Kenyan Newspapers: Senior Military Bosses Jailed Over KDF Recruitment Scandal

On Monday, August 21, national dailies reported on the push by Kenya Kwanza Alliance politicians for President William Ruto to abandon the bipartisan talks.

Most dailies also reported on the arrest of an elderly couple in Lavington over land-grabbing claims.

1. The Standard

The publication reported on the death of Rubayita Sirag, a Rwandan athlete in Iten town, after a fight with a Kenyan athlete.

Keiyo North Police Commander Tom Makori confirmed the death of the Rwandan athlete, adding that investigations into the incident have commenced.

Preliminary investigations showed that Sirag and a Kenyan athlete identified as Dancan Khamala fought over a woman.

Already the police have arrested Khamala and the woman in question for further interrogation.

“The suspect has been arrested. He will be arraigned in court as soon as we conclude investigations. The exact cause of death will be revealed after investigations,” Makori said.

The Kenyan athlete told his coach that he had married the woman and that the Rwandan national was his wife’s ex-boyfriend.

Khamala told the coach that his fiancée had dumped the Rwandese athlete before she moved in to live with him.

“The woman in question is my wife. She was previously in a relationship with the Rwandan athlete but dumped him for two months. On Thursday, the foreigner came and peeped into my barber shop and left. I didn’t know what he was looking for,” the suspect said.

2. The People Daily

The paper reported on a report regarding corruption claims in recruiting Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers.

According to the report, 25 military officers have been jailed or face investigations over massive corruption in cases related to KDF recruitment.

Five senior officers in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Major are among the most senior officers found guilty, or their cases are ongoing for receiving bribes to influence the recruitment exercise.

For instance, an officer identified only as J. Wasike, from the Defence Headquarters, Camp Administration Unit deployed in Langa’ta Garrison, was sentenced to two years and ten months imprisonment.

His sentence came after he was found guilty of two counts of obtaining money with the promise of influencing KDF recruitment.

3. The Star

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) defended the arrest of an elderly couple at the posh Lavington estate in Nairobi.

A public uproar occurred after a video of DCI detectives handcuffing a visibly distraught man identified as Mahesh Kumar Bhatti emerged online.

Section of Kenyans accused DCI of aiding in land grabbing after Maheshi's children insisted that they had been legally residing on the property for more than 30 years.

However, in a detailed statement, DCI, through Ireri Kamwende, said the couple's arrest followed a complaint lodged by the owner of the property, who accused the suspects of denying him access to the land.

The DCI further stated that the Directorate of Public Prosecution had okayed the prosecution of Mahesh under the relevant laws.

4. Daily Nation

The publication reported on President William Ruto's visit to Kisii county where he asked leaders to work together for development.

During the thanksgiving service at Nyaturago Stadium, the head of state asked the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party under Raila Odinga to push its agenda per the laws.

“They are supposed to keep the government in check, provide oversight, ensure things don’t go wrong and help fight corruption. Making our youths fight, creating violence and destroying property through demonstrations is a big no,” Ruto said.

The president defended his move to work closely with opposition governors, such as Kisii Governor Simba Arati to increase food security.

“We have agreed with all governors that we will produce food all over the country so we can eliminate this shame of hunger,” he added.

5. Taifa Leo

The Swahili publication reported on the push by Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders for President Ruto to abandon the ongoing bipartisan talks.

Most Kenya Kwanza Alliance politicians want Ruto to quit the talks and concentrate on the government development agenda.

The politicians, led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said the president would not gain much through the talks.

“That dialogue you are bragging about will end. Important dialogue is about fertiliser, talks about farming,” Gachagua said recently.

The tough stand by Ruto's close allies comes even as the National Assembly Members unanimously endorsed a joint motion by Kimani Ichung’wah and Opiyo Wandayi, creating the committee and its secretariat in an apparent move to insulate the panel from any legal challenges that may come on its way.