Technical institute building under construction collapses

A technical training institute under construction in West Pokot County collapses. Photo/CourtesyA technical training institute building under construction in West Pokot County has collapsed
The one-storey structure that was reportedly funded by the national government to the tune of Ksh100 million crumbled down moments after the workers had finished installing the slab before installing the roofing.

Residents of Prikwo Village said that the contractor compromised the project by using improvised methods of getting the job done.

US denies having preferred candidate ahead of polls

US Ambassador to Kenya, Robert F. Godec. PHOTO/FileThe United States of American does not have any preferred candidate or political party in the August 8 General Election, American ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec has said.
Speaking during a visit at Mikoko Pamoja Mangrove Project in Kwale County, the American ambassador said his government is interested in seeing Kenyans express their democratic right in a free, fair, peaceful and credible polls.

Godec urged politicians to engage electorates in peaceful campaigns based on issues and policies as opposed to violence.

MAFUNZO YA UKAKAMAVU KIDATO CHA KWANZA JITEGEMEE JKT SEKONDARY YAFUNGWA RASMI JIJINI DAR ES SALAAM

 Mgeni rasmi wa kufunga mafunzo ya ukakamavu kwa wanafunzi wa kidato cha kwanza wa Shule ya Jitegemee Sekondari Mgulani JKT, Meja Haule (katikati), akiwa na viongozi wengine wakati wa hafla ya kufunga mafunzo hayo Dar es Salaam leo asubuhi. Kutoka kulia ni Ofisa Tawala wa Kombania wa shule hiyo, Kepteni Zaujia Shemahonga, Msanifu wa Shule, Meja Rehema Wanjara, , Makamu Mkuu wa Shule Utawala, Kepteni Benitho Lubila na Makamu Mkuu wa Shule Taaluma, Ema Mosha.

 Paredi la ukakamavu na uzalendo likifanyika.

 Gwaride likitoa heshima mbele ya mgeni rasmi.

 Ndugu, wazazi na jamaa wa wanafunzi hao wakifuatilia kwa karibu shughuli hiyo.

 wanafunzi wa shule hiyo wakifuatilia gwaride hilo.

TCRA Yaadhibu Vituo Vinne vya Utangazaji

Dar es Salaam. Mamlaka ya Mawasiliano Tanzania (TCRA)  imetoa adhabu kali kwa vituo vinne vya utangazaji  kwa kukiuka maadili ya utangazaji kwa mujibu wa sheria na kuvitaka viombe radhi siku tatu mfululizo kuanzia leo (Ijumaa) kupitia taarifa ya habari.

Akitoa adhabu hizo, Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Maudhui ya TCRA, Valerie Msoka amesema vitio hivyo vimepewa onyo kali ikiwa ni pamoja na kutozwa faini na kuomba radhi wasikilizaji wake.

Amevitaja vituo  hivyo kuwa ni Star TV,Channel ten, Clouds FM na Times FM.

Wema Afunguka Sababu ya Kukimbilia CHADEMA

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari akiwa ameambata na mama yake mzazi nyumbani kwao Sinza Jijini Dar es Salaam, Wema amesema sababu kubwa ya kuhamia CHADEMA ni ili kupata nafasi ya kupigania demokrasia anayodai kuwa inapotea nchini Tanzania Tanzania.

Sababu nyingine aliyoieleza Wema ni kutelekezwa na CCM licha ya kujitolea kutoa mchango wake kwa chama hicho wakati wa kampeni cha uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 2015 kiasi cha kuwa hatarini kumwagiwa tindikali visiwani Zanzibar.

"Kuanzia sasa mimi siyo tena mwanachama wa CCM, na muda mfupi ujao nitachukua kadi yangu ya CHADEMA... Nimeamua kuingia CHADEMA kwa sababu nataka kupigania demokrasia, laiti ningejua, ningeingia zamani sana, najua nimewahi kusema kuwa nitakufa nikiwa CCM, lakini sikujua kama itakuwa hivi, laiti ningejua mapema basi nisingesema vile na ningejiunga CHADEMA muda mrefu sana". Amesema Wema Sepetu

DONALD Trump Atangaza Kujenga Kinu Kikubwa Cha Silaha za Nyuklia Marekani

Rais wa Marekani, Donald Trump ametangaza kuwa anataka kujenga kinu kikubwa cha nyuklia nchini humo kuhakikisha kuwa taifa hilo lenye nguvu zaidi duniani linaendelea kuwa juu zaidi katika silaha za nyuklia.

