Summary Of The Standard Newspaper -Aug 15,2025
Page 1: Reports reveal the Homa Bay Devolution Conference as a glaring spectacle of excess, with governors arriving in fuel-guzzling convoys and delegations indulging in luxury while county displays offered meager contributions like unpacked phones, biscuits, and dried fish. Taxpayers bore the brunt of this wasteful spending as leaders celebrated the event’s so-called success.
Page 2: The High Court upheld Kenya’s mandatory retirement age of 60, dismissing a petition by Charles Chege that sought to extend employment indefinitely, with Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruling that continued work must be contract-based and that current age limits do not constitute discrimination. The Public Service Commission opposed the petition, arguing that removing retirement age restrictions would hinder youth employment opportunities.
Page 3: Reports highlight Kenyatta University’s dominance at the 97th Kenya Music Festival in Meru, where they secured over 30 wins and showcased their creative prowess with 56 entries, solidifying their reputation as the event’s most prolific team. The festival, which saw participation from 22 universities, featured standout performances like Swag’s emotional composition and a special piece titled Undeserved Love, earning standing ovations and cementing the choir’s fan-favorite status.
Page 4: Reports expose the Homa Bay Devolution Conference as a display of wasteful extravagance by county leaders, who arrived in lavish convoys yet failed to present meaningful exhibits with most stands featuring only trivial items like bananas, biscuits, or empty governor’s chairs. Despite its purpose of showcasing devolution progress, the event became a stark contrast between excessive spending and the lack of substantive county innovations or achievements.
Page 8: Reports indicate that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cut short his U.S. trip to return to Kenya and campaign for his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in upcoming by-elections, following a month-long tour where he mobilized diaspora support and launched party offices. Meanwhile, tensions rise as the Interior CS demands Gachagua record a police statement, while his party alleges plans to abduct him upon his return.
Page 10: Reports reveal Kenyan consumers are cutting back on non-essential spending including beauty products, meat, alcohol, and canned goods as shrinking wallets and economic pressures force them into “survival mode,” prioritizing discounts and smaller product sizes. The Nielsen IQ study highlights that concerns over job security, political unrest, high utility bills, and taxation are driving these spending shifts, with millennials and Gen X particularly focused on value amid the economic downturn.
Page 12: Notes indicate that a proposed Bill by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino seeks to expunge criminal records for rehabilitated offenders who have served their sentences, excluding those convicted of serious crimes like murder, rape, or terrorism. The MP argues the law would promote youth employment and reduce recidivism, while critics question its potential implications for justice and public safety.
Page 14: Highlights show President Ruto courting Luo Nyanza a traditional opposition stronghold by pledging Sh2 billion for rural electrification, 300 affordable houses, and road projects in Migori County, alongside promises of sugarcane sector reforms and market upgrades. The President urged local leaders to support his development agenda, emphasizing job creation through these initiatives while reaffirming his commitment to national unity despite political opposition.
Page 22: Reports indicate the High Court has barred police from arresting Nairobi County Chief Officer Lydia Mathia without a court-issued warrant, though investigations into her alleged involvement in controversial demolitions may continue. Justice Bahati Mwamuye granted interim protection until November 2025, clarifying that authorities retain the right to summon Mathia for questioning as the case proceeds.
Page 23: Reports show the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has advanced after MPs backed its proposal to allocate funds to the Kenya Meteorological Department and Tourism Fund, aiming to centralize resources and prevent critical infrastructure from falling under foreign control. However, concerns were raised about potential funding shortages for existing airport operations and the need for transparent allocation mechanisms to avoid mismanagement of the shared revenue.
Page 25: Reports indicate Co-operative Bank of Kenya posted an 8.4% rise in half-year profit to Sh14.1 billion, fueled by a 10.8% growth in operating income and strong performance from its subsidiaries. The lender attributed its success to digital and physical expansion including 15 new branches under its ‘Soaring Eagle’ strategy, while deposits grew to Sh547.7 billion and total assets reached Sh81.9 billion.
Page 27: Reports reveal a high-stakes Alaska summit between Presidents Putin and Trump, focused on resolving the Ukraine conflict through one-on-one talks from which Ukrainian leader Zelensky was notably excluded. While Trump warned of “severe consequences” if peace talks fail, the Kremlin framed the meeting as a sincere effort to negotiate, even as Ukraine-Russia clashes continued on the ground.
Page 35: Reports highlight Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir’s return to Tokyo for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, where she aims to replicate her 2021 gold medal success as Team Kenya begins intensive training at the Kip Keino High Performance Centre. The decorated athlete, joined by teammates including African 800m silver medalist Nicholas Kebenei, expressed confidence in Kenya’s medal prospects, stating the squad had prepared thoroughly for the global competition.
Page 37: Reports describe Tanzania’s Taifa Stars dominating Group B with three consecutive wins, while a fierce three-way battle unfolds for the remaining quarterfinal spot between Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar. Mauritania secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso with VAR playing a decisive role, while Madagascar’s tactical adjustments led to a dramatic 2-0 win against Central African Republic in a match marked by late-game heroics.