Top news items in major Kenyan media outlets

The following are news highlights in Kenyan media outlets on Friday.

-- Ruling coalition senators on Thursday passed contentious changes to election laws, which have divided the country, paving way for President Uhuru Kenyatta to assent the amendment bill into law.

Despite spirited efforts by the opposition coalition Cord legislators, noting that the bill was unconstitutional and could plunge the country into chaos, the ruling party used its majority in the Senate to ratify the laws that among other things call for use of a manual system during voting in case the electronic one fails.

Cord had called off mass protests to oppose the law to allow for dialogue at the Senate but having been defeated, it remains to be seen what step they would take next. (Daily Nation)

-- The shilling continued to cede ground against the U.S. dollar as Central Bank of Kenya blamed the volatility on speculators. By close of business Thursday, the shilling had weakened further against the greenback, touching a 15-month low of 103.80 to 1 dollar. (The Standard)

-- Doctors' union and government officials meet Friday for talks that could end a one-month strike that has paralyzed the public health sector. The government offered the doctors a 40 percent pay rise proposal Wednesday which they were to consider and provide feedback in today's meeting in which the strike is expected to be called off. (People Daily)

-- Christmas spending lifted Kenya's business sentiment in December last year with traders reporting they had received more orders amid rising demand, separate monthly surveys by two banks showed on Thursday. (Business Daily) Endit