Wiki: Kenyatta retained the role of prime minister after independence was declared on December 12, 1963. On June 1, 1964, Kenyatta became President when he successfully had Parliament amend the Constitution to make Kenya a republic with his office becoming executive President: the head of State, head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
Keep in mind that all those newspaper articles are obscure rural newspapers like the “Palladium nevada times”. They simply made an error on the name of the country.
How about taking a look at the official governmental website for the kenyan parliament, and look at the history detailed there. (Which confirms what is in the kenyan 1963 constitution, the CIA world factbook, etc...)
http://www.bunge.go.ke/parliament/history_Steps_2_Independence.php
“At midnight on December 11, 1963 , Kenya regained Independence from the United Kingdom.
Kenya remained a dominion within the British Commonwealth , with a Governor-General representing Her Majesty locally and a Government headed by a Prime Minister. “
NOT a republic, a constitutional monarchy.
http://www.bunge.go.ke/parliament/History_Post_Independence.php
“The composition to the Legislature and the framework of the Government at Independence remained in place until the first anniversary. [...] On December 12, 1964 , Kenya declared herself a Sovereign Republic within the Commonwealth. Mzee Kenyatta become the first President, heading a Cabinet of eighteen Ministers. December 12, has since been celebrated as Jamhuri Day.”