East Africa

East Africa

Details: East Africa; 21 October 2024; 130

A health worker during the Marburg vaccination activity in Kigali on Sunday. Rwanda, on October 6, kicked off a trial vaccination drive focused on people at highest risk of contracting Marburg virus.

Rwanda has launched the world's first clinical trial for Marburg virus disease treatment, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced late Tuesday, October 15.

The "groundbreaking effort," in partnership with the WHO, is testing the safety and efficacy of two treatments: Remdesivir, a drug used to treat COVID-19, and MBP091, a specialized antibody developed to fight Marburg virus disease, WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said on X.Today, Rwanda started the world's first clinical trial for Marburg virus disease treatment.

The groundbreaking effort in partnership with @WHO is testing the safety & efficacy of Remdesivir, a drug in use to treat COVID-19, & MBP091, a special antibody designed to fight Marburg. pic.twitter.com/zFsrr4kRPp-- Dr Matshidiso Moeti (@MoetiTshidi) October 15, 2024

The health initiative is part of a process that began two years ago, where 17 African countries, including Rwanda, were identified by the WHO as willing to conduct clinical trials. Currently, no treatment or vaccine is available for Marburg virus disease.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, on Wednesday, October 16, visited Marburg outbreak response sites in Kigali and thanked Rwandan health workers and survivors for their work and bravery.

@WHORwanda honoured to host @WHOAFRO Regional Director @MoetiTshidi in Kigali . She visited key sites at the centre of the #Marburg outbreak response, including the Command Centre and treatment centre, where she thanked health workers and survivors for their work & bravery. pic.twitter.com/YPULwANQwf-- WHO Rwanda (@WHORwanda) October 16, 2024

She arrived in the country on Tuesday to witness the ongoing Marburg response and WHO's close collaboration with government.

ALSO READ: Marburg outbreak response: Rwanda's key lessons in tackling public health crises

Earlier this month, Rwanda launched a vaccination campaign against the virus, with over 700 people at high risk of contracting it already vaccinated, according to the Ministry of Health.

On October 12, American organisation Sabin Vaccine Institute delivered approximately 1,000 more doses of its investigational single-dose Marburg vaccine to Rwanda to reinforce response to the outbreak. The New Times

Details: East Africa; 21 October 2024; 137

President William Ruto received by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki at the county commissioner’s residence ahead of Mashujaa day celebrations in Kwale County. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

Kenyans will this week know whether Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will take over as their next deputy president.

The courts put on hold plans to swear him into office after he was approved by the National Assembly on Friday after being nominated by President William Ruto.

This after the Senate impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday night after the legislators voted in support of five out of the 11 counts that he faced.

Gachagua’s impeachment happened while he was admitted at Karen Hospital after being taken ill when the Senate took a lunch break.

When the House resumed for sitting his lawyer Paul Muite who was leading his defence team informed the Senate that his client had experienced sharp chest pains and rushed to hospital.

“I would suggest that according to Article 145 (6) (b), in the interest of justice and given the weight of removing a Deputy President, give him a couple of days to recuperate, I had in mind up to Tuesday and we should be able to know whether he will be able to come and present himself,” said the senior counsel.

The lead counsel for the National Assembly, James Orengo, however, opposed Muite’s request, noting that he had failed to provide any evidence that the DP had been hospitalised arguing that there was no assurance that he will avail himself before the Senate this Tuesday.

Orengo further accused Gachagua of employing delaying tactics in a bid to ensure that court cases touching on the ouster process were ruled on before the Senate voted, pointing out that there were many court cases related to the matter filed all over the country.

“We should have had the Deputy President’s doctor here at least to tell us about his admission and about his condition up to 1:15pm today, Gachagua was here and he was not evacuated from here in an ambulance; he went to Karen hospital by himself,” stated Orengo.

Kingi, in his ruling, directed that the House debate a motion on whether to hold a sitting on Saturday, which he said was the deadline prescribed by the Constitution to dispense with the impeachment process.

