East Africa

East Africa

Details: East Africa; 05 April 2023; 481

KIGALI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda and Kenya Tuesday signed about 10 agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in several areas, including education, ICT, health, gender and child development, youth and capacity development for the public service as well as correctional services.

Addressing a joint press conference in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto said the two countries had agreed to work together for the benefit of the people.

"Over the years Rwanda and Kenya have built strong relations. These new areas of cooperation will bring us even closer together," said Kagame.

He expressed hope that the two countries can leverage shared interest to equip youth with the skills and knowledge to innovate and compete.

Ruto said the memoranda and documents signed in the different sectors "will consolidate the relations between the two countries and present new momentum and create new impetus for the growing of our relations."

The presidents also said the two countries seek to expand trade and investment as well as help the region in terms of fostering peace and security.

Kenya is committed to working with Rwanda in advancing peace and security, trade and investment and the implementation of the continent's Agenda 2063, added Ruto.

The two leaders, meanwhile, agreed that the instability in South Sudan, Ethiopia and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo requires collaboration to address.

The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreements was preceded by a three-day meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation between Rwanda and Kenya in Kigali which discussed the areas of mutual interests to strengthen bilateral cooperation. - Xinhua

Details: East Africa; 04 April 2023; 436

Opposition leader Raila Odinga addressing his supporters in Pipeline Estate, Nairobi, on March 30, 2023. Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga says parliamentary process may not address their concerns. Proposes formation of a team akin to the 2008 National Accord.

Mr Odinga said the coalition’s core issues on the table remain and must be addressed even has he revealed that he has not met President William Ruto and that only their emissaries met.

“We (Azimio) assure our people and Kenyans that our eyes are firmly on the ball, and reiterate that we shall go back to the people as the earliest sign of lack of seriousness by the other side,” he said.

The opposition chief also said there are attempts to tamper with the IEBC servers.

More follows…

Details: East Africa; 04 April 2023; 425

The army court has denied bail to at least 28 supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) who are facing trial of unlawful possession of ammunition.

The General Court Martial presided over by Brig Freeman Robert Mugabe ruled that the suspects lacked substantial sureties.

The accused, including Yasin Ssekitoleko alias Machete, Robert Christopher Rugumayo, Patrick Mwase, Simon Kikaabe, Muhydin Kakooza, Olivia Lutaaya, Abdu Matovu, Ronald Kijambo, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Mesach Kiwanuka, Abdalla Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, and Musa Kavuma, are alleged to have been found in illegal possession of 13 pieces of explosive devices between November 2020 and May 2021 in areas of Jinja, Mbale, Kireka, Nakulabye, Kawempe, Natete, and Kampala Central.

The group is part of 32 NUP supporters who made a second application for bail before the court but only four of the 32 have been granted bail this afternoon, namely Ronald Mayiga, Richard Nyombi, Kenneth Kamya, and Shafique Ngobi.

The four were granted bail because they had substantial sureties, fixed places of abode, and would not interfere with state witnesses or ongoing investigations according to Brig Mugabe.

The prosecution, relying on the affidavit of Lt Elly Musinguzi, an investigator from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence had opposed their release, arguing that the sureties were also not substantial. In his ruling, Brig Mugabe agreed with the prosecution that most of the sureties were not substantial, and only the four applicants qualified for release.

He asked each of the successful applicants to pay a cash bail of Shs 500,000 and for their sureties to execute a non-cash bond of Shs 2 million before they could also gain their temporary freedom. He also barred them from travelling beyond Wakiso and Kampala districts without permission from the court and ordered them to report to the court registrar twice a month and any time they are needed in court.

Breaching any of these conditions will lead to the automatic cancellation of bail. Those denied bail have been further remanded until tomorrow April 4. They have been on remand in Kitalya and Luzira prisons since May 2021. The accused persons were arrested by CMI operatives after the police accused them of plotting to carry out petrol bomb attacks targeting government vehicles and buildings in various places in the country.

