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  • William Ruto sworn in as Kenya’s President

    William Ruto sworn in as Kenya’s President

    William Ruto was on Tuesday September 13, sworn in as Kenya’s fifth president following his narrow victory over Raila Odinga in a bitterly fought but largely peaceful election.

    Tens of thousands of spectators turned up at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi to witness the event which Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is representing President Muhammadu Buhari at.

    The Vice President was accompanied on the trip by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

    With his hand on a Bible, the 55-year-old swore to preserve and protect the country’s constitution.

    Defeated candidate Raila Odinga did not attend, saying as he had “serious concerns” about his opponent’s victory.

    Mr Ruto won the election with 50.5% of the vote, to Mr Odinga’s 48.8%. Mr Odinga has alleged that the result was rigged, but the Supreme Court has ruled the election was free and fair.

    Ruto’s campaign had portrayed him as a “hustler” with a humble background of going barefoot and selling chickens by the roadside, a counterpoint to the political dynasties represented by Kenyatta and Odinga. But Ruto received powerful political mentoring as a young man from former President Daniel arap Moi, who oversaw a one-party state for years before Kenyans successfully pushed for multiparty elections.

    Ruto now speaks of democracy and has vowed there will be no retaliation against dissenting voices.

  • William Ruto Declared Winner of Kenya’s Presidential Poll

    William Ruto Declared Winner of Kenya’s Presidential Poll

    Deputy President William Ruto has won Kenya’s presidential election, the electoral commission chairman has said.

    He narrowly beat his rival, Raila Odinga, taking 50.4% of the vote.

    The announcement was delayed amid scuffles and allegations of vote-rigging by members of Mr Odinga’s campaign.

    Four of the seven members of the electoral commission refused to endorse the announcement, saying the results were “opaque”.

    “We cannot take ownership of the result that is going to be announced because of the opaque nature of this last phase of the general election,” said Juliana Cherera, the vice-chairperson of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

    “We are going to give a comprehensive statement… and again we urge Kenyans to keep calm.

    “There is an open door that people can go to court and the rule of law will prevail,” she said.

    Mr Odinga’s party agent earlier alleged that there were “irregularities” and “mismanagement” in the election.

    This was the first time Mr Ruto, 55, had run for president.

    He has served as deputy president for 10 years, but fell out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who backed Mr Odinga to succeed him.

  • Buhari leaves Abuja to attend Special Session on UNEP@50 in Kenya

    Buhari leaves Abuja to attend Special Session on UNEP@50 in Kenya

    resident Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Tuesday, to participate in the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP@50).

    The event is to hold from March 3 to March 4 in Nairobi, Kenya.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, who confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said Buhari’s trip to Kenya was sequel to an invitation extended to him by his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta,

    The theme of the Special Session is “Strengthening UNEP For The Implementation Of The Environmental Dimension Of The 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development.”

    According to the organisers of the event, “for 50 years, UNEP has coordinated a worldwide effort with Member States to address the world’s biggest environmental challenges.

    ”Member States are vital partners in formulating UNEP’s policy, implementing UNEP’s programme and championing solutions to our shared environmental challenges.

    “UNEP@50 is a time to reflect on the past and envision the future.

    ”It provides an opportunity to reinvigorate international cooperation and spur collective action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. No country or continent can solve these global crises alone.

    ”But each nation has a crucial role to play in protecting our people and planet.”

    According to Adesina, Buhari is expected to deliver the National Statement of the country and participate in High Level Dialogue Sessions on the Environment at the event.

    He added that the president would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, National Security Adviser, and retired Maj.Gen Babagana Monguno.

    Others on the trip include Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai, and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Adesina also said that from Kenya, the president would proceed to London for ”routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.”

  • US Secretary Of State To Visit Nigeria, Kenya, And Senegal

    US Secretary Of State To Visit Nigeria, Kenya, And Senegal

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal next week, where he will discuss ending the Covid-19 pandemic and battling climate change.

    Blinken will meet with the president of each country to “advance US-Africa collaboration on shared global priorities,” state department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

    Other topics of conversation on the agenda for the Monday to Saturday trip include revitalizing democracies, advancing peace and security, and a more inclusive global economy, Price said.

    Blinken travels first to Nairobi, where he will meet with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and other government officials, and underscore US support for peaceful 2022 elections.

    Next, he travels to Abuja, to meet with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and deliver a speech on US-Africa policy.

    He will end his trip in Dakar where he will meet with Senegalese President Macky Sall and other officials.

