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k7b Please enable JavaScript to read this content. It is a shift that has tested the foundations of the traditional political establishments and kept the political class at the edge of their seats as a growing wave of discontent, open criticism and hostility from the populace gains root. And as President William Ruto, opposition chief Raila Odinga and their lieutenants mull ways to win back public support and rally Kenyans to their course, the rebellion is growing from several quarters. While the backbone of the pushback against the political class is taking place majorly in social media, its spillage has cascaded to some constituencies where several leaders, especially in the Mt Kenya region, are facing a backlash for backing the Kenya Kwanza administration. To them, even visiting their constituencies has become a tall order since they participated in the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. So bad is the rebellion that at the weekend, Kenyans on X rallied in their numbers to push for a trend to weaken Raila's African Union Commission chairmanship bid in an attempt to dissuade African Heads of State from backing the experienced politician. As the #Raila Must Fall trend dominated social media circles, ODM released a statement to defend its alliance with Kenya Kwanza, a move observers believe is a sign of the heat the party is facing for its dalliance with the President. "As we move forward, let every Kenyan know that ODM is committed to the aspirations of the people and will continue to be a beacon of hope, integrity and progress in our nation's politics," said acting party leader Anyang' Nyong'o. Yesterday, a senior ODM official confided in The Sunday Standard that the backlash within the party and from the public has rattled the party's ranks. READ: How Raila's dalliance with Ruto might influence 2027 contest "It is true Kenyans are unhappy and, as a party, we must tread very carefully. We also noticed the lack of interest in the party elections we held about two weeks ago. Very few members turned up, and their concern was our support for controversial policies," said the leader. Observers believe the pushback by Kenyans is already getting into the skin of the politicians as they struggle to contain a grouping that once danced to their tunes with little questions. “There is growing public dissatisfaction and the pressure of looming re-election campaigns. The President faces the critical task of regaining trust and delivering on his promises,” says Gitile Naituli, a lecturer at Multimedia University. This week, a seemingly frustrated President lashed out at those he claimed were on a mission to derail all the projects his administration is pursuing. While on a development tour of Taita Taveta county early in the week, the President’s frustration was evident as he questioned how the public sentiment had shifted so drastically against him. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter Critics have intensely scrutinised several of his flagship projects such as Taifa Care, affordable housing, the national livestock vaccination campaign, the university funding model and the contentious Adani agreements. His choice of words, body language and the social media mockery that followed his speech highlight the growing discontent and rebellion against his administration. In an attempt to address the backlash, Ruto equated the wave of dissent to an evil spirit undermining national progress. “Wakenya tafadhali, kuna pepo chafu ya kupinga kila kitu. Affordable housing, chanjo ya ng’ombe, kubadilisha mfumo wa university zetu, hata matoleo kanisani, kila kitu inapinga. What is this, surely?” Kenyans please, there is a spirit of opposining everything. Affordable housing, livestock vaccination, university funding model, church offerings, everything!), he said during the groundbreaking of the Devki Iron Processing Project. In social media, disconnected Kenyans have been making memes to mock the Kenya Kwanza administration and its policies. The clergy, who overwhelmingly supported his presidential campaign, have also joined in the growing chorus of criticism, urging Ruto to realign his administration. ALSO READ: With the looming Ruto-Raila party, focus shifts from Mt Kenya region A few voices in the Judiciary have also come out to question the country's priorities over the delays in reconstituting the IEBC. With the growing discontent, every decision Ruto makes has come under intense scrutiny. While his allies have called for patience, urging Kenyans to allow more time for the policies to bear fruit, many citizens argue that two years is enough to judge the Kenya Kwanza administration’s performance. This is the same predicament Raila has found himself in as social media trolls unleash their rebellion on him and his troops who are now defending the Kenya Kwanza administration. “After he joined government, some Kenyans feel that Odinga betrayed