Kenyan Newspapers Highlight UDA–ODM Merger Talks and State House Spending Ahead of 2027 Polls

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Kenyan newspapers on Friday, December 19, 2025, focused on emerging political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election, alongside scrutiny of government spending and key developments in education and public finance

The dailies reported plans by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to form a broad-based political party aimed at consolidating support ahead of the next elections

According to People Daily, arrangements are underway for ODM’s National Delegates Council (NDC) to back a legally binding agreement with UDA and approve internal party decisions aligned with the proposed coalition

The NDC is also expected to endorse President William Ruto’s re-election bid, a move that has unsettled several opposition figures within ODM. President Ruto is reportedly seeking to broaden his support base through ODM as he prepares for 2027, particularly to offset potential losses in vote-rich regions such as Mt Kenya

Speaking during the Piny Luo Festival in Migori County, Ruto said a strong ODM and a strong UDA would form the basis of a united government through mutual agreement.

Meanwhile, The Standard revealed that the State House spent KSh 4.5 billion in the first three months of the 2025/2026 financial year, despite the administration’s stated austerity measures

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o reported that major expenditures included salaries, domestic travel, hospitality, fuel and vehicle maintenance. The Executive Office of the President spent KSh 1.04 billion during the same period, with a significant portion going to salaries and operational costs

In education news, Daily Nation reported that the Ministry of Education released the first-ever senior school placement results under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system

About 1.13 million Grade Nine learners who sat the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) are set to receive placement details via SMS and the ministry’s online portal. Unlike previous systems, placement will now be influenced by learner pathways and school clusters

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The Star reported that the government quietly borrowed billions of shillings from the domestic market between July and September 2025, averaging KSh 4.58 billion daily

By the end of September, domestic debt had risen to KSh 6.6 trillion, pushing Kenya’s total public debt to KSh 12.05 trillion, according to Central Bank of Kenya data

On its part, Taifa Leo highlighted an alleged KSh 5 billion scandal involving stalled industrial park projects initiated under the Kenya Kwanza administration

The projects, launched by former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, were intended to spur job creation but remain incomplete more than three years later, with implementation reportedly below 30 per cent

The coverage underscored growing political manoeuvring ahead of 2027, alongside mounting concerns over public spending, debt levels and the pace of flagship development projects