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Presidential aspirants must be vetted thoroughly 

Rigathi Gachagua

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua welcomes opposition leaders at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on May 4,2025.

Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation Media Group
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By  The Watchman

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Nairobi residents and visitors are smoking in public, ignoring the designated smoking areas.
  • The government should speed up preparations for the African Nations Championship (Chan).

Vet aspirants • Kenyans should take the saying “the fish rots from the head”, very seriously, says Enrique Fabios. “A leader sets the tone for everything that happens. We should examine the track records of those aspiring for the presidency. Don’t involve emotions, hand-outs, tribe or religion. Just look at the facts on those aspiring for leadership. Start now.” His contact is [email protected].

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Smoking ban • Nairobi residents and visitors are smoking in public, ignoring the designated smoking areas, says James Thiaine. “While walking along Lusaka Road, I saw a policeman smoking, and this habit has become common. Could the ban on smoking in public have been quietly lifted? Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja should enforce the ban.” His contact is [email protected].

Related

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Unfair broadcasts • Some broadcasters on Kikuyu vernacular radio and TV stations have been violating the journalistic code of ethics by attacking some politicians without giving them the right of reply, says Chris Kiriba. “There is one woman, who is quite notorious for throwing expletives at people. But majority of the broadcasters stick to the right journalistic path.” His contact is [email protected].

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Chan preparations • The government, Jotham Ndung’u says, should speed up preparations for the African Nations Championship (Chan) to be held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August. “It will be a big embarrassment if our venues won’t be ready on time. The event has been postponed twice. Treasury should ring fence the funds for Chan.” His contact is [email protected].

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Apologies • The season for apologies is on in East Africa, with Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and his wife publicly saying they’re sorry for having made mistakes, negligence and lapses, notes Jim Webo. “President William Ruto also apologised to the Gen Z over last June’s protests during which police killed 60 people and injured many others. Will Tanzania President Samia Suluhu follow suit?”

Have an apologetic day, won’t you!