East Africa

Details: East Africa; 20 February 2024; 419

Human Rights activists led by former nominated Senator Harold Kipchumba have condemned last week’s killing of a blind teacher by bandits in Baringo North.

While the motive of the 55-year-old Thomas Kibet’s killing remains unclear, it has sparked outrage and calls for justice.

Kibet, a head teacher at Kagir Primary School in Baringo North had survived an attack by bandits in 1978 when he was barely nine years old, but the bullet wounds he sustained at that time left him totally blind.

The former Senator noted that despite his disability the slain teacher continued to serve as an educator rising through the ranks over the years to be promoted to a head teacher adding that this spoke volumes about his passion for shaping young minds and contributing to the betterment of society.

Mr Kipchumba added that investigations should be conducted, and politicians and security officers found to be sympathizers of the bandits flushed out.

Addressing the media at a Nakuru hotel Mr Kipchumba urged the government to consider increasing the number of NPRs, who he said will complement the police.

“We are tired of losing our people every day. We are asking that more NPRs be deployed because they have local solutions that will greatly help in this case,” said the former lawmaker.

While noting that Article 54 of the Kenya Constitution provided for the rights of person’s living with disability including being treated with dignity and respect Mr Kipchumba indicated that the slain educationist’s remarkable courage and perseverance served as an inspiration to all who knew him

According to Baringo Police Commander Julius Kiragu, Mr was on a motorcycle with his wife and a child on their way to Kipcherere Secondary School in the same sub county for an Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the man’s other children learn when the armed bandits struck in Namba area.

He was shot in the head and died on the spot.

The motorcycle belonged to a police reservist (NPR), who was also the rider

Mr Kipchumba termed the attack “cowardly” and demanded swift action from authorities.

Mwangi Muraya from Nakuru Human Rights Defenders lobby called on the government to enhance security for teachers and launch investigations into the murder.

“No educator should ever have to fear for their safety while carrying out their noble duties. We vehemently condemn this cowardly act of violence and call upon the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly,” he said.

Kibet’s tragic end has reignited debate about the safety of educators in conflict-prone regions.

Mr Muraya called for more investment in grassroots intelligence gathering.

“This form of intelligence will also help track key weapon dealers, the sources and destinations of arms,” said the human rights lobbyist.

He acknowledged the ongoing security operation to restore peace and order in the region but noted that underlying causes of conflict remain largely unresolved.

“Conflict in the North Rift has a long history linked to ineffective approaches used to manage it. However, we appreciate the progress made in Operation Maliza Uhalifu,” Mr Muraya stated.

He linked the conflicts to scramble for natural resources, marginalization and lack of infrastructure.

Spokesman to the slain teacher’s family Mr Collins Chemjor said that there was urgent need to resolve the main challenges facing the local population among them poverty, illiteracy and proliferation of illegal arms.

“We also need to deal with retrogressive cultural practices such as livestock raids which have evolved into criminal commercial activity involving the youth,” said Chemjor.

He explained that most of the youth engage in revenge attacks due to a lack of economic opportunities as people he described as conflict entrepreneurs take advantage of them by purchasing and selling their loot to meat cartels.

“Without peace we shall never have sustainable development. Peace is a function of leadership. If all our leaders agree that conflicts in this area will end, we shall have no more conflicts,” said stated the spokesman. By Dennjs Rasto, KBC

Details: East Africa; 19 February 2024; 422

Tayebwa will be representing Mauritius, Seychelles, Djibouti, Comoros, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has been elected member of the Bureau to represent East Africa to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) - European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly.

Tayebwa was elected during the 64th session of the OACPS Joint Parliamentary Assembly and Constitutive Sessions of the OACPS-EU JPA happening in Luanda, Angola, between 17 and 21, February 2024.

Tayebwa will be representing Mauritius, Seychelles, Djibouti, Comoros, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

Key among others, Tayebwa said he will focus on the implementation of the Samoa Agreement which has replaced the Cotonou Agreement that had been running for over 20 years.

"We shall be engaging strongly with the European Union coalition's to deal with climate change, gender parity, energy transition, human rights, peace and conflict resolution, and democracy which are cornerstones of the international framework," he said.

Tayebwa promised that he will be a voice of the Global South focusing on the unfair trade practices including unfair trade restrictions, which are coming from the European Union.

"We shall engage the EU on energy issues and renewable energy. We must be able to exploit our resources without damaging the environment, but also Africa, which is contributing only three per cent of global emissions cannot be the one paying the price and receiving the heaviest penalties, when it comes to energy transition," he added.

"We are going to be five members from Africa that are going to be negotiating with the European Parliament on these issues, and I hope that if we can remain focused from a pan Africanist perspective, then we should be able to engage the European Parliament and achieve much more," he added.

Hon. Martin Peters Owino, from Kenya said Tayebwa will ably represent the East African region.

"I think with him heading the East Africa regional section, we will be much stronger and we want him to bring us together, first of all communicate effectively that we may discuss issues before they come to the floor when we have the sessions. In that way, we may have articulated very well what is affecting us," he said.

"One thing that he (Tayebwa) said which I want to repeat here in the assembly, is that this kind of regionalising African states should not be used to weaken our stand as an African continent. We should turn that kind of strategy into strength. We may start from issues with trade imbalances, democracy, and other issues that affect us,” he said.

The OACPS-EU JPA brings together an equal number of elected MPs from the ACP states and Members of the European Parliament.

The Chief Opposition Whip, Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, said Tayebwa's election comes with huge opportunities for Uganda and the region.

