Corruption in successive Haiti interim governments forces civilians to opt for self-protection against coordinated gangs
It’s no surprise that Haitians have increasingly felt the need to protect themselves. A vigilante movement known as the Bwa Kale, and whose members systematically kill and burn people they suspect of being gang members, has grown significantly in recent months.
‘I heard there were Kenyan police officers in Haiti, but why are they here if we don’t see any difference?’
Wary of the lack of results, foreign governments have been reluctant to stump up the money they pledged to the mission’s trust fund. According to several sources, it now has around $100 million – far less than the $600 million needed. There are concerns that the United States, which promised $300 million, may pull back once Donald Trump takes office next week.
Kenya, capital of abductions: Ex-attorney general provides rare peek into how the rich reach out to president for release of kin in police custody
In public statements since June, President William Ruto had expressed concern about allegations by human rights groups of abductions by state agents, in which unidentified individuals have detained people and held them for days without charge in undisclosed locations.
China’s credit cuts to Kenya forces the East African nation to turn to UAE for railway financing
Trade between Kenya and the UAE has more than doubled over the last decade, Ruto’s office said. The UAE is the sixth biggest export market for Kenyan goods, and its second biggest source of imports. The value of the trade stood at Ksh445 billion ($3.44 billion) in 2023, with the UAE buying agricultural products, while Kenya imports petroleum products, machinery and chemicals.
Turkey President Erdogan wants militant leader abducted from Kenya and jailed in 1999 to renounce his PKK party
After the first meeting with DEM officials, Ocalan was cited as indicating a willingness to call on the PKK to lay down arms. Two DEM sources said last week the party was now set to visit Ocalan again, as soon as January 15.
Abducted Tanzanian activist released as Kenya is labelled the nexus of ‘transnational repression’ in East Africa
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan ordered an investigation into the abductions last year, when several government critics were abducted and injured or killed by unknown people, in a pattern by which, rights groups say, the government targets opponents in the run-up to national elections expected later this year.
Urbanising in poverty: Kenyan startup city shines light on what Africa has to do in readiness for 900 million urban residents
Situated on 5,000 acres, Tatu City aspires to be what its name suggests: a city, privately owned, that its designers hope will eventually have a population of 250,000. It is already home to 88 businesses employing 15,000 people. They include CCI Global, which operates a 5,000-seat call center, and Zhende Medical, a Chinese medical supply manufacturer.
Kenya’s marathon queen Obiri seeks Boston Marathon third win, Ethiopia’s Lemma to defend men’s title
The 35-year-old Hellen Obiri has been dominant in the distance event since making her marathon debut in 2022, winning New York in 2023 in addition to her pair of Boston titles, picking up the bronze in Paris Olympics last year.
Transition: Founder of France’s post-war far right party Jean-Marie Le Pen dies aged 96
Commenting on Le Pen’s death, President Emmanuel Macron said: “A historic figure of the far right, he played a role in the public life of our country for nearly seventy years, which is now a matter for history to judge.”
Purchasing Managers’ Index shows Kenya private sector activity expanded marginally in December
The economy is estimated to have grown 5.2 per cent in 2024 and projected to expand 5.4 per centin 2025, the finance ministry says. The economy grew 5.6 per cent in 2023.
