Why teachers must leverage technology (People Daily, December 3, p.2). Why Gen Z turns out for protests but skips the polls (p.4). Why political old guards can’t bet on Gen Z votes in 2027 (p.5). Why Wetang’ula faces mounting political pressure after polls loss (p.6). Why Rift Valley remains central to Kenya’s 2027 election contest (p.7). Okay, ‘why’ is an important question in journalism, lakini si hizi ni mingi sana kwa headlines?
Next day: Why ‘Rutonomics’ is chocking Kenyans’ future (p.1). Why Kwale parents face school opening uncertainty (p.2). Why President Suluhu defended police action on protestors (p.2). Why State is bound to obey ban on DSS method in coffee payments (p.5). Why counties, power firms are haggling over Ksh5.7b bills (p.7). Why Western Kenya political elite must rebrand or perish (p.7). Why Ruto is courting chiefs as part of 2027 presidential strategy (p.8). Kwani PD has only one sub, whose thought process is linear, ama this is a new editorial policy?
Scientists have caught a hyena red-handed eating honey. The hyena was captured in Kajiado with a massive, dripping honeycomb clenched between its jaws (Star, December 1, p.2). Hilarious, aha, ha. Notice the tone. Story seems to have been written by Sungura, reporting the thief to Lion, king of the jungle. Caught “red-handed”? Means Nyang’au shouldn’t eat honey – or shouldn’t be caught doing so.
Irrigation goes high-tech with new digital platform (MyGov, December 2, p.2). Intro: The State Department for Irrigation has launched a sensitization exercise for its leadership on the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan Management Information System (NISIP-MIS). Nah, tell us about this new digital platform first before the “sensitization exercise,” unaona?
Next: The forum convened departmental heads and key officers from across directorates forming the critical mass needed to operationalize the system. Also in attendance were… Oya, we still have no idea about “the system” you are going on about.
Gov’t sets aside Sh1.4bn to end decades of darkness in Kisumu’s remote villages (MyGov, December 2, p.3). End darkness? The idea here is that stima is only for lighting, si ndio? Not cooking? Not charging phones? Not powering visiagi? Not ironing clothes? In other words, more inclusive framing is needed.
Nigeria’s defence minister resigns amid kidnapping crisis (BBC, December 2). Phew! So, big shots in Africa are now quitting office due to poor performance? Well, not so fast. Intro: Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned from his position with immediate effect for health reasons, the president’s office has said. Ala, why tie the resignation on health grounds to “kidnapping crisis”?
Worst headline of the week: Embracing research to strengthen innovation, food and national security (MyGov, December 2, p.7). Tells you little. Reads like a government institute motto or conference theme. Not how headlines are written. A headline is a story in miniature.
Uphold national interest, Kindiki urges judges (Star, December 3, p.2). Intro: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on judges and judicial officers across East Africa to give greater consideration to national interest in their rulings. Para three: He made the call in a speech on behalf of President William Ruto at the opening of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association conference in Nairobi. Kindiki reads a speech on behalf of the President. What’s the correct attribution for those views?
A teenager who once relied on his father for guidance, providence and protection will now have to learn to stand alone in a world that suddenly feels colder and unfamiliar (Standard, December 2, p.4). Quite heartbreaking, but the right word is “provision” (supplying needs) not “providence” (the protective care of God or nature).
