Lyndia Pecora
On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Kenyan newspapers on January 2, 2026, the Kenyan newspapers featured President William Ruto’s proposal to create a new police unit.
The dailies also highlighted the president’s strategy to win over former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s strongholds.
The top stories in Kenyan newspapers on Friday, January 2. Photos/screengrabs: PD, Taifa Leo, DN and The Star.
Source: UGC 1. Daily Nation President William Ruto plans to create a specialised digital intelligence unit to combat misuse of the internet.
This raises concerns about the state snooping in on private conversations and violating people’s privacy.
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The state is also developing a legal framework for digital policing and rapid reaction protocols, according to a presidential report presented to parliament.
This comes as the government claims social media platforms, which are mostly owned by foreign companies and the mainstream media, are increasingly being abused to organise protests, mobilise protesters, and spread hate speech, propaganda, and false information.
According to the annual report on the situation of national security, which covers the period from September 1, 2024, to August 2025, demonstrators exploited social media and mainstream media to organise protests.
“Going forward, the government intends to enhance law enforcement efforts by introducing suburb-level patrols, establishing a dedicated digital intelligence unit and rapid response protocols, as well as developing legal frameworks for digital policing,” the report tabled by Ruto stated. 2. The Star The publication reported that President Ruto seems to be implementing a well-planned, multifaceted plan to undermine the Opposition and break through its established strongholds.
Ruto is working nonstop to make his reelection ambition a reality, from frequent trips to “hostile” areas to proposing multi-billion-shilling economic projects in opposition zones.
Additionally, the president launches direct political attacks on opponents and places loyal political lieutenants on the ground as part of a charm offensive.
Analysts claim that the strategy’s major goal is to shift the focus of the political battle from alliances and personalities to development delivery.
“Ruto is somebody who understands the script, but more important someone who thinks long term. He thinks five to 10 years ahead,” political analyst Peter Kagwanja opined. The president is portraying opposition politicians as being tribal, polarising, and unconnected to the daily needs of wananchi.
3. People Daily Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has taken serious action to resolve a simmering dispute inside the political outfit regarding its 2027 presidential candidate.
The Siaya senator made it clear that the issue is not open to compromise or internal rivalry in a firm and unreserved New Year 2026 address.
According to Oburu, the party head is the automatic presidential candidate, as he insisted that the party regulations are clear.
With that clarity, Oburu dashed the hopes of those currently pursuing presidential aspirations within ODM, including his sister Ruth Odinga, the woman rep of Kisumu.
4. Taifa Leo Citing increasing confusion and a lack of transparency, senior school principals are now urging the Ministry of Education to scrap the current centralised Grade 10 placement system and return to the previous school-led admissions method.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), the principals’ umbrella organisation, claimed that the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) has essentially barred them from admissions, preventing schools from knowing the academic profiles and regional distribution of students assigned to them.
Parents have complained that some students were transferred to various senior schools without asking for a review or transfer.
“In the past, we were aware of the students we were admitting, including their backgrounds and academic standing. For example, we could admit a candidate from Kisumu to Murang’a High School. We are currently simply getting names. Their backgrounds and scores are unknown to us,” KESSHA chair Willie Kuria lamented. Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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