Ruto, Raila Troops Clash Over IEBC Withdrawal From 2022 Election Team; Police Arrest Female Luhya Terror Suspect & CJ Koome Takes On DP Ruto’s Camp

Good morning,

Yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed Kenyans in arguably one of the longest State of the Nation Addresses which took close to three hours in a bid to detail his administration’s achievements over the last eight years.

During the speech, the Head of State took the opportunity to outline his administration’s efforts in reviving a struggling economic hit by the coronavirus pandemic as he heaped praises on the Jubilee government’s track record in infrastructural development and improvement of Kenyans’ living standards.

Uhuru also revived the contentious debate on BBI as he criticized the Judiciary for nullifying the process while arguing that the courts went against the will of the people consequently denying the country an opportunity to realise much-needed political stability.

However, critics, mainly drawn from his deputy William Ruto’s political camp, were quick to slam his address as unnecessarily long and accused him of leaving out critical issues such as national values, respecting court orders, extra judicial killings and the ballooning national debt.

For instance, Garrisa Town MP Aden Duale argued that the handlers of the Head of State should have given him a summarized speech. Nandi Senator Simon Cherargei posited that the President did not make attempt to address the actual issues that are facing Kenyans as he termed the speech as folklore tales and self-justification for non-performance.

Do you think the president addressed key issues that paint a true reflection of the reality of ordinary mwananchi?

Meanwhile, here are the stories making headlines today:

Ruto, Raila Troops Clash Over IEBC Withdrawal From 2022 Election Team

Political leaders allied to Opposition Chief Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto have sharply differed following IEBC’s withdrawal from a crucial election preparedness committee.

While ODM stalwarts accused IEBC of planning to bungle the 2022 polls, pro-Ruto brigade hailed IEBC boss Wafula Chebukati, saying the Office of the President wants to take over the management of the elections.