Summary Of the Standard Newspaper
Page 1: Reports detail that Aden Duale and Abdi Mohamed are embroiled in significant scandals involving ghost hospitals and fraudulent payments. Despite public outrage and demands from lawmakers for their resignations, both officials remain in their positions. They are perceived to be protected by their proximity to power, which insulates them from accountability.
Page 2: Reports indicate that Kericho Governor Eric Mutai is facing a second impeachment bid, which he claims is a malicious political scheme that did not meet the required legal threshold. He has dismissed the charges of misappropriation and fictitious payments, stating he received the allegations only after the motion was tabled. The Senate must now first decide if the legal requirements were met before any impeachment hearings can proceed.
Page 3: Reports show that the CHAN 2024 trophy was showcased at the Standard Group headquarters by football legends Victor Wanyama and Mrisho Ngasa. The event generated excitement among staff and journalists, who took photos with the trophy and the ambassadors. The CEO also announced that the Standard Group holds exclusive radio broadcast rights for the upcoming English Premier League season.
Page 4: Reports state that a group of MPs have given Aden Duale and Abdi Mohamed 48 hours to resign or face a censure motion over a multi-billion shilling scandal. The lawmakers accuse them of overseeing payments to ghost facilities and recently registered hospitals with no physical location, while ignoring legitimate providers. They raised serious concerns about a deep-rooted conflict of interest, lack of transparency, and discriminatory practices within the Social Health Authority.
Page 5: Reports from health sector insiders accuse Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale of a deep-rooted conflict of interest and overstepping his mandate, potentially costing billions. He is alleged to be favoring the Digital Health Authority, thereby exposing claims processes to private companies with ties to ministry officials. Critics charge that his management style has destroyed systems and muzzled other officers, preventing them from performing their roles.
Page 6: Reports announce that President William Ruto has proclaimed August 27th as an annual ‘Katiba Day’ to commemorate Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. The day is intended to foster national dialogue on constitutionalism, governance, and the rule of law. However, a recent report indicates that the full realization of key principles, like the two-thirds gender rule, remains elusive due to funding and sociocultural challenges.
Page 7: Reports highlight the irony of President William Ruto now championing the Constitution he initially opposed during the 2010 referendum campaign. He led the ‘No’ side, arguing the devolution provisions were inadequate and the structure was flawed. The same Constitution he rejected later protected him as Deputy President and enabled his rise to the presidency.
Page 10: Reports note that a justice official laments the unfulfilled promise of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution to deliver justice, equity, and accountability. Eric Mukoya stated the supreme law was intended to safeguard citizens from corruption and poor leadership, but those vices are now entrenched. The event also featured the unveiling of two new publications by Kabarak University to help Kenyans better understand the Constitution.
Page 11: Reports confirm that four civil society groups have sued President Ruto over his plan to build a Sh2 billion church at State House. They argue it violates the Constitution by establishing preferential treatment for Christianity and marginalizing other faiths. The petitioners contend this sets a dangerous precedent of institutionalizing a specific religion and infringes upon the rights of all Kenyans to equality.
Page 14: Reports indicate that the Chief of Defence Forces and former Defence CS Aden Duale have been sued for deploying the military to quell protests. The petitioners argue the deployment is unlawful as it lacked a definite timeline and the required parliamentary approval. They state the military should only be used in internal civilian affairs if a formal state of emergency is declared.
Page 15: Reports describe a dramatic confrontation at the Senate where former Senator Gloria Orwoba was denied entry despite court papers reinstating her. She blocked the entrance with her car, arguing the sitting was illegal because her replacement was unlawfully occupying her seat. Orwoba defied security officers and accused the Clerk of the Senate of being behind the denial of her access.
Page 20: Reports warn of a humanitarian crisis as 668 refugees have fled Kenya’s Kakuma camp for South Sudan due to severe conditions. The crisis was triggered after the World Food Programme slashed food rations by 60%, collapsing the camp’s informal credit system and leaving families starving. Tension is compounded by Kenya’s poorly explained Shirika Plan for refugee integration, which has been met with resistance and fear.
Page 21: Reports show that fellow comedians have rallied to support Eliud Lagat, who was forced to quit content creation due to a debilitating eye condition. They organized an online fundraiser that successfully collected Sh1 million towards a Sh1.5 million target needed for his surgery and medication. The support aims to restore his vision and revive his comedy career, which had dimmed as his condition left him blind.
Page 22: Reports from West Pokot County reveal a severe lack of reproductive health information and inadequate funding for initiatives targeting a 36% teenage pregnancy rate. The county also grapples with high rates of FGM at 44%, leading to high school dropout rates and limited opportunities for girls. This information gap and lack of resources are resulting in unsafe abortions and perpetuating a cycle of retrogression for young women.
Page 23: Reports state that the United States has imposed new tariffs of 50% on many Indian products, doubling existing duties to punish New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil. Indian exporters warn of crippling losses and massive job cuts from a wave of cancelled US orders, which are benefiting international rivals. This trade dispute risks driving a wedge in US-India relations, potentially pushing New Delhi closer to US adversaries.
Page 30: Reports explain that a Japanese cultural exchange program sparked a public panic fueled by widespread misinformation and conservative attitudes toward immigration. The uproar was partly caused by a deleted Nigerian government announcement that falsely claimed a special visa category was being created for its citizens. The backlash highlights how fragile public trust can be when misinformation collides with cultural anxieties.
Page 44: Reports confirm that the world’s top track and field stars have assembled in Zurich for the 2025 Diamond League finals. Kenyan athletes, including Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in the 800m, are looking to cement their status against their strongest rivals. The event features fiercely competitive fields and serves as a final tune-up just days before the World Athletics Championships.