  • I was arrested, totured in Kenya for 8 days – Nnamdi Kanu discloses to lawyer

    I was arrested, totured in Kenya for 8 days – Nnamdi Kanu discloses to lawyer

    The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has disclosed details of his arrest and alleged torture by Kenya Authority.

    Reports had it that he made the disclosure to his defence counsel, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

    The lawyer who visited the IPOB leader at the custody of the Department of State Service, DSS, said his client was arrested and detained for eight days by Kenya’s Special Police Force, before he was eventually handed over to their Nigerian counterpart.

    Recall that the DSS had earlier permitted the Kanu’s legal team to visit the fugitive where he is been detained.

    Shortly after the visit on Friday evening, Ejiofor said his client was arrested in Kenya on June 18 but was detained and tortured until last Sunday when he was flown back to the country.

    His statement posted on Facebook read:

    “Update on meeting with MNK today, 2nd July 2021:

    My Client – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was actually abducted by the accursed Kenya’s Special Police Force on the 18th of June 2021 at their International Airport, and consequently taken to an undisclosed residence under dehumanizing conditions.

    He was tortured and subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment which worsened his health condition. *He was illegally detained for eight (8) good DAYS in Kenya* before being transfered to their Nigerian counterpart.

    He was purportedly investigated on a bogus charge while in their custody, ostensibly, awaiting to be handed over after their findings proved him innocent of all the spurious allegations. They later beckoned on their Nigerian Counterpart to take over.

    Kenyan Government was deeply involved in the abduction, detention and ill-treatment of my Client before the illegal handover to their Nigerian counterpart.

    A scan of his heart showed that the heart has enlarged by 13% due to the dehumanizing treatment meted to him. There will be need for immediate proper medical examination and attention for him.

    Mazi Nnamdi Kanu conveyed his goodwill message to all IPOB family members worldwide, and craved for your unrelentless prayers.

    We are going back to the Court for the needful. Other details cannot be entertained here.

    His fortified legal team will address these infractions at the proper forum as we progress. Other details on our legal strategy, may not be made public.

    With Chukwuokike Abiama on our side, Victory is assured. For if God Almighty be for us, who can be against us?”

  • JUST IN: Kenya Govt. denies involvement in arrest, extradition of Nnamdi Kanu

    JUST IN: Kenya Govt. denies involvement in arrest, extradition of Nnamdi Kanu

    Kenya government on Friday denied involvement in the arrest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, saying “it does not want to be dragged into Nigeria’s internal affairs.”

    Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Wilfred Machage spoke in Abuja on Friday.

    He said; ” I wish to categorically state that we are not happy at this ridiculous attempt of dragging the name of Kenya and President Uhuru Kenyatta on this matter of arrest and extradition of self-claimed IPOB leader.”

    Detail shortly…

  • IMF Board Approves $2.3bn Aid Package For Kenya

    IMF Board Approves $2.3bn Aid Package For Kenya

    The IMF on Friday approved a $2.34 billion aid package to Kenya to “address the urgent need to reduce debt vulnerabilities,” the institution said in a statement.

    The Washington-based development lender said the funds would be spread over 38 months, with an immediate disbursement of about $307.5 million, “usable for budget support.”

    “Kenya was hit hard at the onset by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the International Monetary Fund said, highlighting the country’s “forceful policy response” that led to an economic recovery in 2021 after a slight contraction in GDP in 2020.

    But the crisis has also exacerbated “pre-existing fiscal vulnerabilities.”

    “Kenya’s debt remains sustainable, but it is at high risk of debt distress,” the statement said, adding that “fiscal and balance-of-payments financing needs remain sizable over the medium term.”

    Antoinette Sayeh, IMF deputy managing director, called the aid “a strong signal of support and confidence” but noted it is “subject to notable risks, including from uncertainty about the path of the pandemic.”

  • Comoros lied to instill fear in Kenya players over Covid-19 results – Mulee

    Comoros lied to instill fear in Kenya players over Covid-19 results – Mulee

    Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has called on the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to investigate the conduct of Comoros officials after they claimed six Kenyan players were Covid-19 positive before their reverse fixture on Sunday.

    The Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match was forced to start 30 minutes late after Comoros officials claimed six players from Kenya’s national team were Covid-19 positive and lodged a complaint with Caf to have all the players tested again before the game could kick-off.

    However, after the long standoff Caf officials allowed Kenya to play the match with certificates they had received from Nairobi as they travelled to Comoros for the match which the home team won 2-1.

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    Mulee has now told it was unfortunate for Comoros to allegedly use such dirty tricks which he said instilled fear in his players and hence affected the team’s performance and has further called on Caf to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

    “It was very unfortunate the match was delayed for a long period because Comoros tried to lie and unsettle my players by saying some of them were Covid-19 positive,” Mulee told when the team arrived from Comoros on Monday.

