20100717
allafrica

Nairobi — I have been inundated with hate mail since I stated that tribal associations - like Gema - were anti-Kenya. I have considered the rants I have received, and have no apologies to make.

20100716
africanews

Kenyan police detained more than 100 illegal Somalis in a raid a mainly Somali suburb of the capital Nairobi, officials said on Friday.

Bethwel Kiplagat, the chairman of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission has been appointed Ambassador of Peace for the African Union.

The carrier envoy received the announcement last week via e-mail, and he'll disclose further details about it next week. He added that, they will be engaged and involved in promoting peace in conflict spots all over Africa.

Privatization of Mombasa port is key to the development of East African countries , a new report on transport costs within the region says.

The report which was done by CPCS Transcom Limited, a Canadian transport logistics research firm, also says that the private sector should play a major role in infrastructural development along the corridor. The report was carried out between November 2009 and May 2010 commissioned by the Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA).

The Northern Corridor links almost the entire East and Central Africa region, serving Kenya, Uganda, Southern Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and northern Tanzania. The competitiveness of the transport corridor countries' exports and processing of imports are highly influenced by the performance of Mombasa port. However, inefficiency at the port and slow movement of cargo due to capacity constraints and delays along the corridor are a stumbling block to development.

Currently, tyhe Kenya Ports Authority plays the roles of both a landlord and service provider at the port. Apart from managing the port, KPA also provides stevedoring and shore handling services. This dual role has contributed to inefficiencies in port operations.

The East African region risks being blacklisted by the rest of the world as insecure because of drug trafficking and the piracy menace off the Somali coast.

The two problems threatened to destabilize the region and make nonsense of the gains that the Common Market agreement entered on July 1 promises on the member states’ economies, Secretary-General Juma Mwapachu said.

He said the region need to be protected from the sea route against piracy, otherwise it will be in trouble because the menace is bound to affect port operations and trade despite the investments made infrastructure development and cargo handling equipment at the ports.

Former President Daniel arap Moi has criticized the American stance on the proposed constitution ahead of next month’s referendum.

Moi said it was irresponsible for the Americans to guide the country on the law, yet Kenyans could make their own decisions at the referendum. He said if Americans know Kenyans can do their best and think they are educated, then they should be left to decide on their own.

Meanwhile Lands minister James Orengo has accused the retired president of being an impediment in the process of obtaining a new constitution. He challenged him to account for his role in the quest for the document during his 24 years reign in power. He added, his regime is on record for having frustrated the agitators of the second liberation.

On the other hand, the minister defended US ambassador to Kenya Michael Reanneberger and asked him to continue to agitate for the rights of Kenyans. He said the ambassador was concerned about the leadership of the country, adding that there was nothing wrong with the envoy educating Kenyans on the content of the proposed constitution.

20100713
allafrica

Nairobi — THE International Criminal Court investigators have zeroed in on two Cabinet ministers, one former and one sitting MP as their main targets for prosecution, the Star has established.

20100712
allafrica

Nairobi — Kenya has heightened the level of surveillance along the borders following explosions in Kampala, Uganda in which seventy people are reported dead.

20100712
allafrica

Somali militant group al-Shabaab, on Monday claimed responsibility for Sunday's twin- bomb attacks in the Ugandan capital on Sunday night and slaughtered people watching the World Cup final at a restaurant and a sports club, authorities said.

20100706
AFRICANEWS

Kenya police detained 120 suspected gangs for extorting money from minibus drivers in Nairobi, police said on Tuesday.

20100705
africanews

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has called for a crisis cabinet meeting to discuss the latest move by MPs to increase their salary. An endorsement of a proposal by Members of Parliament to double their allowances and increase their salaries has led to a public outcry.

20100704
reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga was discharged from hospital on Sunday after a minor operation to relieve pressure on his brain earlier this week.

Brazilian President will be visiting the Republic of Kenya.

President Lula da Silva will be in Kenya for two days at the invitation of President Mwai Kibaki, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs ministry. This will be the first time a Latin American President to visit East Africa.

