Kenya

In a candid discussion on February 10, 2025, Owino's words laid bare an unsettling truth: the vetting procedure imposed on Somalis had inadvertently fostered corruption. "We just created an opportunity for people to eat," he remarked, encapsulating the sentiment that this process was more a bureaucratic charade than a necessity. Isn't it ironic how measures intended to strengthen can instead unravel at the seams? Kenya's existing ID registration process, according to Owino, is robust enough, encompassing thorough…

In a resolute stride toward equity in public service, President William Ruto inaugurated Kenya's 10th immigration office on Thursday, nestled in the heart of Garissa County. This significant move aims to streamline the passport application process for the residents of Northern Kenya. But why is this such a momentous occasion? Picture a resident from Mandera, Wajir, or Tana River, trekking arduous journeys to Nairobi, Mombasa, or Nakuru merely to procure a passport. The inconvenience and costs add up, don't they? Now, with a…

In a significant development on Thursday, Kenya announced that it had dispatched 144 additional police officers to join the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, aiming to combat the persistent specter of gang violence plaguing the Caribbean nation. This fresh contingent is part of an endeavor strikingly complex yet courageously undertaken. Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, detailed that the group includes 120 men and 24 women. They are…

Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) has revealed that the ongoing security operation by Kenya against the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is a concerted effort with Ethiopian security forces. This operation, targeting “OLA camps” on both sides of the border, underscores a strategy where borderlines blur into zones of mutual concern and cooperation. What has led these two countries to act in unison against threats lurking at geographical seams? On February 4, NISS issued a statement indicating that this…

GARISSA - There’s a palpable change in the air as President William Ruto of Kenya recently announced a decisive shift in policy that's been long awaited by the Somali community residing in the country's northeastern region. For decades, the community endured a painstaking bureaucratic process just to obtain identification cards. This policy, entrenched over the past 60 years, has now been dismantled with the president's decree. Unveiling this policy shift in the town of Wajir, Ruto articulated a…

On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, Kenya found itself at a pivotal juncture regarding its critical security mission in Haiti. The East African nation, known for its rich tapestry of landscapes and cultures, is steadfastly working to transition its security mission on the sun-baked Caribbean island into an official United Nations operation. Why this sudden shift? A disruption in U.S. funding. It seems like a daunting challenge, but Kenya's resolve is evident, and the narrative unfolds with remarkable intricacy. Korir…

Nairobi (AX) – In a move demonstrating both urgency and tradition, the Kenyan government is gearing up to dispatch a group of Somali elders. Their mission? To negotiate the release of five local chiefs, who vanished on Monday near the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera County. The abductions have sparked a sober realization—the intricate dance between diplomacy and danger that governs this troubled region. Why involve elders, you might wonder? They possess the nuanced understanding of local customs, an essential element for…

Al-Shabaab Abducts Five Kenyan Chiefs in Mandera County Nairobi, Kenya — Imagine clocking in for a day’s work, only to vanish without a trace. This unsettling fate befell five National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) from Mandera County, allegedly whisked away by Al-Shabaab militants. Why now? The abductions come with a disquieting timing—just before President William Ruto's anticipated visit to the region. Julius Njeru, the Mandera South Sub…

Ebola Vaccine Arrival Spurs Immediate Action in Kampala Do you remember the last time an epidemic shook the very core of public health? This familiar unease crept back into Uganda as the first 2,160 doses of the Ebola vaccine arrived in Kampala—a determined effort against a formidable adversary. The cargo, teeming with both hope and urgency, marks a critical step towards preparing for what may unfold. Just yesterday, Uganda’s Health Ministry solemnly announced an outbreak. The trigger? A 32-year-old male nurse, who had…

The border between Somalia and Kenya, often a tense line in the sand, witnessed an unexpected turn of events recently. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday evening, 11 soldiers from the Somali National Army made their way to the Hulugho border, not to patrol or at the call of duty but to seek refuge. Armed, yet vulnerable, they surrendered, rifles shouldered and more than 1,000 bullets in tow. Their decision to cross over into unfamiliar territory did not go unnoticed. As they inched towards Garabey, a small enclave near the…