insert_link Africa ‘Kinship tax’ puts the brakes on business – Kenyan study measures the impact of helping family By Munir Squires, University of British Columbia Imagine working hard to build your business, only to find that your success brings about a wave of requests for help that you can’t turn down. This is a reality for many in African communities, where sharing income is a deeply rooted tradition. In fact, 93% of Kenyans I surveyed in a study of entrepreneurs believed that […] today12 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenya’s ambitious read-aloud event aims for a world record with 300,000 participant By Seth Onyango, bird story agency More than 300,000 young voices echoed across over 3,000 schools in Kenya, all reading aloud in unison in an historic attempt to break the world record for the most people reading aloud from the same text, simultaneously. From 8:30 am to 9:00 am on Friday (July 12), learners from various regions participated in this ambitious endeavour, aiming to surpass the […] today12 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenya’s protests are different this time: 3 things that make it harder for government to crush them By Awino Okech, SOAS, University of London On 25 June 2024, a youth-led protest primarily composed of Gen Zs, as they are popularly referred to, stormed Kenya’s parliament. Legislators voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024 in its third and last reading ahead of presidential assent. This was the second countrywide protest over the proposed taxes in the draft law and excesses in government […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenyans Gather for Concert in Nairobi to Honor Protest Victims Hundreds of Kenyans attended a concert in the nation's capital, Nairobi, on Sunday, chanting slogans and dancing to remember more than three dozen people killed in recent anti-government protests according to a report by Reuters. The demonstrations, which began on June 18, sought to halt planned tax hikes and call for President William Ruto's resignation. Activist Boniface Mwangi, present at the event, expressed mixed emotions adding that the government is […] today8 July, 2024
insert_link World 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. today4 July, 2024
insert_link 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. today4 July, 2024
insert_link 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 […] today3 July, 2024
insert_link 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 […] today3 July, 2024
insert_link 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. today3 July, 2024