The motion was moved by Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot and seconded by Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo. Being a procedural motion, the House did not debate it and the Speaker put the question after which the House voted to continue with the proceedings that would ultimately decide Gachagua’s fate.

Five petitions were filed on Friday in various courts across the country by 32 individuals together with a lobby group, Sheria Mtaani, Kirinyaga MCA David Mathenge, lawyer Emmanuel Otieno, and two individuals, Eddie Waiguru and Victor Ngatia with the High Court granting a temporary stay of Gachagua’s impeachment.

Kerugoya High Court, Judge Richard Mwongo barred Prof Kindiki from assuming the Deputy President’s office pending the hearing and determination of the matter with the court allowing Gachagua to continue holding office until the matter is heard and determined.

Muite moved to court to challenge Gachagua’s impeachment arguing that the Senate had not done public participation at Constituency level and that his impeachment was done hurriedly in order to avoid scrutiny by the court since the process did not follow due process.

Gachagua who was discharged from hospital yesterday expressed concerns that his security and vehicles had been withdrawn by the government despite the High Court stopping plans to replace him with Prof Kindiki until the matter is heard and determined.

“It is unfortunate that while I was in hospital my friend William Ruto ordered the withdrawal of my security detail, I no longer have the officers assigned to protect me, the Deputy President of Kenya does not have security, if anything happens to me or my family, Ruto should be held responsible,” said Gachagua.

He went ahead to claim that the impeachment motion was mooted after two failed attempts to assassinate him through poisoning on August 30 while in Kisumu and on September 3 in Nyeri. By Edwin Nyarangi , The Standard

Details: East Africa; 20 October 2024; 123

President Yoweri Museveni has praised the impact of Christianity on Uganda while marking the 60th anniversary of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs.

In a speech delivered on his behalf on Saturday, 19 October 2024 by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, President Museveni highlighted the "value addition" Christianity brought to Uganda, introducing scientific knowledge, education, and social values.

"Christianity added value to our efforts to understand God and the fear of God," he said during a special ceremony held at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, and led by Chief Celebrant, His Eminence Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy for Sciences and Special Envoy of Pope Francis.

The President noted that Uganda's indigenous groups already believed in one God but Christianity enhanced this understanding. He credited Christian preachers with introducing scientific knowledge from Europe, reducing disease burdens.

Museveni emphasised Christianity's emphasis on values like resurrection, loving one's neighbour and hard work. These principles he added, guided Uganda's movement during armed conflict, blending positive cultural practices with Christian teachings.

Cardinal Peter K. A. Turkson has urged Africans to draw inspiration from the Ugandan Martyrs who were canonized 60 years ago, to build a brighter future founded on faith, integrity and transparency.

Cardinal Turkson hailed the martyrs as "true Africans transformed by the Gospel into worthy disciples of Jesus." He emphasized their significance in shaping Africa's Christian identity.

"The Ugandan Martyrs teach us valuable lessons: faith, integrity, transparency, and governance," Cardinal Turkson said adding that, ’their witness inspires us to create a better future for our land and people’.

The Cardinal highlighted the martyrs' youth, noting that Charles Lwanga and his companions were young adults who embodied gospel values. This, he said, challenges contemporary youth to re-engage with faith.

"Let us become artisans of hope, embracing gospel values and promoting a corruption-free Africa," he said.

Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, H.E. Most Rev. Luigi Bianco described the Martyrs as "an extraordinary example of commitment and fidelity to the Lord, models of faith and hope, and authentic witnesses of truth and communion."

Their testimony, he added, "is a call to all to become beacons of hope and instruments of peace, as well as promoters and defenders of the God-given dignity of every human person."

Archbishop Emeritus of Kampala, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala praised the Martyrs as "Uganda's luminous heroes, models and mentors of the Catholic faith."

He expressed profound gratitude to those who contributed to their canonization.

The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemwogerere emphasized the Martyrs' bravery and devotion.

The Deputy Speaker was accompanied by Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba, State Minister of Finance, Hon. Henry Musasizi, and MPs Sarah Opendi, Joseph Ssewungu, and Herbert Ariko.

