Kenyan Newspapers Review: Pastor, Colleagues Stranded In Eldoret Hotel Over KSh 370k Bill

On Wednesday, December 6, the dailies covered an array of topics, the tribulations faced by the Controller of Budget, Margret Nyakang'o, getting coverage by all the dailies.

One of the dailies highlighted the events at an Eldoret hotel where a cleric with his prayer colleagues were stranded over a KSh 370,000 hotel bill.

1. Taifa Leo

The Swahili newspaper spared space for the trouble faced by Alex Munyoki and his two prayer colleagues, who camped at a hotel in Uasin Gishu's Eldoret town to carry out prayers for the country.

The trio of intercessors set base at Goshen Hotel in February this year as they undertook their prayers over the skyrocketing cost of living.

Their mission would last 41 days as their bill accrued by the day.

The 39-year-old preacher revealed a US-based partner had promised to fund their stay at the hotel but reneged at the last minute.

They were detained when they could not settle the debt.

They were presented before an Eldoret court where the charge of obtaining money by false pretence was preferred against them.

The preacher from Kitui county, promised to settle the matter to save his name from being tainted.

He appealed to well-wishers to bail them out; he requested former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko and other clerics to come to their aid.

"I plead with Sonko to help me as a man of God and he will be blessed," Munyoki was quoted.

They had secured their freedom on KSh 80,000 bond and KSh 60,000 bail each.

2. Daily Nation

The daily reported on the events around the arrest of Margret Nyakang'o, the Controller of Budget.

She was arrested in Mombasa on Tuesday, December 5.

The vocal state officer and 10 others were charged with corruption-related charges.

Nyakang'o's arrest followed a 2016 complaint predating her tenure as CoB.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved the charges before she was trailed and arrested in the coastal city.

"We note that the file was first submitted for perusal and advice on July 6, 2022. Upon perusal, we identified some areas that needed to be covered. Vide our letter, Ref. No. ODPP/HQ/CAM/2/000389 dated September 2, 2022, we directed that the said areas be covered," the ODPP said in a statement to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Nyakang'o's co-accused include Jackson Ngure Wanjau, Susan Kendi, James Makena Wanyagi, John Muchira Kithaka, Jane Karuu Ndanyi, Muthoni Elphas, Joan Chumo, and Mercy Nduma Mukora.

Others were Gregory Mwangangi Mailu and Michael Kipkurui.

The accused would later be charged jointly with conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code.

They were also accused of operating a Sacco without a licence, contrary to Section 24 as read with Section 66 of the Sacco Societies Act, 2008.

Other charges were forgery under c/s 345, as read with Section 349 of the Penal Code, and using a false document under c/s 353 of the Penal Code.

3. The Star

The Star covered the protests succeeding the arrest of the Controller of Budget.

Politicians from the opposition linked her tribulations with her stance against corruption in the government.

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua suspected Nyakang'o's recent revelations on inflated government expenditures landed her in trouble.

"Timing suggestive of harassment and intimidation, especially coming after her revealing testimony at Bomas. Those siphoning government money at Treasury are scot free but the whistleblower is under arrest," she said.

On his part, Raila Odinga said the arrest was a politically motivated witchhunt, given Nyakang'o's resolve to reveal the ills related to the theft of public funds.

He promised to give her any support she might need in a bid to face off with corruption.

4. The Standard

The publication covered the events at the National Assembly on the evening of Tuesday, December 5, when MPs disrupted the afternoon sitting as they camped outside to protest delays in the disbursement of the National Government - Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) monies.

Those on the rampage blocked their colleagues who strived to access the chambers.

The lawmakers walked out demanding the release of the funds before they could embark on the remainder of sessions this year ahead of their long recess.

Efforts by the sergeant-at-arms to contain the MPs gave into futility as their chants overpowered them.

United, their respective political extractions notwithstanding, the MPs stormed out of the chambers as they ululated "No CDF, No Parliament" in unison.

According to the legislators, activities in their areas had been halted due to lack of funding, with learners dependent on the bursaries sourced from the kitty risking missing school fees.

They faulted the Exchequer for shelving the disbursement of the fund and instead focusing on the national government.

"The government is always supporting its executive programs to the detriment of CDF. What we are saying is that we are suspending all sittings and government business until CDF is expended. In January new students are joining Form 1 and others continuing in high school. So we are saying they must provide money now and no later, No CDF, No Parliament," said Jared Okello of the Nyando constituency.