His visit aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two countries. Other areas of mutual cooperation to be discussed include agriculture, energy, infrastructure and science and technology.

A delegation of Brazil’s entrepreneurs accompanying the President will interact with Kenyan businessmen at a planned symposium in Nairobi, exploring business opportunities available in the two countries. Brazil is rated as one of the world’s largest economies at number eight, and with a population of 190 million.

During the visit, leaders of the two countries are also scheduled to discuss matters on the East African Community, climate change, United Nations reform, peace and security issues and other global concerns.

Kenya police senior officers have been told to be on the alert for unrest within the force over delayed salary increase.
According to a police communication, six politicians and the clergyman are to be closely watched for allegedly uttering statements likely to incite ethnic and religious tensions.

The same signal also warns senior officers to monitor the situation over a delayed salary increase. There are fears junior ranks may boycott work on the day of the referendum if salaries are not raised.

Last month, three MPs and a political activist allied to the opposing side of the Constitution ‘No’ camp were arrested and charged with engaging in hate speech. The new signal dated June 22 says leaders inciting people should be seized and prosecuted.

The Cabinet minister claimed that the proposed constitution favoured Muslims over Christians and that it encouraged gay marriages. The clergyman reportedly told a gathering that if passed, the proposed constitution would result in a repeat of the 2007 post-poll violence.

20100703
reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta criticised parliamentarians for awarding themselves pay rises of up to 25 percent, newspapers reported on Saturday, but analysts said he had little power to resist them.

Africa is now recognized as a growth market, with the last 10 years marked by the persistent entrance of international organisations.

This has led to the creation of infrastructure and technology, which now enables transaction of modern business, Economist Corporate Network’s Africa Business Group meeting in Nairobi was told.

Economist Corporate Network commercial director in charge of Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mr. Will Wilkinson, said that there is unofficial corporate network at work with companies watching each other very closely.

The Africa Business Group is a new product from the Economist Corporate Network created for senior executives with strategic responsibilities for Africa and reflects an increasing realization by many multinationals that they need to increase their strategic presence ion African markets.

The cost of doing business in Africa is still very high, so organisations are pooling human, financial and technological resources to create a cost-effective operational base for all the parties. As with all other Economist Corporate Network activities, the Africa Business Group is membership-based, offering a uniquely independent business service that helps members understand market potential and make smarter business decisions faster.

At the heart of the service is data tool that gives members access to comprehensive data and forecasts for 26 key markets in Africa.

African government have been asked to cut the talk and give more funding to the agricultural sector to make agri-business a viable economic activity, particularly for women and youth in the rural areas.

Creating the right policy environment will allow the sector to develop and thrive on the continent. Equity Bank CEO, James Mwangi pointed out that the huge potential of agri-business in the continent remains unexploited due to the disconnect between production, processing and marketing, which is hampering growth of the sector and the subsequent creation of millions of job opportunities.

Addressing participants during the G8 African Business Forum 2010 in London, Mr. Mwangi said Agriculture support 85% of all livelihoods in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. He added that in Africa 60% of the population is made up young women and men aged 15-28.

He said opportunity existed amongst African countries to increase the competitive advantage of agriculture by making agri-business the main engine of economic growth in the country.

Equity bank had entered into partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the Government of Kenya to support agriculture and boost food production in the country. The Africa Business Forum 2010 was held in London and chaired by Pascal Dozie, chairman of Diamond Bank Advisory Board and head of the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC).

20100630
africanews

About 1000 men in Kenya over the age of 18 years in Nairobi's Kibera slum are being targeted in a new circumcision drive by the ministry of health, with many of them turning out to undergo the exercise. This comes at a time when vaccine trials have shown that people who had been circumcised are at a lower risk compared to their counterparts who have not been circumcised.

20100630
africanews

The AU and Kenya Airways announced a partnership to promote peace and security in Africa. Kenya Airways is the first airline in Africa to respond to the call by the AU Commission to the African airline sector to partner with it on the implementation of the Year of Peace and Security programme.

20100629
allafrica

Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga is recovering at the Nairobi Hospital after he underwent head surgery, his doctors said on Tuesday.