Top news items in major Kenyan media outlets

The following are news highlights in Kenyan media outlets on Thursday:

-- The Senate on Wednesday stopped debate on the divisive amendments to electoral laws until public views have been taken into account, raising hopes for a compromise on the issue that has threatened to ignite chaos ahead of next year's polls. (Daily Nation)

-- Crisis in the health sector is set to worsen as pharmacists vow to join doctors' strike next week. The strike is now in its fourth week with no resolution in sight as thousands of patients continue to suffer. (The Standard)

-- Kenya's exports to the East African Community declined by 108 million U.S. dollars to 1.2 billion dollars in 2016, marking the third year in a row. (Business Daily)

-- Kenya's tourist sector recorded improved performance following vigorous marketing by various stakeholders, with the tourism ministry noting total international arrivals between January and October had grown by 16.1 percent to 628,345. (People Daily)

-- Opposition Cord moved to court Wednesday seeking to prevent President Uhuru Kenyatta from signing into law any changes to the election laws, even as the Senate sought compromise on the issue. Cord argued that the electoral system is currently in a state of confusion and the proposed amendments will undermine the important and fundamental features and provisions of the electoral laws. (The Star) Endit