President William Ruto addresses residents after officially opening the Suswa Fresh Produce Market during the Narok County tour, on May 6, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] President William Ruto was either ill-prepared for office or failed to grasp the enormous responsibilities and challenges of the esteemed position he now holds, according to critics. Nairobi politician Philip Kisia referenced a viral 2022 campaign video in which Ruto questioned why fuel in landlocked Uganda was cheaper than in Kenya, despite passing through the country. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index: 1; background:…
Author: By Biketi Kikechi
President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the official opening of the Sub-County Headquarter Offices in Rangwe, Homa Bay county. The big shift that is taking place in Luhya politics should be a cause for worry to president William Ruto, his broad based ally Raila Odinga, plus Kenya Kwanza confidants Speaker Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The vitality, drive and aliveness with which both pro and anti-establishment politicians from Western Kenya have ganged up to take on President Ruto’s government is astounding but it should worry his Kenya Kwanza administration that the dissent is growing even bigger. Unlock…
A group of Women attack by hired goon on 6th July 2025 at Human Right commission office located along Amboseli road,Lavington in Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo,standard] It has been argued that the massive violence and looting in anti-government protests is an organic eruption of anger against President William Ruto’s government, while others think it is a clash between angry, hungry, poor, unemployed youth and wealthy business people. However, scholars, historians and political pundits strongly disagree, arguing that the well-organised, choreographed violence aims to create fear and animosity among voters. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0;…
Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) Nairobi Terminus . December 6th,2024. [FILE/Standard] Think tanks and diplomats have argued that the country is not utilising the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as it should and must begin transforming it into a thriving economic resource to create jobs and boost livelihoods. Discussions held in Nairobi and attended by China’s ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan and Xue Bing, the Special Envoy for Horn of Africa Affairs in China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, called for more investment and better planning for the SGR to achieve its full potential in intra-regional trade and transportation. Convened by the Africa Policy…
Protestors at Moi Avenue during the anniversary of June 2024 protests on June 25, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard] The nation is angry. There is palpable anger everywhere, from the streets where irresistible youth are demanding for good governance and opportunities, to churches, homes and all other public spaces. Never before in Kenya’s independent history has the country witnessed the outpouring of anger it is seeing now, and probably, since President William Ruto came to power in 2022. /* Container styling */ .fade-out-overlay { position: absolute; top: -80px; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 60px; z-index: 1; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(255, 255,…
Police lob teargas at journalists covering the protest to demand justice for the killing of blogger Albert Ojwang’ in police custody, in Nairobi, on June 18, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] President William Ruto’s administration is once again under scrutiny for undermining press freedom, following the shutdown of several television stations last week. This move, widely condemned by media and civil society, mirrors similar actions taken under previous administrations, actions which courts have previously ruled unlawful. In 2018, the High Court blocked the closure of three TV stations by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Despite this precedent, the current government has followed a…
Protesters during an Anti-Finance Bill 2024 demos in Nairobi on June 25, 2024. [Denish Ochieng, Standard] The epoch leadership changes created by the June 2024 Gen Z protests in Kenya are still ringing loud, not only in the country but across the African continent. However, debate persists on whether the youth uprising was spontaneous or planned by anti-government saboteurs. President William Ruto’s supporters, like Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who chairs the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations in Parliament, have long argued that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua planned and organised the protests. The Gen Z have, however, all along been clear that…
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, at Karen Hospital after visiting Juja MP George Koimburi who was admitted after he was allegedly abducted and tortured. [Collins Oduor, Standard] People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has revamped her presence in the political arena as she hogs the limelight in the East African region and at home. Even before she was detained and deported from Dar-es-Salaam three weeks ago, she had already captured public attention in the dramatic Kizza Besigye court-martial case after the Ugandan opposition leader was abducted while attending her book launch in Nairobi. Get Trusted News for…
