Kenyan Newspapers Review: MPs Hold Meetings In Costly Meetings Despite New KSh 9b Bunge Tower

On Saturday, June 1, the Kenyan newspapers widely reported on the apparent split within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

The papers also reported on Madaraka Day celebrations that are set to be hosted in Bungoma county for the first time.

1. Saturday Nation

The infighting in President William Ruto’s UDA party is reminiscent of the discord that rocked his predecessor's Jubilee Party.

Forged for the 2017 General Election, Jubilee was initially designed to be a behemoth that would outlive its founders. It was to follow in the footsteps of the Chinese Communist Party.

The party dramatically disintegrated when then-president Uhuru Kenyatta fell out with his deputy Ruto.

Jubilee was at first a coalition between Uhuru's The National Alliance (TNA) and Ruto's United Republican Party (URP), two parties formed ahead of the 2013 elections.

They came together and brought in other parties to form what was considered a hard-to-beat political machine. If factions do not unite, UDA could be heading in the same direction.

It is seeking to borrow from the Chinese Communist Party but at the same time, having similar squabbles that consigned Jubilee to the crematorium.

A split between Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, could threaten the UDA dream.

2. The Saturday Standard

Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi and former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko could be among the casualties of the Supreme Court's advisory on whether Kenyans can challenge Supreme Court decisions before the East Africa Court of Justice (EACJ).

The apex court's advisory is also a blow to Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, who was central to the advisory sought by Attorney General Justin Muturi.

In reaction to the unanimous verdict, Karua's lawyer, Dudley Ochiel said they will again move to the EACJ to seek an interpretation on whether the Supreme Court is right in locking out Kenyans from the regional court.

"We will consider asking the EACJ to determine if the Supreme Court of Kenya is right on this issue. As a national organ to a State party, every Supreme Court of Kenya decision must comply with the EAC Treaty. That's the irony in this situation," said Ochiel.

The import of the advisory is that the government may decide to ignore compensations awarded by the EACJ.

3. Taifa Leo

Farmers in the North Rift region, who have been storing maize worth millions, have now incurred losses as the price of this commodity continues to fall.

These farmers, who stored the maize for several months hoping the price would rise, are now demanding that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) pay them KSh 4,000 for every 90-kilogram sack.

Three months ago, a 90-kilogram sack of maize was being sold for KSh 6,800, and there are fears that the price may drop further following the arrival of cheaper grains from member countries of the East African Community (EAC) and the harvest of short-season crops, including beans and potatoes.

An investigation at the NCPB warehouses in the region revealed how farmers have been arriving at the facility, fearing they might have to sell their produce at a loss.

4. The Star

MPs are persisting in spending taxpayers’ money on high-end hotels, despite their new KSh 9 billion Bunge Tower meant to avoid costly outside meetings.

President William Ruto opened the building in April in what the parliamentary leadership said marked the end of MPs holding meetings in expensive hotels at the cost of the taxpayer.

However, a month after the opening of the structure with all amenities, both senators and members of the National Assembly have continued to hold their meetings outside Parliament.

Bunge Tower contains 26 committee rooms. They were opened for use immediately after the opening on April 25.

Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale urged the chairpersons of committees that continue to hold meetings outside Parliament buildings to be honest about their actions.

"If they cannot come out and give justifiable reasons why they are holding meetings in hotels, yet we have Bunge Tower with many rooms, then their actions are questionable," he said.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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Kenyan Newspapers Review

Kenyan Newspapers Review: MPs Hold Meetings in Costly Meetings Despite

MPs to finally occupy KSh9B Bunge Towers starting today