Akizungumza leo katika mahojiano maalum na shirika la habari la Reuters, Rais Trump amesema kuwa Marekani sasa hivi iko nyuma katika uwezo wake wa silaha za atomiki.

Katika hatua nyingine, Reuters imemnukuu Trump akizungumza baada ya mahojiano hayo, ambapo alieleza kuwa anachukizwa sana na kitendo cha Korea Kaskazini kufanya majaribio ya silaha zake za maangamizi.

Alisema kuwa katika kuidhibiti Korea Kaskazini, Marekani inapaswa kutumia mfumo wa nchi marafiki kama Japani na Korea Kusini.

Ni nchi tisa pekee duniani zilizothibitisha kuwa na silaha za kinyuklia ambazo ni Urusi, Marekani, China, India, Israel, Ufaransa, Korea Kaskazini, Pakistan na Uingereza. Nchi nyingine zinazodaiwa kuwa na silaha hizo zimekua zikikanusha vikali na kudai kuwa zinatumia nyuklia kama nishati.

Kwa mujibu wa shirika linalojihusisha na masuala ya usalama, Ploughshares Fund, linakadiria kuwa kuna zaidi ya silaha za nyuklia 15,000 duniani kote, ambapo Marekani na Urusi pekee zinamiliki zaidi ya asilimia 93 ya silaha hizo.

Official VIDEO OKA D Haijalishi

Congo probes video showing apparent massacre by soldiers

Residents chant slogans against Congolese President Joseph Kabila as peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Organization Democratic Republic of Congo’s government is investigating a video that appears to show Congolese troops shooting dead a group of apparent militia members armed with slingshots and wooden batons, the human rights minister said.
Later on Saturday, however, the communications minister dismissed the footage as a “montage” put together by opposition figures living in Belgium, Congo’s former colonial power.

The seven-minute video, which was shared widely on social media and seen by Reuters, shows men in Congolese army uniforms saying they are participating in an operation against the Kamwina Nsapu militia.

Gambia’s new president pledges fresh start, economic reform

Gambian President Adama Barrow arrives for the swearing-in ceremony and the Gambia's Independence Day at the Independence Stadium, in Bakau, Gambia February 18, 2017. REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon Gambia’s President Adama Barrow vowed on Saturday to revive the country’s faltering economy with sweeping reforms as he sought to draw a line under the erratic 22-year rule of his predecessor.
Barrow was sworn into office a month ago during a brief exile in Senegal as Yahya Jammeh refused to accept his defeat in a December election. Jammeh fled into exile days later as troops from West African countries prepared to enter the capital and force him to go.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turns 93

President of Zimbawe Robert Mugabe gestures as he addresses supporters of his ruling ZANU (PF) party at Harare International Airport, Zimbabwe, September 24, 2016. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo. Hailed at independence in 1980 as a model African democrat, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe turns 93-years-old on Tuesday (February 21).
Mugabe, now widely seen as a tyrant whose policies have destroyed the economy of one of Africa’s most prosperous nations and plunged his country into political crisis, was confirmed last year as his party’s sole candidate for the next presidential election in 2018, when he will be 94.

Born in 1924 in Kutama, his political career began in 1960 with the formation of the National Democratic Party. A teacher by profession he was jailed in 1964 for 10 years for fighting white minority rule in what was then Rhodesia.

Two top officials in South Sudan’s military courts resign, rebuke gov’t

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir attends the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and the Government of the African Union in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, January 30, 2017. Picture taken January 30, 2017. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri Two top officials overseeing South Sudan’s military courts have resigned, saying high-level interference made it impossible to discipline soldiers accused of rape and murder amid the nation’s civil war, according to letters seen by Reuters on Saturday.
The resignations of Brigadier General Henry Oyay Nyago and Colonel Khalid Ono Loki follow the resignations of a highly respected general and the minister of labour earlier this week.

