insert_link Africa Between witchcraft and terrorism: how social fears in coastal Kenya impact religious expression By Erik Meinema, Utrecht University Kenya’s coastal region has, since about 2011, grappled with terrorist attacks carried out by the Somalia-based Islamic terrorist organisation Al-Shabaab. Muslims in coastal Kenya have long complained about their relative marginalisation versus Christians. Al-Shabaab has sought to capitalise on this sense of marginalisation to draw recruits and support from a small minority of Kenyan Muslims. Kenyan authorities have also associated […] todayJune 7, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Kenyan President Ruto Seeks Diverse Counsel for Haiti Mission In the months preceding Kenya's deployment of police officers to Haiti, President William Ruto sought advice from political advisers, security officials, and foreign leaders regarding the prominent anti-gang mission. Additionally, Reuters reports that he consulted a group of Christian evangelical pastors close to him and his wife. These pastors provided recommendations to Ruto and acted as intermediaries between Haitian communities and the president, according to interviews with two pastors and […] todayJune 6, 2024 10
insert_link Environment How many giraffe species are there? Understanding this is key to their protection By Laura Bertola, Leiden University Giraffes, with their distinctive body shape and variations in coat patterns, have long been an example in evolutionary biology teachings. They are a textbook example of how species adapt to their surroundings and survive under harsh conditions. Despite this, scientists and conservationists still grapple with understanding the evolutionary history of giraffes. Giraffes occur throughout most of the savannah landscapes […] todayJune 3, 2024 24
insert_link Africa Current Realities and the Future of Menstrual Hygiene for Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa The future of female youth within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) holds immense potential but faces significant challenges within the realm of sexual reproductive health such as with basic menstrual health hygiene. Many countries across the world have shifted focus to broader aspects of female health and wellness, with intimate care, pain management, eco-conscious and innovative menstruation products gaining popularity and mainstream appeal as part of a larger self-care […] todayMay 29, 2024 4
insert_link Africa A mixed bag for Elon Musk’s space internet in Africa By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency As Elon Musk-owned Starlink internet service reaches a new global milestone of 3 million users in nearly 100 countries, it's a mixed bag for its operations in Africa. "Congratulations to the @SpaceX team on passing 3 million customers in 99 countries! And thanks to you for buying @Starlink!" Musk recently thanked Starlink and users on X for the milestone. On its progress report, […] todayMay 27, 2024 37
insert_link Africa Horn of Africa droughts: how a network of groundwater bores could help – study By Bradley Hiller, University of Cambridge The Horn of Africa recently suffered its worst drought in almost half a century, and its sixth failed rainfall season in a row. Fifty million people were directly affected and 100 million more were indirectly affected. About 20 million people risked acute food insecurity and potential famine, 4.4 million required humanitarian aid, and refugees fleeing drought and floods […] todayMay 27, 2024 23
insert_link Africa How elite riders are conquering Africa’s harshest terrains as mountain biking booms By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Mountain biking is surging in popularity across Africa, with global race organizers capitalizing on the continent's diverse terrains—from mountains to deserts—for bike racing events. Morocco has recently hosted what is arguably “one of the most gruelling ultra-mountain bike races,” the 2024 Škoda Titan Desert Morocco. The annual, 6-stage, 600km race across the desert was held between April 28 and May 3 […] todayMay 23, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Kenya is badly prepared for floods: four steps to reduce devastation and deaths By Augustine Kiptum, University of Sussex Floods in Kenya in April/May 2024 led to the deaths of over 250 people and caused damage estimated at 4 billion Kenya shillings (US$35 million). Not for the first time, Kenya’s lack of preparedness was apparent as flooding rampaged through rural and urban landscapes. There was also confusion as to who would deal with the disaster – the national […] todayMay 22, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Massive African “Gigawatt” wind projects to dwarf existing facilities, as private power companies and “wheeling” take root By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Huge new wind power project under development in Egypt and Kenya will see independent power producers access national grids to sell power to private customers in other parts of the country, or region, accoding to a new report. "Wheeling" refers to the practice of allowing privately generated power to flow through the national grid to willing buyers in a seller-buyer model. […] todayMay 21, 2024 33
