Kenyan Newspapers Review: Inside June Moi's Quiet Life, Her Business And Inheritance

On Friday, April 12, the Kenyan newspapers delved into the quiet life of Daniel Arap Moi's daughter, June, following her death on Thursday, April 11.

The dailies also reported that former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chief executive officer Ezra Chiloba was quizzed by MPs over his KSh 800 million wealth declaration.

1. Daily Nation

June Moi, the adopted daughter of the late retired president Daniel Moi, died on Thursday, April 11.

According to the publication, the deceased had disappeared from the public limelight as she lived a quiet life.

Andrew Morton's biography 'The Making of an African Statesman', described June as one of the favourite children of Moi alongside Gideon.

In the book, it emerged that Moi was disappointed with his children apart from the duo. June did not get married and had no children.

She was involved in the oil marketing business as an associate of Nairobi tycoon Mike Maina, who owns the Marble and Kalpana Jai.

The trio started Fuelex Oil, which exported petroleum products to Burundi and Rwanda. However, June later alleged she was sidelined in the running of the business and was frustrated, leading her to tipple.

June inherited KSh 100 million from her father, an amount she deemed too little. Like John Mark Moi and Doris Moi, she was reclusive and never ventured into the murky waters of politics.

2. The Standard

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chief executive officer Ezra Chiloba was questioned about how he acquired his KSh 800 million wealth.

The National Assembly's Defence and International Relations Committee sought to understand how Chiloba accumulated such massive wealth at the age of 46.

The committee wondered why Chiloba was faced with scandals in every public job he was appointed to and observed he was unqualified for the position.

Chiloba appeared before MPs for vetting after President William Ruto appointed him consular general in Los Angeles.

3. People Daily

A new survey by Infotrak revealed that 81% of Kenyans backed Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission chairship.

Raila obtained the highest support in Nairobi (88%), followed by Rift Valley (85%), Nyanza (83%), Western (79%), Central and Coast (78%), and North Eastern (64%).

The former prime minister received a huge amount of support from females (84%) compared to men (79%).

At the same time, those aged 27-35 supported him most at 84%. The survey covered all counties and regions.

Raila and President William Ruto have been campaigning across Africa ahead of the elections in 2025.

4. The Star

The publication noted pending bills had soared to over KSh 700 billion, hitting suppliers hard.

The government agencies with the highest pending bills include the Kenya National Highways Authority (KSh 83.7 billion), the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KSh 65 billion), the Kenya Electricity Commission Company (KSh 24.5 billion), and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KSh 15 billion).

Others are Kenyatta National Hospital (KSh 12 billion), National Oil Corporation of Kenya (KSh 12 billion), East African Portland Cement (KSh 10.9 billion), and Kenyatta University (KSh 11,7 billion).

"I have left it to God, as you cannot fight with a strong force like the government," one of the affected suppliers, James, said.

Another supplier, Catherine, said she had not been paid since 2014 despite selling goods to the National Youth Service.

5. Taifa Leo

Kenyan Catholic bishops have urged President William Ruto to lessen the tax burden on citizens.

The clergy noted life was unbearable for most Kenyans following tax hikes imposed by the government.

"We have urged and continue to encourage the government to improve public participation in assessing its tax regime," Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops chair Maurice Muhatia pleaded.

Bishops also implored the government and striking doctors to find an amicable solution to end the suffering of sick Kenyans.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke