Kenya’s online space is buzzing as politics, economics, jobs and healthcare scandals collide in one noisy news cycle.
At the centre of the storm is Oketch Salah, who has reignited debate after insisting to be the late Raila Odinga’s adopted son. As that drama unfolds, Kenya has received a rare dose of cautiously positive economic news, with Moody’s upgrading the country’s risk rating from “very high risk” to “high risk,” sparking mixed reactions among economists and citizens feeling the cost-of-living squeeze.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Programme is back in the spotlight following the engagement of 5,500 graduate interns, touted as a major youth employment boost. But even as jobs are announced, fresh fraud allegations at the Social Health Authority (SHA) are unsettling Kenyans, with many drawing uncomfortable comparisons to the corruption-ridden NHIF, raising fears that history may be repeating itself.
Here are this evening’s top 10 trends
OketchSalah
The debate on who Oketch Salah is has been reignited, following Tuesday night’s dismissal of his claims to being late Raila Odinga’s adopted son by the former Prime Minister’s daughter Winnie Odinga.
While the EALA MP admitted to ever meeting Oketch, she rubbished his claims that he was with her late father until his last breath.
“I stand with everything I said about my last moments with Baba (Raila Odinga). Those moments were real, painful and lived,” Oketch posted on his socials, promising to respond to Winnie at a later interview.
Kenyans also weighed into the issue, some wondering why Oketch was not a key figure in Odinga’s activities until when he fell ill and later died.
“If his family doesn’t recognize him, why is he forcing himself into their lives?” posed Mbithe Mulinge.
Activist Billy Mwangi said “Hanging around Raila Odinga and calling it bonding doesn’t magically hand you the authority over his children…”
MoodysRatingUpgrade
The global credit agency has upgraded Kenya’s rating from very high risk to high risk due to lower default risk and stronger foreign reserves. The country’s sovereign rating has moved to B3 from caa1 due to stronger financial reserves at USD 12.2 billion, a narrower current account deficit and successful USD 1.5 billion Eurobond issuances that eased debt pressures.
This shows Kenya’s economic stabilization is working though fiscal deficits remain a hurdle towards 2027.
Rutonomics
Mainly on President William Ruto’s economic transformation agenda that has improved the economy and resulted in an improved rating with Moody’s.
“Kenya’s economic conversation is changing under Rutonomics. Reduced default risk and stable outlook are not slogans but output,” Otieno Onyango shared.
WinnieOdinga
The late Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s daughter has been trending since Tuesday evening following her dismissal of Oketch Salah as Odinga’s adopted son and claiming that he was suffering from mental health.
She also demanded the ODM Party National Delegates Conference ahead of next year’s general elections.
Responding to the discussion online, Tony Gachoka, who once served as the Chief of Protocol at Odinga’s Prime Minister’s office, said he never saw or heard about Oketch Salah that time.
NairobiVibes
This is mainly about youth culture and energy, lifestyle, music, events and street buzz in Nairobi, with many of the posts on hangouts and Matatus music blasting experiences which make Nairobi feel alive
SpinTheWheel
Connected to online ‘spin the wheel’ and cash prize platforms that Kenyans are either searching or sharing online.
AffordableHousingInterns
Trending following commissioning of 5500 graduate interns attached to the government’s affordable housing programme and who will get monthly stipend according to Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga.
This is trending alongside #5500Hired and #IkoKazi- Swahili for “There are Jobs” which both stress on President William Ruto’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment in Kenya.
