Kenya

Tragedy in the Skies: Plane Crash Casts Shadow Over Kenya's Tourist Heartland At dawn on a quiet Tuesday, tragedy struck the skies of Kenya. A small aircraft, carrying 12 souls en route from the idyllic coastline of Diani to the heart of the Maasai Mara, met with a fate that no one could have anticipated. It plummeted into the hilly, lush forests some 40 kilometers from its departure point, leaving a community grappling with grief and uncertainty. The Journey and Its Ill-Fated End The flight, destined for the private…

A Nation Mourns: Raila Odinga's Legacy and the Turbulence of Farewell Nairobi, Kenya — In a somber atmosphere turned chaotic, Kenya bid farewell to one of its most enduring figures, Raila Odinga, amid clashes that left four dead and many injured. The tumultuous events at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday encapsulated the deep emotional and political currents that Odinga, who passed away in India at age 80, represented throughout his life. A Life of Struggle and Influence Raila Odinga's story is woven into the fabric of Kenya’s…

The End of an Era: Remembering Raila Odinga, “Baba” of Kenyan Politics In a poignant moment for Kenya and beyond, the longtime opposition leader, Raila Odinga, passed away at the age of 80. His death, confirmed by party officials and Indian media, marks the close of a significant chapter in the nation's political history. Known endearingly as "Baba" (Father), Odinga leaves behind a legacy interwoven with the tumultuous yet transformative journey of Kenyan democracy. A Legacy of Resilience and Reform For over three…

Kenya’s mediation frays as passports withdrawal exposes fragile balance in Somalia Nairobi’s attempt to broker a truce between Mogadishu and Jubaland has produced not a ceasefire but a fresh crisis — one that underlines how external actors, local strongmen and fragile federal institutions are reshaping Somalia’s political future. Hours after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud flew to Kismayo for high-stakes talks with Jubaland leader Ahmed “Madobe” Mohamed, Kenyan authorities reportedly revoked the travel documents of two…

Kenya’s quiet diplomacy in Kismayo underscores fragile balance between Mogadishu and Jubaland KISMAYO — When a federal delegation led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud traveled to Kismayo this month for talks with Jubaland’s leaders, the public language that followed was notably measured. Jubaland’s presidency thanked Kenya for its “constructive efforts” in facilitating the discussions, and Jubaland president Ahmed Mohamed Islam — better known as Ahmed Madobe — spoke of dialogue, compromise and unity. But the absence of an…

Mohamud’s Visit to Kismayo: A Fragile Gesture Toward Reconciliation KISMAYO, Somalia — When Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travels to Kismayo this weekend for talks with Jubaland’s leader Ahmed “Madobe” Mohamed, he will be stepping into a political landscape that has been scarred by years of public acrimony, private deals and military showdowns. The trip — brokered quietly by Nairobi and welcomed, cautiously, by regional capitals — is less a triumph than a test of whether local rivals can move from brinkmanship to…

Kenya police rescue 22 people allegedly being trafficked to Russia to fight in Ukraine NAIROBI — Kenyan police on Wednesday freed 22 people they say were awaiting processing to travel to Russia under promises of legitimate jobs — a recruitment drive investigators allege was a front to send recruits to fight in Ukraine. Raid in Athi River uncovers recruitment materials and travel documents Officers carried out an intelligence-led operation at an apartment complex on the outskirts of Nairobi, in the industrial town of Athi…

Kenya and Ethiopia deepen military ties in bid to secure unstable borderlands ADDIS ABABA — In a gesture that underlines shifting patterns of regional security cooperation in the Horn of Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia on Monday signed a defence cooperation agreement aimed at tightening the two neighbours’ response to cross‑border threats, including the al‑Shabaab insurgency that has long bled into northeastern Kenya. Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, and Ethiopia’s commander, Field Marshal Birhanu…

Kenya warns EU: don’t look away as Al‑Shabaab claws back ground in Somalia When focus drifts, violence fills the gap NAIROBI — Kenya’s foreign minister is urging the European Union to keep the spotlight trained on Somalia’s Al‑Shabaab as the group steps up attacks across East Africa, warning that dwindling international attention could hand the militants a dangerous opening. “There is growing international fatigue because of other conflicts and a shift in focus. The international community’s support has depreciated…

Burkina Faso's Bold Move: Visa-Free Travel for African Citizens In a significant stride towards Pan-African integration, Burkina Faso has announced the elimination of visa fees for all African travelers. This refreshing decision, articulated by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana, aims to foster the free movement of people and goods across the continent—a dream long cherished by many as a pillar of the African Union's agenda. The Vision Behind the Decision Burkina Faso's new policy envisions a continent less shackled by…