East Africa

In a bold and transformative step, the Kenyan government has declared the elimination of Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) and visa requisites for travelers from across the African continent. Well, almost everyone—from the sands of Senegal to the shores of South Africa—can rejoice, except for those residing in Somalia and Libya, a decision influenced by persistent security concerns that linger like an unwelcome guest. This ambitious initiative aims to bolster regional integration and fuel tourism, promoting the idea that…

In a vibrant twist to the ever-evolving travel narrative, Kenya has revealed a groundbreaking shift in its visa policy, electing to ax eTA and visa obligations for its African brethren. Well, almost all—Somalia and Libya find themselves on the outskirts of this diplomatic accord, left in the visa-requiring zone due to discernible security qualms. Opening Borders, Opening Hearts Kenya's latest gambit isn't just a tale of policy shifts. It's a heartfelt invitation, a clarion call for vibrant unity across a continent brimming…

FILE PHOTO: A worker cradles freshly baked bread at a bustling Nairobi supermarket, May 8, 2017. Picture taken May 8, 2017. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights There's a new wind blowing through Kenya’s financial corridors, touched by whispers of "Did you hear about the inflation twist?" The statistics office is sharpening its pencils and rolling out core inflation data for the first time. It's a tale as rivetting as any economic thriller (if such a thing exists). The move is akin to giving a GPS to…

The echoes of war between Ethiopia's government forces and Tigrayan fighters left devastating marks, costing hundreds of thousands their lives and displacing countless souls. With uneasy truce, many still find themselves wrestling with troubling social and economic hurdles.The displaced in Tigray are in limbo, wondering when, if ever, they might find their way back to their homes. Image: Million Haileselassie Brhane/DWAh, the heart had hopes when conflict seemingly vanished behind a curtain of peace. Pretoria, South Africa,…

It’s hard to look away from the tumultuous scene unfolding in the aftermath of the October 2024 elections. Protests have erupted across the country; citizens, disillusioned with the electoral process and fed up with heavy-handed police tactics, are expressing their anger in the streets. However, as Borges Nhamirre eloquently argues for the Institute for Security Studies, these chaotic demonstrations and the police’s indiscriminate crackdowns aren’t the root of the issue—they’re merely the visible symptoms of a much deeper…

In an unexpected twist better fitted to the pages of a suspense novel, a suspect along with a vehicle harboring no less than 50 bags of illicit sugar was apprehended in the once quiet town of Garissa. The escapade unfolded like a classic cat-and-mouse chase, with the suspect initially outsmarting local authorities but eventually running out of luck. Rumors danced through the air long before law enforcement made their move. Whispers of contraband crept across the city—like shadows in the wind, elusive yet palpable. The…

President William Ruto in Kakamega on January 20, 2025/PCS With the ambition of transforming Kenya into a titan of the sugar trade within just a couple of years, President William Ruto unveiled an intriguing blueprint ripe with potential and challenges. On a bustling Monday in Kakamega, Ruto shared a grand vision: by 2027, Kenya will not only fulfill its domestic sugar requirements but will also venture into the world of exporting the sweet commodity. Ever the optimist, Ruto elaborated on the nation's current measures…

In a kaleidoscope of global diplomacy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty navigated the corridors of power as he conferred with European Council President Antonio Costa in the cosmopolitan heart of Europe, Brussels. They engaged in a tête-à-tête underscoring the instrumental role President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi has played in sculpting the Gaza ceasefire while orchestrating the symphony of peace and stability across the Middle East. Adams' son was quick to recognize Egypt as an indispensable confidant in…

In an era where every magnifying glass is trained on global security, President William Ruto is striking the chord for greater unity among Horn of Africa nations to square up against shared woes like terrorism and organized crime. Seems like a tall order, doesn’t it? After a tête-à-tête with Ethiopia's intelligence czar, Ambassador Redwan Hussien, at the prestigious State House, Nairobi, Ruto pulled out all the stops to reinforce Kenya's promise of working hand in glove with both regional and worldwide partners. His…

Mogadishu (AX) – Imagine a flight that stirs up more buzz than a beehive in springtime. The Somali government recently found itself swatting away reports faster than a short-order cook during breakfast rush. It quashed rumors that its ambassador to Kenya, Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, had been called back home posthaste because of a kerfuffle involving a plane. This wasn’t just any old plane but a Kenya-registered one, which apparently waltzed into Somali airspace on January 18 without giving so much as a courtesy nod. The alleged…