East Africa

Details: East Africa; 26 October 2021; 865

Deputy President William Ruto at Makindu, Kibwezi West, Makueni, on October 25, 2021. [DPPS/Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has come under sharp criticism after pledging to give Mtito Andei commercial sex workers Sh1 million.

While addressing a rally at the town in Makueni county on Monday, a woman who claimed she was a sex worker identified herself as Caro. She urged the DP to come to her aid and that of her colleagues who do not want to earn a living as sex workers anymore.

DP Ruto told the call girls to organise themselves in a Sacco so that he can wire the money to them.

The DP's promise came after the woman appealed to him to expedite the release of the fund so that they can venture into respectful businesses.

Social media user Silvester Nyaberi said Ruto always uses the Bible to make him look more Christian than others.

"Where in the church or Bible does it say prostitution is actually allowed? Ruto is so desperate that he can do anything to be the president. Let's look at his past promises. How many of them did he actually achieve? Almost none. Now he is promising everything just to get votes. Don't cry later," Nyaberi said.

Jessie Jackson said, "They must be over 500 of them so each one will get Sh2,000 which won't help them. This is what is called a handout.

"You can help them by getting them to work in a company. A sacco won't help them because they'll still need to "work" to grow the Sacco. They'll need a source of income meaning they'll still go back to prostitution."

But Nick Danson seemed to support the DP by saying the prostitutes are also human beings.

He added, "But some people treat them as if they are animals. If Ruto plan can make them change to other businesses, even God in heaven will be happy."

Stephine Nyasirwa criticised the DP saying, "It's very bad for those who attend church to have encouraged such acts instead of helping them find something they can do. Kenya we are very far in terms of intelligence."

James Kamau said the DP's support can be taken to mean that he supports women and girls going into prostitution.

Other users like Saul Ouma cast doubts on the DP's pledge, saying it was not the first time he was promising to dish out money and not following through.

Fred Gadafi on the other hand added that there are other businesses DP Ruto would have supported in Ukambani.

His comments were echoed by Frank Kinyua who said it would have been more helpful for the DP to support street children instead. By Jael Mboga, The Standard

Details: East Africa; 26 October 2021; 846

At least three protesters were killed and 80 others injured on Monday by military gunfire in front of the Sudanese army headquarters in the capital Khartoum, a doctors committee said.

Protests took place in response to the military’s arrest of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and members of the civilian government in Khartoum earlier on Monday.

According to the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, security forces fired live bullets at the demonstrators.

The Ministry of Culture and Information said the military arrested Hamdok after he refused to support what it described as a "coup".

Also Monday, Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling military council, declared a state of emergency and dissolved the Sovereign Council, which was created to run the country after the ouster of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

After a failed military coup last month, deep tensions between the military and the civilian administration erupted in Sudan amid recent rival protests in Khartoum.

Before the dissolution, Sudan was administered by the Sovereign Council of military and civilian authorities, which oversaw the transition period until elections slated for 2023, as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and the Forces for Freedom and Change coalition. Yeni Safak

Details: East Africa; 25 October 2021; 858

BY MICHAEL BONAYA

In Kenya on September 16^th 2021- parent and lawyer Esther Awour Adero Angawa filed a case in the high court to have the implementation of the newly launched Competence Based Curriculum be declared unconstitutional.

Havi and Company Advocates, a law firm ran by Nelson Havi, the 49^th President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), is representing the petitioner in the case.

The respondents in the case are the Ministry of Education Basic Education Department, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Education Minister Prof. George Magoha, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.

CBC (Competence Based Curriculum) Curriculum in Kenya was drafted by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) after being initiated by the Ministry of education in 2017. It replaced 8-4-4 system after it was approved by the Ministry of Education. The key focus of the system is to ensure children develop ability and skills to solve daily life challenges.

Nelson Havi argues, “The actions of the first to second respondents as set out in the petition are manifestly unconstitutional and unlawful, are prejudicial to the future of children in Kenya and ought to be halted pending the hearing and determination of the questions raised.”

The plea of the petitioner is to have the Competence Based Curriculum declared unconstitutional and stopped from being implemented and the education system be returned back to 8-4-4 system, which was implemented in 1985 by President Daniel Arap Moi’s regime. The petitioner also requests that Education Minister and Interior Affairs Minister Prof. George Magoha and Mr. Fred Matiangi (respectively) be declared unfit for office and ordered to resign.

