Summary of The Standard Newspaper -July 18,2025
Page 1: The Standard Newspaper reports Nairobi’s Wilson Airport safety risk due to illegal high-rises obstructing flight paths, allegedly approved under political pressure . It also reports that Kenya faces a Grade 10 crisis with only 4,250 out of 9,000 secondary schools selected for learners, prompting an emergency declaration.
Page 2 : Notes that Kenya’s High Court ruled children born to Kenyan citizens and refugees are entitled to citizenship, ordering legal amendments within a year. The decision also extends residency and citizenship rights to refugees married to Kenyans, benefiting over 550,000 refugees in camps like Dadaab and Kakuma.
Page 3 : Reports the death of Phoebe Asiyo, Kenya’s first female MP for Karachuonyo and a gender advocate, at 93 in the U.S. after a stroke. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga praised her for breaking barriers for women in politics during a challenging era.
Page 4 : Highlights growing safety risks at Wilson Airport as illegal high-rises, allegedly approved under political influence, encroach on flight paths. Pilots now face hazardous obstacles during takeoffs and landings, turning routine operations into dangerous maneuvers.
Page 5 : Traces Wilson Airport’s origins to Florence Kerr Wilson, a British widow who founded Kenya’s first airline in 1928. Today, the airport, a vital tourism and emergency hub, faces threats from illegal high-rises despite aviation experts’ warnings.
Page 6 : Notes a Grade 9 education crisis in Kenya, with only 4,250 out of 9,750 senior schools selected, leaving 5,000 unselected. The Ministry of Education declared a national emergency, proposing dialogue on resource allocation and competition for top schools.
Page 7 : Reports Kenya’s Auditor-General uncovered a Sh540 million loss in textbook distribution due to mismanagement and unexplained discrepancies. Schools received wrong or no textbooks, while Sh378 million remained unaccounted for between 2020 and 2024.
Page 8 : Highlights criticism of Kenya’s judiciary for imposing inconsistent and harsh bail terms on protesters, with the LSK accusing courts of silencing government critics. Lawyers warn unsubstantiated terrorism charges could lead to wrongful prosecution lawsuits.
Page 10 : Notes Kenyan MPs challenged the Equalisation Fund Advisory Board over alleged mismanagement of billions meant for marginalized regions. The Finance Committee gave the board seven days to clarify Sh5 billion in disbursements and its operations.
Page 11: Reports lawmakers criticized the Communications Authority for cutting live broadcasts during protests, warning it fuels speculation and unrest. The parliamentary committee demanded clarity on media blackout criteria, emphasizing transparency risks during elections.
Page 12 : Notes that the High Court of Kenya referred a gender parity lawsuit to Chief Justice Martha Koome, seeking to dissolve Parliament for failing to implement the two-thirds gender rule. Petitioners argue the mandate applies to the current Parliament.
Pages 13-16 : Features an opinion that criticize the Kenya Kwanza administration for allegedly creating an illegal Sh7 fuel levy slush fund for political misuse. It highlights opaque borrowing practices and neglect of public infrastructure, mocking politicians’ attempts to deceive voters.
Page 19 : Reports Kenya’s government defends its tax policies, arguing 98% of businesses are MSMEs with limited capacity to fund the budget. UK fintech investors warn excessive taxation stifles investment, citing high business costs as a barrier.
Page 21 : Notes U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein’s death, calling them a Democratic hoax. The scandal has divided his base, with supporters frustrated by his rejection of their beliefs.
Page 29 : Reports Kenya’s government expressed confidence in Harambee Stars’ potential at the 2024 CHAN tournament, urging fan support. Officials view the event as a test run for the 2027 AFCON, aiming to avoid past organizational failures.