    “It was all false and I hope Caf will step in and take action because the standoff instilled fear in my players,” 

    “We left Kenya after we had already been tested for Covid-19 and what they did they tried to target some of our key players with the false rumours, and I am happy Caf stepped in and said we play with the Covid-19 certificates that we had [from Kenya] because their target was to have our key players barred from playing in the match but Caf came in and said we play.”

    On fans being allowed to watch Comoros match in Moroni while the first meeting was played without fans at Kasarani Stadium, Mulee explained: “I think we as Kenyans should also put in place plans and know yes we have Covid-19 but have the fans back to the stadium.

    “All we need is to put tough measures in place and also plan on how to have fans back into the stadium [like other nations are doing], and you know Comoros did exactly that and they were granted permission by Caf..

    On his promise to the fans after losing the away match, Mulee said: “I love soccer, like every Kenyan, but we are not good enough to play [because our league is suspended], we must have our league back, and then we can talk.

    “We don’t have a league being played in the country and it is affecting our national team’s performance, unless we start playing then I will keep using the players I tend to think are fit to play.”

    After the loss, Kenya are now on three points after four Group G games, five points behind the islanders, and will host the Pharaohs on March 22 before wrapping up their campaign with a trip to Lome against Togo on March 30.

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  • Coronavirus: Kenya confirms 6 new cases as total number rises to 197

    Coronavirus: Kenya confirms 6 new cases as total number rises to 197

    Kenya’s health ministry on Sunday confirmed six additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of those infected by the virus to 197.

    Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Health said that the figure was from 766 samples that have been tested by medical personnel in the past 24 hours.

    “Of the six new cases, five are males and one is a female.

    Five of them are Kenyan nationals while one is a foreign citizen,” Kagwe said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

    He said two of the patients have a history of traveling to the Middle East, while one recently travelled from Mombasa and three have no history of travel.

    Kagwe said that five of the cases were from mandatory quarantine centres while one was picked by the surveillance team.

    The patients are aged between 25 and 59 years.

    The official said one more patient was discharged from hospital, bringing to 25 the total number of recoveries.

    Kagwe also said that one person from Siaya County in Western Kenya succumbed to the disease that now brings the total deaths from COVID-19 to eight.

    He said that contact tracing for people who might have been in contact with the six persons was ongoing, adding that a total of 2,160 contacts had been monitored, out of which 1,660 had been discharged.

    Kagwe said 500 contacts were being followed at the moment, adding that a total of 7,449 had been tested since the onset of the disease in the country.

    Kenya has banned movements in and out of four counties, closed all learning institutions, including introducing a night curfew among other measures, aimed at containing the spread of the virus.

  • First coronavirus cases reported in Kenya, Ghana, Gabon

    First coronavirus cases reported in Kenya, Ghana, Gabon

    Nairobi/Kinshasa, March 13, 2020 Kenya, Ghana, and Gabon, on Friday reported their first confirmed cases of infection with the new coronavirus.
    In East Africa, Kenya reported one case on Friday, while in West Africa, Ghana reported two cases just as Gabon said it had logged one case.
    This, however, raised the total number of African countries affected by the pandemic to 15.
    According to Kenyan Health Minister, Mutahi Kagwe, the patient is a Kenyan citizen who had recently travelled to the U.S.
    The Gabonese Health Ministry said that the infected person in Gabon was a national who had returned from a trip to Bordeaux, France on March 8.
    The ministry added that Gabonese authorities were in the process of tracing all contacts the patient had since his arrival in the capital, Libreville.
    According to the Ghanaian Health Ministry, both infected individuals returned from Norway and Turkey.
    The Ghanaian Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu said that both patients were currently being kept in isolation and were stable.
    “I wish to assure all Ghanaians that the Government of Ghana together with all health partners will continue to work assiduously to ensure the situation is contained,” he said.
    Health Minister Eteni Longondo of Congo, reported the country’s second confirmed case of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, involving a Cameroonian national who lives in the central African country, who travelled to France.
    Congo has already had to contend with an outbreak of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever in its Eastern border region since mid-2018, though the last Ebola patient was discharged from a treatment centre in the city of Beni.
    However, experts had considered Africa to be at high risk in relation to the coronavirus due the continent’s close economic ties with China where the disease outbreak originated in December 2019.
    The continent’s outbreak has so far been limited compared with those in Asia or Europe.
    Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation recorded 129 cases of COVID-19 in 12 of Africa’s 54 countries, with three casualties in Northern Africa, compared to more than 125,000 confirmed cases globally.