Top Newspaper Headlines for Monday, March 29

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1. People Daily
Public transport vehicles raise fares threefold after desperate commuters mob terminals to travel to or out of the restricted zone.

According to the publication, most passengers had to scramble to board public service vehicles to beat the Sunday, March 28, deadline following the cessation of movement in and out of five counties directive by Uhuru.

Kenya’s COVID-19 positivity rate had jumped from 2% to 22% between January and March, and Nairobi accounts for nearly 60% of the cases.

Uhuru said that hospital admissions had increased 52% in the past two weeks and that at least seven people were dying every day from coronavirus.

2. The Standard
The paper covered the steps that the government, through the Ministry of Health, had taken to protect the country's frontline workers from the global pandemic.

"Efforts to protect the country's frontline workers from the pandemic have been stalked by controversy, myths, and outright lies. But after more than 90,000 people braved long queues to get the jab, a cross-section of Kenyans have come out to give their verdict on the same," the newspaper reported.

Kenyans have been urged to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with the government insisting that people protecting themselves and others provide the best protection from the pandemic.
3. Daily Nation
The Daily Nation reported how Uhuru is under pressure to ease pain after ordering fresh lockdown and new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Uhuru did not offer tax relief or social safety net programme when he made the announcement, leaving Kenyans on their own.

"Intense lobbying for the Head of State to ease some of the COVID-19 lockdown measures announced on Friday. Tourism sector players say containment has put 1.3 million jobs at risk. Suggest a less punitive safety plan," the newspaper reported.

Recognizing the impact these decisions will have on the economy, Uhuruinsistedd that they were "temporary and necessary to contain the spread of the disease and therefore to stop further loss of life."

No road, rail, or air transport is permitted into or out of Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Machakos, and Nakuru; zoned into one area.

In-person meetings have also been banned.
Curfew hours now start from 8pm to 4am (instead of 10pm until 4pm) in the five counties.

4. Taifa Leo
Political leaders allied to ODM party leader Raila Odinga have warned Uhuru over any plans to exclude the Opposition chief from the BBI, saying that such a move will derail the entire process and disrupt all efforts achieved through the magical handshake between the two.

Led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, the leaders said any plan to betray Raila would fail terribly.

They also named individuals who were allegedly behind plans to bring down Raila and finish his influence in Kenyan politics.

5. The Star
The publication reported plans by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to train commissioners and directors on boundaries review. The process will cost millions of taxpayers’ money.

“Impeccable sources at the commission told The Star that taxpayers would fork out close to KSh 9 million in travel, accommodation, and per diem expenses for the trip,” the newspaper said.

Its three commissioners, Wafula Chebukati (chairman), Boya Molu, and Abdi Guliye, and directors of voter registration, human resource, legal, research and development, ICT, and Finance, are expected to attend the training in two groups starting April 1 to April 12.

Much as institutions have budget heads; the country is currently mired in a cash-flow crisis in the face of the second lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19 spread.