Oil-rich South Sudan has been mired in civil war since 2013, when President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, fired his deputy Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer.

Balotelli sent off for ‘classical’ English insult

Nice's Italian forward Mario Balotelli (R) leaves the field after receiving a red card during the French L1 football match Lorient vs Nice at the Moustoir stadium in Lorient, western France, on February 18, 2017. After a near-perfect start to his season at Nice, Mario Balotelli appears to be on a slippery slope after being sent off for dissent in a Ligue 1 game on Saturday.
The Italian striker was shown a straight red card — his second of the season — in the 68th minute of their 1-0 win at Lorient, with referee Tony Chapron telling L’Equipe on Sunday: “He insulted me in English. I won’t say more but it was something classical.”

Wenger: I prefer to remain at Arsenal

 

Arsenal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin (L) and Arsenal's French headcoach Arsene Wenger (R) speak together during the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen football match between FC Bayern Munich and Arsenal in Munich, southern Germany, on February 15, 2017. PHOTO/Christof STACHE / AFP

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could continue in management for four more years and his preference is to stay at the north London club; the Frenchman was quoted as saying by British media.
Wenger, whose side were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, said this week that he would make a decision in March or April on whether to extend his 20-year
The 67-year-old added on Friday, however, that he would definitely still be a manager next season, whether at Arsenal or “somewhere else”.

Haya ndio Mataifa Matano Yanayopinga Uwepo wa Mungu

Utafiti Unaonesha kwamba 63% ya watu duniani wanaamini uwepo wa Mungu, yafuatayo ni Mataifa 5 yanayoongoza kwa idadi kubwa ya watu wasiyoamini uwepo wa Mungu (Atheism).

1. China. 
Ikiwa na wapagani asilimia 30%, huku asilimia 47% ya watu hawaamini kabisa kama Mungu yupo.

2. Japan.
Ikiwa na asilimia 31% ya wapagani, huku asalimia 31% ya wajapani hawaamini kabisa kama Mungu yupo.

3. Czech Republic. 
Ikiwa na 48% ya wapagani, huku asilimia 30% ya wananchi wanasema kwamba Mungu hayupo.

4. France. 
Asimilia 29% ya wafaransa hawaamini kabisa kama Mungu yupo.

5. Korea Rep (South).
Ikiwa asamilia 15% watu wasioamini kwamba Mungu yupo.

Guardiola rules out return to Barcelona

Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola arrives for the English FA Cup fourth round football match against Crystal Palace January 28, 2017 (AFP Photo/Ben STANSALL) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he will never go back to Barcelona as their coach amid growing uncertainty about present incumbent Luis Enrique’s future.
Enrique is out of contract at the Nou Camp at the end of the season, and the chances of him leaving have increased significantly after a calamitous 4-0 defeat away to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Kenyatta University student killed for “stealing” motor vehicle

A third-year Kenyatta University Embu Campus student was on Saturday, February 18 lynched by residents of Kiambuthi village in Embu West after he was suspected to have stolen a vehicle.
Embu West OCPD, Francis Sang, said the 22-year-old Vincent Akinga was accosted by the residents after the car owner raised alarm attracting other villagers.

Sang says at around 5:00 am, the student was found next to the vehicle belonging to a Mr Silas Ngari Mwaniki, Principal Sergent at Arms at the Embu County Assembly which was parked outside his home.

Golf club brings Trump brand to Dubai

A billboard advertises the Trump International Golf Club Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2015 (AFP Photo/Karim SAHIB)

Every few miles another Trump billboard flashes by on the highways of Dubai, the glitzy Gulf city hosting the first foreign launch of a venue bearing his name since US President Donald Trump took office.
The Trump International Golf Club, developed by luxury real estate firm DAMAC Properties, is to be inaugurated on Saturday by the president’s sons Eric and Donald Jr.

The event marks the Trump Organization’s first public overseas launch since the president’s January 20 inauguration.

