The newspapers Sunday, October 18, reported on an array of topics, including the events around the first memorial of the laate Raila Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County on October 15.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Source: UGC
1. Sunday Nation
The newspaper reported on former President Uhuru Kenyatta failing travel to Bondo on October 15 for the first anniversary of Raila Odinga's passing, despite being scheduled to attend as chief guest, with sources in his camp indicating that intelligence reports played a role in the decision.
His advance team had already arrived at the venue and a seat had been set aside for him on the VIP dais.
A flight was prepared to depart from Wilson Airport in Nairobi by 10am on Thursday, but Kenyatta never boarded. His spokesperson, Kanze Dena-Mararo, told Sunday Nation only that "there was a change in schedule," adding that "an issue that needed his attention" had arisen, without elaborating further.
The withdrawal drew sharp reactions. ODM's Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed criticised Kenyatta for pulling out at the eleventh hour, accusing him of having previously abandoned Odinga during the 2022 presidential election.
"What also surprised me was that they had invited very prominent guests, including the sponsor himself, Uhuru Kenyatta. The sponsor abandoned us," Junet said, adding that he had seen the reserved seat and assumed Kenyatta was on his way.
Mohamed also confirmed that he and other ODM figures deliberately stayed away because former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had been invited.
He described Gachagua as someone associated with "hatred, tribalism and other such things." Gachagua himself did not attend, as he was in the United States.
Siaya governor James Orengo, who did attend, suggested that the broad guest list may have contributed to the absence of several senior ODM officials.
The gathering drew leaders from across the political spectrum, including Edwin Sifuna, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and Jimi Wanjigi, alongside government-aligned figures such as ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
President William Ruto did not attend. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed rejected suggestions that opposition figures on the guest list had influenced that decision, saying Ruto's attendance at national events could not be conditioned on who else was present.
Mohamed noted that Ruto had attended the mausoleum's opening on October 7 with full Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) honours.
Raila's widow, Ida Odinga, issued a statement distancing the family from the political fallout.
She said invitations had been extended in fellowship and that the family held no grievance against anyone who had been invited but did not attend.
"An invitation to a family commemoration is an expression of fellowship, not a summons. Neither attendance nor absence should be interpreted as a disagreement with our family," she said.
Ida also expressed disappointment at disruptions during the event, including booing and alleged intimidation of guests.
Other notable absentees included ODM chairperson and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, who said she was in Dubai attending the RISE Summit 2026, and Cabinet Secretaries Ali Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya.
2. Taifa Jumapili
Source: TUKO.co.ke