his followers and doesn’t deserve the AUC seat,” Prof Naituli observes. Kenyans opposed to Raila’s AU bid have rallied their support behind Djibouti’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. “What is happening across the social spectrum where people are venting out is as a result of an accumulation of unsolved issues that negatively impact on their lives,” Joseph Omondi, a social analyst and a governance expert, says. “The sense of political betrayal has disoriented the people who feel that the government was unwilling to address their social and economic plight, which has disrupted their normal way of life,” Mr Omondi adds. He says failure by the government, which is mandated to resolve people’s problems and restore their hope, has “given rise to this new phenomenon of sudden bouts of impulsive, aggressive, violent or angry verbal outbursts amongst the citizenry, with the anger being directed to the government and leaders.” Omondi says by resorting to social media to hurl insults at leaders and institutions of governance, the people were only venting their anger which has been accumulating. “By using social media to express their feelings, victims undergo a therapeutic and healing process as they feel they have relieved what was ailing them in their hearts,” Omondi notes. He says mounting anger and a sense of betrayal by the government has been witnessed amongst residents of the Mt Kenya region following the ouster of Rigathi Gachagua from the position of Deputy President. Andrew Nyabuto, another social and political analyst, says the government had failed to read and interpret the indicators of social strife and take remedial action. “Aristotle, a leading philosopher, said psychology is part of the soul. What we are experiencing now are behavioural problems associated with some deep-rooted socio-psychological issues that have remained unaddressed for a very long time,” Nyabuto says, adding: “When a cup is full to the brim, it overflows. The anger we are witnessing from people and which is manifested in the posts being made in social media indicate that their souls are ailing, and that is why they are emitting anger.” Julius Kariuki, a political strategist, says the country’s leadership had failed to establish a convergence point with the people, creating a breakdown of communication and enhancing a sense of anger and betrayal among the people. “There is an absence of a meeting point between the rulers and the governed to address pressing social issues which are exerting pressure on the people,” Dr Kariuki says. ALSO READ: Ruto-Raila alliance: Will it lead to political survival or ruin? “A good leader at this age and era must seek to establish effective channels of communication with the people to sustain a harmonious working relationship and also maintain the people’s trust and confidence in the leadership,” Kariuki opines. Former Molo MP Njenga Mungai says the country’s political landscape had rapidly changed over the past few years due to the advent of social media platforms. “The mounting socio-economic and political problems in the country, coupled with the use of social media to convey information, poses a great challenge to those in leadership to effectively manage their relationship with the people,” Mungai says. Mungai who is the chairman of the Jubilee Party’s council of elders, attributed Kenyans' frustrations to unfulfilled aspirations and broken promises made by their leaders. In the Mt Kenya region, several leaders who supported Gachagua's impeachment are walking on a troubled path as the wave of criticism continues to cascade across the region. Residents accuse their leaders of betraying the country by failing to address critical issues affecting the public. This, perhaps, is the reason members of Kirogo village in Murang'a denied Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's allies to read his speech during the burial of an MCA two weeks ago. Others who received a cold welcome included President Ruto's adviser and former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria. Kuria, however, pulled through his speech despite murmurs in the crowd.WITH the Christmas party season in full swing, smelling sweet is a top priority. More than a third of us have popped perfume on our Christmas wish list, but with some designer brands costing upwards of £100, some fragrances are well out of reach for many of us. Advertisement 15 Emma Lazenby sniffs out the best dupes, revealing which ones are worth splashing out on and giving them all a mark out of five Credit: Stewart Williams So could budget perfume dupes be the answer? With a huge range available on the high street for a fraction of the price of top brands, Fab put some of the most affordable alternatives to the test. But how did they fare when it came to long-lasting wear? And do they really smell just like the designer originals they are emulating? Advertisement READ MORE DUPE TESTS SCENT-SATIONAL Six stocking filler