Dubai: Leveraging on theme parks, shopping to drive tourism

When I landed in Dubai on a Tuesday in January for my short visit, like many other Kenyans and Africans visiting the city or emirate in the United Arab Emirates, I couldn’t wait to see the major architectural landmarks the country is synonymous for. Top on my mind was the Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower dominating the skyscraper-filled Dubai skyline and the iconic hotel Burj Al Arab.

Also Read: KRA seizes container concealing luxury vehicles

Dubai is famous for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and a robust nightlife, but the promise by my hosts this time was to experience a different Dubai. I landed at DXB at around 4am on a winter Wednesday morning after a 4-hour flight. Winter here is more or less the usual Nairobi weather, I was fortunate to be here during the season. I was part of a 15-strong team of scribes from Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria, that is five from each country.

After a one-hour snooze and breakfast at our hotel that was a few kilometers away, we were on the road to explore. All the while marveling at the meticulously constructed road infrastructure and architectural marvels in the city center. Our first stop – Dubai Parks and Resorts, and here all I did was gawk at all stupendous themes therein.

My equally stunned African colleagues and I experienced each and every theme park available inside the integrated leisure and theme park destination constituting more than 25 million square feet of land. For the first time in my life, I gathered the guts to try out the rollercoaster rides -the Madagascar Mad Pursuit at the Motiongate, the infinity coaster, the fastest madly thrilling coaster you will ever experience. How a coaster can move from 0 to like 60kph (it felt like 100kph) in seconds as it makes death-defying ups, downs, twists and turns left my heart in my stomach. Stella – who sat beside me – screamed her guts out. Most memorable! Ha ha.

Motiongate is the largest Hollywood-inspired theme park in the Middle East, comprising of 13 of Hollywood’s most memorable live action and animated films. The Shrek Village, Smurf Village, Ghostbusters, Puss in Boots, the Green Hornet are just but a few of the attractions at Motiongate that has united three of Hollywood’s legendary film studios; DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures and Lionsgate, to bring cinematic adventure to life.

Given it was winter the park was full, the varied faces of the globe well represented. Time stands still as you experience the expansive theme park, with a choice of nine movie-themed family restaurants and an array of quick dining kiosks strategically place as well as official film licensed merchandise sold in 15 themed retail shops.

But the journey is not complete without experiencing BOLLYWOOD. Here my early childhood obsession with Hindu movie stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil Shetty, Amir Khan and others was reawakened. Walking on the Bollywood boulevard is almost surreal making one feel like they are in India. The Mumbai Train restaurant, the cycles, the buses and I got to dance to Bollywood movie songs in the open outside the Raj Mahal (a replica of Taj Mahal). Mac Otani the Bollywood dance star – wink wink.
The simulated 3D cinema experience of the Hindu action hero The Krish was the crème de la crème. I could stay here forever, a great getaway from the Nairobi hustle and bustle.
At nightfall we strolled through the Market Out of The Box (OTB) where local online designers and sellers are given the opportunity to sell their wares in open containers downtown a close to the tallest structure in world- the iconic Burj Khalifa and the world’s largest choreographed fountain system set on the 30-acre man-made Burj Khalifa Lake …. And a bit of shopping at the Dubai Mall to crown the night.

India Puts Record 104 Satellites in Space

An Indian rocket blasted off Wednesday morning from Sriharikota in eastern India putting a record 104 satellites into space in a single launch, surpassing Russia’s previous feat of launching 37 satellites one year ago, according to India’s space agency.
The launch also marked a milestone in the country’s efforts to emerge as a serious contender in the multi-billion dollar global commercial space industry by slashing costs.
Besides a 714 kilogram earth observation satellite, the others were mostly nano satellites — those weighing up to 10 kilograms. A majority of these small satellites came from customers in the United States, others from countries such as Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

Congo declares end to worst yellow fever epidemic in decades

Democratic Republic of Congo’s worst yellow fever outbreak in decades has ended two months after Angola declared its epidemic to be over, following a massive U.N.-backed vaccine campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
No new cases have been reported in either country in six months, just over a year after the outbreak began in December 2015 in a slum in Angola’s capital, Luanda, before spreading into neighbouring DRC.
In all, more than 400 people died, the WHO said.

