East Africa

East Africa

Details: East Africa; 23 August 2023; 422

Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya analysing damage to his vehicle during the Wednesday, July 132 demonstrations. PHOTO SHABAN MAHOKHA

The former governor was grilled by officers from the EACC at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi.

ODM, however, did not divulge further details about the case, including the reason for the arrest and whether his lawyers were already en route to seek his release.

"Our DPL Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has been arrested by officers from the DCI. Oparanya together with his wife Madam Priscillah are currently at the EACC offices at Integrity Centre," ODM said in a statement.

"No information has been given as to why they have been arrested & why they are being questioned," ODM, a party under the Azimio coalition, added.

Oparanya, who is also ODM's deputy party leader, served as Kakamega governor for two terms from 2013-2022.

He has supported opposition chief Raila Odinga consistently, backing him even after the August 2022 election loss, which saw some leaders shift allegiance.

This is the second time the former governor has been arrested this year. Oparanya, in July, was arrested after being accused of organising anti-government protests in Western Kenya.

On Wednesday, he was among the leaders missing as opposition politicians commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of former Vice President Michael Wamalwa Kijana in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.

The area governor, alongside Eugene Wamalwa, Kijana Wamalwa's brother and DAP-K party leader, renamed the Trans Nzoia County Teaching and Referral Hospital to the Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital in honour of the deceased.

"At the late Vice President Michael Wamalwa's residence in Milimani Kitale, paying our respects before the Holy Mass. Joining the family in celebrating the life of this great leader, who steadfastly championed democracy, ensuring a level playing field in politics," Natembeya stated.

George Wajackoyah, Roots Party leader and 2022 Presidential candidate and his Usawa kwa Wote Party counterpart Mwangi wa Iria were also present at the event.

The timing of Oparanya's recent arrest also comes ahead of President William Ruto's Western Kenya tour from August 27-30.

More to follow... By Edwin Austin, Kenyans.co.ke

Details: East Africa; 23 August 2023; 488

TEHRAN, Aug. 23 (MNA) – The United Nations has said at least 60 people were killed, and 250 others injured during the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, western Sudan.

According to Xinhua, preliminary reports indicated that approximately 10,000 families, about 50,000 people, fled their homes, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest update.

It noted that a Turkish Hospital in Nyala, the capital city of South Darfur State in western Sudan, that treats the wounded, which is already understaffed, is reportedly struggling to cope with the influx of wounded people.

The OCHA added that there were concerns that the continued fighting will exacerbate the already precarious humanitarian situation and heighten the health, nutrition, sanitation, and food security needs of the vulnerable.

According to the UN, an estimated 401,000 people live in Nyala, and about 95,000 needed humanitarian assistance even before the conflict.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which left over 3,000 people killed and more than 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.

More than 4 million people have fled from their homes -- 3.2 million people were displaced internally and close to 900,000 have crossed the border into Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, and other countries, according to the latest UN estimates. MEHR Agency

Details: East Africa; 23 August 2023; 501

The ODM Party has maintained that it will not walk away from the bipartisan talks attacks from Kenya Kwanza politicians.

ODM Secretary Edwin Sifuna in a statement on Wednesday August 23 said they will use the negotiation platform to address their concerns.

The Nairobi Senator went on to say the bipartisan talks are not about them but about the people whose interests they are representing.

“We will keep pushing the remaining issues, especially on the cost of living. Now that we dragged the ostrich to the table, we will not allow it to leave until it hears us out.

“They will throw snide remarks and insults to try and trigger us, but because this isn’t about us we will trudge on and make sure YOUR message is delivered. Sort out Mwananchi issues and you are welcome to insult us all day,” he stated.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday said the talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio are a waste of time and nothing will come out of the dialogue.

He claimed that Azimio leader Raila Odinga already made his agenda clear on what he wants during his private meeting with President Ruto last month.

“Nothing will come out of those talks. It is a waste of time. I’m telling you as deputy president of the Republic of Kenya. So nyinyi wakamba mngojee mazungumzo mtakuja kututafuta sisi because there will be nothing,” said the DP.

“Ile mazungumzo Kalonzo ametumwa, hapo hakuna kitu ya kuzungumza. Raila tayari alisema mambo yake. Alimalizia Mombasa. Hii ni mambo tu ya kuzungusha wakenya. There is nothing. Na ndio maana umeona sisi tumetuma Kimani Ichung’wa, Cheruiyot, Mbarire Mimi na Rais tuko kazini.” By Ezra Nyakundi, KDRTV

Details: East Africa; 23 August 2023; 461

Presidential, parliamentary, and local elections have kicked off in Zimbabwe, SABC radio reported.

The authorities fear possible provocations by radical activists of the opposition.

There are 11 candidates, including incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, running for the office of President of Zimbabwe.

If none of the candidates gets 50 percent of the votes plus one vote in the first round of presidential elections, a runoff will be held on October 2.

Both chambers will be elected during parliamentary elections. The ruling party, whose leader is Mnangagwa, aims to maintain its parliamentary majority. News.am

Details: East Africa; 23 August 2023; 433

JUBA, AUGUST 22, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The governor of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba has just left the state capital Yambio heading to the country’s capital Juba where he is expected to appear before the Council of State over insecurity in the state.

In statements ahead of his department, Futuyo said that he has been summoned by the Council of State to answer questions about recent fighting along South Sudan-DRC-Central African Republic border and will meet First Vice President Riek Machar.

“I am going to Juba, and you know recently there was fighting in our border with Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo. I am going to brief the Council of State about this because they have asked for that,” he said.

“While in Juba, I will also meet the First Vice President Riek Machar and brief him about the situation in the state as well. This will be an opportunity to meet our people also in Juba and ask them to come and contribute to the development of our state,” he added. - Sudans Post