perfume dupes from just £2.49 and will save you £336 BARGAIN BUY B&M shoppers flock to grab £4.99 perfume dupe 'exactly the same' as £85 bottle Emma Lazenby sniffs out the best dupes, revealing which ones are worth splashing out on and giving them all a mark out of five. Midnight Blossom 30ml, M&S, £6 vs Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium 30ml, £79 SAVING: £73 15 Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium 30ml, £79 Credit: Supplied 15 Midnight Blossom 30ml, M&S, £6 - my wrist was still smelling lovely – if a little faint – well into the afternoon Credit: Stewart Williams IF there was ever a winter evening fragrance that’s as warm as it is luxurious, then I think M&S’s Midnight Blossom is up there. Advertisement It’s perfect for the party season and smells remarkably like YSL’s Black Opium. With its musky, velvety notes and subtle floral undertones, it holds its weight against its designer rival. Most read in Fabulous CHEERS! Shoppers run to Primark for ‘cute’ Netflix show merch and cry ‘we need everything’ HAIR ME OUT Reverse hair loss for good by introducing five 'key role' foods into your diet SOFA, SO GOOD I'm an interiors pro - the 5 sofa mistakes making your living room look cheap HOT STUFF Make your home instantly hotter using an Allen key, it’s not for the radiators The simple purple packaging is cute, giving Parma violet vibes, but as it looks quite basic, I’d put it in the stocking-filler category, rather than the main gift. Having said that, Midnight Blossom is possibly the perfect perfume present to yourself. Advertisement Tesco's Affordable Luxury: Candle Dupe Alert! Granted, Black Opium was still bold after eight hours of wear. But M&S’s winter fragrance wasn’t far off. My wrist was still smelling lovely – if a little faint – well into the afternoon. 5/5 Suddenly Femelle 75ml, Lidl, £5.25 vs Lancome La Vie Est Belle 75ml, £105 SAVING: £99.75 15 Lancome La Vie Est Belle 75ml, £105 Credit: supplied 15 Suddenly Femelle 75ml, Lidl, £5.25 - it’s a great fragrance that’d make a lovely gift for older friends and relatives Credit: Stewart Williams Advertisement LIDL’S Suddenly Femelle fragrance bears a striking resemblance to the vanilla, iris and patchouli notes of Lancome’s La Vie Est Belle. It’s a warm scent and looks very expensive with its apothecary-style bottle and pretty pink packaging. One of the cheapest of the bunch, it packs a surprising punch. If you’re after a cosy, winter fragrance, Suddenly Femelle could be the perfect choice for you. Advertisement It has a whiff of maturity about it, adding to its classic fragrance feel, but if long-lasting wear is one of your perfume priorities, sadly it falls short. There were still subtle hints after three hours, but it’s another dupe that’ll need regular respraying. That said, it’s a great fragrance that’d make a lovely gift for older friends and relatives. 3/5 Advertisement Lacura Radiant Majesty 100ml, Aldi, £6.99 vs Burberry Goddess 100ml, £135 SAVING: £128.01 15 Burberry Goddess 100ml, £135 Credit: Supplied 15 Lacura Radiant Majesty 100ml, Aldi, £6.99 - it smells unbelievably similar, with some fragrance fans even saying they prefer Radiant Majesty to the £135-a bottle real deal Credit: Stewart Williams ALDI’S Lacura perfume offerings are on fire this year, earning rave reviews for their designer dupes. Its Burberry Goddess copycat certainly looks expensive. Advertisement Its pretty pink and gold packaging and sturdy glass bottle would look classy on any dressing table. It’s slightly sweeter than the Burberry original, with notes of vanilla, ginger, cacao and lavender, but this is the only notable difference when you spritz both scents. It smells unbelievably similar, with some TikTok fragrance fans even saying they prefer Radiant Majesty to the £135-a bottle real deal. But in our “length of wear” test, Aldi’s offering unfortunately falls short, with barely a whiff remaining after just three and a half hours. Advertisement In contrast, Burberry Goddess was still smelling bold at 10pm after a 9am spritz. But with a £128 price difference, it’s cheaper to top up through the day with Aldi’s dupe. 3/5 Lacura Floral Love 100ml, Aldi, £5.99 vs Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb 100ml, £130 SAVING: £124.01 15 Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb 100ml, £130 Credit: supplied 15 Lacura Floral Love 100ml, Aldi, £5.99 - sadly, the spritz on my wrist didn’t hold its fragrance weight for long and was fading fast after three hours Credit: Stewart Williams Advertisement THIS Aldi fragrance boasts a gorgeous, diamond-inspired bottle, which you’d be proud to pop in your handbag. It looks expensive and just as pretty as the designer original. Scent-wise it smells very similar to Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb. I’d say Aldi’s Floral Love is a little heavier, so I had high hopes for its longevity. Advertisement Sadly, the spritz on my wrist didn’t hold its fragrance weight for long and was fading fast after three hours. But with its bargain price tag, beautiful bottle and floral gorgeousness, I think we can forgive its lack of staying power . 