The epidemic prompted a campaign to vaccinate 30 million people in the two countries with more than 41,000 volunteers and 56 charities carrying out mass the immunization programme.

Somali Official Says Somaliland Deal with UAE Corrupt, Illegal

Officials in Somalia and breakaway Somaliland took bribes in exchange for authorizing a United Arab Emirates military base in the port city of Berbera, according to Somalia’s auditor general.
Auditor General Nur Jimale Farah is one of several observers questioning the propriety of the UAE base deal, which Somaliland’s parliament overwhelmingly approved Sunday.
In an interview with VOA’s Somali service, Jimale accused senior officials in Somaliland and the government of Somalia’s former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of backing the deal for the sake of “illegitimate private gains.”

He also questioned Somaliland’s right to reach an agreement with the UAE. Somaliland considers itself independent from Somalia, but is not recognized by any country.
“The deal has none of the legal provisions needed and did not go through Somalia’s legitimate public procurement, financial institutions and the parliament. Therefore, it is corrupted and illegal,” Jimale said.

Air France-KLM profits up in 2016, cautious for 2017

Air France-KLM said Thursday profits rose sharply in 2016, but issued a cautious outlook for the current year in face of global uncertainty and aggressive competition in the sector.
The French-Dutch airline said in a statement that its bottom-line net profit soared to 792 million euros ($840 million) last year, up from 118 million euros in 2015.

The headline figure was boosted by one-off gains from the sale of a 49.9-percent stake in the onboard catering arm Servair to Switzerland’s Gategroup.

Underlying or operating profit grew by 34 percent to 1.05 billion euros as passenger numbers were up 4.0 percent at 93.4 million.

Slovak President wraps up Kenyan tour

Slovak President Andrej Kiska, who has been in the since Monday, February 13 wrapped up his State Visit Thursday.
Mr Kiska was seen off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Slovak President started his State Visit by holding bilateral talks with his host President Kenyatta that focused on deepening trade ties between the two nations.

Later, the visiting President toured some farms and projects including Karirana Tea Factory in Limuru, Karen Roses in Karen, St. Catherine’s Mary Immaculate Clinic, Songa Mbele na Masomo rehabilitation centre for disabled children and St. Philips Neri Primary School in Nairobi.
President Kiska also visited Ten Senses Africa, Athi River Industrial Park, Slovak Development Project for iHub and Maasai Mara National game reserve.
The plane carrying President Kiska and his entourage departed JKIA shortly before 2.00 pm.

WIMBO WA DARASA MUZIKI WATUMIKA KWENYE VIDEO HII YA ERIC OMONDI ADAM AND EVE.

Trump immigration storm buffets LA 2024 bid

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly backed the LA 2024 campaign, even while Los Angeles's Mayor Eric Garcetti (pictured) has criticized his immigration policies (AFP Photo/Mark RALSTON) Donald Trump may have given his unequivocal support to Los Angeles’s bid for the 2024 Olympics but the tumultuous first few weeks of his presidency have dealt a blow to the city’s hopes of staging the games, analysts say.
Los Angeles and Paris are regarded as front-runners ahead of Budapest in the race for the Games, which will end at an International Olympic Committee meeting in Lima in September to choose the winner.

anzanian couple jailed over haul of poached ivory

A Tanzanian court has sentenced a married couple to 20 years in jail each for illegal possession of 210 pieces of ivory from nearly 100 poached elephants, the government said on Tuesday.Peter and Leonida Loi Kabi, who pleaded not guilty, were sentenced on Monday.
“The tusks weighing 450.6 kg along with five pieces of elephant bones representing the slaughter of 93 elephants were found at the home of the convicted persons,” the Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry said in a statement.Famed for safaris on the Serengeti plains and home to Africa’s highest mountain Kilimanjaro, Tanzania relies on revenues from tourism and wildlife safaris but has been blighted by poachers chasing ivory, mostly sold in Asia.
President John Magufuli ordered security forces in October to hunt the criminals who finance poaching networks.