Former Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga also joined the commemoration which honoured the Ugandan martyrs canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

Today, the Uganda Martyrs are revered as patron saints of Africa, inspiring generations with their courage and conviction. Their legacy extends beyond Uganda, symbolizing hope and resilience for persecuted Christians worldwide.

The Uganda Martyrs' Shrine in Namugongo, Uganda, has become a pilgrimage site, attracting millions annually. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Details: East Africa; 20 October 2024; 139

Kenya’s ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday lashed out at his boss William Ruto as “vicious” and cruel, warning that his life could be in danger.

Gachagua was impeached by the Senate on five out of 11 charges levelled against him on Thursday, but a court order put his replacement process on hold.

“I am shocked by how vicious a man I helped to be president, believed in and was persecuted when I supported could be so vicious against me,” he told reporters.

I spent 24 years in prison for refusing to join in murder, money ritual plot — Ismaila Lasisi

The embattled 59-year-old said his security had been withdrawn and his entire staff sent on compulsory leave.

“If anything happens to me or my family, President William Ruto must be held to account,” he said, claiming past attempts at his life.

He was speaking after he was discharged from a hospital in the capital Nairobi where he was being treated for severe chest pains.

Gachagua fell ill on Thursday barely an hour before he was due to testify in the unprecedented two-day impeachment trial.

The upper house proceeded to vote on his removal from his office after his lawyers unsuccessfully bid to postpone the session.

He was found guilty on charges including threatening judges and practising ethnically divisive politics, but cleared of corruption and money-laundering.

In the fast-moving political drama, Ruto swiftly nominated Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki to replace Gachagua.

But a High Court in the capital suspended the appointment process within minutes of parliament voting overwhelmingly to approve Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic turned political heavyweight.

A three-judge bench is due to hear the case on Tuesday.

“The president in total violation of the court order viciously withdrew security around me,” Gachagua said, despite him still being deputy president.

“I don’t understand this level of viciousness… at his lowest moment in life when he is literally struggling to stay alive, you unleash such viciousness against him.”

Ruto has not yet given any public comment on the impeachment.

Gachagua is the first deputy president to be ousted in this manner since impeachment was introduced in Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution. Vanguard

Details: East Africa; 20 October 2024; 132

In a record-breaking deportation flight, 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were forcibly removed from the UK on Friday, marking a significant surge in immigration enforcement.

According to The Guardian.com/uk The Home Office confirmed the action as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, which has seen the deportation of over 3,600 people since the Labour government came to power in July.

This comes as news emerges that asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia, a UK-administered island, before the finalization of a treaty between the UK and Mauritius will be relocated to Saint Helena, a British territory in the Atlantic.

The Chagos Islands treaty, expected to be signed next year, will not apply to around 60 Tamils who have been stranded on Diego Garcia since 2021 and are pursuing legal action over their detention.

While the number of asylum seekers arriving at Diego Garcia has been in the hundreds, it pales in comparison to the tens of thousands who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from northern France in recent years. Just on Friday, 647 individuals made the perilous crossing in 10 boats, pushing the total for the year beyond 28,000.

Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana have been relatively rare, with only four recorded since 2020, and prior flights carrying significantly fewer individuals—ranging from six to 21 people. The recent flight, which saw 44 deportees, more than doubled the numbers seen in previous removals.

The Guardian interviewed four Nigerian men held at Brook House immigration removal centre near Gatwick before their deportation. One of them, who had been in the UK for 15 years seeking asylum, expressed his distress: “I have no criminal record, but the Home Office has refused my claim.” Another man revealed he had been a victim of trafficking and bore torture scars, yet his asylum claim had also been rejected.

Fizza Qureshi, the chief executive of Migrants’ Rights Network, condemned the deportations, citing the speed, secrecy, and lack of legal support. She quoted a detainee who said, “The Home Office is playing politics with people’s lives. We have not done anything wrong other than cry for help.”

A Home Office spokesperson defended the move, stating that the government is committed to enforcing immigration rules and ensuring that people without legal rights to remain in the UK are returned. Vanguard