Top news items in Kenya's major media outlets

The following are the news highlights in Kenyan media outlets on Thursday.

-- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party is warming up to smaller parties that support his bid for re-election. Last year, tens of smaller parties that formed the Jubilee coalition on which he came to power folded up to form one outfit. But as elections draw closer, dozens of smaller parties have emerged again which Kenyatta is now courting in A bid to marshal up votes for himself.

On Wednesday, he met leaders of a little-known political outfit from Northern Kenya which emerged early this year, signaling he was willing to embrace the parties backing its campaign. (The Standard)

-- The Kenyan government is hostile towards human rights activists and organizations, according to a report issued Wednesday that warned of safety concerns ahead of Aug. 8 elections. (Daily Nation)

-- Kenya's opposition coalition National Super Alliance (NASA) is deploying market research to gauge the popularity of its presidential candidate Raila Odinga and map out the country ahead of its electoral battle with President Uhuru Kenyatta in August. (The Star)

-- Direct flights between Kenya and the United States will halve freight cost for flower exports to the latter, according to the Kenya Flower Council. (Business Daily)

-- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday launched a gender policy document that will see more women recruited into the Kenya Defence Forces. (People Daily) Endit