The petitioner seeks changes in the system and structure of basic education in the country (from nursery to middle-level institutions) to the new CBC format from 8-4-4 to be declared unconstitutional according to the following articles of the constitution:

1(3)(a) - (3) Sovereign power under this Constitution is delegated to the following State organs, which shall perform their functions in accordance with this Constitution— (a) Parliament and the legislative assemblies in the county governments
2(1) - (1) This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic and binds all persons and all State organs at both levels of government
3(1) - (1) Every person has an obligation to respect, uphold and defend this Constitution
10 - (1) The national values and principles of governance in this Article bind all State organs, State officers, public officers and all persons whenever any of them— (a) applies or interprets this Constitution; (b) enacts, applies or interprets any law; or (c) makes or implements public policy decisions. (2) The national values and principles of governance include— 16 Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (a) patriotism, national unity, sharing and devolution of power, the rule of law, democracy and participation of the people; (b) human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised; (c) good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability; and (d) sustainable development.

21 (1, 2 and 3) - (1) It is a fundamental duty of the State and every State organ to observe, respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights. (2) The State shall take legislative, policy and other measures, including the setting of standards, to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights guaranteed under Article 43. (3) All State organs and all public officers have the duty to address the needs of vulnerable groups within society, including women, older members of society, persons with disabilities, children, youth, members of minority or marginalised communities, and members of particular ethnic, religious or cultural communities.

24 (1) - (1) A right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights shall not be limited except by law, and then only to the extent that the limitation is reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom, taking into account all relevant factors, including— (a) the nature of the right or fundamental freedom; (b) the importance of the purpose of the limitation; (c) the nature and extent of the limitation; (d) the need to ensure that the enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and fundamental freedoms of others; and (e) the relation between the limitation and its purpose and whether there are less restrictive means to achieve the purpose.

27 (1, 2, 4 and 5) - (1) Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law. (2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms (4) The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth. (5) A person shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against another person on any of the grounds specified or contemplated in clause (4)
33 (1) - (1) Every person has the right to freedom of expression, which includes— (a) freedom to seek, receive or impart information or ideas; (b) freedom of artistic creativity; and (c) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research. (2) The right to freedom of expression does not extend to— (a) propaganda for war; (b) incitement to violence; (c) hate speech; or (d) advocacy of hatred that— (i) constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm; or (ii) is based on any ground of discrimination specified or contemplated in Article 27 (4)

43 (1) - (1) Every person has the right— (a) to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services, including reproductive health care; (b) to accessible and adequate housing, and to reasonable standards of sanitation; (c) to be free from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality; (d) to clean and safe water in adequate quantities; (e) to social security; and (f) to education.

47 (1 and 2) - (1) Every person has the right to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. (2) If a right or fundamental freedom of a person has been or is likely to be adversely affected by administrative action, the person has the right to be given written reasons for the action
53 (1 (b and d) and 53 (2) - (1) Every child has the right (b) to free and compulsory basic education; (d) to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour
55 (c) - The State shall take measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that the youth— (c) access employment.

The petitioners want a declaration be made that the respondents cannot overhaul and replace the existing system in absence of proper framework.

They want a declaration to be made that the introduction of CBC to replace the 8-4-4 system violates the constitution.

They want an order of injunction be made to restrain respondents from further implementing CBC.

Details: East Africa; 26 October 2021; 840

By NANGAYI GUYSON

KAMPALA, UGANDA - Ugandan police are probing a bus explosion that claimed the lives of at least two people on Monday, the country's second in less than 48 hours.

According to police spokesman Fred Enanga at around 5 p.m., a team of bomb experts was deployed to Lungala, on the Kampala-Masaka highway, after a tragic explosion on a Swift Safaris Bus with registration number UAU 989T. The Bus was on its way to Bushenyi from Kampala.

Two people have been confirmed killed so far, with a number of other victims, including injured people, being evacuated from the area.

On Saturday, one person was killed in an explosion at an eatery in a bustling Kampala district.

That attack has been attributed to the Islamic State.

