In what is shaping up as the battle of the deputies, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who replaced Mr Rigathi Gachagua after the latter was impeached in October last year, has vowed to teach his predecessor “a political lesson he will never forget” (Nation, November 18, p.10). Er, while “battle of the deputies” sounds creative, it is certainly inaccurate and misleading. Kithure ‘Noma si Noma’ Kindiki is the Deputy President while Riggy G moved on to become the DCP party leader. He is not deputy anything.
Mr Gachagua on his part says he is rooting for the voters to humiliate the government, telling Prof Kindiki that he will not force a leader down the throats of Mbeere North residents. What is the purpose here of the beloved, redundant phrase “on his part”? Isn’t it obvious?
The Siaya governor also revisited the controversial death of blogger Gilbert Ojwang who died in police custody (Nation, November 18, p.8). Urgh, the death of blogger Gilbert Ojwang who died…no. Why repeat? Just say the death of Gilbert Ojwang’ in police custody. Simple and clear.
Two police officers were killed on Wednesday after a vehicle they were travelling in ran over an Improvised Explosive Device along the Liboi-Kulan road in Garissa County (Star online, November 19). Write neater. Replace “a vehicle they were travelling in” (six words) with “their vehicle” (two words). Acha maneno mingi, nani.
Kenya Pipeline Company managing director Joe Sang has moved to assure employees that their jobs are safe as the state corporation prepares for a historic initial public offer slated for March 1, 2026 (Star, November 19, p.2). Cool that, jobs are safe. But MD Sang has not “moved to assure”. Why move at all? Ako tu pale pale. He assured employees their jobs are safe.
The United Opposition has split its campaign teams in a last-ditch offensive against President William Ruto’s camp ahead of next week’s by-elections (Star, November 19, p.6). Unajua nini, mwanahabari? This is neither accurate nor fair reporting. This intro says the Ruto camp is winning the by-elections, because “last-ditch offensive” means everything else the opposition has tried has failed. Splitting their campaign is, therefore, a desperate move. Is this what Lion Place intended to convey?
Kenyan parliamentarians offer themselves for leadership, oversight and up and above everything else, servitude (People Daily editorial, November 21, p.10). Aii, MPs offer themselves for “servitude” aje sasa? It is service. Servitude means slavery.
Of the most important roles that the parliamentarians, either at the National Assembly or Senate, have to perform is the contribution and attendance in the sittings of the bicameral Parliament. Tortured prose. Kwani ni jamaa mgani wrote this editorial?
