On Friday, November 8, the Kenyan newspapers reported about an imminent political deal between former vice president Kalonzo and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

The dailies also reported that the National Assembly plans to hand President William Ruto a blank cheque for more borrowing beyond the debt ceiling.

1. The Star

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, which gave the Kenya Kenya Alliance a run for its money in the 2022 General Election, is on the brink of collapse.

This came after President William Ruto joined hands with his political nemesis Raila Odinga, who was Azimio’s presidential flagbearer in the polls.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-K counterpart Eugene Wamalwa are decamping from Azimio to form a new political outfit ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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This comes amid talks with former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who was kicked out of office through an impeachment.

Kalonzo’s allies revealed the new outfit could be in place by Christmas, indicating new realignments in the country’s political landscape.

“We are working on the new coalition and looking for new partners. The coalition should be in place by Christmas. Mt Kenya is one one of the regions we are going to work with,” Makueni lawmaker Dan Maanzo disclosed.

2. Daily Nation

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa wants to amend the debt ceiling, which Members of Parliament (MPs) set at 55% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The new proposal in the Public Finance and Management (Amendment) No 4 Bill, 2024, seeks to give President William Ruto free rein to continue his borrowing spree.

The bill seeks to extend the 2028 deadline for implementation of the debt threshold.

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However, the government has already breached the debt limit as the country’s debt has surpassed 70% of GDP.

As of June 2024, Kenya’s debt stood at 10.6 trillion compared to KSh 10.3 trillion in June 2023.

3. People Daily

Two former National Youth Service (NYS) officials have been found guilty of engaging in fraudulent deals.

The duo, Samuel Wachenje and Hendrick Nyongesa was jailed for 12 years by Milimani Law Courts.

Wachenje was the director of finance, while Nyongesa served as head of procurement when taxpayers lost a whopping KSh 791 million in the NYS scandal.

“I sentence Wachenje and Nyongesa to five years each for breach of trust. Nyongesa is also sentenced to seven years for forging a document without authority. The sentences will run concurrently,” Milimani principal magistrate Wandia Nyamu ruled.

4. The Standard

Former prime minister Raila Odinga will formally kick off his campaign for the African Union Commission chairship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today.

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Raila’s secretariat will launch his bid at the Africa Union (AU) headquarters in the Ethiopian capital.

The secretariat is led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’oei and former Kenyan ambassador to the United States (US) Elkanah Odembo.

“The candidate will use the forum to outline his pan-African vision and priorities in line with AU Agenda 2063,” a statement by the secretariat explained.

Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf is deemed as Raila’s main opponent in the race.

5. Taifa Leo

Kenyan counties are facing a cash crunch following delayed disbursement of funds by the National Treasury.

The crisis means thousands of workers in devolved units countrywide are yet to receive their salaries for months.

In Bungoma, workers received their last salary in July, and this has left employees stressed and depressed.

The delayed release of funds has been linked to the implementation of the Social Health Authority, which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund.

Source: TUKO.co.ke