Police claimed that the suspects masterminded attacks on Kasubi Royal tombs, on former Jinja resident city commissioner Eric Sakwa in Nakulabye, on Uganda Registration Services Bureau, and the Katwe police station, among others. They were reportedly planning to block President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni from swearing in for his sixth term of office.

Some of the parents and relatives of those denied bail including elderly men and women who claimed to have fought with current government leaders while in the bush to bring in democracy and multiparty in the country were seen in tears. They expressed disappointment that these principles are not being respected.

Last year in December, the Constitutional court in a 3-2 judgment ruled that it was illegal to try civilians in military courts and ordered that existing cases and trials be transferred to civilian courts. - URN/The Observer

Details: East Africa; 04 April 2023; 457

The Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome has said investigations into journalists’ attack by police officers during Azimio la Umoja demonstrations have commenced.

Speaking at the Kenya School of Government on Tuesday, April 4, Koome said police did not intend to harm journalists on March 20, March 27 and March 30 protests.

“It was not deliberate,” said the inspector-general, adding: “We have no intention of injuring fellow Kenyans.”

“However, when the situation demands, I have a duty to intervene and ensure there is law and order in the country. To ensure that you are able to move freely, and that you can transact your business for the sake of our economy,” said Koome.

The inspector-general issued an apology to journalists injured during the clash between protesters and police officers in the recent demos.

At least 20 journalists countrywide were either injured or robbed while covering the March protests, data by the Media Council of Kenya shows

Koome joined Kenyans in welcoming the move by President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to give room for dialogue on the contentious issues.

“They (Azimio la Umoja) called off the demonstrations and are [now] talking [with leaders in government]. This allows police officers to spend more time in crime prevention.”

At the same time, Koome called for a fair review of police officers’ work.

“Don’t accuse the police of rioting, they’re not. Are they hurling any teargas now? They’re not. We are human beings, and we are not pleased when Kenyans get hurt.” By Emmaculate Odhiambo, The Standard

Details: East Africa; 03 April 2023; 467

US President Joe Biden (right) poses for a photo with Azimio Leader Raila Odinga (left) during a past event. FILE

The United States Government, through its Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, released a statement following a truce between President William Ruto and Azimio Leader Raila Odinga.

The ambassador, who had been at the forefront of calling for a dialogue between the two leaders, revealed that the US welcomed the move.

She further stated that the truce the two leaders announced in two separate statements and the subsequent dialogue would benefit Kenyans greatly.

"We welcome the agreement by President Ruto and former PM Raila Odinga to establish a bipartisan process to find solutions that benefit all Kenyans.

"We commend both leaders for their commitment to peaceful dialogue and call on all parties to support this process," she announced in the statement.

On Friday, March 31, Raila revealed that he had held a private meeting with the US ambassador centred around him calling off mass protests.

Raila revealed that during the meeting, he had accused the ambassador of praising Ruto even though the elections were contentious.

“She was saying that Kenya had the most transparent election in the history of Kenya last year in August.

“I told her that she did not know what she was talking about. She was in the country a few days before those elections took place,” Raila stated back then.

The revelation from Raila was made two days after a joint diplomatic message signed by Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States called for a dialogue.

“We call on all leaders and all Kenyans to maintain peace, show restraint and work towards a swift resolution for the common good of Kenya,” the joint statement had read in part.

While calling off the protests, Raila acknowledged that the decision had arrived after dialogue between various parties.

"We have met with and listened to a diverse group of Kenyans including religious leaders from all faiths about the crisis facing our country and they have implored us to give dialogue," Raila stated on Sunday, April 2.

His decision to call off the protests was informed by Ruto's call to the opposition to explore bi-partisan dialogue through parliament.

US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman announces the launch of more than Ksh12.9 billion investment to enhance water, sanitation and hygiene activities in Kenya on March 13, 2023. By Kioko Nyamasyo, Kenyans.co.ke