average of KES 97.07 in November, according to the KNBS data. Sukuma wiki, one of the most consumed foods alongside ugali, also witnessed an increase in prices by 10.5 per cent, with a kilo being sold at KES 57.93 in September and now selling at about KES 64. The staple’s price has been increasing through the months as analysed by KNBS market data, and had reached KES 61.9 for a kilo by November. The prices of maize flour, the Kenyan households’ ultimate staple, have risen by 4.2 per cent since September.
A 2kg packet is selling at an average of KES 188.4 according to an analysis of prices of more than five brands in different retail shops. The commodity’s price recorded a slight drop in October to sell at an average of KES 177.66 from KES 180.8 in September, before rising again to KES 177.78 and further to KES 184.65 in December, according to KNBS data. The average price by last week was KES 7.6 higher than in September.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u recently painted a grim picture for the economy this year, with the Russia-Ukraine war and other factors expected to cause more pain to households economically.
Teachers, funds scarcity as Junior Secondary Schools open
For the 1,253,577 students who will begin junior secondary school (JSS) today, a new chapter begins as confusion looms and schools struggle to manage the difficulties the new structure presents.
The students will enroll in primary schools, which face staffing, financial, logistical, and infrastructure issues. As a result, it might take some time before effective teaching and learning begin. Even though the Ministry of Education released JSS implementation guidelines on Tuesday of last week, some of the requirements, according to schools, cannot be put into place before students return to class.
The most pressing issue for most public schools that will host the JSS is lack of enough teachers. This is despite the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) having recruited 30,000 teachers, who will report for duty today.
Last week, the Education Cabinet secretary revealed that more than 20,000 schools have been approved to host JSS, meaning that most schools will receive only one of the newly recruited teachers while there are 12 subjects to be taught.
Ex-CS Joe Mucheru bags top job at firm backed by Goldman Sachs
A Goldman Sachs-backed South African financial services start-up has appointed former ICT Cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru as the president of the company to rev up its expansion plans on the continent.
Jumo, founded in 2015, said in a statement that Mr Mucheru will support the company to deliver its growth goals, navigate the regulatory landscape, and build the firm’s presence across the African continent.
The firm, which is valued at KES 49.7 billion ($400 million), offers financial services to entrepreneurs and businesses in emerging markets. It offers credit and saving products to customers as well as infrastructure for telcos, banks, fintechs and e-commerce platforms.
Forex reserves at 88-month low as debt repayments fall due
Kenya’s foreign-exchange reserves have dropped to the lowest level in 88 months as the nation makes multi-billion shillings debt repayments, marking the second time in less than three months it is breaching the critical level of four months import cover.
Reserves currently stand at $7 billion (KES 870.7 billion), equivalent to 3.92 months of imports, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said in its weekly bulletin last Friday.
Kenya’s reserves have been depleting partly because of repayments to bilateral and commercial lenders and the CBK’s intervention to try and slow down the shilling’s depreciation against the dollar.
The fall comes as the country is this month expected to repay foreign debts estimated at KES 63 billion ($506.7 million), according to the World Bank tracker of public debt.
The shilling has weakened to an average of KES 124.35 against the dollar compared to KES 113.57 a year ago.
Kaoru Mitoma scores last-gasp winner to send Liverpool out of FA Cup
Brighton dumped holders Liverpool out of the FA Cup thanks to a brilliant 92nd minute winner from Kaoru Mitoma as the Seagulls ran out deserved 2-1 victors to earn progression to the fifth round of the competition.
Mo Salah teed up Harvey Elliott to score Liverpool’s opener – his fifth of the season in all comps; Brighton equalised through Lewis Dunk; Kaoru Mitoma scored superb injury-time decider.
Other FA Cup results
Stoke City 3-1 Stevenage
Wrexham 3-3 Sheffield United
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.