"Our region grapples with unique challenges that will require aggressive negotiators like the Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, to be on that team to unite Africa because already there are signs of causing rifts for Africa to divide us. So, we are now in three different categories of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific but with the likes of a formidable team, where the Rt. Hon Thomas Tayebwa is going to be part, they will help to unite us," he said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Details: East Africa; 19 February 2024; 380

Chief Justice Martha Koome has convened a critical meeting for Heads of Court, focusing on judicial independence, improved performance, enhanced accountability, and seamless service delivery.

The meeting, which commenced on Monday and will conclude on Wednesday, addresses pressing issues within the Judiciary, especially in light of recent events that have brought the role of judges into public scrutiny.

In her opening remarks, the CJ stressed the importance of dialogue with other branches of government to address challenges in the administration of justice while safeguarding judicial independence.

“While we engage in constructive conversations to optimize the institution’s performance, we must ensure that discussions do not encroach upon the autonomy of judges in deciding cases,” emphasized CJ Koome.

However, she acknowledged the need for introspection regarding how courts handle cases affecting public interest and policy, particularly concerning the timeliness of resolving such matters.

“Concerns have been raised about the handling of cases involving time-sensitive government programs, especially when hearing dates are set months after ex-parte orders are issued,” Chief Justice Koome noted.

She highlighted the importance of reviewing procedural rules to expedite the disposal of public interest cases while respecting judges’ decisional autonomy and actively managing such cases.

Furthermore, CJ Koome reaffirmed the Judicial Service Commission’s (JSC) mandate to address allegations of corruption, urging Heads of Courts to report any concerns promptly.

“We must motivate and inspire judges, judicial officers, and staff to uphold integrity. Any concerns about corruption should be brought to the attention of my office or the JSC,” she directed.

The Chief Justice emphasized the Judiciary’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency through technology, announcing the nationwide rollout of e-filing on March 11th, 2024.

“We are embracing technology to streamline court proceedings, including the establishment of a pilot transcription center and the introduction of a ‘Tracking Dashboard’ for real-time monitoring of court activities,” CJ Koome explained.

She highlighted new features such as the publication of rulings and judgments, along with Automated Daily Court Reporting, aimed at addressing discrepancies in the Case Tracking System and ensuring reliable data for informed decision-making and institutional development. Capital News

Details: East Africa; 19 February 2024; 384

Russia threatens to unleash ‘entire arsenal on London if it loses war in Ukraine’

The Kremlin has said it will use its “entire strategic arsenal” and fire nuclear missiles at London, Washington, Berlin and Kyiv if it is made to give up the areas of Ukraine it has invaded.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has warned of “total war” if Russia was forced to return to its 1991 borders established at the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Instead, Medvedev suggested Kyiv and the West should allow Putin to have the areas of Ukraine he believes are part of Russia, the Mirror reports.

He said: “Attempts to return Russia to the borders of 1991 will lead to only one thing.

“Towards a global war with Western countries using the entire strategic arsenal of our state.

‌“In Kyiv, Berlin, London, Washington.”

‌He added that nuclear missiles would also strike “all other beautiful historical places that have long been included in the flight targets of our nuclear triad”.

He continued: “‌Will we have the courage to do this if the disappearance of a thousand-year-old country, our great Motherland, is at stake, and the sacrifices made by the people of Russia over the centuries will be in vain?

“The answer is obvious.”

‌Medvedev, the deputy head of the Russian Security Council which controls the war, warned that it is better to return everything to Russia “before it’s too late”.

If not he said that Russia will “return it ourselves with maximum losses for the enemy”

He also hit out at "snotty Anglo-American fosterlings” who oppose Putin. ‌

In July last year Medvedev warned of “global nuclear fire” if Kyiv forces and Nato seized any Russian land. By Jacob Phillips, Evening Standard

Details: East Africa; 19 February 2024; 411

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) during a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in March 2019.

PHOTO

Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Saturday, February 17, made a plea for the resumption of the Nairobi Process led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta which seeks to bring peace and stability to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This followed a tense African Union (AU) meeting where Kagame remarked that his nation would not hesitate to protect nor would it apologize for safeguarding the security of its people.

In the meeting, Kagame further told Heads of State that Rwanda would not seek permission to do so.

In an AU document seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Kagame’s remarks during the meeting had been redacted from the communique.

“Rwanda is deeply concerned by the abandonment of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and by the international community's indifference to DRC's dramatic military build-up,” Rwandan foreign ministry released a statement moments after the AU Summit.

While Rwanda remarks that the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led peace initiative had been abandoned, AU in its communique spoke of the contrary.

AU had remarked that it was deeply concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Eastern DRC which it stated was orchestrated by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.

“The AU reiterates its call for M23, Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and other armed groups to unconditionally cease hostilities, disarm and engage in dialogue through the Luanda and Nairobi processes,” AU threw its weight behind Uhuru’s efforts.

In their defence, Rwanda now claims that DRC is conducting combat operations in contravention of the decisions of regional mechanisms and aims to expel M23 and civilians to neighbouring countries.

“The recent M23 advances are due to the DRC's decision to expel the East African Community Regional Force in December 2023, which oversaw ceasefire and withdrawal efforts,” Kagame defended his stance.

Among forces that have been withdrawn from DRC include members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Kagame further alleged that there was a plan by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to invade Rwanda and institute a regime change.

Additionally, Rwanda faulted a statement by the United States which blamed Kagame’s administration for the deteriorating situation in DRC.

“The statement issued by the U.S. Department of State stands in puzzling contradiction with the substance and tone of the confidence-building process initiated by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence in November 2023, which created a productive framework for de-escalation,” Kagame’s administration stated. By Kioko Nyamasyo, Kenyans.co.ke