Kenyan Newspapers Review: Rigathi Gachagua Requests KSh 2.6b For Luxury

On Friday, May 17, the Kenyan newspapers reported why Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua requested a KSh 2.6 billion budget allocation in the 2024/2025 financial year.

The dailies also reported that the first batch of the Kenyan police will be deployed to Haiti to lead a multinational force to restore peace in the Caribbean.

1. People Daily

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has explained why his office needs to spend KSh 2.6 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year.

The DP revealed that his offices and residences have been in a deplorable state for over 15 years and need to be renovated.

Gachagua's spokesperson, Njeri Rugene, said KSh 300 million will be used to renovate the Harambee House Annex, Karen, and Mombasa residences.

The DP will also purchase new KSh 100 million vehicles, as he claimed that he has been using old cars, which are expensive to maintain.

Other expenditures include KSh 247.7 million for food and drinks, receptions and gifts.

Gachagua will spend KSh 93.8 million on accommodation, KSh 15 million on state visits abroad and KSh 47 million on travel allowances.

2. Daily Nation

The publication reported that the first team of Kenyan police deployed to Haiti would land in the Caribbean country next week. At least 1,000 officers will be deployed, and the first batch will arrive on May 23.

This would coincide with President William Ruto's visit to the United States of America (USA).

The deployment comes seven months after the United Nations Security Council gave Kenya the green light to continue with the mission amid resistance from local leaders and Kenyans.

The US military has since established a barrack in Haiti where Kenyan police will operate as they seek to restore peace in the nation.

Among the police officers deployed are those from the Reece Squad, Rapid Deployment Force and Special Operation Group.

3. The Standard

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is under siege as a section of Mt Kenya leaders has questioned his loyalty to President William Ruto.

Laikipia East lawmaker Mwangi Kiunjuri dared the DP to resign for pushing the one man, one shilling, one vote revenue sharing formula.

Kiunjuri said Gachagua was the second in command in the Kenya Kwanza government and there was no need to cry foul.

"If you're dissatisfied with Ruto's administration, you may as well go and establish your own government, or you wait for two to three years to campaign and form with the people you will convince so that those of us who want to continue with the president soldier on with his government," Kiunjuri fumed.

A section of Central Kenya leaders, including Betty Maina and Edwin Mugo, have fronted Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro as Gachagua's probable successor.

4. The Star

Disquiet has rocked Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party Mt Kenya troops as they protested a scheme to push them out of the political outfit.

The leaders led by Narc Kenya's Martha Karua could announce their exit from the party.

The Karua group is set to declare their next move on Friday, May 17.

Former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni claimed there was a plot to oust them from Azimio. He said the Limuru III meeting will chart their future.

5. Taifa Leo

Former prime minister Raila Odinga is set to face another hurdle in his African Union Commission chairship quest.

Seychelles has endorsed its former vice president, Vincent Meriton, to succeed incumbent Moussa Faki of Chad.

Meriton served as Seychelles vice president from 2016 to 2020.

Besides Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti have candidates for the plum post.

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Top stories on Kenyan newspapers on Friday, May 17.

Kenyan Newspapers Review: Rigathi Gachagua Requests KSh 2.6b for Luxury

Kenyan Newspapers Review: Rigathi Gachagua to Finally Get KSh 2b