Kenyan Newspapers Review, September 18: 3,000 Kenyan Drivers To Be Employed In Germany

On Wednesday, September 18, the local dailies covered topics pertinent to the country, the simmering feuds in the presidency dominating the pages.

One of the newspapers reported on the jobs allocated for Kenyans in Germany.

1. The Standard

The newspaper revealed that 3,000 Kenyans were needed for driver jobs in Germany.

Kenyan ambassador to Germany, Stella Mokaya, revealed the government was rushing against time to actualise the plan.

Mokaya said four Kenyans -two women and two men- had already been slated to join Aktiv Bus Flensburg.

The quartet are expected to demonstrate their driving skills.

"Germany was the first country to recognise Kenya's independence in 1963, thereby laying a firm foundation for a partnership that has brought stronger bilateral partnership, a good example of international cooperation," she said.

"Both Germany and Kenya are working closely to address mutual concern on labour mobility and a comprehensive labour mobility partnership agreement is due soon," she added.

The first batch of drivers are from Homa Bay; they will have to enrol at Tom Mboya University to learn German.

Further, he drivers will be subjected to German traffic rules given that the Kenyan driving licence is not recognised in the European country.

President William Ruto was recently in Germany, where he signed the Kenya-Germany Agreement on the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership, which would establish the framework for cooperation on, among other benefits, labour mobility, apprenticeships, and student training.

The European nation would issue long-stay visas for eligible Kenyans for studies or vocational training, with the possibility to extend their stay for professional experience and potential employment.

2. Taifa Leo

The newspaper reported on the feud between the National Police Service and the Judiciary following the withdrawal of a High Court judge's security.

Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli found himself in the judiciary's bad books after he reportedly sanctioned the withdrawal of Justice Lawrence Mugambi's security detail.

Mugambi handed Masengeli six months in jail after the latter snubbed court summons.

Masengeli, however, denied accusations that the withdrawal of the judge's security was intended to intimidate the Judiciary.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), headed by Chief Justice Martha Koome, condemned the actions of the National Police Service.

JSC suggested that the police were targeting the Judiciary for its rulings, raising concerns about judges' intimidation.

The acting police boss clarified that the recall of Justice Mugambi's security detail was for routine training and had no malicious intent.

Masengeli explained that the decision to recall Mugambi's two security officers was purely administrative.

He claimed measures had been taken to ensure that Justice Mugambi’s security was never compromised during the time.

3. Daily Nation

The newspaper reported on the challenge posed to President William Ruto over the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the delay in forming the elections management body was denying Kenyans their right to representation.

Kalonzo observed that for over a year, IEBC has not had the quorum to undertake its mandate.

Former chairman Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye left in early 2023 after their terms expired.

For other commissioners, Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang'aya, Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi quit the commission after the controversies around the 2022 presidential election.

Kalonzo pointed out that some areas were yet to get representatives as the commission as is cannot conduct by-elections.

Banisa constituency (MP died), Kisa East ward (MCA died), and now Ugunja constituency (MP nominated to Cabinet) remain without representatives as no by-election has been scheduled.

The Wiper leader said the commission's current standing was barring Kenyans from enjoying their democratic rights.

4. People Daily

People Daily spared a space for the reprieve enjoyed by Nyamira governor Amos Nyaribo after he survived an impeachment.

The impeachment motion was tabled in the County Assembly and was moved by Wiper party-nominated MCA Evans Matunda; Magombo MCA Miinda Riechi seconded it.

Nyaribo was accused of breaching the law, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.

Twenty-two MCAs voted to impeach the governor, but he was saved by 12 MCAs, who made it difficult for the house to meet the two-thirds threshold for the impeachment to proceed to the next level.

Speaker Enock Okero said the motion flopped due to a lack of one vote to effect the impeachment.

The governor survived another impeachment last year.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.