Tanzania’s elephant population shrank from 110,000 in 2009 to about 43,000 in 2014, according to census results. Conservationists blame industrial-scale poaching. The population of rhinos, classified as endangered, has also fallen.
Prosecutors in 2015 charged Chinese businesswoman Yang Feng Glan, 66, dubbed the “Ivory Queen”, with running a network that smuggled tusks from at least 350 elephants. She denies the charges in the ongoing court case.

Congolese soldiers kill at least 101 in militia clashes – U.N.

Central Africa militia releases 163 enslaved children Soldiers targeting the Kamwina Nsapu militia group in central Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 101 people between Feb. 9 and Feb. 13, including 39 women, the U.N. said on Tuesday.
The soldiers fired indiscriminately with machine guns when they saw the militia fighters, who were armed mainly with machetes and spears, human rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell said, citing sources in the country.
“There were troubling reports that soldiers, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), killed at least 101 people during clashes with members of a local militia,” Throssell told reporters in Geneva.

The clashes took place in and around the town of Tshimbulu, about 160 km (100 miles) south of the provincial capital Kananga.

Two killed in car bomb blast in western Baghdad

At least two people were killed when a car bomb exploded in an industrial area in western Baghdad on Tuesday (February 14), police sources said.
Eight people were also wounded in the blast, which took place near car repair shops in the Bayaa district of the Iraqi capital.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Several recent attacks in Iraq have been claimed by Islamic State militants, including a suicide bomb attack at a restaurant in eastern Mosul on Friday (February 10) that killed four people

Facebook pushes video onto TV screens with new apps

Facebook on Tuesday announced it was rolling out apps to allow people to view videos posted on the social network on connected televisions.
The new apps — for Apple TV, Amazon’s Fire TV and Samsung Smart TV — will provide a more convenient way for users of the social network to view videos on a large screen.
The move could be a small step toward what some reports say is a more ambitious video plan by Facebook to compete with Google-owned YouTube or even with streaming services such as Netflix.

For now, the apps will simply make it easier to view and share user-generated video.
“Last year we rolled out the ability for you to stream videos from Facebook to your TV, and today’s announcement expands this capability,” said a blog post from product manager Dana Sittler and engineering manager Alex Li.

Trump, Netanyahu Align on Tough Iran Stance Before Talks

As President Donald Trump prepares for his first meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since entering the White House, analysts say the Israeli leader hopes to forge common ground on Iran and regional issues.
Netanyahu will be the fourth foreign leader to meet with Trump face-to-face at the White House, after British Prime Minister Theresa May, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Middle East analysts say on Trump and Netanyahu want to set in motion a chain of events that could block Iran, redefine Israel’s relationship with the Arab world and create Israeli-Palestinian peace.

A senior Israeli Cabinet minister said Monday Netanyahu no longer supports a Palestinian state, but stopped short of confirming whether the prime minister will make his stance public during Wednesday’s talks with Trump.

Video..Joti Afunga Ndoa..!!!

South African opposition seeks court order to bar military from parliament

South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance said on Friday it was seeking a court ruling on the deployment of armed soldiers in parliament saying the move, during President Jacob Zuma’s state-of-the-nation speech, was unconstitutional.
The president’s address was delayed by more than an hour and descended into chaos on Thursday as far-left lawmakers brawled with officials after interrupting the speech and the main opposition party walked out.
Zuma had authorised more than 400 soldiers to join the security team at the parliament building during the speech, an unprecedented move his opponents described as a “militarization” of parliament.

West African force in Gambia to be reduced to 500 soldiers from 7,000

Gambian President Adama Barrow is seen during an exclusive interview with Reuters in Banjul, Gambia, December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde Thousands of soldiers from West African bloc ECOWAS will start returning home this month from Gambia, from where long-time leader Yahya Jammeh was forced to flee last month, paving the way for new President Adama Barrow to take office.
The multinational force will be cut to 500 troops from the 7,000 sent into Gambia after Jammeh, who had ruled since seizing power in a 1994 coup, refused to accepted Barrow’s victory in a Dec. 1 election.

