Kenya Newspapers Review, December 16: William Ruto Says His Strategies Have Lowered Cost Of Living

On Saturday, December 16, the Kenyan newspapers reported that there was talk of a growing rift between retired president Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga.

1. Taifa Leo

The Swahili paper reported that President William Ruto reiterated that the cost of living had decreased due to his government's specific efforts to boost food production through the affordable fertiliser distribution program for farmers.

He stated that the program had significantly contributed to the reduction in the price of maize flour, especially after improved corn harvests.

"The cost of living is now decreasing, and Kenyans are experiencing relief. The price of maize flour has dropped similarly to the fuel prices. This is because we have been able to reduce the cost of fertilizer, and the results have been seen after our farmers achieved higher yields compared to previous years.

We will continue to implement other plans to bring relief to farmers. Agriculture is the pillar of the economy, and its growth is an indication that our economy is improving as we implement more strategies in other sectors," the head of state said.

2. The Saturday Standard

The daily reported that a high school student who was arrested as he attempted to steal in a bank escaped from police custody.

The student at a local secondary school was being held at Nyamira Police Station cells as investigations continued when he made the daring escape.

Nyamira South sub-County Police Commander Isaac Sang’ said the boy was among several other prisoners who were in the expansive cells from where he managed to escape by breaking the ceiling and roof.

He said the teenager first scaled the wall in the cell that is about five metres high before he tore into the ceiling and eventually jumped off from the roof.

"The police officer on duty moved swiftly to arrest the prisoner, but by the time he was getting out of the building, already the suspect had made it to the roof and was jumping down," Sang’ said.

3. Saturday Nation

The publication reported that Azimio leader Raila Odinga asked Kenyans to blame President William Ruto's government for the rising cost of living, saying the opposition had no powers to act on it.

Raila recounted how the opposition delegation, through the National Dialogue Committee, unsuccessfully persuaded the government to consider lifting the economic burden off the shoulders of Kenyans.

He said that lowering the cost of living is the responsibility of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and that his team should not be blamed for the high cost of living that has been on a steady rise.

Raila noted that the role of the opposition is simply to keep on reminding the government that the cost of living is very high".

He said they had done well during the Bomas talks co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah.

4. The Star

According to the paper, a domestic row in Maai Mahiu, Naivasha, ended in tragedy when a 65-year-old man died after setting himself ablaze as neighbours and relatives watched in horror.

The man, who had a history of failed marriages, locked himself in the family’s house at Boresha estate before dousing himself in petrol and striking the matchstick.

Efforts by his relatives and neighbours to break into the locked house were thwarted by the intensity of the fire that kept them at bay as the deceased screamed in agony.

Two weeks ago, the man allegedly tried to harm himself by hanging but was rescued by a neighbour who cut off a rope.

Village elder Dan Kimani said the deceased had a troubled marriage and parted with his wife two years ago.

He said he remarried three months ago, but he quarrelled with his wife, who fled the house hours before he decided to take his own life.

"The woman fled to the neighbouring homestead where she said her life was in danger before the victim decided to set himself ablaze," he said.