4/5 Cashmere 30ml, Next, £10 vs Estee Lauder Sensuous 30ml, £35 SAVING: £25 15 Estee Lauder Sensuous 30ml, £35 Credit: supplied 15 Cashmere 30ml, Next, £10 - it is floral, yet woody, and could be a great gift for someone who’s not a 'perfume person' Credit: Stewart Williams Advertisement WITH the smallest price difference between dupe and designer, let’s not do Next’s Cashmere a disservice. Its resemblance to Estee Lauder’s classic is pretty damn good. And if you like a softer, subtle fragrance that you can wear all year round, then Next’s Cashmere is the perfect perfume. It is floral, yet woody, and could be a great gift for someone who’s not a “perfume person”. And as for longevity, four hours later, it was holding on – just. Advertisement Although Estee Lauder’s Sensuous was smelling strong after ten hours, weighing up the similarity of both, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra cost. 4/5 Red Temptation 30ml, Zara, £12.99 vs Baccarat Rouge 540 35ml, £155 SAVING: £142.01 15 Baccarat Rouge 540 35ml, £155 Credit: Supplied 15 Red Temptation 30ml, Zara, £12.99 - just as heady as its very pricey designer counterpart Credit: Stewart Williams Advertisement MOVING on to the slightly higher end high street perfumes, Zara’s Red Temptation is tricky to get hold of right now (more stock is arriving soon) and for good reason. It has a cult following on social media due to its remarkable similarity to Baccarat Rouge 540. Red Temptation is just as heady as its very pricey designer counterpart, with its spicy combination of saffron, bitter orange and coriander. It’s a classic scent that’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you like punchy “occasion” perfumes, this is the one for you. Advertisement It’s also one of the strongest contenders when it comes to its length-of-wear. While the Baccarat Rouge 540 lasted a whole day, Red Temptation was still holding its own after five hours. And the price difference is staggering. 5/5 Wonder Rose 30ml, Zara, £9.99 vs Dior J’Adore 35ml, £115 SAVING: £105.01 15 Dior J’Adore 35ml, £115 Advertisement 15 Wonder Rose 30ml, Zara, £9.99 - With the saving against its designer equivalent, it is pretty impressive Credit: Stewart Williams WE can all channel our inner Rihanna with Zara’s Wonder Rose, which smells very similar to the superstar-fronted Dior classic, albeit not as weighty. It’s a huge hit with the teens and rightly so. It’s wonderfully floral, but manages to be quite light, too – meaning we’re not venturing into headache territory. Wonder Rose combines fruitiness with flowers, coconut and vanilla. It’s lovely. And it definitely works for the festive period. With its mid-level price tag and cool packaging, it would make a great gift. Advertisement Yes, we see a pattern emerging when it comes to length-of-wear, with Dior’s J’Adore lasting in excess of nine hours. But, Zara’s offering is pretty strong and I could still smell it after more than four hours. With the saving against its designer equivalent, it is pretty impressive. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW JOKE Snow maps reveal the Scotland areas forecast to have a white Christmas OFF THE AIR 'Gutted to hear this', fans cry as BBC Scotland series axed after 19 years 4.5/5 VERDICT WE can all channel our inner Rihanna with Zara’s Wonder Rose, which smells very similar to the superstar-fronted Dior classic, albeit not as weighty. It’s a huge hit with the teens and rightly so. It’s wonderfully floral, but manages to be quite light, too – meaning we’re not venturing into headache territory. Wonder Rose combines fruitiness with flowers, coconut and vanilla. It’s lovely. And it definitely works for the festive period. With its mid-level price tag and cool packaging, it would make a great gift. Yes, we see a pattern emerging when it comes to length-of-wear, with Dior’s J’Adore lasting in excess of nine hours. But, Zara’s offering is pretty strong and I could still smell it after more than four hours. With the saving against its designer equivalent, it is pretty impressive. Advertisement

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NEW YORK (AP) — The huge rally for U.S. stocks lost momentum on Thursday as Wall Street counted down to a big jobs report that’s coming on Friday. The crypto market had more action, and bitcoin briefly burst to a record above $103,000 before pulling back. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from the all-time high it had set the day before, its 56th of the year so far, to shave a bit off what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 248 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2% from its own record set the day before. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Financial Institutions launches public offering of shares