By Ghost Writer
When Russia’s mission in Nairobi spoke in defence of its record against accusations that it has been involved in sending Kenyans to their deaths in the war against Ukraine, it added a new dimension to the debate over the exploitation that has intensified during the fourth year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Standard, February 24, p.4). Rambling intro of 54 words. Do you notice that “spoke in defence of its record against accusations that it has been involved in” (14 words) means “denied” (just one word)?
Extra school fees burden awaits parents after mid-term break (Standard, February 24, p.2). Para 2: In numerous secondary schools, parents say they have received instructions requiring learners to return after clearing full first-term fees and any outstanding arrears. Sasa how is that an “extra school fees burden”? Acheni kuua wazazi na stress with such alarmist misreporting.
The death of a patient at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGH) and the subsequent interdiction of its chief executive officer is threatening to cause a major labour dispute as the umbrella doctors’ union issues a strike notice over political interference at the facility (Standard, February 24, p.3). Lengthy intro (45 words). A strike notice is declaration of a labour dispute, not a threat of one. Ama tuulize Francis “Mwana ya Nzambe” Atwoli?
Nearly 10 years after his death, former Kabete Member of Parliament George Muchai doesn’t seem to be resting in peace (Standard, February 24, p.8). Sawa. When was Muchai gunned down? Para 3: On the cold morning of February 7, 2015… That’s “nearly 10 years” ago, si ndio? Sawa tu.
President William Ruto’s embattled administration has unveiled a Sh4.7 trillion budget for the 2026/27 fiscal year (Financial Standard, February 24, p.20). Para 3: The Budget Policy Statement (BPS), the fourth under the Kenya Kwanza administration, lays bare the embattled president’s strategy. We heard you the first time, “embattled”, yeah.
State eyes billions in revenue from T6, T7 oil fields (MyGov, February 24, p.2). Intro: The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi has defended the fiscal and microeconomic foundations of the proposed Field Development Plan (FDP) for Blocks T6 and T7, assuring Parliament that the project will not create any explicit or implicit public debt obligations for Kenya. What did Mbadi say, in simple and straightforward English? That is the task of journalism, not reproducing jargon and arcane phraseology.
The project will involve transforming the town’s aging stadium, located at the heart of the town, into a state-of-the-art sports complex built to modern standards (MyGov, February 24, p.5). Once we are told it is a “state-of-the-art” facility, isn’t clear it is “built to modern standards”? No need to state that.
