Gang violence continues In Haiti despite new interim government

Gang violence continues In Haiti despite new interim government

With a new Prime Minister in place, the United Nations says Haiti is making headway to restore peace and hold credible elections. But these new developments are marred by ongoing gang violence in the capital and a lack of law and order. Jody Jacobs reports.

July 4, 2024 16

Africa

Kenyan Activists Rethink Strategy Amid Violence in Anti-Government Protests

Activists leading Kenya's anti-government protests are re-evaluating their approach after Tuesday's demonstrations were disrupted by violence and looting, which they fear could undermine their efforts to push President William Ruto to resign as reported by Reuters. The activists attribute the violence to "goons" allegedly hired by politicians to discredit the protests or pursue personal agendas. Some activists have called on social media to cancel the next planned demonstration on Thursday.

July 4, 2024 13

Africa

Kenya police say over 270 arrested for criminal acts during Tuesday protests

Kenyan police said they have arrested more than 270 people masquerading as protesters who are suspected of going on a criminal rampage during anti-government rallies on Tuesday. Widespread looting and property damage was reported during the youth-led demonstrations in various cities across the country, which some protesters said had been infiltrated by "goons". "Security forces across the country singled out suspects found engaging in criminal activities in […]

July 3, 2024 34

Science & Technology

Rise of digital activism in Africa as smartphone adoption surges

By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency From just making calls, to taking pictures and light browsing, to engaging in e-commerce transactions to, recently, engaging in digital activism, the way Africans are engaging with their smartphones is fast evolving. This is happening against the backdrop of a surge in smartphone usage across the continent, according to three recent reports. Three different reports show that […]

July 3, 2024 51

Africa

Riot Police Clash with Protesters in Widespread Unrest Across Kenya

Reuters reports that riot police fired tear gas and charged at stone-throwing protesters in downtown Nairobi and across Kenya on Tuesday, marking the most widespread unrest since at least two dozen protesters were killed in clashes a week ago. The nationwide demonstrations indicate that President William Ruto has failed to quell a spontaneous youth protest movement, despite abandoning plans for tax increases that triggered last week's unrest.

July 3, 2024 13

Local

Eliud Kipchoge’s quest for a third Olympic gold is achievable – running experts explain

By Stephen Granger, bird story agency The 2024 Paris Games are fast approaching and Kenyan marathoners are poised to shine, given the rich pool of talent in the country's Olympic team. Could this be 39-year-old Eliud Kipchoge's moment to make history as the first athlete to win three Olympic Marathon titles? The questions for Kenya's famed runners don't stop there, however. Another question is […]

July 2, 2024 74

Africa

Kenya’s Ruto proposes youth dialog forum

Kenya’s President William Ruto has suggested creating a multi-sectoral group to facilitate dialog with the country’s youth following weeks of anti-government protests. Nation newspaper reports that the proposed 100-member national forum will include nominees from student leadership, as well as civil society, religious organisations, professional bodies, businesses, academia, national assembly leadership, and the council of governors. The announcement follows last week's unprecedented scenes that left parts of Parliament ablaze as […]

July 1, 2024 12

Africa

Hotbed of corruption: Kenya’s elite have captured the state – unrest is inevitable

By Gedion Onyango, London School of Economics and Political Science A strong undercurrent driving the unprecedented anti-tax protests in Kenya is outrage over theft of public resources coupled with the extravagant lifestyles of public servants. There are widespread frustrations that President William Ruto also failed to deliver on his electoral promises to address corruption. He’s even earned a new nickname — “Zakayo”, a reference […]

July 1, 2024 9

Local

ATIDI underwrites Globeleq’s USD 117 million geothermal power project in Kenya

Nairobi-based pan-African insurer, African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) has provided a political risk insurance cover for Globeleq's 35 MW Menengai Geothermal power project in Kenya. This support will be extended via the Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF) - a joint effort by ATIDI, KfW Development Bank, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It helps renewable energy Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The project, the first to […]

July 1, 2024 21