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, at Karen Hospital after visiting Juja MP George Koimburi who was admitted after he was allegedly abducted and tortured. [Collins Oduor, Standard] People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has revamped her presence in the political arena as she hogs the limelight in the East African region and at home. Even before she was detained and deported from Dar-es-Salaam three weeks ago, she had already captured public attention in the dramatic Kizza Besigye court-martial case after the Ugandan opposition leader was abducted while attending her book launch in Nairobi. Get Trusted News for…
Renowned author Prof. Ngugi Wa Thiong’o shows President Uhuru Kenyatta a set of books when he called on him at State House, Nairobi. [PSCU] On August 8, 2004, Ngugi wa Thiong’o returned to the country where he was scheduled for a month-long tour of East Africa. .fade-out-overlay{position:absolute;top:-80px;left:0;width:100%;height:60px;z-index:1;background:linear-gradient(to bottom,rgba(255,255,255,0),rgba(255,255,255,1))}.paywall-container{position:relative;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto;padding:25px;border:1px solid #e0e0e0;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.1);background-color:#fff}.paywall-container h2{text-align:center}.paywall-container a{text-decoration:none!important}.paywall-header{font-size:24px;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:15px;color:#333;text-align:center}.price-highlight{font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;color:#d40511;margin:15px 0;text-align:center}.price-highlight .original-price{text-decoration:line-through;color:#777;margin-right:0}.divider{border-top:1px solid #e0e0e0;margin:20px 0}.subscribe-button{display:block;width:100%;padding:12px;background-color:#d40511;color:#fff;border:none;border-radius:4px;font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;cursor:pointer;margin-bottom:20px;transition:background-color .3s;text-decoration:none}.subscribe-button:hover{background-color:#b0030e;text-decoration:none}.features-list{margin:20px 0;padding-left:20px;list-style:none}.features-list li{margin-bottom:10px;list-style-type:none;position:relative;padding-left:25px;list-style-type:none!important}.features-list li:before{content:”✓”;color:#d40511;position:absolute;left:0;font-weight:bold}.existing-subscriber{text-align:center;color:#555;font-size:14px}.existing-subscriber a{color:#d40511;text-decoration:none}.existing-subscriber a:hover{text-decoration:underline} Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized reading experience Weekly Newsletters Already a subscriber? Log in Published Date: 2025-05-31 09:30:00…
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan address members of the public during the inaguration ceremony at the MISC, Kasarani on September 13, 2022. [Kelly Ayodi/Standard] Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan captured global attention through bad publicity after Kenya’s opposition leader Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, among other Kenyans, were detained and late deported. .fade-out-overlay{position:absolute;top:-80px;left:0;width:100%;height:60px;z-index:1;background:linear-gradient(to bottom,rgba(255,255,255,0),rgba(255,255,255,1))}.paywall-container{position:relative;max-width:100%;margin:0 auto;padding:25px;border:1px solid #e0e0e0;border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.1);background-color:#fff}.paywall-container h2{text-align:center}.paywall-container a{text-decoration:none!important}.paywall-header{font-size:24px;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:15px;color:#333;text-align:center}.price-highlight{font-size:20px;font-weight:bold;color:#d40511;margin:15px 0;text-align:center}.price-highlight .original-price{text-decoration:line-through;color:#777;margin-right:0}.divider{border-top:1px solid #e0e0e0;margin:20px 0}.subscribe-button{display:block;width:100%;padding:12px;background-color:#d40511;color:#fff;border:none;border-radius:4px;font-size:25px;font-weight:bold;cursor:pointer;margin-bottom:20px;transition:background-color .3s;text-decoration:none}.subscribe-button:hover{background-color:#b0030e;text-decoration:none}.features-list{margin:20px 0;padding-left:20px;list-style:none}.features-list li{margin-bottom:10px;list-style-type:none;position:relative;padding-left:25px;list-style-type:none!important}.features-list li:before{content:”✓”;color:#d40511;position:absolute;left:0;font-weight:bold}.existing-subscriber{text-align:center;color:#555;font-size:14px}.existing-subscriber a{color:#d40511;text-decoration:none}.existing-subscriber a:hover{text-decoration:underline} Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience…