Gov’t declares ongoing drought a NATIONAL DISASTER

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged members of Jubilee Party, who have expressed interest to run for elective posts in August 8, 2017 General Election to unite so that they can defeat the competition The Government has declared the current drought affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties and pockets of other areas a national disaster.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, after a briefing by Cabinet Secretaries involved in drought management and food security, President Uhuru Kenyatta further called on all stakeholders to support the government by up scaling drought mitigation programmes.

Alichokiongea Kamishna Mkuu wa Mamlaka ya Kudhibiti Dawa za kulevya.

Tension high in Baringo after rustlers attack village

Tension is high in Baringo North Sub-county after heavily armed cattle rustlers attacked two villages stealing an unknown number of cattle while intimidating the locals.
Ng’aratuko and Loruk villages were under attack on Monday after the alleged raiders stole close to 300 goats.
Confirming the incident, Saimo/Soi MCA Richard Kambala said that locals have fled their homes, just a week after a similar attack was witnessed in Muchongoi area.

He urged the government to intervene swiftly to restore sanity in not only his ward but also the entire Baringo County.

MWANGI: Somalia debacle: Stop the senseless war, raise the white flag

Somali Al Shabaab fighters display weapons as the conduct military exercise in Somalia. PHOTO: AP

Sporadic bombs and attacks in major cities. Improvised explosive devices in towns and markets. Troops everywhere, but no peace. There’s only war, war and more war. Hunger and famine all over the land. Desperate refugees seeking a way out of the quagmire. Lies and bravado on the graves of the dead. Above all, folly: That of thinking that more troops and better weapons – leading to more war can – somehow create peace. The situation in Somalia is nothing short of a human catastrophe.

The attack on Kenyan troops at the Kulbiyow camp in southern Somalia early on the morning of 27 January once again brought to the fore the gravity of the situation in that country. Yet, the region and international community continue to chest-thump and advance solutions that are unworkable in Somalia’s context.

KIRUKU: Broken but not defeated…EAC must remain united after AU

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni looks through the dammy E- copy of the East African passport together with other East African Heads of State during the 17th Summit of the EAC on Wednesdsay 2nd March 2016. Claims that some East African Community Partner states did not voted for Kenya’s nominee to the African Union Commission Chairperson seat, must not be allowed to affect the bilateral relations between the EAC countries.
The loss of Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohamed’s bid for the AU top seat must not affect the unity of the East African Community. Instead, the loss should be an eye opener on the deep rooted cracks existing within the community. Consequently, our leaders must put all the cards on the table and forge the way forward if the community is to remain united and vibrant.

New Somali President Wants His Country off Immigration Ban

Somalia presidential hopefuls. Photo/Courtesy Somalia’s new president says he will work to have his country removed from the list of nations whose citizens were — and may yet be — barred from entering the United States.
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, more commonly known as “Farmajo,” told VOA of his plans in an phone interview late Thursday, a day after his unexpected victory in the Somali presidential election.
“It is part of my responsibility to talk this issue with the U.S. government by conveying our message to the president and his government that the Somali people are really good, hard working people,” Farmajo said. “They raise their families in the United States. So we will see if he can change that policy and excludes Somalis from that list.”

Muslim groups reject funds to fight extremism, cite Trump rhetoric

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 22, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts A California Islamic school wanted to keep an open mind before Donald Trump took office. But less than a month into Trump’s presidency, the school rejected USD800,000 in federal funds aimed at combating violent extremism.
The decision made late Friday night by the Bayan Claremont graduate school’s board to turn down the money, an amount that would cover more than half its yearly budget, capped weeks of sleepless nights and debate. Many there felt Trump’s rhetoric singling out Islamic extremism and his travel ban affecting predominantly Muslim countries had gone too far.

South African opposition seeks court order to bar military from parliament

South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance said on Friday it was seeking a court ruling on the deployment of armed soldiers in parliament saying the move, during President Jacob Zuma’s state-of-the-nation speech, was unconstitutional.
The president’s address was delayed by more than an hour and descended into chaos on Thursday as far-left lawmakers brawled with officials after interrupting the speech and the main opposition party walked out.
Zuma had authorised more than 400 soldiers to join the security team at the parliament building during the speech, an unprecedented move his opponents described as a “militarization” of parliament.