Late Sunday, the extremist group said it detonated an explosive device inside a restaurant purportedly frequented by "elements and spies" with Uganda's government, according to a statement.

The explosion on Saturday was termed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as a "terrorist act."

Three persons entered a pork joint, according to Museveni, and left a plastic bag with substances that burst later.

No arrests have been made by the police.

The explosions occurred just one week after the UK government issued a terrorism alert for Uganda.

"Terrorists are quite likely to try to carry out assaults," it told British citizens in the East African country, where such attacks are uncommon.

They were urged to be cautious in public locations, such as restaurants and bars.

The bombers bought food and drinks before placing a plastic bag under a table, according to police spokesman Fred Enanga. Moments after they left, the explosion occurred.

Ugandan explosives experts secure the scene of an explosion in Komamboga, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Kampala, Uganda October 24, 2021. Abubaker Lubowa

Nails, ball bearings, and other metal bits have been discovered by investigators, implying that the explosion was triggered by an improvised explosive device, according to Mr Enanga.

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda announced on Twitter that the blast was a terrorist attack and that the perpetrators will be apprehended.

"The public should have no fear," he continued. "We will overcome this criminality just as we have all the other criminality committed by swine that don't respect life."

In August, this year, security forces prevented a planned suicide terror attack in Uganda and suicide bomber knowns as Abdul Katumba alias Ben, was apprehended with IEDs aimed at mourners at the funeral of former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Lt Gen Paul Lokech.

President Museveni accused the armed rebel organization Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) of being behind preparations and orders to kill Ugandans.

He said that he was in talks with DRC counterpart to attack them in DR. Congo forests.

"Terrorists in Eastern Congo are planning and ordering the murder of our people. We're still talking to HE Felix Tshisekedi about eradicating that cancer "he stated.

Mr. Museveni claims that the ADF acted in reprisal for Mr. Lokech's role in major arrests of ADF members in Uganda, as well as his gallant efforts in driving Al-Shabab militants out of Mogadishu, Somalia.

"The ADF was taken aback since they had grown accustomed to uncaring performers who refused to go deeper even when there were plenty of evidence.

That's why, according to reports, the ADF was now focusing on Lokech as a person "he stated

In 2010, 74 people were killed when bombs exploded in Kampala venues where football enthusiasts were watching the World Cup final. The masterminds of the attacks, members of the al-Shabab Islamist militant group, are serving life sentences.

Details: East Africa; 25 October 2021; 839

An Undated Image of ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru at his Office FILE

Community media houses are set to benefit from the government’s new plan of offering them advertisements.

The move which targets community radio and TV stations will help them generate revenue to pay their employees and sustain their operations, according to Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.

Mucheru was speaking during the launch of Trinity TV and Radio Stations in Ol-Kalou, Nyandarua County, saying that the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) was working on a framework to help actualize the facilitation.

ICT CS Joe Mucheru and Interior CS Fred Matiang'i During a Fund Drive Event in Kajiado. TWITTER

“As a ministry, we are looking at what policy we can put in place for advertisers so that even us as the Government Advertising Agency we can begin supporting the community radios and the TVs.” Said the CS.

Trinity TV and Radio stations will become the first-ever media outlets to set up in Nyandarua County. The CS who previously worked with tech giant Google acknowledged the importance of community radios in facilitating access to information among rural communities.

While addressing the prevalence of fake news occasioned by the liberalization of telecommunication services, Mucheru urged media houses to be responsible and careful with the information they release to the public.

Communication Authority of Kenya Director General, Ezra Chiloba, who was also present at the event, said that his agency was working towards licensing more community media houses to boost access to information among Kenyans.

“From 2015 we have licensed 23 stations and we hope to license 33 more by the end of this year. Our aim is to use the Community Broadcasting Licensing programme, to ensure the radios meet the information needs of the citizens,” noted Chiloba.

The former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO urged the media to provide factual information to the public, saying that it would facilitate the well-being of the people alongside being informative.

“We must abide by the code, especially as we head to the 2022 General Elections and the radios have a critical role in bringing sanity and cohesion, through factual reporting,” added Chiloba.

A file image of a radio station. FACEBOOK By DOMENIC NTOOGO, Kenyans.co.ke