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12.01.2026

The Day ODM Aligned with UDA

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Kenya for 12.01.2026.

It displays 130 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

12.01.2026The Day ODM Aligned with UDA
Morning editorial priority was dominated by Eliud Owalo’s formal resignation from State House to pursue a 2027 presidential bid, a move framed by editors as a rupture within President Ruto’s executive office. While the media followed the viral Nairobi-to-Maasai Mara tour of American streamer iShowSpeed, political coverage quickly pivoted to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) management meeting in Kilifi.
By midday, editors highlighted a deepening rift within ODM as key figures like Edwin Sifuna boycotted the session. However, the afternoon headlines shifted to a definitive realignment, as the ODM leadership formally endorsed structured coalition talks with Ruto’s UDA for the 2027 elections. This development effectively overshadowed the morning’s focus on Owalo’s defection. The evening cycle consolidated this theme of shifting loyalties, reporting on the UDA’s immediate scheduling of a National Executive Committee meeting to ratify the new pact with their former rivals.
12.01.2026
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07:46 (04:46)Owalo Defects for 2027 Ambition

Kenyan media focus has shifted to Eliud Owalo's resignation from State House to pursue a 2027 presidential bid, an act interpreted by editors as a rupture in President Ruto's administration (Daily Nation, Kenyans, Citizen, TV47 Digital). Simultaneously, newspapers highlight the government's strategic distribution of resources in the Mt. Kenya region and the commercial success of YouTuber iShowSpeed's visit (People Daily, Capital FM, YNews Digital).
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American streamer IshowSpeed is set to visit the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok County on Monday, January 12....
08:03 (05:03 in your timezone)
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A Powwater tanker overturned on Nairobi’s Red Hill Road Monday morning, partially blocking traffic toward Limuru Road and Gigiri. No injuries reported, but motorists...
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The FA Cup third round wrapped up Sunday January 11, 2026 with the kind of drama that makes England’s oldest tournament special every year. Arsenal cruised past Portsmouth 4-1 despite…
09:34 (06:34 in your timezone)
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09:42 (06:42)Owalo Defects for 2027 Ambition

Kenyan editors are focusing on Eliud Owalo’s resignation from State House and his 2027 presidential declaration, framing it as a challenge to President Ruto. While Daily Nation and Kenyans interpret the move as a loss of confidence in the executive, ODM-aligned voices like Millie Odhiambo dismiss the bid as futile (Capital FM, People Daily). Concurrently, regional friction in Homa Bay and Nakuru underscores an early onset of electioneering (Taifaleo, Tuko).
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12:11 (09:11)Gachagua Left Without Guards

Kenyan editors are pivoting to the education sector's logistical and financial crisis as students transition to Grade 10, with warnings that high fees are excluding top-performing learners (Daily Nation, Taifaleo). Simultaneously, the escalating security concerns of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua remain a high priority, following reports of the withdrawal of his official security detail (People Daily, YNews Digital, Nairobi Leo).
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The notice also affects other entities, such as stockbrokers, dealers, investment banks, fund managers, investment…
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14:00 (11:00)ODM Internal Frictions Surface in Vipingo

Kenyan editors have pivoted to the internal governance of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as Oburu Oginga chairs a management committee meeting to address disputes and party direction (People Daily, Capital FM, Nairobi Leo). Simultaneously, the legal system is a focal point as the High Court halts the hiring of private lawyers for public entities and foreign doctors litigate against license freezes (YNews Digital, Citizen, TV47 Digital).
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Reverend Lucy Natasha, the founder of Empowerment Christian Church (ECC) in Nairobi, has announced the indefinite closure of her church’s physical location at Biashara Plaza Rooftop. The move that was…
14:42 (11:42 in your timezone)
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The doctors want the court to issue orders of prohibition against CS Duale, the Ministry of Health, and other state…
14:49 (11:49 in your timezone)
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More than 500 families from Barigoni and Mswakini villages in the Boni Forest, Lamu County, have received government-provided food aid, bringing much-needed relief to communities facing acute food shortages. Residents,…
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16:10 (13:10)Congolese Doctors Challenge Duale

Kenyan editors are prioritizing legal and political frictions. A coordinated legal challenge by over 20 Congolese doctors against the Health Ministry and CS Duale over licensing freezes highlights systemic professional disputes (Capital FM, Kenyans). Simultaneously, the ODM party leadership is holding consultative meetings in Kilifi to address evolving internal priorities and the party’s future direction (Citizen, Nairobi Leo).
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18:20 (15:20)ODM Embraces Ruto's Political Fold

Kenyan editors have pivoted to the formalized political realignment between the Orange Democratic Movement and the UDA, highlighting the endorsement of structured talks for the 2027 elections (People Daily, Daily Nation, Capital FM, Kenyans). While ODM celebrates recent by-election victories, internal rifts regarding this alliance persist. Concurrently, media coverage focuses on the judiciary as six Iranians plead guilty to a Sh8.2 billion drug trafficking charge in Mombasa (Eastleigh Voice, Citizen).
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ODM’s Central Committee met in Vipingo, Kilifi, to plan for the 2027 General Election, endorse talks with UDA, defend cooperation with Kenya Kwanza and stress party unity amid internal tensions.
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Scientists in Sweden report ATR-258, an experimental pill that lowers blood sugar and boosts fat burning via muscle, without appetite loss or muscle wasting, offering a potential new option for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
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MADAKTARI zaidi ya 50 kutoka nchini ya DR Congo wamemshtaki Waziri wa Afya Aden Duala kwa kutoa... 3 mins ago
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23:16 (20:16)The ODM Internal Resistance

Kenyan editors are documenting the widening fracture within the Orange Democratic Movement as key figures like Edwin Sifuna boycotted a strategic meeting in Kilifi (Standard Media, Daily Nation, Nairobi Leo). While the party leadership explains these absences as logistical, media coverage frames it as resistance to a formalized pact with the UDA (Kenyans, Standard Media). Simultaneously, county governments are increasingly litigating against judicial orders and high legal fees (Eastleigh Voice, TV47 Digital).