US ‘repays’ Kenya’s deployment of 1,000 security officers to Haiti with offers to ‘modernise’ police service
A $60 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation will fund a four-year programme focusing on the transportation needs of underserved groups in Kenya, safer options for women and pedestrians, and climate-friendly public transportation.
US, Kenya launch ‘Nairobi-Washington Vision’ to enable ‘high-ambition countries’ to get cheap loans
China, the United States and other Group of 20 creditor countries set up the Common Framework for Debt Restructuring to help countries facing huge debt burdens during the pandemic, but the initiative has faced long delays. A senior US Treasury official said China – the largest official creditor – had taken some steps to aid debt-ridden countries, but more work was needed.
Biden heaps praise on Kenya’s President Ruto for ‘his bold leadership’ as White House marks state visit
Biden and Ruto are using the three-day state visit to Washington, in part, to call on economies around the globe to take action to reduce the enormous debt burden crushing Kenya and other developing nations.
With Kenya’s debt-to-GDP ratio at a staggering 70 per cent, Biden and Ruto review relief options from China’s loans trap
An analysis of a dozen countries most indebted to China – including Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia and Laos – found the debt is consuming an ever-greater amount of tax revenue needed to keep schools open, provide electricity and pay for food and fuel.
US designates Kenya as major non-Nato ally as it deepens relations with East African nation
Kenya, like the United States, has become “an engine for innovation”, the official said, citing its $1 billion “Silicon Savannah” technology hub that is home to more than 200 startups spanning a range of sectors, including clean energy, microelectronics, financial technology, and e-commerce.
Ruto honoured with state visit for agreeing to deploy police to crime-ravaged, gang-infested Haiti
The United States for years has partnered with Kenya on counterterrorism efforts in Africa, including battling the extremist group al-Shabab. Kenya has participated in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and an international maritime taskforce launched by the Biden administration in December in response to Houthi attacks against vessels operating in the Red Sea.
Kenya’s largest bank, KCB, announces first quarter pretax profit up 53 per cent
Net interest income rose to 31.06 billion shillings from 22.06 billion shillings. Gross loans increased 12.2 per cent to 1.13 trillion shillings, while loan-loss provisions stood at 6.3 billion shillings, up from 4.12 billion shillings.
Kenyan long distance runner Rodgers Kwemoi banned six years for blood doping
Kwemoi, whose signature event is the 10,000 metres, took bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and finished fourth at the 2019 world championships.
President Kiir administration and rebel groups commit to peace to end conflict in South Sudan
South Sudan is due to hold elections in December but remains politically fragile, in part because the 2018 Comprehensive Peace Agreement is yet to be fully implemented and because conflict and violence continues in different parts of the country over ethnic and political differences.
New South Africa health faces strong opposition after President Ramaphosa signing into law
Opposition parties accuse Ramaphosa of using the law as a campaign strategy by announcing it nearly two weeks before much anticipated elections. The May 29 vote is expected to be one of the country’s most highly contested.