President William Ruto addresses residents after the launch of the Sogoo-Melelo-Ololung’a Road on the second day of his tour of Narok County, May 7, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Is a seismic shift in Kenya’s political culture possible? Can Kenyans get credible leaders who can govern with integrity and dignity from the pool of politicians positioning themselves to unseat President William Ruto in the next election? That is the big question as voices critical of President Ruto’s government grow louder by the day. Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to all…
President William Ruto during an event in Nairobi’s Embakasi East area in 2018. [File, Standard] President William Ruto has repeatedly embarrassed himself and the country by giving answers that are neither accurate nor factual while responding to questions from journalists at his meetings with foreign dignitaries, either visiting Kenya or during his travels outside the country. Political analysts argue that such awkward moments can be avoided through proper briefing and preparation before the president fields routine questions that are always expected at such meetings. Some blame it on the quick responses he makes without pausing to give a more appropriate answer. Get Trusted…
President Ruto hit with a shoe while addressing a rally in Migori County on May 04, 2025. [Courtesy, Standard] The shoe-throwing incident against President William Ruto in Kuria West, Migori County a week ago was widely covered around the world like a similar incident that happened to former US president George W Bush in December 2008. Just like Ruto did, Bush also quickly ducked the shoe aimed at his head by journalist Mutandhar al-Zaidi, while a second one hit the US flag placed next to him during a press conference he was holding in Baghdad with then Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. .fade-out-overlay{position:absolute;top:-80px;left:0;width:100%;height:60px;z-index:1;background:linear-gradient(to bottom,rgba(255,255,255,0),rgba(255,255,255,1))}.paywall-container{position:relative;max-width:100%;margin:0…
Tharaka Nithi Governor,Muthomi Njuki,Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru during a media briefing in Nairobi on 21st March 2025. [David Gichuru, Standard] The escalating war of words between the national government and the Council of Governors (CoG) is threatening to reverse gains made across the 47 devolved units since the 2010 Constitution was enacted. The stand-off is also between Members of Parliament who argue that counties have failed to properly account for the billions of shillings allocated to them and CoG, which is fighting both legal and political battles to take charge of all devolved functions. The…
President William Ruto and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping acknowledge greetings from school children at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on April 24, 2025. [PCS] President William Ruto’s state visit to China in the background of a raging trade war between the Asian giant and the US is a bold statement that puts to test Kenya’s non-alignment foreign policy against its economic interests. Political analysts think the invitation is strategic because Beijing appears to be capitalising on the damage expected from President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade tariffs against many countries, including Kenya. It also comes when…
Butere Girls High School students after declining to perform Echoe of War play at Melvin Jones in Nakuru during the 63rd edition of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, on April 10, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] The police action on Butere Girls High School drama students more than a week ago will go down in history as one of the most unfortunate assaults against freedom of expression by government forces in Kenya Common during the one party state authoritarianism, such behavior has not been witnessed since enactment of the 2010 constitution. Although artistic expression is protected by article 33…
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana during the Mwai Kibaki 2nd Memorial Lecture & Luncheon at Nairobi Serena Hotel on 11th April 2025. [David Gichuru,Standard] President William Ruto’s government is grappling with significant governance challenges as Kenya grapples with mounting socio-economic difficulties. The President’s critics argue that the administration’s reliance on rhetoric, coupled with a lack of visionary leadership, has led to a dysfunctional, quarrelsome government disconnected from its citizens. This has fostered widespread disillusionment, particularly among the youth, who are forced to live with economic hardship, police brutality, and abductions amid endless political squabbles. Public discontent is palpable, with daily lamentations on the streets…
President Ruto addresses Tharaka university students after he officially opened the institution’s Tuition Complex in Tharaka Nithi County. [PCS] President William Ruto is relishing addressing large crowds in the Mt Kenya region during his weeklong tour. But are the large masses a show of affection or a staged show to give him a false representation of the actual mood on the ground? The President’s huge popularity in the region has taken a beating over the last two years because of the government’s poor performance ratings. The slump in clout is further compounded by his fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi…