Summary Of The Standard Newspaper
Page 1: Reports that the government is spending taxpayers’ money without parliamentary approval, exploiting a constitutional provision meant for emergencies. This action disregards best practices in budget management and circumvents necessary scrutiny. The spending is described as deceitful, especially as the public struggles with high taxes.
Page 2: Reports that a civil society group is accusing President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga of conspiring to protect Nairobi’s governor from corruption allegations. The group, Kenya Bora Tuitakayo, claims the county administration is insolvent and has failed to provide services, citing a budget of Sh42.2 billion against pending bills of Sh118 billion. In response, the organization vows to collect signatures from residents to lobby for the complete dissolution of the county government.
Page 3: Reports that Aga Khan University Hospital is seeking a court order to sell properties belonging to the parents of a former patient to recover a Sh21 million medical bill. The hospital states that the parents and a third guarantor signed an agreement in 2019 to pay the bill after their son was discharged but have since refused to pay. The parents had offered their title deed as security for the payment, which the hospital is now asking the court to enforce.
Page 4: Reports that the Controller of Budget has faulted the National Treasury for approving Sh77.48 billion in extra funding for existing government programs using an emergency constitutional provision. This over-reliance on Article 223 breaches public finance management regulations, as these costs should have been anticipated during the normal budget planning cycle. The practice is cited as evidence of significant weaknesses in the government’s budget formulation and overall budgeting process.
Page 6: Reports that despite the absence of a formal opposition after Raila Odinga joined the government, President Ruto’s administration is facing significant pressure from other actors. Kenya’s youth, political players, the clergy, and civil society groups have stepped in to fill the oversight void and keep the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition in check. This has been evidenced by potent, youth-led revolts that have convulsed the administration, proving to be a more formidable challenge than traditional political opposition.
Page 7: Reports that a 27-year-old woman, Faith Binzali, died during a caesarean section at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Health Centre in Kangemi. An autopsy found the cause of death was a lack of oxygen due to an anesthesia complication. The family claims the procedure was performed without their consent after the mother endured long hours of labor.
Page 8: Reports that an increasing number of schools are being taken to court by suppliers over unpaid bills, leading to auctioneers seizing essential assets like buses, desks, and lab equipment. Principals blame the crisis on severely delayed government capitation funds, warning that these institutions risk complete collapse. The situation is exemplified by cases like a Nyeri school that lost its bus and has seen enrolment plummet, with courts ruling that schools must pay their debts despite government funding delays.
Page 9: Reports that the Teachers Service Commission’s promotion of over 21,000 teachers has reignited controversy by effectively reviving the delocalisation policy, which ties advancement to compulsory relocation. Many promoted educators, including those nearing retirement, are being transferred far from their homes and families, turning a career milestone into a personal hardship. Teachers and union leaders are cautioning the TSC against this practice, which Parliament had previously scrapped in 2022.
Page 10: Reports that the Senate has called for an anti-graft probe into Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika over the irregular payment of Sh22 million to uncontracted law firms and over Sh7.8 billion in stalled projects. An audit highlighted a specific example of a stalled Sh1 million toilet project meant for a market that has seen no progress since 2019. The governor was pressed to explain the unauthorized payments and the stalled projects but deferred responsibility to the absent County Attorney, leading senators to refer the matter to the EACC for investigation.
Page 18: Reports that four key ministries accounted for over 83% of the Sh404.33 billion in unpaid bills owed by state corporations to businesses as of June 2025. The Ministries of Roads and Transport, Education, Energy and Petroleum, and Health collectively owed Sh336.81 billion, with money owed to contractors making up the largest portion of the debt. The total pending bills for the national government stood at Sh525 billion, with parastatals responsible for 77% of this amount.
Page 29: Reports that Grace Adhiambo Okulu, the captain and fly half of Kenya’s Lionesses rugby team, has signed with the prestigious French club Racing 92. Her move from Nakuru RFC to the European stage is described as a story of persistence and a dream that refused to die. Despite recent setbacks, including a revised World Rugby format that dashed her team’s hopes of qualifying for the World Sevens Series, her resilience has led to this significant career achievement.
Page 31: Reports that Kenya Police Bullets won their opening CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifier 1-0 against Uganda’s Kampala Queens. Substitute Emily Moranga scored the decisive goal with her first touch of the ball shortly after being brought on at the start of the second half. In another Group B match, Ethiopia’s CBE suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Rwanda’s Rayon Sports, complicating their ambition to qualify for the continental championship.
Page 32: Reports that Harambee Stars are seeking a crucial home victory against The Gambia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier to keep their slim qualification hopes alive. After a dramatic 3-3 comeback draw in the first leg, a win would lift Kenya to nine points in Group F, edging them closer to the top spots. Coach Benni McCarthy, marking his tenth game in charge, stated his squad is fully prepared and targeting a fast start in the match.